[graciegirl]

You are right, The villages is a substantial place, with at times more than 70,000 people and I think 40 or 50 villages.(Maybe more) The manufactured homes and the bigger homesites with sitebuilt homes are to the north in Lake County. These areas frequently have more affordable homes with more lovely views and established big trees and lush beautiful landscape.

However south of 466 and particularly in The Village that they are building right now, (HADLEY) you will find brand new homes and some great prices too, because the housing crunch has affected The Villages prices too.

You cannot build a house right now. You can only pick a house and don't expect pressure from the representatives of the developer. It is the biggest surprise. NO sales pitch, No pressure.

Write to The Villages and buy a five dollar map and study it. It is the only one that makes sense.(It is still hard to conceptualize at first) Go to Lyle Gant's site. (He is an "outside realtor" )and download the different model home plans. That is overwhelming until you realize that they are divided into;
Villas
Ranches
Designer homes
and the most expensive and most beautiful Premier homes

Some of those have a frame and a stucco version. Different names, same house basically inside.

The downside is that many houses are built very close together in the back, at least that was a downside to me. The houses with back privacy and a view are more expensive. However the smaller homesites have far less maintenance and give you more time to swim, golf , shuffleboard, take a class, socialize and dance at Katie Belles.

All homes are lovely and interesting.

HOWEVER, the homes are not the biggest draw, it is the people, grown up people with smiles for you, welcoming helpful attitudes. Don't hesitate to ask question in a restaurant or just anywhere. Don't forget to smile and wave while in a golf cart, on the trolley, or boat.

Have a wonderful time and be like us, who weren't going to love it and weren't going to buy a house..............and loved it and bought a house, so that we all can live in Paradise together.

Welcome and hugs,
GracieGirl, husband (aka Sweetie) and grown up daughter, Helene.