Reviewed movers in Lakeland
"This is the worse moving company I have ever dealt with. They damaged my furniture and then wants to pay me $50 for breaking the leg of my antique chair. Then she had the audacity to tell me she is the executive director of the company and that I ..."
"I canceled the service on the same day and was charged when Carroll Wade contacted me and tried to threaten me. The company is terrible are criminals. The reviews are fake, he creates emails and phones to do fake reviews. never believe in this com..."
"Run. Don not walk. Run away from this company. We hired them to move us from VT to MT for $16,000 plus for white glove service. Our belongings arrived 2 weeks late and 75% of our belongings were not packed, destroyed, broken, scratched. The contra..."
"These people are cons. we dealt specifically with Eric Kramer, and he is a snake. promised us everything we wanted. told us not to worry about the contract guidelines because we were "all set." Couple days before our move CROSS COUNTRY, we get a c..."
"I signed a moving contract between Dallas, TX and Corpus Christi, TX with Ryan Rinker from Coastal Movers for $2,179.50 on 5/28/24. I gave a 944.00 deposit to Ryan for the move. Ryan told me that they couldn’t travel 6 hours in 1 day due to the ..."
"DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS SCAM COMPANY!!! WHY AFTER ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ABOUT BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES ARE THEY NOT SHUT DOWN??? Hired them to move interstate. Was contacted by agent Howard and he talked Non-Stop about how great he was and wha..."
"Please avoid. This company will lure you with a lower quote and then after the time period of when you can cancel pass, they will coincidentally increase the price and keep your deposit even when you don't use their service. Do yourself a favor an..."
"The company gave 12 hours notice before picking up my possessions, caused significant wall and door damage during the move, and it cost $2000 more than additionally quoted. It’s been 3 weeks since I moved and I have had zero contact from them rega..."
"This company is run by thieves and crooks. The president of the company is Heidi Lynn Baker, I was given a quote for a move from Arizona to Texas made my deposit and everything was on track until 4 days before the move, I received a call telling m..."
"Worst experience ever. They called me to give a day and hour of delivery they never showed up until next day. All my boxes were cover in mud and i am lacking of 3 boxes. run away from this 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.