Reviewed movers in Lakeland
"I and a neighbor had the same problem with the actual cost was almost $1000 more than the quote. As a senior citizen it striped my meager savings If you check the BBB they are out of business."
"This company showed up a week late from the estimated date, then drove the price up $2200, so I asked for a different set of movers and they were suppose to come the next day. Their window was from 9-11am, I never received a call or text or anythi..."
"When purchasing services from PODS, be aware that if you have medical equipment/devices, and/or medication that you are transporting and reliant on, PODS is completely unbothered and unempathetic to your needs. They have delayed my equipment by ov..."
"This company claims to not be a broker but the drivers, drive for multiple moving companies. The guy on delivery showed me all his stops with various companies and said he did not work for Safeway directly. The move started poorly with an attempt ..."
"Just Don't.... Don't hire this company if you value you your mental health, family belongings or a penny of your money. First contact was with "Mark" who is an EXCELLENT liar(I mean, salesman) He told me his company has a spotless record, spoke of..."
"THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM. I am filing a complaint with the FMCSA and reaching out to an attorney who specializing in consumer protection. They quoted us $3,200 for a move. After contracting Rhino, I saw these reviews but they already had our deposit..."
"This moving company received my deposit money but did not render service. People should watch out. Do not use them. They would take your deposits money and tried to ask for more service fees instead of agreeable contract. They have scammed lots of..."
"From the beginning it was all bad but they had my deposit of $789.00 and I thought it was just some mishaps.. I told them every detail of what i would be moving and they gave me a qoute After the few days you have to cancel without forfeiting your..."
"Should have read the reviews before hand and used a national company. These people are straight up liars and try to take you for as much money as possible. Do not trust their quote unless you double it in your head, then add extras for which they ..."
"I have been trying to contact this company for two days after my pick up date. After providing exact measurements of my items 3 weeks before my move, they increase the estimate from $2500 to $4100. I paid the 2 deposits and awaiting the pickup. At..."
"I have used Your Best Move two years in a row. This company is very professional. They send polite and prompt young men to do the job very efficiently and quick. They charge by the hour and you do not have to worry that they will take more time th..."
"I am submitting this to document my extremely poor experience with Coastal Moving Services and to warn others considering using this company. There has not been a single aspect of this process that has gone well. Moving is already a stressful expe..."
"I paid Move Smart a deposit of $1148 via electronic check on 6/11/21 for a move from Rochester NY to Houston TX. I cancelled on 6/12/21 within the 72 hours guaranteed for a refund. On 6/14/21 I received an email from the company that I would recei..."
"This was my family's first move to another state (Indiana to Wisconsin). I have moved countless friends and family members myself and really thought that was how we'd do it. But it became evident that we needed assistance. Plus, I was to receive f..."
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.