With a city that ranked No. 2 on U.S. News’ list of the 25 Fastest-Growing Places in the U.S., it’s no surprise ~115,000 people call it home. With a population like that, where do all of these Lakelanders eat, drink, play, and live?

We are setting out to answer that with LALtoday’s Neighborhood Guides — an ongoing series that will take you on an exploration of the communities that make Lakeland feel like home. We’ll dive into history, things to do and discover, places to park, where to live, and more to showcase some of the best qualities our unique neighborhoods have to offer.

So, what do we define as a “neighborhood”?

While we love suburbs like Christina + Delphi Hills, these guides will focus on small communities within our city (think: Dixieland and Lake Morton). These small but mighty parts of Lakeland typically feature restaurants, parks, living spaces, festivals, events, and more, and span one to a handful of blocks.

How will we choose what neighborhoods to cover?

This is where you come in. We are asking you to rave about all of your favorite neighborhood communities in Swan City — whether it's one you call home, always stop by with out-of-town visitors, or daydream about moving to.

Are you intrigued by Cleveland Heights' history? Do you love being able to walk from a Downtown coffee shop to a clothing store in a matter of minutes? Ever wonder why Midtown gained popularity so quickly? We want to hear all about it + share the inside scoop with our readers.

Head to the button below to point us in the direction of some of the best neighborhoods around town — from areas with rich history and unique architecture to the best places to retire or purchase your first home.

TELL US WHERE TO EXPLORE