Is Hillcrest safe?
Hollywood, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Hillcrest as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Hillcrest
“Go. Hillcrest is a quiet, predominantly residential master-planned community that is very safe for visitors. While there is little in the way of tourist attractions or nightlife inside the neighborhood itself, the area offers a secure, well-maintained, and low-stress base close to greater Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale.”
About the area
Hillcrest is a peaceful residential neighborhood in west-central Hollywood, characterized by modern townhouse developments, 55+ condominiums, and private green spaces. Developed largely over a former golf course, the neighborhood functions as a self-contained suburban retreat bordered by major South Florida transit corridors.
- Suburban Enclave
- Quiet Residential
- Master-Planned
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Hillcrest
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 54/100
While there are no municipal bike-share stations inside Hillcrest, the low-traffic residential loop on Hillcrest Drive offers easy leisure cycling, though dedicated bike lanes onto major thoroughfares are limited.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent crime rate compared to South Florida's dense urban cores
- Gated enclaves and active homeowners associations providing private security and well-lit roads
- High homeownership rate and stable middle-income demographics
- Low through-traffic due to looped interior residential street design
Cons
- Commercial corridors along nearby perimeter roads (Pembroke Rd, SR 7) see elevated retail theft
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins in open condo surface lots
- Highly car-dependent with virtually no walkable retail within the neighborhood core
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the interior residential loops of Hillcrest. Minor panhandling is occasionally observed near commercial strip malls along perimeter corridors like Pembroke Road.
What Hillcrest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with residents jogging, walking dogs, and exercising around Hillcrest Drive in complete safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet with low traffic volume, making walking around the interior parks and residential tracks comfortable.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and subdued atmosphere as residents return home, remaining safe for evening walks along well-lit paths.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark with almost no pedestrian activity; safety remains solid though standard late-night awareness is prudent.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) provides bus service along the perimeter on Route 5 (Pembroke Rd) and Route 7 (Hollywood Blvd). The Hollywood Tri-Rail / Amtrak commuter station is located approximately 2.5 miles east.
Parking in residential sectors is private and off-street via dedicated lots, driveways, or guest spaces; parking is generally easy and free for permitted visitors.
Things to do in Hillcrest
- Walk, jog, or relax along the landscaped paths at the community central park
- Play pickleball, tennis, or use the recreation facilities located around Hillcrest Drive
- Take a five-minute drive east to explore the dining and cultural events at ArtsPark at Young Circle
Local favorites
- Capriccio Ristorante · Italian Restaurant · 4.7★ (1250)Upscale, long-standing Italian fine dining destination known for live piano music and classic entrees.
- Los Verdes Hollywood · Latin Fast Casual · 4.4★ (1520)Vibrant and casual local favorite serving Colombian-style burgers, gourmet hot dogs, and loaded fries.
- Flanigan's Seafood Bar and Grill · Seafood & Grill · 4.5★ (4600)Beloved South Florida sports bar chain known for legendary baby back ribs, wings, and fresh seafood.
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.