I left the crazy expensive big city life in the westcoast for central florida and i LOVE it here! Super affordable and so much beauty here. I started off my new life journey in rockledge fl, bounced around orlando until i maxed out a credit card or 2 and than learned about winterhaven through a cab driver. Took a blind leap of faith and love the little city life.

I love Lakeland. Every city has it's good and bad. We have raised our kids here and so glad we did. It is what you make it. We moved here from up North and it was a great decision. Love that Lakeland is central and in between Orlando and Tampa. The traffic is heavy in every popular city. Lakeland sure is a city on the move.

I was born and raised in Lakeland and still living in the city and I must say it’s amazing. The city feels like it’s the size of Orlando, but at the same time it’s still very quite and not to busy. It’s the perfect place to live in my opinion no matter if you love the city life, small town life, or just like the feeling of the suburbs

Rent in Lakeland is getting too high.

Love Lakeland! Moved away for some time and missed it! It’ll always be home, no matter where I move to in my future. The people commenting bad things about it clearly don’t realize every city or town has run down areas, crime, or other negative characteristics they can come up with. Those are the people who will complain but continue to live in Lakeland their whole lives. Some people only see negative in everything!

Stop moving here. It’s getting way too crowded! Lol.

I don't know why but this video showed up on my recommended page. I don't recall watching any related videos or this channel. Lakeland is my hometown I was a teen in the 70s. My family owned An Amoco gas station across from the Holiday Inn on S. Florida av. for many years. Moved to California in the early 80s bounced back and forth for years haven't been back for about 15 years. Two of my four grown kids were born there, I still have family and friends that live there. It's nice to see Lakeland hasn't really changed yet has grown so much since I was a kid there. Lakeland was a great place to grow up and holds many of my fondest memories. This video really took me back Thanks for sharing.

I live in Orlando for 30 years I drove past Lakeland all the time on Interstate 4 but I've never been to downtown Lakeland. I didn't know Lakeland have a downtown after I watched this video this morning I literally drove to downtown Lakeland. Downtown is nice and peaceful I walk around the lake it like a smaller version of downtown Orlando lake Eola

I've lived in many different cities throughout Florida including south FL, Miami and Broward. The people with all the negative comments really don't appreciate what they have, everything bad mentioned about Lakeland is 10 times worse in the bigger cities, I work in Orlando and live in south Lakeland, one advantage of living there is the ability to go work Tampa or Orlando and not have to pay home prices associated with the big cities. It's still possible to buy a single family home at a very reasonable price in Lakeland in very good communities. As in any place, stay away from bad neighborhoods, many places in this city are great for raising a family if that's what you have in mind. Also a great place for freshwater fishing, golfing and enjoying good weather.

Moved here in '97 and have fallen in love with my city.

Frankly, we love Lakeland. Its beautiful and safe , thanks to our sheriff. It has several universities and of course many lakes. We moved from New York and find it is a nice fit for our family. Many new options for living downtown and also indie beer companies. A 1 hr drive to Clearwater beach and 40 minutes to Orlando as well.

Beautiful City! I spent my holidays in Lakeland and Orlando. I am Brazilian and I can say wue you Americans live in a free country. It has problems, but you can to walk safely at any time oh the day! I brougtht with me an American flag that I cherish! god bless the America!!!!

lakeland is a nice place and it’s great to be so close to orlando and tampa, however, it’s boring here. everyone seems to be the same here and you can only walk around lake mirror so many times before it gets boring. lakeside village is our biggest shopping area but they truly don’t have that many stores and you’ll find yourself having to go to the brandon mall or somewhere else if you need to get a lot of shopping done. it’s nice here but you have to go to tampa or orlando if you’re actually looking for something fun to do, not just aimlessly wandering around the same old downtown.

Never thought our little city would get taped lmao this is cool

Lakeland is nice for people over 50 other than that if you want to have some sort of fun...just go to Orlando or Tampa

Lakeland was home for sixteen years. Still have family there and can't wait to visit again.

Why no scenic view of Combee or Wabash? 😅 Just kidding I moved from Bartow to Lakeland and been here for 10 years now but I really wish the growth would slow down, the roads here aren't meant to handle this amount of traffic and its becoming a serious problem.

Iv never been to lakeland but i know someone who lives there and they love it and say they wouldnt move i dont get all the hate in the comments , some people i guess used to live in lakeland and moved many years ago but from what i hear florida is growing and changing alot

My mother retired to Lakeland several years ago- She loves it, and considers it home sweet home :)

So. I have to chime in. Everyone saying Lakeland sucks. It’s whack. Bunch of druggies etc etc. first of all. Tell me a city in this country that you can go to that doesn’t have a drug problem .... go ahead. I’ll wait. .... secondly every city has its upper middle and lower class sections. Those of you complaining most likely live in the lower class section and well let’s be real. You get what you pay for. I moved from Fort Lauderdale a year and a half ago. And I haven’t once thought about moving back. I think Lakeland is an amazing little town. You’re mad about low paying jobs ? Better yourself. EARN a better paying job. It’s not the cities fault that you aren’t striving for more. This is a great place to raise a family. And yes. A lot of lakes. All the more places to enjoy time with your family and friends. I take my jetski out multiple times a week and I love it here.

I was there in the 70s it was awesome. Back then you could leave your doors open and not be afraid.

Mostly good here in Lakeland but there are definitely some negatives. Lakeland can be a great place to raise a family. My kids went to South Lakeland public schools. I felt they received a good education and the sports opportunities were excellent. I'm a former northerner and fell head over heels for Florida when we visited when I was 10 years old. Going from snow one day to beautiful sunshine the next seemed like paradise discovered. There are a lot of days I still feel that way. The smell of orange blossoms wafting through the air driving home from work makes you wonder what you've done to deserve such earthly pleasures. There are a lot of positive and talented people in the area. They commit their lives to their work and their communities and help to make Lakeland a place where you can achieve your own piece of the American dream. The main negative here goes for Polk County in general. I am businessman and hardly a week goes by where I don't experience some sort of vandalism or theft. The area seems to have a lot of dysfunctional people and/or criminals. Law enforcement does catch some but they are soon back on the streets doing their thing again. I blame our legal system, legislators, and media for giving criminals and their like more concern and rights than your solid, law-abiding citizen. With real punishment criminals wouldn't keep doing it dozens of times. When you do file a complaint, you can tell it's so commonplace with the officer that they don't get too worked up about it. So, compared to where I grew up anyway, there are many more lower quality people (and many of them have migrated from the North). This goes for Central Florida in general. If you live here hopefully you find a way to insulate yourself better than I've been able to. Another feeling that some might share with me is this feeling of being landlocked or a bit trapped. A lot of the beauty of our area has been lost, at least lake-wise. Most of the lakes are this ugly green that reminds me of times I was deathly sick and lost it. There are times when I get geographical equivalent of cabin fever. Like I just have to get to one of our beautiful coasts or I'm going to suffocate. Fortunately the drive is short to some of the best tourist destinations in the world. I'm extremely grateful for all those things about an hour away: theme parks, salt water beaches, incredible freshwater springs and you could probably add a few more. Lakeland's proximity, more than its own assets, also makes it a good place to be. Back to the weather. You can say what you want about our warm summers but I still love them. I know the trade off, snow or heat, and I'll take the warm every day. There's no better climate in the Eastern United States as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't enjoy working ten hour days on a hot roof in the summer but I can do a half a day of hard labor and still feel blessed. If you have trouble with the heat you can do things to help your adaptation like taking saunas from time to time. I've lived in Central Florida for over 17 years. My only regret really is that I didn't get here sooner. I may not stay until the end. I will, however, always look back on my time here as well spent for me and my family.

There's no such thing as a city without flaws. However, I was in the Army and I've also traveled a lot. Lakeland is definitely one of the nicer cities! In fact, I love Lakeland. A place is what you make of it.

Family live there! I get to visit twice a year! Love it!

I was born and raised in Winter Haven but i currently live in Lakeland and love it. I also work for Publix.

I miss living in Lakeland but I’m there every day for work so it’s not that bad 👍🏽.i love this video good job 👍🏽

Love my city ❤

I moved to Lakeland, almost 20 years ago, for a new job. I wasn't too excited about moving here, at the time, but the town has really grown on me. I really like living here. Lakeland has almost everything a big city, like Tampa, has, minus most "Big City" problems, like chronic traffic jams and rampant crime. Very affordable, versus cities on the coast. The people are friendly. Shopping, restaurants, movie theatres, doctors, etc. are rarely more than a 15 minute drive away. Growth has added plenty new stores, restaurants, and things to do. Tampa is only 45 minutes away; Orlando is 1 hour. The winters are fantastic....plenty cool, breezy days and chilly nights, occasionally dropping to freezing. ( My only complaint is the miserably long, hot, humid "summer" months (May - October). Being 40+ miles inland, Lakeland doesn't get any significant coastal breeze in the summer, so it's a sweltering, sticky inferno.). I am concerned continued population growth will ruin the "small town" feel and create big city problems.

I am very proud to say I have lived in Lakeland for over 40 years. Every thing new residents would need is here. Hospital, doctors, shopping, great schools, entertainment. Our downtown was flourishing when so many other towns lost their downtowns during recessions. Lakeland is beautiful and no long traffic jams like Tampa and Orlando. Both our county and city police do an excellent job. You won’t say you are sorry if you check out Lakeland, FL!

When I first moved here to LKND S Florida Ave was not busy at all, now it is very backed up, so we take Cleveland Heights Blvd near Lake Hollingsworth

I live in Winter Haven and Love Lakeland, the summer heat is a little hot though 🔥

Never seen so many overdoses and shooting victims than I did while working at Lakeland Regional Medical Center - you left that part out.

That's where I live for 20 years now and I love it ! 👏👏👏

Great drone footage!! Lakeland will always hold a special place in my heart! ❤

No more people moving here. Please. We are quite overloaded now and this will cause home prices and everything else to go up!

Florida Polytechnic University's world-renowned building is named the Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building. This building moves with the sun to create indirect sunlight through its glass roof! It is home to every class at Florida Poly at the moment.

Great video. In addition Lakeland offers good restaurants, live entertainment and events like First Friday. Lake Miror is amazing. I knew I saw drone lights earlier this week. Lol

Man if you dont take this video down. I'm tired of these dam people moving in! We crazy in polk county dont get it wrong G!

You didn't mention anything about our VERY historical swans or the fact that Common Grounds is a playground made for children with disabilities to be able to play with other children as well! Otherwise, this is nicely filmed video.

I love my City!

We lived there for 6 years. We loved it but we felt called to go take a church in Indiana. My husband is a pastor. Miss Lakeland!!

I been working and I when to high school in Lakeland and I’m still living in Lakeland I Been 21 year living in here it the best place to live lakeland it part of my life my job And I like lakeland it home

Born and raised...home sweet home

Benefits of a bigger city = MASSIVE TRAFFIC JAMS - the whole I4 is a NIGHTMARE to be honest

I grew up in Lakeland and I have to say after being away for 10 years, I’m moving back in a few weeks and I’m excited

Claude Lester: I live in Lakeland now, and although I hate the fact that it is growing so fast, I do not see a drug problem, homeless problem, or a sexual predator problem. you must have had a bad experience here, and your taking revenge by talking bad about the town.

Wrong. Fun Fact: Did you know Winter haven was suppose to be lakeland and lakeland was supposed to be winter haven due to there are more lakes in winter haven than the lakeland area look it up

I love lakeland, born and raised here. still here. but the growth I know is a good thing thing but I dislike it. Everything is starting become unrecognizable now, no more cow pastures, almost all of the orange groves are being torn out, homes are being torn down on kathleen for shopping centers and commercial stuff etc. and the traffic is getting as bad as tampa n orlando just about in most areas

Amo este hermoso rincón del mundo que me recibió con la naturalidad de un hijo que regresa de un largo viaje! Gracias y larga vida, mi querida Lakeland!

So glad we decided to move to Lakeland. 💙

They never show close ups of major areas in lakeland.

Lmao they don’t show you memorial MLK, combee wabash or the groves 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Your videos are always so very interesting, entertaining & informative!!!

Polk County native here and while I consider Lakeland its "crown jewel", it's still not THAT great to me. Lived in Bartow (aka "Barftow") for 15 years and hence found myself over in Lakeland during those years a LOT due to the relatively greater amount of activities and food... but I feel so much better since moving over to Tampa recently. Tampa can be a real cesspool in its own right and property values around the greater Tampa Bay area are getting a LITTLE high... but the trade from the bunch of nothing that is the majority of Polk has been one of the best I've ever made in my life. There just aren't a lot of opportunities with either employment or culture out in Grady Judd Land, and that works for some people and I'm glad they're happy, but MAN, what an amazing feeling it was for me to GET OUT!

I’ve lived in Lakeland all my life. I’m only 15 though

Every City has its good and bad but I think Lakeland is a pretty cool place. Swan City..........

I love downtown Lakeland, it's a big city but certainly doesn't look or feel it, it feels like a cozy old Town. I work there now but will be transferring to South Lakeland. I will miss "Swan Lake" (lake Morton I think), the lake with all the swans and birds. I got a lot of wonderful pictures there too.

I live in Lakeland and it’s funny how you guys just pick the good spots to show if I never live there and I seen this video I would definitely think it was a cute town

Wao, I didn't know lakeland is so interesting town....I will visit it soon for my vacation to Florida.

Man show the hood lol 😂 that's were I lived

Leave us alone! We don’t need anymore people here!

The I-4 Corridor is going to be the next Silicon Valley! My hopes are that innovation, science, and technology will soon be the heart of this region.

A big highlight and source of pride are the swans, which were not mentioned.

Everyone that can't afford Tampa Bay ends up in this place it sucks .

I lived in lakeland about 20 years, let me help you know more about lakeland, almost every city have good area and bad area, lakeland is one of them, generally, you can separate lakeland as north lakeland and south lakeland, in the middle is downtown, a little area at north side of downtown, i call it district 13( one movie, after you watch it, you know what i mean), north side lakeland is not really that good, i believe most neg comments from local were from there. on the other hand, south lakeland is really outstanding, beautiful place, very low crime, low living cost, very nice people, and you have the best grocery store in the country- publix, i know some survey said, the best grocery store basic on their own customer's review is trader's joe. but after i visit it, it not even close to Publix, yes. their store is very unique, but the customer service is not close to half of publix, because publix is employee owned, the shopping experience is unimaginable if you never shopping in publix store before. only reason publix can't beat them, because they are not in the same area. if you don't mind florida weather, south lakeland is wonderful place to live. from number 1-10, i give district 13 area score 1, north lakeland 4 or 5, some spot might be 7-8, but south lakeland, i give it 10 and plus. i recently moved to Washington, lot colder, i like the colder weather, but i really missed the friendly people in the south lakeland.

Great video, no mention of Sun N Fun air show? Second biggest air show in the country? Interesting.

Lakeland is a very nice city. You have your trouble spots but what city doesn’t ? I have lived here for almost 50 years from New York City and I’ll take Lakeland any day. I live on the south side much quieter.

I absolutely love my home state, but growth is getting out of hand down here. We are running out of room fast and in the process we're destroying our beautiful natural habitats. Old Florida is slowly dying off and it's sad to see.

Amazing city! Thanks for sharing.

I love Lakeland. Y'all stay back. 😂. We got this.

Best video of Lakeland ive seen ☺️

Haven’t lived here in years kinda miss it

I love Lakeland I want it to keep its beautiful feel.. Stop building.. The cows need somewhere to live..

You guys can make any city look amazing

If you are a crab people better go to Miami or other places, because in Lakeland you never don't gonna be happy. This city is for good people only. I love my city 😍❤️❤️

Beautiful. My home. Just got to b to many people. Moved the family to bartow

If you live in Polk County Lakeland in response to the last comments of only poor people and homeless people have negative comments. I don't care how much money you have living in Polk County it only takes one wrong person to fling accusations At You of any kind to throw you in a year you to court battle that will suck all of your money. Or it can only take maybe one really good kicking car accident that will throw you flat on the side of the road never to get up again. why well first of all the police are known for accusations and labeling and the Horus and the way the insurance industry is with the automobile accidents the average person driving around doesn't have but $10,000 p i p which leaves you forever in a bad. I hope that they don't ask you or Target you for any reason may I say that there are large organizations that do that as well and that can leave you very very much broke yourself so stick around you'll see it's really common here

Left Tampa to live in Lakeland in 2003...The nice parts are South and N. 98.

Good video, still happy I left Lakeland 34 years ago, could not find a liveable job at that time. The City appear to have left my former neighborhood behind, if you live there you know what I'm saying. Loving Atlanta and retired from government here. GO RED DEVILS

Lakeland is peaceful. The southside is at least.

We lived down there for about 2 years had to move back to north ms because I lost my job, it was a pretty quiet side of town we lived in but apartments were pretty expensive

863 forever mannnn❤️

Well done.

Lakeland has a lot of problems but it is a nice place to live, small town feel, city amenities.

Looking forward to adding to all of the greatness Lakeland has to offer with the grand opening of CYCLEdelic in 2021! :)

Another amazing video always a pleasure to watch.Great city would love to live here 👍🙂🇱🇷

That's so lovely beautiful view!😉😉☺

love my city 🖤

Born and raised. Its the being between 2 major cities with tourist attractions that's causing all this growth. All cities have good or bad. Its still home 💖. Most of my family is here.

Lakeland was nice 30 years ago...

Coming here for my flight school from India. Was afraid checking out all the bad news about shootings and gang violence. Finally something positive.

Would’ve been a whole lot cooler if Lakeland’s music scene was mentioned even once.

My city born and raised 😎 #863

A lot of people talking trash about Lakeland I love Lakeland if you don't like it move out, I have seen worst things in Orlando like someone said the memorial is not good but everything else is not as bad as they say. But yeah is getting packed too quick a few years back rents were in the 800s no they are in the 1100 or more, downtown is not that big but is looks decent and theres friendly people around. Not everything is bad.

Y'all ain't been to the west side of lakeland where the hood at bih

Bruh I freaking live here

I been here since 1981 and if I had to do it all over again I would save more money because it's cost to much for rent, houses, and everything else people are great. roads are getting crowded. I wish it was back in the 1950s. I miss a lot of people I know have passed on. it's like any other town it's what you make it. so that being said, it's pretty nice here.

I was in Lake Mirror the other day. There is a huge beautiful Christmas Tree. It looks really nice at night.

My home town love Lakeland I will never leave my family's roots run deep here

4 yr., how far has it moved? See you at the Steak -n- Shake