Close to it All Living in Lake Alfred, FL

Updated on November 6, 2023: This story was originally published on October 6, 2020, and has been updated with new information.

Charming. Scenic. Peaceful. These are just a couple of words you hear people use to describe living in Lake Alfred, Florida. A laid-back, small city of just over 6,000 residents, Lake Alfred offers a friendly, small-town atmosphere while providing easy accessibility to nearby major cities such as Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland, and Winter Haven.

Living in Lake Alfred, you'll appreciate strolling local shops, connecting with nature thanks to ample outdoor activities, and a more affordable cost of living than many other cities in Florida or the U.S. Homes here trend cheaper than the national average - or to put it another way, you can get a lot more home for your money and the sparse suburban feel of the city means homes are spread out, with lakes, parks, and open spaces peppering the city.

While many homes in Lake Alfred are 40 or more years old, new construction homes are available, too. It's been our pleasure to build new homes in Lake Alfred since 2017, and we're currently building in Phase 6 of The Lakes, nestled in an ideal location between Lake Haines, Lake Rochelle, and the Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve. In this beautiful setting, a limited number of lakefront homes are available, as well as homes on the canal, open space, or ponds, with each offering beautiful views with spacious homes starting from the attainable mid $300's.

And that's just the beginning - read on to learn more about the benefits of living at The Lakes in Lake Alfred!

Parks and Recreation

Part of what makes Lake Alfred so scenic is the multitude of parks and recreation within this small city - And our new homes at The Lakes are situated right next door to some of the best outdoor attractions!

Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve is located across the street from your new neighborhood at The Lakes. Here, you'll find nature trails, a dock and canoe launch on Lake Rochelle, a playground, and even an events venue housed inside the historic Mackay Estate. In addition, expert gardeners host nature appreciation tours through the beautiful sub-tropical forest in the shaded preserve.

For more waterside activities, Lion’s Park is two miles away, providing you access to freshwater fishing and the waters of Lake Alfred, the city's namesake. And if your inner explorer is calling for more outdoor adventure, a walk along the Chain of Lakes Trail may be for you! The trail provides a leisurely 3.2-mile stroll along an abandoned route of the South Florida Railroad. The trail access is at Lake Rochelle and Highway 92, just about a mile from your new home. 

When your day calls for some theme park fun, you guessed it - Central Florida's top theme park destinations are also convenient to your new home in Lake Alfred! LEGOLAND sits about 30 minutes to the south in Winter Haven, while the Walt Disney World Resort and Old Town in Kissimmee are a quick 30-minute drive east on Interstate 4.

And when you're ready to get out on the water...

Chain of Lakes

Lake Haines and Lake Rochelle are two of the nine lakes connected by canals that comprise the northern chain of the Chain of Lakes link that spreads across the cities of Lake Alfred, Winter Haven, and Lake Hamilton. And, your new home at The Lakes is nestled right on the famed Chain of Lakes with views offering stunning lakefront sunrises, along with lake access just moments from your front door.  

Take an afternoon canoe paddle on Lake Rochelle from the launch at the Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve across the street. Or, put a boat in the water at the Lake Rochelle boat ramp off S Lake Shore Way or Lake Haines boat launch which is accessed through the neighborhood north of your new community; both are just about one mile away. And, let's not forget about the fishing! Bass, bluegill, and sunfish are popular species you'll find in the waters of Lake Haines and other lakes along the Chain. 

Whether you enjoy kayaking, water skiing, paddleboarding, fishing, a lakeside picnic, or beautiful sunrises or sunsets, living on the Chain of Lakes offers it all. With so many lakes surrounding the area, picking out your favorite water activity may be the biggest challenge!

Shopping

Once you've dried your feet, step around the corner to a blend of old and new world shopping experiences. The Barn Antiques and The Stable Home Décor, popular Lake Alfred shopping destinations, are 5 miles from home. These sister businesses share the same location off CR 557. The Barn provides shoppers with well-crafted wood and stained glass collections, while The Stable holds a wide variety of colorful hand-designed decorations, accessories, and floral arrangements sure to fit many color palettes.

Also in this destination of boutiques, you'll find the Back Yard Garden Shop, an outdoor shopping venue offering blooms, blossoms, and decorative garden accessories you can browse under shading native trees, and the Back Porch Restaurant, a locals-favorite featuring traditional recipes unchanged since their founding. 

Downtown Winter Haven is less than 5 miles from home, with a variety of boutique stores, dining, and cocktail bars lining the historic streets.

When you're seeking more retail therapy, Posner Park Shopping Center is only 15 miles away, immediately off exit 55 on I-4. Posner Park is home to 30+ stores including Ross, DICK's Sporting Goods, Bath & Body Works, Target, and PetSmart, to name a few, as well as restaurants, with Davenport Ale House and Sake Sushi among them. Posner Park is also home to the Cinepolis IMAX Movie Theater, with its variety of gourmet snacks and drinks to enjoy during your luxury theater experience.

Daily Must-Haves

Check off your grocery list with a quick trip to Publix or Winn Dixie, both within five miles from home, and when your taste buds are calling for some savory jellies or jams, take a two-minute drive to Heavenly Honey Amish Warehouse on South Lake Shore Way. 

If you’re inspired to infuse Latin flavors into your meals, Santiago’s Market is only a 3.5-mile drive away. At this grocery and hot deli, you’ll find seasonings and dishes from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and South America.  

Date Night Destinations

Stay local and dine in Lake Alfred at local favorites such as the Back Porch Restaurant, Gary's Oyster Bar & Seafood House, or the Lavender 'n Lace Tearoom.

When your evening calls for dinner and a movie, head 5 miles into Winter Haven, where you can start with elegant Italian at Arabella's, dinner with a view at Harborside, mouthwatering ribs at the Ovation Bistro & Bar, or find nearly any other cuisine tempting your palate. Or, get your tap on at the Union Taproom, Grove Roots Brewing Company, or Barrel 239

Travel about 30 miles to spend the evening at Disney Springs, a part of the Walt Disney World Resort, where you'll find 100+ stores and pavilions plus more than 60 dining options ranging from food trucks to gourmet specialties, along with options for dinner and a show at the AMC dine-in theater or House of Blues.

Academic and Medical Needs  

School-age residents of The Lakes are zoned for Lake Alfred Elementary (K-5), Jere L. Stambaugh Middle School (6-8), and Auburndale Senior High School (9-12). Ninth and tenth graders can also apply for the Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy Charter School and its intensive STEAM-infused academic program.  

Without a doubt, taking care of your health is a necessity that’s why it's great to know you're close to two top-ranking and award-winning medical systems. Five miles away is Winter Haven Hospital, a member of the BayCare Health System, and 11 miles away you’ll find the AdventHealth Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Davenport. In addition, urgent care and primary care facilities are located nearby.

New Homes in Lake Alfred, FL

With so many great benefits of living Lake Alfred, we have one more to add to the list – Our beautiful new homes at The Lakes!

We already mentioned the amazing location of these homes, nestled between Lake Haines, Lake Rochelle, and the Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve. The community is designed to compliment the neighboring natural attractions and includes green spaces and ponds, with homes situated on spacious 75-foot wide homesites averaging 0.21 acres (with some sites even larger) so you can enjoy a large-sized yard along with space between neighboring homes. Some of the available homesites in the community include:

• Exclusive sites on Lake Haines, allowing you to build your lakefront home on the Chain of Lakes;
• Exclusive canal-front sites, to enjoy the views of water and boats travelling between Lake Haines and Lake Rochelle;
• Desirable sites adjacent to open space and/or ponds;
• Corner homesites;
• Economical standard sites.

Once you've selected the perfect location for your new home, choose from a variety of spacious home plans, with numerous options to ensure you can find the right home for your needs, as well as check off the design features you're dreaming of such as versatile open living space, a luxurious owner’s suite, and covered porch or lanai where you can enjoy balmy Florida evenings and stunning sunrises coming up over the lake waters. Best of all, pricing starts in the attainable mid $300's, with the price including a standard homesite and luxurious included features.

Now that you’ve discovered all of the great reasons to live in this charming small city, allow out Lake Alfred New Home Specialists to help you find your dream home! Call or email us today and start planning your move to Lake Alfred.