743 movers in Bartow
"Initial quote $4100 for 3 bed 2 bath. Was told I had a lot of furniture and bumped it to $6100 before they would begin loading. I felt trapped, new owners took possession in 2 days. Broker driver said I could use debit card to pay $2000. About 1/3..."
"Let me start out by saying they are the best damn movers in Jacksonville. I called today after another mover fell through. The owner was nice and worked with me to get the move done today. I was blown away. I called around 9:30 am. They arrived cl..."
"Do not do business with this company or any rebranded entities affiliated with Moving Forward! They are thieves! Run!!"
"My experience with Forward Van Lines has been awful. I hired them in April 2022 for a move from Washington, DC to Boca Raton, FL, but since my new home wasn’t ready, I arranged to store my belongings with them for over two years. During this time,..."
"Just had a terrible experience with this amateur moving company. Every person I spoke to blamed the constant price increase on "the boss" Hector. They were constantly late, then when they finally have your belongings on their truck, surprise, pay ..."
"Victory Moving and Storage aka Sammy services moving was contracted by Complete Moving Group aka 4 Directions to pack and deliver ~13k lbs of household goods/$9772. When they arrived almost 13 hours later than the agreed time, they said we were un..."
"The company scheduled a three-day packing and moving service for my Household Goods (HHG) shipment as part of a military relocation. Unfortunately, the move revealed significant coordination issues, incomplete documentation, and execution that fel..."
"I hired Colonial Van Lines to move our household belongings from Ohio to Florida with a scheduled move date of October 1st. We were not told they contracted out to Old Baymeadows Movers which is who showed up finally on October 4, as no one would ..."
"Ar. on Nov. 1st and I haven’t seen my furniture yet. I keep calling the company and they won’t call me back or they keep asking for more money for storage. My furniture was supposed to be delivered on Dec. 29,2022 and they told me that my furnitur..."
"My move was simply 2 miles one way with 2 stops. Time frame for arrival 10am-12, Mover came late 12:20. Drama began at Start time was not accurate it was recorded when Truck Parked, set up ramp etc.. not when job began (contract violation) Movers..."
"I engaged the services of MD Pro Movers to transport property from St.Augustine Florida to Maryland. The experience with them was simply HORRIBLE. The contract is quite long so read it carefully. There is no delivery time guarantee and unless you ..."
"Recently I used Red Lion’s services and I would never use them again. The initial quote given from the inventory list was almost three thousand less than the final cost. This company will underbid all the others but then you’ll end up paying two..."
"3 Brothers is the worst moving company… 3 Brothers is the worst moving company ever. They lie to you and the day of the move, they will not pick up your calls. The money came up to be triple of what they charge you. They charged me $7000 and it..."
What to know when moving to Bartow, FL
TL;DR: Bartow at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A community where 31.5% of residents are renters and the median household income is $62,636.
- The Major Draw:
- Median gross rent is $1,017, making it relatively affordable for the area.
- The Reality Check:
- 18.3% of residents live in poverty, which is a significant consideration.
- Commute:
- Only 0.1% of residents use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for a median home value of $207,900 if you're considering buying.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Bartow is characterized by a population of around 32,738, with 18.4% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a relatively low renter percentage at 31.5%, indicating a community that leans towards homeownership. However, the poverty rate is 18.3%, which could affect overall economic stability.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for high public transit options, as only 0.1% of residents commute via this method, suggesting a strong reliance on personal vehicles.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $1,017, making it accessible compared to many other areas.
- The median owner-occupied home value is $207,900, which is reasonable for the region.
- 18.4% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, contributing to the community's character.
- The poverty rate stands at 18.3%, indicating some financial challenges within the community.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Schools & Higher Ed
There are 7 postsecondary institutions available in the nearby area, offering various educational opportunities.
- Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland
- Florida Southern College
- NUC University - Florida Technical College - Lakeland
- Polk State College
- Southeastern University
- Traviss Technical College
- UR Beauty & Barber Academy-At True Family Barber Academy
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES, College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
While specific climate data is unavailable, there are several parks and outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy nearby.
- Bonnet Springs Park - 4.9 stars (2,687 reviews)
- Mary Holland Park - 4.5 stars (1,024 reviews)
- Holloway Park - 4.5 stars (599 reviews)
- Loyce E. Harpe Park - 4.5 stars (507 reviews)
- Rotary Park - 4.3 stars (432 reviews)
Source: Google Places API.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In Polk County, the unemployment rate is 5.5% as of December 2025, with a labor force of 361,713.
- Unemployment rate: 5.5% (December 2025)
- Employed: 341,767
- Labor force: 361,713
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.