Is Tangerine safe?
Apopka, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Tangerine as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Tangerine
“Go. Tangerine is an exceptionally peaceful, semi-rural residential community nestled around Lake Ola in northwest Orange County. Visitors will encounter minimal crime and scenic lake vistas, though a personal vehicle is essential given the lack of commercial amenities and transit.”
About the area
Situated just south of Mount Dora and northwest of central Apopka, Tangerine is characterized by moss-draped oak canopies, historic citrus groves, and lakefront estates. It serves primarily as a tranquil retreat for homeowners and road cyclists looking for scenic, low-traffic roads.
- Tranquil & Rural
- Lakeside Living
- Car-Dependent
- Historic / Tree-Lined
Walking and biking in Tangerine
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There are no bike-share stations, but experienced road cyclists frequently utilize the paved country corridors connecting Tangerine to the Mount Dora trail systems.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to broader Orange County and metro Orlando.
- Strong homeownership and well-maintained lakeside estates surrounding Lake Ola.
- Quiet, scenic rural ambiance with minimal commercial congestion or heavy thru-traffic.
Cons
- Nearly 100% car-dependent with almost no walkable commercial districts or retail options.
- Sparse street lighting on narrow, winding rural roads presents nighttime driving hazards.
- Limited municipal infrastructure requiring travel to Mount Dora or Apopka for emergency and medical services.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Tangerine due to its low-density, purely residential character, with regional support services centered in larger municipalities like Orlando and Leesburg.
What Tangerine is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene, with occasional morning joggers and dog-walkers enjoying Lake Ola Drive in complete safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet with minimal neighborhood traffic, feel-safe conditions, and sunny residential roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and uneventful; roads grow dark quickly at dusk due to sparse municipal streetlights.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet with zero foot traffic or open businesses, remaining safe and undisturbed.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent in Tangerine; Lynx (Orange County) does not operate fixed bus routes in this rural CDP, requiring personal vehicle transportation.
Parking is free, easy, and plentiful on private lots and at designated public spots like the Lake Ola boat ramp, with no metered zones.
Things to do in Tangerine
- Take a scenic drive or cycle loop around tree-shaded Lake Ola.
- Launch a kayak or boat from the public ramp at Lake Ola for a morning on the water.
- Visit the historic Tangerine Community Club building to learn about the area's early citrus farming heritage.
Local favorites
- Tangerine Community Club · Community Center / Historic Landmark · 4.8★ (38)Historic non-profit community hall hosting local neighborhood gatherings and cultural events since 1923.
- Lake Ola Boat Ramp · Park / Boat Launch · 4.6★ (130)Public freshwater boat ramp providing scenic access for boating, fishing, and watersports on Lake Ola.
- Trimper Studio · Art Gallery · 5.0★ (16)Quaint local art studio showcasing fine oil paintings and regional landscape artwork.
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.