Helpful Hints for New Owners

AS YOU MOVE IN

You will need to establish an electric account at Lakeland Electric.  You can usually do this by telephone:   863-834-9535.  The bill is issued monthly and can be paid with on-line access.

Basic Television Cable is provided free through your monthly assessment.  This includes 150+ channels, entertainment and sports packages.  As part of our “Bulk Contract”, you can have either a free HD DVD recorder box or cloud-based storage and a second free box.  If you wish to add premium channels, there is an additional cost. 

Wireless Internet is paid through your monthly assessment.  Call or text or email [email protected] (304-671-6227) to register and get your welcome letter and password.

Your water usage is paid as part of your monthly assessment.  Your water may be turned off as you move in.  Most condo units have supply line cut-offs at each water usage point.  A few may have a central cut-off point.  When a neighbor needs plumbing work, the water supply to the whole building is cut off, usually with a day's notice. 

A small storage unit in the room behind the mailboxes has your unit number.  You should provide a lock if you wish. 

GETTING TO KNOW LAKELAND

If you are new to Lakeland, you'll soon discover that going north (left as you leave the complex), West Lake Parker Drive follows the lake for about a mile.  On the right, you'll find Lake Parker Park which is a free park area with a boat launch, playground, walking trails and picnic tables.  You need to check this out. 

On the left, the Lakeland Fire Academy has frequent training and just beyond that is access to the Publix Joker Marchand Baseball Stadium.  During March, Detroit Tigers use this facility for Spring Training.  Sadly, in April they move back to Detroit for their regular season, but I believe there's a local team that may use the facility some other months of the year. 

If you proceed to the traffic light, you'll see the Lakeland Post Office.  They also handle passport applications by appointment.  If you turn right here (Lakeland Hills Blvd) and go two blocks to Griffin Road.  Turn left here and in two more blocks you'll find Home Depot on your left and Route 98North at the traffic light.  For some of us, having road numbers instead of a road name seems odd, but it seems frequent in Florida.  Anyway turning right at the light, on 98North, you'll find an abundance of restaurants (some fast food), various stores, Target (on the right) and about 2 miles north you'll find Walmart on the left.

If you turn right when leaving the complex, almost a mile to the stop light brings you to Memorial Boulevard which is also US 92.  Turn left and the road takes you to Auburndale.  Turn right and the first crossroad is Lakeland Hills Blvd to the right and Massachusetts Ave to the left.  After you turn left, The Tax Office and Department of Motor Vehicles is the large building on your right.  If you need a Florida driver's license, you need to make an appointment prior to appearing at this building.  

If you continue West on US 92 (Memorial Blvd.) you'll come to intersection with US 98 which is now also called Florida Avenue.  If you turn left on Florida Avenue, you'll find the heart of the downtown area with much to explore.  If you turn right on Florida Avenue, in a few miles, you'll be back to Griffin Road and recognize the Home Depot, but this time it's on your right. 

You'll find your own favorite trails and shortcuts as you explore Lakeland.  By the way, it's called Lakeland because of all the lakes within its city limits.  Lake Parker is the largest lake, but there are many lakes that are worth a tour by foot, bike or car.  Take some time to explore, but you can't do it all in one day.