Is Westwood Lake safe?
Westwood Lakes, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Westwood Lake as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Westwood Lake
“Go. Westwood Lakes is a quiet, settled suburban community in western Miami-Dade County that offers a peaceful, family-oriented environment. Violent crime is uncommon, making it very safe for travelers visiting family or exploring the surrounding western Miami suburbs.”
About the area
Westwood Lakes is an established residential census-designated place composed of mid-century single-family ranch homes, man-made residential lakes, and neighborhood strip malls. It boasts strong owner-occupancy rates and a proud Hispanic cultural heritage, anchored by bustling dining along Bird Road (SW 40th Street).
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Westwood Lake
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 52/100
There are no municipal bike-share stations in the neighborhood, and dedicated bike lanes are scarce on arterial roads, though residential side streets are quiet enough for casual cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than the Miami-Dade County and national averages
- High homeownership rate exceeding 75% fosters stable, well-maintained residential blocks
- Low residential vacancy and strong neighborhood surveillance by long-term residents
- Convenient access to authentic Cuban and Latin American bakeries and casual dining
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like vehicle break-ins and package theft
- High car dependency requiring personal vehicles for virtually all daily errands
- Substantial commuter traffic congestion along SW 40th Street (Bird Road) and SW 117th Avenue
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Westwood Lakes, with occasional transient individuals visible near major commercial bus stops along SW 40th Street, but no permanent encampments.
What Westwood Lake is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant with locals walking dogs and stopping by corner bakeries for coffee.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet in residential pockets with moderate commercial bustle and traffic along Bird Road.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-centric with neighbors returning home and strip-mall restaurants filling up.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and quiet streets; generally safe, though standard nighttime vigilance is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by Miami-Dade Transit (Metrobus), primarily via Routes 40 along Bird Road and 73. There is no direct rail station within walking distance; the nearest Metrorail hub is Dadeland North, roughly 5.5 miles southeast.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free. Most single-family homes have private driveways, and strip malls along major avenues provide ample free surface parking with no meters.
Things to do in Westwood Lake
- Spend a relaxing afternoon with community recreation and sports facilities at Westwood Lakes Park
- Embark on an informal Cuban culinary tour along the SW 40th Street commercial corridor
- Take a short drive to the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum located just north at FIU
Local favorites
- Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine · Cuban Restaurant · 4.3★ (1250)A popular neighborhood staple serving traditional Cuban comfort food, plantains, and classic espresso.
- Mi Colombia Restaurant · Colombian Restaurant · 4.4★ (920)Cozy strip-mall eatery offering generous portions of bandeja paisa, empanadas, and arepas.
- Don Pan Bakery · Bakery & Cafe · 4.2★ (680)Busy Latin bakery known for freshly baked breads, pastries, cachitos, and morning cafe con leche.
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.