Is North Miami Lakes safe?
Miami Lakes, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates North Miami Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on North Miami Lakes
“Go. North Miami Lakes is an exceptionally safe, clean, and well-maintained suburban enclave within Miami-Dade County. Visitors will find a peaceful residential atmosphere with very little safety risk beyond standard suburban vehicle awareness in shopping plazas.”
About the area
North Miami Lakes is a master-planned community characterized by tranquil artificial lakes, lush tree canopy, and curved residential lanes. It functions primarily as a quiet residential retreat with nearby access to golf courses, neighborhood parks, and suburban commercial centers.
- Peaceful Suburb
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined / Lakes
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Miami Lakes
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 51/100
The neighborhood features wide sidewalks and bike lanes on major thoroughfares connecting to local pocket parks, though dedicated municipal bike-share kiosks are not present.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both Miami-Dade County and national averages.
- Strong socioeconomic stability with high median household incomes and predominantly owner-occupied homes.
- Proactive town policing through a dedicated Miami-Dade Police Department municipal contract.
Cons
- Highly car-dependent layout with long walking distances to commercial hubs.
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle break-ins in open retail and condo parking lots.
- Strict municipal parking rules that can lead to rapid ticketing for unauthorized on-street overnight parking.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually non-existent in this area due to its strictly residential character and distance from county shelter facilities.
What North Miami Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and lively with joggers, dog walkers, and school-bound families across peaceful green lanes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and secure, with light local traffic and open community recreation areas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and calm as residents return home and local dining centers fill up.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet with minimal activity; residential streets are dark but routinely patrolled by municipal police units.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates local bus routes like Route 73 and Route 135 along perimeter corridors, but rail service is distant, with the nearest Metrorail station (Palmetto Station) over 4 miles south.
Commercial centers provide abundant free surface lot parking, while residential areas rely on private driveways; on-street parking is strictly regulated by town code.
Things to do in North Miami Lakes
- Walk, jog, or play sports at the expansive Royal Oaks Park and Roberto Alonso Community Center.
- Book a tee time at the nearby Miami Lakes Golf Club, a classic championship course.
- Dine and window-shop along Main Street Miami Lakes just minutes to the south.
Local favorites
- El Novillo Restaurant · Nicaraguan Steakhouse · 4.4★ (2150)Established Latin American steakhouse famed for churrasco cuts, chimichurri, and traditional sides.
- Novecento · Argentine Bistro · 4.5★ (1820)Chic Latin-European bistro serving empanadas, grilled meats, pastas, and cocktails.
- Vicky Bakery · Cuban Bakery · 4.3★ (1240)Beloved local bakery known for fresh Cuban pastries, croquetas, custom cakes, and café con leche.
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.