Winter Haven / Orlando (Tampa, Clearwater, Lakeland: environment, transplants, vacation)

[RamseyCo]

I may soon be accepting a job transfer from the Twin Cities (MN) to Winter Haven. I'm 26yrs old Married with two young children. My wife would like to work in Orlando if she is able. I'm looking for a nice area, good schools, low(er) crime and driving distance to both cities. Now I am from the inner city up here so I know what comes with that, but i'd like to keep it safe as possible. Thanks for the help.

[NYC8]

best thing i can tell you is search the postings. many people ask where its a safe place to live with children. i just moved to winter garden- actually still waiting for my furniture ..... movers !! i do not have any children but i have read posts that state the WG area has good schools. i cannot comment on the travel to/fro Winter Haven but hopefully someone else can. i think overall traffic is bad ,not just due to # of cars but also the drivers, everyone that drives here has a cell phone on their ear so you know that they are not paying attention to their driving. as for crime you can check with the local police dept or search online for the statistics on crime in whatever area you are interested in. good luck .

[bkynfl]

You are going to be in a culture shock once you arrive. Orlando will be quite a drive for your wife. Most good paying jobs are north of Orlando; Lake Mary/ Altamonte. There are only two big companies in Winter Haven that I know of; Sherwin Williams or State Farm. I hope it's not Sherwin Williams. Well the Walmart DC is there too but...

Lake Wales is country but very friendly people. Anything south of Orlando is not good. North Orlando is better. Lakeland would be closer and is really pretty. Lakeland would be better place for your wife. There are some big companies there. Publix, Watkins/FedX or Cardinal Health. I can't stand Polk county in general but if there is one city in Polk if I were forced to stay, it would be Lakeland eventhough the city screwed it's residence on the whole utility thing. Good luck to you and your family. Most working class people I know from the Midwest usually leave with in 5 years. We did and I'm glad to be out.

Originally Posted by RamseyCo

I may soon be accepting a job transfer from the Twin Cities (MN) to Winter Haven. I'm 26yrs old Married with two young children. My wife would like to work in Orlando if she is able. I'm looking for a nice area, good schools, low(er) crime and driving distance to both cities. Now I am from the inner city up here so I know what comes with that, but i'd like to keep it safe as possible. Thanks for the help.

[RamseyCo]

Thanks for the help. Culture shock huh? Can U explain that a lil' bit. I was born and raised up here and only have been to the south on vacation. So I guess I dont know the REAL south.

[bkynfl]

Midwest people are friendlier than majority in Florida. 22% of residents in FL are transplants from other states. Florida is like a revolving door for people who moved from the midwest. Twin Cities is an actual city environment. IMO, living in Cincinnati, Louisville and now Lexington, Winter Haven is country. Granted they have Cypress Gardens but that's it. If you are a lake type of guy/girl and like fishing; you'll fit it. I grew up in a fast paced city (Cininnati)where the community was very helpful. Homes are cheaper than in Kissimmee but that's it. It's really slow and behind the times. I'll give you an example. A coworker and a friend went with me to Blockbuster . Since I'm a blonde white chic with a big black man, heads were turning and frowning. While I support female independence it was nice to have the feeling of someone other than my husband giving me the old fashion "lady-like" respect. However, that's a dbl edge sword. It's very common for the "male mind" to assume the wife's position in Winter Haven. Companies north of Atlanta are different than south Atlanta. Companies north offer better benefits and respect for working parents than the south. IMO, I was spoiled where I use to work 6 years ago in NKY/Cincinnati and so was my husband. The mentality is not the norm for me. We are back up north and wow a major difference; I feel relaxed.

Good Luck to you and I hope it works out better for you than it did for us.

Originally Posted by RamseyCo

Thanks for the help. Culture shock huh? Can U explain that a lil' bit. I was born and raised up here and only have been to the south on vacation. So I guess I dont know the REAL south.

[bkynfl]

Also, I'm still detoxing from what I'd learned when I lived in Florida for 5 years; rudeness and watching over my shoulder. Really, you get thicker skin and wonder who is going to con you next.
Here is a site for you to search for pedophiles. I understand pedophiles are everywhere but just check out Winter Haven and other cities close by. This should help you either ease your mind or make it worse comparable to where you live now.


National Sex Offender Registry

[AJ67]

bkyn just likes to bad mouth Winter Haven...Don;'t listen to her...Winter haven is a nice little City...has just about everything you need. there are alot of Retires there which makes it a slower paced area ...
I would take Winter Haven Any day over Kissimmee..or Orlando ...

[RamseyCo]

The more I look I'm drawn to Lakeland. Seems like a bigger city and thats more what im used to. Any info on schools there? Im also wondering with sooo many people coming from other states do native floridians have problems with them. Is that something as "outsiders" we'll feel.

[bkynfl]

You wouldn't get any problems from Lakeland. Lakeland has a mall and is closer to Tampa and Clearwater. Brandon is an outskirt of Lakeland and automatically, I'd gotten a family oriented appeal. We have some great friends in Lakeland but not sure where their children attend school. I remember St. Joe being downtown and heard it was a good school but I don't know anything about the Public schools.

There is this lake downtown Lakeland that you must see. It's beautiful! Swans galore and very peaceful. It's at the end of Kentucky and Lemon ST.

I've never got the feeling from anyone in person (online yes) I shouldn't be there. So, I don't know if it's talk online or in person that is fake. There is a lot of transplants in Lakeland so that's a plus for you. It would be a 30 minute drive for you to Winter Haven but at least you're not living there.

AJ, all due respect, it is my opinion and a fact with many people in regards to Polk County. Even natives from Polk besides you, want out so bad. Lakeland is the only Polk County that is beautiful and more family oriented than the rest of the cities in the county. Don't worry Haines City has Winter Haven beat over crime, drop outs and no employment. AJ, you are becoming a stalker. Yikes, that's Winter Haven for you. Weird!

[AJ67]

Lol Stalker I think Not, I merely To have an opinion, however you have blacklisted Winter Haven and Polk County on every thread you have interjected on to...So what thats YOUR opinion , you know what they say everyone has one just like a......