Is Lakewood Estates safe?
Miami Gardens, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Lakewood Estates as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Lakewood Estates
“Go with care. Lakewood Estates is primarily a quiet, working-class residential neighborhood, but the broader Miami Gardens municipality experiences higher-than-average rates of violent and property crime. Visitors without personal ties to the neighborhood will find few commercial amenities and should stay aware of surroundings, especially after dark.”
Citywide policing initiatives and surveillance camera expansions in Miami Gardens continue to target street-level gun violence and car burglaries along major traffic corridors.
About the area
Lakewood Estates is an established, purely residential subdivision in southeastern Miami Gardens consisting mostly of mid-century single-family homes and canals. The neighborhood borders major thoroughfares like Miami Gardens Drive (NW 183rd St) and provides straightforward vehicle access to Hard Rock Stadium and surrounding commercial strips.
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban Grid
- Quiet Streets
Walking and biking in Lakewood Estates
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 46/100
There is no local municipal bike-share station network, and cyclists must share residential roadways or narrow sidewalks as dedicated bike lanes along adjacent arterials like NW 183rd St are limited.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Primarily owner-occupied single-family residential streets with low commercial through-traffic
- Close proximity to Hard Rock Stadium and major event venues
- High household vehicle availability and easy access to the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826) and I-95
- Relatively stable residential core compared to higher-density neighboring apartment corridors
Cons
- Overall violent and property crime rates in Miami Gardens remain elevated above the national average
- Occasional vehicle break-ins and property crimes spill over from adjacent commercial arterials
- Lacks dedicated pedestrian infrastructure like consistent sidewalks and crosswalk lighting throughout interior blocks
- Almost entirely devoid of walkable dining, retail, or hospitality venues within neighborhood limits
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks of Lakewood Estates, though individuals experiencing homelessness or seeking assistance are occasionally present near busy retail intersections along NW 183rd Street and State Road 7.
What Lakewood Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and quiet with residents commuting to work and school; generally comfortable for a walk.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Light vehicular traffic on local streets; residential areas remain quiet while nearby main roads get busy.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly inside the neighborhood, though caution is recommended near commercial boundaries.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are deserted and dimly lit in spots; walking around late at night is not recommended for visitors.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit is operated by Miami-Dade Transit (Metrobus), with primary bus routes running along NW 183rd Street (Route 183) and NW 2nd Avenue; the nearest Metrorail stations are several miles south at Golden Glades or Palmetto, requiring a bus transfer or car ride.
Parking is readily available in residential driveways and along public curb space on interior streets, with no metered zones or parking decks in the immediate area.
Things to do in Lakewood Estates
- Attend a football game, concert, or Formula 1 race at nearby Hard Rock Stadium
- Explore local parks and recreational facilities at nearby Rolling Oaks Park or Bunche Park
- Sample authentic Caribbean, soul food, and Haitian dining along the surrounding Miami Gardens Drive corridor
Local favorites
- Lorna's Caribbean & American Grille · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.3★ (1850)Popular local eatery serving generous portions of Jamaican staples, curry goat, and stew chicken.
- Sunday's Eatery · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.4★ (1100)Casual counter-service spot known for fried catfish, ribs, mac and cheese, and classic southern sides.
- Top Golf Miami Gardens · Entertainment / Sports Bar · 4.5★ (6200)Modern driving range and entertainment lounge located just south of the neighborhood along the expressway.
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.