[M2inOR]

Here's our take of how we got here and how we selected our home:

Visited my aunt once back in 2014 on our way to Disneyworld, a short stop for a few hours. Absolutely no idea what The Villages was all about.

From 2014-2019 explored possible retirement places in Georgia, South Carolina, Nevada, and Tennessee. All just short visits as part of vacations, not retirement search

In Feb 2919, visited The Villages for surprise 80th birthday party for my aunt. Asked cousins where we should stay so we didn't accidentally run into her and spoil the surprise.cousins laughed as we had no idea how big The Villages was Google Maps doesn't tell you, and we did not know about The Villages web site.

We stayed for a few days at the Marriott near Spanish Springs.

Wow!

What a surprise!

Stopped at the sales office at 5pm, and talked to a sales rep. He gave us some pointers and info, and told us about the website.

We trekked down to Fenney, and remembered how far it was from Spanish Springs and so far from everything. Met and talked to a lot of people at the Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter squares. Brownwood was like a ghost town with little activity.

On our return to Oregon, told our friends about exploring future retirement options. Two friends said we'd never survive the heat and humidity.

From March - August 2019, we explored The Villages web site, Talk of The Villages, and other retirement info sites.

Stayed in contact with our sales rep, and decided that area between 466 and 466A would be best for us. We thought areas south of 466A were too remote and too far from everything. We

We made a list of 44 homes to checkout between the 466's that we would checkout when we returned in August. We contacted my aunt about our visit, and she insisted we stay with her rather than do a lifestyle visit. We wanted to be sure to checkout the heat and humidity of the summer months.

We wanted a 3/2 Designer, with Lanai facing the east or south, and not near major roads, and not on the golf course.

When we returned in August, we quickly learned to stick with a block/stucco home, not siding and wood frame. Block/stucco was much quieter. Didn't like seeing critters and lizards scampering into the siding we saw in a few of the homes.

We had a budget then of $300-400K, and due to location, no new homes were considered as there weren't any. Everything new was south of 44 near Fenney.

Never looked at all 44 on our list. Did not consider any homes far to the north due to sink holes.

After 3 days of looking that August, we didn't really find anything that satisfied us.

Had lunch with reconnected friends who lived nearby in Clermont. The wife was my wife's maid of honor when we were married back in the '70s.

Friends encouraged us to visit the newest homes just listed down near Fenney sales office. That took us to Village of Marsh Bend. We looked at a few homes in Marsh Bend, Monarch Grove, and DeSoto.

When we drove up Marsh Bend Trail, the Hogeye Sink, the Spanish Moss covered trees, the Marsh View Pitch and Putt, Edna's, and Lowlands golf course (under construction), all impressed us. We liked so many of the homes we visited but were especially influenced by one of the neighborhoods surrounded by holes 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 of the Lowlands Executive Course that was under construction. Only 20 of the planned 103 homes were under construction or finished.

We ended up purchase the 2nd home we looked at of the 10 that were finished and for sale.

We are glad we did. All homes in the neighborhood are block/stucco, walking distance to pool and Edna's. So glad we got this home in this neighborhood with one entrance in/out.

We love it and our neighbors!