[RelocatingHoosier]

Male college student, graduating in May with a degree in Elementary Education. I'm looking to move south and FL is a possibility. A family friend of ours keeps telling me to look into Lakeland. I've been looking at the Port Charlotte area. I really wanted to move to FL before I joined this forum but after reading alot of the posts, I'm kind of having second thoughts. I was wondering what you all thought about Lakeland and Port Charlotte,and if there is any other place in FL that I may not know about up here in Indiana that would be a good place to do a little research on. I would appreciate any input! Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend!

[tattoohank]

As a former Hoosier who now lives in Lakeland Florida. I'll try to answer your questions. Lakeland is a nice town, it has a population of around 90,000 but it doesn't feel that big. It has a great downtown area, plenty of lakes and other activities. It's location gives you quick access to Orlando or Tampa, and the Gulf of Mexico or the Ocean. The only draw back about Lakeland is the heat, it gets real hot during the summer, but it get colder during the winter. Lakeland is a growing community you will find everything here. I don't know what teachers make in Indiana, but teachers in Florida are not paid that much. I think they start around $32,000 in Polk County.