Is Pine Hills safe?
Orlando, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Pine Hills as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Pine Hills
“Go with care or skip unless visiting specific businesses during daylight hours. Pine Hills experiences violent and property crime rates substantially higher than the Orlando and national averages. Casual exploration on foot or after dark is strongly discouraged.”
Local law enforcement continues focused operations along the Silver Star Road and Pine Hills Road corridors following periodic incidents of gun violence and retail robberies.
About the area
Pine Hills is a sprawling, predominantly residential and commercial suburb located northwest of downtown Orlando. It is home to a diverse Caribbean and multicultural population with authentic international eateries, but it suffers from prolonged economic challenges and high crime rates.
- Car-Dependent
- Commercial Strips
- Suburban / Residential
- Culturally Diverse
Walking and biking in Pine Hills
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 45/100
There are no bike-share stations in Pine Hills, and while the Pine Hills Trail connects to the Barnett Park multi-use paths, on-street cycling along main roads is dangerous due to high traffic speeds.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Vibrant and authentic Caribbean and West Indian food scene
- Active grassroots community revitalization and youth engagement programs
- Convenient driving access to State Road 408 and State Road 50 (Colonial Drive)
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates are roughly double the national average
- Poverty rates exceed 20% alongside significant economic and housing distress
- Substantial commercial vacancies and deteriorating strip mall infrastructure
- Unsafe pedestrian environment due to wide, high-speed arterial roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately common, particularly around vacant commercial properties, bus stops on Silver Star Road, and near major intersections along Colonial Drive.
What Pine Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Commercial strips are busy with commuters and open shops, feeling reasonably manageable for daytime driving errands.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Activity increases along major corridors with moderate foot traffic around shopping plazas, though situational awareness is recommended.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pedestrian safety decreases significantly as darkness falls, with increased risks of theft and vehicular accidents on poorly lit streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights carry a high risk of violent crime, illicit activity, and vehicle-related offenses; non-residents should avoid the area.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by LYNX bus service with frequent lines (Routes 48, 49, 105, and 301) serving the Pine Hills Transfer Center, though there is no direct SunRail commuter train access nearby.
Parking is abundant and free in strip mall surface lots and on residential driveways, with no metered parking or paid garages in the area.
Things to do in Pine Hills
- Sample authentic Jamaican and Haitian cuisine along Pine Hills Road and Silver Star Road
- Play a round of golf at the nearby historic Barnett Park or Country Club of Orlando outskirts
- Enjoy recreational sports, walking paths, and disc golf at Barnett Park along the neighborhood's southern edge
Local favorites
- Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.1★ (460)Popular neighborhood counter-serve staple serving Jamaican patties, jerk chicken, and oxtail.
- Oleys Kitchen & Smokehouse · Soul Food & BBQ · 4.2★ (520)Well-loved local spot offering hearty portions of smoked meats, ribs, and classic Southern sides.
- Caribbean Supermix Bakery · Bakery · 4.5★ (180)Community bakery known for freshly baked hard dough bread, spiced buns, and Caribbean pastries.
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.