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Lauderhill, Florida, is a city northwest of Fort Lauderdale, and the shape of the city resembles a staircase.
It’s home to the only cricket stadium in the United States.
The city is among the most ethnically diverse in the Miami metropolitan area with only 9% of the community being Caucasian.
This community was born from an idea in New York and, in the 1980s, was mostly a place for Jewish people to retire and other retired people to snowbird during the winter months.
Slowly the ethnicity of the city changed and now there’s a large population from the West Indies and the Caribbean here.
37% of the community was born outside of the United States.
This brings a great cultural flair to what otherwise would be just another bedroom community.
Warnings & Dangers in Lauderhill
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
There's medium overall risk. The crime numbers are either at or above national levels. It's not a big tourist destination unless you are visiting friends or family or you are a snowbird in this area.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
There's a low risk of using public transportation here. Taxis and rideshares are registered with Broward county and Lauderhill has a community shuttle to get around. I would recommend getting a rental car if you can, so you can explore the greater Miami area.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
There were 43 reports of pickpocketing in this city of almost 75,000 people. Theft rates are 25% higher than the national average. We'll call this a medium risk just because of all the high crime rates on top of the theft rate.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Hurricanes are the biggest concern. The season runs from June through November. Severe thunderstorms can happen year-round but mostly come in the summer. Due to the intensity of these storms, we'll call it a medium risk.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
There's medium risk. More than half of the robberies reported in Lauderhill were "highway robbery", which means it's likely a crime against a traveler. There were 52 highway robberies. While that is still just a one in 1432 chance of being a victim, it's concerning enough in a community that also has twice the violent crime rate of the national average.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
During a big event, the Cricket Broward Stadium might be a target. Combine that with the big ports and high population of the Miami area, and we've got to call this a medium risk.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Scams against elderly homeowners are a big risk here. In a retirement community, scammers know people have money sitting in the bank and will go to extremes to get it. They will also ask people on the street for donations to what ends up being fake health organizations. This is medium risk just because of the potential. Protect yourself and your loved ones in this community by never giving out personal information and only donating to organizations you know are legitimate.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
There's medium risk. Rape is the same as the national level. 29 rates were reported in 2020. Lauderhill is a city where you should have a specific reason to be there or don't go. If you are visiting the swap meet, take a friend or two. Don't walk around alone at night.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
A low risk comes with drinking or bathing tap water. The city meets or exceeds the state and federal standards, plus it hasn't had a violation since 2017.
Safest Places to Visit in Lauderhill
The main reasons you would visit Lauderhill are centered off of West Sunrise Boulevard near North State Route 7.
The Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop is among the largest daily flea markets in the world.
It’s open every day of the year, including holidays.
This 88-acre venue is something you just have to see to believe.
From name brands to novelties, with every kind of ethnic food you can imagine, you could spend a whole day here.
There’s also a free Ferrari Museum.
Don’t miss the 14-screen drive-in movie theater, ranked one of the best in the country.
The Broward County Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in the world and also hosts music events.
The sport of cricket is growing internationally, but even I had to Google what it is.
It’s a high-energy sport and worth seeing.
Lauderhill Mall is just across North State Road 7 for a more typical American shopping experience.
The Ilene Lieberman Botanical Gardens is a nice outdoor spot in the middle of Lauderhill.
There’s a pier and public art, plus several playgrounds.
Places to Avoid in Lauderhill
Crime maps show the most dangerous areas are where all the fun things to do are located, so you need to be alert when visiting those places listed above.
When visiting the swap meet, don’t bring out a large wad of cash to pay for purchases.
As with any swap meet, there will be haggling over prices.
My trick to this is that I would be sure to wear shorts or pants with many pockets.
I’d go to the bank and get certain numbers of $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills and put them in separate pockets.
So if an item was $7, I’d bargain down to $5 and pull out a $5 bill.
I would never let them see my other pocket with money.
I certainly wouldn’t give a $20 and ask for change.
Even travel reviews of this place say most vendors “can’t break $20s.”
Other than that, the neighborhoods can be hit or miss, but generally the farther north and west you go in Lauderhill, the safer it is.
There is also less to do the farther you go in those directions.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Lauderhill
- Wear good shoes to the swap meet. Reviews say that when it rains or just after it rains, there are a lot of puddles and it can get very messy. Since the area is so large, it can easily tire out your feet if you don’t have sturdy shoes on.
- If you see a crime in Lauderhill, you can easily report it to the police by anonymously calling (954)493-8477. There is also an online form on the Broward County Crimestoppers page.
- Download the “Neighbors by Ring” app to get safety information for the area where you are staying. You can get and share alerts with people in the area.
- Follow the Lauderhill Police Department on Twitter @LPDPIO to get crime and traffic updates 24/7. The department is great at telling people when an accident or crime shuts down the road and when the road re-opens.
- The rainy summer months are breeding grounds for mosquitos. These insects can carry many diseases. You should wear bug spray at all times, and avoid floral perfumes, lotions, or deodorants as these attract mosquitos.
- The Lauderhill Police Department has several public service campaigns to warn about aggressive drivers. I lived in Florida for five years and I’ve never felt more like I was on a racetrack than I did when I lived there. Avoid aggressive drivers and pull off the road to a safe business if you are being targeted by an aggressive driver.
- Flooding can happen easily in this community after a heavy rainstorm. Never drive through a flooded road. There doesn’t need to be a hurricane for this kind of flooding to happen. Stay away from the flooded areas and when you see flooding always check to see if there’s a water quality alert, as this kind of flooding can cause water contamination.
- Alligators also live in Lauderhill (and every South Florida community). If you see a freshwater lake or pond, just assume it’s the home of an alligator or two. Don’t swim in the water or get too close to the edge. If you see an alligator in a neighborhood, call Florida Fish and Wildlife and they’ll come to corral it.
- After reading hundreds of reviews about Lauderhill and doing some law enforcement research, there are gangs in Broward County, where Lauderhill is located. Signs of a gang presence include graffiti, groups of people dressed alike in similar colors, and fighting within groups of people. If you see any crime indicators, leave. Call the police if you see a fight and don’t try to interject.
- Panhandlers are banned from University Drive, so if you see one you should alert the police. It’s a good idea to roll your window up at an intersection where there is a panhandler. They are not allowed to be aggressive, but they can get very pushy.
So... How Safe Is Lauderhill Really?
Lauderhill is a tale of two cities.
The northwest side is mainly retirees, many of them Jewish, just living out their golden years in the beautiful sunshine.
This is also where a lot of snowbirds stay.
The farther east you get, the more you get into the retail and entertainment hub, and the higher the crime rates go.
Here’s how the statistics break down on your chances of being a victim:
- Violent Crime: 1 in 117 chance
- Aggravated Assault: 1 in 148
- Robbery: 1 in 792
- Theft: 1 in 52
All of those rates are at least 25% higher than the national average.
It’s an ethically diverse community that can bring great sharing of culture, but it can also create misunderstandings of cultures.
20% of the community lives in poverty.
It’s not the safest area.
There is only one hotel option within the city limits.
If you aren’t visiting or staying with family here, there are safer neighborhoods to stay in with more to do nearby.
How Does Lauderhill Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Lauderhill | 75 |
| San Francisco | 61 |
| Philadelphia | 60 |
| Houston | 59 |
| Atlanta | 58 |
| St. Louis | 58 |
| Los Angeles | 56 |
| Belize City (Belize) | 37 |
| La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
Useful Information
Visas
The Visa and all country entrance requirements are handled at the airport or port of entry. No additional ID is needed to get into Lauderhill.
Currency
You'll use the U.S. Dollar currency here. If you need to get cash, go into a bank to avoid using an ATM in public. Never show large amounts of cash in public. Use a credit card when you can and check your account daily as there have been some reports of overcharging at vendors in the food court of the swap meet.
Weather
The weather is beautiful in the winter. Temperatures can go into the 80s during the day, and drop down into the '50s at night. Spring and Fall are less humid but still warmer. The summer heat can be oppressive. With highs in the 90s and high humidity, you can just sweat right through your clothes within 30 minutes. This is also the rainy season, so bring rain gear.
Airports
The best option is the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, just 12 miles away. Miami International Airport is 30 miles south. The Palm Beach Airport is 45 miles north.
Travel Insurance
You'll need travel insurance for this trip to Lauderhill, so no weather event can make you lose money if there's a last-minute cancellation.
Lauderhill Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 24 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 25 |
| Low °C | 15 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 16 |
| High °F | 75 | 77 | 79 | 82 | 86 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 86 | 81 | 77 |
| Low °F | 59 | 59 | 63 | 66 | 72 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 72 | 66 | 61 |
