Is Lakes by the Bay safe?
Cutler Bay, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Lakes by the Bay as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Lakes by the Bay
“Go. Lakes by the Bay is a tranquil, well-maintained suburban community in Cutler Bay that offers high levels of personal safety. Violent crime is rare, making it exceptionally safe for visitors visiting family or exploring adjacent coastal parks.”
About the area
Lakes by the Bay is a master-planned residential community situated in Cutler Bay along South Florida's coastal wetlands. Characterized by scenic neighborhood lakes, quiet cul-de-sacs, and family parks, it provides a calm suburban retreat near Biscayne National Park.
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban Oasis
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Lakes by the Bay
Walk score: 24/100 · Bike score: 46/100
No municipal bike-share programs exist here, but internal multi-use park paths provide decent recreational riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than Miami-Dade County averages
- High rate of homeownership and strong median household incomes supporting well-kept neighborhoods
- Immediate access to outdoor recreation at Lakes by the Bay Park and nearby coastal waterways
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle theft
- Heavily car-dependent layout with sparse walkable commercial corridors
- Vulnerability to storm surge and coastal flooding during major tropical storms
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this residential neighborhood, with no encampments or panhandling observed.
What Lakes by the Bay is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Safe and peaceful, with residents jogging and walking pets around neighborhood lakes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and orderly, with mild traffic near schools and local parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm suburban setting where families gather at local parks and streets wind down safely.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet with minimal foot traffic; highly safe, though standard awareness of property theft is advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit serves the area via local bus route 248 connecting to the South Dade TransitWay BRT corridor located a few miles west.
Parking is universally free and straightforward, with abundant driveway parking in subdivisions and large free surface lots at parks and shopping plazas.
Things to do in Lakes by the Bay
- Enjoy walking trails, sports fields, and open green space at Lakes by the Bay Park
- Launch a kayak or boat nearby at Black Point Marina
- Stroll around the neighborhood lakes and community greenways
Local favorites
- Black Point Ocean Grill · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (4900)Casual dockside dining featuring fresh seafood, live music, and marina views just outside the neighborhood borders.
- Publix Super Market at Lakes by the Bay · Supermarket · 4.6★ (1250)Clean, reliable anchor grocery store serving local residents for daily necessities.
- Rodbenders Raw Bar & Grill · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (1350)Laid-back local spot nearby known for oysters, fresh catches, and sports on TV.
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.
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