Lakeland Ranked #16 Best City to Move to

If you’ve been searching for a new home in Florida near job opportunities, recreation, and attractions, Lakeland is the place to be — this growing city offers the best of both laid-back and city living!

Lakeland placed #16 on U.S. News’ list of the 20 Best Places People Are Moving to in the U.S. based on net migration over a five-year period. And, this comes to no surprise to those of us who call the Sunshine State home! With our beautiful year-round weather, world-class attractions, and affordable cost of living, Florida dominates the list with seven cities in the top 20.

The Best of Both Cities

With its convenience to I-4 and central location between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is a popular home for people who desire a more laid-back lifestyle outside of the big city, while proving an easy commute and access to both cities.

Living in Lakeland places you between the sparkling white sand beaches and exciting events in Tampa and the theme park experiences and unique entertainment in Orlando, as well as employment opportunities in both of these big cities.

And, Lakeland itself is far from boring. One of the best parts about living in Lakeland is it’s metropolitan-country vibe, beautiful landscaping, and eclectic charm which brings people from cities large and small. Whether it’s enjoying dinner at the monthly Lakeland Food Truck Rally, family-fun and entertainment at the popular downtown First Friday events, or catching a ball game during the Detroit Tiger’s spring training at Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland will keep the whole family entertained. For culinary delights, check out both familiar chains and local favorites, and the growing foodies scene welcomes new hotspots such as Cob and Pen and the upcoming Posto 9.

Continued Growth

Based on the U.S. Census data analyzed by U.S. News, Lakeland experienced 4.41 percent growth during the five-year period of 2010 to 2014.

Lakeland is also the number one city for job growth in Florida, thanks in part to a boom in new home construction to provide quality housing options for the growing population, as well as growth in the hospitality, financial, and healthcare industries.

Cost of Living

According to Sperling’s Best Places, the cost of living in Lakeland is about 8.80 points lower than the average cost of living in the United States. The score averages in the cost of groceries, health, housing, utilities, transportation, and more in order to give an accurate representation of the city.

The median home price in Lakeland is around $145,000 with the average rent at $870 per month, according to U.S. News. Lakeland’s affordable home prices are a big draw when compared to our neighbors in Tampa and Orlando, which average in the high $100’s.

Highland Homes has been based in Lakeland and building homes here for 20 years, and we are proud to call this city home and be a part of its growth and economic development. We currently build new homes in Lakeland in three exciting neighborhoods — Donovan Trace and Glennwood Terrace on the north side of Lakeland, and Highlands Creek II on the south side. New homes designed for your life are priced from the mid $100’s with more than 30 home designs to choose from offering open great room layouts, luxurious kitchens and master suites, and outdoor living areas.

In addition, we build homes in nearby Bartow, Mulberry, Winter Haven, Ocala, Tampa Bay, and Orlando. Tampa and Orlando also made the list of top cities to move to, with Tampa coming in at number 18 thanks to its 4.33 percent growth, and Orlando at number 5 with 6.4 percent population growth.

Ready to start loving life in this sunny, growing, and fun-loving cities? Learn more about our Lakeland homes, and all of our Florida communities, by calling the New Home Specialists at 863-797-4999 or visiting the Highland Homes website.