[Lakeland Yankee]

Originally Posted by rogercobb

Seriously, I couldn't imagine leaving Sarasota for Lakeland. I, unfortunately, lived a couple years in Lakeland and in the summer its hotter than you can imagine! And for a young guy its the last place you want to move to. Why not look into western NC or Kentucky?

, I agree. Leaving Sarasota for Lakeland is a major step BACKWARDS. Coming from Sarasota to Lakeland would be extremely depressing to me, I can't imagine a person voluntarily doing that to themselves.

I'm still trying to find the city-data Lakeland that I read so many wonderful things about on this website, lol. I live here in Lakeland (33801) and I have yet to find it. Do I click my heels together a certain amount of times?, say a special chant?, I'm very confused. I want to live in their Lakeland.

Originally Posted by Explorer Dave

What are the current conditions in Lakeland?

Unemployment heading toward 9%, and I am certain it'll soon be in the double digits. Crime is increasing at an alarming rate. Anyone living in Central Florida can see our crime issues on their news. Many decent residents (natives and transplants) are leaving here in swarms due to the ever increasing crime and job lay-offs. Working class families are becoming homeless and yet people still want to flock here for some kind of "Sunshine dream".

Dave, I'm not sure why you think you'll be better off in Lakeland than Sarasota. You are making it there so why chance a move now? Either way best of luck to you and I hope everything works out for you. Make sure you line up employment ahead of time and have your savings ready for when/if you get laid off.

[ACS228]

Hey ExplorerDave, I sent you a PM

[Explorer Dave]

Originally Posted by rogercobb

Seriously, I couldn't imagine leaving Sarasota for Lakeland. I, unfortunately, lived a couple years in Lakeland and in the summer its hotter than you can imagine! And for a young guy its the last place you want to move to. Why not look into western NC or Kentucky?

Well, I know nothing about those areas, or the South really, I do know something about Lakeland and most of I like what I see there. Actually I'd probably prefer New England, except for the winters, I'll take a hot Summer over a long freezing Winter! I also spent 4.5 years in the DC area and Summers there are worse than here, they maybe closer to what Lakeland is like.

[Explorer Dave]

Originally Posted by Lakeland Yankee

, I agree. Leaving Sarasota for Lakeland is a major step BACKWARDS. Coming from Sarasota to Lakeland would be extremely depressing to me, I can't imagine a person voluntarily doing that to themselves.

Dave, I'm not sure why you think you'll be better off in Lakeland than Sarasota. You are making it there so why chance a move now? Either way best of luck to you and I hope everything works out for you. Make sure you line up employment ahead of time and have your savings ready for when/if you get laid off.

Sarasota is a great playground for the rich, I'm NOT rich. The beaches are also nice if you like, no surf, no tide pools, or rocks, etc., just boring expanses of flat sand with wall to wall people, and condos/hotels as the back drop. I prefer a rolling landscape, lakes, and trees. I guess to each their own, but I find Sarasota very depressing. I've also thought about Orlando, I like parts of it a lot, but it is also mostly very flat, and very crowded. Lakeland has easy access to both Orlando and Tampa.

Actually I'm not making it very well here, I feel trapped here, and will have to move soon anyway. I want to move out of here regardless. I have some ideas for a local area web site that I just don't want to work on here, as I don't want to stay. I think I could do well with it in Lakeland.

I know Lakeland is NOT perfect, but it seems a much better fit for me than Sarasota. Perhaps Sarasota would be a better fit for you?

[Explorer Dave]

Originally Posted by ACS228

Hey ExplorerDave, I sent you a PM

Got it thanks, I agree and CT is one area I was really thinking of as well as VT and MA, but the Winters are just too long and hard. Now if I had some money and could be a snowbird? Well, then I might even like Snootysota a tad bit better. Actually while parts of this city are pretty cool, I like the whole of the community I see of Lakeland better. A big part of that is the flatness here, yuk.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Explorer Dave

Got it thanks, I agree and CT is one area I was really thinking of as well as VT and MA, but the Winters are just too long and hard. Now if I had some money and could be a snowbird? Well, then I might even like Snootysota a tad bit better. Actually while parts of this city are pretty cool, I like the whole of the community I see of Lakeland better. A big part of that is the flatness here, yuk.

Sarasota's greatest beauty is it's waterfront - but if you go inland even a mile you might as well be in Kansas - it's flat with not much character to the landscape. I'm as happy as I am here because we live so close to the water, I would have no desire to live in any of those inland neighborhoods like Southgate, Gulf Gate, etc. which are flat and hot-looking (my husbands' term). I do miss the beautiful rolling landscape of Lakeland and nearby towns (Dade City, Lake Wales, etc) and the many gorgeous fresh-water lakes - there is so much fantastic wildlife there, and I am a real wild-life buff. Because the elevation is so high around Lakeland (almost 200 ft. I think, very high for Florida, haha) some of the homes there even have basements!

Anyway, it's a nice little city, who is trying to diversify it's economy - soon they will be building the new USF campus which is a polytechnic university, something great for the area. CSX will also be bring many jobs to the area, and many businesses have corporate headquarters or big distribution warehouses here, so all in all, it's still a much better economy than many other places in Florida. Plus a year or two ago, Polk County won the prestigious award of "All American County", one of only 10 in the whole country. This award is given for civic pride among other things. So there are definitely many pluses for this town. Yes, like ANY other town (including Sarasota) it has some not-so-nice areas, but it's easy to see where they are and are easily avoided for those who don't want to see it. Lakeland is a MIDDLE AMERICA type of town, all classes represented, more on the conservative side, but not uncomfortably so.

Lastly, about the heat - it is true that parts of Lakeland can feel much hotter than coastal areas due to being inland, however there are microclimates here - in the downtown core near the lakes, the hills, trees and water all keep it many degrees cooler, and with nice breeze, Dave if you are going to live near Lake Morton ( my favorite area of Lakeland) I don't think you will find it that uncomfortable at all.

Good luck, Dave, I think you can find happiness in Lakeland, I know you feel that in your heart it's a good fit for you.

[rogercobb]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Sarasota's greatest beauty is it's waterfront - but if you go inland even a mile you might as well be in Kansas - it's flat with not much character to the landscape. I'm as happy as I am here because we live so close to the water, I would have no desire to live in any of those inland neighborhoods like Southgate, Gulf Gate, etc. which are flat and hot-looking (my husbands' term). I do miss the beautiful rolling landscape of Lakeland and nearby towns (Dade City, Lake Wales, etc) and the many gorgeous fresh-water lakes - there is so much fantastic wildlife there, and I am a real wild-life buff. Because the elevation is so high around Lakeland (almost 200 ft. I think, very high for Florida, haha) some of the homes there even have basements!

Anyway, it's a nice little city, who is trying to diversify it's economy - soon they will be building the new USF campus which is a polytechnic university, something great for the area. CSX will also be bring many jobs to the area, and many businesses have corporate headquarters or big distribution warehouses here, so all in all, it's still a much better economy than many other places in Florida. Plus a year or two ago, Polk County won the prestigious award of "All American County", one of only 10 in the whole country. This award is given for civic pride among other things. So there are definitely many pluses for this town. Yes, like ANY other town (including Sarasota) it has some not-so-nice areas, but it's easy to see where they are and are easily avoided for those who don't want to see it. Lakeland is a MIDDLE AMERICA type of town, all classes represented, more on the conservative side, but not uncomfortably so.

Lastly, about the heat - it is true that parts of Lakeland can feel much hotter than coastal areas due to being inland, however there are microclimates here - in the downtown core near the lakes, the hills, trees and water all keep it many degrees cooler, and with nice breeze, Dave if you are going to live near Lake Morton ( my favorite area of Lakeland) I don't think you will find it that uncomfortable at all.

Good luck, Dave, I think you can find happiness in Lakeland, I know you feel that in your heart it's a good fit for you.

How can you say that crap about microclimates? I mean seriously, you have microclimates in western and northeastern states where there are sharp elevational changes. Lakeland is about as flat as a pancake and hotter than hell for a long period of time. Why sugarcoat it? I'm speaking from experience living in Lakeland and in visiting on numerous occasions. I don't care how Lakeland ranks in Travel Today, Readers Digest, USA Today, etc. It's awful. Dave, you'd be much better off in Pinellas county or in parts of Tampa. The idea of living in the middle between the two sucks as does the commute on I-4. I hope I've helped clear up a few things. I'm done.

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by Explorer Dave

Got it thanks, I agree and CT is one area I was really thinking of as well as VT and MA, but the Winters are just too long and hard. Now if I had some money and could be a snowbird? Well, then I might even like Snootysota a tad bit better. Actually while parts of this city are pretty cool, I like the whole of the community I see of Lakeland better. A big part of that is the flatness here, yuk.

You seem to find some sense of peace and solace in Lakeland. It sounds like you are finding a sense of place there also, something that is missing for you in Sarasota. Since you had to postpone your move there last year, perhaps this year 2009 you can try it out. You only live once and it sounds like you need a more down to earth environment than what Sarasota can provide. It really doesn't matter how others feel about Lakeland it only matters how you feel. As far as Massachusetts and Conn. They have a charm and feel to them unlike any area I have ever been to in this country. Unfortunately the long cold winters and the very high cost of living can be prohibitive for many. It would be cheaper to live in Sarasota than much of New England. I have to say I really would not think of Sarasota as having much of an economic basis when it comes to employment. Even with high unemployment I would think Lakeland would actually have more employers and a more diverse economic base.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by rogercobb

How can you say that crap about microclimates? I mean seriously, you have microclimates in western and northeastern states where there are sharp elevational changes. Lakeland is about as flat as a pancake and hotter than hell for a long period of time. Why sugarcoat it? I'm speaking from experience living in Lakeland and in visiting on numerous occasions. I don't care how Lakeland ranks in Travel Today, Readers Digest, USA Today, etc. It's awful. Dave, you'd be much better off in Pinellas county or in parts of Tampa. The idea of living in the middle between the two sucks as does the commute on I-4. I hope I've helped clear up a few things. I'm done.

Well, what a sweet post, only NOT! are you calling me a liar? Because I don't appreciate it one little bit. Sir, this is only YOUR opinion, that doesn't mean everyone agrees with you. I believe you haven't lived in Lakeland in YEARS, isn't that correct? Whatever, I hope you move or have moved and are happy where you are, why try to discourage someone who has already BEEN HERE and liked what they saw... It was certainly a microclimate where I LIVED, which was near Lake Hollingsworth, gentle slopes and breezes off the lake. Good lord, some of you people must lead absolutely miserable lives if one were to judge by these posts! Thank goodness most here looking for real info have the sense to pick through all the dung to find the nuggets!

[Lakeland Yankee]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Well, what a sweet post, only NOT! are you calling me a liar? Because I don't appreciate it one little bit. Sir, this is only YOUR opinion, that doesn't mean everyone agrees with you. I believe you haven't lived in Lakeland in YEARS, isn't that correct? Whatever, I hope you move or have moved and are happy where you are, why try to discourage someone who has already BEEN HERE and liked what they saw... It was certainly a microclimate where I LIVED, which was near Lake Hollingsworth, gentle slopes and breezes off the lake. Good lord, some of you people must lead absolutely miserable lives if one were to judge by these posts! Thank goodness most here looking for real info have the sense to pick through all the dung to find the nuggets!

I agree 100% with rogercobb. The city-data "rose colored glasses" Lakeland is very different from the real Lakeland that many of us are familiar with. Some of us would rather post honestly than just try to tell others what they want to hear. We are not selling property nor are we trying to score rep points or be everybody's buddy. All a person has to do is actually spend some time in Lakeland and see for themselves. The "paradise" Lakeland is nothing more than a figment of people's imagination.

Lakeland is flat and extremely hot during the summer and the commute to Orlando and Tampa is horrific due to the traffic. Crime is rampant and the city is very poverty stricken. That is the real Lakeland.

Once again, driving through a city, looking at a pretty picture in a magazine, or spending time in the tourist area is NOT the same as actually living here. I feel sorry for anyone who comes here looking for REAL advice, but every other forum on the internet backs up the fact that Lakeland has some serious issues and many residents would rather live elsewhere.

There are some wonderful things about the area but the bad far far outweighs the good in my opinion.

Here is the local paper to check out our regular breaking news stories - The Ledger

Unless of course the local paper is lying also.