Quote:
Originally Posted by DeanFL
Moved to FL from MA in 2005 - newly "single" and was to sell the MA house - she gets 50% me same. 3 adult kids living across the country - My liking was to move to either San Diego, Vegas, AZ, or Central FL. After lots of research decided on what I knew and been to a lot - Cent FL. Wanted a 55+ comm not too close to Orl but not too far away from it or the Airport. Retired months before and I was on my own.
Knew there was a large strip of 55+ comms from Ocala to Disney - and checked them all out online and phone. Decided to fly down for 10 days - and selected the top 8 communities to visit. Of Course TV was on the list.
After the 10 days - TV came out 3, Spruce Creek (DW) 2, and Legacy of Leesburg 1. Lots of reasons - but I felt TV was pricey for the quality of the home in my pricerange. the CDD was a negative, potential traffic - and I wasn't sure if the Lifestyle would be my cup o' tea = must say... the TV videos of "old folks" line dancing in the Squares was not appealing.
I moved in 2005 and lived in Legacy (1,000 homes) for 8 years - nice Comm, but rural and not much to do without a drive to Clermont, Leesburg 441/27 - or TV. BTW - Plantation is a mile from Legacy on Rt 27.
After dating for a few years, met a nice lady from Lake Mary 5 years ago. Fast forward to now - every weekend when she came to Leesburg - we went to TV for fun and food. TV called to us... We decided to buy a lot in Nov '13 - we were the last ones to be able to design our house and not need to go Spec. I sold my house in Dec (BTW - a 30% loss from the 2005 buy...) Phyllis is to retire next week, and selling her home soon. Our TV home in Gilchrist Closed in Feb - and I moved my stuff in. Hopefully in a couple months we will both be here (TV) and completely settled.
Bottom line for me = 8 years later and ...HOME. LOVE TV and we will be Frogs - our last home. BTW the quality of our TV newly built home - A+.
and... you may even see us dancing in the Squares... Another BTW - ToTV was a wonderful resource for a few years before we bought our TV home.
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Congratulations Dean! I wish you the best in your new home.
The lessons learned here in your post is that life has a way of changing. This thread always troubled me a bit....kind of like going on a Corvette forum and asking folks "How do you like a Viper?" Or going on an Apple forum and asking, "How do you like Windows 8?".....I'm sure the intent was above board, but of course the chance is there to get biased responses.
I am a person who researches everything. It drives my wife nuts sometimes. Buying in The Plantation was the only spontaneous thing I think I have ever done. I'm happy here. I know I would also be happy in The Villages.
With my business I am now in The Villages every day. I love what I do, and have met some of the nicest and most interesting folks in The Villages. I think the point to remember is that we are not any different. I have always invested well, and could now live most anywhere, including The Villages. Who knows....as Dean's story shows, life changes....I might find myself owning there someday. As of now, I enjoy owning a business and getting to meet many of you good folks. When that no longer is fun, or when I tire of climbing all over roofs and attics, I will stop and perhaps start to master golf and pickleball.
We are all just folks who have lived a interesting life, planned well, and have decided to stop shoveling snow and move to a great place. Many of us love golf, love the Florida lifestyle, etc. We are all very blessed.
Frank