Top 5 Things You May Not Know About Three Lakes

Jet Skis in the Suburbs

Three Lakes isn't just a name inspiration — this community is built around them, making them very much part of everyday life. 

Unlike most neighborhoods where water is just for the view, Three Lakes encourages residents to use it by allowing them to launch Jet Skis and small motorboats directly from their backyards, thanks to deep, clean, and privately managed artificial lakes. 

In fact, many homes have docks, boat ramps, or both, giving Three Lakes a resort or beach town feel despite being the opposite, and on weekends, the lakes come alive with people kayaking, cruising, and floating around, like a built-in vacation. 

If you've ever wanted to live somewhere you can walk from your fridge to your fishing rod — this is it.

Spanish as the Default

You don't have to speak Spanish to live in Three Lakes, but you'll inevitably pick some up pretty quickly, as about two-thirds of its households primarily speak Spanish at home — a rate higher than 97% of neighborhoods in the U.S. 

Here, most residents are Cuban or South American, and you'll notice it in casual sidewalk chats and the local bakery menus. 

This rich cultural flavor is one of the things that makes Three Lakes feel lively, grounded, and proudly bilingual. 

Built on Storm Damage and Second Chances

Before becoming a thriving suburban community, Three Lakes had to survive a complete reset in 1992, when Hurricane Andrew hit the area hard, flattening most of what the Lennar Homes had just started to build. 

The damage forced many early residents to move out, and Three Lakes essentially had to start over. 

What followed in the early 2000s was a quiet but steady revival, with new families (especially from Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil) moving in and shaping what the community would become. 

Who would have thought that behind the ultra-organized and smooth design is a story of resilience? 

Three Lakes didn't just grow — it came back stronger.

Permission to Decorate, Granted

In Three Lakes, even your lawn ornaments must follow the rules — literally. 

If you want to add a birdbath, statue, or even a gnome to your yard, you'll need to send a photo to the HOA's architectural committee first. 

You see, the idea is to keep Three Lakes clean and consistent, but admittedly, the process is unexpectedly formal for, say, a flamingo. 

Seasonal decorations are exempt, though, so your Halloween skeletons are safe, but anything permanent needs a thumbs-up. 

It's one of those neighborhood quirks that surprises new residents and keeps the place looking sharp. 

Call it curb appeal with paperwork. 

Love it or not, it's part of what gives Three Lakes its tidy charm.

An Off-Grid Hideout for Gamers 

You wouldn't expect to find one of South Florida's best arcades in a quiet suburban strip mall — but it's here, right in the northern edges of Three Lakes. 

Welcome to Arcade Odyssey, a full-on retro paradise that has become a destination for game lovers across Miami-Dade. 

It's loaded with rare Japanese imports, classic cabinets, and glowing pinball machines that give off an intense nostalgic vibe. 

And while it's not a mainstream attraction, locals love that their neighborhood has this little secret hiding inside Three Lakes. 

And the visitors? They're surprised it even exists.