Living in a time of social distancing can make life pretty isolating sometimes, to say the least. The digital age lets us connect with people on the other side of the planet. But what may get overlooked is that it also lets us tap into our local communities in ways we never could before.
Mark Zuckerberg | GIF by Giphy
Just in the Lakeland, Polk, and Central Florida areas, there are dozens, if not hundreds of community-based groups, joined by tens of thousands of locals. Bonus: We threw in a few of our favorite Florida groups as well.
Community Facebook Groups
For those moving to the Lakeland-Polk-Central Florida area, looking to connect with others.
Community Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Lakeland, FL
👥 Members: 5,000+
🔓 Status: Public
Lakeland Word of Mouth
👥 Members:1,200+
🔓 Status: Public
We Live in Lakeland, FL
👥 Members: 2,600+
🔓 Status: Public
Moving to Lakeland, FL
👥 Members: 1,100+
🔓 Status: Private
863 Crime Watch
👥 Members: 14,300+
🔓 Status: Private
Neighborhood Facebook Groups
For those in specific local neighborhoods, wanting to share news and communicate with others in their neighborhood.
Dixieland Historic Neighborhood Association
👥 Members: 500+
🔓 Status: Public
Lakeland Area Neighborhood Page
👥 Members: 200+
🔓 Status: Public
Cleveland Heights Neighborhood Association – Lakeland
👥 Members: 80+
🔓 Status: Public
Ashwood Lakeland Neighborhood
👥 Members: 60+
🔓 Status: Private
Lake Morton Neighborhood Association (LMNA)
👥 Members: 800+
🔓 Status: Public
Outdoors Facebook Groups
For those who are outdoor enthusiasts + love getting out and adventuring.
Outdoors Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Lakeland Runners Club
👥 Members: 2,000+
🔓 Status: Public
Florida Spring Hunters
👥 Members: 37,000+
🔓 Status: Private
Florida Trail Hikers
👥 Members: 2,900+
🔓 Status: Public
Florida Hiking Enthusiast
👥 Members: 3,800+
🔓 Status: Public
Florida Hiking Alliance
👥 Members: 3,800+
🔓 Status: Public
Hiking Junkies of Central Florida
👥 Members: 700+
🔓 Status: Private
Central Florida Paddlers
👥 Members: 6,300+
🔓 Status: Private
Lakeland Plant & Garden Swappers
👥 Members: 500+
🔓 Status: Private
TryThis Facebook Groups
For those looking to communicate with other locals who share the same hobbies or to learn how to pick up a new skill.
TryThis Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Lakeland Area NaNo
👥 Members: 60+
🔓 Status: Private
“Lakeland Rocks”
👥 Members: 31,000+
🔓 Status: Public
Polk County Clipped
👥 Members: 800+
🔓 Status: Private
LkLd Creative Makers
👥 Members:1,000+
🔓 Status: Private
Watch Facebook Groups
For those looking for local entertainment.
Watch Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Lakeland-Winter Haven Comedy
👥 Members: 400+
🔓 Status: Public
Florida Theatre
👥 Members: 1,100+
🔓 Status: Private
Lakeland Where’s the music tonight?
👥 Members: 200+
🔓 Status: Public
Dish Facebook Groups
For those who know food talk is the first language + want to communicate with others on the local food scene.
Dish Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Lakeland Food Group
👥 Members: 5,400+
🔓 Status: Public
Polk Eats
👥 Members: 600+
🔓 Status: Public
Food Lovers of Lakeland
👥 Members: 480+
🔓 Status: Private
ForPets Groups
For those wanting to connect with other pet owners, share information about lost pets, or find a new pet.
ForPets Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Polk Pet Page
👥 Members:13,500+
🔓 Status: Public
*Lost & Found Pets of Polk County Florida*
👥 Members: 26,000+
🔓 Status: Public
Polk County Pets
👥 Members: 1,800+
🔓 Status: Private
TheBuy Facebook Groups
For those wanting to purchase locally. Think of this as a digital yard sale.
TheBuy Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Lakeland Florida Video Game And Electronics Yard Sale Group
👥 Members: 3,500+
🔓 Status: Public
Polk County buy & sale..
👥 Members: 40,000+
🔓 Status: Private
North Lakeland Yardsale
👥 Members: 25,600+
🔓 Status: Private
Central Florida Cheap Cars
👥 Members: 9,500+
🔓 Status: Private
Everything is Free in Polk County
👥 Members: 3,200+
🔓 Status: Private
Polk County For Rent
👥 Members: 1,800+
🔓 Status: Public
Lakeland Garage Sale
👥 Members:17,800+
🔓 Status: Public
ForParents Facebook Groups
For those looking to connect with other parents locally.
ForParents Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Lakeland Family Fun
👥 Members: 1,400+
🔓 Status: Public
Lakeland Florida Moms
👥 Members: 3,400+
🔓 Status: Private
Lakeland Moms Group
👥 Members: 4,900+
🔓 Status: Private
Polk County Homeschoolers
👥 Members: 900+
🔓 Status: Private
Special Needs Playdates and Support Group – Polk County, Florida
👥 Members: 1,000+
🔓 Status: Private
Mom Swap Lakeland – Baby Stuff ONLY
👥 Members: 2,700+
🔓 Status: Public
Job Facebook Groups
For those looking for a new job or wanting to post about a new job.
Job Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Jobs in Polk County
👥 Members: 17,100+
🔓 Status: Public
Florida Casting
👥 Members: 15,500+
🔓 Status: Private
Polk County and Central Florida Employment Opportunities
👥 Members: 12,500+
🔓 Status: Public
Polk.Work Polk County Jobs And Employment
👥 Members: 6,600+
🔓 Status: Public
#FloridaMan Facebook Groups
For those who know #FloridaMan is our state’s superhero.
#FloridaMan Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Florida Man
👥 Members: 20,800+
🔓 Status: Public
Florida Memes
👥 Members: 605,00+
🔓 Status: Public
#HurricaneStrong
👥 Members: 468,000+
🔓 Status: Public
Florida, See it Like a Native
👥 Members: 37,100+
🔓 Status: Public
Florida: Weird, Wild, and Wonderful
👥 Members: 6,400+
🔓 Status: Private
Florida Winter Memes
👥 Members: 4,800+
🔓 Status: Public
#TBT Facebook Groups
For those local historians that can rave all about Old Florida.
#TBT Facebook Groups | GIF via Giphy
Old Florida
👥 Members: 11,200+
🔓 Status: Private
Old Forgotten Florida
👥 Members: 13,600+
🔓 Status: Private
Old, Abandoned and Interesting Places – Florida
👥 Members: 33,200+
🔓 Status: Public
Exploring Florida’s Historic + Abandoned Site
👥 Members: 26,000+
🔓 Status: Private
Additional Notes
- Note: This is not a comprehensive list.
- If you know of additional Facebook groups you think should be added to this list, please either email us at [email protected] or drop the link in the comments below.
- DYK the difference between private vs. public Facebook groups? Read here.
– LALtoday team (Abby + Kaylee)
