New Resident Guide
Your Lakeland move-in checklist
The practical first-month list: utilities, paperwork, and the local quirks worth knowing, with links straight to the official sources.
Home/New Resident Guide
Set up electric service
Addresses inside Lakeland are served by Lakeland Electric, the city-owned municipal utility, not Duke Energy, which is the default electric provider across much of surrounding Polk County. New service is set up through Lakeland Electric customer service. Start with Lakeland Electric (863-834-9535).
Water & trash
Water: Polk County Utilities or your city's utility, depending on address. Trash and recycling: County franchise hauler (city service inside city limits). Your closing or lease paperwork usually names the exact providers; when in doubt, ask Polk County Government.
Internet
Spectrum, AT&T Fiber, and Frontier Fiber (west Polk) are the most common providers. Availability is address-specific, so run each provider's address check before scheduling installation.
Florida driver license & vehicle registration
New residents have 30 days to get a Florida driver license and 10 days to register vehicles once employed or enrolled. Start at FLHSMV; local service is through the Polk County Tax Collector.
Register to vote
Update your registration at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov.
File for the homestead exemption
Florida's homestead exemption can reduce your home's taxable value by up to $50,000. File with the county property appraiser by March 1. File with the Polk County Property Appraiser. More on the cost-of-living page.
Verify your schools
Assignments can differ street by street. Verify any address with Polk County Public Schools before you commit. More on the schools page.
Get storm ready
Florida living includes hurricane season. Start with the Storm Ready page — live alerts, the kit, shelters, and pets.
Good to know
Lakeland questions
What is the Florida homestead exemption and when do I file?
Florida's homestead exemption can reduce your home's taxable value by up to $50,000. File with the county property appraiser by March 1. In Polk County you file with the Polk County Property Appraiser.
How do I find out which schools serve my address?
School assignments are set by Polk County Public Schools and can differ street by street, so never rely on a listing or hearsay. Use the district's official address-lookup tools to verify before you commit to a home.
Which electric company will I have?
Addresses inside Lakeland are served by Lakeland Electric, the city-owned municipal utility, not Duke Energy, which is the default electric provider across much of surrounding Polk County. New service is set up through Lakeland Electric customer service.
What county is Lakeland in?
Lakeland is in Polk County, Florida, an inland county. The county determines your property taxes, school district, and most local services — the Polk County Property Appraiser is the authoritative source for any specific parcel.
Will my home have an HOA or CDD?
It depends on the community: many newer neighborhoods carry an HOA, a CDD, or both, while older areas may have neither, and the costs differ meaningfully. Our HOA & CDD guide explains how to check any property before you buy.
How worried should I be about hurricanes?
Hurricane season runs June through November and preparation is a normal part of Florida life. Polk County is inland with no storm-surge evacuation zones; wind, rain, and power outages are the main planning points. Our Storm Ready page keeps live alerts and the checklist in one place.
Are the swans on Lake Morton really descended from royal swans?
Yes. Swans first appeared on Lakeland's lakes in the 1920s, and after the flock disappeared in the 1950s a pair of royal swans was sent from England in 1957 at the request of a Lakeland resident. Today's Lake Morton flock descends from that pair, and the city's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts department manages the birds, including an annual roundup for health checks.
Can you tour the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings at Florida Southern College?
Yes. The lakeside campus, known as Child of the Sun, is the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world and a National Historic Landmark. Visitors are welcome, with tour options arranged through the college's visitor center.
Is Bonnet Springs Park free to visit?
General admission to Bonnet Springs Park is free. The park opened in 2022 on a former rail yard just west of downtown and includes gardens, trails, a nature center, and event venues; some attractions and programs inside the park are separately ticketed.
Take it with you
Email me the move-in essentials
One email with the guide, the printable one-pager, and Storm Ready. Occasional Lakeland updates after that — unsubscribe anytime.