[retiredtxn]

I'm curious about Lakeland. I've done some research and looked at Zillow and Realtor and see there are a lot of 55+ communities there (like everywhere in FL). Does anyone have first-hand experience or knowledge about Lakeland and the surrounding area? I'm on a very strict budget so I'd be interested in COL.

[Ghaati]

When people say they're on a budget, or don't mention how much they'd want to spend, it's a red flag.

You're on a "very strict budget." Okay so what does that translate to, in 2023/2024 dollars? Are you looking to BUY, rent? Own a single-wide and lease the land?

Is a "very strict budget" what you'll live on after a downpayment on a mortgage, or are you paying cash for the property? How much is that budget for your average monthly expenses, and what portion of that monthly expense can be spent on your mortgage/rent, property taxes and utilities?

It makes a HUGE difference, what you mean by "very strict budget."

If by that you mean you can only spend $1000/month on mortgage, taxes, and utilities, then you'll be looking mostly for older single-and-double-wides in depressed neighborhoods.

If you mean you can spend up to $2000/month on mortgage, taxes, and utilities, then you're looking at s luxury double-wide/manufactured home with modern upgrades in a gated 55+ community in the northwest corner of Lakeland, OR a really crappy stand-alone stick-built house on a lot of land that needs upgrades and landscaping that you'd have to do yourself or pay extra for.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Ghaati

When people say they're on a budget, or don't mention how much they'd want to spend, it's a red flag.

You're on a "very strict budget." Okay so what does that translate to, in 2023/2024 dollars? Are you looking to BUY, rent? Own a single-wide and lease the land?

Is a "very strict budget" what you'll live on after a downpayment on a mortgage, or are you paying cash for the property? How much is that budget for your average monthly expenses, and what portion of that monthly expense can be spent on your mortgage/rent, property taxes and utilities?

It makes a HUGE difference, what you mean by "very strict budget."

If by that you mean you can only spend $1000/month on mortgage, taxes, and utilities, then you'll be looking mostly for older single-and-double-wides in depressed neighborhoods.

If you mean you can spend up to $2000/month on mortgage, taxes, and utilities, then you're looking at s luxury double-wide/manufactured home with modern upgrades in a gated 55+ community in the northwest corner of Lakeland, OR a really crappy stand-alone stick-built house on a lot of land that needs upgrades and landscaping that you'd have to do yourself or pay extra for.

I agree with the above poster. I live in Lakeland, but without knowing your budget or why you want to move to Lakeland we really can't help you much.

[retiredtxn]

WOW! How rude. Thanks for all your advice.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by retiredtxn

WOW! How rude. Thanks for all your advice.

Rude?

We'd love to offer advice, and in an effort to offer advice that is of utmost relevance and assistance to you, we are merely requesting a bit more background/info. That's all.

[LKJ1988]

Nothing like rude crude and lude. Lakeland is not the place. Try Glades county.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

Rude?

We'd love to offer advice, and in an effort to offer advice that is of utmost relevance and assistance to you, we are merely requesting a bit more background/info. That's all.

People must indicate their budget in order to receive help and advice.

[Ghaati]

Maybe someone posted something rude and it got deleted by a moderator.

Meanwhile, condolences on the loss of your husband, retiredtxn. I hope you come back and offer more information on your budget so we can help answer those questions for you.

[Sunshine Rules]

Although I don't live in Lakeland, we have good friends that live there and I can say that Lakeland has become the new hot spot for buyers and investors over the past couple of years. Although median house prices have dropped slightly, the area is still at this point in time a sellers market.

Ghaati pretty much covered what can be found at the lower end of the price point around Lakeland at this time.

However, I would add one more comment about the inexpensive mobile home listings. Read the ads carefully as many are selling the mobile home only, the lot is rented at X per month. When the lot is rented, the owners of the land can sell the land to a developer and the lot owners will all get letters giving them a specific amount of time to move their mobile homes off the lots and out of the park. It's happened to several mobile home parks around Tampa over the past year, leaving many owners literally no place to go with their mobile homes.

For less expensive housing options in Polk county, the OP might also try towns such as Bartow, Haines City, Lake Alfred or Lake Wales.

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

Although I don't live in Lakeland, we have good friends that live there and I can say that Lakeland has become the new hot spot for buyers and investors over the past couple of years. Although median house prices have dropped slightly, the area is still at this point in time a sellers market.

Ghaati pretty much covered what can be found at the lower end of the price point around Lakeland at this time.

However, I would add one more comment about the inexpensive mobile home listings. Read the ads carefully as many are selling the mobile home only, the lot is rented at X per month. When the lot is rented, the owners of the land can sell the land to a developer and the lot owners will all get letters giving them a specific amount of time to move their mobile homes off the lots and out of the park. It's happened to several mobile home parks around Tampa over the past year, leaving many owners literally no place to go with their mobile homes.

For less expensive housing options in Polk county, the OP might also try towns such as Bartow, Haines City, Lake Alfred or Lake Wales.

Some communities have long-term leases. My cousin lives in a mobile home/rv community that has 99-year leases for the mobile homes, and rents space on the RV acreage by the month with just a month-to-month lease.

If the owner sells the property to a developer, then the developer would have to handle the accommodations for all those people who have voluntarily locked into a 99-year lease.