By Manuella Irwin
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
6 min read
Reviewed by Martin Pаnауоtоv
Editor
Martin is founder of MoveAdvisor, formerly MyMovingReviews.com.
747 movers in Bartow
"Very professional and highly efficient. I was moving a room from Flatbush to Mount Vernon. They came early to find a perfect parking spot and quickly moved all my boxes into the truck. It took only about 1 hour and 10 mins to load. These guys are ..."
"We have (had?) a contract with this company to do a small move for my mom from Oregon to Colorado. We paid the retainer fee. On the day before I was to fly out, I got the call that they would not be able to follow through. Supposedly they tried to..."
"I moved from a 4th floor apartment, to a home with a ridiculous driveway. Apparently, my entire apartment building was moving the same day and using the same elevator. Also, the home I was moving into was in a far away land. Not the easiest move, ..."
"I can't say enough good things about the amazing movers who helped me relocate from Massachusetts to Florida, with a stop in Connecticut along the way. From the moment they arrived, I felt like I was in good hands. They were friendly, respectful, ..."
"Beacon Moving advertises as if they support you through the entire moving process, including estimating the cost of your household goods. In reality, what they do is push you into paying a high, non-refundable down payment so you feel obligated to..."
"What impressed me most was how smoothly everything went. The crew responded instantly to one another's signals and demands and worked together as a well-trained team, without constant supervision. I know they took pride in doing things right. All ..."
"Many thanks to Vaughn, Harley and Rick- What a fantastic team! I’ve moved so many times before, and this is my third cross country move, which can get really stressful if disorganized. These three gentlemen were kind, patient, direct and fast! I a..."
"Guardian moving is a broker that doesn't properly vent/manage the moving contractors they utilize. I DO NOT recommend using them. 3 weeks late in delivery to residence, DAMAGED AND LOST items, terrible body odor/hygiene of moving "professionals" p..."
"Great movers across the board. What we really liked is the app they gave us, that was literally for our specific move at booking. We read all the horror stories on line, about under quoting, poor service, things broken, missed dates and time lines..."
"They will give you a low quote and then pressure you to put money down to hold your spot with the option of cancelling. I Signed a contract with Guardian van lines to broker a move to transport my belongings with an option for a full refund if can..."
"Here is their scam or "business model." They are a broker, not a mover. They quote you a low price, and then they call you and say "please give us a very detailed inventory of everything." You do so. They give you a slightly higher quote and promi..."
"These movers deserve genuine appreciation for their exceptional service. They arrived on time and worked diligently to load my belongings, and their constant cheerful demeanor was a testament to their commitment to excellence."
"The driver and crew supervisor, Allen, was very professional, as were his crew. They wrapped and guarded all the furniture and anything that needed protecting, including a guitar. Everything was taken care of with great respect, nothing was damage..."
"Gustavo and rob we are finishing up and very pleased with our move. No issues whatsoever. Everything is in perfect condition. I couldn’t have done it without these two guys. They made the trip worthwhile and if I had to do it again, I would use th..."
"Quoting process was very professional, accurate, and complete. Multiple items including a flat-screen TV, picture frames, etc. packed by Alex Moving were broken during the move. No supervisor, lead person, or experienced loader was present durin..."
"If you want your belongings and furniture broken use these movers. All my furniture was damaged. Broke my tv. Destroyed my armoire and wouldn’t come back to put my bed together when they forgot to bring screws. They took days to answer my texts an..."
"I had a move from Florida to wisconsin, spoke with a gentleman and decided to move forward using this company. I wish I hadn't. I will get to that in a minute. The day of my move December 18th 2023 was perfectly fine had some extra items whi h I h..."
"I would like to recount the unbelievably bad experience and bad service that I had with AME. It started out well with Kyle Lavelle, whom I had 3 – 4 conversations with. We talked about the move, and about insurance - if there was a need- he didn’t..."
"I thought I was dealing with Professional Moving and Storage when I hired them to move some furniture to Florida. But I soon found out that I was dealing with a company called Radius Moving. It was a horrible experience from that point on. Had to ..."
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.