Is Northwest Coral Terrace safe?
Coral Terrace, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Northwest Coral Terrace as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Northwest Coral Terrace
“Go. Northwest Coral Terrace is a tranquil, established suburban enclave in Miami-Dade County that offers a peaceful, secure environment for visitors. Violent crime is uncommon, though typical urban property precautions should be maintained along perimeter commercial avenues.”
About the area
Northwest Coral Terrace is a predominantly residential, Hispanic-majority neighborhood characterized by mid-century single-family homes, quiet cul-de-sacs, and mature tropical greenery. It sits conveniently buffered between Tamiami Trail (SW 8th Street) and Coral Way, offering easy access to authentic Latin dining and nearby parks.
- Quiet Residential
- Family-Oriented
- Suburban Greenery
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Northwest Coral Terrace
Walk score: 54/100 · Bike score: 58/100
There is no local public bike-share program stationed within the neighborhood. Cycling is manageable on low-speed interior residential streets, though dedicated bike lanes along main arterials are limited.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Consistently low rates of violent crime compared to the broader Miami metropolitan average.
- Strong homeownership and long-term residency foster stable, quiet residential streets.
- Convenient driving access to the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826) and Miami International Airport.
- Close proximity to authentic Cuban bakeries, fritas joints, and neighborhood eateries.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes, such as vehicle break-ins along commercial edges.
- Car-dependent street grid with inconsistent sidewalk coverage on interior residential blocks.
- Heavy commuter traffic congestion along bordering arterials like SW 8th Street and SW 67th Avenue.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the interior residential blocks of Coral Terrace, with only occasional individuals or panhandlers seen near bus stops and commercial shopping plazas along SW 8th Street.
What Northwest Coral Terrace is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with locals walking dogs, jogging, and commuting out to work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with light neighborhood traffic and active commercial borders.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued and safe across residential streets, with bustling dinner crowds near commercial plazas.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark on interior residential roads; very low pedestrian activity and generally safe.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates local bus routes along SW 8th Street (Route 8) and SW 67th Avenue (Route 73). The nearest Metrorail service is the Douglas Road station, approximately 4 miles east, necessitating a bus transfer or rideshare.
Residential parking is easy with ample private driveways and unmetered street parking on residential avenues. Commercial strip plazas along the borders provide free surface parking lots for customers.
Things to do in Northwest Coral Terrace
- Explore the nature trails, freshwater lake, and accessible pool facilities at nearby A.D. Barnes Park.
- Sample authentic Cuban street fare along the historic Tamiami Trail corridor.
- Enjoy casual recreation and open green space at neighboring Coral Gate or Coral Pine parks.
Local favorites
- El Mago de las Fritas · Cuban Restaurant · 4.5★ (1420)Renowned casual counter famous for authentic Cuban fritas, burgers, and batidos.
- Arbetter's Hot Dogs · American Fast Food · 4.6★ (2150)Historic retro institution serving classic chili dogs, fries, and nostalgic comfort food.
- A.D. Barnes Nature Center · Park / Nature Center · 4.7★ (3100)Local 65-acre green oasis featuring nature trails, native pineland forest, and fishing lakes.
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.