[makingamove09]

My family and I will be moving to Florida next summer and would like to get some feedback on the Lakeland area and what areas are ideal for a family of four with two boys ages 10 and 12. Any feedback is appreciated and thanks in advance.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by makingamove09

My family and I will be moving to Florida next summer and would like to get some feedback on the Lakeland area and what areas are ideal for a family of four with two boys ages 10 and 12. Any feedback is appreciated and thanks in advance.

I don't generally post in this forum anymore, but since Lakeland is a city that largely gets overlooked here, I will try to give you some info.

Congratulations on choosing Lakeland, I am a Florida native who has lived and visited many areas in Florida; and my husband and I agree that Lakeland is the prettiest and nicest place we have lived or visited. It has a small town feel with bigger city amenities, and at an extremely reasonable price tag.

This little city is clean and beautiful, and the inner core consists of many historic neighborhoods which have been preserved, with huge old shade trees and tropical landscaping. There are also nice older developments in the suburbs if you prefer that. Lakeland is also not specifically a resort or vacation area, and therefore has a real community - it is geared toward it's citizens of all ages, many families and younger folks here due to it being a college town. One of the things I love the most here are the numerous and wonderful parks filled with lakes, wildlife, jogging/biking paths, etc. Also, the downtown area is very bikable/walkable with bike paths, crosswalks and wide sidewalks.

I could fill up pages why we love it here, but just check out some of these links for more info:

Lakeland Chamber of Commerce > Home

Y Lakeland, FL

And this one is a pdf file on downtown (give a few seconds to load)

http://www.lakelandgov.net/commdev/c...5EC7FC523B.pdf

Hope this helps!

[makingamove09]

Thank You Gypsychic

[Snooch]

Would you by any chance know the name of the cemetary in Lakeland (I think south) that is something like Fitz-Gerald .. or something like that?
It is rather old and unkempt but I am anxious to find the correct name (spelling) to look it up. I can find nothing so far.
Thanks in advance!
Kellie

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Snooch

Would you by any chance know the name of the cemetary in Lakeland (I think south) that is something like Fitz-Gerald .. or something like that?
It is rather old and unkempt but I am anxious to find the correct name (spelling) to look it up. I can find nothing so far.
Thanks in advance!
Kellie

I "googled" it and came up with the name right here on city-data:

Lakeland Highlands, Florida (FL) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news

It is Fitzgerald, and it's in the Lakeland Highlands area, which is south Lakeland. Hope this helps!

[Bette]

I had a couple of friends who went to Florida Southern. I will have to visit Lakeland. It sounds wonderful!

[pirate girl]

I think Lakeland is beautiful but I think some of the natives are a little unwelcoming to newcomers and what they perceive to be outsiders. I've conducted business there and I find that the people who are born and bred there seem to be small minded and have a strange way of dealing with people.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by pirate girl

I think Lakeland is beautiful but I think some of the natives are a little unwelcoming to newcomers and what they perceive to be outsiders. I've conducted business there and I find that the people who are born and bred there seem to be small minded and have a strange way of dealing with people.

Sorry to hear that's your experience - we haven't had that experience at all here. But that said, I think that exists everywhere, I've read a lot of these forums, and there is always someone who feels they have run into this in other towns.

Actually, I have to say this town is the absolute FRIENDLIEST we've ever been in. At least, everywhere I have gone.

[RECD Designz]

I'm originally from NY and have been living in Lakeland for about 7 months now and have yet to get the sense that anyone has been unwelcoming or unfriendly towards me or my family.