Is Whittier safe?
Kissimmee, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Whittier as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Whittier
“Go with care. Whittier is a convenient, working-class Kissimmee neighborhood near historic downtown and commuter rail, but property crime and occasional localized disturbances are higher than suburban averages. Visitors should stick to well-lit main corridors after dark and practice standard urban awareness.”
About the area
Whittier is an established residential and light-commercial neighborhood located just north of historic Downtown Kissimmee. It features a mix of mid-century single-family homes, modest rental apartments, and easy access to Lake Tohopekaliga and regional transit.
- Historic Fringe
- Working-Class
- Transit-Adjacent
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Whittier
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 58/100
While dedicated bike lanes are scarce within the neighborhood interior, the paved Kissimmee Lakefront Trail is located less than a mile south, though citywide bike-share programs are minimal.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate proximity to Downtown Kissimmee dining and Lakefront Park amenities
- Direct walking and transit access to the Kissimmee SunRail and Amtrak station
- Established residential fabric with active community revitalization efforts
Cons
- Property crime rates, including vehicle break-ins, exceed Florida suburban benchmarks
- Pockets of aging rental properties and sporadic code compliance issues
- Subdued pedestrian lighting and patchy sidewalk infrastructure on interior side streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, primarily concentrated near major commercial intersections like US-192/Vine Street and around the Kissimmee Intermodal transit hub rather than within interior residential blocks.
What Whittier is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with local commuters and school traffic moving toward main thoroughfares.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and generally safe with standard neighborhood traffic and delivery activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet on residential streets, though caution is warranted when walking alone along poorly lit blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Activity drops sharply; higher risk for property theft and loitering along commercial edges like Vine Street.
Transit, parking and getting around
Lynx provides local bus service along main corridors such as Route 10 and Route 57, and the Kissimmee Intermodal Center (SunRail and Amtrak) is within a 10 to 15-minute walk south.
Free on-street parking is generally easy to find throughout residential streets, with free public parking garages and surface lots available just south in the downtown core.
Things to do in Whittier
- Stroll south to Kissimmee Lakefront Park for scenic views of Lake Tohopekaliga and walking piers
- Explore the historic storefronts, local antique shops, and cafes along Broadway
- Catch a SunRail commuter train for an easy day trip into downtown Orlando or Winter Park
Local favorites
- Buchito · Cuban Cafe · 4.7★ (680)Cozy neighborhood spot renowned for authentic Cuban coffee, pressed sandwiches, and relaxed courtyard seating.
- Broadway Pizza Bar · Pizzeria & Bar · 4.5★ (1650)Lively downtown staple serving stone-baked specialty pizzas, craft beers, and Italian pub fare.
- Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory · Ice Cream Shop · 4.6★ (1900)Unique dessert shop using liquid nitrogen to custom-freeze rich ice cream creations right before your eyes.
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.