746 movers in Lakeland
"Do not use this company. They will be nice ONLY until they get your deposit. I tried to cancel with them because my rep made me nervous but they refuse to give me my money back. I received at least ten calls a day from different numbers and text m..."
"Well, now that it appears that it is all over, I want to warn everyone in Florida. Do NOT, under ANY circumstances, hire Fresh Start Movers. I will tell you what happened to me. I hired them to move me from Sebring to Fort Myers. Most of you know ..."
"This was, by far, the most unprofessional moving company I've ever dealt with. Ironically, my girlfriend used this same company a year ago, and they did an excellent job. This time, it was the complete opposite. First, they canceled the original ..."
"I used this company to move and almost every single item was completely damaged beyond repair. It was almost as if they were angry and took it out on my furnishings. Nothing in the contract was adhered to and they had no insurance as promised. Go ..."
"CRIMINALS!! DO NOT USE!! THEY WILL STEAL EVERYTHING YOU OWN!!! They made us sign a binding contract and wouldn't allow us to have a copy. The online contract was a link and they disabled it. The movers weren't allowed to give us a copy of the ite..."
"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..."
"Given that the within Brazil moves were great, I hired them to move back to Saint Louis, MO. 1. They packed carefully.2. They were flexible. 3. They kept changing your contact person and often took weird days off the office 4. Their bargaining pow..."
"Buckle up for a review of a life time. Let's start at the beginning. This company contacted me to be my moving supplier and after some talking with the representative who called me I decided to go with this company. He informed me that they would ..."
"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,..."
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.