What BestPlaces Users Say about Lakeland
Lakeland, Florida is a mid-sized city located in Polk County. It has a population of over 100,000 residents and is known for its numerous lakes, outdoor recreational activities, and historic downtown area. It is also home to Florida Southern College, which boasts the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. With its warm climate and affordable housing, many people are drawn to Lakeland for its quality of life. However, like any city, there are both positive and negative aspects to living there. Here are some summarized user reviews from BestPlaces.net to give you a better understanding of what it's like to live in Lakeland.
1. According to user "JohnD," Lakeland is a great place to raise a family. He says, "There are plenty of parks and outdoor activities for kids, and the public schools are top-notch." He also mentions that the cost of living is reasonable and the job market is growing, making it a desirable place to live for families.
2. On the other hand, user "SamanthaB" expresses her frustration with the traffic in Lakeland. She says, "Traffic is a nightmare, especially during rush hour. It's definitely a downside to living here." She also mentions that the public transportation system is not very reliable, so owning a car is necessary.
3. In terms of the community, user "SarahP" says that Lakeland has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. She shares, "People are so friendly here. It's easy to make friends and feel like you're part of a close-knit community." She also praises the city's diversity and cultural events.
4. User "MarkT" offers a balanced perspective, stating that Lakeland has its pros and cons. He notes, "While the cost of living is affordable, the job market is not as strong as other cities in Florida. But if you're retired or don't mind commuting for work, it's a great place to live." He also mentions that the crime rate is relatively low, making it a safe place to reside.
Overall, these user reviews on BestPlaces.net give a mixed but generally positive view of living in Lakeland, Florida. It seems to be a family-friendly city with a strong sense of community, but there are some downsides such as traffic and job opportunities. Ultimately, it may be a suitable choice for those seeking a laid-back Florida lifestyle.
based on 27 ReviewsGet to know Lakeland with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Lakeland
Best move I've made - 9/24/2006
We moved to Lakeland two years ago and find it has the best to offer for a mid size city with a great plan for the future. It really shows, the effort in proper rebuilding and planning when a city feels and looks as great as Lakeland.
Not to big, not to small, just
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Pretty nice town to live - 8/13/2006
We moved here from PA. Lakeland is a nice area with alot to do outdoors and the weather is very nice if you like the warmer weather like us. Sure you don't get the 4 seasons like you do in the north but getting mild winters is great. Also it is no hotter here than anywhere up north in the summer, just lasts a few months longer at the higher temps. I was fortunate to transfer with my job and making the same pay as I did before, maybe even alittle better. But from what I hear the pay scale here is pretty low. We like the area and the climate and there's alot to see and do in nearby Tampa and Orlando. Some of the bad points are the insurance. Very high auto and home insurance, especially the home insurance. Definitely take that into consideration if you are moving here. Home ins. is a big issue right now and they wanna raise rates 70% or more so you're talking about a few grand a year which is completely out of hand. So much so that quite a few of the people in Florida are moving out.
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New to Lakeland - 8/8/2006
I recently moved to Lakeland. I am a teacher. So far my experience with Polk County Schools has been positive. It seems like they are really working hard to make the schools the best they can be. I find that people complain about the schools everywhere so you have to take it with a grain of salt. Lakeland is a lovely little city. There are beautiful lakes and a charming downtown. As for traffic, congestion, overcrowding I'll just say this...I'm from NYC where the average commute is 90 minutes and the population is in the millions. This is nothing to complain about. My commute here is about 20 minutes with virtually no traffic. If you're looking for a vibrant small town vibe, Lakeland's got
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I've lived in Lakeland all my life! - 6/19/2006
I lived in teh same house in Lakeland, FL all my life (18 years). I've seen most of the US by travel and some otehr countries. I still wouldn't move from my house, I'm surrounded by the best elementary school, middle and the most populated high school in Polk County. Plus, I've Polk Community College/USF right down the road, less than 5 minutes. There are some great places to picnic, and fire ants aren't that much of a problem when you go to the parks. Downtown Lakeland has sidewalks and is a beautiful place for music, dining and just going to the park. We've got a few great alkes that you can walk around. The commute is not bad at all. I mean, I drive on teh busiest road there is in Lakeland that I can think of, and that's Hwy 98. There really isn't that much traffic unless it's between 7:45-8:00 am and 5:15-5:45 pm. But, that is just about anywhere. But, overall, I LOVE Lakeland and I wouldn't give it up for anything (unless I had a ranch...)!
-Angela, 18, Lakeland,
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Too Crowded - 5/20/2006
We moved to Lakeland in Summer of 2000. As of 2006, the traffic is unbearable. The congestion, and over development is just too much. There is nothing green. Concrete, and stores, and roads, no beauty left....Subdivisions upon subdivisions, all homes look alike....The weather is warm, but you can keep the fire ants, and inability to picnic, or garden! This is a cool place if you want the cookie cutter track home in a subdivision where you have no trees or sidewalks, and nosy neighbors. School system, Polk County is the worst. Do not move here if you have a child with special needs. I would not endorse a move to Lakeland, unless you like traffic, too many people, and not enough services to support the influx moving
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Lakelands Growing - 2/4/2006
I've been living here in Lakeland since Nov. 2000. It wasn’t too bad at that time, but since then, their has been quite an explosion in Development. From major road work and Land developed, to expansion of Retail. Real Estate has appreciated as much as 25% in some areas and after the four Hurricanes of 2004 that Damage trees and power lines Property Taxes and Home Owner Insurance clime steadily. Crime and Auto Accidents are becoming more common as is the Drug and Alcohol Problem, causing Auto Insurance to increase as well. Schools can’t keep up with the Growth, increasing with Cubicles (Modular Class Rooms) because they can’t build fast enough. As Lakeland is growing in size so are the issues. I here people frequently complaining that they can’t afford their Homes because their employment isn’t keeping up with the Cost of Living here. A Professional may differ in their perception as Income may distance them from some of these issues. Finally, Lakeland is quickly becoming a small City,
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Weather - 12/17/2005
Lakeland is highly rated for its winter weather. For the most part, winter is mild except for a couple of times in January and February when cold air from Canada comes all the way down. Then we may have a period of a week in which the temperatures are low forties at night and high fifties during the day time. Other wise the winters are very good. Summer time during the hurricane season, whether we have no hurricanes coming ashore or three, the humidity and heat is very high, especially in the months of July and August. Hot weather continues usually until into October and so does the threat of
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