Ivan Gillis

Active Retirement Communities

 State:     Florida

City:       Winter Haven

Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County. It is a principal city of the Lakeland--Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Winter Haven is best known as the home of Cypress Gardens, a theme park which has recently gone through renovations to add thrill rides, before closing. It was announced on January 21, 2010, that the former site of Cypress Gardens will become Legoland Florida, the second Legoland park in the United States, and the largest in the world. It is expected to open by the end of 2011.  Winter Haven was also home to the first Publix supermarket circa 1930.

Winter Haven, is called "The Chain of Lakes City" because of its numerous fresh water lakes which touch or are contained within the city limits. 24 of the lakes are connected by a system of navigable canals better known as the "Chain of Lakes". Winter Haven has Florida's first theme park, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park (Closed Sept 2009, will become Legoland Florida).

The city gets its name from its obvious lack of colder weather with a warm tropical climate throughout the majority of the year. The average temperature is 73.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Winter Haven, having many small lakes, is home to many ski schools, both for water skiing and barefoot skiing.

On April 11th, 2009, the New York Times printed a story regarding Winter Haven's policy of charging persons involved in traffic collisions an accident response fee. Certain companies specialize in administering such programs. See Cost Recovery Corporation. This and similar companies take a percentage of the fee that is assessed.

Income & Housing Costs Numbers:

Estimated median household income in 2008: $39,249 (it was $31,884 in 2000)

Winter Haven:	$39,249
Florida:	$47,778

Estimated per capita income in 2008: $24,790

Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $143,860 (it was $64,700 in 2000)

Winter Haven:	$143,860
Florida:	$218,700

Mean prices in 2008: All housing units: $167,103; Detached houses: $197,804; Townhouses or other attached units: $153,592; In 2-unit structures: $180,883; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $127,459; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $113,640; Mobile homes: $35,389; Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $30,000

Dec. 2009 cost of living index in Winter Haven: 82.4 (low, U.S. average is 100)

 In-Depth Facts and Figures as listed below, plus other information:

·        Climate Charts

1.      Average Temperature

2.      Precipitation (Rain)

3.      Humidity

4.      Wind Speed (MPH)

5.      Snowfall

6.      Sunshine

7.      Cloudy Days

·        Tornado Activity History

·        Hospitals & Medical

·        Airports

·        Colleges/Universities

·        High Schools

·        Locations of Interest

·        Shopping Centers

·        Churches

·        Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Creeks/Parks

·        Tourist Attractions

·        Banks

·        Housing Costs Information

·        Crime Statistics

·        Radio Stations AM/FM

·        TV Broadcast Stations

·        Discussion Forums

For the above information and photos, click this link:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Winter-Haven-Florida.html

Total Tax Burden--Data for Calculation

http://www.retirementliving.com/RLstate1.html#FLORIDA

Listing of Active Retirement Communities:

http://www.retirenet.com/location/communities/36-florida/1-active-lifestyles?city=33880-winter-haven

Visit our Senior Cruising Site at: http://seniorcruisers.org

Other sites of interest:

World of Collectibles

http://www.collectibleshg.info

Information on: Architectural Collectibles, Art Collectibles, Artist Trading Cards , Books & Paper Collectibles, Brand Name Products Collectibles, Clothing Fabric & Textiles Collectibles, Collectibles UnLimited, Doll Collectibles, Household & Furnishings Collectibles, Militaria Collectors, Movies & TV Collectibles, Music Collectibles, Musical Instruments Collectibles, Nature And Animal Collectibles, Numismatics (Currency Collecting), Pottery & Glass Collectibles, Technology Collectibles, Theme Collectibles

DOGS

http://www.zcanines.com

Information on:  Overview Of Dogs, Sporting Dogs, Hounds Dogs, Terrier Dogs, Toy Dogs, Non-Sporting Dogs, Herding Dogs, Miscellaneous Class Dogs, Foundation Stock Service® Breeds Dogs

CATS

http://www.zcats.com

Information on: Cats Overview, Abyssinian Cat, America Cat Bobtail, American Curl Cat, American Shorthair Cat, American Wirehair Cat, Balinese Cat, Birman Cat, Bombay Cat, British Shorthair Cat, Charteux Cat, Colorpoint Shorthair Cat, Cornish Rex Cat, Devon Rex Cat, Egyptian Mau Cat, European Burmese Cat, Exotic Cat, Havana Brown Cat, Japanese Bobtail Cat, Korat Cat, LaPerm Cat, Maine Coon Cat, Manx Cat, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ocicat Cat, Oriental Cat, Persian Cat, Himalayan Cat, Ragamuffin Cat, Russian Blue Cat, Scottish Fold Cat, Selrik Rex Cat, Siamese Cat, Siberian Cat, Singapura Cat, Somali Cat, Sphynx Cat, Tonkinese Cat, Turkish Angora Cat, Turkish Van Cat

BIRD WATCHING

http://www.zavians.com

Information on:  Overview Of Birds, Ostriches-Emus-Kiwis, Gulls, Plovers, Loons, Grebres, Albatrosses, Penguins, Pelicans, Tropical Birds, Storksm Flamingos-Birds, Falcons-Birds, Eagles-Birds, Hawks-Birds, Cranes-Birds, Doves And Pigeons, Parrots,Cuckoos, Owls, Nightjars, Hummingbirds, Kingfishers-Birds, Woodpeckers, Mousebirds, Passerines 

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