Opinions of Lakeland, Florida

[musicotb]

Hello! So, I am interviewing for a job in Lakeland, FL next week. It'd be a great job and, if the pay is right, I'm likely to REALLY want to accept the offer. Anyone been there/live there/know anyone who does and what they think of the area and suburbs?

Thanks DIS-ers!

 

[sbsteel]

The best thing about Lakeland is its proximity to WDW.

When we relocated down here, we looked at Lakeland but truthfully weren't that impressed. We ended up in the Tampa Bay area and are very happy here. There were some nice neighborhoods, but a lot more that we didn't care for. The school system didn't wow us, either. When we were driving around and trying to get a feel of the town, we were underwhelmed.

I know several people who like it, but they like it mainly for its convenient location between Tampa and Orlando and commuting for work - but even they joke it's just a pit stop for everyone else traveling between the two.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Lakeland is a fairly simple, "small town" in central Florida. You won't feel as though you've moved into the local village, but it's not a city by any means.

It's a decent enough place to live.

If you want to live in Florida, and the pay is decent, then go for it. Now is a pretty good time to be buying a home (if that's what you'd want to do).

 

[musicotb]

Well the good things I've read:
-good market for first-time home buyers
-nice small-town feel
-... but close proximity to big cities
-... and of close it's near WDW!

But the negatives I've heard are:
-Unemployment REALLY high
-You can have a nice house in a nice neighborhood, but the local school is not so good...
-Crime is a little high

I would (obviously) have a job if this works out, but DBF is finishing his degree (in mgmt of information systems) and would either be looking for a job in IT or in his passion, golf.

I know if we move there now, since we don't have kids yet, the schools' quality isn't an immediate concern. But him working is.

Thoughts?

 

[sbsteel]

OP, are you going to be able to come down for a scouting trip before you accept the offer? You'll get a much better feel once you're able to experience it yourself. Again, from experience, we thought it looked great on paper. IRL, not so much.

Pretty much all of central Florida is a good market for first time homebuyers. There are some great deals to be had all over!

Plus side for your DBF, he'll be in a prime location to commute to either Orlando or Tampa if he gets a job in his field (or his passion!).

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

One of the things we did prior to moving to Florida was to research crime reports for the areas in which we were interested. That resulted in our not choosing the Tampa area.

We didn't come to Florida to live where we are now, however (family matters) but would recommend you do the same. Take a look at the crime statistics for the area where you have interest.

Unemployment is high all over Florida. It has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, so keep that in mind too. If you can both live on your salary, that will be a good thing. Tath will give your partner time to find something.

A co-worker of mine has a son who just graduated with a degree in IT, and he has ended up taking a job teaching math. He was happy to get the job...

 

[musicotb]

Yeah - my interview is in Lakeland - I already did a phone interview. We'll have some time afterward to drive around.

We're both OK with living in a smaller town, as long as we can get to a city in an hour or so, so Lakeland fits that.

I know there are good and not-so-good neighborhoods (as there are in any city). Any opinions?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Look at the commuting pattern and try not to get caught in the middle of that. Drive around and look closely at the neighborhoods. What are the cars in the driveways? Are there bars on the windows, chain link fences, beware of the dog signs? What is the condition of the properties?

Drive by in the morning and at night. Drive by during the weekend too...

Look at the windows of the homes. Are the blinds broken, glass broken, sheets for curtains???

Those things all might point toward rental property and that is generally a place you may want to consider avoiding.

 

[d1sneyf4n]

My brother has lived in Lakeland since he was 18 and he is now 35. His wife has lived there since she was 7. I would say pick the south side of Lakeland rather than the north. He does live on the north side and does not really have a problem with it. He does like the south side better and my sister-n-laws mothers lives on the south side. They have 2 daughters that they send to academy schools. They do not pay a tution but the girls do have to wear uniforms. My sister-n-law is a dean of a middle school in Bartow(not far from Lakeland) and I hear stories that I really do not hear here in the north. I know if I was able to move to Florida I would consider Lakeland. It may be bc my brother, sister-n-law and nieces are there. I have visted many of time with my own family and I do not see a real problem with it. I guess it is like most places...........some parts are good and some are not so hot. The home prices are low and the taxes are low as well. Let me know if u need any more info. My brother works at Geico there in Lakeland and has never said he wanted t live the area. Good Luck!

 

[dopeysgirl01]

My DH's whole family lives in Lakeland. It really is a "small town" southern town. The south side, zip code 33813 is the better part of town. You do not want the north side. The town has built up alot over the past 15 years that DH and I have been visiting his family there. Without traffic it's about 35-40 min to Disney. Tampa is also really close as well. If you do move there and need a house, I happen to have a great three bedroom in the better school area that we need a renter or a buyer for! We bought it in 04 and our renter just moved out. Feel free to pm me for any more info on Lakeland.

 

[musicotb]

Thanks so much for the advice so far! We wouldn't be moving until June. I lived in Clearwater with my ex Summer of 2008 and I didn't like how congested it was, so I'm ok with a smaller town. I am not personally too crazy about the humidity in the summer, but I'd prefer dealing with that to the awful weather we're having in Cleveland, OH right now!

 

[lillygator]

I wouldn't base a zip on a "better" part, geez of course there are better parts than others- I was born and raised there, my family still lives there so any questions, please ask.