Is East Kendall Lakes safe?
Kendale Lakes, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates East Kendall Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on East Kendall Lakes
“Go. East Kendall Lakes is a quiet, well-established suburban residential community in southwest Miami-Dade County that is very safe for visitors. Violent crime is rare, and the area primarily consists of single-family homes, townhouses, and family-oriented shopping centers. While there is little traditional tourist appeal, visitors will experience a tranquil and secure environment.”
About the area
East Kendall Lakes is an idyllic suburban enclave centered around community lakes, golf courses, and strip mall dining hubs. The neighborhood is characterized by stable middle-class residential tracts, landscaped subdivisions, and a strong bilingual Latin community. It is heavily car-dependent, peaceful, and oriented around everyday family living.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet / Residential
Walking and biking in East Kendall Lakes
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 49/100
No dedicated bike-share stations exist; riding is largely confined to residential neighborhood streets and sidewalk paths along main thoroughfares.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than the broader Miami-Dade metro average.
- High homeownership rate and strong residential stability with well-maintained housing stock.
- Low poverty and steady median household incomes exceeding county baselines.
- Abundant everyday conveniences, grocery stores, and local dining hubs along arterial roads.
Cons
- Car break-ins and opportunistic property thefts occasionally occur in open parking lots.
- High car dependence with heavy rush-hour traffic along Kendall Drive and Sunset Drive.
- Lacks a walkable urban core or significant tourist attractions.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this suburban area, though occasional panhandling may be observed near major commercial intersections along Kendall Drive.
What East Kendall Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging, walking dogs, and commuting along arterial routes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with typical suburban traffic around local shopping centers and school zones.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in the neighborhoods, with steady, safe family traffic around restaurants along Kendall Drive.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and minimal street activity; exceptionally calm, though standard suburban awareness applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates Metrobus routes (such as Routes 72 and 88) along major corridors, connecting eastward to the Dadeland North and Dadeland South Metrorail stations roughly 6 to 8 miles away.
Parking is exceptionally easy and free, with ample surface parking lots at shopping centers and easy residential driveway or curbside parking.
Things to do in East Kendall Lakes
- Play a round of golf at the nearby Miccosukee Golf & Country Club.
- Stroll, jog, or relax by the water at Kendale Lakes Park.
- Sample authentic Cuban and Latin American pastries and cuisine in the local strip plazas.
Local favorites
- Miccosukee Golf & Country Club · Golf Course & Country Club · 4.1★ (1150)Historic 27-hole championship golf facility that has hosted numerous PGA Tour events.
- Sergio's Restaurant - Kendall · Cuban Restaurant · 4.3★ (3200)Popular local staple serving classic Cuban comfort food, cafecito, and late-night eats.
- Finka Table & Tap · Gastropub · 4.6★ (4600)Renowned neighborhood spot blending Cuban, Peruvian, and Korean flavors with craft cocktails.
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.