[xkeowner]

I am embedding answers/comments to many of you questions below. I am sure others will provide additional information soon.

Originally Posted by Retiring

I just turned 54 and plan to retire in the next couple years. Recently I’ve started looking at where I want to retire. Learning of the Villages, it has quickly gone to the top of my short list. I really don’t know much about The Villages but plan to visit this fall. In the meantime I do have some general questions. I feel the more I know before my visit the better equipped I’ll be to ask the right questions. I sent for an info packet but was told it would take about 3 weeks, have not received it yet. I may have more questions after reviewing the material. Here are some general questions.

I would like to have a home built, are there many lots left? If I buy a lot am I committed to building immediately? Can I sit on the lot a few years, till I retire and do I have to be 55 to buy a lot? Call the Villages sales offices for this answer.

Sinkholes are scary, should I be concerned about the sinkholes developing in The Villages? Sinkhole insurance difficult to get? We moved in five years ago and bought sinkhole insurance. They can be scary but are not concentrated in a particular area to my knowledge. There is a thread on this forum plotting at least most of the past occurrences.

I’m single, is there much of a singles community? I don’t like to be the third wheel riding the coattails of couples. Married, but do know there are singles groups that are Villages wide as well as smaller neighborhood groups. Third wheels are not uncommon either.

I’m an airline pilot currently, are there many active pilots in the community? I plan to continue flying after retirement.

At 54 I may be in the younger half of the population there, is there a fairly large “younger” community.

I lived in FL from 17-27yo, so I’m somewhat familiar with the weather. But I lived on the coast, we always had the ocean breeze. I’ve been checking your local weather daily for the past week or two and the humidity has reached 100% everyday. I know 88 degrees and 100% humidity can be stifling. How do you deal with it, do you just stay indoors on those tough summer days? Some stay in others adapt to it gradually and get out more. Two showers are in order on some days.

Is DirectTV popular or do most stick with cable? I really like my DTV and was hoping to have it in retirement. We have DTV, as well as many neighbors. You will experience outages occasionally when thunderstorms come through mostly late in the afternoons that can last from two minutes to many minutes.

Are there one or more Catholic churches in The Villages? Yes but I don't know details.

I notice a great number of golf carts, gas or electric? Can you get a golf cart with air conditioning? You can get air conditioning but most don't. With The Villages growing so large many believe that gas is the best so you don't have to worry about running out of charge on longer trips. Some will say they stink but I believe if you maintain them properly and we also use premium gas the smell is not an issue.

Some of the things I’ve read indicate The Villages population tends to run conservative. This is one of the reasons The Villages is currently top of my list. Do the majority of residents lean conservative? My experience is conservatives are in the majority but there are also a significant number of liberals. The current U.S. Representative for the Southern portion of The Villages where we live is a Republican.

I do like to boat, are there lakes where small boats (less than 25ft) are permitted? Are there building lots with docks? No lots with docks as far as I know but small boat owners are not scarce. Many lakes nearby with public boat ramps.

I realize the builders are limited in The Villages, are they reputable? I suspect the home I would build would be in the $500-$700k range. I’m not locked into any number, if I find a great lot and home plan at $300k – Great! No problems that I am aware of. We are very pleased overall with the quality of our home.

I know there are several “neighborhoods,” I’m sure I’ll have to visit the area to see where I would fit best but I’m still curious about your opinion on the different areas. I would venture to say that most would say they live in the best neighborhood because they know and are comfortable with most of their neighbors. The big decision is do you want a resale home that is centrally located or new construction which will be nearer to the edges of the community. The rumor (approximately 50% of rumors you hear have some basis in fact) at the barber shop yesterday is they are still buying more land and will continue building for several more years.

If you can change one thing about The Villages, what would that be? While there are many places to eat and shop, I would like to have additional choices in all price ranges. We frequently travel outside the confines to eat and shop, especially during the high season.

I want to thank all those that responded. In the coming months I’m sure I’ll have more questions. Thank you and God bless.

Overall this is a great place to be. I know many residents who initially retired elsewhere in Florida them moved here.