Is North Kendale Lakes safe?
Kendale Lakes, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates North Kendale Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on North Kendale Lakes
“Go. North Kendale Lakes is a safe, established suburban community in western Miami-Dade County characterized by quiet residential subdivisions and convenient retail plazas. While standard suburban property crime like car break-ins occurs occasionally, violent crime is low, making it a secure place for travelers and families.”
About the area
North Kendale Lakes is a primarily Hispanic, middle-class suburban enclave built around residential loops, lakes, and neighborhood shopping centers. Visitors generally find a calm, community-focused environment with authentic Latin American cuisine and quiet residential streets.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in North Kendale Lakes
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 52/100
No docked bike-share networks are available; cycling is best kept to quiet residential streets, as major arterials feature high-speed traffic and limited dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to broader Miami-Dade County averages.
- Well-maintained, stable residential housing stock with high owner-occupancy rates.
- Convenient access to local Latin American restaurants, grocery markets, and pharmacies in neighborhood shopping centers.
Cons
- Opportunistic vehicle break-ins and property theft in retail parking lots and open driveways.
- Highly car-dependent infrastructure with significant rush-hour congestion on perimeter arteries.
- Limited street lighting along some interior residential cul-de-sacs.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in North Kendale Lakes, occasionally limited to isolated daytime panhandling at major roadway intersections. Encampments and dedicated shelter services are not present in the neighborhood.
What North Kendale Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs, jogging, and heading out for school and work commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and typical for a suburban community, with moderate vehicle traffic around schools and strip malls.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and residential, offering a safe environment for evening strolls along interior neighborhood streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and generally secure, though pedestrian presence is almost nonexistent as most activity ceases.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is run by Miami-Dade Transit with Metrobus routes along main thoroughfares like Bird Road (Route 40) and Sunset Drive (Route 72); the nearest Metrorail station (Dadeland North) is over 7 miles east.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free, featuring large surface parking lots at commercial plazas and ample private residential driveways.
Things to do in North Kendale Lakes
- Play a round of golf or hit the driving range at the nearby Miccosukee Golf and Country Club.
- Enjoy a relaxing walk, outdoor exercise, or playground time at Kendale Lakes Park.
- Sample authentic Cuban pastries, cafecito, and grilled specialties at the local shopping plazas along SW 137th Avenue.
Local favorites
- El Rinconcito de Santa Barbara · Cuban Restaurant · 4.4★ (1820)Enduring neighborhood fixture serving classic, hearty Cuban dishes in a relaxed dining room.
- Don Camaron Seafood Grill · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (2350)Lively local seafood spot offering freshly caught fish, ceviche, and a casual fish market counter.
- La Granja Kendale Lakes · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.3★ (1390)Popular fast-casual staple known for rotisserie chicken, lomo saltado, and generous combo platters.
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.