Is Waterford Lakes safe?
Orlando, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Waterford Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Waterford Lakes
“Go. Waterford Lakes is one of East Orlando's safest and most established suburban master-planned communities. It offers an easy, low-stress environment for shopping, dining, and family stays, with safety risks largely confined to occasional vehicle break-ins in busy retail parking lots.”
About the area
Waterford Lakes is a sprawling, manicured East Orlando neighborhood centered around a massive open-air shopping and lifestyle center. Known for its proximity to the University of Central Florida and Research Parkway, it features well-kept subdivisions, lakes, and extensive retail options.
- Suburban Mall Hub
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Well-Manicured
Walking and biking in Waterford Lakes
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, though wide neighborhood sidewalks and collector road bike lanes provide localized riding options.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly below the Orlando municipal average
- High median household incomes and stable, owner-occupied residential subdivisions
- Well-patrolled, well-lit commercial core at Waterford Lakes Town Center
Cons
- Opportunistic vehicle break-ins and retail theft occur in crowded shopping center lots
- Heavy vehicular traffic congestion along Alafaya Trail and SR 408 access points
- Broad, high-speed arterial roads make pedestrian crossings challenging
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Waterford Lakes, with occasional panhandling observed near major highway ramps and busy intersections along Alafaya Trail.
What Waterford Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters heading toward the 408 expressway.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Energetic with shoppers and diners at the Town Center, feeling very safe and active.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Vibrant and well-lit around restaurants and the cinema, maintaining a secure suburban feel.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and calm across residential tracts, with minimal late-night incidents beyond standard commercial strip wind-down.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by LYNX, with Route 104 running along Alafaya Trail connecting toward UCF and downtown Orlando; there is no passenger rail service in the area.
Parking is exceptionally easy and free, with massive surface lots at the Town Center and dedicated private driveways in residential neighborhoods.
Things to do in Waterford Lakes
- Shop, dine, and stroll through the open-air Waterford Lakes Town Center
- Catch a blockbuster screening at Regal Waterford Lakes & IMAX
- Enjoy outdoor sports and walking paths at the Waterford Lakes Community Association recreation areas
Local favorites
- Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (4350)Upscale casual dining known for handcrafted wines, modern American fare, and tasting rooms.
- Zaza Cuban Comfort Food · Cuban Restaurant · 4.6★ (2100)Popular counter-serve spot serving authentic Cuban espresso, pastries, and savory breakfast and lunch platters.
- The Brass Tap · Craft Beer Bar · 4.4★ (1150)Lively neighborhood pub featuring hundreds of craft beers, bar snacks, and outdoor patio seating.
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.