Is West Kendall West 3 safe?
Kendall West, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates West Kendall West 3 as “Go”.
Gogo's take on West Kendall West 3
“Go. West Kendall West is a very safe, family-oriented suburban enclave in western Miami-Dade County. Visitors will find virtually no violent crime risks, though having a car is strictly necessary to get around.”
About the area
West Kendall West is a quiet, master-planned suburban community defined by single-family subdivisions, strip plazas, and artificial canal lakes. Primarily residential and heavily Hispanic, it offers authentic Latin American dining and community parks away from Miami's urban hustle.
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet / Residential
Walking and biking in West Kendall West 3
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 46/100
There is no local municipal bike-share system; biking is mostly limited to residential sidewalk paths and neighborhood streets without dedicated protected bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low compared to the greater Miami metropolitan area
- Solid middle-class economic stability with high homeownership rates and low residential vacancy
- Peaceful, well-lit residential subdivisions with minimal through-traffic
Cons
- Extremely car-dependent with high peak-hour traffic along Kendall Drive (SW 88th St)
- Occasional vehicle burglaries in strip mall parking lots and unsecured driveways
- Virtually no major tourist attractions within the immediate neighborhood
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in this suburban area, with only rare panhandling observed at major commercial intersections along Kendall Drive.
What West Kendall West 3 is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with commuters and school drop-offs, feeling very secure for morning jogs.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet in the subdivisions, with routine suburban traffic around shopping plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Active with residents returning home and dining out in local plazas, remaining completely safe to walk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark with almost no pedestrian activity; standard suburban caution applies regarding vehicle security.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit serves the area primarily via the Route 88 and Route 288 Kendall Cruiser buses along SW 88th Street. The nearest rail hub is the Dadeland North/South Metrorail station, located about 10 miles east.
Parking is completely free and abundant in large strip center surface lots and residential driveways, with no metered parking zones.
Things to do in West Kendall West 3
- Enjoy outdoor sports, soccer fields, and walking paths at nearby Olympic Park
- Sample authentic Cuban pastries, cafecito, and Latin American bakeries along SW 88th Street
- Take a short drive west to explore the edge of the Florida Everglades along Krome Avenue
Local favorites
- Sergio's Restaurant - West Kendall · Cuban Restaurant · 4.4★ (2350)A popular local staple serving traditional Cuban comfort food, breakfast specials, and coffee.
- Novecento Kendall · Argentine Bistro · 4.5★ (1820)Upscale Argentine eatery known for steaks, handmade empanadas, and a vibrant weekend brunch.
- La Carreta · Cuban Restaurant · 4.3★ (3100)Long-running community favorite offering classic ropa vieja, picadillo, and ventanita espresso service.
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.