Before buying in THE VILLAGES where are other places you considered?

[senior citizen]

Since relocating can have it's ups and downs, flips and flops, for retirees in the process of listing their northern homes for sale, please share some of the other developments or communities you either toured or considered prior to signing on the dotted line in THE VILLAGES FLORIDA.

Did any of them come in a close second?

How about Top of the World in Ocala?
I'm certain some of you must have researched other communities prior to landing in T.V.

Here is a map of the "avenue" in Viera.
It can be enlarged by clicking on pink map.

http://viera.shoptheavenue.com/stores (http://viera.shoptheavenue.com/stores)

Scroll on list on left hand side. A to Z.....scroll down.

I was quite surprised to see the list of shops / restaurants they have.

Especially Ethan Allen and Yankee Candle, Coldwater Creek, Kay Jewelers, Old Navy, Talbots !!!!!!!! Bed, Bath and Beyond. Lots of shops/restaurants we know............check them out.

World of Beer......whatever that is.

Might be worth a day trip.....for those who love to shop.
45 minutes east of Orlando.

Also, the Space Coast Baseball Stadium is there....where the Washington Nationals do their spring training.

[pooh]

Had no intention of leaving CA....came to FL to visit the kids in Sarasota and took a ride to see TV. Changed my mind about leaving CA, bought a house here and have never looked back. No other place can compare, no other place.

[senior citizen]

Had no intention of leaving CA....came to FL to visit the kids in Sarasota and took a ride to see TV. Changed my mind about leaving CA, bought a house here and have never looked back. No other place can compare, no other place.



Thank you Pooh.

[tippyclubb]

We went to some places in Myrtle Beach, one was called Jensen Community and we felt like we would be going there to die. Several others were just as bad and can't recall the names.

We also looked at some places near Tampa, Sun City was one. Awful is all I can say about that place. Can't recall the names of the other places near Tampa either, but you do get way more for your money. More sq. footage, marble counters, tiled or wood floors and stainless appliances. Once again we felt the kiss of death was near while touring those places too.

The Villages felt right the minute we saw it When we signed the dotted line we knew we were moving there to live life to the fullest.

[Carpe Diem]

Visited FL once when I was 22 and had no thought of ever moving here. Came to visit some friends two years ago and we bought that week. I never dreamed there was a place to retire to like TV. If there is a better place - so what? I'm happy here. If there's a better place I'd bust. And I really don't want to do that.

[Bogie Shooter]

Some other threads on this topic.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/did-you-look-other-places-before-picking-tv-35944/
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/how-long-did-you-research-plan-before-moving-into-tv-43504/
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/what-were-your-plans-5-years-before-you-moved-tv-16994/

[obxgal]

Before buying in THE VILLAGES where are other places you considered? NO!!!!
We intended on buying here in the villages and we did so. Do we intend to leave because of all the hupla?? NO!!!! That is our choice.

[Villager Joyce]

We considered Lake Ashton near Lake Wales, Florida. It is a beautiful place. Twice the house for the money, but not the lifestyle. The lifestyle won!!!

[Tom Hannon]

We considered Lake Ashton near Lake Wales, Florida. It is a beautiful place. Twice the house for the money, but not the lifestyle. The lifestyle won!!!

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Life life to the fullest and enjoy whatever time we have left on this planet. The lifestyle should always win, because once you are gone there is no more.

[Beechie]

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Life life to the fullest and enjoy whatever time we have left on this planet. The lifestyle should always win, because once you are gone there is no more.

I agree that it's all about the lifestyle. Just curious if the OP is feeling any sort of buyers remorse as I find it somewhat difficult to reminisce about those places that were deemed to be, at best, in second place. The Villages is not for everyone but it's perfect for us.

[Villager Joyce]

Tom, you are absolutely right. No regrets. This is home. This is our life. We visited for the first time on my 50th birthday and moved in just before my 62nd. The only thing that delayed the move were those 4 letter words -- jobs!!!

[Deseylou]

We looked all over
We went to Top of the World. On a Saturday and there was no activity.
Stopped at a rec center and no golf carts, no cars, no one. I felt like they were hiding all the people.
We went to Trilogy close to Lake Ridge Winery ( off US 27)
Beautiful homes. They are all solar heated, nice club house
State of the art
Problem.... It's at least 10 miles to get a gallon of milk
Just too far away from anything
Del Webh
Also beautiful homes. Close to I-4
Only one club house
Lake Ashton
Same thing
Plus their HOA fees were almost $400 month
Every time we visited TV it felt like home
Closed on our house almost 3 weeks ago and are is happy
Debbie

[pivo]

I'm on my way down next week to buy a place but since I had so much time to look
due to selling my house, right now I'm torn between the villages and stonecrest.
I'll be looking at both places and then decide.
any opinions on the two would like to hear from all.

[Chipper]

We looked at Pelican Preserve in Ft. Myers, Lakewood Ranch, Valencia Lakes near Tampa and Providence Lake in Nashville. These were all wonderful but are not close to the activities offered at The Villages. We just sold our house in Michigan and will be down next week to buy our new home in The Villages.

[SantaClaus]

We've looked at Solivita south of Kissimmee, mostly because we are big fans of the Disney parks, and the homes and facilities are very nice. It just doesn't have the communal feel like the Villages. More like a regular housing development with some nice facilities. Same goes for Spruce Creek (8 miles north of TV). TV feels more like a huge cruise ship than it does a subdivision! Can't wait for my cruise date comes up!

[Cincinnatus]

Detroit
Cleveland

[Villager Dude]

We were headed to Kiawah and had a house there until we discovered TV. No comparison.

I have played golf here with many people that did their homework. One visited 20 different places around the country and chose TV hands down. Many others visited up to 10 places and picked TV.

We visited TV for 8 years trying to decide location of house and finally purchased in 2010 and moved here permanently in 2012.

I am amazed at the number of people that have purchased here on the 1st visit. I have not heard of anyone purchasing sight unseen but would not be surprised if it has happened.

You will like TV but if by chance you don't there will be a number of people that would be interested in you house.

Take Care and Good Luck

[RErmer]

Some friends bought at Top of the World and also had a conversation with a friend yesterday who just closed on her home here in TV after considering Top of The World. Consensus is, Top of the World is less expensive, but just doesn't have the entire Villages lifestyle. IMHO, it's not just hype that you buy into TV for the lifestyle - just today I signed up for 2 classes at the Lifelong Learning College, something not available at Top of the World.

[rayschic]

I agree that it's all about the lifestyle. Just curious if the OP is feeling any sort of buyers remorse as I find it somewhat difficult to reminisce about those places that were deemed to be, at best, in second place. The Villages is not for everyone but it's perfect for us.

Can't be buyers remorse. The OP doesn't live here.

We visited Solivita but it was too small and quiet for us. Saw TV and knew it was right for us.

[helen lovely]

I highly recommend that you rent in the Villages or any other such community for at least a year before you make than BIG move. The grass is not always greener on the other side for many. I know that people are coming & going from The Villages all the time. The ones that leave are not as vocal as the folks that live there & love it. Some discover The Villages & thing they have died & gone to Heaven others view it as Hell. You decide by trying before you spend lots of money & energy.

[justjim]

We visited several retirement communities and even purchased a home in one before TV. We are "shoppers" and value hunters. Arizona had too much "brown tones" and Hot Spring Villages, Arkansas was too cold and too many pine trees. The place in Florida where we purchased a home was only 20 miles south of TV but you had to drive six miles for a loaf of bread.

Stonewood we looked at very seriously and We probably could be "happy" in Stonewood. Very close to TV and more house for the money.

Bottom line there is no place like TV. Unless, you want to be a "beach bum"! But if you just want to visit the beach occasionly, the beach is just one and half hours away.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I lied in the Philippines for a year before coming here. I wouldn't recommend it.

[graciegirl]

I lied in the Philippines for a year before coming here. I wouldn't recommend it.



LIVED. I am sure you meant lived.

[Patty55]

I lied in the Philippines for a year before coming here. I wouldn't recommend it.

I put in a few years near Saratoga, IMO a real pit, I think I'd prefer the Philippines.

I looked around the Naples area and a builder was whining that everyone was going to the villages, so..... I went too.

[ilovetv]

I highly recommend that you rent in the Villages or any other such community for at least a year before you make that BIG move. The grass is not always greener on the other side for many. I know that people are coming & going from The Villages all the time. The ones that leave are not as vocal as the folks that live there & love it. Some discover The Villages & thing they have died & gone to Heaven others view it as Hell. You decide by trying before you spend lots of money & energy.

Why is it such a "BIG" move?? If you don't buy a BIG house here and don't put all your eggs in one basket by buying a BIG home in TV, there is little to lose and you can sell and move away if you don't like TV.

I don't understand why people are spending what sounds like their "life savings" on a huge, expensive home here (or anywhere at retirement age).

Try it out by renting for a couple of months and then if you buy, get something sensible and nice like a courtyard villa or ranch home to start with. Many people move within TV to a bigger or smaller place, as priorities change once they have downsized.

After having big, luxury family homes up north, it is refreshing and liberating to live smaller and to not have to serve a big house that always needs more maintenance, HVAC, landscaping renovations, insurance, bigger taxes, and other constant spending (that "giant sucking sound").

The ideal I think would be to downsize up north (get a smaller place like a condo) and get a nice villa or ranch home here in TV to Snowbird with. Then you have time to decide about whether to go full-time with TV as the only home. And all your eggs aren't in one basket.

[CFrance]

As to what Helen Lovely is talking about, I think it is a "big move" from an emotional standpoint. You are leaving family and a life you've had for a good amount of time. Doesn't mater so much what size house, just that it is such a change in location.

[ilovetv]

As to what Helen Lovely is talking about, I think it is a "big move" from an emotional standpoint. You are leaving family and a life you've had for a good amount of time. Doesn't mater so much what size house, just that it is such a change in location.

I see. That's a good reason to make it a snowbird type of move, too.

[CFrance]

I see. That's a good reason to make it a snowbird type of move, too.
That's true. Especially if you're not used to relocating, have been in one place most of your life.

[Barefoot]

I am amazed at the number of people that have purchased here on the 1st visit. I have not heard of anyone purchasing sight unseen but would not be surprised if has happened.

Now you know someone who purchased "sight unseen". We knew we wanted a CYV south of CR 466, with a golf course view. So when we saw one on the Internet, we grabbed it. It was over listed, so we paid $20,000 less than the list price.

We bought it in May 2007, and we didn't actually get to see it until October. Imagine the anticipation! It was just a happy bonus that it is five minutes from the private dog park!

My philosophy is "a long life isn't promised to anyone". So make hay while the sun shines!

[Beechie]

Can't be buyers remorse. The OP doesn't live here.

We visited Solivita but it was too small and quiet for us. Saw TV and knew it was right for us.

Thanks for the correction RAYSCHIC. Dumb assumption on my part that just because someone has over 4,000 posts does not necessarily equate to being a resident here in TV.

[ilovetv]

Now you know someone who purchased "sight unseen". We knew we wanted a CYV south of CR 466, with a golf course view. So when we saw one on the Internet, we grabbed it. It was over listed, so we paid $20,000 less than the list price.

We bought it in May 2007, and we didn't actually get to see it until October. Imagine the anticipation! It was just a happy bonus that it is five minutes from the private dog park!

My philosophy is "a long life isn't promised to anyone". So make hay while the sun shines!

So true!

[senior citizen]

I agree that it's all about the lifestyle. Just curious if the OP is feeling any sort of buyers remorse as I find it somewhat difficult to reminisce about those places that were deemed to be, at best, in second place. The Villages is not for everyone but it's perfect for us.



No.......no buyer's remorse. We haven't bought yet......gearing down to call in the realtors to list our present home end of May. Spring is very slow in coming up here....but we are getting there.

Perhaps it is just cold feet.

I appreciate your response as well as all the others above your post.
Thanks to all.

[senior citizen]

We looked all over
We went to Top of the World. On a Saturday and there was no activity.
Stopped at a rec center and no golf carts, no cars, no one. I felt like they were hiding all the people.
We went to Trilogy close to Lake Ridge Winery ( off US 27)
Beautiful homes. They are all solar heated, nice club house
State of the art
Problem.... It's at least 10 miles to get a gallon of milk
Just too far away from anything
Del Webh
Also beautiful homes. Close to I-4
Only one club house
Lake Ashton
Same thing
Plus their HOA fees were almost $400 month
Every time we visited TV it felt like home
Closed on our house almost 3 weeks ago and are is happy
Debbie


Many thanks for the excellent post. It is important that it feel like "home".
Congratulations and best wishes on this next stage of your life.

[senior citizen]

We visited several retirement communities and even purchased a home in one before TV. We are "shoppers" and value hunters. Arizona had too much "brown tones" and Hot Spring Villages, Arkansas was too cold and too many pine trees. The place in Florida where we purchased a home was only 20 miles south of TV but you had to drive six miles for a loaf of bread.

Stonewood we looked at very seriously and We probably could be "happy" in Stonewood. Very close to TV and more house for the money.

Bottom line there is no place like TV. Unless, you want to be a "beach bum"! But if you just want to visit the beach occasionly, the beach is just one and half hours away.


Thank you Jim. I know what you mean about the "six miles for a loaf of bread". If you can find them, take a look at my aerial shots of our Green Mountain state.......about twenty or so photos of "Irene" taken by helicopter.......it gets worse as you go down.

I agree with you about Arizona, although it probably might make more sense due to its "dry climate" for those with arthritis.
My husband's sister lives there for just that reason. His brother lives in California and our son/family live in Colorado.

That's true......about the beach being one and a half hour's drive.

We were also thinking about the grandkids......it's true.

On the road where we now live, in the same neighborhood since we were 25 years old, all of us have seen each other through grieving the loss of parents and spouses, the birth of new babies......the graduations of all of our children, the weddings of all of the same.........followed by all of our grandchildren's births....may sound strange, but all of us ENJOY the HIGH SPIRITED "JOY" that the grandchildren all bring when they visit........and they go around the neighborhood, welcomed by all, into their homes. They get invited to swim in the neighbors pools in the summertime. Some of these neighbors were their math teachers, etc., etc., etc.
Small town living. But, we are willing to leave this "history" behind for the sake of balmy Florida weather, esp. after this colder than normal winter just past.

We also enjoy the company of the younger crowd, who always tells us we are "young at heart" even though we recognize that we are getting older than dirt and slowing down...........so just thinking maybe we would be better off in a multi aged community.
Ditto for when our grandchildren visit us............which they all promise they will. Don't want to upset the neighbors. We , ourselves are very quiet..........but kids having fun in the pool can get noisy when one is not used to children. The homes are close.

Having the beach a block or two away would solve that problem. Just a lot to ponder. Our family has always meant everything to us. We married young, at 20, and began our family three years later..... and totally enjoyed raising our children........and now watching them enjoying their own broods.

Thank you kindly. I appreciate your post.

[graciegirl]

It's always wise to gather facts.

[senior citizen]

We were headed to Kiawah and had a house there until we discovered TV. No comparison.

I have played golf here with many people that did their homework. One visited 20 different places around the country and chose TV hands down. Many others visited up to 10 places and picked TV.

We visited TV for 8 years trying to decide location of house and finally purchased in 2010 and moved here permanently in 2012.

I am amazed at the number of people that have purchased here on the 1st visit. I have not heard of anyone purchasing sight unseen but would not be surprised if it has happened.

You will like TV but if by chance you don't there will be a number of people that would be interested in you house.

Take Care and Good Luck


Appreciate your post, truly.

[senior citizen]

I lied in the Philippines for a year before coming here. I wouldn't recommend it.


I "hear you".

One of our long time friends and neighbors in our "neighborhood up on the hill" for the past 40 plus plus years was born and raised in the Philippines, coming to Maryland to go to medical school as a young man. The rest is history. He became a doctor, married an American gal and raised four beautiful Eurasian children. Wonderful neighbors.He just retired from our hospital where he was Chief Anesthesiologist. Very down to earth guy.

However, after their marriage, his wife told me that he wanted her to see his childhood home...........after they flew to the Philippines, it still was a long long bus ride.......then a long long JEEP ride into the countryside.

She said the chickens and pigs would walk in the front door and out the back door...........she got a chuckle out of this. The windows had no glass panes in them.

He is a brilliant man, so I guess his simple childhood existence didn't hurt him any.......he just has a different outlook on material possessions and what is important in life.

We also have friends from India and other European countries......so truly do realize what a wonderful country we all live in........we are blessed.

Thanks.

[Bogie Shooter]

It's always wise to gather facts.

Over and over....................

[Steph]

I am coming to buy in TV first week of May just having sold my Trilogy 55+ home in California. I've done a LOT of looking including Nevada, Arizona, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and now Florida. I really liked Del Webb Orlando but it just does not compare in lifestyle to TV. I had to decide do I want more house or am I looking for a lifestyle. Some real soul searching. I've concluded I am looking for the lifestyle. I want to be able to get bread and milk via golf cart. Right now, I have to drive 20 miles to go to a cost competitive grocery store. I'm way over it. I can make a house look nice but you can't change the infrastructure. And I want to have a choice every day of things to do, like golfing. I'm scared about the move especially with all the sink hole talk but what the heck. YOLO. Search your heart, take your time and do what you believe will make you happy. Best of luck.

[Xavier]

Sometimes we tend to over think and/or over research and/or over worry. I guess it's just human nature for some! After a decision is made and you put down the cash, what happens when you find something you hadn't thought of? Will it ruin everything? Maybe one should pick a place they know they won't like so they won't be disappointed.

Every once in a while you've got to just take a leap and everything will come out okay. In this case, it would certainly be an educated leap! There is no reason to get all foamy in the stomach. The Villages is a safe investment even if you hate it here.

I'm going to bet that you'll love it. Don't die of worry. Enjoy what you've worked so hard for.

(I hope that wasn't harsh)

Xavier

[Bogie Shooter]

Sometimes we tend to over think and/or over research and/or over worry. I guess it's just human nature for some! After a decision is made and you put down the cash, what happens when you find something you hadn't thought of? Will it ruin everything? Maybe one should pick a place they know they won't like so they won't be disappointed.

Every once in a while you've got to just take a leap and everything will come out okay. In this case, it would certainly be an educated leap! There is no reason to get all foamy in the stomach. The Villages is a safe investment even if you hate it here.

I'm going to bet that you'll love it. Don't die of worry. Enjoy what you've worked so hard for.

(I hope that wasn't harsh)

Xavier

Not harsh..................just true!

[Yorio]

Back in 1997, we bought a plot of land in Pinehurst, NC as at that time Pinehurst Club membership came reasonably and we thought playing 6 eighteen holes of golf from #1 thru #6 would be great. It also had about 18 tennis courts, lawn bowl facility, huge lake with a small beach and boat not to speak of use of hotel pools. It also had a quaint town with a small park designed by the same person who designed NYC Cental Park. We were thinking of retiring there. Forward, 2005 and our type A friend decided to retire and retirement magazines and pamphlets in hand from NC to Key West. After the search, they decided to settle in TV. They said they'll give us all the pamphlets and magazines for us to check out. We visited them once and decided, if we are to retire, TV will be it. As great as Pinehurst is and especially now with their 3rd U.S. Open this year, in the winter the place is still too cold and town is practically dead. To us nothing compares to TV. Drawback is too many activities and don't know which ones to quit.:duck:

[senior citizen]

Many thanks to all posters and also to those who sent p.m.'s....

Thanks to everyone for their personal input which is very much appreciated.
All of your posts have been extremely helpful.
I do value all of your opinions and advice which gives me a fresh outlook on things in general........

Special appreciation to those who took the time to write long detailed private messages based on their own personal journey. I do appreciate what you've shared.....and totally understand.
Your own "heartfelt advice" to me will be seriously "taken to heart".

[Steve & Deanna]

We did a bit of touring in Tucson as we have relatives out there and we've looked at Del Webb too. We rented in TV for four years, bought, and have been here for three years. Love the Lifestyle. Think they've done a great job developing a place like this for seniors. The benefits far outweigh any gripes (except my wife can't play bingo unless she wants to stand in line and find out the game is sold out). If you have steak, why would you buy hamburger?

[Xavier]

I just read the OP's post on something that was reported 11 years ago about picketing in The Villages. I've come to the conclusion that there is something very, very wrong going on. I personally will not waste one more sentence in response to this nonsense. It hurtful to those who have cared and tried to provide helpful information. A playground of the mind is afoot.

Xavier

[rjm1cc]

Some friends bought at Top of the World and also had a conversation with a friend yesterday who just closed on her home here in TV after considering Top of The World. Consensus is, Top of the World is less expensive, but just doesn't have the entire Villages lifestyle. IMHO, it's not just hype that you buy into TV for the lifestyle - just today I signed up for 2 classes at the Lifelong Learning College, something not available at Top of the World.Top of the World does have a learning center. Some courses are free and some have a small charge. Most have openings.

[rayschic]

:BigApplause::BigApplause: that's why there is an "ignore"list
I just read the OP's post on something that was reported 11 years ago about picketing in The Villages. I've come to the conclusion that there is something very, very wrong going on. I personally will not waste one more sentence in response to this nonsense. It hurtful to those who have cared and tried to provide helpful information. A playground of the mind is afoot.

Xavier

[Bogie Shooter]

I just read the OP's post on something that was reported 11 years ago about picketing in The Villages. I've come to the conclusion that there is something very, very wrong going on. I personally will not waste one more sentence in response to this nonsense. It hurtful to those who have cared and tried to provide helpful information. A playground of the mind is afoot.

Xavier

Been going on since 2008..............................

[Xavier]

Been going on since 2008..............................

...slow learner! (..not a sentence..) :D

Xavier