Reviewed movers in Lakeland
"Avoid Top Tier Moving like the plague. Here's my experience. The pickup driver (Igor) took the postal money orders off a table without me handing them over and ran off with more than we were supposed to pay. This was theft. They failed to provid..."
"We moved furniture from Aventura, Florida, to Bethesda, Maryland in October 2018. We signed the contract with American Moving Partners, LLC, which said it included up to $10,000 in insurance. American Moving Partners then subcontracted a Florida c..."
"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..."
"Owner operator gina ricchiuti pulled a gun on me with her friend check out value van lines house hold logistics abs in motion movers"
"WARNING: Terrible Value, Hidden Fees, and "Lowball" Scams (Job # 5470123) Do not use Amerisafe Moving. If you are looking for good value and reliable service quality, you will absolutely not find it here. I have since learned that moving brokers ..."
"I researched 5 moving companies and decided upon 1 and provided a deposit. I changed my mind after they reviewed my submitted inventory list and wanted and additional $6 thousand which I figured would increase on the day of the move plus tipping t..."
"I was scammed by this company told they would handle my 5x10 unit storage i gave exact amount items. Given a binding quote took my deposit then gave my move to nonaccrecited movers without telling me. Who began adding fees claiming the charge by c..."
"Lie about cost, hold your items hostage, destroy things and never even consider an insurance claim/will just ignore you. Do not hire!! Move from TN to MN. Used Allen's Moving and storage out of Florida, another total crap scam company."
"Never a "Fu**ing" gain!! I originally booked with another company but their truck broke down the morning of my move. I was referred to this company by the company who could not make it. When I called originally I felt like I may run into a "People..."
"This is the third time River City has moved my family, and we're extremely grateful. Great job!! I highly recommend this Family owned company."
What to know when moving to Lakeland, FL
TL;DR: Lakeland at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A community where 49.8% of residents are renters and the median household income is $49,210.
- The Major Draw:
- Affordable housing with a median gross rent of $1,100 and a median home value of $138,700.
- The Reality Check:
- A poverty rate of 22.8% indicates some economic challenges.
- Commute:
- Only 0.1% use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for $1,100/month in rent.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Lakeland has a population of 33,460, with a notable 49.8% of residents renting their homes. The community is characterized by a relatively low education level, with only 15.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. With a poverty rate of 22.8%, the economic landscape presents some challenges for residents.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for a highly educated population or strong public transit options, as the transit use is just 0.1%.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- With a median gross rent of $1,100, you can find affordable housing options in the area.
- The median home value is $138,700, making it feasible for many to own.
- The poverty rate stands at 22.8%, which reflects some financial challenges in the community.
- Nearly half of the residents, 49.8%, are renters, indicating a balanced housing market.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Schools & Higher Ed
There are 9 higher education institutions in the surrounding area, providing various educational opportunities.
- Florida Polytechnic University
- Florida Southern College
- Southeastern University
- Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland
- Empire Beauty School-Lakeland
- Keiser University-Lakeland
- Traviss Technical College
- Maynard A. Traviss Technical College - Central Florida Aerospace Academy
- NUC University - Florida Technical College - Lakeland
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES, College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
While specific climate data is unavailable, there are plenty of nearby outdoor spots to enjoy.
- Bonnet Springs Park - 4.9 stars (2,688 reviews)
- Munn Park - 4.5 stars (2,436 reviews)
- Barnett Family Park - 4.7 stars (2,076 reviews)
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park - 4.5 stars (3,129 reviews)
- Florida Children's Museum - 4.6 stars (1,253 reviews)
Source: Google Places API (New).
Jobs & the Local Economy
In Polk County, the unemployment rate is 5.5%, with 341,767 people employed out of a labor force of 361,713.
- Unemployment rate: 5.5% as of December 2025
- Employed: 341,767
- Labor force: 361,713
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.