Living without car?

[bitbybug]

Hi,
I'm a new member to the forum. I'm planning a visit shortly. Thinking of purchasing property in the villages. Ultimately would like to be able to do without a car: Fly down, take shuttle to Village, get around in golf cart, etc.

Do you think this is possible? How far away are the grocery stores? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Nancy

[bkcunningham1]

It is absolutely possible. In order to answer how far away anything would be, I'd have to know the village where you are staying and how fast your cart goes. I can go from the Historic Side of TV to Hillsborough and Collier by golf cart in 50 minutes. I live on the Historic Side and to go to Winn Dixie or Publix or Walmart or any number of stores including two bowling allies and Spanish Springs Town Square takes approximately 10 minutes.

Also, welcome, welcome, welcome to Talk of the Villages. I think you will find the forum very informational and The Villages amazing. Ask away!

[CFrance]

Hi, and hopefully welcome! Are you talking about being without a car while you house hunt, or being without a car after you buy?

I have a friend whose husband was still working, in another state. He had their car, and she went everywhere in her golf cart. He came home every other weekend. She claimed it was no problem. I would probably want to have a car to get to different shopping areas, but really, I think you could get to most everything you need in a golf cart. I would think you'd want to live close to one of the shopping areas--Spanish Springs, Colony, 466.

Others who have lived here much longer than we have can hopefully answer you with a more experienced opinion.

[billethkid]

when all gets said and done you can reach just about anything you could want by golf cart no matter where you choose to live.

The only issue would be distance....still can be almost anywhere in 15 minutes....a little further maybe 15 to 30 minutes get one 90% of places.

One can/could EASILY live here in TV without a car.

[DianeM]

I guess if you never want to leave TV or shop anywhere but the local stores you could.

[Shimpy]

The only time I really need to leave TV is some doctor apts and a trip now and then to Home Depot or Lowes. Comparing keeping a car for these few trips you probably could take a cab or rent a car and be well ahead. You could also make sure your doctors are in TV and golfcart accessible.

[Mikeod]

Another concern is the weather. During the summer, we have thunderstorms. Contrary to some beliefs, you are not safe in a cart when there is lightning around. You can be snug in a cart with the sides down when it is cold or windy or raining, but I would not venture out in a cart when there is lightning in the area.

Now, that's not a problem unless you really HAVE to go out and all you have is a cart. There is a taxi service in a pinch, but less convenient than your own transportation.

[graciegirl]

I would want a car. Sometimes things come up and you need to get something done quickly, not excluding health issues that are not emergencies.


Also there are times that it is just too hot or too cold to be comfortable going for long distances in a golf cart. And I don't like asking others for favors which you would really have to do at times if you didn't have a car.

[bkcunningham1]

Off the top of my head, I can think of two of my friends living in The Villages who don't own cars. Both are from New York City, well one is from Manhattan and the other is from The Bronx. They go everywhere they need to in TV by golf carts. One of my friends rent a car when when she needs to go off campus and doesn't have a friend to take here and the other gets rides from me and another woman.

We just rented golf carts to two couples who came down to visit and rented a patio villa together. They did exactly what you are proposing to do and came in from the airport on the van and never used a car. We just got another cart back from an older couple who did the same thing but decided to rent a car during their last two days so they could go somewhere off campus. It can work but it depends on the individual and their lifestyle.

[jnieman]

I don't think I would like to be without a car. I wouldn't want to choose my doctors based on whether they are golf cart accessible or not. I have seen several doctors one in Ocala, one in Orlando who are specialists. Not sure how I would have gotten there without my car. Of course if it is a budget issue you do what you have to do, but if budget isn't an issue, I vote for having a car.

[Nursebarb1]

My neighbor here in the village of Hillsborough moved here from Queens last year. They have never owned a car. They bought a golf cart but mostly rely on the Village taxi (a full size van) and are very happy with this arrangement. They say it is about $12 to go almost anywhere within the Villages. So, in answer to your question, it is doable to not have a vehicle on your visit. Enjoy your visit!

[asianthree]

Our neighbors are here for 5 months and no car..so far so good. ..if someone goes to an out of reach are they offer to take them on the road trip

[TrudyM]

We stayed both in Virginia Trace and Hemmingway this winter and had a rental car and a golf cart. When we had the unit with a gas cart we didn't use the car much but when we had the electric cart we used it more as if we got cruising around too much the battery would run out. There is an enterprise rental car agent in Sumter Landing and if you organize your shopping and side trips out of the bubble you could rent a car for just the day. We did a long term rental from them but out of MCO (Orlando airport) because they had a corporate rate of $850 for the first month and less there after a lot of which was taxes. But we might this next time just rent for a couple days at a time as we will have a gas cart with our 2015 rental. Also check your car insurance we were able to reduce ours to storage mode on the car at home and it still covered a rental car for 30 days. Saved us enough to buy a policy off the net for the other months. But if we rented a few days at a time it would have been totally covered. The insurance from the rental car companies is outrageously priced.


Hope this info helps.

[jblum315]

I have a niece who moved from Germany to White Plains, NY and got around by taxi for four years. She didn't have a U.S. driving license and she claimed that the expense of cabs was less than the expense of owning a car. She finally got a license and drives. There are many people here who only drive golf carts. For myself, I couldn't do it - too many places that are difficult or impossible to reach by golf cart, plus the weather, too cold, too hot, too stormy etc.

[bkcunningham1]

We stayed both in Virginia Trace and Hemmingway this winter and had a rental car and a golf cart. When we had the unit with a gas cart we didn't use the car much but when we had the electric cart we used it more as if we got cruising around too much the battery would run out. There is an enterprise rental car agent in Sumter Landing and if you organize your shopping and side trips out of the bubble you could rent a car for just the day. We did a long term rental from them but out of MCO (Orlando airport) because they had a corporate rate of $850 for the first month and less there after a lot of which was taxes. But we might this next time just rent for a couple days at a time as we will have a gas cart with our 2015 rental. Also check your car insurance we were able to reduce ours to storage mode on the car at home and it still covered a rental car for 30 days. Saved us enough to buy a policy off the net for the other months. But if we rented a few days at a time it would have been totally covered. The insurance from the rental car companies is outrageously priced.


Hope this info helps.

Thanks for the insightful information. I didn't ask the original question but I was educated by your answer. Thank you.

[2BNTV]

Hi,
I'm a new member to the forum. I'm planning a visit shortly. Thinking of purchasing property in the villages. Ultimately would like to be able to do without a car: Fly down, take shuttle to Village, get around in golf cart, etc.

Do you think this is possible? How far away are the grocery stores? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Nancy

Depends on where you will be staying. Some villages are closer to stores, than others, Generally, I would say, you can make it to a grocery store in 15 min, by golf cart.

[rubicon]

Its more likely that you can do without a golf cat than a car but that depends on you. Some prefer utilizing their carts for every event. Personally seldom use my golf cart prefer the comfort of a car

[OldManTime]

Hi,
I'm a new member to the forum. I'm planning a visit shortly. Thinking of purchasing property in the villages. Ultimately would like to be able to do without a car: Fly down, take shuttle to Village, get around in golf cart, etc.

Do you think this is possible? How far away are the grocery stores? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Nancy

No need for a car if you live in the Lake County/Lady Lake section of the Villages, tons of stores, restaurants, medical and all the Villages provide, all within 15 minutes cart drive.

[ssmith]

...but do keep the whole weather thing in mind. Lightening and thunderstorms may not last the whole day but they can be quite unexpected and scary!

[SantaClaus]

My goal is to eventually get rid of the cars and use cart(s) only. I figure that we'll probably want to do a lot of day trips when we are new to TV (especially to WDW: big fans!). But eventually I expect we'll become so integrated in TV's community that we probably won't want to leave much, and when we do rentals are cheap compared to maintaining and insuring a car full-time. It's a theory, anyhow!

[graciegirl]

...but do keep the whole weather thing in mind. Lightening and thunderstorms may not last the whole day but they can be quite unexpected and scary!



I like a car for the unexpected, just as you say ssmith.

[Shimpy]

Seems the majority would want to have a car and I agree.........but that car doesn't have to be a Cadillac. Get a low end Kia or Hyundia with 100,000 mile warranty with excellent air conditioning etc and low maintance cost. You'll put very few miles on compared to living anywhere else.

[slipcovers]

Hi,
I'm a new member to the forum. I'm planning a visit shortly. Thinking of purchasing property in the villages. Ultimately would like to be able to do without a car: Fly down, take shuttle to Village, get around in golf cart, etc.

Do you think this is possible? How far away are the grocery stores? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Nancy

I too am a new member, and I am in the same boat. I would be a snowbird and think I could manage with only a golf cart. Do they have any ZIP cars in TV???

[SantaClaus]

No Zipcar at TV, yet. But it'd be a great fit, IMHO.

[jojo]

Some folks on TOTV ask about business opportunities. Zipcar should be a no brainer. It should be golf cart accessible though.

[slipcovers]

some folks on totv ask about business opportunities. Zipcar should be a no brainer. It should be golf cart accessible though.

lol

[Shimpy]

[QUOTE=slipcovers;847140 Do they have any ZIP cars in TV???[/QUOTE]

I have to ask.......What is a ZIP car?

[NotGolfer]

Depends on your life-style and what you plan is once you're living here. Personally, I couldn't do without a car. It's nice to have if the weather is inclimate. It's also nice to have the option to leave "the bubble" if that opportunity presents itself. Yes, T.V. is golf-cart accessible for the most part but there are areas that aren't. You wouldn't be able to cross Rolling Acres Rd. to go to Kohl's, Kirklands, Bed, Bath and Beyond nor would you be able to go to Sam's if that was your desire.

We use our cart for nearly everything, our car might not leave the garage for a week or two. BUT then there may be a week where the car has a use every day for a week.

My thought is...bring your car down...live here for awhile til you have a "feel" of what your life-style is going to be.

[manaboutown]

I have not lived without a car since I bought my first one at age 15. Thinking about living without a car left me feeling naked and vulnerable for lack of better descriptors.

[CFrance]

I have to ask.......What is a ZIP car?
Zipcar is the world's largest car sharing and car club service. It is an alternative to traditional car rental and car ownership.

Too long to explain here. You can go to zipcar.com for a full explanation.

[bluedog103]

You probably can get by nicely without a car but there's a lot to do in TV and sometimes our activities just don't allow the time to go from one fun thing to another by cart. There's also a whole state out there to explore. We have the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. In between there are many, many things to do and enjoy. We love being in TV and go many places by cart but there's no way we could live the lifestyle we enjoy without a car. Only you can make a decision that's right for you.

[2BNTV]

I would want a car. Sometimes things come up and you need to get something done quickly, not excluding health issues that are not emergencies.

Also there are times that it is just too hot or too cold to be comfortable going for long distances in a golf cart. And I don't like asking others for favors which you would really have to do at times if you didn't have a car.

:agree:

It's doable, but a car can come in handy, if one needs to travel outside the bubble.

One could rent one, but I find it more convenient to have one available.

[James Doddato]

I have been doing that for the last year or so. Fly down on SW take the buss to the villages. Then the cab home. I only have a Golf Cart. I go all over the villages from the north to the south. all the time. I make sure I gas up every week. Wed. or Thur. Its a great way to get around. Plus at first I rented a golf cart by the month until I purchased one. I got a pre-owen one. Worked out well. Later on will have a car. However, you can not take the golf cart to Kohl's in Spanish Springs. I go to Walmart etc. Its a great way to travel in The Villages. Have fun. Good Luck

[rjm1cc]

At 10 years and at least 100,000 I would ask the question again. I buy new and get rid of the car when its reliability declines. Always older than 10 years.

[slipcovers]

I have been doing that for the last year or so. Fly down on SW take the buss to the villages. Then the cab home. I only have a Golf Cart. I go all over the villages from the north to the south. all the time. I make sure I gas up every week. Wed. or Thur. Its a great way to get around. Plus at first I rented a golf cart by the month until I purchased one. I got a pre-owen one. Worked out well. Later on will have a car. However, you can not take the golf cart to Kohl's in Spanish Springs. I go to Walmart etc. Its a great way to travel in The Villages. Have fun. Good Luck

Don't you agree that a ZIP car would be great in TV for those times you need a car to go outside the bubble? Renting a car takes a longer time with paperwork, etc.

[uprivergirl]

We are visiting TV in May. We decided to rent a car because the time of our flight arrival made it so we had to wait a hour at the airport. The rent on the car was less expensive than the shuttle. We can drive to open houses if the weather is bad.

[dbussone]

We are visiting TV in May. We decided to rent a car because the time of our flight arrival made it so we had to wait a hour at the airport. The rent on the car was less expensive than the shuttle. We can drive to open houses if the weather is bad.


Smart decision.