My Parents Need Your Help! (Lakeland: condominiums, mortgage, loan)

[ERH]

Originally Posted by Parental Units

I appreciate every response. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind residing in Lakeland full time.

Lakeland native here -- I visit 4-5 times/year to help care for my elderly father. Residing in Lakeland but commuting back/forth to Tampa? That will get old very quickly unless he's able to set his own hours and travel during off-peak. Even then, there's no avoiding the I-4 accidents (deadliest highway in the US, I believe).

Which part of Tampa?

[SellingNWCape]

I agree with ERH. Lakeland to Tampa doesn't seem like a rough commute mileage-wise, but that drive will get really old, really fast if he ends up needing to take I-4. We try to avoid I-4 at all costs when possible because most times people are either driving maniacally (which leads to the aforementioned accidents) or traffic is at a complete standstill. It doesn't have the nice flow like I-75 does for the most part. I-4 is comprised of a lot of Disney traffic (and the other parks) so it's often filled with a lot of both foreign and domestic tourists who are maybe on that highway for the 1st time ever which doesn't work well when some cars are trying to do 100 while weaving in & out of heavy traffic. So if they must live in Lakeland, make sure your father has route options available if he needs to divert off I-4 for any reason.

There might be some houses available in their budget, but it will be difficult. Certainly nothing with good public transportation between cities as most of the transit systems are not super extensive like they are in larger cities. If your mother could learn to drive, that would benefit her mobility in the area greatly. You might want to see if Ruskin or Palmetto would work for them, depending on what part of Tampa your father will be working in. There is high-speed rail (Brightline) coming to Tampa eventually that will connect to Orlando and then down to Miami but it's years away, 2025 last I read, and not sure if they will have a Lakeland stop or not.

[Parental Units]

Originally Posted by ERH

Lakeland native here -- I visit 4-5 times/year to help care for my elderly father. Residing in Lakeland but commuting back/forth to Tampa? That will get old very quickly unless he's able to set his own hours and travel during off-peak. Even then, there's no avoiding the I-4 accidents (deadliest highway in the US, I believe).

Which part of Tampa?

That’s good to know. Thanks. North Tampa.

[lluvia]

If you think it's bad now, you should have seen I-4 35 years ago.
It was like being on a rollercoaster and difficult to see the traffic stopped ahead.

[Jimrob1]

There is virtually no bus service between Greater Tampa and Lakeland. There is the Amtrak train between Tampa and downtown Lakeland. I'm not sure how many trains a day there is. I doubt there is many. I also doubt the Amtrak station is in downtown Tampa, where there are bus lines.

The local bus in Lakeland isn't that bad if you live in the central core. Say downtown to the Mall or downtown running along So Fla Ave. Other than that is limited service. The bus company would like to have a better system, unfortunately it's not we'll funded.

I don't think the bus line and where your parents could buy a home is going to work. Most likely they will not find something in their budget with decent bus service. If at all. Or it wouldn't be an area they would want. Lakeland and the Tampa area have little to no interest in transit. There should be interest in transit in such heavily populated regions but it's ignored. It is what it is I guess.

Perhaps your parents could look at some housing areas up near the mall. Up in the No Fla Ave region. At least up there your Mom would have access to stores and some bus lines. North Lakeland is generally less expensive than South Lakeland. Plus So Lakeland gets so suburban I don't think there is much bus service.

Good Luck.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

There is virtually no bus service between Greater Tampa and Lakeland. There is the Amtrak train between Tampa and downtown Lakeland. I'm not sure how many trains a day there is. I doubt there is many. I also doubt the Amtrak station is in downtown Tampa, where there are bus lines.

I can't speak to the frequency of Amtrak trains between Tampa and Lakeland, but the Amtrak station is, in fact, in downtown Tampa, albeit on the far east side of downtown. Certainly within walking distance of a few bus lines and the downtown proper.

RM

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by MortonR

I can't speak to the frequency of Amtrak trains between Tampa and Lakeland, but the Amtrak station is, in fact, in downtown Tampa, albeit on the far east side of downtown. Certainly within walking distance of a few bus lines and the downtown proper.

RM

Oh ok I thought the Tampa Amtrak Station was further out. Thanks.

[ERH]

West Polk County Bus Route

If your mom is comfortable walking to and waiting at stops, transferring buses, etc., then they could buy wherever they can afford. If she needs to stick to 1 bus, the blue line is the one to go with. There is housing along Mall Hill Drive and Sleepy Hill Road that may fit their budget. Use Google Street View to get a visual on those areas. I can't speak to safety and crime statistics in those areas, but the city or police department should have that data.

[vaniq]

Have you considered a condominium instead of a single family home?

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by Parental Units

Hey there! I’m looking for information for my parents. They will be relocating from New York to Florida this year.

My parents will be staying with a family member in Lakeland. They are relocating because of a new job opportunity. My Dad’s new job is located in Tampa.

Eventually, they want to purchase a home of their own. They’ve been renting their entire lives and they don’t want to do that anymore.

I believe that what they are looking for will be hard to find. But maybe you all can help them out.

My Dad can drive, but my Mom can’t. That being said, they are looking for a place where my Mom can still get around. So she doesn’t feel trapped. A relatively decent walk to a bus stop would be nice. Or, maybe a place with some shops around. I know it won’t be as convenient as New York.

I am not sure what their exact budget is. But I do know they want to be well under 200k. I don’t even know if that is possible. Maybe less than $1,400 a month for mortgage.

Do you think any of this is possible? Maybe in Tampa, near Tampa, or between Tampa and Lakeland.

Breakdown:

Single Family Home
Access to public transportation
Under $200,000
SAFE

Edit: I may have to post this bit in the Lakeland section. I wonder, is there a place that fits some/all of the criteria above, where my Mom can get into Lakeland in under an hour? In case she wants to visit that family member in Lakeland.

This builder appears to have homes in that area with no money down that are just slightly above 200K

https://www.lgihomes.com/florida/orl...nsington-view# They have some in Lakeland also. They have models that are under $1400.