Is Ridgewood safe?
Lakeland, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ridgewood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ridgewood
“Go. Ridgewood is a peaceful, established residential community in south-central Lakeland that offers a safe environment for visitors. Violent crime is rare, and the surrounding corridors along South Florida Avenue provide convenient dining and shopping.”
About the area
Ridgewood is a classic mid-century residential neighborhood in South Lakeland characterized by mature oak trees and well-maintained single-family homes. While predominantly residential, it sits minutes from Lake Hollingsworth, Cleveland Heights Golf Course, and bustling commercial strips.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Tree-Lined
- Established
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Ridgewood
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 53/100
While Ridgewood's interior streets are low-traffic for casual cycling, dedicated bike infrastructure is limited; however, it is within a short ride of the popular Lake Hollingsworth loop.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rates well below Lakeland citywide averages
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes ensuring neighborhood stability
- Proximity to major recreational amenities like Lake Hollingsworth and Cleveland Heights Golf Course
- Solid household incomes with low area poverty levels
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Heavy commuter traffic on bounding arterials like South Florida Avenue and Edgewood Drive
- Car-dependent layout with inconsistent sidewalk coverage on interior streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior neighborhood, with occasional individuals passing through the major commercial intersections on South Florida Avenue.
What Ridgewood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with neighborhood residents walking dogs and light local vehicle traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and pleasant along interior residential streets, though bordering main roads experience heavier flow.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential ambiance where walking is safe, provided you remain visible on streets lacking sidewalks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and minimal activity; standard suburban safety precautions apply.
Transit, parking and getting around
Citrus Connection (Lakeland Area Mass Transit District) provides local bus service, primarily along Route 1 (South Florida Ave) and Route 37, connecting the area to Downtown Lakeland's terminal.
Ample free residential street parking is available throughout the neighborhood, and commercial businesses offer dedicated free surface lots.
Things to do in Ridgewood
- Play a round of 27-hole municipal golf at the nearby Cleveland Heights Golf Course
- Take a scenic 3-mile walk, run, or bike ride around Lake Hollingsworth just north of the area
- Explore local independent restaurants and boutiques along the South Florida Avenue corridor
Local favorites
- Mister Fish · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (1100)A long-running Lakeland institution serving classic fried fish sandwiches and seafood platters.
- Reececliff Family Diner · Diner · 4.4★ (1750)Lakeland's oldest operating restaurant, renowned for homestyle Southern breakfasts and fresh pies.
- Born & Bread Bakehouse · Bakery · 4.8★ (1200)Beloved artisan bakery nearby offering signature croissants, pastries, and specialty coffee.
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.