[Villages Kahuna]

Mark Morse, the CEO of TV, reported that the population was 75,000 at his report to the Villages Homeowners Association last spring. At the rate they sold homes in the second half of the year, I'd guess that the current population is in the range of 77,000-78,000 happy people.

Morse said the "final build-out" population will be in the range of 110,000, so we have a way to go yet--particularly with these economic conditions. To be honest, looking at the yet to be built lots north of CR 466A and all of the property in the early stages of development south of 466A, it's hard to believe that all that space will only represent another 15,000 homes/villas. It seems like there's more space than that. I know there's another 3-4 championship golf courses, another ten or so executive courses, and countless more rec centers and pools that are already on the drawing board. I heard that every single street, lot, golf course and pool has been planned out with very precise GPS coordinates. In fact, I heard that TV offered all the street GPS information to the mapping companies so they could actually put the new streets and amenities on their maps as soon as they are built and opened.

As far as how many of the population are snowbirds, no one seems to have a handle on that question. All I can say is that there's a lot less traffic, it's easier to get into the restaurants and country clubs, and far easier to get golf tee times in the months other than the January thru March high season. Many who live in TV full-time say they prefer the convenience of the "smaller population" months.