How safe is Ballston? (Arlington, Fairfax: apartment, low crime, safe area)

[anaconda1]

Thinking about moving into an apartment right near the Ballston Mall (intersection of Wilson and N. Quincy).

Does anyone have some insight on the safety of this area, like walking your dog around after 10pm on weekends, etc.

[boyd888]

Very safe. North Arlington has very low crime rates.

[frostopsy]

Totally unsafe. Too many millenials.

[anaconda1]

Originally Posted by boyd888

Very safe. North Arlington has very low crime rates.

I've heard that the Ballston mall area can be shady, especially at night. Just want to set the rumors straight or look elsewhere

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by anaconda1

I've heard that the Ballston mall area can be shady, especially at night. Just want to set the rumors straight or look elsewhere

If by shady you mean the bike share rack is out of bikes, I guess. There's only a couple of bars open late in Ballston so it's actually quite deserted, especially compared to Clarendon (which is just as safe).

If there aren't a bunch of people hanging out outside the liquor store at 7am or homeless people in the parks (like many spots in DC) it's pretty safe.

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by anaconda1

I've heard that the Ballston mall area can be shady, especially at night. Just want to set the rumors straight or look elsewhere

Near the mall area there is a bus terminal or station near the Metro station entrance and exit. It can look a little shady to people who are used to a more sanitized Arlington. It seems to have some people that hang around there to socialize for various reasons and serves some of the less affluent areas of Arlington and Fairfax counties.

I use the buses and the Metro station fairly often and do not consider them unsafe though I am careful around the larger groups of teens, mostly because I find large groups of teens to be loud and unpredictable.

[stateofnature]

The Mall is a bit rundown and depressing but I've never heard of it being dangerous.

[austindoxie1972]

As a single woman, I would definitely live there. No problem whatsoever. My friend lives there now, and I've been in the area at various times (even 1 a.m.). I'm pretty picky, but Ballston has never bothered me.

BTW the area is slated to undergo a major renovation. The mall will become an "open" pedestrian space. This might be a few years away. Just throwing this out!

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by anaconda1

Thinking about moving into an apartment right near the Ballston Mall (intersection of Wilson and N. Quincy).

Does anyone have some insight on the safety of this area, like walking your dog around after 10pm on weekends, etc.

I work in the area and just applied for a room nearby myself. I've also been after dark there a few times. I have no concern about the mall area. Probably the biggest concern is wayward teens but otherwise the area is safe.

[Skatergirl]

My son was robbed by knifepoint in the mall during business hours. After talking to the cop who took the report we were told the mall IS a big crime area due to quick access to the train and streets. Not saying it's Detroit but many assume it's super safe area. Read the arlington crime reports to see for yourself--robberies most everyday and night there. Be smart and don't walk around with ear buds in or your cell phone out.