About The Area
   Haines City, approximately seven square miles, is almost in the exact center of Florida, located 157 feet above sea level on the "Ridge" in northeast Polk County. The 2000 population of the city was 13,834. The average temperatures here are remarkably even year-round: 63 degrees in winter, 80 in spring, 81 in summer, and 67.5 in the fall.

Recreation
   Haines City is only about a 90-mile drive from either the Atlantic beaches or the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to the saltwater possibilities, Heartland Estates is located on a small lake, Lake Hester. Many of central Florida's freshwater lakes are renowned for boating and fishing—year 'round!
   Golfing is available at Southern Dunes, Willowbrook, Poinciana, and several other golf courses within a 15-mile radius. Municipal tennis courts are located in Haines City.
   The area is well-represented in spectator sports. Professional football is enjoyed in Tampa; car racing at Daytona; and major league baseball's Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians operate their spring training camps in nearby Lakeland and Winter Haven, respectively.
   Central Florida is famous, of course, for its theme parks. Disney World is only 18 miles from Heartland Estates, and other nearby attractions include Cypress Gardens, Universal Studios, Sea World, and Busch Gardens.

Facilities
   Haines City, being in the center of the state, enjoys excellent transportation facilities. There is an airport at Winter Haven, ten miles from Heartland Estates, and major international facilities at Orlando and Tampa, 45 miles and 60 miles away, respectively. Airport shuttle vans service the Orlando airport, and limousine service is also available. A Greyhound bus station is located in downtown Haines City.
   Along with EMS, Haines City has a hospital located about finve miles north, with a 24-hour emergency service. Also, many general practitioners, specialists, dentists, and clinics are located here.
   Downtown banks include SunTrust, Wachovia, and Bank of America. A local bank, First National Bank of Polk County, has a branch about two miles north of Heartland Estates, and another branch three miles to the south.
   Most major denominations are represented by churches in Haines City.

Shopping and Restaurants
   Approximately 12 miles south of Heartland Estates is Eagle Ridge Mall, a major shopping area including such flagship stores as Dillard's, Sears, and J.C. Penney, along with specialty stores, a food court, and a 12-screen theater complex.
   In Haines City itself is the Haines City Mall, anchored by Beall's outlet store and Publix supermarket. In addition, there is a Wal-Mart within two miles of Heartland Estates.
   Restaurants available within a 2-mile range include Fish Tales, Sonny's BBQ, "R" Eatery family-style restaurants, several Chinese restaurants, and such fast-food outlets as McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Taco Bell, KFC, Checkers, and Subway. There is also a restaurant at the nearby CITGO Truck Stop.