Is North Kendall safe?
Kendall, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates North Kendall as “Go”.
Gogo's take on North Kendall
“Go. North Kendall is a safe, stable suburban community characterized by quiet residential neighborhoods, tree-lined canals, and busy commercial plazas. Violent crime rates are minimal and significantly lower than Miami-Dade County urban averages. Visitors will find it very safe for everyday activities, dining, and shopping, with only standard precautions needed against vehicle break-ins in commercial parking lots.”
About the area
North Kendall is an established South Florida suburban district situated along North Kendall Drive (SW 88th Street) in southwest Miami-Dade County. It offers a mix of single-family subdivisions, townhouse communities, and extensive retail centers surrounding Baptist Hospital of Miami. The area functions primarily as a calm residential haven and regional commercial corridor.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Strip Mall Hub
Walking and biking in North Kendall
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 46/100
Dedicated on-street bike lanes are sparse along main arterials, but the nearby off-street Snapper Creek Trail offers recreational biking; commercial bike-share programs are not available.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are consistently well below the broader Miami metropolitan average.
- Strong socioeconomic stability with high homeownership rates and low poverty levels.
- Clean, well-maintained residential streets and active neighborhood parks.
- Direct access to top-tier regional healthcare facilities at Baptist Hospital.
Cons
- Occasional property crimes and opportunistic vehicle break-ins in busy shopping plaza lots.
- Severe traffic congestion and aggressive driving along major east-west arteries like SW 88th Street.
- Heavy car dependency requiring a vehicle for almost all errands and transit.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is very low in North Kendall, with only infrequent panhandling observed near major highway ramps along the Palmetto Expressway or turnpike intersections.
What North Kendall is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with locals jogging along canal paths and residential sidewalks while commuters head toward the expressways.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial activity in retail centers and medical campuses, feeling very safe with heavy vehicle flow.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively around dining plazas with families and diners; well-lit parking lots provide a secure atmosphere.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark in residential subdivisions; generally safe, though commercial lots empty out and standard situational awareness applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates several bus lines along SW 88th Street (such as Route 88 and the Kendall Cruiser), which connect directly to the Dadeland North and Dadeland South Metrorail stations located 2 to 4 miles east.
Parking is abundant and almost entirely free in large surface lots and parking garages attached to shopping plazas, medical centers, and business parks.
Things to do in North Kendall
- Dine and stroll by the lake at The Palms at Town & Country shopping center.
- Play tennis, baseball, or walk the shaded trails at nearby Continental Park.
- Sample authentic Cuban and international pastries and cuisine along the Kendall Drive strip.
Local favorites
- Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Bar · Fine Dining · 4.6★ (2350)Napa Valley-inspired upscale restaurant known for inventive American cuisine and extensive wine offerings.
- Sports Grill Kendall · Sports Bar · 4.5★ (2680)Longstanding local institution famous for Special Grilled wings and a relaxed game-day atmosphere.
- Roasters 'N Toasters · Deli · 4.4★ (1150)Traditional New York-style deli serving all-day breakfast, pastrami, and freshly baked bagels.
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.