Is Lake Estates safe?
Oakland Park, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Lake Estates as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Lake Estates
“Go. Lake Estates is a peaceful, waterfront residential neighborhood in Oakland Park that offers a safe and quiet environment for visitors. Violent crime is uncommon within the residential streets, though routine precautions against vehicle break-ins should be taken near major arterial roads.”
About the area
Lake Estates is an established, waterfront-focused residential enclave in eastern Oakland Park characterized by single-family homes, canals, and private lakes. It provides a tranquil suburban setting while remaining just minutes from the dining hubs of Wilton Manors and the beaches of Fort Lauderdale.
- Quiet Residential
- Waterfront Living
- Suburban Feel
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Lake Estates
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 54/100
While internal residential streets are low-stress for cycling, there are no dedicated bike lanes within the neighborhood or direct connections to regional greenways without sharing high-speed arterial roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to broader county averages
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes with well-kept properties
- Quiet, low-traffic residential streets ideal for peaceful strolling
- Convenient driving access to Federal Highway, beaches, and dining corridors
Cons
- Car-dependent layout with minimal retail or dining within immediate walking distance
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Higher commercial-corridor traffic and activity on nearby boundary avenues
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a factor within the interior streets of Lake Estates. Minor instances of panhandling or unhoused individuals are occasionally seen along nearby major commercial intersections like Dixie Highway and Commercial Boulevard.
What Lake Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and quiet, with neighborhood residents walking dogs and jogging along tree-shaded streets in complete safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Peaceful residential atmosphere with light local traffic and standard delivery services operating without safety concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and tranquil as residents return home, remaining safe for casual walks around the neighborhood blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and low activity due to standard residential street lighting; generally safe but requires basic awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Broward County Transit (BCT), with Routes 55 and 62 servicing the peripheral Commercial Boulevard and Dixie Highway corridors. The nearest rail station is the Cypress Creek Tri-Rail Station, roughly 3 miles northwest.
Residential parking is straightforward with private driveways and ample, unrestricted curbside street parking. Commercial plazas nearby provide free surface lot parking.
Things to do in Lake Estates
- Take a scenic walk or jog along the canal-lined residential loop roads
- Launch a kayak or paddleboard to explore the neighborhood's connected waterways
- Visit nearby Easterlin Park or Jaco Pastorius Park for disc golf, dog runs, and community events
Local favorites
- Catfish Dewey's · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (2350)Long-running, casual institution famous for all-you-can-eat catfish, stone crab, and Southern sides.
- Funky Buddha Brewery · Brewery & Taproom · 4.6★ (3100)Expansive craft brewery and taproom offering innovative Florida-inspired beers and pub fare nearby.
- Tatts & Tacos Beer Garden · Mexican Restaurant & Bar · 4.4★ (1650)Vibrant outdoor garden space serving specialty street tacos, craft draft beers, and 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.