Is 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 Kendall Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Kendall Lakes
“Go. Kendale Lakes is a calm, well-established suburban community in western Miami-Dade County that is very safe for visitors. While you will need a car to get around efficiently, violent crime is rare and the area is primarily comprised of quiet residential subdivisions, golf fairways, and bustling strip malls.”
About the area
Kendale Lakes is a classic South Florida suburban enclave centered around community lakes, golf courses, and strip-mall shopping plazas. It features a predominantly Hispanic, family-oriented demographic with manicured residential streets and easy access to Latin dining and neighborhood retail along Kendall Drive.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Kendall Lakes
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 46/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, and dedicated cycling lanes are sparse, making biking best suited for internal neighborhood side streets rather than main avenues.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly below both the Miami-Dade County and national averages
- Solid middle-income economic base with homeownership rates over 65% and low residential vacancy
- Quiet, well-maintained residential streets and cul-de-sacs with low through-traffic
- Abundant everyday conveniences and authentic Latin American culinary options in strip plazas
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like vehicle break-ins in shopping plaza parking lots
- Heavy vehicular congestion along major arterials such as SW 88th Street (Kendall Drive) and SW 137th Avenue
- Suburban sprawl makes walking between different shopping centers or residential pockets impractical
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal, with only occasional individuals seen near major commercial intersections along Kendall Drive, and no encampments present.
What Kendall Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant, with joggers and dog walkers circulating around lakes and residential cul-de-sacs.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy along commercial thoroughfares like Kendall Drive, but residential side streets remain safe and calm.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Strip mall restaurants and shopping centers are active with families, with minimal safety concerns.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and dark in purely residential zones; generally safe, though standard caution is advised in unlit parking lots.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit provides bus service through routes like the 88 and 137, connecting to the Dadeland North and South Metrorail stations roughly 7 to 9 miles east.
Parking is abundant and universally free across large shopping plaza lots and residential driveways, with no metered street parking.
Things to do in Kendall Lakes
- Play a round of golf on the championship course at Miccosukee Golf & Country Club
- Walk the shaded lakeside paths and play tennis at Kendale Lakes Park
- Explore authentic Cuban and Colombian bakeries along the SW 137th Avenue commercial corridor
Local favorites
- Miccosukee Golf & Country Club · Golf Course & Country Club · 4.1★ (1280)Historic 27-hole championship golf facility that has hosted PGA Tour and LPGA events.
- Sergio's Restaurant (Kendall) · Cuban Restaurant · 4.4★ (3150)Longstanding local staple serving traditional Cuban entrees, ventanita espresso, and croquetas.
- Ceviche 105 (West Kendall) · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.6★ (2400)Popular outpost known for modern Peruvian ceviches, tiraditos, and vibrant decor.
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.