Is Southwest Tamarac safe?
Tamarac, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Southwest Tamarac as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Southwest Tamarac
“Go. Southwest Tamarac is a quiet, well-maintained South Florida suburban enclave composed largely of established subdivisions and active-adult communities. Visitors will find a safe environment with low rates of violent crime, though routine caution against property theft in shopping plazas is recommended.”
Local news coverage is generally tranquil, focusing on municipal infrastructure enhancements and park improvements throughout Broward County.
About the area
Southwest Tamarac consists of quiet residential neighborhoods, scenic waterways, and suburban retail plazas along major thoroughfares. The area is heavily car-oriented, offering convenient access to local parks, golf facilities, and diverse family-run eateries.
- Suburban
- Quiet / Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Southwest Tamarac
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 44/100
There is no public bike-share system in Southwest Tamarac. While cycling is comfortable along quiet internal residential streets and park loops, major corridors lack separated bike infrastructure.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are consistently well below the South Florida regional baseline
- High residential stability anchored by established homeownership and active HOA communities
- Well-kept neighborhood public parks, athletic fields, and green spaces
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins in commercial parking areas and apartment complexes
- High dependence on personal vehicles with fast-moving multi-lane arterial roads
- Limited walkability connecting individual gated or cul-de-sac neighborhoods to amenities
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is very low in residential neighborhoods, with only occasional individuals observed near major bus shelters or commercial intersections on University Drive.
What Southwest Tamarac is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Pleasant and quiet, with seniors and families walking pets along neighborhood sidewalks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with typical suburban traffic flow around retail centers along Commercial Boulevard.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful atmosphere as retail plazas wind down and residential streets grow very quiet.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet with virtually no pedestrian activity; standard awareness in unlit parking areas is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) operates local bus routes through the district, primarily along Commercial Boulevard (Route 55) and University Drive (Route 2). The nearest commuter rail option is the Fort Lauderdale Tri-Rail Station, located about 7 miles east.
Parking is universally plentiful and free in large surface lots at shopping centers and municipal parks. Street parking within residential developments is typically regulated or restricted by local homeowners associations.
Things to do in Southwest Tamarac
- Play a round of golf or dine at the scenic Colony West Golf Club
- Walk the paved trails and enjoy recreational amenities at Tamarac Sports Complex
- Relax by the water and splash pad at nearby Caporella Park
Local favorites
- Colony West Golf Club · Golf Course & Clubhouse · 4.2★ (820)Popular public golf destination featuring championship and executive courses with on-site dining.
- Hong Kong City BBQ · Chinese Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Acclaimed casual eatery known for authentic Cantonese roast duck and barbecue specialties.
- El Guanaco · Salvadoran & Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (1280)Neighborhood favorite serving handmade pupusas, tacos, and traditional Central American dishes.
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.