Is Westwood Lakes 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 Lakes as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Westwood Lakes
“Go. Westwood Lakes is a quiet, well-established suburban community in west Miami-Dade County with notably low rates of violent crime. While it is mostly residential with limited tourist-oriented attractions, visitors will find a peaceful, safe, and family-oriented neighborhood with great access to authentic Cuban dining.”
About the area
Westwood Lakes is an unincorporated census-designated place situated just south of Florida International University and west of Westchester. Characterized by mid-century single-family homes, quiet cul-de-sacs, and strip malls along its perimeter roads, it offers an authentic, everyday slice of suburban Miami life.
- Suburban Quiet
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
- Culinary Hidden Gem
Walking and biking in Westwood Lakes
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 50/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is limited, consisting primarily of painted bike lanes on select arterial roads and shared neighborhood streets. There are no municipal bike-share stations or direct connections to major paved regional greenways in the immediate vicinity.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both county and national averages.
- High homeownership rate above 75% contributes to stable, well-maintained residential blocks.
- Convenient access to authentic Hispanic bakeries, cafeterias, and family-owned dining.
- Close proximity to Florida International University and major thoroughfares like the Florida Turnpike.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like vehicle burglaries along perimeter avenues.
- Car-dependent layout with heavy traffic congestion during peak hours on Bird Road (SW 40th St).
- Limited tourist infrastructure, nightlife, or walkable retail districts within the interior.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal and not a notable presence in the residential interior of Westwood Lakes. Occasional unhoused individuals or panhandlers may be seen near major commercial intersections along Bird Road or SW 117th Avenue, but there are no established encampments.
What Westwood Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with local residents walking dogs and joggers using neighborhood side streets with complete safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet interior streets with heavier vehicular flow on border thoroughfares; very safe for walking or running errands.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued suburban atmosphere with families at home and diners filling local strip-mall restaurants safely.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and minimal activity; residential streets remain quiet and safe, though standard caution applies around darkened commercial lots.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is managed by Miami-Dade Transit, primarily serviced by Metrobus Routes 40 (Bird Road) and 107. There is no direct rail connection; the nearest Metrorail station is Dadeland North, roughly 6 miles southeast and accessible via connecting bus or rideshare.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free throughout the neighborhood. Strip malls and business plazas offer free surface parking lots, and residential side streets permit easy, free curbside parking.
Things to do in Westwood Lakes
- Relax or exercise along the walking paths and green spaces at Westwood Park.
- Embark on a local culinary tour of traditional Cuban cafeterias along SW 40th Street (Bird Road).
- Visit the nearby FIU Modesto A. Maidique Campus to explore the Frost Art Museum and sculpture park.
Local favorites
- Rio Cristal · Cuban Restaurant · 4.5★ (1850)A legendary local institution famous for its traditional Cuban comfort food and iconic mound of shoestring fries over steak.
- Pinecrest Bakery - Bird Road · Bakery / Cafe · 4.3★ (1420)Popular 24-hour Cuban bakery serving fresh pastelitos, empanadas, sandwiches, and strong espresso.
- Taqueria Viva Mexico · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (680)Unassuming strip-mall gem serving authentic street-style tacos, quesadillas, and house-made 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.