bturns if you're a single male working near the hillsborough/polk county line, then you need to live downtown tampa/seminole heights/ybor city (fuck the ybor haters). You'll be going against traffic for work, so the commute to work will be a breeze, and you'll be in a good spot to take alternative routes if the I-4/275 interchange gets backed up on the way home (Ron Howard: "it will"). Plus on the weekend you'll be a short walk/uber ride for everything.
I'd say get an apartment close to work and if you really hate it then you can try the commute life. The weekends are when living in Lakeland will suck. Where are you from originally?
So you would recommend these? https://www.apartments.com/the-tempo-at-encore-tampa-fl/g253g9z/ https://www.apartments.com/mobley-park-tampa-fl/1d9lbx7/
we've all done it (to some extent). I wouldn't call heading east on i4 at 8 am or west on i4 at 5 pm "nothing," but I cross the Skyway 10-14 times a week so I'm a little bitter about traffic. And I also hate i4.
I think those seem good from a location standpoint. I'd also consider a bungalow rental in Seminole Heights. And I only say that because I prefer a home rental vs sharing a wall with someone. But for an apartment, those locations are excellent.
That area is getting a lot better. Some cool spots nearby. If you have the time/money and haven’t visited the areas you’re looking at yet I’d highly recommend getting an Airbnb or hotel nearby for a night. Check out the top areas from your research/test drive the commute to work and have peace of mind for the next 12 months.
heading to tampa this friday for a few days to look for a place to live. that is exactly what im going to do.
I have to work in Lakeland a lot. I’m in the Wesley chapel area. I take the back roads to get there most of the time to dodge I-4. Takes me about 45 min to an hour and it’s an easy drive with no traffic. Maybe an area to consider bturns
Not sure if you’ve seen this yet, but here’s a rundown of the restaurants. https://www.tampabay.com/previous/t...ts-opening-at-sparkman-wharf-friday-20181127/
Did St. Pete to Osceola and back twice recently during work hours and laughed to myself about this post. As everyone knows, that drive is god awful. You must be very patient.
I’m waiting for it to die down. Had some friends there last night and they said all the restaurants had 45 minute lines for food.
Ended up getting an apt downtown Lakeland for the first year to scope it out. Lakeland isn't that bad actually...
I don’t live in FL anymore so I don’t check this thread often but I’m so sorry I missed this. My wife and I lived in Lakeland (against the advice of tmb) and we hated it, even thought it was close to my job. We tried churches, we tried meeting people through the gym, through softball leagues and I’ve never been completely surrounded by trash. I was getting physical and making small talk with the nurse who I just told that we were new to the area and her response was along the lines of, “Polk Co leads the state in meth and aids, that’s why I live I. Tampa and commute.” We bought in Tampa and I drove back to Polk co for work which was alright considering I was driving against traffic. Go eat at Red Door. It the only good restaurant in Lakeland and is near where you live.
Did you live in North Lakeland? It’s like a 3rd world country. TBH, I wouldn’t live anywhere in lakeland except Downtown or near lakeside village but depending on what happens next year, I’ll be scoping out a place in Tampa.
I’ve now recently started noticing this. White trash and grossness everywhere. You can’t go to a restaurant, store, bar, anywhere regardless if is “upscale” or not without running into trash. It’s unsettling. I’ve been talking to this girl, good looking but then she shows me pictures of her family. Moms side is okay, dads side... whoa. And it’s like that with everyone from this area... it’s kinda depressing.
One of my co workers was a pilot in a previous career and would fly himself to football games, vacation, or just around for fun. He would tell me how when he had a birds eye view that there were literally trailer parks woven all throughout Polk County. After that I realized he wasn’t kidding. Fucking everywhere. Also the old people, i really grew to hate them too. Obnoxious, rude, grumpy, they were terrible too.
Grew up there. Wish the wife would’ve want to live there. She didn’t want deal with the traffic into downtown and the HS isn’t that good.
Sparkman wharf is awesome. Hope they keep the open feeling when they redo it all. Beer selection is solid at the main bar, but a little pricey
We went around 4 before walking to lightning game. It's 100% better than old Channelside. Open with clear view of water, and food selection was solid. Going to be all over national TV when playoffs start. Top notch scenary as well with it being 80 today