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Originally Posted by bluedivergirl
DH is 63, I am 58. Agewise, we feel quite comfortable. We rented for a month in January, and purchased a Gardenia. We came with a budget of $300k - $350k, but after talking to many people who had moved within The Villages, decided to up the ante.
We wanted a full 3-car garage, and we wanted a view. We chose a home on Evans Prairie. The pluses are more air movement than the 'kissing lanais'; because it is attached to a natural water prairie or water level is much more stable than the man-made ponds. We went through a dry spell, and a few ponds turned into rubbish laden mud puddles.
The Villages real estate is unlike any other real estate transaction I have ever encountered. Homes sell so quickly, they are in the driver's seat. Don't expect free upgrades or bargaining. They just don't do it.
We have sinkhole insurance, don't remember the cost but it was reasonable.
I would say The Villages runs conservative, which was a big draw for us. It isn't cookie-cutter, though. There are a wide variety of beliefs.
The Villages frowns on satellite dishes, but they can't stop you. Direct is available, but we have Dish. We made sure to have it neatly installed in an unobtrusive place, and have had no complaints. It does go out in heavy rain, but we watch mostly recorded shows, so it doesn't matter.
Minto homes in Sun City Center gives you much more house than The Villages, but no one can beat the community here.
Couple more things: the local newspaper is The Daily Sun. You won't find anything bad about The Villages, but it is a window to the community.
There is an Aviation Club. thevillagesaviation.com
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What a great choice! (I hope) Wanted some type of view other than the back of houses, and I love golf, so I also bought on Evans Prairie last year. Was there last year in June, it was 96 degrees outside. My lanai is oversized and faces east across the course, so within 2 hours of sunrise it is in the shade, and there are 4 overhead fans. I sat out there reading and watching the golfers go by, and between the breeze and the fans was not at all uncomfortable. Everyone speaks about how unbearable the heat and humidity is, but we came down right after visiting my son in Raleigh-Durham, where it was the same 96, and THAT was unbearable. don't know if I have to shout down the street or across the course to you, but thank you for helping reassure me that I made a good choice and for a good reason. Back in October, hopefully permanently if my house in NY sells.