The Lakeland real estate market offers opportunities for everyone and there are many good deals to be found. It’s an open market with $112,000 for the median sales price. There are many great Lakeland homes for sale that would be perfect and that would fit your particular needs. It’s a great time to buy now that the price of homes has decreased by about 16% from last quarter.
History of Lakeland
Spanish Explorers came to Florida in the 16th century. Until that time, it was inhabited by Native Americans. During the Civil War, the northern settlers were trying to build homesteads. Many succeeded in building farms and raising cattle. During the 1800s, the three Seminole Wars caused great conflict between white settlers and Indians. Stability and peace was made due to the construction of military forts. The need for beef and agricultural products was strong. There was a ready market and troops need to be supplied.
A man named Abraham Munn, traveled from Louisville, Kentucky to buy up 80 acres of land back in 1882. Today that land is now downtown Lakeland. It was named for its many lakes. In 1885, the town of Lakeland was incorporated. A mysterious fire caused a train depot from a rival town in Lake Parker to burn down. That depot was then built in Lakeland. Since about 25 trains would stop in Lakeland daily, economic development and tourism became a big part of the town. The Tremont Hotel was built in 1885 by Munn. South Florida considered the Tremont to be one of the best hotels in Florida.
Lakeland is also known for becoming the third city in Florida to ever have the electric light. During the land boom of 1920, began the construction of many Renaissance style buildings. There are even some still in Lakeland today in the Munn Historic District. Until the Depression of 1929 when the value of land was decreasing, the community was still growing. New things were being built like the Lakeland Municipal Airport and the Detroit Tigers Baseball Club. The city started to recover. It was now 1938; Frank Lloyd Wright was a famous architect who designed Florida Southern College. Since Lakeland is centrally located it continues to grow and develop.
Lakeland Today
Today over 90,200 residents currently reside there. Large shopping centers and restaurants make up many of Lakelands big employers. Privately owned companies who have skyscrapers following Lake Mirror are located in Downtown Lakeland which is known as their headquarters. Those who live in Lakeland have several lakes surrounding them. Lake Parker, Lake Bonny, Lakeshore and Lake Hollingsworth and many others are all within walking distance. Subdivisions like Valencia Heights, Cleveland Heights, Beacon Hill and Granada surround many of the lakes. Many golf courses such as Cleveland Heights Golf Course and Country Club and Long Palms Golf Course are here for your enjoyment.
If you’re a classic car enthusiast, then you won’t want to miss the Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival and Auction for 2011. This year they are auctioning off 100 collector cars during their inaugural Lake Mirror Classic Car Auction. The auction will be conducted on behalf of Lake Mirror Classic. The public will be able to view the cars.
The festival will be held in downtown Lakeland, FL on Saturday, October 15th at the Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival. Over 35,000 people are expected to attend. If you would like more information on the event as it becomes available send an email to registrar@lakemirrorclassic.com
If it’s music you’re into, Lakeland has some major talent coming its way with this year’s Florida Strawberry Festival. You won’t want to miss the Doobie Brothers on March 10th. Also playing on the 10th is George Jones and on the 11th is up and coming Country Star Justin Moore plus many more musical guests throughout the month. Check out eventful.com for venues and times.
Schools in Lakeland
The Polk County School Board operates the public schools. Lakeland has 28 elementary schools, 7 middle and 5 regular high schools. They also have 3 high schools that are magnet-choice or schools which teach special needs children. Lakeland also has the charter school, McKeel Academy of Technology.
There are also many opportunities for higher learning available. The most well known college in Lakeland, Florida Southern College is located on Lake Hollingsworth. There is also Southeastern University which is also affiliated with Assembles of God which accommodates 3000 students. The University of South Florida Polytechnic is on the same site with Polk State College and can be found on Winter Lake Road. All of these schools are fine institutions, perfect for current and new residents to Lakeland.
Economy
You can find Lakeland as you drive down interstate 4. It’s the largest city between Tampa and Orlando. The biggest industries are citrus, phosphate mining and cattle. Also gaining in importance over the last few decades are medicine, insurance, music, transportation and tourism. Citrus has been a big part of Lakeland since the early settlers started planting and selling crops back in the 1850s. Even though it’s not the biggest industry anymore, it’s still a major part of Polk County and Lakeland.
Bone Valley is where most of the phosphate mining takes place, producing about 25% of the U.S supply. The largest employer in Lakeland is Publix Supermarkets, one of the largest grocery chains in the U.S. This store employs well over 6,500 Lakeland residents. That includes in the headquarters and warehouse.
Lakeland is also known as a transportation hub for FedEx Freight & FedEx Services as well as Saddle Creek Corporation. In fact they employ over 600 Lakeland residents. Other larger companies include GEICO, Rooms To Go, Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Summit Consulting.
Why live in Lakeland
As you can see, Lakeland has a lot to offer in the way of rich history, fantastic events, great schools, and employment opportunities. The only thing left to do is check out the local Lakeland real estate and find the right fit for you. There are many Lakeland homes available. Lakeland offers that small town feel and it’s the perfect place to call home.