Winter Haven, FL Real Estate

It’s all about the water in Polk County, Florida and Polk County’s aquatic jewel is Winter Haven. The Winter Haven area encompasses 50 lakes, 24 of which are connected by a system of canals. This “chain of lakes” makes this community a water-based Central Florida paradise.

Any spot in Winter Haven is within a few steps of a freshwater lake or canal and public boat ramps are available in many places along lakeshores, some in conjunction with beaches, fishing piers, recreational facilities and picnic grounds. Lake Shipp Park, an 18-acre city park, has a boat ramp and picnic tables. Lake Cannon Park features picnic and launch facilities as well. If you like water, boating, fishing, skiing, or any other water-related activity, Winter Haven, Florida is your city.

Winter Haven is widely recognized as the water skiing capital of the world, and skiing is both a sport and a business here. Many of the world’s top ranked water skiers and wake boarders call this area home and World champion barefoot skier, Ron Scarpa, operates a barefoot skiing school on the chain of lakes. The Water Ski Hall of Fame is located nearby as well.

Even with all of the water sport activity on the chain of lakes, there’s plenty of room for you if fishing is your thing. Anglers will enjoy pulling lunkers and slabs (that’s really big bass and pan fish for you land lubbers) from the warm waters in the fisherman’s paradise.

Also located on the beautiful chain of lakes is Florida’s first theme park, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, featuring a water park, roller coasters, and thrill rides for the adventurous and quite strolls along flower-lined paths for the tame. Of course it wouldn’t be Winter Haven without a water ski show and Cypress Gardens does it best. The Word Famous Water Ski Show, an exciting concert schedule, and daily comedy shows are sure to keep your family entertained.

Real estate in Winter Haven meets a variety of needs and budgets ranging from modestly priced mobile homes, condos, townhouses and single family homes to luxury estates. Currently, the median home price is $137,000. Many of the buildings in Winter Haven were designed by renowned architect, Gene Leedy, one of the founders of the Sarasota School of Architecture.

The educational needs of Winter Haven’s more than 27,000 residents are well met by the area’s twenty public and private schools including two High Schools and Polk Community College’s main campus.

The combination of great weather and fantastic recreation opportunities make Winter Haven a true Central Florida paradise.