Is Lakewood Gardens safe?
Dallas, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Lakewood Gardens as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Lakewood Gardens
“Go. Lakewood Gardens is one of East Dallas's most tranquil, secure, and affluent residential enclaves. Visitors can comfortably stroll the tree-lined streets during daylight and evening hours with standard urban awareness regarding vehicle security.”
About the area
Lakewood Gardens is a quiet, established East Dallas neighborhood characterized by historic single-family homes, lush mature tree canopies, and a strong sense of community. Located just west of White Rock Lake, it offers a peaceful residential respite with convenient access to premier outdoor recreation and local dining.
- Tree-Lined
- Historic Charm
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Lakewood Gardens
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 67/100
The area offers direct access to the Santa Fe Trail and White Rock Lake Trail system, though Dallas does not currently operate a municipal docked bike-share network.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than Dallas municipal and national averages.
- High median household incomes exceeding $130,000 and high homeownership rates foster well-maintained properties.
- Immediate access to premier recreational corridors including White Rock Lake and the Santa Fe Trail.
- Strong active neighborhood associations and community watch engagement.
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime, especially vehicle burglaries, occurs occasionally.
- Car-dependent street layout with limited commercial amenities directly inside the interior residential blocks.
- Poor pedestrian lighting on some secondary residential side streets after dark.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within Lakewood Gardens' residential blocks, with occasional individuals present along major commercial transit corridors such as Gaston Avenue and Garland Road.
What Lakewood Gardens is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, joggers, and cyclists heading toward White Rock Lake.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm, low-traffic neighborhood ambiance with safe, quiet streets throughout.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential feel as commuters return home, with safe conditions for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and minimal street noise; safe overall, though dark side streets warrant basic awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides bus service along arterial borders such as Gaston Avenue and Mockingbird Lane (Routes 214 and 207), while the nearest DART Light Rail station is White Rock Station on the Blue Line, approximately 2.5 miles away.
Curbside residential street parking is abundant and free throughout the neighborhood, and commercial plazas nearby offer free, dedicated surface lots.
Things to do in Lakewood Gardens
- Bike or jog along the scenic Santa Fe Trail connecting to the White Rock Lake loop.
- Explore the historic Lakewood Shopping Center for local boutique shopping and dining.
- Visit the nearby Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden for seasonal floral displays along the lake shore.
Local favorites
- Lakewood Landing · Bar & American Eatery · 4.6★ (1150)An iconic East Dallas neighborhood dive bar famous for late-night corn dogs and a cozy patio.
- Times Ten Cellars · Winery & Lounge · 4.6★ (1280)A stylish local winery offering Texas and California vintages alongside artisanal small plates.
- Scalini's Pizza & Pasta · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (920)A long-running, family-friendly Lakewood staple serving traditional pizza, calzones, and pasta.
Neighborhoods near Lakewood Gardens
Common questions about Lakewood Gardens
Is Lakewood Gardens safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Lakewood Gardens a good place to live?
On safety, Lakewood Gardens scores 84/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Lakewood Gardens?
Walk score 48/100 and bike score 67/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Lakewood Gardens are safer?
Lakewood (Dallas) (86), Oaks of Lakewood (85) score higher nearby.
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