Water, water everywhere and more than you might think
Winter Haven is the midpoint between Tampa and Orlando in rapidly growing Polk County. Known for having dozens of lakes, this outdoor paradise has experienced significant growth in recent years, reaching 60,000 in 2024. For years the city was a popular destination for snowbirds seeking a second home and empty-nesters relocating from up north, but a younger demographic is driving the current growth. Fitting for a city that offers year-round outdoor adventures, is home to Legoland theme park and has a buzzy downtown with a burgeoning contemporary dining and entertainment scene. “Over the last 15 years, we have gotten a lot younger,” says Kim Davis, a Realtor with Crosby & Associates and city resident. “We now have a very large population of adults between 25 and 50. We’re definitely growing in the family-producing age group. Thirty years ago, Winter Haven was basically a 55-plus community with a few families, but it has really flipped.”
Whether you arrive by boat or car Tanners Lakeside is a waterfront hangout in Winter Haven, FL.
For a fun adventure, Legoland is a great family theme park in Winter Haven, FL.
Downtown Winter Haven is the vibrant centerpiece of one of Florida’s fastest-growing cities.
Downtown Winter Haven is full of vibrant works of art on the side of historical buildings.
The Social Cocktail Lounge features a speakeasy-style atmosphere with great cocktail options.
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Housing prices have leveled off; residential options are wide-ranging
The median sales price of $300,000 represents a $30,000 decrease from the market’s peak in August 2022. Residential options occupy a vast spectrum, from manufactured homes to waterfront mansions. Traditional ranch-style homes anchor the city’s established single-family housing. New construction comprises a collection of contemporary custom homes in traditional subdivision settings and gated and/or age-restricted communities.
Waterfront housing is ubiquitous, regardless of size or style. Manufactured homes can be found for as low as $20,000, while single-family homes typically range from around $200,000 to $1 million-plus. “There are extremes in either direction,” Davis says, “but the general single-family home is going be priced between about $250,000 and $450,000.” Condominiums and townhouses range from $100,000 to the high $300,000s. Flooding is rarely an issue in Central Florida, but insurance rates can be affected by a high risk of wind damage during hurricane season.
Gated 55+ communities of manufactured homes offer great price points for retiree's.
Waterfront housing is ubiquitous, regardless of size or style in Winter Haven.
Traditional ranch-style homes anchor the city’s established single-family homes.
New construction comprises a collection of custom homes in traditional subdivisions.
Condominiums and townhouses in Winter Haven range from $100,000 to the high $300,000s
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Dozens of lakes provide an array of recreational options
Winter Haven residents have easy access to more than 6,000 acres of lakes within the city limits. Lake Eloise is the largest at more than 1,100 acres. These bodies of water are connected by canals, making the city a haven for water recreation. “I think people appreciate the lakes, but they don’t quite realize what we have here,” says Sara Beth Wyatt, president and CEO of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. “You could jump in a boat and travel from southeast Winter Haven to northwest Winter Haven quicker than you could drive.
Most lakes in Winter Haven have public access, and the city has done a great job maintaining them. We have a lakeside lifestyle that you don’t often find.” The city also offers 13 miles of multi-use trails, and its parks feature recreational spaces for athletic activities that range from baseball to pickleball. Destinations of note include Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center, Winter Haven Skate Park and Willowbrook Golf Course, one of the many options for golfers in and around the city.
Winter Haven residents have easy access to more than 6,000 acres of connected lakes.
Boating on Lake Summit is a common weekly attraction.
Traverse scenic wooded trails at Lake Region Audubon Nature Preserve.
Local youth love the large Winter Haven Skate Park to practice their boarding skills.
Willowbrook GC offers a championship level course for the residents of Winter Haven.
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Nutwood, Arabella's are highlights of a diverse dining scene
The city’s culinary scene is refreshingly eclectic, highlighted by a concentration of highly rated options downtown. Nutwood, owned by Michelin star-rated chef Steven Rojas, is a premier farm-to-table restaurant. Arabella’s is an upscale Italian restaurant that is a Central Florida favorite. Elevated comfort food and barbecue are among the other dining highlights. “We had a development group come here about 10 years ago. They bought up a lot of the land and totally rejuvenated downtown,” Davis says. “It’s a walkable area with restaurants and shops.” Dockside dining is available at well-known seafood restaurants outside of downtown. The city is served by two primary commercial corridors -- U.S. Route 17, known locally as 3rd Street, and Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Both are home to shopping centers, big-box retailers and grocery stores.
A burgeoning contemporary dining scene. Historic venues. Downtown Winter Haven has it all.
Nutwood, is an intimate farm-to-table restaurant located in Downtown Winter Haven
Arabella’s, an upscale Italian favorite, highlight the eclectic offerings of Winter Haven.
Harborside is a popular dockside eatery serving up fresh seafood and other favorites.
U.S. Route 17, known locally as 3rd Street is one of Winter Havens main retail corridors.
Winter Havens big-box retailers such as Lowe's can be found along its comercial corridors.
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Legoland, downtown entertainment venues are top attractions
More than just a popular vacation destination, Legoland Florida offers colorful, family-friendly fun. The latest addition to the sprawling complex is a theme park dedicated to Peppa Pig. “Locals buy passes if they have small children,” Davis says, “because there’s also a water park attached to it.” As Legoland expanded, it took over Cypress Gardens, Florida’s oldest theme park. The meticulously landscaped grounds are a botanical extravaganza on the shores of Lake Eloise.
In addition, the Cypress Gardens Water Ski team has been performing exhibitions since the 1940s, thus the city’s label as “Water Ski Capital of the World.” More traditional cultural attractions are found downtown. Theatre Winter Haven is home to popular community theater productions, and the Historic Ritz Theatre, established in 1925, features movies, concerts and improv comedy acts. Gram Parsons Derry Down is a contemporary concert venue with connections to the Winter Haven native whose “Cosmic American music” is considered the precursor to alternative country. The downtown area also hosts citywide events throughout the year. Annual celebrations include Taste of Winter Haven, Craft Beer Crawl and family friendly gatherings such as CommunityFest and Bark in the Park.
More than just a popular vacation destination, Legoland Florida offers colorful, family fun.
The World Famous Cypress Gardens Ski Team continues with monthly shows in Winter Haven.
Located in the heart of Downtown Winter Haven is the Historic Ritz Theater.
Gram Parsons Derry Downs is an event venue in Downtown Winter Haven, FL.
Community Fest is a family friendly event that encourages the community to come together
A favorite of the Bark in the Park event is the annual wiener dog race.
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Chain of Lakes Collegiate High is an A-rated Polk County school
Students are served by the Polk County Public Schools, a B-rated district by Niche that offers school choice. In 2018, in conjunction with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, PCPS implemented one of the country’s first school safety guardian programs, which placed a law enforcement officer or armed district employee on every campus. The city’s top-rated institution is Chain of Lakes Collegiate High, a charter school for high-performing juniors and seniors that earns an A from Niche. High school and college courses are taken simultaneously at the school, which is located on the Winter Haven campus of Polk State College.
Fred G. Garner Elementary School is a public school located in Winter Haven, FL.
Jewett School of the Arts is a magnet school focused on STEAM, emphasizing the Fine Arts.
Winter Haven Senior High School is a public school located in Winter Haven, FL.
Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School offers a distinctive experience for students.
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Quick access to major roadways, but far enough from the big cities
While Interstate 4 provides direct access to Tampa and Orlando, living about an hour from each adds to the city's appeal. “People come here if they want to live in a more rural area away from the big city,” Davis says. “Winter Haven is an excellent example of Middle America in the South. We have a lot of northerners here, so you get a good hometown vibe.” Residents also enjoy proximity to several other major roadways, including U.S. routes 17, 27 and 92, that provide convenient travel to points of interest throughout the county, including Lakeland 15 miles away. Closer to home, Citrus Connection buses provide public transportation in and around the city. Winter Haven Hospital, which is one of the city’s biggest employers, is less than a mile north of downtown. For those who prefer to ride the rails, Winter Haven Station provides daily Amtrak service. Both Tampa and Orlando have international airports. The Central Florida Integrated Logistics Park is the latest project of the Winter Haven Economic Development Council. The park offers more than 12 million square feet of space for development on 1,500 acres in the southwest corner of the city. The location takes advantage of the existing CSX Rail Intermodal Facility and proximity to State Route 60, a major east-west corridor that runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.
Crime
While total service calls to police decreased by 13 percent, Winter Haven experienced a slight rise in reported crimes from 2022 to 2023, according to statistics from the city’s police department. Misdemeanor arrests increased from 74 to 84. Felony arrests increased from 34 to 50. The department's community policing initiatives include the Citizen Volunteer Program, which provides additional resources to help with crime prevention in neighborhoods, at parks and during special events.
Joyce Langston has lived in seven states and sold real estate in Tennessee in the 1980’s. Later, she joined Travelers Insurance as a Sr. Business Analyst and worked for 34 years in the IT Department. She was very instrumental in training, research, and testing of software and web sites. She recently retired from Travelers Insurance and is excited to join JC Penny Realty in Orlando, FL for a return to a job she really enjoys helping people find the perfect home! She is married to Rick Langston, owner of Keepin’ It Country Show and has 3 daughters and 9 grandchildren.
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.
