Questions about Courtyard Villas

[Go-Bucks!]

Love it that I can get so much good info from you experienced residents! I have done a "Search", but can't find much info on living in a CYV.

What do you like best about them? Least? Pros and cons about choosing a CYV vs. Designer home? Why did you choose your model? 2 or 3 bedroom? Do you prefer the w/d in the garage or in a laundry room? Noise from near neighbors?

I have a small dog and do not like yardwork, so these seem like a good choice but they're so close together and I'm used to living on a small 4 acre farm.

Please share all your thoughts and feelings so I can have a better idea of whether this is a good choice for me. :p

[Paper1]

If you are used to a more private setting and own a dog CYV are great. Except in the front you are afforded a nice level of privacy. Dogs can go out anytime unattended.

[kittygilchrist]

Some cyvs in the north or on corners have decent space. I took a designer bc I wanted a view, and built a plant based courtyard for the dog to go off the lanai. It can be done, nicely and with arc approval.
I still love cyvs, but most tend to have a boxy feel and limited internal space arrangements.

I hate laundry in the garage, cold concrete feeties.
Noise is not much of an issue. I perpetrated noise late one night playing music loudly while in the hottub and my obnoxious neighbor, there is always one? called anonymously to complain. He only heard me playing ave maria because he walks the dog at midnight to get away from his wife.

I think that is tmi?

Ps bucks, yes!

[northwoods8683]

We have a courtyard villa. Our yard is VERY small even by the CV standards, which is fine with us as we have gone from mowing 4 acres to having somebody mow for us and having it done in about 5 minutes time! We have 2 good sized dogs (65 lbs), which unfortunatly miss those 4 acres, but as far as letting them out at 5am, the CV is the perfect solution. Roll out of bed, open the Lanai door, wait, open door back up, fall back into bed, no need to get dressed for a walk, that will come after breakfast. Noise? We only hear the construction on the other side of the wall, and that will be gone soon enough. Ours is a very quiet neighborhood, even with both of our neighbors haveing dogs and being full time, it is quiet. We have a laundry room inside the unit, would love for that to be a pantry, but i do love the convenience of throwing a load of laundry in while lettiing the pups out @ 5am too. We have a Anaheim model. Hope this helps, good luck in your search, you are going to love it here.

[graciegirl]

It costs about fifty bucks a month here to have most designers lawns maintained, Pulling weeds is more. Chemical weeding, not too much more.

Our first house here was a designer and I loved the space particularly in the garage. The garage is your basement.

But we have a cat who stays inside or within the screened lanai..

[xcaligirl]

We have a CYV up by Mulberry Grove rec center. Noise is really not an issue even with the ambulances and fire trucks nearby. We have 2 dogs, one small & one medium, so we definitely wanted a CYV. Our backyard is much smaller than the house in California however they are adjusting. We purchased the CYV due to them and privacy. Our yard is manageable ~ much easier than the larger yard at the previous home. I would recommend a 2 car garage, one car is SMALL. We have the laundry in the garage ~ at first I wasn't happy about it at all however during the warmer days, I prefer the laundry out there so the house doesn't get heated up! We looked at a lot of new CYV's when we were here on vacation and they did look a bit boxy. Once you add your personal touch, it won't look boxy at all. It's been an adjustment however everything is less maintenance and that's what is needed here because you will by busy 'doing things'.!!!! Hope all of the input you receive helps, good luck, welcome and just relax!

[outahere]

We don't live in a CYV, but I find it interesting that the neighbors on both sides of us moved from villas because of noise. I'm sure that noise can (and probably does) occur just about anywhere, but our neighborhood is really quiet (thankfully). If you find a CYV that you like, I would suggest trying to meet and talk with the neighbors to try to find out if noise is an issue in that neighborhood, before you buy.

[Challenger]

We don't live in a CYV, but I find it interesting that the neighbors on both sides of us moved from villas because of noise. I'm sure that noise can (and probably does) occur just about anywhere, but our neighborhood is really quiet (thankfully). If you find a CYV that you like, I would suggest trying to meet and talk with the neighbors to try to find out if noise is an issue in that neighborhood, before you buy.

Have lived in two CYVs over the past five years. It is truly as quiet as a graveyard. Great privacy. We have had about every kind of home that you can imagine over 52 years of marriage and find this property to be "just right" for our stage in life>

[Avista]

We've lived in a CYV for the past 7 years. Love living here. Only downside is 11/2 car garage. We have a dachshund and a Boston Terrier. We will always have dogs. This type living works out so well for us. My husband but in a doggie door, and our dogs go,out as they want.

[gerryann]

I purchased a brand new CYV in a brand new village. CYV mainly due to 2 dogs at the time. I found out shortly after moving in that I am very claustrophobic. I hated having nothing to look at but walls. I hated all the voices on the other side of the walls that I couldn't see. My dogs hated that as well. It was noisy all the time. The neighbor behind me had a very loud speaking voice. She entertained all the time and always outside.(which was about 1 ft from where I would sit and read). Even when they whispered, I could hear everything. The neighbor on one side had regular parties, with bands outside. When not entertaining, her dog was barking regularly. On the other side was an empty house. I moved to a regular house with a beautiful backyard and it is completely quiet. CYV's are obviously good for some people....just not me. 😊

[Bonnevie]

I did not buy a new cyv because the lots were small and there were so many others around you. I bought a resale that backs to a street--usually viewed as a negative. However, I have no one behind me. I hear the swish of cars but it doesn't bother me. I have only one neighbor on either side. My friend bought a cyv above 466 and she has a huge yard. doesn't even look like a cyv....looks like a regular house with a fence around it. So the point is they are not all the same and I would encourage you to look at some of the older ones.

[Go-Bucks!]

Such great info! Thanks! Please continue to add any opionions . . . I really value all this great info.

Avista: I see you lived in Lancaster, OH! I'm also in the central Ohio area and my oldest daughter lives in Stoutsville. Can't wait to get together with all the former-Ohioans in TV!!:wave:

[wudda1955]

We have a CYV and I wouldn't exchange it for anything. Then again, I like my privacy. When I want to socialize with neighbors, I sit out front. When I want to be alone, I sit out back. Not too much noise from any of our neighbors. The dogs will bark to say hello, from time to time, but that's about it. Sometimes, when either of our neighbors on either side are entertaining, we can hear voices, but can't make out what they're saying. Our CYV is a Melrose, 3 BR. My laundry is in the garage. I thought I'd hate it, but it doesn't bother me in the least. I love everything about my home. The yard is small and manageable, the dog is happy, the hubby is happy, and we live in a great neighborhood full of people I now call my friends. I could not ask for more.

[pklein9747]

We've lived in our CYV for 4 years and we love it. Our neighborhood is very quiet so we don't have any issues with noise. Yes, our neighbors have company now and then, so do we, but no one is overly loud. It is so nice to be able to sit outside in the backyard under the sun or the stars...coming from the Northeast, I would have missed that if we were in a regular designer that backed onto another home. Hubby loves that he has no grass to mow.

Our laundry is inside. We have wall cabinets above the washer/dryer and on the other side of the laundry room which gives us a lot of extra storage space.

We chose a three bedroom because we wanted a dedicated guest room and to use the other as a den/work space. Plus it's nice to have those two extra closets for storage.

As others have said, I think the only negative is the 1 1/2 car garage. We still have a lot of stuff in our garage (shelving units, wall hooks) and can still fit our Mustang and the golf cart, but it is tight. On the other hand, it seems the more room you have, the more stuff you accumulate!

Best of luck on your search for the perfect CYV for you!! No matter where you live, The Villages is wonderful :)

[Go-Bucks!]

As others have said, I think the only negative is the 1 1/2 car garage. We still have a lot of stuff in our garage (shelving units, wall hooks) and can still fit our Mustang and the golf cart, but it is tight.

I have a Honda Odyssey minivan. Would it fit in a 1.5 car garage with a golf cart? I'd like to keep my van for awhile since it's paid for.

[John_W]

I have a Honda Odyssey minivan. Would it fit in a 1.5 car garage with a golf cart? I'd like to keep my van for awhile since it's paid for.

We have a 2BR 2BA CYV, a Durham model. I have a sports car and a golf cart and I wouldn't be able to put any car wider in our garage. Our garage measures 22' x 12-8'. I have a neighbor who has a 3BR 2BA, Anaheim model and he has a Buick Enclave (big SUV) and a golf cart. His garage measure 22' x 15-5'. So you see there is big differences between models. There are six models, click on the link below and you can see the CYV floorplans with measurements.

The Villages - New Homes Gallery (http://www.thevillages.com/homes/gallery/bungalow-villas.asp)

BTW, our masonry CYV is extremely quiet, you can't hear anything outside. Our electric bill averages about $87 a month.

[villager]

We have a Stoneybrook model. Love the CYV! We, too, have a dog and it is perfect. We have a doggie door built into the screening of our lanai, so we just open our slider and off he goes. Washer and dryer is in the garage. I don't like it there, but that is the only complaint I have. We are on a view lot, so we have the high side fencing but low back fencing. There is no feeling of claustrophobic or being boxed in. If you can swing it, check out view lots that give you the more open feel. We live "up North" so we have a big back yard and a two car garage.

Why don't you rent one for a month or two and see how you like it before you make the purchase?

[Barefoot]

We moved from a CYV to a home with an extended garage because Fireboy is a garage guy who likes his hobbies.
Other than that, we enjoyed our CYV which had a view lot, so no claustrophobia.

[dbussone]

We moved from a CYV to a home with an extended garage because Fireboy is a garage guy who likes his hobbies.
Other than that, we enjoyed our CYV which had a view lot, so no claustrophobia.


Bare - do you call him Fireboy because he is a fireman?

[Go-Bucks!]

Why don't you rent one for a month or two and see how you like it before you make the purchase?


Wish that were possible, but I work fulltime and will have to for the next 4 years. My job definitely doesn't give me enough vacation time to go to TV more than a week or two at a time.

I'm hoping to move to TV asap if I can find a job down there, but if I have to wait until I retire then I may rent a home for awhile while I look for something to buy.

[vinricci]

I have a 2013 Odyssey and golf cart won't fit.

[Justus]

We have a CV Durham (2BR). We enjoy the simplicity of the floor plan and ease of maintenance. The living area is open and spacious; perfect for an active retired couple. We love the privacy of the wall. Our back yard is a safe haven for us, and very quiet. We have done enough yard work in our lives, so we appreciate its minimal size.

The laundry is in the garage; in seasons of prolonged heat, we are glad it is out there and not inside. We believe it keeps the house cooler. The garage is small, however our car and cart live there together, along with an extra fridge and storage shelves for yard implements, etc. It's a tight fit, but it works for us.

Good luck in finding your perfect home, and remember that when you retire to TV, having fun is priority. CYV's are perfect for that lifestyle.

[Go-Bucks!]

Do TV rules allow CYV residents to keep cars in the driveway or on the street in front of the home?

[Justus]

You can park in your driveway, and many folks do, but not in the street. There are guest parking strips in every villa complex.

[Barefoot]

Bare - do you call him Fireboy because he is a fireman?
Yes, he's a retired firefighter, 32 years on the job.
Now he is obsessed with RC Flyers, 14 in our garage.
That's why we had to sell our CYV and move, so he has room for his toys and a work bench in our garage.

[dbussone]

Yes, he's a retired firefighter, 32 years on the job.

Now he is obsessed with RC Flyers, 14 in our garage.

That's why we had to sell our CYV and move, so he has room for his toys and a work bench in our garage.


Thank him for his service for me please. I have the utmost respect for first responders and the military. Do you move the Flyers back and forth with you?

[Rango]

No place to park. Short driveways, no on street parking.

[RickeyD]

If I walkout my front door and immediately to my right I see 24 CYV's and to my left another 24 or so it ain't for me. Unless I had an ocean view...

[Barefoot]

If I walkout my front door and immediately to my right I see 24 CYV's and to my left another 24 or so it ain't for me.

My husband felt the same way. He thought that Courtyard Villas looked very repetitive.
I felt completely different. I liked the small streets and the intimacy. And everyone's front yard is unique and different.
I think perhaps CYVs offer a friendlier community than designer homes, perhaps because of the close proximity of villas.

[Ohiogirl]

just like designer neighborhoods - some very social, some not. In our CYV neighborhood, we have a core of about 6 -8 couples who play golf regularly and do some socializing. Think there used to be a group doing the same on the next street over, but several of that group have moved for various reasons.

Other CYV neighborhoods have regular social events in rec centers and regular driveway parties, just like designer neighborhoods, and some don't.

I also think that some people move to CYVs in order to not socialize - if you drive into your garage and close the door, you would hardly see anyone.

New construction neighborhoods are probably initially more friendly than older ones, where people already have their favorite activities and don't have as much time.

The larger CYVs offer plenty of room for entertaining, especially depending on what the owners have done with the courtyards themselves. Ours is a smaller 3 BR, but not a corner lot. We are comfortable entertaining about 8, but have had larger gatherings using the side patio, lanai and inside - but you need to depend on good weather to use the side patio. We recently enclosed the lanai so we can have 2 areas to play cards/games and do dinner. We have about the same s.f. as the smaller designers.

The garage is long - we have a Honda Fit and 2 golf carts in ours, plus 3 bikes, and a workbench (only accessible if you pull the golf carts out of the garage). I agree that if you are a garage putterer you would probably not like the 1.5 car garage. The majority of our neighbors park their cars in the driveway, esp. the ones with large SUVs or mini-vans.

They are cookie-cutter like, but that doesn't bother us - we are not trying to impress. We love, love, love the privacy and the backyard which we have landscaped to our preference - and it is totally visible and enjoyable from the lanai.

The new ones they are building have many 2 car garages, and different elevations (outside finishes/colors), but they are also about $100,000 higher in price.

[OBXNana]

You have to consider what is to the rear of the CYV. If it is a golf front lot you don't have the same feeling as being surround on three sides by a wall or fence. We opted for the CYV because we didn't like eating our dinner on the lanai and seeing what the neighbor behind was eating too. It was just too close for us. We took the smaller size in exchange for an open feel and nobody to share our meals with! We also wanted 3 bedrooms for guests.

We are not in our villa full time, but there are frequently block parties on the street. I'm not sure the construction has much to do with the social aspect of the area.