Would you say that Lakeland is a "Tropical" place to live (Miami: hotel)

[Josh2020]

I know this sounds stupid, but since I lived up north all my life, I always wanted to live in a tropical place with a warm climate all year long because I don't mind the heat. I know Lakeland isn't by a beach, but I can always drive to one, since Florida is surround by them. Also, I am soon to be a certified CT Tech, is this a good job for the area? I hope that the medical field pays well.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Josh2020

I know this sounds stupid, but since I lived up north all my life, I always wanted to live in a tropical place with a warm climate all year long because I don't mind the heat. I know Lakeland isn't by a beach, but I can always drive to one, since Florida is surround by them. Also, I am soon to be a certified CT Tech, is this a good job for the area? I hope that the medical field pays well.

I can answer this for you, I am a Florida native who moved with hubby to Lakeland last year. It is absolutely beautiful and looks very tropical. In fact, Lakeland kind of sits on the dividing line for the true tropical climate. You will find all kinds of gorgeous tropical foliage here that one usually associates with Miami and south Florida in general. In addition, we have so many lakes here (everywhere you go!) that you almost feel like you are living at the beach. We also have beautiful vintage architecture here, Mediterranean, and Frank Lloyd Wright-ish style. The new buildings are built to fit in with the style as well. People are surprised when they come here and see how nice it is. If you want the beach it is an easy drive about one and a half hour to either coast.

As far as your job, can't tell you what the pay would be, but should be a pretty good job here, I would think it would pay as well as any other city in Florida.

God luck!

[Josh2020]

Thanks for the reply! I am glad to hear that. It makes me want to pack up my bags right now and come! But too bad I can't, becuase my car is surrounded by the 11'' of snow we got today, LOL. I should be taking a trip to Florida this summer, and visiting Lakeland is top of my list. It's funny because of how beautiful you say Lakeland is, I can't even say that about the towns in my area ( Southwestern Connecticut).

What is the average temperature for Lakeland in the Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall months? Are they about the same for the Orlando area?

[EasyCheeze]

lakeland is subtropical; below Lake Okeechobee is tropical

[LewLew]

What is making you look at Lakeland when there are so many other cities more tropical in FL? It's not driving distance to a beach from Lakeland...IMO. Driving distance is 30 minutes, maybe an hour...but longer than that, and after a day of sun...cash it in and get a hotel b/c you aren't going to want to drive all the way home!!!! LOL
Tampa is just south of Lakeland, and being a CT Tech...you'll find better pay and better jobs. Good luck. I know people who hire for that in Tampa if you want to DM me.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by LewLew

What is making you look at Lakeland when there are so many other cities more tropical in FL? It's not driving distance to a beach from Lakeland...IMO. Driving distance is 30 minutes, maybe an hour...but longer than that, and after a day of sun...cash it in and get a hotel b/c you aren't going to want to drive all the way home!!!! LOL
Tampa is just south of Lakeland, and being a CT Tech...you'll find better pay and better jobs. Good luck. I know people who hire for that in Tampa if you want to DM me.

Maybe, but remember cost of living is MUCH HIGHER in Tampa and other areas than Lakeland also. Maybe the OP doesn't care about being that close to the beach, not everyone does, you know. If you are working it's not like you are spending your life at the beach, it's easy enought to drive there on the weekend if that's a priority. And the cost of living here is SO much lower than Tampa or other places in Florida. OP really should check it out. I was really surprised when I moved here how tropical it looks. There are tropical plants that live here that I thought would only grow in places like Miami. And as someone who was born and raised in Tampa, I can say that I find Lakeland INFINITELY more appealing than Tampa on almost every front.

To the OP's question about climate - it's similar to Orlando, except that here in Lakeland it is a little hilly with many lakes and lots of trees in town which will provide microclimates and make it cooler and breezier in the summer than Orlando or Tampa. Winters are warm but we get nice cool fronts - it averages 70's in the day 50's at night in the winters. Summers can be hot and muggy, but as I said, if one lives near the lakes there are nice breezes. Please come check it out, I can almost guarantee you will like what you see!

[Jungle George]

Originally Posted by Josh2020

I know this sounds stupid, but since I lived up north all my life, I always wanted to live in a tropical place with a warm climate all year long because I don't mind the heat. I know Lakeland isn't by a beach, but I can always drive to one, since Florida is surround by them. Also, I am soon to be a certified CT Tech, is this a good job for the area? I hope that the medical field pays well.

The ONLY part of Florida that's considered "tropical" is Key West & some of the lower Keys.

Even Key Largo is considered "sub-tropical".

Here's the "technical jargon on it...

"The subtropics are the zones of the Earth immediately north and south of the tropic zone, which is bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, at latitude 23.5 ° north and south. The term 'subtropical' describes the climatic region found adjacent to the tropics, usually between 20 and 35 degrees latitude in both hemispheres, but occasionally found at slightly higher latitudes.

In subtropical climates the winters are relatively warm, but not as hot as the summer season. These climates rarely - if ever - see frost or snow, and plants such as palm, citrus and many broadleaf evergreens flourish, in contrast to the hardier deciduous and coniferous trees which dominate midlatitude climates. As one moves toward the tropical side the slight winter cool season disappears altogether, while at the polar threshold of the subtropics the winters become much cooler."

Basically, Key West & the lower Keys do not go below 40-45 degrees & that's the "temperature" line drawn between "tropical" & "sub-tropical".

BUT!! For someone from up north I'm sure even parts of North Florida would look "tropical" with the palms & flowers & blue water & such!!

Good luck in your new location!!!!

[sim123]

Seems to be some confusion about what is tropical and what is not. The 2008 "World Almanac and Book of Facts" says about Florida climate: subtropical N of Bradenton - Lake Okeechobee - Vero Beach Line; tropical S of Line

Hope that helps...and by the way...everywhere on the peninsula part of Florida has kind of a "tropical" feel to it...

Best of luck and God bless

[Magnulus]

Lakeland is not tropical. It has some of the most brutal summers in all of Florida, though. Intensely humid, with high heat indexes. You haven't known heat until you step out of the car on a July day in Lakeland. It is more than an hour to the beach, too.

You will find "tropical" palms growing all over Florida, often planted. They will not thrive in most of Florida, though. Palmettos are not really tropical plants. Florida looks like any other southern state in terms of the plants you find here, the only difference is there is a line below which kudzu will not grow. Mostly you will see lots of oak trees and palmettos. Some areas also have plants like holly growing as well, and I have even seen small catcuses growing wild in parts of Florida (actually near Lakeland).

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by Magnulus

Lakeland is not tropical. It has some of the most brutal summers in all of Florida, though. Intensely humid, with high heat indexes. You haven't known heat until you step out of the car on a July day in Lakeland. It is more than an hour to the beach, too.

You will find "tropical" palms growing all over Florida, often planted. They will not thrive in most of Florida, though. Palmettos are not really tropical plants. Florida looks like any other southern state in terms of the plants you find here, the only difference is there is a line below which kudzu will not grow. Mostly you will see lots of oak trees and palmettos. Some areas also have plants like holly growing as well, and I have even seen small catcuses growing wild in parts of Florida (actually near Lakeland).

Agree, not tropical in my definition or do I think by the posters. This however is the actual definition.

Dictionary:
tropical
(trŏp'ĭ-kəl) pronunciation

1. Of, occurring in, or characteristic of the Tropics.
2. Hot and humid; torrid.