New to forum

[Alaskaman]

I hope this is the place to start. My wife and I have lived in Alaska for over 35years, and are thinking about snow birding to Florida. Friends who have recently moved from Jupiter to Alaska recommended "The Villages" as a place to look into. We will be traveling on a business trip to Arizona on the 23 of April, then onto Florida on the 29th, for a 8 day cruise, then spend a week traveling around Florida.

We really don't know anything about Florida at all other than our cruises out of Fort Lauderdale. We will rent a car the second week in May, and explore where would be a good place to retire. We are both in our 60s. We would like to get the feel of the Villages for a few days on our visit to Florida. Are there any recommendations on places to stay or introductory seminars? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Alaskaman

[CritterLover]

And Alaska is my DREAM!!!! I might have to pick your brain, as well! You'll get lots of great info here. In a nutshell, The Villages is awesome, super folks, tons to do and see, not too hot or cold (usually), and it's central FLORIDA, so how much bad can there be? I'm a native, so I'm a bit biased, but it really is a wonderful place! Welcome!!

[dewilson58]

Two places to start regarding TV:

1) Order the video from TheVillages.com.

2) Come to TV and do the Life Style stay. Four to seven nights, very cheap, you get a villa, golf cart, golf, etc.

Good Luck.

[Alaskaman]

Thanks for the web site. I know this is probably a dumb question, but The Villages is not anything like I've heard of before. Do you drive cars or just golf carts around in The Villages? Also I watched the introduction and I didn't see any boating activity. Is fishing a sport in the Villages, or would I have to go to the east or west coast of Florida to do that?

[Schaumburger]

I agree that if you can call The Villages sales office and book a Lifestyle Preview visit, that would give you a good introduction to the lifestyle of The Villages. The visits are for 4 to 7 nights, and you are housed in a beautiful villa near Lake Sumter Landing, one of the 3 town squares in The Villages.

If you go on The Villages web site, and click on "Come Visit" there is more info. about the Lifestyle visits.

The Villages is a good sized community (over 100,000 residents) and spans quite a bit of territory. There are so many clubs, activities and events to keep you as busy as you want to be. I would move to TV tomorrow, but I have to work for a few more years.

I hope you get to visit The Villages on your upcoming trip to Florida. It is a beautiful place!

[Alaskaman]

Thanks for the response, but it has been 40 years since being on the eastern coast. I was in New London Ct. for a few years, back in the 70s, but only I've passed through Florida on cruise vacations. Ask any questions about Alaska, and I will try and help.

[Schaumburger]

Thanks for the web site. I know this is probably a dumb question, but The Villages is not anything like I've heard of before. Do you drive cars or just golf carts around in The Villages? Also I watched the introduction and I didn't see any boating activity. Is fishing a sport in the Villages, or would I have to go to the east or west coast of Florida to do that?

There are no dumb questions. I am not a resident, just a wannabee, but I have visited and rented in The Villages several times since a good friend purchased a home in TV a few years ago. Most residents own golf carts. There are miles and miles of golf cart paths that go throughout TV. People use their golf carts to go shopping, banking, errands, eating out, to visit the town squares, etc. The stores and businesses that are golf cart accessible will usually advertise that they are. Golf carts cannot be used on the major highways and county roads that have a higher speed limit. If you want to leave The Villages and go to the nearby towns of Ocala, Leesburg or Orlando, you will have to use a car.

The fishing question is something I can't answer. I just eat them :).

[Barefoot]

Welcome to the Forum.
If you use the Search button (see above), you can research many different topics and read previous threads.
We are here to answer your questions, ask away!

[npwalters]

Hi,
Pam and Nick Walters here with an introduction. We have purchased a home in De La Vista North and will close on it on the 28th. We live in Tennessee and I am still working so we will rent it out most of the time and just get there for a few visits throughout the year. We hope to be retired and able to make a (at least part time) move to TV in a few years.

I've been lurking and reading for several months now and have used some of the recommendations to make this smooth. We will be grateful for any advice you might have though since I'm sure the bear is probably sneaking up on us.

Pam and Nick

[dewilson58]

P&N

All you have to remember.............Don't you or your dog poop in other people's yards. Don't reserve seats at the Squares. Don't judge Line-Dancing skills. Learn how to use round-abouts. Do not retrieve golf balls from yards. The Villages Daily Sun is not a newspaper. The Villages is a For Profit Enterprise. The Three Word Sentences thread is no longer three word sentences.

WELCOME to TV.

:a20:

:jester:

:pepper2:

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Barefoot]

.....All you have to remember.......Don't you or your dog poop in other people's yards. Don't reserve seats at the Squares. Don't judge Line-Dancing skills. Learn how to use round-abouts. Do not retrieve golf balls from yards. The Villages Daily Sun is not a newspaper. The Villages is a For Profit Enterprise. The Three Word Sentences thread is no longer three word sentences.
:a20:

[dbussone]

P&N

All you have to remember.............Don't you or your dog poop in other people's yards. Don't reserve seats at the Squares. Don't judge Line-Dancing skills. Learn how to use round-abouts. Do not retrieve golf balls from yards. The Villages Daily Sun is not a newspaper. The Villages is a For Profit Enterprise. The Three Word Sentences thread is no longer three word sentences.

WELCOME to TV.

:a20:

:jester:

:pepper2:

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

dewilson58 is quite correct - HOWEVER, if you are a lobster lover you will be most welcome to the thread now incorrectly named "Three Word Sentences."

[Alaskaman]

In Alaska we have a quick solution to dogs pooping in our yard. They freeze quickly which at that time you can take your pitching wedge and send them back to your neighbors yard where they came from.

[chuckinca]

There are no dumb questions. I am not a resident, just a wannabee, but I have visited and rented in The Villages several times since a good friend purchased a home in TV a few years ago. Most residents own golf carts. There are miles and miles of golf cart paths that go throughout TV. People use their golf carts to go shopping, banking, errands, eating out, to visit the town squares, etc. The stores and businesses that are golf cart accessible will usually advertise that they are. Golf carts cannot be used on the major highways and county roads that have a higher speed limit. If you want to leave The Villages and go to the nearby towns of Ocala, Leesburg or Orlando, you will have to use a car.

The fishing question is something I can't answer. I just eat them :).


You also need cars to go to places not in the Villages - many, many stores, restaurants, churches, etc are adjacent or near to TV but not Golf Cart accessible; nearby towns are not golf cart accessible either.

There are lakes everywhere nearby and most have boating and fishing. Atlantic Ocean and Gulf fishing areas are as close as 60 or 70 miles away and beyond.

There are many ponds in TV and nearby that have catch and release rules.

Florida residents over 65 do not need fishing licenses in Fla.

.

[graciegirl]

In Alaska we have a quick solution to dogs pooping in our yard. They freeze quickly which at that time you can take your pitching wedge and send them back to your neighbors yard where they came from.





Would you like to rephrase?

[Alaskaman]

Sorry in Florida it is probably called a sand wedge

[graciegirl]

Sorry in Florida it is probably called a sand wedge



I have to laugh now that I am pretty sure you didn't mean it.


Please go back to Dewilson's advice and also Chuckinca. Excellent I think.

[ConnieNonnie]

Hi, make sure you plan your drive, Ft Lauderdale is about a
a 4-5 hr drive from TV. When I moved here full time in 2012
to care for my parents ( here since 1997) we needed more
space then my parents home to live comfortably together
the people that bought their home are from The North Pole
Alaska. You can PM me if you would like their contact info.
There is a Chain Of Boats club here and a lot of rental options
on the West & East Coasts ( TV approx. 70 miles from each)
Really need to check us out, there is no place like this!
Safe travels, ConnieNonnie

[Nucky]

dewilson58 is quite correct - HOWEVER, if you are a lobster lover you will be most welcome to the thread now incorrectly named "Three Word Sentences."

Three Word Sentences

has been updated

and improved greatly.

Come join us. :pepper2:

[2BNTV]

Ft Lauderdale is 4 hours, away if you don't stop. Closer to 5 if you make pit stops and grab a snack.

For a 4 day visit, a car will allow to see more of TV, than a golf cart, (about 100 miles of golf cart paths).. TV is about 40 sq miles, which I think is a lot bigger, than most people imagine.

Enjoy yourself and don't get stressed out about seeing and doing everything, because you probably won't.

You will love it here!!!....... but then, I am biased. :smiley:

[HoosierPa]

If you are coming in the Summer, be prepared for high humidity like you have never felt before ! Not an issue for us and it sounds like you won't be spending many days in TV in the summer, just be prepared !