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Westgate Central

Westgate Central

Suburban Neighborhood in Lakeland, Florida

Polk County 33803, 33815

$201,544 Average Value
$179 Average Price per Sq Ft
21 Homes For Sale

Affordable housing close to a recreational attraction

Westgate Central, an established neighborhood about 2 miles west of Downtown Lakeland, is undergoing a bit of a transformation. Proximity to recreational and retail amenities as well as access to transportation have traditionally been perks of living in the community, which is now experiencing a residential makeover with the addition of new single-family homes in recent years. “It’s one of the more affordable areas in Lakeland,” says Bill Kilpatrick of Keller Williams Realty and lifelong Lakeland resident, who adds that relatively cheap land has drawn homebuilders to the neighborhood. In addition, nearby amenities such as Bonnet Springs Park are part of the city’s efforts to revitalize the western edge of Lakeland.

Quiet and quaint is how neighbors describe the Westgate Central neighborhood.
Quiet and quaint is how neighbors describe the Westgate Central neighborhood.
Manufactured homes are located throughout the community and offer great homes at a great price.
Manufactured homes are located throughout the community and offer great homes at a great price.
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New homes are popping up in recent years

The new housing is primarily comprised of custom-built spec homes in the 1,200-square-foot range that offer modern features such as private driveways and attached garages or carports. The neighborhood’s established housing is a mix of smaller traditional homes with some ranch-style homes occupying more spacious lots in outlying areas. Several manufactured home communities offer even more affordable alternatives. Manufactured homes start under $50,000, and single-family homes typically list from the mid-100,000s to the low 300,000s.

You can find many new and renovated homes in Westgate Central.
You can find many new and renovated homes in Westgate Central.
Westgate Central is home to many new and renovated ranch-style homes.
Westgate Central is home to many new and renovated ranch-style homes.
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Bonnet Springs Park highlights recreational amenities

Residents can stay active on the ballfields and green spaces of Westside Park, located in the heart of the neighborhood. The nearby YMCA Par 3 provides practice facilities and a 9-hole layout for First Tee Lakeland’s youth golf programs. The facility also hosts after-hours activity. “When it’s dark, families can come to play glow golf on the seventh through ninth holes,” says Ashton Sells, First Tee program coordinator. The Westgate Central Neighborhood Association organizes neighborhood programs, including community cleanups where locals and Lakeland police gather to pick up trash and pass out free plants. The Wabash Community Center offers afterschool and educational programs for local youth. Just north of the neighborhood is the recreational jewel of west Lakeland, Bonnet Springs Park. Opened in October 2022, the all-inclusive park is filled with bright and creative playscapes on the shores of Lake Bonnet. "It's a place where kids can be kids," says Cyleste McClintock-Goodson, a Realtor with Regal Real Estate LLC and lifelong city resident. The park also is home to the popular Florida Children’s Museum. “It’s an up-and-coming area because of the establishment of Bonnet Springs Park,” Kilpatrick says. “The city wanted to help an area that needed better attractions, and now it will be on the rise because of its location near the park.”

Bonnet Springs Park welcomes visitors to enjoy the open green space in Westgate Central.
Bonnet Springs Park welcomes visitors to enjoy the open green space in Westgate Central.
Bonnet Springs Park has winding paths perfect for rollerblading in Westgate Central.
Bonnet Springs Park has winding paths perfect for rollerblading in Westgate Central.
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Traditional, ethnic grocery options are available

There are several nearby grocery options, including Harveys Supermarket, which anchors the commercial options of Central Park Plaza, and Mega Mercado, which includes a Mexican restaurant. “They have great fajitas and a ‘Sea, Land and Sky’ molcajete,” says Aurelia Gonzalez, broker and owner of At Your Service Realty, who has sold real estate in the area since 2006. “They just changed owners, and now there’s a meat market, too. You can buy warm, homemade corn tortillas, Mangonadas and Champurrado. If you go on a Friday evening, they have mariachis.” An array of contemporary dining options can be found in Downtown Lakeland. Featured eateries include Nineteen61, an upscale restaurant that features modern Spanish cuisine with Latin American and Southern U.S. touches, and Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, a New Orleans-inspired restaurant serving modernized versions of cajun and creole favorites. Target at Lakeside Village, about 3 miles south of the neighborhood, is the closest big-box retailer.

Mega Mercado Mexican Restaurant & Tienda offers everyday essentials to the community.
Mega Mercado Mexican Restaurant & Tienda offers everyday essentials to the community.
Mega Mercado Mexican Restaurant & Tienda welcomes customers to try their Latin food.
Mega Mercado Mexican Restaurant & Tienda welcomes customers to try their Latin food.
Mega Mercado Mexican Restaurant & Tienda is a Latin food hotspot in Westgate Central.
Mega Mercado Mexican Restaurant & Tienda is a Latin food hotspot in Westgate Central.
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Elementary school works with the neighborhood association

The neighborhood’s youngest students can attend Jesse Keen Elementary, a neighborhood school rated C-minus by Niche that partners with the neighborhood association to provide books for a Little Free Library. Older students can attend Sleepy Hill Middle, a C-rated school; and Kathleen Senior High, a C-plus-rated school that offers academies in subjects as varied as aerospace technology and health sciences.

Kathleen Senior High School is the second oldest of four high schools in Lakeland, Florida.
Kathleen Senior High School is the second oldest of four high schools in Lakeland, Florida.
Students in Northwest Lakeland will attend Sleepy Hill Middle School, home of the Jaguars
Students in Northwest Lakeland will attend Sleepy Hill Middle School, home of the Jaguars
Jesse Keen Elementary School is a public school located in Lakeland, FL.
Jesse Keen Elementary School is a public school located in Lakeland, FL.
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Neighborhood bus stops, nearby interstate provide convenient travel

Several Citrus Connection bus stops along Highland Street, Wabash Avenue and Ariana Street provide easy access to public transportation. They are part of the Circulator-Westside route, which begins coming through the area on weekdays at 6:30 a.m. and stops just before 6:00 p.m. On Saturdays, the buses run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For regional travel, New Tampa Highway intersects with Interstate 4 about 5 miles west of the neighborhood. Tampa and its international airport are about 40 miles away on the buzzy Gulf Coast.

The Lemon Line gives residents in Westgate Central transit options
The Lemon Line gives residents in Westgate Central transit options
Bus stops can be found in and around Westgate Central.
Bus stops can be found in and around Westgate Central.
Westgate Central is close to I-4 to venture near and far.
Westgate Central is close to I-4 to venture near and far.
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Superfund site along Olive Street

Along Olive Street, there is a 12-acre property where both Landia Chemical Company and Florida Favorite Fertilizer produced and mixed fertilizers. The area was classified as a Superfund site due to contaminated soil and water following the facilities’ closure in 1987. Both companies have since removed thousands of tons of soil, and a clay cover and trees were added to the property in 2006.

A Superfund site is located on Olive Street in Westgate Central.
A Superfund site is located on Olive Street in Westgate Central.
A superfund site is spotted adjacent to Olive Street.
A superfund site is spotted adjacent to Olive Street.
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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Edith Warner, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Tampa International

52 min drive

Bus

1349 Olive St

Bus

1625 Ariana St

Bus

1510 Ariana St

Bus

Olive St. & Arapahoe Ave.

Bus

Olive St. & Montana Ave.

Bus

3118 Old Tampa HWY

Bus

S Wabash Ave & W Highland St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Westgate Central US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 8 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$215,000
Median Single Family Price
$210,000
Median Townhouse Price
$255,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$179
Number of Homes for Sale
21
Last 12 months Home Sales
53
Months of Supply
4.80
Median List Price
$225,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,246
Median Year Built
1972
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,139
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 4pm

    1317 W Belmar St, Lakeland, FL 33815

    $325,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,278 Sq Ft
    • 1317 W Belmar St

    WELCOME HOME to this MOVE-IN ready 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom estate sitting on 4 lots with room to Securely PARK your BOAT, RV or work equipment Trailers in the SPACIOUS FULLY FENCED Backyard on this .48 acre property conveniently located in the DESIRED Central Lakeland area with NO HOA!! ** Quick access to Malls, Restaurants, Shopping, Medical Facilities, local Schools like SEU, FSC, LCS,

    Danielle Buurma KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY SMART

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Edith Warner, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
8,684
Median Age
39
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$34,692
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$53,389

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
80.2%
College Graduates
8.6%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.9%
% Population in Labor Force
49.6%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
56''
Average Winter Low Temperature
51°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

55 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

12 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Westgate Central