Retire to Lakeland?

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Best kept secret in FL? It's another Deltona...and not exactly on the list of choices 99% of those looking for a place to live.

Not to mention, it’s pretty far and away removed from anything.

[jveltriple7]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Best kept secret in FL? It's another Deltona...and not exactly on the list of choices 99% of those looking for a place to live.

I’m trying to understand what “another Deltona” means. Care to explain?

[Jimrob1]

This is what Lakeland is, and I'm going to say it just as it is. It is a obviously conservative family and church oriented area of Central Fla. Its population is made up, of very noticeable low income populations. The city is divided by incomes and several other obvious factors. Race, ethnicity and again income. There is some percentage of those living in poverty.

Then you have the retirees and the 6 month snowbirds. Primarily in this region of Fla, they are coming from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ontario. Some from a few other locales, but as mentioned dominates. I found many seem more rural residents from where they hail from. I have yet to meet any from major Metros in numbers. They do bring their viewpoints, mindsets, Religions etc etc. Over many decades which combined with the conservatism of Polk County. Has definitely helped shape what Lakeland and Polk County is today.

Medical can be adequate to not so great, depending on what your needs are. I have had to leave the area for surgery 2 years ago. It was not being offered here. Reason being the dept here resigned. I ended up going to Boston. I can assure mine is not an isolated case. So a retiree with complicated health needs, might do better elsewhere. Getting Appts in Tampa and Orlando can be a lengthy process. Reason way to many patients for the amount of Doctors in Florida. Not all doctors will be taking new patients, or Medicare. It other words its hit or miss.

Traffic is slow here on busy surface street light after light mope along driving. Obviously nothing much has been done to remedy it. Driving on I4 to leave the area, is a deathtrap. If others want to say differently. Well that's their business, My view its a deathtrap, and not addressed by the state. The drivers are extremely aggressive, and I find the level of it very concerning. Definitely a retiree needs to consider that fact living here. Living in a auto dependent state as one gets older with no family. Well its not a comforting thought, Should that be a retirees situation in life. Really drivers here are some of the most aggressive I have ever seen. I grew up in Greater Boston, and have lived in So Calif. I find driving here more terryifying, for a variety of reasons.


To sum it up. I think a retiree that doesn't fit the type, that have a similar background for this region. Then fitting in is difficult. Not enough outlets or support for that person will exist here. It is as I stated. A very conservative region. Retirees for the most part have noticeable similarities and backgrounds. If not geographical, then interest and cultures. I can't say its a very health conscious retiree here.

[SoulJourn]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Best kept secret in FL? It's another Deltona...and not exactly on the list of choices 99% of those looking for a place to live.

What is wrong with Poinciana and Deltona? I am trying to get a feel for the area, and certain communities continue to come up as a sort of Central Florida inside joke, that seems to be in a negative light. I have also heard St. Cloud spoken about this way.

What are the areas to avoid and why?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by SoulJourn

What is wrong with Poinciana and Deltona? I am trying to get a feel for the area, and certain communities continue to come up as a sort of Central Florida inside joke, that seems to be in a negative light. I have also heard St. Cloud spoken about this way.

What are the areas to avoid and why?

They're generally low income/low educated communities which continue to attract a similar demographic and/or those who cannot afford to buy into real estate elsewhere and despite healthy appreciation in home equity elsewhere in the region aren't seeing real estate values increase much at all. Both are planned communities which never fully panned out due to the housing crash among other issues, which has left them largely undeveloped commercially and lacking in many of the better services one might expect elsewhere (quality schools with an exception or two perhaps, good grocery stores, nicer restaurants, some amenities).

[aax]

Originally Posted by jveltriple7

I’m trying to understand what “another Deltona” means. Care to explain?

Do you live in Deltona?