Is South Union Park safe?
Orlando, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Union Park as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Union Park
“Go with care. South Union Park is a largely stable, working-class suburban enclave where violent crime is low, though typical precautions against property crime are sensible around high-traffic commercial strips. Visitors visiting local restaurants or passing through will find it generally quiet and low-key.”
About the area
Located in East Orange County, South Union Park is a predominantly suburban neighborhood composed of single-family subdivisions and strip retail corridors. Positioned between central Orlando and the University of Central Florida area, it offers convenient access to East Colonial Drive's diverse dining while retaining a calm residential core.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Diverse Dining
- Residential
Walking and biking in South Union Park
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There is no municipal bike-share system in the area, but cyclists can connect to the nearby Little Econ Greenway trail slightly to the north.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are low compared to urban core neighborhoods in Orlando
- High concentration of established, owner-occupied single-family homes
- Close proximity to diverse culinary options along the East Colonial Drive corridor
- Direct road access to the SR 408 Expressway for easy regional commuting
Cons
- Incidents of property crime and vehicular theft occur near commercial shopping plazas
- Inconsistent pedestrian infrastructure with limited sidewalks on some residential side streets
- Heavy commuter traffic congestion along major boundary thoroughfares
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within residential blocks, though occasional panhandling is seen near major intersections along East Colonial Drive.
What South Union Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe as residents start their commutes and children head to local schools.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active along commercial arteries with steady traffic, while residential streets stay quiet and secure.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial plazas remain lively with diners and shoppers, presenting a standard low-risk suburban environment.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become very quiet; walking along unlit residential roads or lingering around late-night gas stations is best avoided.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by LYNX bus service, with Route 104 running along East Colonial Drive directly into Downtown Orlando, though SunRail commuter rail is not nearby.
Parking is free and widely available across surface strip-mall lots and residential driveways.
Things to do in South Union Park
- Spend an evening bowling and playing arcade games at the expansive Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center
- Explore diverse Latin and international eateries along the East Colonial Drive corridor
- Take a short drive to nearby Downey Park for lakeside recreation, athletic courts, and a dog park
Local favorites
- Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center · Bowling Alley · 4.3★ (3400)A massive entertainment hub featuring 80 bowling lanes, an extensive arcade, and a full-service bar.
- Mecatos Bakery & Cafe · Bakery & Cafe · 4.7★ (1850)A bright, modern Colombian cafe serving artisan coffee, fresh pastries, empanadas, and arepas.
- El Cilantrillo Restaurant · Puerto Rican Restaurant · 4.4★ (2100)A vibrant restaurant known for authentic Puerto Rican fare, including hearty mofongo and slow-roasted pork.
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.