Relocating to Lakeland Highlands, FL -pros and cons?
You can expect to pay around $1,817 for rent here. Rent is about $1,817/month for a decent place. With a population of 11,669, Lakeland Highlands is a small town. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Madeline Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Houston about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Angel F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Wyatt Gutierrez
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much pricey but now it's surprisingly good.
38 upvotes
bella_runner
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
38 upvotes
Kinsley Adams
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Bella Howard
This.
30 upvotes
Ezra Myers
this is the way
27 upvotes
Piper
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's average.
19 upvotes
Delilah Davis
thanks for sharing
18 upvotes
Adrian W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
16 upvotes
Kai M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Sarah M.
as a local I can confirm
11 upvotes
Paisley Price
I've lived in North for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The outdoor recreation scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..