Quote:
Originally Posted by MNViking
I know I sent a Thank you for orginal post. Not sure where it went. My error probably.
Thanks for all of the great information. It is and will be useful. I agree with the last poster Florida is very HOT, it is what it is. MN is very cold! I have a sister who has a place in Bradenton, and I have lived as a youth outside of Orlando on the AFB. Yep, AF Brat and lived in multiple locations, and was born in CA. The last place I lived on a base as a youth was Grand Forks, AFB in North Dakota. Trust me I will take the heat, and stay inside for a couple of months!
Living in two places is not my thing, as my wife will not be retired. That poses an issue. I value the Frugal Parameters that were stated, are lower taxes or an unincorporated, where are the resources coming from? Share responsibilities? Something else to search on.
We won't be down there FULL time for a few years, that is why buying within the 12-18 months of being picky and finding a deal are important. I mean it would be terrible if I had to quickly by a place, but that isn't the case... I am just seeking help in the right direction before I commit. Hope that makes sense!
Now, can you state the Villages that you live in if you care to, and tell me like 5 reason those villages fit your needs? By all means I know most will go I am not doing an assignment for this Midwest joker, but it is nice to know/reevaluate the decision that was made.
Like my current place in MN:
Just a tad north and west of the Twin Cities. 12-15 miles from first nice suburbs considered a growing area.
I bought it in 2010, brand new when the market in housing had crashed so got a great deal. 2700+sq ft, in what is considered an older community by people with children standards but over the last 3 years significant changeover as the city grows.
Close to multiple restaurants, and entertainment areas. Big movie/theater/dining out type people so that is a bonus.
Easy shopping multiple grocers around.
Great people, and pleasant neighbors with a very well kept neighborhood. 
Also a family cabin within 2 hours from us, that is utilized in the Summer. Now I may just fish year-round salt and freshwater. Who knows!
Again, appreciate the responses!
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To help address your original post. We live in a courtyard villa in Monarch Grove which we bought in 2020, been here full time since 2022. Monarch Grove is south of 44, just south of Warm Springs.
We absolutely love this area. We don’t have the heavy traffic some of the areas more north do, around the popular shopping areas. If we need to go to Sam’s, TJ Maxx, anything in that area we are 20-25 minutes away which is fine for us, at this point we don’t really need to do a lot of shopping.
We are close to things like grocery stores, golf courses, emergency room, vet clinic, as well as restaurants in Wildwood or Leesburg in addition to any in The Villages.
We routinely go by golf cart to Brownwood (17-20 minutes away) because I work part time there. We also go to some of the more northern golf courses and Lake Sumter Landing. Not a long ride.
The new areas of East Port are opening and we are within 10 minutes of there.
We love it here, good luck to you!