Your Guide to Willow Ridge: New Homes in Lakeland

If you’re searching for a beautiful new home in the quiet suburbs of North Lakeland, let us introduce you to Willow Ridge! Situated in a laid-back locale with a serene, country setting, this close-knit community still provides ease of access to everything you need thanks to its fantastic location less than 5 miles from I-4.

In this article, we’re going to tell you all about Willow Ridge and why it’s a great place to live. And, you don’t have to take our word for it! We’ll even share some feedback from a few of the lucky homeowners who have already chosen to call Willow Ridge home.

Lakeland’s Most Sought-After Address

Owning a home at Willow Ridge means you’ll enjoy the many benefits of a new construction home in Lakeland, from flexible layouts and on-trend finishes to that “new car” smell that never gets old! The community opened for sales in the summer of 2021 and the brand-new model home is now open, making it the perfect time to check out this peaceful community and discover why you’ll want to call Willow Ridge home.

The new homes at Willow Ridge are available in a variety of sizes, layouts, and price points, offering something for everyone. Budget-friendly homes on 50-foot homesites offer pricing from the $270’s, while larger homes priced from the $340’s to $400's are situated on 70-foot homesites, providing a sizable backyard ideal for entertaining outdoors with plenty of space for a swimming pool, yard games, and more!

Among the unique features of this community is its peaceful setting with an abundance of open space and ponds. These common areas are ideal for connecting with nature, enjoying a picnic, or simply catching up with neighbors. Plus, select homes are adjacent to open space providing backyard privacy.

First-time homeowners and soon-to-be newlyweds Brandon and Brooke chose a homesite with no back neighbors for this reason – its privacy. With two fur babies who need space to play, Willow Ridge offered the perfect place to call home!

In addition to the desirable community layout and homesites, Lakeland new homes at Willow Ridge are equally as impressive offering you:

• 3- to 6-bedroom home plans with up to three-and-a-half bathrooms
• 1,400 to 3,315 square feet of living space 
• 2- and 3-car garage options
• Desirable open concept living space
• A private owner’s suite 
• Flexible use rooms

You can choose from more than 20 home plans when you decide to call Willow Ridge home. Maybe you’ll make the popular Parker home plan yours, just like homeowners Pamela and Bernard did!

Unbeatable Location

Located off Kathleen Road just south of Duff Road, Willow Ridge is situated in a laid-back locale that offers a serene country setting. Despite the quietness of this local area, Willow Ridge still provides convenience to shopping, dining, and recreation thanks to its location near US-98 N and I-4. Plus, it offers an easy commute to the nearby big cities of Tampa and Orlando, as well as to major employers in Lakeland including:

• Lakeland Regional Health (7 miles)
• Publix Super Market Bakery, Dispatch, and Manufacturing, located on New Tampa Highway (8.5 miles)
• Rooms to Go Distribution Center (8.5 miles)
• Saddle Creek Logistics (12 miles)

The location is a big reason why new homeowner Gary chose this community, thanks to both its fantastic location near so much to do as well as its proximity to his family!

Downtown Lakeland

While the highways will easily take you to destinations like nearby Tampa and Orlando, there is plenty to keep you entertained in Lakeland! Willow Ridge is just 7.5 miles from Downtown Lakeland, offering a quick drive to the area’s best boutique shopping, decadent dining, or a stroll around picturesque Lake Mirror. 

Downtown is home to some of our favorite local spots, such as Nineteen61, a great date night spot, and The Joinery, ideal for a casual drink or quick lunch with its many options under one roof.
 
After grabbing a bite at The Joinery, head over to Lake Mirror for a stroll around the scenic waters or stop in Hollis Garden for a peek at year-round blooms. Looking for artistic endeavors? Browse the talented displays at Polk Museum of Art, catch a live event or movie at the historic Polk Theater, or peruse one of downtown's many events including the monthly First Friday and annual Art Crawl, which just happened last week.

Entertainment and Recreation

Catch local shows or plan your wedding at the Music Ranch, a local venue that rocks and rolls, or watch big-name performers and attend world-renowned events at RP Funding Center. Baseball season may have just ended, but spring training will be here before you know it! If you love baseball, you’ll love living so close to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers and the regular season home of the Lakeland Flying Tigers and Gulf Coast Tigers.
 
When you’re ready to spend a little bit of time outdoors, head over to Hunt Fountain Park, home to a number of athletic fields, picnic areas, and playgrounds, or visit Gator Creek Reserve, one of the area’s most popular hiking spots. Just 6.5 miles from your new home, trails at the 2,700-acre Reserve meander through unique habitats of cypress swamps, hardwood forests, and marshes where you are likely to spot everything from delicate butterflies and wildflowers to the namesake gators, and maybe even bobcats, foxes, or deer.

Looking for more competitive activities? Central Florida Paintball is an area favorite with everything from natural habitats to inflatable fields where you can enjoy a family outing or tournament play. If you’d prefer to spend your time teeing it up, Huntington Hills Golf and Country Club is just two miles from your new home at Willow Ridge.

Shopping and Daily Conveniences

When you call Willow Ridge home, you’re never far from shopping and daily necessities. Take a look at what’s close to home when you live at Willow Ridge:

• Publix Super Market at Kathleen Square (0.4 miles)
• Walmart Supercenter (4.4 miles)
• Lakeland Square Mall (4.6 miles)
• Shoppes of Lakeland (5.1 miles)

Healthcare

Whether you work in healthcare or just enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having medical care available close to home, you’ll appreciate the proximity of doctor’s offices and major medical centers close to Willow Ridge. Just some of the nearby healthcare facilities include:

• Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center (7 miles)
• Watson Clinic Main (7.2 miles)
• Lakeland VA Clinic (11.7 miles)
• South Florida Baptist Hospital (14.9 miles)
• AdventHealth Zephyrhills (19 miles)

Man’s best friend is also well taken care of with Kathleen Animal Hospital just .7 miles from home!

Education

Students that call Willow Ridge home are zoned to attend schools in the Polk County School District, including Kathleen Elementary, Kathleen Middle, and Kathleen Senior High schools. The elementary and middle schools are located just on the other side of Kathleen Road, making this a convenient place to live if you have school-aged children.

Willow Ridge is also close to a number of schools that offer continuing education opportunities for traditional college students or those looking to further their careers. Florida Polytechnic University is an excellent school for anyone studying in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields, while Florida Southern College is known for its liberal arts and adult bachelor’s programs. A private Christian college, Southeastern University also offers a robust liberal arts program.

Own Your Dream New Home in Lakeland at Willow Ridge

The new model home, showcasing the popular Peyton home plan, is now open at Willow Ridge! Open daily, we invite you to schedule your VIP tour to see the beautiful model and community, learn more about the available opportunities to own at Willow Ridge, and take the next step towards making your new home dreams come true! Call or email our Lakeland New Home Specialists to learn more and schedule your VIP tour!