Lakeland blends the historic and the modern while remaining true to its roots
The Central Florida town of Lakeland combines historic neighborhoods with contemporary amenities in a picturesque Polk County setting. This eclectic destination, which features a buzzy downtown district and a college campus with the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, is home to more than 125,000, making it the largest city in one of the fastest-growing regions of the country. Almost 90,000 people have moved to Polk County since 2020, and more than 10 percent have settled in Lakeland. “We’ve seen quite substantial growth in our area over the last several years,” says Kevin Cook, Lakeland’s director of communications. But growth doesn’t necessarily mean change. “It has all the things a larger city has, but the people here make it feel like a small town,” says Cyleste McClintock Goodson, a real estate agent for Regal Real Estate LLC and Lakeland resident.
Lakeland is a city where history lives, culture beckons and amenities abound.
The Lake Mirror Classic is a family fun event which takes place along the Lake Mirror Promenade.
Fisherman frequent the numerous lakes around Lakeland for top rated bass fishing.
Lakeland host the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at FSC.
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Downtown Lakeland provides a “pretty magical experience”
Downtown Lakeland is home to a thriving dining, shopping and entertainment scene, with more than 40 restaurants and bars, 20 retail stores and popular weekly events. Nineteen61, an upscale Latin-Southern fusion restaurant is a highlight of the district’s dining destinations. Head chef Marcos Fernandez named the establishment after the year his parents were exiled from Cuba. Mojo Federal Swine and Spirits offers a different kind of contemporary dining experience with a focus on barbecue, southern cuisine and whiskey.
The district also includes an array of craft breweries and casual restaurants. Shoppers can peruse boutique stores along walkable streets that come to life when the sun goes down. “It’s a pretty magical experience walking through the downtown at night because we have those old-fashioned string lights and drip lights in the trees,” Cook says.
First Friday downtown attracts thousands to Munn Park each month. It features arts and crafts vendors and extended shopping hours, and the highlight is a classic car show. The Squeeze is a free golf cart service that takes locals to points of interest downtown on Fridays and Saturdays.
Several retail centers are located along Florida Avenue South, the city’s primary commercial corridor. Lakeland Square Mall and Lakeside Village are popular stops. The city has two Targets, two Walmarts and two Home Depots. Residents can shop for groceries at several Publix throughout the city. The Downtown Farmers Curb Market draws a crowd every Saturday with food vendors, plants and herbs, home décor, furniture and clothes.
Downtown also serves as the city’s cultural center. Visitors can watch movies at the historic Polk Theater and take in plays at the Lakeland Community Theatre. The Downtown Public Art Trail is the city’s newest cultural attraction. Public art can be found throughout Lakeland, as a series of commissioned murals grace the facades of selected businesses. The Polk Museum of Art on the Florida Southern campus is a Smithsonian-affiliated venue that has been a Lakeland staple since 1966.
Nineteen Sixty-One offers Latin American cuisine in an intimate, upscale atmosphere.
Mojo Federal Swine & Spirits offers a unique twist on souther cuisine and whiskey.
Craft beer connoisseurs flock to Cob & Pen for American fare in a unique Tudor style house.
Stroll down Kentucky Avenue and shop local artist and crafters.
Every Saturday people can attend Lakelands Downtown Farmers Market for local produce and vendors
Bring the whole family to Lakeside Village for a night out for live music, events, and shopping.
The historic Polk Theater offers the community a spot for plays and classic movies weekly.
The Polk Museum of Arts showcases various artist known worldwide as well as local artist.
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Attractive architecture highlights the city’s historic neighborhoods
The city preserves its past with seven historic districts, where brick streets are flanked by canopies of mature trees. Two popular options are Historic Dixieland and Historic Beacon Hill. Dixieland features the largest collection of the city’s iconic Craftsman bungalows, while Beacon Hill offers a variety of traditional architectural styles, including American Foursquare, Spanish Colonial and Tudor Revival. “We have established neighborhoods that are tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the busy cities around us,” Cook says. Lakeland’s historic homes typically range in price from the high $200,000s to the low $700,000s.
Other featured neighborhoods include Lake Hollingsworth, which features million-dollar homes along the lake as well as “teardowns,” in which homes are bought, torn down and replaced, typically with larger options. Homebuyers looking for contemporary options often turn to the Grasslands and Oakbridge neighborhoods. “That’s where most of our open land is located, so that’s where developers and national builders are purchasing large swaths of land,” Cook says.
Lakeland’s median listing price of $350,000 is less than Orlando at $395,000 and Tampa at $465,000. Very few properties are in a flood zone, although like most Florida locales, even the ones in Central Florida, the city is prone to flooding and related wind damage during hurricane season.
Lakeland's seven historic districts, are flanked by canopies of mature Camphor trees.
Dixieland features the largest collection of Lakeland's iconic Craftsman bungalows.
Beacon Hill offers a variety of traditional architectural styles, including Spanish Colonials.
Lakeland’s historic homes typically range in price from the high $200,000s to the low $700,000s.
The Lake Hollingsworth area of Lakeland features million-dollar mansions along the lake.
Homebuyers looking for contemporary options often turn to the Grasslands or Oakbridge area.
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Collegiate High School, McKeel Academy of Technology are A-rated institutions
Students are served by Polk County Schools, which earns a B from Niche and is the county’s second-largest employer. Quality educational institutions are located throughout the district, which offers school choice. There are 24 K-12 public schools rated B-plus or higher. Lakeland itself has six schools rated either A or A-minus. The A-rated Collegiate High School offers an accelerated early-college experience. Qualifying high school juniors and seniors can study on the adjacent Polk State College Lakeland campus to work towards their associate degree while earning their high school diploma. McKeel Academy of Technology, also A-rated, serves students in grades seven through 12. It offers six academies and programs, including CREATE – Computer Science, Robotics, Electronics and Technical Education. Lakeland is home to several public and private universities, including Southeastern University, Florida Polytechnic University, Polk State College and Florida Southern College. The FSC campus is home to 13 buildings designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, Water Dome Fountain and Usonian Faculty House are among the structures that highlight the longest-lasting commission of Wright’s career. The liberal arts school is the oldest private college in Florida and was named a National Historic Landmark in 2012.
Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School currently has a A rating according to niche.com.
The McKeel Academy of Technology serves students in grades 6-12 near the Lake Bonet region.
One of the premier colleges near Lake Bonny is Southeastern University a pride of the area.
Florida Polytechnic University is one of Florida's newest universities for STEM.
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Publix distribution center is in west Lakeland
Publix is the largest employer in Polk County, and its distribution center is located on the city’s west side. Economic incentives continue to draw new employers to the area, with a projected 10-year job growth of 42.5%, according to a 2023 report from the city.
Publix is the largest employer in Polk County.
Publix Supermarkets have become a go to shopping destination in the Lakeland area.
Publix's corporate offices and distribution centers lie on the western edge of Lakeland.
Economic incentives continue to draw new employers to the area, including companies like Amazon.
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Feed the swans at Lake Morton; enjoy the immersive setting of Bonnet Springs Park
There’s a reason why a swan is on the Lakeland logo. “It’s almost a rite of passage for people to come and feed the swans on Lake Morton,” Cook says. “Every hour, there are people out there feeding them.” Lakeland’s parks are as abundant and varied as its lakes, with more than 70 green spaces and recreational venues.
Near the downtown area, locals make a loop around Lake Mirror on the historic Frances Langford Promenade, stopping to see the manicured landscaping at Hollis Garden. In 2023, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued mandates for the city to improve the water quality of several lakes. Imbalanced nutrient levels in the lakes lead to issues such as harmful algae blooms.
Common Ground Park is Polk County’s first inclusive recreational experience, accommodating children of all abilities with ground-accessible playscapes. Bonnet Springs Park is the city’s newest. The sprawling, interactive complex engages the senses through recreation and encourage learning through explorations. In addition to being the home of the Florida Children’s Museum, the park also features a nature center, a lagoon, a butterfly house and three playgrounds. Three Parks Trail is a large loop connecting parks and recreational facilities in south Lakeland, with Common Ground Park on the north end and Curtis Peterson Park on the south end.
Lakeland has several large recreational complexes, which, in addition to offering outdoor spaces with athletic facilities, serve as gathering spaces for the community concert band, beginner guitar classes, children’s ballet and dozens of other community programs. In addition, locals can watch the Detroit Tigers during spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium or get up close and personal with animals at Safari Wilderness Ranch.
The Famous Majestic Swans of Lake Morton are Lakelands most Iconic Symbol.
Walk along the promenade next to Lake Mirror in Downtown Lakeland.
Stop by and bask in the beauty and variety of flowers and plants at Holis Gardens.
Common Ground Park is Polk County’s first all inclusive recreational playscapes.
Spanning 168 acres Bonnet Springs Park offers a place for residents to enjoy the outdoors.
Learn about the various species of butterflies in the butterfly garden at Bonnet Springs Park.
Stock up on all your Flying Tigers gear at the D Shop in Tigertown.
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Easy to navigate by foot and bike
Bicyclists and pedestrians can get around the city safely thanks to a network of sidewalks, bike lanes and trails integrated with roadways. The city earns bronze-level distinctions from Walk Friendly Communities and the League of American Bicyclists. The Citrus Connection bus system services Lakeland and connects with nearby cities such as Winter Haven. Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center is centrally located along Florida Avenue less than 2 miles north of downtown. It has offered primary, pediatric and emergency care for more than a century. The Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children opened there in 2018. The Lakeland Amtrak station is centrally located in the city and connects to stops from Orlando to Miami. Lakeland-Linder International Airport was set to offer limited commercial service via Avelo Airlines beginning in May 2024. It is the site of the annual Sun ‘n’ Fun Aerospace Expo, a Lakeland tradition for more than 50 years. The event attracts 200,000 visitors to see aircraft of all shapes and sizes, enjoy aerial performances and attend hands-on workshops and STEM and Career Fair activities for younger aviators. Nearby Interstate 4 connects directly to Tampa about 35 miles west and Orlando about 50 miles north. Both cities have international airports.
Joggers are always out on the Lake Hollingsworth Trail in Cleveland Heights.
The Citrus Connection bus system services Lakeland and connects with nearby cities.
Lakeland Regional Medical Center is a state-of-the-art hospital located just north of downtown.
Lakeland’s Amtrak station is just 2.8 miles from Lake Hollingsworth.
Fly commercially via Avelo Airlines through Lakeland Linder International Airport.
Put yourself in the cockpit of a vintage bomber at Sun 'N Fun Expo.
Nearby Interstate 4 connects Lakeland to both Tampa to the West & Orlando to the North.
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Crime trends in Polk County
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the county experienced a reported property crime rate higher than the state figures in 2021. During the same period, the county had a lower reported violent crime rate than the rest of the state. Between 2020 and 2021, violent crimes rose 15%. In 2024, Polk County commissioners dedicated over $12 million towards safety improvements and upgrades to police facilities.
I'm Nicole Salter from New York, and I juggle various roles - daughter, sister, wife, and proud mom of two wonderful children. Beyond my family, lending a helping hand is my passion, regardless of proximity. Originally with a physical education degree, I aspired to shape young minds, but the challenges during student teaching prompted a change in focus. For a decade, I dedicated myself to supporting mentally challenged and autistic adults, which was incredibly rewarding. However, I stepped back to prioritize my family when they needed me most. Returning to work after having children, I sought flexibility, which lead me to home inspections for insurance firms. This experience offered insights into property assessment and insurance operations, unveiling a world of surprises. Following my father's passing, my family and I relocated to Florida. Encouraged by my husband, I ventured into real estate. Beginning an extraordinary journey of learning, friendship, and assistance, I began to help navigate clients through real estate transactions by sharing insights on homes, neighborhoods, schools, and finances.
My goal is to streamline the real estate process, providing clients with essential information at each juncture. There's immense satisfaction in helping individuals discover their ideal home. Through various roles, I found that my superpower is assisting others. I utilize this strength to change lives by helping families find their ideal home. If you're ready to embark on your real estate journey, I'm here to assist with enthusiasm and dedication. Let's uncover your dream home together!
Fun Fact: I enjoy doing my own nails and hair, and if I can't find furniture on clearance, I build it with my husband.
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