Shout out Villages.

[uprivergirl]

Hi all!

I am trying to find out as much as possible before our Lifestyle Preview Visit on May 7-12. I am hoping that some of you friendly folks will share what you love about your Village.

We have been looking at the new homes and also pre-owned homes. We have printed out some maps and when we look at the homes on the market we try and see where they are on the map. We aren't sure how far things are from golf courses and town squares but we will have time once we get there.

I can't wait to be in TV and try it out. Looks like the Polo will be going on when we are there.

Kathy and Vern

[kwtoman]

Orange blossom gardens, not all the hoopla that the other villages have. it's the historic section, so no restaurants, stores or squares, but not far at all from Spanish Springs. Quiet and easy going.

[sparky261]

Kathy/Vern,
Take your time and look around TV to find what interest you. My wife and I just bought our house in December in the Village of Hillsborough and we looked all around TV. We started out wanting a pre-owned villa, then we went to a pre-owned house, back to villa and settled on a new house. Pros and cons about both. Location is what we wanted and found being close to Brownwood worked for us. When we first looked last May, Lake Sumter was our first choice but we love where we are in Hillsborough. TV is nice no matter where you decide, because I think it's about the people and the atmosphere and we have met great people everywhere in TV. We have a hard time leaving to go back to New Jersey because of TV's lifestyle and residents. Best of Luck and Welcome to TV

[uprivergirl]

Thank you kwtoman and sparky261 for your respond. We are tired of peace and quiet and want to be were the activities are so it sounds like Orange Blossom might not be our first choice. The new house we have looked at on-line was in Charlotte which is sort of by Hillsborough. How far is that from Brownwood? The map we printed out is hard to tell. Thank you for the welcome.

[Steve & Deanna]

Welcome Kathy/Vern and patience should be in the buying process and choosing your area. We are in the Bonnybrook, Ashland, Lynnhaven area as we felt that was in-between Spanish Springs and Sumter Landing. We too looked in the Historic area but a lady that we rented from years ago told us that we 'wanted to be where the action is'. All in all, you can't find a bad place in TV. It's all in where you want to be. Good luck in checkin' it out !!!

[vorage]

Kathy - we agree with taking your time and finding the area that calls to you. There are pros and cons to every location.
We moved from Ashland/Lynnhaven to Charlotte a few months ago. Loved the location up there, but as another poster said, we debated over pre-owned and new construction and ended up buying new. Charlotte is about equidistant from Brownwood and Lake Sumter Landing (abt 20 min by golf cart), and it is very close to Havana, Evans Prairie, and Bonifay, which is where we tended to head anyway. We love our new neighbors, all of whom moved in about the same time and were eager to meet and socialize. It has been great fun getting to know all these new, wonderful people.

[mherzberg]

Kathy / Vern,

When we bought we were focused more on the house than the location. As it turned out we bought the perfect house in what we believe is the perfect location! We are in Sanibell, which is right next to Charlotte. We are almost exactly half way between Sumter Landing and Brownwood (15 minutes by cart). We also have 5 minute cart access to Publix or 10 minute cart access to the new Winn Dixie. Also 5 minutes from the Colony location of The Villages Healthcare location and 10 minutes from the newer Pinellas Plaza healthcare facility. All in all, having lived here now since last August, we are VERY pleased with the location and couldn't have chosen a better location had we been looking!!!

[2BNTV]

Kathy/Vern:

Several points to be made:
1. Buy a house that fits your pocketbook so you own the house, and the house doesn't own you!!!!
2. Thre is no such thing as a bad section in TV. in terms of lifestyle being compromised.
3. I wanted to be close to the action, also but after a while, you won't go to the squares as often, and it's more important to be close to doctors and shopping.
4. I thought I wanted to be halfway between SS and LSL, but bought a home in the village of Alhambra.
5. There are many factors to consider when purchasing a home, as you always have the question of new vs pre-owned. You can seach for threads,
that expound on this subject.

I love living in Alhambra for the following reasons.
1. There is only one entrace/exit gate, with no through traffic, You have to expressly want to come into Alhambra. You will see only residents and contractors in Alhambra, during the day. No nightime traffic, to speak of.
2. Very close to the Savannah center, the Polo Fields and Saddlebrook rec center, that has a lovely pool with a great view.
3, You can go cart shopping to Publix and Walmart by cutting through Southern trace onto Wedgewood Lane.
4. 3.5 miles from SS for entertainment and has the MVP Club for those interested in exercise. Again, a nice golf cart drive away.
5, Close to all the big box stores on 441, if shopping is your thing!!!

Only you can decide where you want to live. Make a list of "must haves", and things you would "like to have but not a deal breaker", when purchasing your home.

Good luck, as they are so many decisions to be made!!!!

[Phanatic Luvr]

Here are also a few things to consider when buying either new or pre-owned.
Is privacy important? If so, the lot you select plays an important part in your home selection. If you like a more private home, one that does not back up to another, you may want to focus your search based on that. There are several different lot options available.
The first is a golf course, pond or wooded lot. These lots are going to be the most expensive.
Then there are lots which back up to streets. You have a bit of privacy in some of these lots, depending again on the lot and street you back up to and how you landscape it. There will always be traffic, however, usually by 7:00pm or so, it is very quiet.
Your third option is a home with a kissing lanai (kissing meaning two houses which back up to each other, lanai meaning covered, screened porch). Again, depending on location, I would say these are the most non-private lots (those that are in close proximity to each other), as you can usually hear what your neighbors are saying if they are on their lanai and having a conversation.
There are also lots which will back up to a wall. These homes will give you privacy but again, there are usually villas on the other side of the wall and conversations can be heard.
You will also have to decide if you want a frame home with siding or a concrete block home. Block homes again are a little more expensive.
Your interior style is also something to consider. Garage size is a biggie for the men. There are 2 car garages, 2 car and a golf cart and then in the premier homes, you can get even bigger garages, depending on your lot size of course. Don't think you can purchase a home with a 2 car garage and add one on, it usually does not work that way. Also, when talking garage size, remember we have no basements for storage so .... the garage seems to be the catch all space. Most homes do have attics over the garage but you will be limited to what can be placed in that space due to the summer heat.
In regards to location, if you are on the younger age of The Villages, it seems the southern end, around 466A is comprised of younger aged residents, let say in comparison to the northern portion of The Villages, up by Spanish Springs. Its just geography, as The Villages started in the north section and has grown to its south.
With that said, and I live in the southern area, for the most part at this time, all your larger stores; Kohl's, Belks, Best Buys, etc... are all in the northern area. The southern area is in need of shopping options. As long as you own a car, its not a big deal, as there are back roads that you can take and be to the mecca of shopping in about 15/20 minutes.
I hope this has been helpful. It is confusing the first time you come to The Villages. The roads are not marked north and south. Buy a map of The Villages. They are $5.00 and will be a life saver.
If you want anymore info, feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to answer any of your questions.

[uprivergirl]

Thank you all for the information it is very helpful. We will have a car and a golf cart when we come so we can do some major searching. I know we will be looking for some privacy since right now we have no neighbors that live by us and our backyard is the Colorado River. Shopping is nice but not the first thing on my list. We travel 2 hours now to get to major shopping so 15 to 20 minutes would be a blessing. We have only one grocery store in our city.

We will get a map to help with our travels.

2BNTV I totally agree with you on not letting your house own you. I keep telling my kids that and I wish they would listen.

Sounds like everyone is happy with the Village they have chosen which is great because that means they are a lot of great Villages. We will look at both new and pre-own. We will do our research and make our chose.

Can't wait to meet The Village People. See you on the golf course and pickle ball court.

[EnglishJW]

Here are also a few things to consider when buying either new or pre-owned.
Is privacy important? If so, the lot you select plays an important part in your home selection. If you like a more private home, one that does not back up to another, you may want to focus your search based on that. There are several different lot options available.
The first is a golf course, pond or wooded lot. These lots are going to be the most expensive.
Then there are lots which back up to streets. You have a bit of privacy in some of these lots, depending again on the lot and street you back up to and how you landscape it. There will always be traffic, however, usually by 7:00pm or so, it is very quiet.
Your third option is a home with a kissing lanai (kissing meaning two houses which back up to each other, lanai meaning covered, screened porch). Again, depending on location, I would say these are the most non-private lots (those that are in close proximity to each other), as you can usually hear what your neighbors are saying if they are on their lanai and having a conversation.
There are also lots which will back up to a wall. These homes will give you privacy but again, there are usually villas on the other side of the wall and conversations can be heard.
You will also have to decide if you want a frame home with siding or a concrete block home. Block homes again are a little more expensive.
Your interior style is also something to consider. Garage size is a biggie for the men. There are 2 car garages, 2 car and a golf cart and then in the premier homes, you can get even bigger garages, depending on your lot size of course. Don't think you can purchase a home with a 2 car garage and add one on, it usually does not work that way. Also, when talking garage size, remember we have no basements for storage so .... the garage seems to be the catch all space. Most homes do have attics over the garage but you will be limited to what can be placed in that space due to the summer heat.
In regards to location, if you are on the younger age of The Villages, it seems the southern end, around 466A is comprised of younger aged residents, let say in comparison to the northern portion of The Villages, up by Spanish Springs. Its just geography, as The Villages started in the north section and has grown to its south.
With that said, and I live in the southern area, for the most part at this time, all your larger stores; Kohl's, Belks, Best Buys, etc... are all in the northern area. The southern area is in need of shopping options. As long as you own a car, its not a big deal, as there are back roads that you can take and be to the mecca of shopping in about 15/20 minutes.
I hope this has been helpful. It is confusing the first time you come to The Villages. The roads are not marked north and south. Buy a map of The Villages. They are $5.00 and will be a life saver.
If you want anymore info, feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to answer any of your questions.

Thanks for all the great advice.

[uprivergirl]

I agree there has been some really good points. Thank you for the time you spent replying to all my questions. You Villagers are great. Love the fact that people in TV are willing to help with questions. I guess you have all had a lot of questions before you made the move too.

[Cathy H]

The 1 bad thing about houses here is they are too close together, so you look at a wall or into the next guys patio; so get one with open space in the rear, but not a golf course. On a golf course the smelly noisy carts go by all day long and the yard is dangerous from mis-hit golf balls. Look for a pre-owned in a developed area.