Hi Posh 08,
Welcome to TOTV! Memason gave you an excellent answer on how the bond works. No need to feel intimidated by the bond: just add it to your total cost when comparing the price of different homes.
The Town Squares have free live music and dancing from 5 - 9 p.m. seven nights a week. Yes, you are a short walk to LSL from Waterfront Inn. The squares are an excellent place to meet folks and ask questions.
Whether with a sales rep. or on your own, there are certain things besides homes you will want to see. Here's a suggested itinerary that will take you from one end of TV to the other. To do this on your own, pick up a $5 Villages Map at the sales office.
- Visit at least one regional Rec. Center. I'll suggest Sea Breeze. Be sure to check out the inside and outside recreational facilities there. While there, pick up a copy of the Recreation News. That will give you an idea of the breath of activities always available.
- From Sea Breeze, turn left on Bailey Trail and follow it around until it circles back to Buena Vista. This will give you an overview of some southside neighborhoods.
- When you intersect again with Buena Vista, turn left, drive north on Buena Vista (and yes, it is a beautiful vista), until you get to Arnold Palmer Country Club on your right. Check out the beautiful indoor and outdoor dining facilities, pool and pro shop. This is currently one of nine country clubs in TV. Like the Rec. Centers, they all have a different and beautiful decor.
- Cross 466-- you'll then be on the north side of The Villages-- until you get to the Polo Fields on your right. Drive in and behind the Polo Fields and you will see the softball complex.
- Get back on Buena Vista and drive north to El Camino Real and turn right. (If you have time, stop in the Savannah Center at Buena Vista and El Camino Real. Arts and craft shows and theater performances are held here).
- From El Camino Real, turn into a few of the residential gates to drive through some of the northside neighborhoods. If you don't have a gate pass, just press the red button.
- Get back on El Camino Real and continue east until you see the Assisted Living complex (I'm drawing a blank on the name) on your left and the The Villages Hospital on your right. No need to go in unless you want to-- you'll be impressed enough seeing them from the outside.
- Stay on El Camino Real until you get to the intersection with Morse. If time permits, follow the roundabout to the second exit, to Paige. Take Paige to Main Street. You'll see Veterans Memorial Park on your left. Turn right on Main Street, which will take you right into Spanish Springs Square, where you will see Church on the Square and Katie Bells in addition to many shops and restaurants.
- For simplicity, go back north on Main, turn left on Paige and this time, when you get to the roundabout, take the third exit to head south of Morse Blvd. Cross 466 (back to the LSL or for now, southside of TV). You will drive over a beautiful bridge overlooking LSL.
- If you are exhausted by now, you can turn right on Old Mill Run until you get back to Waterfront End. Or continue down Morse Blvd. south to Odel Circle. Turn right on Odel to Canal. This will take you along some more southside communities and golf courses. Turn right on Canal, then left on Old Mill Run back to Waterfront End.
- This is assuming that your TV sales agent already took you to see the new Village of Sanibel under construction south of 466a. If not, after driving over the Morse bridge, continue on Morse south all the way to 466a, cross 466a and tour the Sanibel area. Then return north on Morse, take a left at the second Odel Circle, then a right on Canal, left on Old Mill back to your hotel.
Whew, I'm already tired from the tour. Time for some Koolaide.
Others might have different ideas to share. More than one option is always good.
Mainly, just have a great, great time and keep us posted on your trip!