Found between Tampa and Orlando, Winter Haven is known for its massive network of freshwater lakes and laid-back living away from the coast.
As temperatures start dropping, the annual migration of snowbirds begins. For seasonal residents who are staying for longer than a vacation, many factors influence where they’ll hang their coat for the winter months.
In a new ranking of the best cities for snowbirds from Storage Cafe, Florida and Texas dominate the top 10. Among the top ten, Polk County, FL, accounted for three slots: Winter Haven at No. 1, Lakeland at No. 2, and Lake Wales at No. 10.
Found in between Tampa and Orlando, Polk County is known for its massive network of freshwater lakes and laid-back living away from the coast.
Winter Haven and nearby Lakeland have a lot to offer those choosing their winter destination. The cities have easy access to tourist attractions in Orlando, and are under two hours from beaches at either side of the Florida peninsula, but with fewer expenses.
“Lakeland is right in the middle of Central Florida and is less expensive than being, say, in Tampa or Orlando,” Lakeland real estate agent Brian Stephens told Realtor.com. “We’re still pretty affordable compared to being on the coast.”
Storage Cafe says it came up with the list after analyzing criteria important to retirees and remote workers, such as a good climate between October and March, access to beaches, parks, and golf, housing costs, and other costs of living.
As of October 2026, the median listing price for a home in the state of Florida is $409,950, according to Realtor.com listing data. The median listing price in Winter Haven is significantly lower at $288,100.
Winter Haven is home to eight golf courses, an exciting restaurant scene, and plenty of shopping for residents to enjoy, according to Stephens.
Renee Butler, a Winter Haven real estate agent with The Butler Team, likes to point out that you can find “a block, a whale, and a mouse,” all within 30 miles. She’s referring to Lego Land, which is found in Winter Haven, and Sea World and Disney World, which are just a short drive away in Orlando. These can be great amenities for those with young visiting families during the winter.
For those interested in water front living without the coastal expense, Winter Haven has over 50 lakes within city limits, many of which connect and allow boats to get from one lake to another.
Found in between Tampa and Orlando, Winter Haven is known for its massive network of freshwater lakes and laid-back living away from the coast. (mark/Adobe Stock) The city combines all of these factors with a community that welcomes part time residents.
“Winter Haven has a hometown feeling, no matter what state you’re from. That’s difficult for any city to pull off,” Butler told Realtor.com. “It checks every box. Golf, pickleball, tennis. And it’s not so pretentious that people don’t make others feel welcome.
The conversion rate from winter resident to full time is high, according to Butler, who says that she’s helped a lot of seasonal residents find permanent homes once they spend a few years in Winter Haven.
However, she knows living in Florida full time isn’t for everyone. Some seasonal residents get the best of both worlds, taking advantage of the warm winters in Winter Haven, and returning north for cooler summers away from the Florida humidity.
Of Storage Café’s top 10 snowbird destinations, Florida claimed six spots. In addition to Winter Haven, Lakeland, and Lake Wales, Vero Beach, Hollywood, and Clearwater made the list.
The other four spots went to Texas cities: McAllen, Mission, Brownsville, and Harlingen.