I've watched this thread off and on since it's start, but declined to comment. But since I was asked specifically I'll be glad to share our experience/perspective.
I'm a retired firefighter from western NY, and my former Captain bought a place in Hawthorne in Leesburg. He loves it there. Another firefighter I worked with visited him and bought a place in The Plantation. He returned to work and spoke about it daily.....My wife and I needed a vacation and we visited them down here, and we looked around a bit at some other communities and ended up buying the house across the street.
That was 5 years ago, and this last year I retired from the Fire Dept and brought my Home Inspector skills down here and started my business as a licensed Florida Home Inspector. My business has grown, and I now actually advertise here on TOTV, and have done many home inspections in The Villages as well as surrounding communities.
D'Angelo Inspections LLC | Serving The Villages, Leesburg, Clermont, and Surrounding Areas 352-250-7818
When I bought here in The Plantation I did not even know about The Villages. I really like The Villages and are there very often doing inspections. It is an amazing one of a kind place and I've assisted many folks in buying there.
That being said, I also like The Plantation. I have a huge lot that backs up to a beautiful full time spring fed pond. I can fish in my backyard. No one can build next to me, and I do not feel "squished" between neighbors. Across the pond I can watch golfers put on a green.
My neighbors are wonderful, active, and many play golf and tennis daily. We have 2 nice full size golf courses, three large activity centers, fitness centers, pools, hot tubs, a great restaurant, etc,etc,etc.
Of course, this pales in comparison to The Villages. I would not even attempt to try to compare. We have about 3,000 homes here in about 21 little villages that are already fully built out, so no new homes are being built. The developer has turned the place over completely to the homeowners. There is no one time bond fee or anything. Our HOA fees are only $85.00 a month. My taxes this year were just over $1,000.00 (just paid them yesterday...lol)
Our HOA seems balanced, common sense and not too restrictive. They have a very good amount of money in the bank, and are continually improving the grounds, adding nice new stuff.
I like that WE own the place. I like the low HOA fees and the size of The Plantation is not huge. I love my big lot. I like that we have real security guards at the gates 24/7/365. From my driveway I am two miles from most all the shopping I need. I am 2 miles from the Turnpike.
I like the lack of traffic, especially during snowbird season. I do not feel like I need to lock our doors. I keep my garage door open much of the day when I'm home, as I'm always working on projects. I can walk our neighborhood in the middle of the night and not fear.
I've seen Bobcats and coyotes in the neighborhood, and have more often then not gators in my pond. I like them. (and no, I do not feed them!)
I drive my golf cart all over the place here, but of course not for shopping.
Folks are all different....if we were all the same life would be boring. I am happy here, and I think I'd be happy in The Villages. I have neighbors just up the street who did live in The Villages, did not like it at all and moved here.
The Villages is bigger, which is either good or bad dependent on our views. The Villages has much more to do....but we have a lot to do here also on a smaller scale. We too have many clubs, concerts, plays, etc.....not as much as The Villages of course, but remember, we are only 3000 homes. I go to the closest pool many times and find it all to myself. I like that. I do not like crowds and traffic that much.
Well, I hope that helps. Remember, I like both places and am not trying to compare or put one over the other. I only posted because I was asked.
Both places have free snow removal
. Up in NY I paid over $6k in taxes, had potholes and rust everywhere and tons of snow, ice and cold. Both The Villages and The Plantation has none of that.
We are all blessed.....only 10 miles separate us and I consider many of you good friends and "just down the road" neighbors.
Frank
P.S....It is true that I once was a Moderator here, but had to give it up to devote more time to the business. I just did not want anyone to think I was still serving in that capacity. Thank you!