Is Northwest Auburndale safe?
Miami, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Northwest Auburndale as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Northwest Auburndale
“Go with care. Northwest Auburndale is an established, predominantly residential Hispanic community offering authentic Latin eateries and quiet streets, though visitors should remain alert for standard urban property crimes.”
About the area
Northwest Auburndale is a compact, culturally vibrant residential neighborhood in central Miami positioned between West Flagler and major transit corridors. It is characterized by mid-century single-family homes, modest apartment buildings, and neighborhood commercial strips along its bounding avenues.
- Residential
- Family-Oriented
- Hispanic Heritage
- Culinary Gems
Walking and biking in Northwest Auburndale
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Dedicated bike lanes are sparse on interior residential streets, and the neighborhood lacks direct access to protected multi-use trails, though quiet neighborhood streets allow for casual cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than Miami inner-city averages.
- Strong sense of community with multi-generational families and high residential stability.
- Centrally located with fast vehicle access to Miami International Airport, Coral Gables, and Downtown.
- Abundant authentic Cuban and Latin American bakeries, cafeterias, and casual dining spots.
Cons
- Property crime and opportunistic vehicle break-ins occur regularly along unmonitored residential streets.
- Pedestrian infrastructure on major arterial borders (like LeJeune Rd and Flagler St) suffers from heavy vehicular traffic.
- Older housing stock with limited modern secure parking amenities.
- Occasional petty theft and commercial burglary near major thoroughfare bus stops.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior neighborhood blocks, though occasional individuals or panhandlers can be observed near commercial bus stops along West Flagler Street and LeJeune Road.
What Northwest Auburndale is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and safe with residents commuting, walking dogs, and gathering at coffee windows along the avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling commercial perimeter with calm, quiet interior residential blocks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets quiet down significantly outside of dining hotspots; walking is generally peaceful on well-lit blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Residential streets become deserted; stick to main illuminated avenues and avoid unlit side alleys.
Transit, parking and getting around
Operated by Miami-Dade Transit; Metrobus routes 9, 11, and 42 run frequently along NW 7th St, West Flagler St, and LeJeune Rd, while the Miami Airport Metrorail Station is roughly a 5-to-10 minute drive away.
Street parking is largely free and accessible throughout residential streets, while commercial plazas along Flagler and LeJeune offer small surface lots that can fill quickly during lunch and dinner rushes.
Things to do in Northwest Auburndale
- Sample authentic Cuban coffee and fresh fruit batidos along West Flagler Street.
- Visit nearby Grapeland Water Park and sports complex just north of the neighborhood boundary.
- Explore local Latin bakeries and markets featuring traditional Caribbean and Central American specialties.
Local favorites
- Latin Cafe 2000 LeJeune · Cuban Restaurant · 4.4★ (3200)A popular, lively diner serving classic Cuban staples, ventanita espresso, and hearty sandwiches.
- El Palacio de los Jugos · Latin Market & Eatery · 4.3★ (4600)Open-air market known for fresh tropical juices, roasted pork, chicharrones, and prepared hot foods.
- Magic City Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.5★ (750)Longstanding local joint crafting NY-style pies, calzones, and wings for quick takeout and delivery.
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.