Need your input on lakeland (Tampa, Orlando: real estate market, apartment complexes, rentals)

[Cougar31]

How is the real estate market in Lakeland?
I am thinking to relocate(potential job) to Lakeland. What is your personnal experience/input on the city? (is it a high crime place? a high cost of living?...)
Thanks

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Cougar31

How is the real estate market in Lakeland?
I am thinking to relocate(potential job) to Lakeland. What is your personnal experience/input on the city? (is it a high crime place? a high cost of living?...)
Thanks

When you ask about real estate market - do you mean as a job or to buy? Anyway, we live here, and there are many bargains to be had if you are buying. It is beautiful here, cost of living is lower than a lot of other places in Florida especially coastal towns or bigger cities. It is conveniently located between Tampa and Orlando. Lakeland has almost 100,000 population, but has the feel of a small, charming and preserved town. We have a lot of beautiful parks and recreational factilites, dozens of beautiful natural lakes (many of which are public parks) and plenty of arts and cultural opportunities as well. Lakeland has a gorgeous new open-air mall with fine stores and restaurants and a beautiful deco-style movie theater, and downtown we have an old restored atmospheric movie theater showing art films and live perforances.

Hope this little bit of info helps!

[Cougar31]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

When you ask about real estate market - do you mean as a job or to buy? Anyway, we live here, and there are many bargains to be had if you are buying. It is beautiful here, cost of living is lower than a lot of other places in Florida especially coastal towns or bigger cities. It is conveniently located between Tampa and Orlando. Lakeland has almost 100,000 population, but has the feel of a small, charming and preserved town. We have a lot of beautiful parks and recreational factilites, dozens of beautiful natural lakes (many of which are public parks) and plenty of arts and cultural opportunities as well. Lakeland has a gorgeous new open-air mall with fine stores and restaurants and a beautiful deco-style movie theater, and downtown we have an old restored atmospheric movie theater showing art films and live perforances.

Hope this little bit of info helps!

What would be the price(average price) for a 2 bed house, with either 1 or 2 baths, 2 car garage, 2006 and newer, about 1600 square feet?
when you say the cost of living is lower than other places...how would you compare it with Vero Beach or Stuart?
thanks

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Cougar31

What would be the price(average price) for a 2 bed house, with either 1 or 2 baths, 2 car garage, 2006 and newer, about 1600 square feet?
when you say the cost of living is lower than other places...how would you compare it with Vero Beach or Stuart?
thanks

I don't know - it's easy enough though to check on the realtor.com website and compare houses in those areas. I find the cost of living here on the low side compared to other areas I have lived in Florida, which includes Tampa, Sarasota and Pasco County. The biggest savings in property taxes, homeowner's, and car insurance.

[Cougar31]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

When you ask about real estate market - do you mean as a job or to buy? Anyway, we live here, and there are many bargains to be had if you are buying. It is beautiful here, cost of living is lower than a lot of other places in Florida especially coastal towns or bigger cities. It is conveniently located between Tampa and Orlando. Lakeland has almost 100,000 population, but has the feel of a small, charming and preserved town. We have a lot of beautiful parks and recreational factilites, dozens of beautiful natural lakes (many of which are public parks) and plenty of arts and cultural opportunities as well. Lakeland has a gorgeous new open-air mall with fine stores and restaurants and a beautiful deco-style movie theater, and downtown we have an old restored atmospheric movie theater showing art films and live perforances.

Hope this little bit of info helps!

Gypsychic,
is it easy to find(rent) apartment in Lakeland?
-no income restricted places- just regular apartment complexes.
are the condo rentals available?
thanks

[gypsychic]

I found this website which gives some apartment complexes - one that is not on here is Willowbrooke, which is over near the new shopping mall, a very nice area.

Apartments Lakeland - EveryAptMapped - Lakeland Apartment Search

Welcome to Willowbrooke

You can also check Craigslist and various realtor sites. I don't know about condo rentals.

[Sweetascandy2106]

I have lived in both stuart and lakeland. I lived in South lakeland until about 7 years ago Loved it. Everythings close by, shopping, food, movies, almost everything you need, without the big city traffic. I liked living near the beach in stuart, But the cost of living was much higher. You can find a good deal on a house just north of stuart in port st lucie because the market is flooded right now.

[BucFan]

anyone comment on golf in the area (lakeland)?

[Nomadicus]

Originally Posted by BucFan

anyone comment on golf in the area (lakeland)?

This will help with locations and numbers. Best I can do as I don't golf. I zoomed in and saw three in a small area and I know there are many more.

Map of Lakeland, FL by MapQuest

[gypsychic]

Lakeland has TONS of golf - check out this comprehensive list:

http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses...st=Lakeland+FL