This channel is for people who are considering living in Lakeland Florida area or are at least in the beginning stages of considering moving to Lakeland or one of the surrounding cities. This channel will give insight and hopefully answer any and all questions you may want to know and what you can expect from living in the Lakeland area.
It doesn't matter if you are relocating to the area or you have lived here your whole life as well, my team is here to help make your move go as smoothly as possible.
Here we go over what it's like to call the Lakeland area home. From the best neighborhoods to the newest communities and so much more! Whether you are moving in 2 days or 2 years, we are here to help! We get calls all the time from people just like you looking to make the move to the Lakeland area. Reach out anytime! 📲 Give us a call or text at 863-333-5053 📲 Schedule a call: calendly.com/bendehaven/talk-to-ben Ben DeHaven BK3177933
Prices vary so I don’t put them on many of the videos. Hoa is 1,000/year. Taxes are roughly 1.5% of purchase price annually. That home was 2500 square feet but why have several, and there is a lanai.
@@LivingInLakelandFL at Legoland today I was considering doing a drive-by of one of the communities around the Lakeland area… New construction of course, Taylor Morrison, I didn’t see Pulte, maybe Lennar…
@LivingInLakelandFL I don't mean any disrespect, but I'll Airbnb it like nearly a quarter of the houses on my street are now before I'll sell it. I've lived in Polk 20+ years, and my wife was born and we raised our kids here. We came from Lakeland Highlands over 10 years ago to our current home. Investors have bought at least a quarter of the homes on our street since then, and we literally dont know but a few people who walk down our street anymore due to the short-term renters. I've always felt the fabric of the neighborhood is the people and not the houses, but it seems more and more historic homes are becoming investment rental property these days. Lakeland was once a great town to live in as it had that small town vibe. In the past, you could randomly run into a neighbor at Publix on a Saturday morning. Now it is congested, S Florida Avenue Road diet is a joke as all it did was divert traffic through the neighborhoods, and I-4 is crapshoot whether you're headed to Tampa or Orlando. If this was a 10 year old video, I'd agree that Lakeland is great even though I-4 sucked then too. But there are way too many people packed in a small space now, and if you did indeed grow up here, you know that as well.
Of course. My mom’s side of the family was raised off Kathleen road and I never thought that area would look like it does today. Airbnb is great for a while but the turnover and wear and tear on things like linens and even doors makes it loose its excitement, I know because I use to have our rental on Airbnb.
I get a real kick out of people who come to Florida then complain about the heat and lock themselves indoors with the A/C set on freeze. As for bugs, roaches and mosquito's, Florida is sub-tropical you should expect bugs and as for the mosquitos Florida mosquitos are tiny whereas Jersey mosquitos are the size of trucks. If you love the noisy nightlife stay in the big cities and you'll get a hefty dose of crime free along with the nightlife. Nowhere in Florida is 'walk friendly' and public transportation was designed by idiots and there's no such thing as pleasure driving, driving in Florida is no pleasure. Hurricanes are a fact of life in Florida, pay your money, take your chances.
I’m a pilot about to be based in Orlando. I am looking for a safe, quieter area with decent schools where my aging parents can come down and relax by the pool. I already live in FL and can deal with everything you mentioned already (except I do hate the palmetto bugs with a passion 😂). I’m torn between Ocala, Gainesville, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Sanford, and possibly a few places on the east coast like St Augustine or Sebastian. Do you find it to be a good place for someone who wants to settle and start a family?
Lots of good choices in your list, I can answer all of your Winter Haven/Lakeland questions. I’ve helped a bunch of people bring their families here. Reach out with any questions! 863-333-5053 or Ben@HavenRealtyFL.com
When you buy a house in the 55 + communities and pay lot rent…since you don’t own the land do you still have to pay school taxes, property taxes, and County taxes ?
Highly recommend Wayne from Check Twice Home Inspection for the pre-dry wall inspection. He is awesome and was able to save us a serious amount of $$$ and headache w/ the new build out in Saddle Creek in Lakeland. Keep up the good work Ben and please continue with this informative content.
Highly recommend Wayne from Check Twice Home Inspection for the pre-dry wall inspection. He is awesome and was able to save us a serious amount of $$$ and headache w/ the new build out in Saddle Creek. Keep up the good work Ben and please continue with this informative content.
I agree, but some are looking for the community amenities the CDD provides. I’ve been on the hunt for more new communities without a CDD but there aren’t many. Shoot me an email with what you are looking for and I’ll see what I can do. Ben@HavenRealtyFL.com
My brother has now been living in Lakeland for almost 20 years.... and he says he'll die here 😂..... I would consider moving to Lakeland in the near future .....doing my research
Be careful around the lakes. One day I was going for a walk and I felt like I was being watched and there was an alligator literally staking me. Then a couple days later in the news a man was eaten by that same alligator
Have used Check Twice many times on personal and rental units. Always does a great job and his experience helps you understand what you may need to fix and what is cosmetic issues. Highly recommend!
Great advice! First time viewer. How can you find great inspectors like Wayne? Look for certifications, get referrals? You hear of so many stories of people paying for inspections, but they end up missing the obvious.
Thanks for watching! The best way as much as people don't like hearing it, is to find a good agent that has gone through different inspectors as a listing agent AND a buyers agent.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 *🌞 Weather and Environment* - Living in Lakeland, Florida means dealing with extreme heat and humidity. - Sunscreen and hydration are essential due to high temperatures and humidity. - Mosquitoes and roaches are prevalent, requiring preventive measures like bug spray and screened areas. 02:33 *🌃 Nightlife and Entertainment* - Lakeland lacks a vibrant nightlife compared to larger cities like Tampa and Orlando. - Limited options for late-night activities, although some bars and music venues are open until 2 AM. - Nearby cities offer more extensive nightlife options for those seeking a lively entertainment scene. 03:42 *🚶 Walkability* - Lakeland's walkability score is generally low, requiring most residents to rely on vehicles for daily errands. - While some neighborhoods allow walking to amenities, many areas are spread out, necessitating transportation. - Limited walkable areas may inconvenience those accustomed to pedestrian-friendly communities. 04:24 *🏠 Population Growth* - Lakeland is experiencing rapid population growth, attracting residents from various states due to affordability and amenities. - The city's affordability compared to neighboring urban centers is a significant draw for newcomers. - Increased demand for housing and services reflects Lakeland's status as a desirable relocation destination. 05:21 *🚗 Traffic* - Lakeland suffers from significant traffic congestion, exacerbated by ongoing development and tourist influx. - Traffic issues extend beyond Lakeland, affecting major highways like I-4, especially during peak travel times. - Challenges include accidents, road construction, and diverse driving habits, contributing to commuting difficulties. 06:42 *📈 Population Growth (Continued&t=402)* - Lakeland ranks as one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States, attracting a steady stream of newcomers. - The city's growth trend reflects its appeal as a residential destination, necessitating consideration of associated pros and cons. - Increasing population influx requires infrastructure development and urban planning to accommodate demand. 07:09 *✈️ Airport Proximity* - South Lakeland's proximity to the expanding Lakeland Linder Airport may be a drawback for some residents. - Growth in air traffic, including cargo and passenger flights, affects noise levels and residential preferences. - The airport's potential as a regional hub offers convenience but also presents challenges related to noise and development. 08:19 *🌀 Hurricanes* - Living in Lakeland, like much of Florida, entails preparing for hurricanes, a recurring natural hazard. - Despite hurricane risks, proactive measures such as preparation and evacuation plans mitigate potential damage. - Residents balance the threat of hurricanes with the benefits of living in a region with no state income tax. 09:55 *💰 Cost of Living (Bonus Tips&t=595)* - Lakeland offers a cost-of-living advantage, including no state income tax and more affordable housing compared to nearby urban centers. - Affordability relative to larger cities attracts residents seeking economic opportunities and a lower cost of living. - Lack of snow and minimal winter-related expenses further contribute to Lakeland's appeal for relocating individuals. Made with HARPA AI
Depends on what you want to get to. There are a lot of options for shopping and entertainment just north of I4 on Nort Florida Ave. Shoot me an email and I can help out the puzzle together. Ben@HavenRealtyFL.com
Very nice. I’m amazed that a builder would build a home in a 55+ community without putting in more handicap features such as 36” interior doors and wheelchair accessible showers etc.
Would love to see Saddle Creek Preserve, if you're ever in the area! Our house is currently being built there. Lots of unfortunate events, so far. Due to lack of communication, we haven't been able to see much of the community, as we are across the country. Thanks!
Hi, Ben! Just watching, we really enjoyed getting to look at homes with you. If you’re looking for an amazing realtor Ben’s your guy! He’s so knowledgeable and just an all around good realtor. Call him! Can’t wait for you to help us get a home down there as soon as ours sells here in Utah😀
Hey Amber! Thanks for the kind words, I can’t wait to help you guys make your big move! I was going to check in next week to see how it’s going up there.
Hey Bill! Sorry about that give me a try again, I’m usually available but if not leave a message and I’ll call you back. Edit- I think I just left you a message.
Not really, and if it is it’s more of a tall crawl space than a proper basement. I’ve only seen one actual basement and it was in lake wales where the elevation is higher
@@LivingInLakelandFL okay, what about walkout basements? It doesn't have to be full underground. I know in Lake and Marion County there's alot of walk out basement homes.
Hello, I like your videos. I live in the state of Indiana and I will move to Lakeland in approximately June, this week I applied for a loan with HR Horton and a new house in Hawthorne Ranch, right next to Riverstone, what is that area like? And how do you see that new community? Thank
Love our m/i home so much that we want them to be our builder again when we make the move from Cincy to Fla. is that the Mira Lago or the Sonoma and what’s the base $. They’re not showing it on the website yet. Great vid just glad that we already knew they were m/i homes…
Why can't you just say "it's in Mulberry"? Mulberry is a great small town. Yes South Lakeland is technically a 5 minute drive but you'd never blink an eye at that. Recently I was in the market for a house, basically as a single dad I was priced out of Lakeland altogether. I live in this neighborhood now and love it. I love being out of Lakeland. When I pass the Mulberry Mall (Wal-Mart) and drive down that stretch of 37 I love pulling into the neighborhood to get away. It provides peace and quiet. Yea some long time Mulberry residents wear shirts that say "Don't Lakeland my Mulberry" but I respect their views. Also I had zero issues with the builder here, It's the second HH in my lifetime.
Thanks for watching! Honestly because no one searches Mulberry so it was for the search term. I love the outskirts and the long roads of nothing myself. I will be highlighting Mulberry, Bartow, Eagle Lake, and other areas in individual videos in the future.
