Hello Friday.
April 19 2024
No. 1. That’s what Florida ranked yesterday on Wallet Hub’s list of 2022’s Best States to Retire. The 50 states were ranked using 47 metrics spanning three core factors: affordability, quality of life, and health care.
While we can all agree that the Sunshine State at large is a great place to live, Lakeland ranked No. 6 on Retirement Living’s list of The Top 50 Cities for Retirement. In this study, crime, housing + assisted living costs, and population growth were analyzed to determine the best cities for retirees.
Lakeland has a long-standing reputation as a hotspot for post-professionals. Early last year, the City of Lakeland ranked No. 4 out of 734 US cities on AdvisorSmith’s list of Midsize Cities Where Retirees are Moving, was donned a “Silver City'' in 2019 by the McKinsey Global Institute, and ranked No. 10 out of 100 Best Places to Retire in the US by US & World Report News.
So, what makes Lakeland such a desirable place for those looking to retire?
- Decreasing crime rates throughout Polk County — Polk's crime rate has decreased over the last decade, despite a steadily increasing population, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's data.
- Retired taxpayer-friendliness — According to a ranking by Kiplinger, a business + finance service, Lakeland has a below-average tax burden and ranks No. 17 out of 50 Florida cities for taxpayer friendliness.
- Mildness of weather — Did you know that Lakeland boasts a comfort index of 9.2/10 during the winter months? Lakeland's balmy winter weather is in part due to its 240 sunny days each year, over a full month more sunshine than the average state.
Are you one of the roughly 2,000 people who has retired to Lakeland over the last five years? Let us know why you chose Swan City below.
Use the buttons below to share this story with someone looking for a great place to retire.
Today
- Token Tuesday | Tues., Jan. 25 | 4 p.m.-2 a.m. | Rec Room | Free | Get $2 in game tokens for every drink purchased. 🎟️
- Rose Colored Glassware Set | Tues., Jan. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Painting with a Twist Winter Haven, 6264 Cypress Gardens Blvd. | $37 | Learn to paint a floral pattern onto wine glasses that you can take home with you — supplies included. 🍷
Wednesday
- Trivia Night | Wed., Jan 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Union Taproom | Free | Pour your own drafts at Union Taproom while you compete in a round of trivia. 🍺
Thursday
- Recruitment Informational Meetings | Select days Thurs., Jan. 27-Sat., Feb 19 | Times vary | 3425 Winter Lake Rd. | Free | Learn about Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School + how students can earn an Associates degree for free.*
Friday
- Lakeland Pigfest | Fri., Jan. 28 | 5-10 p.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus | $5 | Come out to this festival and pig out on barbeque, entertainment, and live music. 🐷
- Lakeland Magic Promotional Game | Fri., Jan. 28 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $10+ | Basketball fans can watch the Lakeland Magic play the Long Island Nets + the first 1,000 fans will receive a mystery gift. 🏀
Saturday
- Steelin’ Peaches | Sat., Jan. 29 | 8-11:30 p.m. | Union Hall | $20 | Sing along to music from the Allman Brothers tribute band, Steelin’ Peaches. 🍑
Sunday
Monday
- Happy Hour | Mon., Jan. 31 | 12-7 p.m. | The Brass Tap | Free | Catch a game of Monday night football + savor select draft beer, wine, spirits, and food for $4.25. 🍺
Tuesday
- What’s for lunch? | Tues., Feb. 1 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School | $50 | Upgrade your lunchbox and learn to make curried lamb, steamed vegetable summer roll, tempeh chorizo-flavored soft tacos, and peanut noodle salad. 🍴
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 56º | Rain | 80% chance of rain
Opening
- Sabrina’s Delicacies is opening a storefront at 4610 Cleveland Heights Blvd., in the same plaza as Tea Largo and She’s Not Here Nail Spa. While a grand opening date is yet to be announced, you can plan on dining in or stopping by for grab + go charcuterie.
- Pure Barre Lakeland has announced its brick + mortar location. The fitness studio will be located in Lakeside Village next to Moe’s Southwest Grill, in the space formerly home to Starbucks. If you’re interested in making this your fitness studio of choice, you can register for a membership here. 💪
Biz
- Calling all business owners. Applications are open for Catapult Lakeland’s Launch Pitch Night on Wed., March 30. Winners will walk away with up to $10,000 in micro grant funding, and you can apply here through Sun., Feb. 20.
Try This
- Mark your calendars for Sat., Feb. 12 for Buena Market’s Valentine’s Block Party. In addition to the usual live music and food, the heartfelt festivities will feature an expanded night market with 50+ makers, an art walk, and an auction to benefit the Lakeland Art Guild. 💕
Arts
- Head to Harrison School for the Arts on Mon., Feb. 7 from 6-7 p.m. for Lakeland Sister Cities International’s free “Young Artists and Authors Showcase.” Lakeland-area artists + authors aged 13-18 have been invited to submit work corresponding with the theme “Generation Rescue: Sustainable Water for All.”
Eat
- Plant-based eaters, this one’s for you. Krazy Kombucha is now offering grab-and-go options from Vegetation Plant Foods starting tomorrow from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lakelander
- Lakeland teen James Rogers will participate in his first competition at the 2022 FAI Indoor Skydiving European Championships and World Cup in April. James trains at iFly Indoor Skydiving in Tampa several hours a week, and hopes to try outdoor skydiving when he turns 18. (The Ledger)
Real Estate
- The historic Bartow home that served as the location for the 90s classic “My Girl” is back on the market after reportedly being sold in October 2021. Currently, the 7,396-sqft home at 555 E. Stanford St. is listed at $499,400.
Feel Good
-
A Winter Haven family was reunited with their bulldog-mix, Rosie, after she disappeared from their yard last month. Thankfully, the dog was found in Nebraska, and the Polk County Animal Control Department donated funds to return Rosie to her family. 🐾 (WFLA News Channel 8)
Sports
- Are you taking guests to a Flying Tigers game soon? Visit Central Florida compiled a list of five things to do before + after the teams go up to bat. You can check out the list for everything from axe throwing to architecture tours. ⚾ (Visit Central FL)
Now Open
- Feeling like wastin’ away again in Margaritaville? Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins is now open in Auburndale. Find more information about its tiki bar, resort pool, putting ground, and arcade, here. 🏖️ (WFLA News Channel 8)
Announced
*This paid content, brought to you by our advertising partners, helps make this newsletter free.
You’re not the only one bundling up against this cold. The strawberries at Keel Farms are staying warm with a running water bath in these freezing temperatures. Despite the cold + low humidity, which can put the plant at risk, Keel Farms reports that the berries are doing fine.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Just use #LALtoday on social media.
EARN FREE GEAR
Keep earning and learn other ways to earn points here. Then redeem them for exclusive Lakeland swag at The 6AM Shop.
Share now with your friends, family, and all Lakeland lovers! Just click the buttons below:
Here is the unique referral link for Susan: ⤵️
Copy, paste, share + save this in a safe spot... or check here each morning anytime you need it.
Editor’s pick: Do you know Lakeland’s sister cities? Lakeland Sister Cities International, formed in 1990, aims to make connections with similar cities worldwide. The first relationship established was with Richmond Hill, Canada (1990), followed by Imabari, Japan (1995), Balti, Moldova (1997), Chongming, China (2007), and Portmore, Jamaica (2009).
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We went hog-wild for the 25th annual Lakeland Pigfest, here.
LALtoday Team
Editorial: Katelyn, Rilee, Kaylee
Sales: Kailey
Advertise with us.
Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?
|
