LGBT couple looking for tolerant area near Lakeland (Tampa, Brandon: mortgage, insurance)

[OREGONRAIN]

Either way, whether Lakeland is not for everyone, it does have a nice downtown, and its a comfortable size for someone not wanting a big city. Its between two big metro areas Orlando and Tampa St Pete, and has enough distance from the huricanne areas to make it somewhat safer, at least in most instances of when they do hit. I was not thrilled with the overly conservative ways there, frankly did not understand why they were so strong or could remain that way, Seemed like alot of people were from elsewhere, but the locals and there are many, were basically polite, but lets face it your instincts tell you if someone is really welcoming, and I did not get that feeling many times. It could be changing though there, I mean to fix that downtown up like has been done. That type of transformation had to be from beyond the heavy conservative concentration there. I say if you want to live somewhere, for whatever your reason, live there and the heck with other people think, Just be a good neighbor, and if they don't like it, Well let them move then.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by OREGONRAIN

Either way, whether Lakeland is not for everyone, it does have a nice downtown, and its a comfortable size for someone not wanting a big city. Its between two big metro areas Orlando and Tampa St Pete, and has enough distance from the huricanne areas to make it somewhat safer, at least in most instances of when they do hit. I was not thrilled with the overly conservative ways there, frankly did not understand why they were so strong or could remain that way, Seemed like alot of people were from elsewhere, but the locals and there are many, were basically polite, but lets face it your instincts tell you if someone is really welcoming, and I did not get that feeling many times. It could be changing though there, I mean to fix that downtown up like has been done. That type of transformation had to be from beyond the heavy conservative concentration there. I say if you want to live somewhere, for whatever your reason, live there and the heck with other people think, Just be a good neighbor, and if they don't like it, Well let them move then.

Good post, OREGONRAIN, and basically that's what I have been trying to get across as well - that wherever a person wants to live you just be open and friendly and if someone wants to be ignorant that is their problem. And on a personal note, I do understand why you would have a bad impression of the town based on your experience - I have had bad experiences in Sarasota which color my impression of the town. Also - to LISADEBARY - I apologize to you if my post was too strong, actually as recently as a few years ago I would have agreed with you about Lakeland because I hadn't been there in years and remembered it as being run-down and not having much going for it. But as has been said, places do change - I have mentioned Asheville before, and I know that place was once considered backward and ultra-conservative and now there are people claiming it's "too liberal" just a decade-and-a-half later. I do see changes for Lakeland in that regard, it's just growing too much not to. They have a cool city commissioner there who was once a roadie for the band "Wet Willie" and he also opened up a blues club (Trader's) downtown. Also, this town was once referred to as "a small mecca of cool" by a travel reviewer.

Bottom line, some people will only be comfortable around many of their own kind, whether it's sexual preference, religion, race, ethnic culture etc. and others will be able to go anywhere and blend it. The comfort level is different for each person. I personally listen to my gut which tells me if a place is for me, and it has always worked out.

[roaring-rox]

gypsychic,

do you know if Asheville was restoring their downtown since the mid-1980s?

The reason I'm asking is that when I moved back to Tampa in 1986, Lakeland was starting restoration of their downtown---I would visit for the antique shops then. So, know Lakeland has been restoring for 2 decades.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by roaring-rox

gypsychic,

do you know if Asheville was restoring their downtown since the mid-1980s?

The reason I'm asking is that when I moved back to Tampa in 1986, Lakeland was starting restoration of their downtown---I would visit for the antique shops then. So, know Lakeland has been restoring for 2 decades.

Hey Rox. I think Asheville started their restoration around then, but it has only really taken off since the late 90's early 2000's from what I have read, probably due to all the media attention this town gets now - always on those "best of" lists, and it has been featured a lot on HGTV.

To clarify what I said earlier about how I would have dismissed Lakeland without knowing how it had changed, was because until this year I had not seen the place since the 1970's, when it didn't have much. I really couldn't believe the stunning transformation - it actually reminds me of some beautiful town in the California Central Coast. Stunning beauty along with fabulous vintage architecture are a couple of my requirements for living in a place, along with a real downtown with a town square. I am convinced it is about to really "take off" so to speak. So much so that hubby and I have already looked at real estate and may be making an offer soon. It helps that Lakeland is still one of the most undervalued markets in Florida right now, and I also got an insurance quote, which is about 1/3 the cost of Pasco. So for us, it's all good.

[OREGONRAIN]

Yes that could happen, I think if Lakeland got more publicity it might take off. Its really how much publicity a place gets, people move there, all kinds of people and the vibe of the place changes. That is what happened with Asheville, it was never the hip place it is now. Several years ago It was just some nice mountain town, with that fancy hotel there. One thing I have noticed with Lakeland, its suppose to be cheaper to live there, but for some reason the rents are very high, and I mean much higher than in parts of tampa and st pete. A studio in Lakeland for $700 plus utilities seems very high to me. I was playing around on rent.com and all of the listings were way up there. Just seemed odd to me. Im thinking alot of commuters to both Orlando and Tampa are living in Lakeland and the rent is reflecting that. If so it must be a miserable commute dealing with I-4

[roaring-rox]

hi gypsychic,

Yeah, Lakeland may be at the point where Asheville was in late 90s/early 2000s.

I've been visiting Lakeland a lot in the last 10 years and just a couple to 3 years ago, it was not as active in the downtown as it is now.

I've been driving around a lot in downtown and the different neighborhoods surrounding the downtown have a lot of natural beauty for sure...lush, tropical trees/foliage, etc. Pretty new street lamps are put on streets on both sides of Florida Avenue.

I'm not sure yet if Lakeland is for me...but it is promising.

[Draupadi]

Hi, I've lived in Lakeland Florida for ten years, and I had to jump in because I would not want you to get the idea that this place is a 'mecca'. Then again, I suppose that it depends on one's standards.
If you must live in a small town in Central Florida, live in Lakeland.
However, if you have the option, do not live here! Polk County educational systems are pathetic. The only larger colleges nearby are parochial ones.
Yes, USF has a campus (which is actually just some classrooms it borrows in the local community college) but it is NOT a main campus of any sort, its an offshoot that offers degrees in business or education, meant to serve some needs of local students who don't want to commute, but not an actual college campus with dorms and activities etc...its actaully in the middle of an orange grove at the moment.
Your'e not going to Major in Fine Arts, Literature, etc...there I am currently a Master's Degree student on full scholarship from USF (in Tampa), which is the only reason I am here. Tampa is crap as well.
North Lakeland is rednecky, some parts are downright scary, other's just depressing. While South Lakeland does have a few interesting shops and galleries, most of the patrons are kids of high school age...kids who have to be in Lakeland because their parents are.
In people of college age here, there aren't as many enlightened people as you would hope. Sure, you might find someone who looks 'liberal' or may even speak one sometimes, but for the most part the scene around here involves drinking and drugs.
You'll find some nice people in S. Lakeland, but mostly you'll find rich people who get all excited and think their town is 'hip' because we finally got a freaking starbucks (a truly cool town would have fought that starbucks)
I am not saying that there aren't enlightended people around here, but if one of them is reading this, I am sure that they will understand what I mean when I say that the enlightened are too few and far between.
I've lived in New Orleans, Portland, Ann Arbor, Johnston City and Denver, so maybe I am spoiled.
Just please do not move here thinking that Lakeland is any thing like any of those places. Sure it might be, in three decades or so...maybe...but that's too long to wait.
Compared to other small florida towns, Lakeland may seem pretty 'hip' and fun, but compared to the larger world, its still a conservative mecca, good luck finding a good book in our library recently voted one of the worst libraries in America. And I couldn't find a single green party, independent, now chapter, or gay rights chapter around here. I headed one for a while, but only two people ever came. If saw Rent in the theatres, and people booed when Collins and Angel kissed, my father, a vietnam vet against the war, has been physically threatened on several occassions for being anti-war. I've seen about twenty Man plus WOman equals Marriage stickers here in the past month.
Trust me, people may think its cool here, but that is probably because they don't have anything better to compare it too.
I know I sound mean, I'm not trying to knock it or the people who live here, just wanting to point out that while it may be a mecca compared to the surrounding areas....it is not the kind of place that I would suggest moving to on purpose. Take it from a gay vegetarian liberal literature lover, you'll wish that you hadn't

[gypsychic]

<<Take it from a gay vegetarian liberal literature lover, you'll wish that you hadn't>>

Thanks for your views. Obviously, for the gay vegetarian liberal there are probably better places to live than Lakeland. But - if one's job is in Central Florida, or one must live in Florida, honestly there aren't many places in Fla. that I personally WOULD consider that great for the above. People have different requirements - I personally prefer the smaller "old Florida" type towns to the coastal and vacation areas - I don't like dealing with tourists. Tampa and Orlando are too large, even though hubby works there, we don't like Tampa at all and will not live there. At the very least, Lakeland is a beautiful, very clean town that is supportive of the arts. That is more than I can say for many of the towns in Florida I have lived in or visited. I like the size population it is, so frankly, I am glad it is pretty much kind of "off-the-radar" where most people are concerned.

Unfortunately I do expect it to grow quite a bit over the next decade, especially when the new USF campus gets underway next year. In the meantime we are moving there this fall and I can't wait.

[dallaskeffer]

I am a gay man preparing to leave Detroit and Michigan forever. I have had multiple break-ins and robberies at my home. Police are almost non-existent due to budget cuts and my metro-Detroit city of Highland Park being bankrupt. Crime is rampant and the problems are spreading rapidly. The suburbs are decaying fast as their crime rates soar. All of the roads are terrible and destroy your car. The streets are lined with burned-out and abandoned houses and storefronts--it looks like a war was fought here!

Lakeland is a magnificent and charming alternative. I am a native southerner anyway, but I need to live in Florida because of health concerns. Winter depression is hitting me worse every year. I also cannot tolerate cold climate anymore. I love the smaller city feel of Lakeland. Culturally, it and all other Florida cities are light years ahead of Detroit.

Conservative values are important. I mean GENUINE conservative values--not this neo-conservative crap that is destroying America. Without them, everything will fall apart. I see no problems with relocating to Lakeland. I welcome cleaner streets, more intense policing, and lower insurance rates!

There are problems everywhere. What matters is how they are handled. I see far better handling of things in Florida than I do in Michigan. The sunshine state may not be perfect, and will certainly suffer as more people from the north relocate there, but I see it as my best alternative. Lakeland offers convenient central location and, frankly, one of the prettiest cityscapes I have ever seen.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by dallaskeffer

I am a gay man preparing to leave Detroit and Michigan forever. I have had multiple break-ins and robberies at my home. Police are almost non-existent due to budget cuts and my metro-Detroit city of Highland Park being bankrupt. Crime is rampant and the problems are spreading rapidly. The suburbs are decaying fast as their crime rates soar. All of the roads are terrible and destroy your car. The streets are lined with burned-out and abandoned houses and storefronts--it looks like a war was fought here!

Lakeland is a magnificent and charming alternative. I am a native southerner anyway, but I need to live in Florida because of health concerns. Winter depression is hitting me worse every year. I also cannot tolerate cold climate anymore. I love the smaller city feel of Lakeland. Culturally, it and all other Florida cities are light years ahead of Detroit.

Conservative values are important. I mean GENUINE conservative values--not this neo-conservative crap that is destroying America. Without them, everything will fall apart. I see no problems with relocating to Lakeland. I welcome cleaner streets, more intense policing, and lower insurance rates!

There are problems everywhere. What matters is how they are handled. I see far better handling of things in Florida than I do in Michigan. The sunshine state may not be perfect, and will certainly suffer as more people from the north relocate there, but I see it as my best alternative. Lakeland offers convenient central location and, frankly, one of the prettiest cityscapes I have ever seen.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, dallaskeffer. I have to agree with you, that Lakeland is one of the prettiest cityscapes ever - people who haven't been there would really be surprised, it is kept sparking clean. I also agree with you about the GOOD conservative values - and I must say that Lakeland has a great community spirit and a lot of civic pride. We just this week bought a vintage bungalow in a historic neighborhood near one of the lakes and we are ecstatic! I truly believe Lakeland is going to keep building on what it has already accomplished and turn into one of the most sought after places in Florida. I know hubby and me are happy!