Is Lakewood East safe?
Margate, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Lakewood East as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Lakewood East
“Go. Lakewood East is a quiet, low-density residential community in Margate that offers a secure and peaceful suburban environment. While it lacks major tourist hubs, it is safe for visitors and conveniently located near local dining and shopping plazas.”
About the area
Lakewood East is an established residential neighborhood in Margate, Florida, composed primarily of single-family homes, townhouses, and modest condo communities. Its location near major regional arterials provides straightforward access to surrounding Broward County destinations while maintaining low internal traffic. Visitors will find a tranquil, community-oriented atmosphere with stable working-class and retiree demographics.
- Suburban
- Quiet
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Lakewood East
Walk score: 44/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There is no municipal bike-share program, but internal residential lanes are manageable for casual cycling despite a lack of dedicated bike lanes on major boundary roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both county and national benchmarks.
- Stable housing base with predominantly owner-occupied homes and well-maintained properties.
- Quiet internal neighborhood streets with minimal through-traffic and noise.
Cons
- Car break-ins and opportunistic property thefts occasionally occur along residential driveways.
- Car-dependent layout with limited walkability to everyday commercial amenities.
- Perimeter commercial corridors experience higher congestion and sporadic petty crime.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is negligible within the residential core of Lakewood East, though minor panhandling may occasionally be observed near major intersections along State Road 7.
What Lakewood East is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with local residents jogging, walking dogs, and commuting.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and uneventful with light residential traffic and open, safe streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet suburban atmosphere with standard street lighting where walking feels secure.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and low activity; violent crime is rare, but basic precautions against vehicle theft are advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) operates bus service along major perimeter corridors including Route 18 on SR 7 and Route 42 on Atlantic Boulevard. The nearest commuter rail option is the Pompano Beach Tri-Rail station, situated approximately 5 miles east.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with free private driveways, residential assigned spaces, and open strip-mall surface lots along the perimeter.
Things to do in Lakewood East
- Play tennis, pickleball, or walk the shaded paths at nearby Firefighters Park.
- Sample authentic Caribbean and Latin cuisine along the State Road 7 and Atlantic Boulevard corridors.
- Book a round of golf at the nearby Oriole Golf Club.
Local favorites
- Spanky's Cheesesteak Factory · Cheesesteak Restaurant · 4.6★ (950)Longtime casual counter spot known for generous Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks and hoagies.
- La Bamba Mexican & Spanish Restaurant · Mexican & Spanish Restaurant · 4.5★ (2600)Vibrant family-run restaurant serving classic Mexican fare, Cuban specialties, and margaritas.
- Firefighters Park · City Park · 4.6★ (680)Sprawling municipal park offering sports courts, walking trails, and a children's playground.
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.