Is Ludlam safe?
Coral Terrace, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Ludlam as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Ludlam
“Go. Ludlam and Coral Terrace form a peaceful, family-oriented suburban community in central Miami-Dade. While standard suburban property crimes like opportunistic vehicle break-ins occur along busy commercial strips, violent crime is low and the area is safe for visitors.”
About the area
Ludlam is a quiet, predominantly residential neighborhood situated between Coral Gables and Westchester in Miami-Dade County. It features modest mid-century single-family homes, leafy suburban side streets, and bustling commercial corridors along Bird Road and Coral Way. Visitors will find authentic Latin eateries, established local institutions, and convenient access to the surrounding Miami metro.
- Suburban Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Latin Dining Hub
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Ludlam
Walk score: 54/100 · Bike score: 52/100
On-street bike lanes are limited on major thoroughfares, but the nearby Ludlam Trail linear park corridor provides developing multi-use path access just east of the area.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are consistently well below the Miami-Dade County metropolitan average.
- Stable middle-class residential base with high homeownership and well-maintained single-family properties.
- Convenient location close to Coral Gables, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, and Florida International University.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crime, such as vehicle break-ins along commercial parking plazas.
- Heavy vehicular traffic and high speeds along multi-lane corridors like SW 67th Avenue and Bird Road.
- Limited street lighting across some interior residential streets after dark.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the residential sectors, with occasional unhoused individuals resting near major transit bus shelters along Bird Road and Coral Way.
What Ludlam is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant as locals commute and residents walk dogs along quiet residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling and active around strip malls, bakeries, and casual dining spots with steady vehicular traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-friendly with good activity around neighborhood restaurants, feeling safe to visit.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Commercial avenues wind down and residential side streets turn dark and sleepy, requiring basic awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates local bus service through the area via Route 40 on Bird Road and Route 73 on Ludlam Road. The nearest Metrorail connection is South Miami Station, located approximately 2.5 miles southeast.
Parking is abundant and free in private strip mall lots and plazas across commercial corridors, with no metered street parking present.
Things to do in Ludlam
- Sample legendary Cuban fritas and traditional pastries along the bustling Bird Road commercial strip.
- Visit adjacent A.D. 'Doug' Barnes Park for shaded walking paths, native pine rockland nature trails, and a freshwater fishing lake.
- Take an architectural drive through adjacent mid-century suburban avenues leading toward Coral Gables.
Local favorites
- Arbetter's Hot Dogs · Hot Dog Restaurant · 4.6★ (2150)Beloved vintage roadside counter serving classic chili dogs and fries since 1959.
- Frankie's Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.5★ (1880)Iconic family-run fixture renowned for square-cut, crispy-crust pizzas with signature seasoning.
- El Rey de las Fritas · Cuban Restaurant · 4.5★ (1490)Celebrated local dining spot famous for authentic Cuban frita burgers topped with crispy shoestring potatoes.
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.