Is West The Hammocks safe?
The Hammocks, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates West The Hammocks as “Go”.
Gogo's take on West The Hammocks
“Go. West The Hammocks is an exceptionally safe, quiet, and family-oriented planned suburban community in southwestern Miami-Dade County. Visitors will find manicured lake trails and strip mall dining with virtually negligible violent crime risk.”
About the area
West The Hammocks is a sprawling residential community characterized by scenic artificial lakes, extensive jogging paths, and quiet cul-de-sacs. It is predominantly middle- to upper-middle class with strong community associations and low crime rates, though it is strictly car-dependent.
- Suburban / Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Lakeside Trails
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in West The Hammocks
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 58/100
The community boasts the dedicated Hammocks Trail network looping for miles around interior lakes, though there is no municipal bike-share system available.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime and property crime rates compared to the greater Miami metropolitan area
- High rates of homeownership and well-maintained HOA-regulated residential subdivisions
- Extensive network of paved multi-use trails looping around neighborhood lakes
Cons
- Suburban isolation requiring a personal vehicle for almost all errands and transit
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Heavy commuter traffic congestion along SW 88th Street (Kendall Drive) and SW 104th Street
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in West The Hammocks, with virtually no encampments or panhandling in the area.
What West The Hammocks is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and parents heading to local schools.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with modest commercial activity in community shopping plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and safe for walking around illuminated neighborhood lakes and residential streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and deserted streets; remains safe though basic situational awareness is always advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Miami-Dade Transit operates local bus routes like Route 88 and Route 104 connecting eastward, but the nearest Metrorail hub (Dadeland North) is over 10 miles away, making transit slow and inconvenient.
Parking is abundant and universally free across residential driveways and suburban commercial strip mall plazas.
Things to do in West The Hammocks
- Stroll or jog along the scenic Hammocks Community Lake Trail system
- Visit the nearby Westwind Lakes Park for soccer, open fields, and skate facilities
- Sample diverse Latin American cuisine along the commercial plazas on Kendall Drive
Local favorites
- Bocas House Kendall · Latin American Restaurant · 4.6★ (3200)Popular eatery renowned for fusion Latin comfort food, generous portions, and decadent milkshakes.
- Sergio's Restaurant · Cuban Restaurant · 4.4★ (2100)Local staple offering classic Cuban fare, café con leche, and grab-and-go pastelitos.
- Taqueria Viva Mexico · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (850)Laid-back taqueria serving authentic street-style tacos with housemade salsas.
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.