Is 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 Three Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Three Lakes
“Go. Three Lakes is a peaceful, family-oriented suburban community in southwest Miami-Dade County with low crime rates and well-kept residential developments. While it offers little in terms of traditional tourist sights, it is a very safe area for visitors seeking quiet lodging or visiting nearby attractions like the local executive airport or Zoo Miami.”
About the area
Three Lakes is an unincorporated suburban census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, characterized by gated subdivisions, man-made lakes, and quiet cul-de-sacs. It is predominantly residential with neighborhood shopping plazas lining major thoroughfares like SW 152nd Street (Coral Reef Drive) and SW 137th Avenue.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet / Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Three Lakes
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 46/100
No public bike-share systems operate here; cycling is mainly recreational within subdivisions or along arterial sidewalks and painted bike lanes on SW 152nd Street.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to the broader Miami metropolitan average
- Strong economic stability with high homeownership rates and median household incomes exceeding $85,000
- Well-maintained, quiet residential subdivisions with low through-traffic
- Close proximity to Miami Executive Airport and family attractions like Zoo Miami
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with virtually no walkable commercial districts
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Traffic congestion during peak commute hours on SW 152nd Street and SW 137th Avenue
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within residential communities, with only rare panhandling near major commercial intersections on SW 137th Avenue.
What Three Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents jogging around subdivision loops, dog walking, and routine school traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with typical suburban activity centered around shopping plazas and school zones.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential feel with families at home and modest dining traffic at neighborhood strip malls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet with minimal vehicle movement; extremely low pedestrian presence and minimal street activity.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates local bus routes like Route 137 and Route 252 along perimeter arterials, but service is infrequent; the nearest Metrorail station (Dadeland South) is approximately 8 miles east and requires a car or bus transfer.
Parking is abundant and free in private driveways, residential community lots, and strip mall plazas, with no metered zones or public parking garages.
Things to do in Three Lakes
- Explore the nearby Gold Coast Railroad Museum located just south of the neighborhood border
- Spend a family day at Zoo Miami situated adjacent to the area's southern edge
- Play soccer or take a lakeside jog at Deerwood Bonita Lakes Park
Local favorites
- Finka Table & Tap · Gastropub · 4.5★ (3850)Renowned local hotspot blending Cuban, Peruvian, and Korean culinary traditions with craft cocktails.
- Novecento Kendall · Argentine Restaurant · 4.4★ (1220)Sleek bistro offering Argentine-style grilled steaks, handmade empanadas, and regional wines.
- Wings Cafe at Miami Executive Airport · American Diner · 4.3★ (1410)Casual diner serving hearty breakfasts and comfort fare with views of airport runways.
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.