Historic District

[clod]

Evening all. We will be checking out The Villages next week & looking at some houses. We have some interest in the MH's in the Historic District as they seem to have a little more utility/parking area than some other units, villas for one. Living area is OK, particularly as we are used to living on a boat. Would love to hear any opinions + or - regarding living in this District (Orange Blossom, Silver Lake) as well as any input on what to look for in MH's in general. Advice is redeemable in Happy Hour Units. Thanks in advance.:bowdown::bowdown:
Steve

[thehags]

We rented homes in the historic district for 2 years and just loved the area. But after becoming more familiar with all the activities that the Villages have to offer - found that we were renting at the northern most point and it oftentimes involved a lot of traveling to other recreatioin centers.

We eventually purchased a ranch right near RT 466.

What I loved about the historic area was
* The mature landscaping
* The country feel of the place
* The friendliness of the residents...but you find that anywhere in the Villages
* Very close to Spanish Springs downtown Center & shopping along Rt 441

Downside:
*Manufactured homes - insurance is a major issue as far as coverage
*Distance to other places in the Villages
* Closest shopping areas along Rt 441 are extremely crowded.

Right now I do think you get quite a bit for your money there but it really is just a matter of what appeals to you personally.

The Villages is such a unique place to live & I think that no matter where you choose...you'll end up loving the area.

Good luck to you!
Mary

[sriding]

We own our home on the historic side. When we bought and built our home in 1993... we got a free golf cart. With that golf cart... it's a VERY long way to the other side of the Villages. When we actually retire in a few years (Yes!!!), we will purchase a new faster golf cart and will be very happy in our historic side location.

I totally agree with the good side of the historic side, that Mary listed. I have to question the negatives.

* Insurance - I don't know about the insurance on a manufactured home but if someone is moving from the North, it still may feel very reasonable to you. That’s worth checking before you eliminate manufactured homes from your list. But the important point I'd make is that there are a lot of site built homes on the historic side, as ours is, and the insurance is definitely not an issue at all.

* Our site built home is on the Silver Lake Executive Course and we have a GREAT view of sunset. It's a more open view than many other Executive Courses. The trees are off in the distance so they just are silhouetted against the sunset. There are a lot of homes that face west along the Silver Lake as well as the Orange Blossom Hills Championship course. I love our golf course and sunset view that I would say rivals most homes at The Villages!

* If you look at some manufactured homes, you will find some VERY nice homes with large lots. Some of the lots with the VERY large trees along the Orange Blossom Championship course are really beautiful with beautiful views of the course that has a stone bridge in one area. Lovely!

* "Shopping Areas are extremely crowded" - we just have not found that to be the case. Mind you, we do not come during the peak Jan-Mar season (we rent our home out then) but I'd think it is sort of extremely crowded everywhere then. We'll know better when we move there.

* "Distance to other places in the Villages" - another thought on that... There are so many great stores in our area that I feel sure that many from the other far end of The Villages come to our side to shop. There’s always the other side of The Villages that is a bit of a distance.

* "Distance..." - another advantage to being on the Spanish Springs square are some of the great places to go there. Katie Belle's Saloon is great for late night entertainment, buffets, special holiday meals (e.g. Thanksgiving), and just fun dancing (or people watching if you don't dance). We also love Amigos Mexican Restaurant. We used to live in the Orlando area when we purchased our home at The Villages and were there when Nell opened her first location in Altamonte Springs. The food is great!! That was lucky that they put a location in The Villages right near our home on the historic side. Moe's Burrito Restaurant is good, too. We also enjoy Marguarita's and the New Orleans Cajun restaurants at the Spanish Springs square. Then there's the regular stuff that's on both squares - Starbucks, Panera Bread, etc.

* "Distance..." - We recently discovered that we can now get to Lowes, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Beall's (Dept. Store) and Takis (Greek & Italian) Restaurant (great!) (as well as to Chili's Restaurant on the other side of 27/441) all via golf cart. There's a back way from the historic side. It is a dirt road that is well traveled but is not a paved road so that access may go away when they build between the historic side and Lowes... hope they always keep in mind how much we Villagers want that route left open. Anyone in the Villages can use it but it is very convenient to the Historic side.

* Another thing that we're close to is the original pay-extra country club - the Orange Blossom Hills CC. You don't have to be a member to eat in the restaurant or at the grill by the pool so we enjoy that. When we retire there, we look forward to joining the country club so we can also swim there. We think it is a beautiful resort look that is VERY Florida and very pleasant.

* We don't get tired of playing Silver Lake Exec course. And one of my favorite Executive courses is the Hilltop. It is as the name implies, on a hill and is lovely to play.

* The regional hospital is near the historic side. I found out recently that there’s an exercise program there that I will check out. If the price is right, that will be convenient.

So though we must invest in a new golf cart when we retire to The Villages so we can more easily enjoy all the great activities and restaurants at the far end of The Villages, we do love our location, too. Just had to give... ‘the rest of the story’, as Paul Harvey says.

[JohnN]

we looked there, and liked it , but bought a villa as utility parking was not an issue and we wanted minimal yard maintenance. if it works for you, it's great.

I thought thehags said it well, including the negatives. everything has a pro and con. test it out for awhile before you buy if you can (ie: rent) and your opinion will form really quick, good or bad. best wishes