Is Lake of the Hills safe?
Winter Haven, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Lake of the Hills as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Lake of the Hills
“Go. Lake of the Hills is a tranquil, residential lakeside neighborhood characterized by low violent crime and stable homeownership. While it lacks commercial walkability, it offers a peaceful and secure suburban atmosphere close to Winter Haven's primary attractions.”
About the area
Lake of the Hills is a quiet, established residential community in southeast Winter Haven centered around lakefront living. It features single-family homes with mature landscaping, low local traffic, and quick vehicle access to the Cypress Gardens retail and resort corridor.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Lakeside Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Lake of the Hills
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There is no bike-share program in the area; while internal neighborhood streets are safe for leisurely cycling, major connector roads lack dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates than metro and county averages
- High rate of owner-occupied housing with stable property maintenance
- Peaceful suburban setting with minimal through-traffic and noise pollution
- Convenient driving access to Cypress Gardens Boulevard and the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes
Cons
- Lack of continuous sidewalks and dedicated pedestrian infrastructure along roads
- Sparse street lighting on residential streets after dark
- Absolute car dependency with no retail or dining directly inside the neighborhood
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable factor in this residential enclave, as services and unhoused populations are concentrated in central and downtown Winter Haven.
What Lake of the Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and bright with occasional residents walking dogs along quiet residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very calm with light residential vehicle traffic and safe conditions.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and settled as commuters return home, though dim street lighting requires caution if walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and silent with virtually no foot traffic; street crime is rare, but poor visibility suggests staying indoors or in a vehicle.
Transit, parking and getting around
Citrus Connection provides public transit in Polk County, but fixed routes do not enter the neighborhood interior; service is primarily available along Cypress Gardens Boulevard several miles away.
Private driveway and residential garage parking are the norm; there are no metered spots or commercial parking garages.
Things to do in Lake of the Hills
- Launch a kayak or boat on nearby public access points connecting to the Chain of Lakes
- Visit the nearby LEGOLAND Florida Resort and Peppa Pig Theme Park just minutes to the east
- Explore nature trails and water vistas around the surrounding Polk County parks
Local favorites
- Harborside · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (3450)Popular waterfront dining destination serving fresh seafood, steaks, and outdoor patio views.
- Tanners Lakeside Bar & Grill · American Restaurant · 4.3★ (2150)Lively lakeside eatery offering burgers, cold drinks, live entertainment, and boat slips.
- Lucille's Cafe · Southern Restaurant · 4.6★ (880)Cozy dining spot known for homestyle Southern breakfasts and hearty comfort food lunches.
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.