Is East Kendall safe?
Kendall, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates East Kendall as “Go”.
Gogo's take on East Kendall
“Go. East Kendall is an exceptionally safe, prosperous suburban enclave in South Florida known for established tree-lined neighborhoods and major medical facilities. Visitors can comfortably explore shopping centers, parks, and dining spots day or night with standard suburban awareness.”
About the area
East Kendall is an affluent, family-oriented suburban community in south Miami-Dade County centered around Kendall Drive, Baptist Hospital, and the Dadeland area. It features lush residential neighborhoods, canal systems, and busy retail centers offering a wide range of authentic Latin American dining and regional shopping.
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban / Safe
- Car-Dependent
- Lush / Residential
Walking and biking in East Kendall
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 50/100
Dedicated bike lanes are limited along major thoroughfares, but residential neighborhood streets are quiet; the Snapper Creek Trail provides recreational path access nearby.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly below both Miami-Dade County and national averages
- High median household incomes and stable residential homeownership with well-maintained properties
- Close proximity to top-tier healthcare infrastructure at Baptist Hospital of Miami
- Safe, quiet residential streets with minimal late-night disturbances
Cons
- Occasional retail and parking lot property crime, including car break-ins near major commercial corridors
- Heavy vehicular congestion along Kendall Drive (SW 88th St) and the Palmetto Expressway
- Low pedestrian friendliness outside immediate shopping plazas, requiring a car for most trips
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a prominent presence in East Kendall, though occasional panhandling may occur near major highway ramps and busy intersections along Kendall Drive.
What East Kendall is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters navigating school and work traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy and vibrant around shopping centers and medical campuses with no notable daytime safety concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and relaxed as residents dine out and visit local parks, feeling completely safe in commercial and residential areas.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and low-key with minimal foot traffic; standard precautions regarding locked vehicles in retail lots apply.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit serves the area with Metrobus routes along Kendall Drive (Route 88) and SW 104th Street, connecting eastward to the Dadeland North and Dadeland South Metrorail stations within a 5- to 10-minute drive.
Parking is abundant and largely free in surface strip mall lots and residential zones, while structured garage parking near Dadeland is inexpensive or validated by local retailers.
Things to do in East Kendall
- Play tennis or walk shaded paths at Continental Park
- Shop and dine at the outdoor open-air plazas around Downtown Dadeland
- Explore authentic Cuban bakeries and South American cuisine along Kendall Drive
Local favorites
- Roasters 'N Toasters · Deli / Breakfast · 4.5★ (1650)Beloved New York-style deli serving generous pastrami sandwiches, bagels, and classic breakfast fare.
- Ghee Indian Kitchen · Indian Restaurant · 4.6★ (1420)Acclaimed modern Indian eatery focused on fresh, farm-to-table traditional dishes and craft cocktails.
- Pinecrest Bakery - Kendall · Cuban Bakery · 4.3★ (2100)Popular 24-hour Cuban bakery offering fresh pastelitos, empanadas, sandwiches, and cafecito.
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.