Quote:
Originally Posted by NYBob
We're considering a move to The Villages, hopefully within a year or so. Looking for a single family 2k+/- 3bed 2bth. As well we'll need some advice on Assisted Living Facilities in the area for an elderly parent.
A few questions in no particular order...
Which areas have natural gas ? Are all homes there on two separate water meters (potable and irrigation) ?
I see there are Freestanding ERs. Are these more Urgent Care or actual 911 receiving ERs ? Who is running them and are they the same as TV Health, whereas they only accept Medicare Advantage ? Other than The Villages Hospital near Spanish Springs what other hospitals are there in the area ? Are others planned to be built ? And as to health care I've read that doctors are far and few and the care in general is quite poor. Is there any truth to this ?
Are all or most homes block ? Who are/were the main builders in the area ?
Is the closest airport in Orlando ? We have family who will be visiting from time to time in NY. We heard mention there is a shuttle bus to and from, is this true ?
We'll be heading down in the next few weeks. What would be the best road(s) for traveling north and south ?
Thanks....
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You don't mention that you have visited The Villages. As others have suggested, a visit is mandatory. When I first heard of The Villages (2006), we made two visits. The first was to decide whether The Villages was for us. It was this visit which made us understand the concept and then zero in on the area we wanted.
It is important to recognize that The Villages is truly large. Nearly 60 square miles of developed and developing.
Also, it is easily recognized that the building began in the north and has worked its way south over a period of 50 plus years. Picture a rectangle 3 miles wide (East/West) and 20 miles long (North/South). Spanish Springs circa 1995, Lake Sumter Landing circa 2005, Brownwood Circa 2012. The housing developed as the town progression. ( gives an idea of housing age ) Essentially, there are no spaces left for new housing. Currently new housing is developed by huge tracts in the very southern areas.
Also, not all housing is equal. There are 3 counties involved and several towns. Taxes vary by county and can be higher if you are in a town. Do you need to be near a shopping area, medical offices, rec center etc?
What does that mean?
Want new housing, have to buy south.
Though some may not agree, the approach does tend to create an area aging math. For example, if the population buying in Lake Sumter averaged 60 years old in 2005, it would suggest that it would be in the 70's now. So, if you are 55, you would find that newer areas would tend to have the younger age groups.
The above is an example of why you need to visit. These types of factors may be more important than whether or not you have access the natural gas.
Best Wishes in your search. We did it in 2006 and have never regretted.