[Dallas8309]

Hi,

My family is considering a move this summer to Lakeland Highlands from Dallas, TX. I have read and read and read some more on city-data about Lakeland and have heard all kinds of things. I am not sure if I should love Lakeland or run screaming out of fear! I am terribly nervous about this move and really need to hear from people who have lived there for a long time and from those who have made the move recently. I would like to get both sides. For the bad, I have heard the schools are terrible (we have 8 & 9 yr kids), the child molesters are lurking around every corner, watch out for the meth addicts and homeless people, and basically the place is a dump. For the good, I have heard Lakeland is family friendly, good people, lots to do, arts are prominent, and it is a great little town to live in to raise a family. Now it can't be both...so I ask everyone to help me out and let me know what is really going on in Lakeland. Please!

Should I move to Lakeland or stay in Dallas? Help!!!

[CoreLysium]

If you don't have a job lined up, you should stay in Dallas.

There's a way to search for thread titles that only have Lakeland in the title. Pick search, advanced, enter lakeland and under it pick titles only. You'll still have to wade through pages of stuff to get tons of info, and I suggest right clicking links and opening them in a new tab so you don't lose the search. It's better than just trying to find info w/o the search.

That said, I know nothing, I'm sure it's nice.

[crazynip]

Dont move to Florida without a job, we have enough statistics.

[Dallas8309]

Job status is not an issue for us, but thanks for the concern. I was looking into the area as a good place to raise a family...that is the information I was looking for. Can anyone answer some of my questions? There must be someone out there familiar with Lakeland Highlands??

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by Dallas8309

Job status is not an issue for us, but thanks for the concern. I was looking into the area as a good place to raise a family...that is the information I was looking for. Can anyone answer some of my questions? There must be someone out there familiar with Lakeland Highlands??

So you are independently wealthy? And you want to move to Lakeland? Because why exactly? Not sure why exactly you think that Lakeland is a good place to raise a family. Wouldnt be my first choice.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Dallas8309

Job status is not an issue for us, but thanks for the concern. I was looking into the area as a good place to raise a family...that is the information I was looking for. Can anyone answer some of my questions? There must be someone out there familiar with Lakeland Highlands??

Sent you a DM - Lakeland Highlands is beautiful, safe and a great place to live.

[Dallas8309]

gypsychic,

Thank you for your email...I appreciate your input and encouraging words. How long have you lived in Lakeland?

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Dallas8309

gypsychic,

Thank you for your email...I appreciate your input and encouraging words. How long have you lived in Lakeland?

We lived there for two years. We live in the Sarasota area now, but the move had nothing to do with not liking Lakeland, it was for personal and financial reasons. I really have nothing bad to say about Lakeland. Most people that post negatives have never lived or even visited the area recently. Some people make a judgment based on what they can see from I-4, which runs through the bad parts of town. Lakeland is quite artsy and beautiful, and most people are pleasantly surprised when they actually visit the downtown and many beautiful lakes there. Lake Mirror Park downtown has a beautiful promenade, the formal Hollis Gardens, an amphitheatre, and a performance hall, and even a children's park. Lake Morton just to the south is a swan sanctuary. You will also find beautiful large swan and butterfly sculptures through the town. The swan is Lakeland's official mascot. I would have no qualms about living there again.

Quite frankly, Lakeland has more beautiful public parks than any other Florida city I have been to. The lakes are ALL for public use, unlike other places where the waterfronts belong to the wealthy. There is a tremendous community pride and spirit there, it's obvious people care about the city. Another reason for this is that it is not "snowbird central" like so many other Florida cities are. And location is great, being equally distant from Tampa and Orlando.

Once again, like any city, Lakeland has it's bad parts. I have yet to visit any city or town ANYWHERE, regardless of size, where this isn't the case. It is pretty easy to see where the bad parts are when you drive through. Sticking to the south side, however, you can't go wrong.

Good luck, and hope this helps!

[anya3]

I love seeing how the different businesses and areas decorate their swans. So creative.

[StreetSmarts]

One of the kids' parks in Lakeland is the nicest I've ever seen, forgot the name