Winter Haven?

[pixiepower1971]

We are thinking of making a move from the SW coast(Fort Myers). Anybody living in Winter Haven or former residents of the area care to share their opinions of the area? We are in our mid 30s with elementary aged kids.
Thanks!

 

[ilovepcot]

I live the next town over but have worked in WH in the past. Occasionally drive over for stained glass supplies, etc. Seems to be mostly retired elderly there and no mecca for big businesses of any kind (that *I'm* aware of). Curious as to why you've chosen that particular town. It IS very pretty! Marlasmom lives there as I recall. She could give you lots of info.

 

[pixiepower1971]

We want to be a little more centrally located in FL and my parents are really interested in that area. Would be nice to be in the same town as them but they seem pretty fixated on Winter Haven and I know nothing about it! Property values seem to be great(compared to Ft Myers/Cape Coral!) but I am not sure what else is there...especially for my kids. Good elementary schools(public or private) and a great dance studio are top on the list of necessities for wherever we end up. Within an hour communte of WDW would be perfect! Just starting this search. Right now we split time between FL and TX..would love to be in one place for awhile!

 

[ilovepcot]

Can't help you where schools are concerned but the town is very, very pretty! And yes, real estate prices are some of the best you'll find in FL. Lakeland is only 15 miles away and for a family raising children, it may have more of the things you're looking for. Icebrat is looking into the Lakeland area also....or was. Haven't seen her on here recently. She found Lakeland real estate to be great in terms of what you could get for the money. By all means, take a look at it, too!

 

[lillygator]

I was born and raised in Lakeland...very close to WH....I was in many a play and musical at Theatre Winter Haven! Still travel over there to the Indians spring training. I do find it to be more of a retired community though. Lakeland is a great place to raise a family I think and real estate is much better there than here in Sarasota. -but I have to be somewhat of a drive from my family! Lakeland has some great dance studios as well as a performing arts high school!! (I went there!) Neither are far from WDW either...close enough we used to drive over to Epcot for dinner.

 

[pixiepower1971]

Thanks so much for the replies!

Lilliygator- do you happen to have a link for the performing arts hs? My oldest is definately going to want to go that way unless she completely changes who she is! We have to drag her from the dance studio at the end of the day!

I would LOVE to be able to drive in for dinner...the drive from Ft Myers is a bit long for that!

 

[Poohnatic]

When I was moving down, I was looking at Lakeland. The southern part of town, on the Bartow border, had good schools and great builders. That puts you very close to your parents, about a 25 minute drive to the mall and about an hour to WDW.

One of the schools on Christiana road, was a year round elementary (IIRC, Valleyview).

My inlaws are on the north side of Lakeland and it's nice over there, too. That would put you about a half hour from Winter Haven.

Good luck on your move.

 

[Virgo10]

I live in Auburndale which is only minutes from WH. Winter Haven is very nice. Lots of stores and the home of Cypress Gardens. Yes, there are a lot of elderly there but, with all the new homes going up, I would imagine there's a fair share of families as well.

Auburndale seems to have more young people. Here's the town website.

Auburndale, FL

We've been very happy here.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Another Auburndale person checking in. We are on the other side of town than Virgo, I believe. I find Auburndale close enough to WH, but not quite as busy.

Are you planning on buying existing or new?

Ted

 

[pixiepower1971]

Thanks for all the replies! I am going to look into Lakeland a little more and I had never even heard of Auburndale. I will be looking into that as well.

Ted-I usually really love new construction but if I can find an existing home that gives me a little more for my money I am game!

Any other neat small towns in that area?

 

[Virgo10]

Any other neat small towns in that area?

Lake Alfred. It borders Auburndale to the northeast.
Lake Alfred, FL

Polk City is just to the north of us.
Polk City

 

[Ted and Holly]

Thanks for all the replies! I am going to look into Lakeland a little more and I had never even heard of Auburndale. I will be looking into that as well.

Ted-I usually really love new construction but if I can find an existing home that gives me a little more for my money I am game!

Any other neat small towns in that area?

That is the problem. We had to buy new construction. Most of the existing homes about the same size were almost $100k more!

Ted

 

[marlasmom]

I live in Winter Haven. I really don't know too much about the schools, but there are several magnet schools that are wonderful. My gs goes to a private Lutheran school which is absolutely tops. Tuition is about $5,000 per year. Prices are going up very fast. Lots of new construction everywhere. Great recreation program - summer day camp for everybody was about $35 a week including two trips a week (universal, sea world, etc.) My house would sell for about $180,000 (paid $120,000 3 years ago) is 3 years old, three bedrooms (2 small, 1 huge), very large "great room," 2 full baths, nice kitchen, 2 car garage, screened lanai and pool, inside laundry room. Quite small but fine for the 2 of us and most people in our tract have kids. PM me if you want or we'd be happy to have you visit us.

 

[ilovepcot]

I believe the school you want to know about may be the one called HARRISON SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. It's located at 750 Hollingsworth Road. (Don't know about a web site.) I used to know a few of the teachers there but they've recently relocated. Has a very good reputation from what I hear.

 

[lillygator]

her you go!

http://www.harrisonarts.com/content/

 

[ilovepcot]

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