How Crowded?

[GoHawks!]

If in the heart of Snowbird Season The Villages population is approximately 110,000 people, I was wondering what percentage of that most populated season is here during the following times:
1) November/December
2) September/October
3) Summer

[2BNTV]

If in the heart of Snowbird Season The Villages population is approximately 110,000 people, I was wondering what percentage of that most populated season is here during the following times:
1) November/December
2) September/October
3) Summer

Just taking a guess:
1. About 75,000.
2. about 75,000.
3, About 70,000, (some people don't want to stay in the hotter summer months).

[rubicon]

Overcrowded most of the year with the exception of July and August and even that beginning to rise

[graciegirl]

Overcrowded most of the year with the exception of July and August and even that beginning to rise


I respectfully disagree. You will see the traffic drop off a lot first of April.

Remember that during the high season, year rounders have a lot of company too.

We will get the ordinary crowd at Publix on 466 then too.

I think you have been here longer than us, Rubicon. We have been Villagers for eight years, now Frogs for three.

[greg&sueby]

I have lived here for 3 years now. The overcrowding question is the same everywhere in florida where people want to be in the winter. I have spent time in Ft. Lauderdale, tampa, the keys, panhandle, and ft. Myers area. All are very crowded in the winter. The situation here is actully better than south florida. I have also noticed that after april, till about October I have no trouble going anywhere to dine out, swim or go off campus to shop.All in all this place is the best all times of the year, for my wife and i anyway.

[George Bieniaszek]

I agree. The Villages is at capacity between January and March. April you see a change and traffic is slightly less. Definitely you will see a dramatic change in traffic and crowds after May.

[dbussone]

I have lived here for 3 years now. The overcrowding question is the same everywhere in florida where people want to be in the winter. I have spent time in Ft. Lauderdale, tampa, the keys, panhandle, and ft. Myers area. All are very crowded in the winter. The situation here is actully better than south florida. I have also noticed that after april, till about October I have no trouble going anywhere to dine out, swim or go off campus to shop.All in all this place is the best all times of the year, for my wife and i anyway.

I have to agree with you. Even in season we are lucky to be here in TV. And after April 1 it is just a dream here.

[George Bieniaszek]

I have to agree with you. Even in season we are lucky to be here in TV. And after April 1 it is just a dream here.



SHHHH!!! DBUSSONE. Don't let out that information, they will just stay longer!! :) Just kidding!!!

[dbussone]

[/B]

SHHHH!!! DBUSSONE. Don't let out that information, they will just stay longer!! :) Just kidding!!!

Ok. I didn't say it. My evil twin must have.

[Greg Nelson]

Overcrowding is prevalent here in Florida especially close to the coast. From Tampa south there are developments that extend as far 20 miles inland. One thing we like here is the distance between homes. The closest allowed is 20'. Also this is the only golf development we've seen with a 24 hour guard. Very quiet here. But lots to do! Today we are taking the historic boat ride around Sarasota Bay..

[CFrance]

I have to agree with you. Even in season we are lucky to be here in TV. And after April 1 it is just a dream here.

[/B]

SHHHH!!! DBUSSONE. Don't let out that information, they will just stay longer!! :) Just kidding!!!
Yeah, DB, button up!

[dbussone]

Yeah, DB, button up!

Holy smokes. I'm sorry already! ::jester::

[Dynsol]

According to the Villages they plan to peak at 110K. not there yet. Last article indicated it is now at about 80K with snowbirds

[dbussone]

According to the Villages they plan to peak at 110K. not there yet. Last article indicated it is now at about 80K with snowbirds

I believe that number was promulgated prior to the Fruitland Park expansion, and the recently announced northern expansion.

[Polar Bear]

Overcrowded most of the year with the exception of July and August and even that beginning to rise

Crowded - late fall, winter, early spring.

Less than crowded - the remainder.

Overcrowded - ehh, only if that's your mindset.

[sunnyatlast]

"Overcrowded"?? This always puzzles me. This is a LOW-density housing with every home being single-family and single-story, on its own lot with its own single-owner garage and driveway.

With no condos and no multi-story housing buildings, AND with no more than two residents per home in most cases, I think everyone here is as spread out as could be possible while making single-family home ownership possible for so many people who can't afford a home on a 1-acre lot.

Try going out for dinner and parking your car and then getting into a restaurant in Sarasota downtown, or at St. Armand's Circle. We love it there, but living there is a whole other story!

[tomwed]

I believe that number was promulgated prior to the Fruitland Park expansion, and the recently announced northern expansion.
What's the new projection? I heard 110 when I was shopping 2 years ago. [i think]

[dbussone]

What's the new projection? I heard 110 when I was shopping 2 years ago. [i think]


I heard the same thing 2 years ago. I would think at least 115K.

[janmcn]

Most snowbirds leave just before the love bugs arrive in May and don't come back until the love bugs have departed the end of September.

[Barefoot]

I have to agree with you. Even in season we are lucky to be here in TV. And after April 1 it is just a dream here.

[/B] SHHHH!!! DBUSSONE. Don't let out that information, they will just stay longer!! :) Just kidding!!!

Yeah, DB, button up!

Too late, I've marked on my calendar to stay for the month of April! :pepper2:

60% of residents are full time, but many travel during the summer.
40% are seasonal residents.
Like most people, "I heard this from a reliable source". :evil6:

[scarecrow1]

Toooo crowded. They are still telling new people that the villages will be built out at 125,000 I just sold my house and was told by a village realtor that it will never be built out. As land becomes available at their price they will continue to buy and build,so why are they still lying to people? The units they're building are high end therefore more people year round. I think the. Bubble has burst,time to sell people.......

[graciegirl]

Toooo crowded. They are still telling new people that the villages will be built out at 125,000 I just sold my house and was told by a village realtor that it will never be built out. As land becomes available at their price they will continue to buy and build,so why are they still lying to people? The units they're building are high end therefore more people year round. I think the. Bubble has burst,time to sell people.......


Aptly named SCAREcrow. What's the deal????

[dbussone]

Toooo crowded. They are still telling new people that the villages will be built out at 125,000 I just sold my house and was told by a village realtor that it will never be built out. As land becomes available at their price they will continue to buy and build,so why are they still lying to people? The units they're building are high end therefore more people year round. I think the. Bubble has burst,time to sell people.......

Sounds like you already have sold. I think you are way off the mark, but I wish you well wherever you land.

[Beechie]

Toooo crowded. They are still telling new people that the villages will be built out at 125,000 I just sold my house and was told by a village realtor that it will never be built out. As land becomes available at their price they will continue to buy and build,so why are they still lying to people? The units they're building are high end therefore more people year round. I think the. Bubble has burst,time to sell people.......

Although everyone has their own sense of being over crowded, your suggestion is a little over the top don't you think? We should all consider moving now because someone finds it too crowded? Reminds me of many years ago when my mother would insist I wore a sweater because she was cold.

[tomwed]

When I was shopping 2 years ago, the sales rep told me the least expensive designer in the new section was going to be twice as much as i paid for the alamanda.

i realize the village sales team has to say what they are told.

it was the only thing he said that seemed fishy to me.

[Beechie]

I don't sense any sort of conspiracy here. I think the Sales Agents deliver the most recent and accurate information they are provided with. Things can and will change dictated by opportunities and circumstance.

[Polar Bear]

I don't sense any sort of conspiracy here. I think the Sales Agents deliver the most recent and accurate information they are provided with. Things can and will change dictated by opportunities and circumstance.
There ya go.

[golfing eagles]

I think "overcrowded" is a matter of perspective. I am originally from central long Island, which has turned into one giant megapolis. Restaurant lines--hours, movies--you might not get in, golf---excluding private clubs which cost a fortune, there are 9 18 hole courses and 4 9 hole courses, with residency restrictions for a population of 2.7 million.
I now live in a town of 35,00 with 2 18 hole courses in a 7 mile radius and 2 grocery stores
So, from my point of view, 12 championship and 35 executive courses, 10 or so grocery stores, 3 movie theaters, dozens of restaurants, boutiques, and the like (as well as enough Walgreen's, nail salons, and First Citizen's Banks to service the state of TEXAS lol) for 80-110K residents is like a ghost town.
I was down there in Feb, as well as last Oct--the difference was noticeable but nothing draconian. I don't really see the difference between a town of 10K with 1 grocery store and 100K with 10 stores as far as crowding is concerned, and with size restaurants and stores are readily available. Try finding any of the big box or department stores in a town of 10K. And everything can be a golf cart ride away!
Maybe I'll think differently when I'm full time this fall, but for now, just sayin'

[Allegiance]

Overcrowded??? Try the Long Island Expressway (aka 495) on a Snowy Friday afternoon. The worlds longest parking lot.

[golfing eagles]

The L.I.E.-----been there, done that. In fact, 12/27/2010---Tappan Zee Bridge to central Nassau county (about 35 miles), normally takes 45-50 min took 6 hrs and 45 min 2 days after a snowstorm

[rubicon]

I do agree that one's overcrowding prospective is influenced by where you are from and what they have experienced. I was reared in a small city in Central New York and have lived in cities ranging from 35,000 to approx 2 million.

I moved here in 2006 and for most of the year for the first 3 years never noticed much in increases but suddenly, to me, with the exception of July and August the feel of TV felt overcrowded on the roads, multi-modal pathways, restaurants, stores, etc.

As TV expands so do the surrounding towns exacerbating the crowding in public places. TV itself has compacted a lot of single homes in a relatively small space. Roadways take time but right now both roads and multi-modal paths have peak times when traffic backs up.

A friend of mine from Northern Minnesota moved 20 times. I asked her how many states that included. she laughed and said I never left the area. What triggered her to move was when she looked out her kitchen window and noticed a neighbor, time to move again. This place would send her insane

[Cisco Kid]

The L.I.E.-----been there, done that. In fact, 12/27/2010---Tappan Zee Bridge to central Nassau county (about 35 miles), normally takes 45-50 min took 6 hrs and 45 min 2 days after a snowstorm

Oh my my !!!

[Greg Nelson]

I'm from rather northern Minnesota, just east of Fargo. IMHO the houses of lower cost in TV are too close together.

[Skybo]

I'm from rather northern Minnesota, just east of Fargo. IMHO the houses of lower cost in TV are too close together.

Yes, they are close together. However, further apart means a larger lot which means more work to maintain or more money to pay someone else to maintain. We, like most residents have owned homes elsewhere with large lots or even acreage. But we've been there/done that with all of the hard work maintaining a large lot and personally, I am relieved to know that I can physically and/or financially take care of my little piece of ground as I continue to age.

[tomwed]

I don't sense any sort of conspiracy here. I think the Sales Agents deliver the most recent and accurate information they are provided with. Things can and will change dictated by opportunities and circumstance.
He told me that Designer homes in the newest section of Fruitland Park will start at 500k. I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. What can possibly happen that will raise the starting price of Designers to 500k?
I'm not suggesting it's a conspiracy---it just doesn't make sense.

[dbussone]

He told me that Designer homes in the newest section of Fruitland Park will start at 500k. I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. What can possibly happen that will raise the starting price of Designers to 500k?
I'm not suggesting it's a conspiracy---it just doesn't make sense.


For one thing, lake county does not allow bonds. I can't explain the rest of the difference unless it is as simple as price increases on more expensive homes.

[Barefoot]

For one thing, lake county does not allow bonds. I can't explain the rest of the difference unless it is as simple as price increases on more expensive homes.

I was told Fruitland Park would be all Premier Homes without bonds on larger lots.
Word of caution - my sources are usually wrong about everything. :doh:

[dbussone]

The equivalent cost of the bonds will be added to the base cost of the home, so although there will be no bond, the cost of the homes will include it. My understanding is the homes will be either designer or premier with expensive villas added in. Your sources are as good as mine!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

In my opinion, it's never over crowded at all. It's a bit busy in the winter months but never what I'd call over crowded.

I really don't know what some people are talking about. By the sound of some of these posts you would think that it's like Manhattan Island down here.

In the winter you might wait a minute or two tops to make a left hand turn out of a side street. You probably won't get seated immediately in a lot of restaurants. So what, I knew a lot of restaurants where that was the case in suburban Boston. Supermarkets are a bit busy and I hate waiting in line, but I don't think that I've ever seen more than four or five people in a check out line.

I really don't get what all the whining is about. If this is too crowded for you, you probably want to live way out in the middle of the country side.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The L.I.E.-----been there, done that. In fact, 12/27/2010---Tappan Zee Bridge to central Nassau county (about 35 miles), normally takes 45-50 min took 6 hrs and 45 min 2 days after a snowstorm

It once took me an hour and a half to go one mile on Roxas Boulevard in Manila and there was no snow storm. Just rush hour traffic.

Got to where I could make aU-Turn and went home.

[CFrance]

Overcrowded??? Try the Long Island Expressway (aka 495) on a Snowy Friday afternoon. The worlds longest parking lot.
Or, coming down a bit in population, even... try the Parkway East in Pittsburgh at 3:00 p.m. on, trying to go 7 miles out of the city. Any sizable city will show you what overcrowded is.

TV overcrowded? Unless you came from a farm in the middle of the Dakotas, I wouldn't call TV overcrowded.

I think it's a dream compared to a lot of coastal places in FL.

[asianthree]

We love April and October and we always eat after 8 so even in January I don't find overcrowded anything. Yes the traffic that goes by our house is greater, but by 6 it's quiet

[Packer Fan]

Based on our rental activity interest, it would seem that October-April are very busy and May-September are DEAD. Just what we see.
Also, from our visits, it would seem that you just have to wait until after about 8:30 PM, and you never have to wait for anything! Love the villages, but not exactly a late night place.

[CFrance]

He told me that Designer homes in the newest section of Fruitland Park will start at 500k. I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. What can possibly happen that will raise the starting price of Designers to 500k?
I'm not suggesting it's a conspiracy---it just doesn't make sense.
The price you quote was in writing to the Fruitland Park commissioners when TV met with them for approval to build there. I believe it's in one of the minutes of the meeting. Designers at $500K and Premiers higher.

From the online newspaper: Moyer’s latest planning “target” includes 140 “Premier” homes priced from $750,000 to more than $1 million, 1,709 “Designer” homes priced from $500,000 and up and more than 189 “Villas” priced from $220,000 and up.

[tomwed]

The price you quote was in writing to the Fruitland Park commissioners when TV met with them for approval to build there. I believe it's in one of the minutes of the meeting. Designers at $500K and Premiers higher.

From the online newspaper: Moyer’s latest planning “target” includes 140 “Premier” homes priced from $750,000 to more than $1 million, 1,709 “Designer” homes priced from $500,000 and up and more than 189 “Villas” priced from $220,000 and up.

Who will spend 500k when they can get one 2 miles away for 250k? I guess if the lots are huge or come with a great view it sounds plausible. I won't put up a fuss if the value of my home doubles but something smells fishy if we are comparing similar houses on similar lots.

[i feel like my post jumped threads]

[CFrance]

It once took me an hour and a half to go one mile on Roxas Boulevard in Manila and there was no snow storm. Just rush hour traffic.

Got to where I could make aU-Turn and went home.
Not as bad, but it once took us an hour to go two miles from a bookstore in Bradenton to our rental in Bradenton Beach. It's never taken anywhere near that long to go two miles in The Villages.

Some people here might have forgotten or never experienced bumper-to-bumper traffic, inching along.

[Beechie]

Who will spend 500k when they can get one 2 miles away for 250k? I guess if the lots are huge or come with a great view it sounds plausible. I won't put up a fuss if the value of my home doubles but something smells fishy if we are comparing similar houses on similar lots.

[i feel like my post jumped threads]

I support your premise tomwed. I think we were all taken aback when we initially heard of the new development and home costs associated. There has to be more to the story than just doubling up on home prices.

[CFrance]

Only part of that equation is that the bond is built into the sale price. But it will be interesting to see how they finally price these homes. Right now they are lowering prices on spec homes. Not by half, though!

[villagerjack]

Interesting that 30-40% of seasonal residents buy homes here and only come down when others say it is crowded. I am one of those who loves it here and if there are crowds either I don't notice it or they don't bother me at all, just more wonderful people with whom I can interact. We play golf every other day during the winter and usually get morning Tee times also early morning Pickleball and Tennis. Afternoons are spent at the pool and we AWAYS get a few lounge chairs at the Rec Center pool so we can enjoy the kids who visit. All for 150 bucks a month. What a deal! The Morses are unqualified geniuses, every single one of them.

[VT2TV]

I do agree that one's overcrowding prospective is influenced by where you are from and what they have experienced. I was reared in a small city in Central New York and have lived in cities ranging from 35,000 to approx 2 million.

I moved here in 2006 and for most of the year for the first 3 years never noticed much in increases but suddenly, to me, with the exception of July and August the feel of TV felt overcrowded on the roads, multi-modal pathways, restaurants, stores, etc.

As TV expands so do the surrounding towns exacerbating the crowding in public places. TV itself has compacted a lot of single homes in a relatively small space. Roadways take time but right now both roads and multi-modal paths have peak times when traffic backs up.

A friend of mine from Northern Minnesota moved 20 times. I asked her how many states that included. she laughed and said I never left the area. What triggered her to move was when she looked out her kitchen window and noticed a neighbor, time to move again. This place would send her insane



I totally agree that it is all in your perspective. I am sure that the traffic down here is much better than NY, Mass., NJ, or any number of places. But I bet that one of the reasons you moved here was for the quieter lifestyle and much less traffic. The problem in my opinion is not the amount of people here, but the fact that we are all squeezed in a much smaller area than many cities, and that our roads are too crowded. There is no where to go with the roads within our "bubble" even when the population keeps getting bigger and bigger. And I don't know if a lot of people on here are out before 10am and after 9pm, but I consider all the other times especially in high season to be fairly busy. Is it unbearable? NO, not yet. But does anyone want it to become so crowded that we no longer enjoy living here??? I can guarantee that with all of the new houses and CYV's and all of the other places the Developer is planning to build that the traffic is not going to decrease. And the current Village roads just cannot handle a big increase of traffic. We went all the way up Morse around 3:30 today, and had heavy traffic all the way up the road until we got to bypass of Sumter Landing. From there all of the way to the traffic Circle at SS, traffic was truly bumper to bumper. And from the gate on Morse, it was bumper to bumper in the golf cart path. And several of the activities at the Rec Centers that we are interested in are full with several years wait. With the increase in people, I can see that happening more and more. When we moved here, you could go down in the winter for line dances class. Wasn't too long before you had to go 1 hr early to get a ticket to come back in an hour for the class. That's not fun. But most of my complaints come from traffic.
another thing I am not happy about, and I am hopeful that these will be resolved>>> apparently even though we were not even here when they built the bridge at Sumter Landing, and EVERYONE uses it, our CDD and all below 466 are going to have to pay for it. Also even though we don't even live close to the Bridgeport at Lake Miona, our CDD also has been selected to pay like 50,000 to restore the trees. Def. not fair!!!

I was told Fruitland Park would be all Premier Homes without bonds on larger lots.
Word of caution - my sources are usually wrong about everything. :doh:



I heard that too.

[Barefoot]

another thing I am not happy about, and I am hopeful that these will be resolved>>> apparently even though we were not even here when they built the bridge at Sumter Landing, and EVERYONE uses it, our CDD and all below 466 are going to have to pay for it. Also even though we don't even live close to the Bridgeport at Lake Miona, our CDD also has been selected to pay like 50,000 to restore the trees. Def. not fair!!!

Those two expenses are definitely a downer. I'm still hoping the Police will catch the instigators of the tree massacre.
Here's hoping that the two issues will be resolved without too much hardship on any one CDD.

[rubicon]

Those two expenses are definitely a downer. I'm still hoping the Police will catch the instigators of the tree massacre.
Here's hoping that the two issues will be resolved without too much hardship on any one CDD.

Hi Barefoot, me too, but our money solved everyone's problem. I still believe law enforcement best bet was to suggest that the costs for repair belonged to the people in that village. I strongly suspect such a suggestion would have awaken someone recollection of the traumatic event. Who had the best opportunity and who would have benefited the most for the clearing of these trees? The Shadow know.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Not as bad, but it once took us an hour to go two miles from a bookstore in Bradenton to our rental in Bradenton Beach. It's never taken anywhere near that long to go two miles in The Villages.

Some people here might have forgotten or never experienced bumper-to-bumper traffic, inching along.

I agree. You want to talk about over crowded? Try this: West New York, New Jersey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_New_York,_New_Jersey#2010_Census)

Population Density; 49,342 per square mile.

The Villages; 1633 people per square mile.

We're not in a cornfield in Iowa, but we're not anywhere near what I'd consider over crowded.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Don't want to compare us to big cities? Here is information on a place that I worked for 20 years. It is considered a small city in Massachusetts. Population is about 93,000 so it's close the The Villages. Population density is 4,398 person per square mile. TV is 1,633.
Golf? Brockton has four golf courses. Two 18 holers, one private and one public and two 9 holers, one private and one public.

Brockton, Massachusetts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brockton,_Massachusetts)

Over crowded? The Villages? That's a joke.

[janmcn]

The price you quote was in writing to the Fruitland Park commissioners when TV met with them for approval to build there. I believe it's in one of the minutes of the meeting. Designers at $500K and Premiers higher.

From the online newspaper: Moyer’s latest planning “target” includes 140 “Premier” homes priced from $750,000 to more than $1 million, 1,709 “Designer” homes priced from $500,000 and up and more than 189 “Villas” priced from $220,000 and up.


More important than what they are asking is what will people pay? Stay tuned.

[Barefoot]

Hi Barefoot, me too, but our money solved everyone's problem. I still believe law enforcement best bet was to suggest that the costs for repair belonged to the people in that village. I strongly suspect such a suggestion would have awaken someone recollection of the traumatic event. Who had the best opportunity and who would have benefited the most for the clearing of these trees? The Shadow knows.

Rubicon, I hope The Shadow shares his information with the Police.
I definitely agree that the replacement costs should have been assigned to that Village as they were the only "beneficiaries" of the tree massacre.
As it stands, it sounds as if residents of that Village have banded together and clammed up tighter than a drum.

Sorry Topicop, :police: I think I've taken us off topic.

[Hancle704]

Some time back an estimate was published that 30-35% of Villagers are seasonal residents. I have also learned that estimates of build out, are just that. It really depends on future land acquisitions. They are never published until they are done deals. As evidenced by recent expansion into Fruitland park and along CR 42 in Summerfield. Those new areas change the previous messages put out that TV was done building in Lake and Marion Counties. As you travel east on CR 466 towards Lady Lake check out all that agriculture land east of Morse Blvd. Who knows, if the price is right. Stay tuned for further developments./

[Mleeja]

Because I am fairly new and do not know, is there a chance the land between Morse and BV north of 466 available for develoment? I've been told this is were the Morris's live.

[cmj1210]

Overcrowded??? Try the Long Island Expressway (aka 495) on a Snowy Friday afternoon. The worlds longest parking lot.


I so agree with you Allegiance or how about one of our mall parking lots @ Christmas. Overcrowded I think not.