[gypsychic]

Here is a link to the website for the Classic Car Show in Winter Haven:

2008 Winter Haven Classic Car Show

I am posting this because in the background you can see various shots of beautiful downtown Winter Haven. I have always been impressed when I have visited this town- it is really pretty, and has a great little downtown, and they have quite a few things going on. You might enjoy living on Lake Howard, which is a beautiful lake right near downtown. There are other lakes near downtown as well. Winter Haven is like beautiful "Old Florida" to me.

The prominent architect, Gene Leedy, lives here (since 1954) and there is a wealth of beautiful vintage architecture there that he has designed (mid-century modern).

And be sure to check out the Chain-of-Lakes:

Chain Of Lakes - Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce (http://winterhavenfl.com/chain_of_lakes - broken link)

Of course, Cypress Gardens is here as well, and just a few miles further down the road is Lake Wales, with all the murals downtown and the fabulous Bok Tower Sanctuary Gardens.

Now, as others here have said, none of these smaller towns will be a cultural mecca like a large major metro, but they have charm in and of themselves, and are not that far a drive to the bigger cities for major entertainment.

I hope this helps.

[dk22]

My mother in law lives about a stones throw away from Cypress Gardens and we visit her quite often. That's a nice area there with all the activities you're looking for. It's not an area for me, but it might be for you. Lake Wales is too small and doesn't have the numbers of shops and restaurants you might want to head to from time to time.

[floridagal09]

Update - we ended up renting a wonderful 1950 house a short walk to Lake Wailes Lake after exploring both the newer developments in Winter Haven, some lakefront rentals, and scouting some walkable neighborhoods. The owners had been trying to sell for 2 years but were willing to rent. Hooray! We will be back and forth into Winter Haven I'm sure.

[Kaci]

Check out Cypresswoods, a gated community in Winter Haven off 27.

[floridagal09]

Coda: We looked at several places in Winter Haven and a few houses on some of the lakes in the area. But we ended up renting a house in Lake Wales a block from Lake Wailes Lake. We can walk down to the path and around the lake, and my commute is all back roads to work, 8 minutes. The downtown has seen more bustling days, but those I have run across seem hopeful for another revival. All in all we like living in what is actually an older established neighborhood. Thanks everyone.

[elfyum]

Lake Wales is a charming little town, particularly if you're white, Christian, Republican and middle class.

Really??! (drools)
Would this be current??
(April 2010)
Could it be so??
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!



(I KNEW I was drawn to the place for a reason!)

[GROC]

Does anyone know what the areas around Lake Effie are like, especially the West or East Northside Dr. neighborhoods? ......Thank you!

[kmbjbb]

I grew up in Lake Wales. I honeymooned in Winter Haven. I now live in West Palm Beach. We just this weekend decided we are moving back to the Lake Wales area. Where we are planning on going will be easy to get to Winter Haven for some of the shopping and such and I will still be able to get to the city of Lake Wales for those activities.

I know it has changed drastically since I left years ago, but it will still be a thousand times better than here in WPB.

We were recently planning on moving to Washington state, but due to certain circumstances, we will stay in Florida.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by kmbjbb

I grew up in Lake Wales. I honeymooned in Winter Haven. I now live in West Palm Beach. We just this weekend decided we are moving back to the Lake Wales area. Where we are planning on going will be easy to get to Winter Haven for some of the shopping and such and I will still be able to get to the city of Lake Wales for those activities.

I know it has changed drastically since I left years ago, but it will still be a thousand times better than here in WPB.

We were recently planning on moving to Washington state, but due to certain circumstances, we will stay in Florida.

Lake Wales is a neat little town. Has it really changed that drastically? We went to Bok Tower again last year, and it didn't seem so different to me. Certainly nothing bad anyway. It's kind of a little Florida secret. I love the amazing hills there.

[kmbjbb]

I know the neighborhood I grew up in is now really trashed and I would not feel safe driving there. The area grew along Hwy 27 and there's more there, but that's expected after 25 years or so. I've only been back twice since 1979. Will be moving back in a few years.