Is West Kendale Lakes safe?
Kendale Lakes, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates West Kendale Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on West Kendale Lakes
“Go. West Kendale Lakes is a quiet, family-oriented suburban community in southwest Miami-Dade with relatively low violent crime rates. Visitors generally face minimal safety concerns beyond basic precautions against vehicle break-ins in commercial parking plazas.”
About the area
West Kendale Lakes is an established residential enclave characterized by single-family homes, townhome communities, artificial lakes, and strip-mall shopping centers. It offers an authentic, predominantly Hispanic suburban Miami lifestyle centered around local parks, golf greens, and casual dining.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Lakeside
Walking and biking in West Kendale Lakes
Walk score: 46/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is sparse along high-speed multi-lane roads, though interior subdivision loops offer low-stress riding; no public bike-share stations exist.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than the broader Miami-Dade County average.
- Strong middle-income economic base with high rates of owner-occupied housing.
- Quiet, family-friendly residential streets with minimal through-traffic.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as vehicle break-ins along commercial retail corridors.
- Heavy vehicular congestion along major arterials like Kendall Drive and SW 137th Avenue.
- Extremely car-dependent layout with poor pedestrian connectivity across major thoroughfares.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in West Kendale Lakes, with occasional individuals near major arterial intersections along Kendall Drive.
What West Kendale Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs, jogging around subdivision lakes, and commuting to work.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial plazas and school traffic dominate, with streets remaining safe and quiet.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm residential ambiance with steady neighborhood dining traffic at local strip mall eateries.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and deserted residential streets; remain alert in dimly lit retail parking lots.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates bus routes including Route 88 (Kendall Cruiser) and Route 137, but rail transit is far; the Dadeland North Metrorail Station is roughly 8 miles east.
Ample free surface parking is available in all shopping plazas and community center lots; residential street parking is regulated by local HOAs.
Things to do in West Kendale Lakes
- Play a round of golf or practice on the driving range at the Miccosukee Golf and Country Club.
- Walk or jog the lakeside paths and relax at Kendale Lakes Park.
- Sample traditional Cuban pastelitos and cafe con leche along the Kendall Drive commercial plazas.
Local favorites
- Miccosukee Golf & Country Club · Golf Course & Country Club · 4.1★ (1150)Historic 27-hole championship golf course and banquet facility hosting local tournaments.
- Sports Grill Kendall · Sports Bar & Grill · 4.5★ (2340)Local institution famous for special-grilled chicken wings and neighborhood sports viewing.
- Pincho Burgers and Kebabs · Latin American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1820)Casual South Florida favorite known for creative Latin-inspired burgers and skewers.
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.