Orlando area Dissers...how is Winter Haven?

[Pig Pen]

We are planning to move to FL in January 2011. We have already sold our house here and are beginning to look around for a place near Orlando. We found something online in Winter Haven that looks interesting. Since my parents live in Zephyrhills, they are going to go take a look at it for us.

Anyone familiar with the Winter Haven area? It appears to be within commuting distance to WDW (where we hope to work). We have toured around the Davenport/Clermont/Poinciana area in the past but never as far as Winter Haven.

Any comments are welcome! Thanks.

 

[FireDancer]

I spent a lot of time in Winter Haven in the fall of 2003 and spring of 2004. I had just moved to Clearwater and one of my friends worked for the Indians and their spring training was in Winter Haven at the time.

It was way too small of a city for me. It is a more authentic Florida city then the larger ones, meaning it is populated by actual Floridians for the most part as opposed to relocated northerners.

As for the drive to Disney, it is easy. Basically you just head up 27 to I-4 and you are 7 miles from the Disney exit (exit 62).

If I were going to be looking in the area I would be looking closer to either Lakeland or Davenport. I can't say there was anything bad about Winter Haven but it just didn't feel like a place I would want to live after spending a lot of time there. It's hard to really explain but you just get a feeling for the place.

 

[Pig Pen]

Thanks. Currently we live out in the sticks so big cities are a little intimidating to us. I guess I my concerns would center on crime and traffic!

We would definitely take a quick trip down to assess the area before committing to anything. We hear there is a new Legoland being built at Cypress Gardens which should really liven up the area.

BTW, we lived in Clearwater many years ago, in fact we graduated from Dunedin High School so are familiar with that area. It has REALLY grown since then. We visited recently and I didn't even recognize alot of the areas we used to frequent. DH would love to go back there, but we both agree it's a little too congested for us.

Maybe the small town life will be appealing to us? Thanks again.

 

[woodkins]

About 5 years ago my dh had a softball tournament in Winter Haven. We were staying at the Holiday Inn there & it was the most frightening night I have ever spent in my life. There were people selling drugs next door (yes we heard and saw it through the door of our room). We arrived at the hotel around 1am and by 7am we were booking a room in WDW & commuting to the tournament instead of commuting to WDW.

After speaking to people who were "locals" at the tourny & in WDW we were told that Winter Haven is not the best area crime wise and was in their words (not mine) "ghetto". We are from the NYC area so it isn't like we were a bunch of hay seeds coming to the big city either Before committing to a neighborhood I would get a hotel in the area and spend the weekend or a few days to get a feeling for it. Visit the local grocery stores, public parks, libraries, Target, Walmart etc.