Is North Miami Gardens safe?
Miami Gardens, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates North Miami Gardens as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on North Miami Gardens
“Go with care. North Miami Gardens is primarily a quiet, working-class residential suburb, but property crime and occasional commercial-corridor violence remain higher than national averages. Visitors attending events or dining at local spots will be generally fine during daytime and early evening hours if staying alert.”
About the area
North Miami Gardens is a residential community in northern Miami-Dade County characterized by single-family ranch homes, neighborhood parks, and strip retail corridors. It features a rich Caribbean-American cultural presence and is situated just minutes from major regional sports and entertainment venues.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Residential
- Caribbean-Influenced
Walking and biking in North Miami Gardens
Walk score: 41/100 · Bike score: 45/100
There is no municipal bike-share system present, and cycling is mostly limited to neighborhood residential roads with few dedicated bike lanes on arterial roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes fostering stable residential blocks
- Close proximity to premier regional entertainment at Hard Rock Stadium
- Rich concentration of authentic Caribbean and Southern culinary establishments
- Quick vehicular access to major thoroughfares like the Palmetto Expressway and Florida's Turnpike
Cons
- Elevated rates of vehicle break-ins and property theft compared to national averages
- Occasional violent incidents concentrated around late-night commercial plazas and major intersections
- Suburban auto-centric design with limited pedestrian-friendly streetscapes
Homelessness: Homelessness is minimal within the interior residential streets, with minor, localized visibility and panhandling limited to busy commercial intersections along NW 27th Avenue and County Line Road.
What North Miami Gardens is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents commuting, school buses running, and low safety risk in residential areas.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy along commercial corridors with steady traffic and a generally safe environment for shopping and dining.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in residential subdivisions, though situational awareness is advised near busy intersections and retail parking lots.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely deserted; walking on foot is not recommended due to reduced visibility and elevated property crime risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates Metrobus routes such as Route 27 and Route 99 along major perimeter avenues, but there is no direct Metrorail connection within walking distance; the Golden Glades Tri-Rail station is a 10-to-15 minute drive east.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free, with abundant surface lots in strip shopping plazas and private driveways in residential neighborhoods.
Things to do in North Miami Gardens
- Attend a major concert or sporting event at the nearby Hard Rock Stadium complex
- Enjoy outdoor recreation, tennis courts, and walking paths at Rolling Oaks Park
- Sample authentic Jamaican patties, oxtail, and jerk specialties along the local culinary corridors
Local favorites
- Lorna's Caribbean & American Grille · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.3★ (1650)Popular local staple serving generous portions of Jamaican and Bahamian favorites in a casual setting.
- Sunday's Eatery · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.2★ (1280)Well-known spot offering fried seafood platters, ribs, and classic Southern sides.
- Top Notch Jamaican Restaurant · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.4★ (420)Counter-serve neighborhood joint famous for jerk chicken, curry goat, and stewed peas.
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.