Is West Hiawassee 2 safe?
Orlando, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates West Hiawassee 2 as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on West Hiawassee 2
“Go with care. West Hiawassee features modest residential subdivisions and authentic Caribbean and Hispanic dining spots, but it borders higher-crime pockets in west Orange County. Visitors should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly near commercial plazas along major thoroughfares after dark.”
Orange County Sheriff's Office conducts recurring targeted patrols along the Hiawassee Road corridor to address vehicle break-ins and occasional retail theft.
About the area
West Hiawassee is a primarily residential suburban neighborhood in West Orlando, characterized by mid-century to 1980s single-family homes and apartment complexes. It sits adjacent to major arterial roads like Hiawassee Road and Silver Star Road, offering easy access to the broader Orlando metro area.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Culturally Diverse
Walking and biking in West Hiawassee 2
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 45/100
Dedicated cycling lanes are sporadic along major thoroughfares, and there is no direct connection to the West Orange Trail or Orlando Urban Trail from this area.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient driving access to State Road 408 and West Colonial Drive (SR 50)
- Wide selection of authentic independent Caribbean and Latin eateries
- Lower-density residential side streets with established homeownership
Cons
- Above-average property crime and vehicle burglary rates along commercial strips
- Above-average violent crime incidents compared to national baselines in neighboring tracts
- Pedestrian-unfriendly arterial corridors with heavy vehicular traffic
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along the major bus stops and retail centers near Silver Star Road and Hiawassee Road, primarily involving occasional panhandling near intersections.
What West Hiawassee 2 is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet and residential with routine commuter traffic heading out toward downtown and employment centers.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active around strip malls and fast-casual dining spots with generally safe daytime foot traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial parking lots experience increased activity; keep personal belongings out of sight in vehicles.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely deserted; walking outside of private residential pockets is not recommended late at night.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by LYNX bus service with routes like 37 and 443 along Hiawassee Road and Silver Star Road; the nearest SunRail commuter rail station is in Downtown Orlando, roughly 8 miles away.
Parking is straightforward and free in surface lots across commercial plazas, and residential streets typically allow unrestricted curbside parking.
Things to do in West Hiawassee 2
- Sample authentic Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine along the local commercial strip
- Visit nearby Barnett Park for disc golf, sports fields, and walking trails
- Shop at neighborhood ethnic grocery markets and specialty bakeries
Local favorites
- Oley's Kitchen & Smokehouse · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Popular local staple serving jerk chicken, oxtail, and classic Caribbean comfort foods.
- Lechonera Latina · Puerto Rican Restaurant · 4.2★ (1420)Casual counter-service cafeteria known for roast pork, yellow rice, and plantains.
- Tortas El Rey · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (1850)Laid-back taqueria serving oversized tortas, street tacos, and fresh fruit juices.
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.