[simarina]

I'm with yankee, do not move to polk county or any city in florida...I'm originally from OHIO and have lived in lakeland off and on since 1973 , i wished to god i had never moved here...my kids have been exposed to everything from drugs , crime , theft ETC ...if u have children , please dont move here

[Joshloly]

It all depend on how you train your child. People are living there, we have learned of nice scools and did a lot of research. I think everything depend on individual.

[citrus_pilot]

Ok I just registered here to counter some of the FLASE and MEAN statements made about my city. I am a pilot and travel all over the world. I am thankful that when I finish work I get to come home to Lakeland. When I land in Tampa I can’t wait to get the heck out of there and get on I-4 back to my town of Lakeland. I have lived in Los Angeles, Tampa, Miami, Cincinnati and Chicago and they are all big cities with HUGE problems. I could live anywhere with my job and I CHOOSE Lakeland. This is a nice small town to raise a family in. For the intelligent people who claim that Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville are far superior what on gods earth are you talking about? Do you know that the crime factor in larger cities is magnified? And as many of the people have suggested yes there are less desirable areas of town but thats why they are LESS DESIRABLE. You will get that everywhere (including your mecca of Auburndale) just don’t go there! I have been in bad areas and the worst area in Lakeland will not even come close to the "worst" areas of most major cities. If you are moving to Lakeland I would suggest the south or central side but don’t believe this "lock your doors and live in fear" mantra that some might suggest. Lakeland is a fine city and anyone with the name "Yankee" in their name clearly has not let go of his Northern roots and we would welcome him to "shovel snow and go back up I-95". I will take the sunshine and good old town feel of Lakeland.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by citrus_pilot

Ok I just registered here to counter some of the FLASE and MEAN statements made about my city. I am a pilot and travel all over the world. I am thankful that when I finish work I get to come home to Lakeland. When I land in Tampa I can’t wait to get the heck out of there and get on I-4 back to my town of Lakeland. I have lived in Los Angeles, Tampa, Miami, Cincinnati and Chicago and they are all big cities with HUGE problems. I could live anywhere with my job and I CHOOSE Lakeland. This is a nice small town to raise a family in. For the intelligent people who claim that Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville are far superior what on gods earth are you talking about? Do you know that the crime factor in larger cities is magnified? And as many of the people have suggested yes there are less desirable areas of town but thats why they are LESS DESIRABLE. You will get that everywhere (including your mecca of Auburndale) just don’t go there! I have been in bad areas and the worst area in Lakeland will not even come close to the "worst" areas of most major cities. If you are moving to Lakeland I would suggest the south or central side but don’t believe this "lock your doors and live in fear" mantra that some might suggest. Lakeland is a fine city and anyone with the name "Yankee" in their name clearly has not let go of his Northern roots and we would welcome him to "shovel snow and go back up I-95". I will take the sunshine and good old town feel of Lakeland.

Thanks for that great post. We loved our time in Lakeland. One of the things I appreciate most about that pretty little city is the whole preserved vintage feel there - like a city with all it's old Florida charm. And so many businesses that have been there for decades. In a state where so many cities knocked down all their beautiful old buildings and trees to put up ugly concrete boxes and monoliths, this town is a breath of fresh air. And they kept all the lakes for the PEOPLE instead of letting all the wealthy folks get all the nice waterfront. Nice to get perspective from someone who has lived in so many large cities and would still choose Lakeland.

[Lakeland Yankee]

Originally Posted by citrus_pilot

Lakeland is a fine city and anyone with the name "Yankee" in their name clearly has not let go of his Northern roots and we would welcome him to "shovel snow and go back up I-95". I will take the sunshine and good old town feel of Lakeland.

I actually speak both good and bad about Lakeland but want others to know that just because a realtor says a place is paradise that doesn't mean that it will be for everyone. If I was wealthy I would love Lakeland too because I'd be in my wealthy development with my wealthy neighbors in the wealthy area of town. I'd have an overabundance of cheap labor willing to work for me for peanuts. There is a lot I like about Lakeland but this is not a good place for the working class imho.

I'll be glad to shovel snow and leave this poverty stricken area to the meth-heads, "natives", and northerners can't afford a nicer area of Florida or believed some realtor nonsense. There is a reason this area is extremely transient.

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by citrus_pilot

Lakeland is a fine city and anyone with the name "Yankee" in their name clearly has not let go of his Northern roots and we would welcome him to "shovel snow and go back up I-95".

I will be paying someone to shovel it for me (still MUCH cheaper than year round lawn service here in FL). Most people I know do the same.

Just saying...

[♥♥PRINC3Ss♥♥]

Originally Posted by ACS228

We are also accepting of most people, including rednecks and white trash.

Yeah I can see that.

Originally Posted by Lakeland Yankee

Why start a thread good and bad in Lakeland if you only want the good good good?

Exactly