Kendale Lakes, FL

Kendale Lakes is a peaceful suburban community in southwest Miami-Dade, shaped largely by the waterways and green spaces that give the area its name. Originally built around a former golf course in the 1970s and 1980s, the neighborhood has grown into a settled mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and lakefront subdivisions. Curving streets and scenic waterfront lots give the residential pockets a quiet, tucked-away feel that appeals to families and professionals looking for space outside the urban core.

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Kendall Drive, also known as Southwest 88th Street, serves as the main east-west corridor running through the community. Strip plazas, grocery stores, casual restaurants, and medical offices line this road, making everyday errands quick and convenient. Because the residential streets loop around the lakes, neighborhood traffic naturally filters out to Kendall Drive and major cross streets like 137th and 147th avenues. Commuters have a straightforward drive east to Florida's Turnpike, which connects directly to Dadeland, Coral Gables, and downtown Miami.

Local activity centers around a few key spots just off Kendall Drive. Kendale Lakes Park offers recreation facilities, sports fields, and after-school programs that keep neighborhood kids active. A mile to the west, the Kendale Lakes Branch Library is a popular gathering place with children's storytimes, English conversation classes, and quiet study areas. The branch is also home to Sips and Stories, a student-run coffee spot where visitors can grab a drink while picking up a book.

As an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County, Kendale Lakes receives its emergency services, road upkeep, and public transit directly from the county. Neighborhood features like the lakes, entry signs, and green corridors are maintained through dedicated local assessment districts overseen with resident input. This arrangement keeps the waterways clean and the shared green spaces well-tended, giving Kendale Lakes a tidy, manicured appearance throughout the neighborhood.