Reviewed movers in Bartow
"I hired Vanguard moving Jan of 2024 and told them what exactly included in the move the man I dealt with was Sam and he had quoted me $4450 with them packing everything and the week before they called and did their final review of Items and the pr..."
"This company scammed my mother and I by vastly overcharging us what was quoted. They also lost family heirlooms and damaged several items. AVOID!!!"
"They lied about bringing an empty truck which was 3/4 full so my partial load was put is storage in two states with quoted delivery of 5 days. Delivery was actually 30 days and they extorted more than $10,000 extra from us to actually deliver our ..."
"My price went up, my stuff came late, they avoided any type of communication in between pickup and delivery and I am missing boxes and some furniture and the process to claim everything takes more time and cost then everything in my house is worth..."
"I would give zero starts if I could. I contacted this company October 5, 2023, spoke with David Thomas. Booked a move and put a deposit of $943.00. I was notified My company contracts with someone else, so I cancelled the service. This company ref..."
"They use a 3rd party to move your things, delivery is not communicated properly and this could take up to 30 days. Stated when contacted by the 3rd party agency. Use van lines at your own risk.belive the 1 star reviews they speak volume"
"I hired this company in June 2022 to move from IN to VA. Paid over $4000, then the day the truck was loaded, the guy tells me I owe him $5000. I said I already paid. He said you paid the broker but you have to pay us, too. It was either pay them o..."
"I gave them a check for $700.00. I worked with them for 4 months coordinating my life. I told them I was flying in and out and had to have a definitive date I could depend on. Over and over I asked to ensure there would be no issues. I was not giv..."
"MAP MOVERS The Movers that picked up and dropped off, were hard workers and very polite. Management and dealing with my refund for late days was absolutely deplorable. My move was last September and to this day the horrible management Led by MAX..."
"Run for your life! This bunch of punk kid bandits have to be stopped. I had a move so horrendous from them. First they show up in a U-Haul then a few juveniles are set loose to charm you and take their sweet time. One shared with me he was fro..."
"When they came to my house on a Sunday I was told that it would be an additional $2000 in addition to the $4000 I had been quoted. Kept my items for 2 weeks then some were broken when they did arrive. The settlement was $60 on a 40 year old cedar ..."
"I have 5 pieces of furniture damaged by this company. I have a $750 judgement from small claims court. Do not use them!"
"Liars, unsympathetic - said they were not brokers, turned out to be brokers. Spent thousands of dollars on a cross country move booked 8 months in advance. Told that the company they hired was known to break stuff and “misplace” items. We lost 25%..."
"This company must be close they are sheeting America people i have very bad moving stuff with them start from 5 to 10 business day then I get my stuff after two months in terrible way raining in my stuff Lyres people sheeting people don’t believ..."
"Our stuff was picked up 11/1. Instead of heading to CA from VA, as was planned, it was sent to a warehouse in MD. Where it sat until the middle of the month 11/15. We lived for two weeks in VA and then two weeks in CA with no stuff. It was picked ..."
"All I can say is respect! They work very hard and very professional. They have all the equipment they need to make your move more easy and comfortable. I had the pleasure to meet them! Thank you very much for your help! I’d highly recommend them! ..."
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.