We lived just down the road from Lake Ashton in Haines City for 7 years before moving to TV. Very nice community, nice houses, beautiful grounds and landscaping, we visited it several times when we are deciding on where to retire. It, like may other 55+ developments, is a stand alone community and you will have to go into the local community for anything you need, not that that is bad, just less convenient and nothing outside the development is golf cart accessible. As we had visited several times one of the things that we noticed was that the rec center, pool, and golf course was always empty no matter when we visited, unlike the high activity levels we had here. The monthly fees there were $300+, but to be fair I believe that it included basic lawn care and basic cable. Taxes and insurance in Polk County are also higher than here in TV. Utilities are also much higher in Polk county.
Winter Haven and Lake Wales have a lot of choices for shopping and places to eat and has grown considerably in the last 11 years, the entire area has. US27 went from 2 lanes to 6 while we lived in the area and traffic can be quite busy, especially truck traffic as there are few direct routes from south Florida going north US 27 being one of them. The mall just down the road from LA was dying when we moved to TV in 2014. Crime in Polk county is much higher than here in TV. County services are scattered throughout the local area so when you move there don't plan on one stop to get your property taxes, drives license, license plates, dog registered, and voter registration done all at once like you can here.
After looking at more than a dozen 55+ communities in Florida when we decided to move, LA made the first cut on our short list, it was cut on the second round of discussions because of the monthly fees, lack of activities, and the lack of convenience to supporting services. It's very hard to beat a 5 min golf cart ride to the bank, Dr.'s office, grocery store, and library, all in one trip.
Yes the price there is more attractive and you can build what you want (basically), but as one poster put it the house does grow old, it's the activities and lifestyle you're buying here and so far, well worth the money.
|