Is Southeast 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 Southeast Three Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Southeast Three Lakes
“Go. Southeast Three Lakes is a quiet, comfortable suburban community in southwestern Miami-Dade County that presents minimal safety concerns for visitors. While it is overwhelmingly residential and car-oriented, daytime and evening walks within the subdivisions are peaceful and secure.”
About the area
Southeast Three Lakes is a classic South Florida suburban enclave characterized by man-made lakes, gated townhouse communities, and single-family subdivisions. Situated just north of Zoo Miami and west of Florida's Turnpike, it caters mainly to families and commuters looking for quiet residential living.
- Suburban / Peaceful
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Lakeside Subdivisions
Walking and biking in Southeast Three Lakes
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 46/100
There are no public bike-share programs in the area, but residential streets are low-speed; cyclists can easily connect to multi-use recreational paths within nearby Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are notably lower than the greater Miami-Dade County average
- High homeownership rate and well-kept residential subdivisions with active HOAs
- Solid household median incomes and low poverty levels throughout the census tracts
- Convenient proximity to major family attractions like Zoo Miami and Larry and Penny Thompson Park
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins and property theft typical of suburban Miami-Dade
- Very car-dependent with high traffic congestion along SW 152nd Street during rush hour
- Limited commercial nightlife or walkable cultural amenities within neighborhood borders
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent within the residential subdivisions, with only occasional individuals noticed near major commercial strip intersections along SW 152nd Street.
What Southeast Three Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and calm, with residents walking dogs, jogging around lake loops, and commuting to school or work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and pleasant with routine suburban activity, school dismissals, and low pedestrian traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful and secure across residential streets, with locals returning home and families congregating around community areas.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally very quiet and safe, though standard precautions against car break-ins in open driveways should be observed.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) serves the area primarily via Metrobus route 152 along Coral Reef Drive, connecting to the South Dade Transitway and Dadeland South Metrorail station (roughly 6 miles northeast).
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with free suburban retail center lots and ample private driveway or designated guest parking in residential subdivisions.
Things to do in Southeast Three Lakes
- Explore the nearby wildlife exhibits and lush grounds at Zoo Miami just south of the neighborhood
- Stroll or picnic around the scenic neighborhood retention lakes and quiet residential cul-de-sacs
- Camp or hike the pineland trails at the adjacent Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park
Local favorites
- Super Mario Restaurant · Cuban Restaurant · 4.5★ (1150)Popular local strip-mall spot serving classic Cuban comfort food, cafecito, and hearty breakfast platters.
- Mojo Donuts & Fried Chicken · Donut Shop · 4.6★ (820)Acclaimed gourmet donut shop offering creative artisanal flavors and crispy fried chicken tenders.
- Sports Grill Kendall · Sports Bar · 4.5★ (2300)Beloved South Florida institution famed for special grilled wings, cold beers, and televised games.
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.