Lakeland, Florida is one of the state’s most beautiful and endearing places to live, and those considering a Lakeland mortgage to finance a home here are sure to love living in this great city.
Offering a blend of “Old Florida Charm” a la the Historic Polk Theatre, an accredited Fine Arts Museum Experience at the Polk Museum of Art, the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture assembles on any one site in the world, and a host of lazy Saturday morning downtown Lakeland shopping experiences – it’s easy to see what I’m talking about.
But, as with any relocation – especially a non-local one – there are certain adjustments you’ll need to take into consideration.
You’ll have to know where South Florida Avenue meets Main Street and how to navigate over to Lake Hollingsworth for your walk. Getting to Munn Park will take a little study, but not to much. And hey – it will be worth it once you hook up with a gourmet cup of coffee and and home made pastry at Mitchell’s Coffee House!
There’s also new costs. Which, are still surprisingly affordable here in Lakeland. Shoot, if you’re moving from a larger Metro area like Chicago (brr… chilly!) – you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the difference in housing costs!
Cost of Living adjustments can’t be ignored between two cities because it changes a household’s budget. Lakeland, Florida is just outside the Tampa, Florida area. As such, you can get a feel for what certain costs might be when you compare Chicago, IL to Lakeland. Actually, you’re likely to see prices lower in Lakeland – so keep that in mind.
Take look at the following.
Tampa-area residents pay a bit more for their dry cleaning, a bag of potato chips, and canola oil than their northern Chicago cousins. However, they make it up in what is saved when they go for doctors visits and pay for veterinary pet care. Hey – you have to keep the puppies and kitties healthy. This will also keep our friends over at the Lakeland SPCA happy!
You can check out some pretty interesting cost comparison facts over at BankRate.com’s Cost of Living Comparison Calculator. With categories such as dry cleaning, groceries and beauty salon, the calculator goes deeper than most into the typical costs to a household, and can help families to make more realistic budgets.
The calculator also shows the equivalent household income between any two metropolitan areas. So, go check it out!
I hope you found this post useful! As always, if you or anyone you know is in need of a local Florida mortgage broker, I’m your guy. Call me at 863-604-3019 or apply online for your Florida mortgage. We’ll keep you posted and let you know when it’s time to pull the trigger!
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Great tips for relocating. As always, calculating the difference between the place your moving from and to is very important. Thanks for the post.
In any move there are often many moving expenses that often get overlooked and that can really kill the budget you were planning on spending. Be sure to do your research on every aspect of what goes into and what it costs to relocate. Make sure you are ready before you make the move.
Lakeland Florida is home of the Detroit Tigers spring training facilities. As a tiger’s fan I have always enjoyed my time down in Lakeland in the early spring. Sure beats the weather here in the mid-west.
Hundreds of young British chaps were taught how to fly in Lakeland’s Lodwick airfield by a few flight instructors, a collection of independent pilots and barnstormers. These British aviators enjoyed the cordial reception of Lakeland in their training and then got back home to fight ferociously in the Battle of Britain. Their ability in downing Luftwaffe warplanes were essential to Britain’s survival.
Thanks, Rob – for the history lesson! I have an advanced history degree, and I’m always up for these types of comments! Did you edit the entry in Wikipedia for that section? Lodwick Field is a little known airfield here, so definitely merits mention!
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I moved to Lakeland about 4 years ago from Boston. It took getting used to, but I love it now. Only 30 minutes from the Casino too!
Nice post it should be always determined that what is actual cost differences between two cities before relocating….
The cost of living comparison calculator is fascinating – it’s a pity it isn’t available for other countries. It makes you realize how much accommodation impacts your budget – it is often worth getting storage for some of your things and getting a smaller place, to enjoy the huge weight off your bill load.
I’m moving to Florida soon and this information has really helped me, thanks a lot.