Is Apex Lake Estates safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Apex Lake Estates as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Apex Lake Estates
“Go. Apex Lake Estates is a peaceful, established residential pocket with low rates of violent crime and a calm suburban environment. While nearby major thoroughfares warrant basic situational awareness regarding vehicle break-ins, the neighborhood interior is secure and safe for visitors.”
About the area
Apex Lake Estates is an unincorporated suburban community in northern Hillsborough County near the Lake Magdalene and Lutz borders. The area is characterized by single-family homes, leafy residential streets, and small natural water bodies, providing a quiet setting removed from the urban core.
- Suburban
- Quiet / Low-Key
- Car-Dependent
- Lakeside Residential
Walking and biking in Apex Lake Estates
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There are no municipal bike-share stations or dedicated bike lanes in the subdivision, though interior residential roads feature low vehicle speeds suitable for casual riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rates well below Tampa and national averages.
- Predominantly owner-occupied housing stock with stable residential lots.
- Quick vehicular access to major transit routes including US-41 and I-275.
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent layout with absent sidewalks along main connector roads.
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle break-ins near commercial corridors.
- Sparse street lighting on interior residential lanes after dark.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within the residential estates, though occasional individuals may be seen near bus stops along North Florida Avenue.
What Apex Lake Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with residents walking pets and light neighborhood commuter traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with sparse pedestrian activity under typical Florida suburban conditions.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and secure, though pedestrians should carry a light due to widely spaced streetlamps.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very tranquil with virtually no foot traffic, remaining safe but isolated.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) operates Route 1 along nearby North Florida Avenue, providing north-south connections, though there is no direct rail or BRT access.
Parking is exceptionally easy, consisting of private residential driveways and free, spacious surface lots at all nearby commercial plazas.
Things to do in Apex Lake Estates
- Browse fresh produce, local preserves, and seasonal goods at the nearby Bearss Groves market.
- Enjoy peaceful walks and birdwatching along the quiet streets surrounding neighborhood lakes.
- Dine at authentic family-owned restaurants situated along the North Florida Avenue corridor.
Local favorites
- Bearss Groves · Produce Market · 4.6★ (2800)Long-running open-air farm stand offering fresh Florida citrus, local produce, and seasonal pumpkins.
- Vallarta's Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.2★ (1850)Popular neighborhood outpost serving generous platters of Mexican classics and margaritas in a colorful space.
- Twistee Treat North Tampa · Ice Cream Shop · 4.5★ (950)Iconic ice-cream-cone-shaped roadside stand dispensing rich soft serve, sundaes, and shakes.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.