Moving to Lakeland (Miami, Tampa, Orlando: house, college, live in)

[Magnulus]

Lakeland is hot in the summer. It's just about the hottest place in Florida in July. Other than that, it looks nice for a small town. Phosphate and citrus seem to be the big businesses.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Larry Davis

Hi Gypsychic,
Like you, I'm a Florida native. Born and raised in Miami. And, although most people won't believe it, Miami was a true utopia throughout the '50's, 60's and 70's. The Miami I knew and loved is long gone and will never return. I'm not against change, but in the case of Miami all of the change was bad ....... very bad. Anyway, my wife and I bailed out 8 years ago and moved to the mountains of Western N.C. A wonderful, totally different world of no traffic, very few nasty people and very low crime rate. However, due to medical reasons we are faced with the necessity to relocate back to a warmer climate. We are both retired and in our early 60's. Love fishing and tennis. Even with your "out of sight" property taxes Florida is the only state we are looking at. So ..... my questions are ..... since you apparently have participated on this site for quite some time ...... 1. It sounds like Lakeland is a great place for young families. Would you also recommend the Lakeland and Winter Haven areas for retirees. I should also state we are not into "gated" community type living and finances are not an issue. 2. Can you think of any other towns/areas we may want to consider that offers a good quality of life and relatively safe from crime?
Thanks,
Larry

Hi Larry! I know, it's really sad about Miami - that golden age is long gone, I'm afraid. Interestingly, we have a second home in Asheville, NC, that we bought for vacations and future retirement. But when we discovered Lakeland last year, we fell in love with it so much we have put our mountain home up for sale. Right now, this is almost like OLD FLORIDA here! We just love it! YES, there are retirees here, and in fact, I would recommend Winter Haven to you. It is GORGEOUS there - it is the "chain-of-lakes city. It's history is that it was a winter playground for people from the north, and has much to offer. While it's true our taxes here are higher than NC, Polk County is still far less than many others in Florida; and so is our homeowner's. Also remember, that unlike NC there is still no state income tax. You should visit the Lakeland/Winter Haven area and see what suits you. There is a lot to choose from, and some great deals here right now. If you want a much smaller town, Lake Wales is very cute - the whole downtown has been painted with murals. I still pick Lakeland or Winter Haven for you though. If you like tennis, Lakeland has some FABULOUS public tennis courts. I know I probably sound like I'm a realtor or work for the chamber of commerce, but I promise I'm not and I don't! lol Just a happy resident who is in love with her home state again.

Good luck!

[TNMom2girls]

Thank you for all the links. Now I can continue on with my research. Looks like Lakeland is the only area I'll be researching since my parents refuse to move any farther north. lol. I won't move to any location that they won't eventually move to also, and my in-laws have also said they would eventually move there too if we did first. Everyone wants out of Memphis, but no one wants to leave their grandbabies. So they're just waiting on us. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by gypsychic

There aren't a lot of people on these forums who live in or are familiar with Lakeland, so I try to answer when people have questions. Unfortunately I can't answer most of your specific questions, but you can try these websites to do some research:

Welcome to the City of Lakeland!

Lakeland Chamber of Commerce > Home

Y Lakeland, FL

Winter Haven is another beautiful town, about 15 miles from Lakeland, and it looks like a smaller Lakeland. I think with a family you would like Lakeland better, more choices, more schools, and more family oriented neighborhoods and activities. This is really a beautiful place to live.

Good luck!

[TNMom2girls]

Does anyone know anything about the Auburndale area? I just had someone tell me I should check it out too. As far as better housing prices. But what about the neighborhoods and schools? Thanks again.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by TNMom2girls

Does anyone know anything about the Auburndale area? I just had someone tell me I should check it out too. As far as better housing prices. But what about the neighborhoods and schools? Thanks again.

Auburndale is a cute small town 10 miles to the east of Lakeland. I think you would like Lakeland better, I just think it is a better place for families. Auburndale still has a bit more of the "rural" small town atmosphere, don't know how else to put it, but on the surface it's pretty cute. Don't know about schools, I don't think they are known for being the best, you will have to research that.

[markhunt]

Auburndale is a very nice up and coming area. It has a quaint small town main street feel to it and the town in general is VERY family\children oriented.

There are many older neighborhoods with mature landscaping and lake views that can be found for 200,00 and up. Many new sub divisions as well. I happen to live in one of the newer sub divisions because this is my first home and was what I could afford. I would recomend the below links to help in your research:

Auburndale, Florida Chamber-Mainstreet: About Auburndale

Playground Equipment Next Step For Auburndale Park | TheLedger.com

Developer Has Plans for New School; Road Work Needed | TheLedger.com

New USF Campus Will Need New Roads | TheLedger.com <-- Pace road in Auburndale (off of Berkley\Rte 655), will connect to this and the Polk Parkway.

I also got an email back from Publix stating that they would be building a Store on the Northwest corner of 559 and Gapway Rd, although they did not have a timeframe set yet (They already purchased the land though).


The north end is where you will find most of the new developments and even with the market the way it is the homes are selling. Toll brothers has a huge luxury development going up on RTE 559a next to lake Juliana and Lake Tennesee. They range from the high 300's and up. Then you have Lennar, Maronda, Cassidy, Adams, Baybrook, and a few other builders within the area all offering homes starting from the 140's.

I work in Orlando and Auburndale is the perfect location for me because I am 38 minutes from work. 25 minutes to the Orlando Attractions, 10 minutes from the new Posner Park being built on HWY27 in Davenport (which the retail phase is scheduled to open this spring), 10 minutes from Lakeland, 40 minutes from tampa, and 10 minutes from Winter Haven. I am about 2 miles from I-4.

As far as schools go, the elementary schools Lena Vista and Caldwell are A rated. I'm not sure about Stambough Middle but I know that Lake Alfred Addair middle school is a crap hole. Auburndale High school I think is either a C or B and they are opening up this August Teneroc High school as well. Auburndale also has Berkley Elementery Charter School and Middle school with plans for the future to build a high school. The charter school is one of th best in the area from what I have read and heard from residents and many people drive their kids from outside the city to attend this school. It has a waiting list though.

All in all this town was what we decided on when we moved from Orlando because of location, price, lower violent crime, schools, and less traffic. To us it was the best bang for the buck with what we could afford while trying to find a quieter small town and still being close to larger cities.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by markhunt

Auburndale is a very nice up and coming area. It has a quaint small town main street feel to it and the town in general is VERY family\children oriented.

There are many older neighborhoods with mature landscaping and lake views that can be found for 200,00 and up. Many new sub divisions as well. I happen to live in one of the newer sub divisions because this is my first home and was what I could afford. I would recomend the below links to help in your research:

Auburndale, Florida Chamber-Mainstreet: About Auburndale

Playground Equipment Next Step For Auburndale Park | TheLedger.com

Developer Has Plans for New School; Road Work Needed | TheLedger.com

New USF Campus Will Need New Roads | TheLedger.com <-- Pace road in Auburndale (off of Berkley\Rte 655), will connect to this and the Polk Parkway.

I also got an email back from Publix stating that they would be building a Store on the Northwest corner of 559 and Gapway Rd, although they did not have a timeframe set yet (They already purchased the land though).


The north end is where you will find most of the new developments and even with the market the way it is the homes are selling. Toll brothers has a huge luxury development going up on RTE 559a next to lake Juliana and Lake Tennesee. They range from the high 300's and up. Then you have Lennar, Maronda, Cassidy, Adams, Baybrook, and a few other builders within the area all offering homes starting from the 140's.

I work in Orlando and Auburndale is the perfect location for me because I am 38 minutes from work. 25 minutes to the Orlando Attractions, 10 minutes from the new Posner Park being built on HWY27 in Davenport (which the retail phase is scheduled to open this spring), 10 minutes from Lakeland, 40 minutes from tampa, and 10 minutes from Winter Haven. I am about 2 miles from I-4.

As far as schools go, the elementary schools Lena Vista and Caldwell are A rated. I'm not sure about Stambough Middle but I know that Lake Alfred Addair middle school is a crap hole. Auburndale High school I think is either a C or B and they are opening up this August Teneroc High school as well. Auburndale also has Berkley Elementery Charter School and Middle school with plans for the future to build a high school. The charter school is one of th best in the area from what I have read and heard from residents and many people drive their kids from outside the city to attend this school. It has a waiting list though.

All in all this town was what we decided on when we moved from Orlando because of location, price, lower violent crime, schools, and less traffic. To us it was the best bang for the buck with what we could afford while trying to find a quieter small town and still being close to larger cities.

Thanks for the additional info on Auburndale, Markhunt! I didn't know much about the town, other than that we thought the little downtown was very quaint and charming, and we liked that big lake with the "beach". I really think the whole Lakeland/Auburndale/Winter Haven area is one of the best places to live in this whole state. Lots of bang for the buck! I keep telling myself I have to quit extolling the virtues of the area or everyone will want to come here, and then it might not be so nice! LOL

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Thanks for the additional info on Auburndale, Markhunt! I didn't know much about the town, other than that we thought the little downtown was very quaint and charming, and we liked that big lake with the "beach". I really think the whole Lakeland/Auburndale/Winter Haven area is one of the best places to live in this whole state. Lots of bang for the buck! I keep telling myself I have to quit extolling the virtues of the area or everyone will want to come here, and then it might not be so nice! LOL

LOL, I agree, I have lived in Orlando and Saint Cloud and by far I like living in this area of Polk County the Best!

[TNMom2girls]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Thanks for the additional info on Auburndale, Markhunt! I didn't know much about the town, other than that we thought the little downtown was very quaint and charming, and we liked that big lake with the "beach". I really think the whole Lakeland/Auburndale/Winter Haven area is one of the best places to live in this whole state. Lots of bang for the buck! I keep telling myself I have to quit extolling the virtues of the area or everyone will want to come here, and then it might not be so nice! LOL

Originally Posted by markhunt

LOL, I agree, I have lived in Orlando and Saint Cloud and by far I like living in this area of Polk County the Best!

You have both helped me out so much. I just need to keep doing my research and then make a trip out there to visit the local schools and neighborhoods all throughout Polk County. You have made it sound really nice. Now I just have to figure out which one my husband and I can agree on. lol. He's more country, an acreage kinda guy, I am more suburbanite, but if I didn't have children I'd be a city girl no doubt about it. So we usually compromise with suburban areas. Sounds like we can't go wrong though, thank you.

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by TNMom2girls

You have both helped me out so much. I just need to keep doing my research and then make a trip out there to visit the local schools and neighborhoods all throughout Polk County. You have made it sound really nice. Now I just have to figure out which one my husband and I can agree on. lol. He's more country, an acreage kinda guy, I am more suburbanite, but if I didn't have children I'd be a city girl no doubt about it. So we usually compromise with suburban areas. Sounds like we can't go wrong though, thank you.

Found this in todays paper with regards to the new Baseball and Soccer Complex in Auburndale. Also has info I didn't know about a new community center and gym as well.

Department Heads Take on New Duties | TheLedger.com