Is South Three Lakes safe?
Three Lakes, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates South Three Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on South Three Lakes
“Go. South Three Lakes is a quiet, peaceful suburban community with notably low rates of violent crime and a strong residential footprint. Visitors will find safe residential streets and family-friendly strip malls, provided they have a vehicle for getting around. Standard suburban vigilance against opportunistic car break-ins is all that is typically required.”
About the area
South Three Lakes is an unincorporated suburban neighborhood in southwest Miami-Dade County, characterized by master-planned subdivisions, man-made lakes, and commercial plazas. It caters primarily to families and commuters seeking quiet residential streets near Kendall and Zoo Miami. The area offers a comfortable, low-density environment dominated by strip-mall dining, local services, and neighborhood parks.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet / Residential
Walking and biking in South Three Lakes
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 49/100
There are no municipal bike-share programs in South Three Lakes. Cycling is best suited for internal subdivision roads, as major surrounding thoroughfares lack protected bike lanes despite flat terrain.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than the broader Miami-Dade County average.
- High homeownership rate and well-kept suburban subdivisions foster stable, monitored residential blocks.
- Median household incomes well above the county median with low neighborhood poverty rates.
Cons
- High car dependence with wide, high-speed arterial roads posing risks for pedestrians.
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as vehicle burglaries in open residential driveways.
- Limited cultural attractions within immediate neighborhood borders without driving to adjacent areas.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a significant presence in South Three Lakes. Occasional individuals may be observed near major commercial intersections or transit stops along SW 137th Avenue, but there are no established encampments or shelters in the immediate area.
What South Three Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging around subdivision lakes and parents commuting or doing school drop-offs.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet in the subdivisions with steady commercial traffic around SW 137th Ave and SW 152nd St retail plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe for neighborhood walks, though walking on major arterial perimeters is discouraged due to vehicle speeds.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and low-traffic in residential subdivisions; generally secure, but standard precautions against car break-ins apply.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Miami-Dade Transit, primarily through local Metrobus routes such as Route 137 along SW 137th Ave and Route 252 (Coral Reef MAX). The nearest Metrorail hub is Dadeland South Station, located roughly 7 to 8 miles northeast and requiring a bus connection or car drive.
Parking is exceptionally easy and abundant throughout the neighborhood; commercial plazas offer large free surface lots, and residential areas feature ample private driveways and unrestricted curbside parking.
Things to do in South Three Lakes
- Explore the nearby world-class exhibits and botanical gardens at Zoo Miami immediately south of the area.
- Walk the shaded green loops and sports facilities at nearby Deerwood Bonita Lakes Park.
- Explore local Latin-fusion bakeries and authentic Cuban and South American eateries along SW 137th Avenue.
Local favorites
- Empanada Harry's Bakery & Cafe · Bakery · 4.7★ (1380)Celebrated local bakery turning out traditional and gourmet fusion empanadas alongside specialty pastries.
- Hate Mondays Tavern · American Restaurant · 4.7★ (1150)Casual, hidden-gem tavern renowned across South Florida for competition-style smoked BBQ and gourmet burgers.
- Don Burrito Mexican Grill · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (920)Laid-back neighborhood spot serving generous portions of classic Mexican favorites and tacos.
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.