[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Peachie

Thinking about the long term effects of a decision to allow a paved path from outling communities into The Villages with their golf carts forever... might not hurt either. Maybe the developer is trying to save many of us from ourselves.

There is hard work at hand to open that "hole in the wall". If it is reopened, the big winners are Stonecrest, Spruce Creek and the developed areas beyond. It's not that difficult to have the county open up the back streets to allow access to "The Path". The home values in those subdivisions would profit nicely while The Villages would definitely lose value.

Remember the premium you paid when you bought in The Villages for the Lifestyle? Now many bordering communities have access to the same things we have and don't have to pay the piper. They also are private and much quieter with bigger lots for a lot less money.

If that gate is reopened and the path is paved into The Villages, I would advise anyone considering buying in The Villages to look at these surrounding communities. They would have a gated, private neighborhood with pools, golf and activity centers to enjoy and there is no longer anything special about The Villages. Anyone can use their cart paths.

There is a lot more to think about here, the long term ramifications are HUGE. You can't unring a bell.

peachie - you post as if you believe there is an ever constant flow of stonecrest/spruce creek residents pouring into the villages daiyl...how many outside residents do you think really use that trail to access the villages and ride around on the cart paths?