Is South Lakewood Estates safe?
Miami Gardens, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Lakewood Estates as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Lakewood Estates
“Go with care. South Lakewood Estates is a quiet, primarily residential enclave within Miami Gardens that is safe during daylight hours for standard visits or stadium-adjacent lodging. However, the broader surrounding municipality experiences higher rates of property crime and occasional violent incidents, warranting situational awareness after dark.”
Citywide policing initiatives in Miami Gardens, including expanded ShotSpotter tech and real-time crime surveillance, have aimed to reduce localized gunfire and vehicle break-ins along primary corridors.
About the area
South Lakewood Estates is an established suburban neighborhood characterized by single-story mid-century concrete block homes and modest residential streets. Located near major North Miami-Dade arterial roads and Hard Rock Stadium, it functions largely as a working-class bedroom community with commercial amenities concentrated along its perimeter.
- Suburban Enclave
- Car-Dependent
- Residential
- Quiet
Walking and biking in South Lakewood Estates
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is sparse with few marked lanes, and there are no municipal bike-share docking stations in the immediate vicinity.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High rate of owner-occupied single-family homes creating an established neighborhood core
- Close proximity to Hard Rock Stadium and major entertainment events
- Lower street-level violent crime within internal residential blocks compared to outer commercial strips
- Convenient access to Florida's Turnpike and major regional thoroughfares
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates, especially vehicle burglaries and theft of vehicle parts
- Higher citywide violent crime metrics than Florida and national averages
- Low pedestrian infrastructure with minimal sidewalks and limited street lighting on some blocks
- Few walkable dining or retail options within the interior residential grid
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential streets of South Lakewood Estates, though occasional panhandling or unhoused individuals may be observed near major intersections along NW 27th Avenue and Miami Gardens Drive.
What South Lakewood Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents commuting and walking dogs along interior residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and generally safe, though through-traffic can pick up near perimeter avenues.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential feel, but low lighting on some blocks requires increased awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued with minimal activity; wandering on foot is not recommended due to lighting gaps and isolated property crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit (Metrobus) operates routes along perimeter roads such as NW 183rd Street and NW 27th Avenue, though there is no direct rail station within walking distance; the Golden Glades interchange is a 10-15 minute drive away.
Driveway and street parking are readily available and free throughout the residential streets, with no metered zones inside the neighborhood.
Things to do in South Lakewood Estates
- Catch a Miami Dolphins game, Formula 1 race, or major concert at nearby Hard Rock Stadium
- Enjoy family recreation, sports courts, and open green fields at nearby Rolling Oaks Park or Bunche Park
- Explore authentic Caribbean, soul food, and West African dining along the NW 27th Avenue and NW 183rd Street commercial corridors
Local favorites
- Lorna's Caribbean & American Grille · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)A neighborhood fixture known for generous portions of jerk chicken, oxtail, and curry goat.
- Arline's Restaurant & Seafood · Seafood & Soul Food · 4.2★ (890)Popular local counter-serve spot serving fried fish, conch, ribs, and classic Southern sides.
- Yarumba Restaurant & Lounge · Dominican Restaurant · 4.4★ (2100)Vibrant nearby eatery serving traditional Dominican cuisine, mofongo, and cocktails with live music.
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.