Your feelings on Lakeland (Tampa, Orlando: apartments, rent, houses)

[wheels-a-rolling]

We currently live in NC and are looking to move to Lakeland where my sister lives. We spent 2 weeks there and liked it. It is a good location because it's roughly half way between Orlando and Tampa.

Please share your feeling and experiences with this area from schooling, homes, things to do, IT jobs, renting (which we'll be doing), etc...

I'm willing to travel 40miles roughly in either east / west direction.

[Jimrob1]

I would have thought someone would have answered your thread.

[Trusses]

Originally Posted by wheels-a-rolling

We currently live in NC and are looking to move to Lakeland where my sister lives. We spent 2 weeks there and liked it. It is a good location because it's roughly half way between Orlando and Tampa.

Please share your feeling and experiences with this area from schooling, homes, things to do, IT jobs, renting (which we'll be doing), etc...

I'm willing to travel 40miles roughly in either east / west direction.

Do lots of homework when moving to FL. You live in NC but are originally from NY, so with that in mind, if you like the feel of NYC and the go-go-go, then Polk Co is not going to be a good place for you, IMO.

If you want a small, rural, southern town with not much going on, I'd say yes, you'll probably like it. Depending on what part of NC you are in, it may be pretty darn similar. Unless of course you're in Charlotte.

Did you like living in NY? Where in NC are you? And what are your likes/dislikes about NC?

[annerk]

I would NOT move here without a job already lnies up. Tampa and Orlando have worse unemployment rates and job prospects than Charlotte. Can't Find a Job? Best and Worst Job Markets | Indeed.com

Then I'd find a place to live near my job. Winter Haven is well over an hour from Orlando in rush hour.

[Starlady01]

Originally Posted by annerk

I would NOT move here without a job already lnies up. Tampa and Orlando have worse unemployment rates and job prospects than Charlotte. Can't Find a Job? Best and Worst Job Markets | Indeed.com

Then I'd find a place to live near my job. Winter Haven is well over an hour from Orlando in rush hour.

I would have to agree find a job first. Two of my sisters sons and one of my sisters husbands are without jobs right now. They are talking moving out of the state for jobs. I myself don't really want to live outside of Florida.

But this is a great time to buy a house if you really want to live here. Houses abound right now.

My area isn't as bad as some in the houseing market since the Lakeland/Winter haven area is between Orlando and Tampa.
I'm planning on selling my house and buying else where if possible.

I'm not moving for ill reason of the town more personal reasons.

The good ole boy system is alive and well here as to which harm is ment or not is debatable tho.

[robert999]

Job first!. If you like that area as a visitor you may not like it as a resident. Rent before buying. There are alot of people that commute from lakeland to both Tampa and Orlando for jobs. I know someone that travels from Lakeland to Disney for an $8.00 /hr job 5 days a week, its about 40miles each way

[devoman]

Lakeland has a lovely downtown area and historic district; I lived there until about 4 months ago.

[Elysium]

We moved here from PA this past August due to my husbands employment. I have mixed feelings. I love my complex, I love my immediate area, I love being so close to shopping/restaurants, but I hate the school in our area. In fact I pulled my daughters after the first day.

There are zero jobs to be had here, my stepson was just looking for the basic mall/restaurant job, not even that could be found. I would not move to this area without a job lined up.

Lakeland is a strange place. I live on a golf course, I have neighbors who live in really upscale beautiful homes, and then drive up the road, take a turn and you are in a sketchy part of town, which is where the school is located. I would do my research before moving here. IF schools are important, search the school first, and then try to find a place to live near it. All in all, I feel safe in my complex, its close to everything, but the schools suck. We're moving up closer to Orlando this summer, I am already starting my search, start with the schools.

[ksebeny]

I love Lakeland. We moved here three and a half years ago from WI.

They have charter schools which are excellent schools, but they seem to have a wait list.

Jobs I think are just like anywhere else, with the economy. You may have better luck looking in Tampa or Orlando.

Renting apartments near Lakeside Village is nice, close to shopping and restaurants.

[Minus Florida]

I would never recommend somebody move to lakeland! Like an above poster said, it is a very strange place. I've lived here for 7 years (after having lived in IL, IN & CA) and it really is just a sad and misguided city. There are some nice people and some VERY nice communities, however like an above poster said, less than a mile away and you are in a very bad part of town. (Lake Hollingsworth anyone?) Drunks are on nearly every corner begging for money. i get asked for money from people at least once every week or two besides the ones on the corner. Drugs are RAMPANT in this city, and the schools I have to believe are among the worst in the country. Never send someone you love to lakeland's public high schools.

I hope you enjoy looking at men's boxers all day, because that is all you will see with all the white and black "gangsters" walking around with their pants sagging below their knees and their boxers exposed for all to see.

My job involves me driving to all different parts of lakeland, as well as auburndale, mulberry and winter haven. And Winter Haven I'd have to say is just as bad, minus the good parts of lakeland!

There are some nice people here, but you will learn that most people here are extremely self centered. Have you ever turned the corner down a grocery aisle and almost bump into someone? Well if that happens here, even if you say "excuse me I'm sorry", they will give you dirty looks!

Also, if you care at all about scenery, there is none here. Saddlecreek is a very nice looking park but that is it. There are obviously no mountains or anything to catch your eye.

Well I can't wait to leave, I'd feel terrible if I didn't warn you about this place. But make your own choice, good luck!