Is East Highland Lakes safe?
Clearwater, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates East Highland Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on East Highland Lakes
“Go. East Highland Lakes is a quiet, well-maintained suburban residential enclave in northern Clearwater that poses minimal safety risks to visitors. The area is largely composed of established single-family homes and mature landscaping, making it peaceful and safe for typical neighborhood activities.”
About the area
East Highland Lakes is a serene, suburban community situated in northern Clearwater characterized by quiet residential cul-de-sacs, well-tended lawns, and proximity to regional commercial corridors. While primarily residential and lacking a bustling nightlife scene, it offers convenient access to surrounding parks, golf courses, and Gulf Coast beaches.
- Quiet Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in East Highland Lakes
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 48/100
The neighborhood itself is safe for casual cycling, and cyclists have convenient connection points to the nearby Duke Energy Trail and Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail via regional connector roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than national and Clearwater city averages
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes resulting in well-kept properties
- Peaceful, low-traffic neighborhood streets ideal for daytime walks and jogging
Cons
- Car dependency requires driving along busy surrounding thoroughfares like US-19 and SR 580
- Occasional opportunistic property theft such as unlocked car break-ins typical of suburban areas
- Minimal pedestrian infrastructure on major perimeter connector roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within East Highland Lakes; minor panhandling is occasionally observed near major shopping plazas along US-19 outside the residential core.
What East Highland Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs, jogging, and heading out for morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and sunlit with sparse vehicular traffic on interior subdivision roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe as neighbors return home and outdoor activity gradually winds down.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet; streets are safe though dimly lit outside of private exterior lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) operates bus routes along nearby perimeter arterials like Route 19 and Route 60, but interior streets have no direct transit service, making a personal vehicle essential.
Parking is exceptionally easy with ample private driveways, attached garages, and free, unrestricted curbside street parking throughout residential streets.
Things to do in East Highland Lakes
- Walk or jog through the shaded neighborhood streets and around local community retention lakes
- Play a round of golf at the nearby Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club
- Take a short drive to explore the natural trails and shoreline at Safety Harbor Waterfront Park
Local favorites
- Rumba Island Bar & Grill · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.5★ (4600)Vibrant nearby eatery serving island-inspired seafood, tiki cocktails, and Caribbean fare.
- Grumpy Joey's Pizzeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (420)Local favorite spot offering New York-style thin-crust pizza, subs, and classic pasta dishes.
- Daily Bagel Cafe · Bakery / Cafe · 4.7★ (680)Popular breakfast destination serving freshly baked kettle bagels, sandwiches, and coffee.
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.