[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by Lakeland Yankee

We are NOT in 1998.

Yes, "recently" is not an exact synonym for "right now", believe it or not. So you'd say that Lakeland has undergone some major changes in just 10 years that makes it really crappy now, I guess?

[compelled to reply]

I thought Lakeland was a lot crappier in 1998...

[rogercobb]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I have lived in various places in the southwest central region of Florida; including Dade City (35 mi NE of Tampa), Tampa, Sarasota and Lakeland. Dade City gets the coolest overall, it can often be 10 degrees cooler than Tampa in spring, and at least a few degrees cooler in the summer. It also has the lowest lows. I did not find it to be hotter there in summer being inland, due to the fact it has many hills, lakes and woods.

Tampa is the hottest, there is so much conrete and cars there it heats up the atmosphere, and there is no real seabreeze to counteract.

Sarasota is warm but there are breezes near the Gulf Coast. It is more humid overall there due to proximity of the coast, if you can live fairly near the coast the climate is pretty nice if a bit hot in the summer.

Lakeland has a beautiful climate where we live. It is the most inland, but here in the city core there are hills, numerous lakes and a heavy tree canopy which provide coolness and breezes. It is less humid than near the coast, and night time lows are lower than the coast (which I personally like). The weather is similar to southern California much of the year in my particular area. However, there are microclimates here and in all the other places I have lived - if you are in a hot, flat paved area in Florida, it might feel like hell in the summer.

These are my experiences and I hope this info helped!

I can tell you like Lakeland a lot and...good for you. Comparing Lakeland, Fla to southern California seems really strange. I've been to both areas and frankly, they seem so different from the weather to the people. Especially the people!

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by Tungsten_Udder

It was recently known to some folks as one of the best places to live: Lakeland travel guide

Makes sense that different people have different opinions though.

Tampa was once voted as an " All American " City, You've seen what people have to say about Hillsborough...

In my personal experiences, Lakeland was a little diverse but the rest of the county ( Lake Wales, Auburndale, Bartow, Winter Haven, Frost Proof, ect, ect ) lack a diverse population and are mostly " bubbas "

I've met more redneckish people in Polk County then ALL of Tennessee.

[TNRyan23]

Oh yeah, and btw, the Hottest city in all of Florida belongs to Hendry and Glades Counties and goes to the town of La Belle.

It's like living in hell in more ways than one...

[jbravo]

Friendliest county?
Lake
-
Most surprising pleasant county on the East Coast?
Martin (it's next to Palm Beach but emotionally closer to Georgia. Was still fighting fluoride in the municipal water last year and no buildings taller than four stories in the entire county.)
-
Most money?
Dade (forget what city-data says on this one, just trust me on this one)
-

[Mike Peterson]

Originally Posted by rogercobb

I can tell you like Lakeland a lot and...good for you. Comparing Lakeland, Fla to southern California seems really strange. I've been to both areas and frankly, they seem so different from the weather to the people. Especially the people!

The only thing she compared between the 2 was the weather and some inland areas if southern Cali are similar in temp year round but maybe a little drier.

[BornInFL]

"In my personal experiences, Lakeland was a little diverse but the rest of the county ( Lake Wales, Auburndale, Bartow, Winter Haven, Frost Proof, ect, ect ) lack a diverse population and are mostly " bubbas "

I've met more redneckish people in Polk County then ALL of Tennessee."


Hell yeah! That's old Florida for you! Wish there was more bubbas and less ..... nevermind.

[BornInFL]

Originally Posted by jbravo

Friendliest county?
Lake
-
Most surprising pleasant county on the East Coast?
Martin (it's next to Palm Beach but emotionally closer to Georgia. Was still fighting fluoride in the municipal water last year and no buildings taller than four stories in the entire county.)
-
Most money?
Dade (forget what city-data says on this one, just trust me on this one)
-

Dade has the most money? If they have the most money (or should I say a few ppl with lots of it) than the other 1/3 of the population in poverty, and the other 1/3 trying to get the hell out counteracts it.

How about Pam Bch? Jupiter Island, Palm Bch, etc...?

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by BornInFL

Hell yeah! That's old Florida for you! Wish there was more bubbas and less ..... nevermind.

Yeah, we all know your opinion, likes, and dislikes.

What you love about Florida was one of the things that drove me away.