Quote:
Originally Posted by John_W
I believe there are several retirement communities along Hwy 27 south of Leesburg leading into Clermont. I like the area and we've visited Clermont many times to see the Lakeridge Winery and shop at the stores at the JC Penney shopping center. I was wondering, in that shopping center is that the closest movie theater to your community? Does the Plantations have an organized softball league year round? Do you have bowling alleys nearby?
When people start to compare one community to another, they always list golf, I take usually take that for granted. It's the other amenities and conveniences that make a difference for me. How about hospitals or in my case, the VA Clinic? How far for grocery shopping, restaurants, etc? It seems most everything necessary for day-to-day living is not near the Plantations but ten miles away in Clermont or Leesburg.
Looking at the Plantations website it's obvious you get more home for the money, but that is true in most places outside TV. Here's one home I just pulled off their website, it's a masonry 3 BR/2Ba built in 1996 and listed for $189,900. That seems like a great deal, but there is a reason, maybe it's because of lack of nearness to what we all need.
 |
Dear John,
Happy to answer your questions. As some here know, I live in The Plantation and am in The Villages everyday doing Inspections. My wife thinks I actually spend more time in The Villages working then home not working. She may be right.
I love The Villages and have met some wonderful folks here. When we moved to Florida I did not know about The Villages, and bought here. I do like it here in The Plantation. As with every 55+ community including The Villages, there are pros and cons with each one. At least we can all agree that our taxes and cost of living expenses are low, (compared to up North) and we do not shovel snow anymore.
Just two miles north of The Plantation is South Leesburg. There are at least 5 banks there, a Winn-Dixie and a Publix, a least 6 restaurants, McDonalds, a great ACE hardware, Advantage Auto, etc. There are various strip malls on both sides of 27 that are closer then going up to Leesburg itself.
The closest Movie theater to us is Brownwood. Clermont is 15 miles south. We actually go to church there and go to BJ's, etc there. Clermont is very nice, and although it is farther then Leesburg or The Villages, there is NO traffic, so the trip seems fast and scenic.
Living here I find I do not go to Leesburg often, but will go to South Leesburg, Clermont or The Villages. I drive to The Villages every working day, and can be in Brownwood in under 15 minutes. Nearest bowling alley is in Leesburg I think...(have not bowled since living here). The Plantation does have a very active softball league as well as many other activities, plays, dances, etc.
The two 18 hole golf courses we have are nice and not tiny. They currently have a 4 year program re-doing all of the greens. The Plantation is farther away from Ocala, and closer to Orlando, the Turnpike, Disney, etc.
Like I said, there are pros and cons about every community and slight differences in each one. Nothing else is The Villages and it would be foolish to say otherwise. That being said, people are also buying in these other communities for various reasons, so there is something to like in each one.
My purpose in posting here was not to try to "sell" anyplace or try to say anyplace is better than anyplace else...just simply trying to answer your questions because I am in both places everyday.
Respectfully, Frank