Is Cabbagetown in Atlanta a Safe Place to Live or Visit?

Cabbagetown is one of Atlanta’s most distinctive intown neighborhoods—historic mill homes, colorful murals, and a tight-knit feel just a few minutes from downtown. If you’re thinking about moving to Cabbagetown, spending more time there, or just visiting for food and art, it’s natural to ask: Is Cabbagetown safe?

The honest answer: Cabbagetown is generally considered reasonably safe for an intown Atlanta neighborhood, especially for people who stay aware of their surroundings and follow basic city safety habits. Like many close-in neighborhoods, it has a mix of old industrial history, rapid redevelopment, and typical urban issues—so safety can vary block by block and by time of day.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-specific look at what to expect.

What Kind of Neighborhood Is Cabbagetown?

Cabbagetown is a small, historic neighborhood in southeast Atlanta, just east of downtown, near:

• Memorial Drive SE
• Carroll Street SE
• Oakland Cemetery
• The BeltLine Eastside Trail (via nearby access)
• Reynoldstown and Grant Park

It’s known for:

• Historic mill cottages and narrow streets
• The Studioplex and old Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill redevelopment nearby
• Street art and murals, especially around the Krog Street Tunnel area
• Walkable restaurants and bars along Carroll Street and Memorial Drive

Because it’s so close to downtown, I-20, and other busy corridors, Cabbagetown gets a lot of through-traffic and visitors, which can be both a benefit (more activity, more eyes on the street) and a challenge (more opportunity for petty crime).

Overall Safety: How Does Cabbagetown Feel Day-to-Day?

People who live in or visit Cabbagetown often describe it as:

• Lively during the day, with dog walkers, families, and people headed to coffee shops or restaurants
• More mixed at night, especially along commercial areas where bars and nightlife are active
• Community-focused, with neighbors often knowing each other and watching the streets

From a typical Atlanta resident’s perspective:

• Daytime in Cabbagetown generally feels comfortable for walking, especially on main streets.
• Nighttime is usually fine on well-lit, active streets, but many locals prefer to avoid walking alone on quieter side streets very late, especially if they’re unfamiliar with the area.

Cabbagetown doesn’t feel like an unsafe “no-go zone,” but it is still a dense, urban neighborhood, and the same risks you’d expect in other intown parts of Atlanta—like Old Fourth Ward, Reynoldstown, or Edgewood—can also show up here.

Common Safety Concerns in Cabbagetown

Like much of intown Atlanta, the most frequently mentioned issues around Cabbagetown tend to be property-related, with occasional more serious incidents. Patterns can change, but typical concerns include:

1. Car Break-Ins and Theft

This is one of the biggest ongoing issues people talk about in and around Cabbagetown:

• Cars parked on Memorial Drive, in surface lots, or on side streets can be targets.
• Opportunistic thieves look for visible bags, electronics, or valuables.
• In some cases, car break-ins happen even when nothing valuable is visible, especially in higher-traffic nightlife areas.

Practical takeaways:

• Do not leave anything visible in your car.
• Park in well-lit areas and, when possible, in secured or monitored lots.
• If you live there, consider motion lights or home security cameras facing your parking area or street.

2. Package Theft and Property Crimes

Residents may encounter:

• Porch piracy (package theft), especially on smaller streets with visible front porches and stoops.
• Occasional bike theft or theft from yards or open sheds.

Common local strategies:

• Using lockers or pick-up locations for high-value deliveries.
• Having packages sent to work or to a secure package room if available.
• Installing doorbell cameras or coordinated delivery times.

3. Noise and Nightlife-Related Issues

Parts of Cabbagetown near:

• Carroll Street SE
• Memorial Drive SE
• Nearby breweries, bars, and late-night spots

may experience:

• Late-night noise
• Crowds after events or on weekends
• Public intoxication or arguments spilling into the street

These aren’t strictly “safety” issues in the criminal sense, but they affect livability, especially if you prefer quiet nights.

4. Occasional Violent Crime

As with many intown Atlanta neighborhoods, Cabbagetown is not completely free of:

• Robberies
• Assaults
• Isolated incidents involving weapons

These events are typically not the daily norm, but they do happen in the broader area from time to time. People considering moving here usually compare it to other intown spots rather than to suburbs—on that scale, Cabbagetown sits in the typical range for a dense, popular Atlanta in-town neighborhood.

Safety Experience: Residents vs. Visitors

If You’re Visiting Cabbagetown

Most visitors come for:

• Restaurants and bars on Carroll Street SE
• Street art and murals
• Proximity to Oakland Cemetery, Inman Park, or the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

For a typical visit:

• Daytime visits are generally low-stress from a safety standpoint.
• At night, the main guidance is to stick to well-lit, busier areas, especially if you’re not familiar with side streets.
• Plan how you’re getting in and out (ride-share, MARTA + short walk, or secure parking).

If You’re Thinking About Moving to Cabbagetown

People considering relocation usually weigh:

• Walkability vs. need for a car
• Proximity to downtown, Midtown, and major employers
• Neighborhood feel vs. urban safety concerns

Common impressions from residents:

• Many feel comfortable walking dogs or jogging during the day.
• Some feel fine walking at night on familiar streets, while others prefer driving or rideshares after dark.
• Close-knit blocks often have active neighborhood communication to share safety concerns quickly.

If safety is a high priority for you, it may help to visit at different times of day and talk to residents on the street.

How Cabbagetown Compares to Other Intown Atlanta Areas

Here’s a simple context table from a typical Atlanta resident’s perspective (general, not statistical):

*Perception varies by person. These are broad, commonly described impressions, not guarantees.

Practical Safety Tips for Cabbagetown Residents and Visitors

Whether you’re new to the neighborhood or just here for the weekend, these habits are widely used by locals:

Personal Safety

• 🚶‍♀️ Walk on well-lit, busier streets, especially at night.
• Stay aware of your surroundings—avoid walking distracted with headphones up and phone out.
• Use rideshare or a trusted ride if you feel uncomfortable walking back late.
• When jogging or walking dogs early or late, let someone know your route if you’re new to the area.

Home & Apartment Safety

• Use deadbolts and keep doors and windows locked, even during the day.
• Consider doorbell cameras or outdoor lights, especially for front porches and alleys.
• Get to know immediate neighbors—they’re often the best early-warning system for anything unusual.
• If renting, ask the landlord or property manager:
  • How the building or house is secured
  • Whether there is gated parking or monitored access
  • How packages are handled and stored

Car & Bike Safety

• Never leave valuables in sight—bags, laptops, backpacks, or shopping bags.
• If you must leave items, place them in the trunk before you arrive, not after parking.
• Use a steering wheel lock or similar deterrent if you’re concerned about auto theft.
• Lock bikes with a sturdy U-lock and keep them indoors overnight when possible.

Getting Local Crime and Safety Information

If you want to understand Cabbagetown safety more deeply, there are several Atlanta-specific resources you can use.

Atlanta Police Department (APD)

Cabbagetown falls under the Atlanta Police Department, which has:

• Zone 6 Precinct (covers much of southeast and east Atlanta)
  2025 Hosea L. Williams Dr NE
  Atlanta, GA 30317
  Phone: 404-371-5002 (general line; use 911 for emergencies)

You can:

• Ask which beat Cabbagetown is in.
• Learn about recent crime patterns.
• Ask about neighborhood meetings or community officers.

City Code Enforcement and Nuisance Issues

For issues that may affect safety indirectly (abandoned properties, illegal dumping, etc.):

• City of Atlanta 311
  Dial: 3-1-1 from within city limits, or 404-546-0311
  You can report:
  • Broken streetlights
  • Overgrown lots
  • Abandoned vehicles

Keeping the environment maintained can help discourage opportunistic crime.

Neighborhood and Community Groups

Cabbagetown has an active neighborhood association and community presence. While names and meeting locations can shift over time, look for:

• A recognized Cabbagetown neighborhood organization or community development group
• Online neighborhood forums or groups where residents share:
  • Suspicious activity
  • Lost and found items
  • Safety tips
  • Upcoming events

These groups often coordinate directly with APD community officers and help keep locals informed.

Is Cabbagetown a Good Fit for You, Safety-Wise?

Whether Cabbagetown feels “safe enough” depends on your personal comfort level and what you’re used to:

You may feel comfortable here if you:

• Are accustomed to living in a city with typical urban issues.
• Value walkability, character, and street life.
• Are willing to follow basic precautions for your car, home, and personal safety.
• Appreciate an older, historic neighborhood with a mix of longtime residents and newer arrivals.

You might want to look more carefully or visit several times if you:

• Strongly prefer quiet, suburban-style environments.
• Feel uneasy with any level of visible urban activity, such as late-night bar crowds or graffiti.
• Want very low levels of property crime without taking extra security steps.

If you’re evaluating a specific block or property:

• Visit during the day, in the evening, and late at night.
• Talk to neighbors you see out front.
• Ask property managers or landlords how they handle security.
• Check how the street feels at night—lighting, foot traffic, and noise.

In practical Atlanta terms, Cabbagetown is not the city’s safest or most dangerous neighborhood. It’s a lively, historically rich, intown area with the usual big-city tradeoffs: strong community, walkability, and culture, balanced against property crime risks and the occasional more serious incident. With aware, common-sense habits, many Atlantans feel comfortable living in and enjoying Cabbagetown.