Self-guided lifestyle preview

[cms36]

Hey everybody: My wife and I and our dog are driving down next week to poke around for a few days. The lifestyle previews were booked so we're on our own. I'm already in touch with a real estate agent but looking for suggestions for things to do besides look at houses. Neither one of us plays golf. In case anyone's curious I'm 53 and the wife is 44.

Thanks in advance

[asianthree]

Lots of open houses to look at. Take the trolley, and get a map. Then big deep breath and just enjoy

[philnpat]

Visit the many rec centers...there are many!
Buy the morning newspaper. Buy a map at the sales center and drive around. I guarantee you'll get lost. That's ok though...everyone does. Visit the 3 squares and talk to folks. Enjoy!

[NotGolfer]

Visit each of the Town Squares both during the day and evenings. Talk to folks to ask about their experiences, while you're here. You'll only get a "taste" of how it is here...so you might want to come back.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Y'all will love it in TV, including the pup. We came down in August, drank the Kool-Aid and closed on our home Thanksgiving week.
In-freaking-credible is what we think of it. Living in "the bubble" has everything you want to do. We didn't want to grow old(er) looking at 4 walls; hope everyone enjoys the visit.

[cms36]

I like your enthusiasm! What was your mindset before your August visit? Were you skeptical, nervous, excited, etc.? Can you say what it was in the kook-aid that pushed you over the edge?

Are you all golfers? Still wondering what kind of trouble the the non-golfers get into.

[graciegirl]

I like your enthusiasm! What was your mindset before your August visit? Were you skeptical, nervous, excited, etc.? Can you say what it was in the kook-aid that pushed you over the edge?

Are you all golfers? Still wondering what kind of trouble the the non-golfers get into.


YOU JUST WAIT AND SEE. YOU ARE NOT going to believe it. Here are some things to enjoy........

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/repeat-fun-facts-about-villages-135316/

[Halibut]

...what it was in the kook-aid that pushed you over the edge?

I love this neologism and will be using it from now on. :)

[kcrazorbackfan]

I like your enthusiasm! What was your mindset before your August visit? Were you skeptical, nervous, excited, etc.? Can you say what it was in the kook-aid that pushed you over the edge?

Are you all golfers? Still wondering what kind of trouble the the non-golfers get into.

We were everything described above. We own a lot on a golf course in Bella Vista, AR and that's where we were going to build our retirement home. We watched a segment of "In Play with Jimmy Roberts" on The Golf Channel earlier in August about The Villages and my wife looked at me and wanted to go see it. Well, we've always been the type to research everything to the nth degree and discuss it "ad nauseum" and never do it; the next day she calls me at work and said that we had a "Lifestyle Visit" reservation in two weeks.

She has been in Federal Law Enforcement the last 27 years and said she has never felt safer anywhere as she had in The Villages - that did it for us (along with something to do 365 days a year, we hate the Midwest winters).

As I stated, The Villages is in-freaking-credible.

We are both avid golfers, but there is an incredible amount of activities for non golfers.

[dbussone]

We were everything described above. We own a lot on a golf course in Bella Vista, AR and that's where we were going to build our retirement home. We watched a segment of "In Play with Jimmy Roberts" on The Golf Channel earlier in August about The Villages and my wife looked at me and wanted to go see it. Well, we've always been the type to research everything to the nth degree and discuss it "ad nauseum" and never do it; the next day she calls me at work and said that we had a "Lifestyle Visit" reservation in two weeks.

She has been in Federal Law Enforcement the last 27 years and said she has never felt safer anywhere as she had in The Villages - that did it for us (along with something to do 365 days a year, we hate the Midwest winters).

As I stated, The Villages is in-freaking-credible.

We are both avid golfers, but there is an incredible amount of activities for non golfers.


And we are happy you are here.

[2BNTV]

TV has to be seen to be believed. No amount of words will do it justice.

Trolley tour, map, talk to anyone and everyone, visit the squares, rec centers especially Eisenhower and do what you enjoy most, with your short time in TV. The time will fly by.

The friendliness of people and the beauty will have you enthralled.

Too many words and so little time to absorb it all. :smiley:

BTW - Bring your checkbook. :D

[tomwed]

The lifestyle previews were booked so we're on our own.

Does that mean no sales people from The Villages will meet with you? or that you can't get one of their promo rentals?

I'm already in touch with a real estate agent
Get a Village salesperson and a resale sales person who does not work for The Villages.

but looking for suggestions for things to do besides look at houses.
What do you like to do? What do you think you would like to try or learn in retirement?
This place is like summer camp. click here (http://www.thevillagesactivities.com/clubs)

Neither one of us plays golf.
Most golfers down here are terrible at golfing but don't know any better. They enjoy playing because of the camaraderie, the fresh air, the landscape, the water birds and maybe get a little bit of exercise unless they walk.

In case anyone's curious I'm 53 and the wife is 44.

You are old enough to swim in the neighborhood pools. That must sound pretty weird.
Thanks in advance

[Shadow8IA]

Hey everybody: My wife and I and our dog are driving down next week to poke around for a few days. The lifestyle previews were booked so we're on our own. I'm already in touch with a real estate agent but looking for suggestions for things to do besides look at houses. Neither one of us plays golf. In case anyone's curious I'm 53 and the wife is 44.

Thanks in advance

We did that last year. We spent 2 days in the area. We took the trolletyand a sales agent drove us thru some communities. Unfortunately your not going to be partipate in any activities or use the facilities. You can go to the squares and dances. But you'll still get the feel for the lifestyle. We are renting a house for Jan - March this year.:pepper2:

[jblum315]

Might be a good idea to rent a house for a month before final decision to buy.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Might be a good idea to rent a house for a month before final decision to buy.

Most people "just know" after a few days there; heck, as soon as we drove on 466 and turned on Morse Blvd. toward Lake Sumter, my wife said "This is it"! Must have been in the air instead of the kool-aid. :a040:

[llaran]

You'll have an interesting time. The villages are not in the MLS so you do need 2 real estate agent s, unless you know for sure you have to have a New home. Rent a golf cart. Read the daily sun o line. You can go into the rec centers and if they ask tell them you are visiting and are just looking.

[Packer Fan]

Have lunch on the terraces at a few of the country clubs and Dinner at Nancy Lopez. dance on the town Squares. Those things got us. We bought a new house and I am not retiring for at least 10 years

[cms36]

Thanks for all the suggestions y'all! Looking forward to getting the visit going.

[manaboutown]

I tend to want to do a little research ahead of visiting a place. "The Villages Florida Book" by Ryan Erisman might be quite helpful. The book explains how things work in The Villages very well.

"Leisureville" by Andrew Blechman is both entertaining and helpful if one ignores his anti 55 and over agenda.

"Florida Move Guide" by Ron Stack explains much about transitioning to the Sunshine State.

"From Sun Cities to The Villages" by Judith Ann Trolander comprehensively examines both the history of and what life is like in retirement communities.

Best of luck!

[VT2TV]

Just an FYI, at the ages you and your wife are, I wonder if you both , or either work outside the home. If you do, and if you decide to buy here, make sure you have checked into jobs. This area does not have a plentiful supply of well paying jobs-depending on what kind of work you do. If work is not an issue, then np..:)

[Fraugoofy]

Whatever you do don't introduced your beloved as "the wife"... she is not a possession!!

[Deb01]

If your into fun. Check out the resorts in kissimmie

[CatskillBill]

[

But is it OK to say "This my husband _____" ? PC gone too far !!!! When will it end.


QUOTE=Fraugoofy;983346]Whatever you do don't introduced your beloved as "the wife"... she is not a possession!![/QUOTE]

[Jeff/Tracy]

Just an FYI, at the ages you and your wife are, I wonder if you both , or either work outside the home. If you do, and if you decide to buy here, make sure you have checked into jobs. This area does not have a plentiful supply of well paying jobs-depending on what kind of work you do. If work is not an issue, then np..:)

Amen on this... We came last January and had no intention of buying, closed on our house in February and moved here in April. It is VERY hard to find jobs, and you will not make anything close to what you made anywhere else --- but.. you will live in an amazing place where there is ALWAYS something going on.

Enjoy!

[pbkmaine]

Unless you can arrange with your current employer to work remote. That's what I did.