Is Southwest Kendall safe?
Kendall, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Southwest Kendall as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Southwest Kendall
“Go. Southwest Kendall is a tranquil, family-oriented suburban community in southwest Miami-Dade County that offers a very safe environment for visitors. Violent crime is rare, and the area is defined by stable residential subdivisions and busy shopping centers. You will need a vehicle to get around efficiently, but personal safety is seldom a concern.”
About the area
Southwest Kendall is an expansive, car-centric residential district characterized by peaceful cul-de-sacs, residential lakes, and strip-mall shopping plazas. It is home to a predominantly middle-class, family-focused population with a rich Latin American dining scene. While suburban sprawl limits walkability, the neighborhood maintains clean, well-kept public spaces and a relaxed pace of life.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Southwest Kendall
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 46/100
There are no public bike-share docking stations in the area, but neighborhood trail networks like the Hammocks Lake Trail offer safe off-street recreational riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than Miami-Dade County and national averages.
- Strong socioeconomic stability with high median household incomes and high rates of homeownership.
- Abundant, clean suburban parks and well-maintained residential subdivisions.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes, particularly vehicle break-ins in unmonitored parking lots and driveways.
- Heavy vehicular traffic and high-speed corridors along major arteries like SW 88th Street (Kendall Drive).
- Car dependency makes walking between commercial centers impractical and unpleasant.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is rare across Southwest Kendall, with only occasional panhandlers observed near major arterial intersections such as SW 137th Avenue and Kendall Drive.
What Southwest Kendall is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging around neighborhood lakes and commuters departing for work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Plazas and main arterial roads are bustling with shoppers and school traffic in a very secure environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Strip mall restaurants and family eateries are lively, while residential streets stay calm and safe.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdivisions are dark and quiet; while pedestrian traffic is nonexistent due to distance, crime threats remain very low.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates several Metrobus routes (notably Route 88 and Route 104) connecting along east-west corridors to the Dadeland South Metrorail station, located roughly 6 to 9 miles east.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free across massive surface lots at strip malls, supermarkets, and community parks.
Things to do in Southwest Kendall
- Walk, jog, or cycle along the multi-mile scenic lakeside path network at The Hammocks.
- Shop, dine, and enjoy casual outdoor seating at the London Square retail center.
- Explore local wildlife trails and disc golf courses at nearby Kendall Indian Hammocks Park.
Local favorites
- Finka Table & Tap · Gastropub · 4.6★ (4850)A popular, high-energy gastropub serving Cuban, Peruvian, and Korean fusion cuisine alongside craft cocktails.
- Aromas del Peru · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.5★ (1250)A celebrated local spot known for authentic ceviches, lomo saltado, and traditional Peruvian seafood dishes.
- SpecialTea Lounge & Cafe · Cafe · 4.7★ (680)A cozy, community-oriented cafe offering loose-leaf teas, boba, and light cafe fare in a relaxed setting.
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.