Is North Hiawassee 2 safe?
Orlando, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates North Hiawassee 2 as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on North Hiawassee 2
“Go with care. While daytime visits to commercial centers and residential pockets are generally uneventful, the area experiences above-average property crime and violent incident rates compared to the wider metro. Visitors should stick to well-lit commercial hubs, secure personal vehicles, and avoid wandering off main corridors late at night.”
Local coverage frequently highlights regional law enforcement initiatives addressing commercial corridor theft and occasional violent incidents in the surrounding Pine Hills and North Hiawassee area.
About the area
North Hiawassee is a sprawling, suburban-density area in northwest Orlando defined by a mix of single-family subdivisions, apartment complexes, and auto-oriented commercial strip centers along Hiawassee and Silver Star Roads. It functions primarily as a residential community with strong Caribbean and local cultural dining hubs rather than a traditional tourist destination.
- Suburban Strip
- Car-Dependent
- Cultural Dining
- Residential Pocket
Walking and biking in North Hiawassee 2
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is limited to intermittent painted bike lanes along major multi-lane roads, and there is no dockless municipal bike-share system present.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Diverse local Caribbean, Haitian, and Southern culinary options
- Affordable suburban shopping plazas with ample parking
- Direct vehicular access to SR 408 and SR 414 expressways
- Relatively low pedestrian congestion in residential sub-neighborhoods
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle break-in rates are noticeably higher than Orange County averages
- Above-average local poverty rates with pockets of housing distress
- Heavy arterial traffic along Hiawassee Road makes pedestrian crossing hazardous
- Elevated rate of late-night emergency calls near certain apartment complexes
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along busy intersections and major commercial bus stops on Hiawassee Road, primarily involving panhandling near shopping center entrances rather than large permanent encampments.
What North Hiawassee 2 is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and generally peaceful as commuters head out and commercial strip centers open for business.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy with vehicular traffic and plaza shoppers; straightforward situational awareness is adequate.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity concentrates in fast-casual restaurants and retail strips; street lighting varies on secondary roads.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Noticeably quiet with elevated risks around isolated gas stations and apartment access roads; walking is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Lynx provides public bus transit through routes such as 37 and 44 along Hiawassee and Silver Star Roads, but there is no direct rail connection; the nearest SunRail commuter station is Lynx Central Station in Downtown Orlando, roughly 8 miles east.
Parking is abundant and free in private surface lots at retail plazas and residential developments; street parking is uncommon and rarely metered.
Things to do in North Hiawassee 2
- Sample authentic Jamaican and Haitian specialties along the Hiawassee commercial corridor
- Enjoy community outdoor sports and green space at nearby Barnett Park
- Shop for international groceries and specialty goods in the North Hiawassee strip centers
Local favorites
- Oleys Kitchen and Smokehouse · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.3★ (1120)Popular local spot serving hearty Jamaican favorites, jerk chicken, and oxtail.
- Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant · Fast-Casual Caribbean · 4.1★ (480)Dependable chain outlet offering Jamaican patties, curried goat, and plantains.
- Negril Jamaican Eatery · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.2★ (360)Casual neighborhood counter-service joint dishing out flavorful stewed meats and sides.
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.