[Swampeast]

Are those areas better?

[Swampeast]

Originally Posted by moo4unme

Lakeland is between Orlando and Tampa, but so is Lake County and the schools are better here. If you are looking for country living and want to still be close to the big town atmosphere my suggestion is the small town of Howey in the Hills. We live in Howey. It has a breeze everyday because of its elevation. Most houses in the town are on 5 acres or more. We have Clermont that is 15 miles away and it is a small city with a big city feel.

If you would like more info on these areas send me a privvate message and I will be glad to answer any questions.

Tell me more about Howey. It sounds very attractive.

[Swampeast]

Originally Posted by Explorer Dave

The same sort of thing happened to me in Sarasota. I was given a ticket for not stopping at a stop sign that I know I stopped at. It makes me really mad and I want to fight it, but everyone I've talked to says I'll loose, the court here will automatically side with the officer, so I'm pleading no contest. I'm still mad about it, in some ways a DUI might have been better in that case I could at least prove it with a zero alcohol blood level, in this case it is my word against a police officer's. I thought at the time that it was interesting that it was the next to last day of the month and perhaps the officer needed to make quota.

Dave

I had that happen once here in rural Missouri. A cop stopped my daughter for running a red light. I was in the back of her convertible and saw the light turn yellow as she went under the overhead light on the other side of the road. She didn't even go through a yellow light. The guy tried giving her a ticket. He didn't when his boss showed up. He picked up the name on his radio and thought it was me. He backed the guy off for me. It happens all over, not just in Lakeland.

[Explorer Dave]

At last! I'm heading over to Lakeland again tomorrow and Sat. for some more exploration of the area. Looking forward to it and I will be posting some photos, etc. after the trip.

David

[Explorer Dave]

Every time I visit Lakeland I like it more. Although I will say that I like the older areas inside 570 much better than newer developments outside of 570. That has mostly to do with trees. On the Parade of homes I went to several newer developments outside of 570 where it was painfully clear that the developer had removed ALL of the existing trees to build. Now, this is happening ALL over the U.S. not just here, but I hate it anyway. I have to live in an area with big mature trees.

Really the closer to downtown, the more I like it. The downtown area is absolutely wonderful. I posted 14 new photos on my Flicker site at Flickr: Photos from Explorer Dave mostly of the downtown area and the car show.

The are also a couple photos there of the new Lakeside Village development (just inside 570) I like it better than the first time I saw it and noticed that there is more than one building with a second floor for offices. Still I think it would be even better if most of the complex was at least 3-4 levels with offices and condos on the upper floors. I feel like the developers of this where going in the right direction, but didn’t go far enough. Downtown may not have as many big name stores, but I like it much more. I saw some upper levels on some of the downtown buildings that looked like they might not be in use, and was thinking they could be wonderful spaces for a small city urban loft.

Friday I met with Terry Ottinger at the Chamber of Commerce and had a very good conversation. Lakeland is growing fast and is primed for much more growth due to it's great location between Tampa and Orlando, I look forward to joining the Chamber after I get moved over there.

I also had a good meeting at Kelly Services, I have obtained good jobs through them before here on the coast, in fact I got my current job through them. But I found out that Kelly does much more than I knew including online training and direct job placement. So I’ll go to work beefing up my resume and skills, through their online service.

I went to the Lakeland Center for the home show, very impressed with the center, very disappointed in the home show. Although I figure that was largely due to the huge Car Classic event downtown and lot’s of big football games and other things going on. If the home show had been on a different weekend I bet it would have been larger.

If someone travels I-4 between Lakeland and Disney/Orlando the might think that Lakeland is kind of in the middle of nowhere (as some have said), however if you travel other roads you’ll find it’s not true. I took 92 out of Lakeland to 27 and over to I-4, the area is full of small towns, and it’s all growing. Especially 27 from Haines City to I-4 that almost all looked like new construction.

Of all the areas I explored this weekend I absolutely like central Lakeland the best. The rolling hills, lakes, trees, and character of the area are wonderful. I’m looking forward to moving there.

David

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Explorer Dave

Every time I visit Lakeland I like it more. Although I will say that I like the older areas inside 570 much better than newer developments outside of 570. That has mostly to do with trees. On the Parade of homes I went to several newer developments outside of 570 where it was painfully clear that the developer had removed ALL of the existing trees to build. Now, this is happening ALL over the U.S. not just here, but I hate it anyway. I have to live in an area with big mature trees.

Really the closer to downtown, the more I like it. The downtown area is absolutely wonderful. I posted 14 new photos on my Flicker site at Flickr: Photos from Explorer Dave mostly of the downtown area and the car show.

The are also a couple photos there of the new Lakeside Village development (just inside 570) I like it better than the first time I saw it and noticed that there is more than one building with a second floor for offices. Still I think it would be even better if most of the complex was at least 3-4 levels with offices and condos on the upper floors. I feel like the developers of this where going in the right direction, but didn’t go far enough. Downtown may not have as many big name stores, but I like it much more. I saw some upper levels on some of the downtown buildings that looked like they might not be in use, and was thinking they could be wonderful spaces for a small city urban loft.

Friday I met with Terry Ottinger at the Chamber of Commerce and had a very good conversation. Lakeland is growing fast and is primed for much more growth due to it's great location between Tampa and Orlando, I look forward to joining the Chamber after I get moved over there.

I also had a good meeting at Kelly Services, I have obtained good jobs through them before here on the coast, in fact I got my current job through them. But I found out that Kelly does much more than I knew including online training and direct job placement. So I’ll go to work beefing up my resume and skills, through their online service.

I went to the Lakeland Center for the home show, very impressed with the center, very disappointed in the home show. Although I figure that was largely due to the huge Car Classic event downtown and lot’s of big football games and other things going on. If the home show had been on a different weekend I bet it would have been larger.

If someone travels I-4 between Lakeland and Disney/Orlando the might think that Lakeland is kind of in the middle of nowhere (as some have said), however if you travel other roads you’ll find it’s not true. I took 92 out of Lakeland to 27 and over to I-4, the area is full of small towns, and it’s all growing. Especially 27 from Haines City to I-4 that almost all looked like new construction.

Of all the areas I explored this weekend I absolutely like central Lakeland the best. The rolling hills, lakes, trees, and character of the area are wonderful. I’m looking forward to moving there.

David

Hi David! Thanks for sharing your experiences! We too, love the central core of Lakeland, due to the trees, rolling land and historic architecture. And while the downtown isn't large, it is charming with the preserved architecture and many artist galleries, cafes and antique stores. Also, I have always loved towns with a real central square (Munn Park). We are in love with living here, our neighborhood of Lake Hollingsworth can't be beat. We are within either walking distance or 5 minutes drive of ANYTHING we could ever want or need for easy living. We love the Lakeside Village, and think that it is possible in the future they may build it out more, make it more "urban."

We attended the car show this weekend, and it was wonderful. Classy without being "snooty", and the setting around Lake Mirror (and downtown) made it seem like something out of a painting - we just can't get over how beautiful Lake Mirror park is, with it's European style Promenade, Hollis Gardens and all the other amenities there - one of the nicest spots in the city for sure. We have actually had more good times in the two months we have lived here, than we had in all the 17 years we spent in Sarasota, and that is no lie.

Well, off to check out your photos!

[Explorer Dave]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Hi David! Thanks for sharing your experiences! We too, love the central core of Lakeland, due to the trees, rolling land and historic architecture. And while the downtown isn't large, it is charming with the preserved architecture and many artist galleries, cafes and antique stores. Also, I have always loved towns with a real central square (Munn Park).

Yes, I saw several galleries and spent some time looking and visiting in a very nice one right across from Munn Park. That or real close to there is where I'd most like to live in an upstairs loft/apartment. The only drawback would be the train tracks which will be getting a lot more trafic due to CSX. Hopefully if they build the visitor center/farmers market next to the tracks there it will metigate some of that. The trees in the park should help muffle some of the noise as well. There is a new loft/condo building (not open yet) which looks right down on the tracks, looks like a great building except for it being so close to the tracks.

Originally Posted by gypsychic

We have actually had more good times in the two months we have lived here, than we had in all the 17 years we spent in Sarasota, and that is no lie.

Wow! I may actually like Sarasota a bit more than you, although I haven't made many friends here, part of that is the snobby vibe, part of it is working 2nd shift.

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Well, off to check out your photos!

Hope you like them. I took over 200 (AGAIN!), but posted only 14.

David

[Nancy-NJ-NY-ME?]

ExplorerDave - great pics! Thanks for posting them. It's been a while since I've been to Lakeland, but I'll surely have to walk around this area on my next trip.

[umscats]

Thanks for those great photos, Explorer Dave. I drove around central FL a few months ago, looking for my next place to live and I really liked Lakeland, and I didn't even see the lake or the park. I just sort of drove down one of the main drags and through a residential area close to it, and I really liked what I saw of the area. I found out afterward that there was a lake and park and farmer's markets, etc. I may be moving there too.

Like someone else who posted, I like cities that have a defined downtown area with stores, shops, restaurants, etc. I don't want to live in a city that's just one strip mall after another.

One question: What do you mean about inside and outside of 570? Is that one of the local roads?

Originally Posted by Explorer Dave

Every time I visit Lakeland I like it more. Although I will say that I like the older areas inside 570 much better than newer developments outside of 570. That has mostly to do with trees. On the Parade of homes I went to several newer developments outside of 570 where it was painfully clear that the developer had removed ALL of the existing trees to build. Now, this is happening ALL over the U.S. not just here, but I hate it anyway. I have to live in an area with big mature trees.

Really the closer to downtown, the more I like it. The downtown area is absolutely wonderful. I posted 14 new photos on my Flicker site at Flickr: Photos from Explorer Dave mostly of the downtown area and the car show.

The are also a couple photos there of the new Lakeside Village development (just inside 570) I like it better than the first time I saw it and noticed that there is more than one building with a second floor for offices. Still I think it would be even better if most of the complex was at least 3-4 levels with offices and condos on the upper floors. I feel like the developers of this where going in the right direction, but didn’t go far enough. Downtown may not have as many big name stores, but I like it much more. I saw some upper levels on some of the downtown buildings that looked like they might not be in use, and was thinking they could be wonderful spaces for a small city urban loft.

Friday I met with Terry Ottinger at the Chamber of Commerce and had a very good conversation. Lakeland is growing fast and is primed for much more growth due to it's great location between Tampa and Orlando, I look forward to joining the Chamber after I get moved over there.

I also had a good meeting at Kelly Services, I have obtained good jobs through them before here on the coast, in fact I got my current job through them. But I found out that Kelly does much more than I knew including online training and direct job placement. So I’ll go to work beefing up my resume and skills, through their online service.

I went to the Lakeland Center for the home show, very impressed with the center, very disappointed in the home show. Although I figure that was largely due to the huge Car Classic event downtown and lot’s of big football games and other things going on. If the home show had been on a different weekend I bet it would have been larger.

If someone travels I-4 between Lakeland and Disney/Orlando the might think that Lakeland is kind of in the middle of nowhere (as some have said), however if you travel other roads you’ll find it’s not true. I took 92 out of Lakeland to 27 and over to I-4, the area is full of small towns, and it’s all growing. Especially 27 from Haines City to I-4 that almost all looked like new construction.

Of all the areas I explored this weekend I absolutely like central Lakeland the best. The rolling hills, lakes, trees, and character of the area are wonderful. I’m looking forward to moving there.

David

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by umscats

Thanks for those great photos, Explorer Dave. I drove around central FL a few months ago, looking for my next place to live and I really liked Lakeland, and I didn't even see the lake or the park. I just sort of drove down one of the main drags and through a residential area close to it, and I really liked what I saw of the area. I found out afterward that there was a lake and park and farmer's markets, etc. I may be moving there too.

Like someone else who posted, I like cities that have a defined downtown area with stores, shops, restaurants, etc. I don't want to live in a city that's just one strip mall after another.

One question: What do you mean about inside and outside of 570? Is that one of the local roads?

I'm not Explorer Dave, but I think he is talking about the area north of the Polk Parkway, which is the inner core of Lakeland, basically, the old established area. If you didn't get to see the downtown with Lake Mirror Park, Lake Morton, and Lake Hollingsworth, you didn't get to see the best part of Lakeland! You will be blown away - Lake Morton is a bird sanctuary with dozens of swans (and other birds) on it, while Lake Hollingsworth is the center of town and is considered one of Florida's main birding trails. Lake Mirror park is downtown's jewel.

Driving on the main drag through town (Florida Avenue) it is commercial to the north with a lot of strip centers, but once you get to downtown, it becomes small scale, with "village" type small businesses which serve the historic neighborhoods. Once you get down to the Polk Parkway it becomes just a large commercial thoroughfare, with strip malls, etc. But even so, this commercial road is much nicer than most any equivalent you will see in Florida.

Please come back to Lakeland and check it out some more - I think you will fall in love as we have!