Tampa to Orlando: Looking for safe city between cities

[TootsieWootsie]

I'm taking all this in from you fine folks!

[aninaction]

haha, apparently im elist because i have opinions and am a little picky. i dont like an area? oh that must be because i've never lived there? and i can say "white trash" cause i grew up white trash, from a poor white trash background. keep your anti-elitism silliness to yourself.

i grew up in lakeland, as well as largoish. have many friends who grew up in lakeland, and a close friend of many years who was born there.

ill agree the arts museum there has been leaps and bounds for the area, though the director making many of those leaps and bounds has now left for elsewhere. however, the galleries are horrible.

i've never seen anything i liked about lakeland. nothing. period. PERIOD, i say.

[geos]

Originally Posted by RECD Designz

I'm north of downtown Lakeland in a community by the Mall and definitely don't consider it a bad area. I'd say between north of downtown & I4 is the least desirable area, as well as to the east.

That being said, South Lakeland is probably the nicest (and pricey-ist) area.

Here's some pictures I have taken around the downtown Lakeland area --> Lakeland FL pics (http://www.flickr.com/photos/recddesignz/tags/lakeland/show/ - broken link)

Great pics! Thanks.

[sunshynesfamily]

I love this chat! Great info. My husband are looking to relocate to this same area. However, our situation is a bit different. I personally like Tampa, my husband and I would like to find somewhere in between Tampa and Orlando for a young family, we are 32 and are children are in elementry. But, we are looking for a town where we can get the most for our money in a home but, still be in a safe environment. I am a Realtor so, I have access to that information...I would like to get point of views from locals.

[Aconite]

Originally Posted by Lakeland Yankee

You could also check out Davenport. I hear mixed things about it but since i'm not a resident I have no right to give an opinion. Best of luck on your search and I hope you find what you are looking for.

Davenport would not be on my top 10 list. Or my top 100. It's...mmm...well...<searching for something complimentary>...well, at least it's not Belle Glade.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Aconite

Davenport would not be on my top 10 list. Or my top 100. It's...mmm...well...<searching for something complimentary>...well, at least it's not Belle Glade.

Agreed. Lakeland and Winter Haven would be the only Polk County cities I would recommend between Tampa/Orlando. If one wants a small town, Lake Wales is also nice.

[lyriclocks]

What is the "deal" with Bartow? I'm thinking perhaps the no mention is purposeful.

[leo1976]

If you decide to live in Lakeland, and want quick access to I-4 (so you can go to Tampa or Orlando), you have to live in North Lakeland (exit 31/32). As the numbers indicate, you are about 31/32 miles from Tampa and about 55-60 miles from Orlando. Sure, Orlando is twice the distance, and the traffic can make it seem like it is 4 times!

North Lakeland has really become very developed over the last 5 years: a full mall, all manner or retail stores, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Macy's, Dillards, Publix, CVS, etc. etc. all concentrated 1 to 2 miles from exit 32.

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by leo1976

If you decide to live in Lakeland, and want quick access to I-4 (so you can go to Tampa or Orlando), you have to live in North Lakeland (exit 31/32). As the numbers indicate, you are about 31/32 miles from Tampa and about 55-60 miles from Orlando. Sure, Orlando is twice the distance, and the traffic can make it seem like it is 4 times!

North Lakeland has really become very developed over the last 5 years: a full mall, all manner or retail stores, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Macy's, Dillards, Publix, CVS, etc. etc. all concentrated 1 to 2 miles from exit 32.

If the OP is still reading this thread, something tells me that they already figured this out...