Mail?

[Gshepherd]

Tried to mail a letter when we were there in March and couldn't find a post office or mailbox anywhere! Where does one go to mail a letter or package? ???

[PJ]

Yeah, good luck with that!!!

It's one of the few downsides of living in TV. Love this place! But it's hard to find the PO in the first place, then it's impossible to park there, and hazardous to back out of your spot, if you're lucky enough to find one. They didn't build a drive-up mail drop! Why?? I can't imagine! Sorry I needed to vent!

Anyway the PO I use in off 441/27 across from Spanish Springs area. There may be one South of 466, but I haven't found it. Best of luck!

[borjo]

Gshephard,
Every rec center in every neighborhood has a mailbox for residents to receive their mail and a drop for you to mail letters. If you want to mail a package you can go to the post office like above or one just off Rt. 301 in Oxford, one block north of 466. At the ATM machines we can even get stamps if you have an account at Citizens.

[Russ_Boston]

Good to know, thanks Borjo.


This is exactly what i like about TOTV for us wannabes. One response says it is almost impossible to mail things out and another says that it is simple (at least for normal mail). Although when we move I imagine that we'll send out more care packages back home for the little ones (if my kids ever get around to having any)!

[redwitch]

Here's something that's worked well for me. I'll estimate (or use my kitchen scale) for packages, larger envelopes; print the stamp directly from USPS.gov; take it to my mailbox area when the people are sorting the mail and hand it to them. Works great even if you need to insure it. Regular mail can be dropped in the mailbox (a slot only) in your mailbox area. Piece of cake!

[redwitch]

Oops, forgot to mention there's now a temporary post office at SweetBay. Not sure of the hours, but they had for tax day and I read in the Sun that it would be continued there a few days/hours a week, just can't remember the hours.

[DickY]

Just came back from Sweetbay and they were there today.

[Gshepherd]

This is such a great forum and I thank you all for your answers. One more question checked off my list. Enjoy your beautiful Florida day. It's absolutely freezing here this week in Massachusetts. Every day has been in th 40's cloudy with rain off an on. (and to think it's almost June) Burrr..it's certainly not the beautiful, warm March I experienced when I was there in TV! I can't wait to return. I plan to find out just how hot it actually is in TV in August. See you then!

[pqrstar]

The Villages Pack 'n Ship can handle any of your postal needs.
They have 3 locations, all accessible by golf cart.

Spanish Springs in La Plaza Grande shopping center
Southern Trace shopping center
and the new shopping center new Colony Cottage

[LindaManson]

There is also a post office in Fruitland Park, on 466A. Go past Publix on 466A and the PO is on the left just before you get to the Redlight at CR 25. It is about 2 miles. Not golf cart accessibe, but friendly service. I use it all the time as it is smaller and not usually packed with people. It is as close to those of us in Duval and Hadley areas as the Oxford (if not closer) one and for me is right on the way to the Wal-Mart in Fruitland park/Leesburg which is closser thatn the others.

I tried to use the Villages pack and ship and htey seemed to be very expesive. Because they charge a surcharge, whichis how they make theri money, my package was going to be $12 at Pac and ship and I mailed it 2nd day priority at the post office for under 5. This has happened to me on 2 or 3 occasions before I just started using the PO all the time.

[sandybill2]

There is a mobile post office in the Sweetbay Grocery Parking Lot---at Lake Sumter Landing--I believe it is there on Tuesdays and Thursdays Noon to 3:00----I have used it a few times.

[golfpro]

Sorry, clarify please -- So are you saying there is not a mailbox at each residence or a gang box on each street to send and receive mail?

[sandybill2]

Every "Village" or neighborhood has a postal station and your mail is delivered there. There is also a drop for outgoing mail.

[Fourpar]

golfpro,

That's correct. Mail boxes are at Neighborhood Centers, along with the pool.

[redwitch]

Not all mailboxes are at centers or by pools. Some are simply mailbox centers. But there usually is a mailbox relatively close to where you live, all within walking distance (if you consider 2 miles or less walking distance).

[golfpro]

Thanks Redwitch. We've just started looking into TV. This is something that seem elementary and should be more distance appropriate, especially as folks age. If not feeling well or for whatever reason, to have to get dressed to get out just to get mail daily is an inconvenience. Where we live now, we only walk about 15 yards.

[redwitch]

If I pick up my mail every third day, my mailperson is lucky and I'm a half block from the mailbox. Just not high on my priorities. I know approximately what is coming when and go when I need to see the mail. Anything else can wait.

The nice part is you go in your golf cart or walk, bring your pets if you have any (or just pet those that are there) and have a nice chat with your neighbors. There is a very social feel about the mailboxes here.

If you receive a larger package, you will find a key in your mailbox. That key goes to some "community" boxes for larger packages. Very large boxes have to be picked up at the post office. So, tis best to have your family mail the big stuff via UPS or FedEx -- they do come to your house.

[zcaveman]

After you start using direct deposit and electronic funds transfers to pay your bills, all you end up with is junk mail in your mailbox and an occasional magazine. Usually everyone walks or takes a short golf cart ride to get their mail. Just try to not go on the hour or the half hour because everyone else is there trying to get their mail and get back for the next TV program.

If you can't get your mail for some reason, you can ask your neighbor to pick it up for you.

[renielarson]

I actually forget to check my mail because there is usually nothing there that is important. So...if someone wants to send me something that is vital for me to receive, they better call and warn me ahead of time...or, oh well....

[Just Susan]

I don't do "snail mail"! If it were up to me the box would burst waiting for me to empty it. Tom on the other hand will probably hang out at the post boxes just to watch the mail person stuff the boxes and be the first to pick up our mail...that is unless he is at the library picking up a book or CD that he has ordered from who knows what county. Nice that the mail stations are near the pools. He likes those too.