Haines City - good or bad idea?

[ANGIEJ1968]

I was born and raised in the Oakland area . I grew up two streets over from what is now Bethune Academy. It used to be called Bethune Elementary where I attended as a child . Although my little neighborhood has it's faults, it is no different from any neighborhood in good ole America . It is a predominantly black neighborhood and I love it . I wouldn't have my children go to school anywhere else . Haines City has gone to great lengths to improve our little broken down and broken spirited little town and turned it into something that I am proud to call home . It is not the area that determined who I was or what I became , nor did it determine what great citizens my kids became . So I encourage you to come down to our area and see what Oakland has to offer you and your kids.

[mombaker]

I haven't seen any newer posts so I'm wondering. How are things in Haines City? We're considering a move to the area and would be working at a nearby hospital so jobs aren't an issue. I've lived in Winter Haven but it was 15 years ago and I've heard the Rt. 27 corridor is getting lots of businesses. Are there new areas of development in the housing area? How is the downtown? I used to work at the old Heart of Florida but I really don't remember much about the town but I loved working at the hospital and worked with great people.

[mstweety36]

Haines would in my opinon, be a really bad idea... No jobs, poverty, no shopping, restaurants ect.. Haines City is full of rundown shacks and Illegal Mexicans ...

The only claim to fame is Southern Dunes which now is full of foreclosers...

Have been here for 30 years and it isn't getting any better.. And no ,not bitter over anything just giving facts...

[mstweety36]

Originally Posted by mia_magination

WOW! I can't believe some of the things I have read here on this area, it's almost sad to see that no one can find anything nice to say about this area.

I have lived in the area for 13 years now and have seen major changes in the area for the better and would like to point out a few.

The town is undergoing a large revitalization project by revamping its community center, local waterfront park/playground area, adding upscale restaurants, making the "downtown" area more appealing by revitalizing the older buildings for new business and the railroad park area is currently undergoing an upgrade as well.
Although the public schools are not the best, they have done some major improving in the past few years and many have brought their "grade" from D's and F's to A's and B's which is a feat in itself, so give the teachers and admin. and students some kudos for their hard work.

I would definately prefer the magnet schools in the area personally only because my children attended them and received an excellent education there, but if they couldn't get in right away I wouldn't pack up and move.

Haines City is growing and trying to improve itself, if your patient and give it a chance I'm sure it will surprise you. They have parades, boy scouts/girl scouts, ballet, karate, community center activities, a nice hospital with fine doctors (imo), decent shopping with the new Pilsner Corner shopping in with it's Target, JcPenney, Dick's etc... If you keep an open mind and make the best of it, I'm sure you will not mind your time too much here. We have found a wonderful group of people at Stillwater Christian Life Center that offer a wonderful children's group but there are many to chose from if you just look. There is a wonderful european bakery that has an authentic working windmill that is a definate must try if you are in the area as well.

Yes, Haines City has its problems but they have some great older neighborhoods with wonderful people to live near if you know where to look...it's not all drugs, criminals, rejects etc. I hope you at least give it a chance before you decide not to even consider it. Good luck.

JC Penney's and Dicks are in Davenport.. Haines City really has no downtown unless you count Nail and Beauty Shops... I have been here 30 years not sure where the nice neighboorhoods are ???