[Redsoxfan34]

Could anyone tell me some basic facts about Lakeland? I am currently living in Syracuse, NY and have a job in the healthcare field.
The cost of living is what worries me the most. Is it possible to get a 2-3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in a decent neighborhood in the Lakeland area for $300,000 or less?
Also what neighborhoods should I avoid? Crime isn't a huge factor for me since I've lived in Brooklyn, NY for about two years, but I would like to avoid the areas that seem to attract the drug dealers and other criminals.
I am also planning on having kids in the near future, would Lakeland be a good place to raise kids (mainly concerned with the schools)?
How is the traffic? As for traffic in Brooklyn, it usually took anywhere between an hour to an hour and a half to get to work. Is the traffic that bad in Lakeland?
If there are any other neighborhoods that you feel would better suite me than Lakeland please let me know. Any responses would be appreciated.

[bfa]

You can get a nice home easily in Lakeland for 300k or less. Lakeland is a very nice area, growing quite rapidly. It's perfectly situated as well, between Orlando and Tampa.

Traffic depends on where you are going. I-4 can be quite a bother, but as you pointed out, Brooklyn is bad as well. I don't think Lakeland will have near the traffic you face in Brooklyn.

As to other neighborhoods, it depends on what you want, and where you will be working. I'd not want to commute from Tampa to Orlando everyday, but Lakeland to Orlando, or Lakeland to Tampa, not so bad.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Redsoxfan34

Could anyone tell me some basic facts about Lakeland? I am currently living in Syracuse, NY and have a job in the healthcare field.
The cost of living is what worries me the most. Is it possible to get a 2-3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in a decent neighborhood in the Lakeland area for $300,000 or less?
Also what neighborhoods should I avoid? Crime isn't a huge factor for me since I've lived in Brooklyn, NY for about two years, but I would like to avoid the areas that seem to attract the drug dealers and other criminals.
I am also planning on having kids in the near future, would Lakeland be a good place to raise kids (mainly concerned with the schools)?
How is the traffic? As for traffic in Brooklyn, it usually took anywhere between an hour to an hour and a half to get to work. Is the traffic that bad in Lakeland?
If there are any other neighborhoods that you feel would better suite me than Lakeland please let me know. Any responses would be appreciated.

Hi there! I have written a lot of gushing posts about Lakeland on this forum. Just click on my user name and search my posts about Lakeland which should answer a lot of your questions.

It's fabulous here, you will think you died and went to heaven after what you are used to. It's CHEAP, too!!!

[Redsoxfan34]

Thanks very much.