Visiting soon-A couple of questions.

[wilt2448]

I will be staying in the Villages for the month of March 2009, my first visit. The house I am renting does not include a golf cart. I am a golfer but when I play the executive courses I plan to use my carry bag and walk since the executive courses are only nine holes and are short. I will probably play the full sized courses a few times and will just rent a cart. In other words I don't think I will need a golf cart for golf itself. My questiion: I know it's a golf cart community but is a golf cart really necessary to enjoy the Villages for non golf activities for a month? Would I be missing out on too much by not having one? The owner will arrange for a cart but it will cost me extra and I'm trying to hold down expenses. Any comments please.

Second question: House I'm renting has no internet access. I absolutely neeed access to the internet during my visit. I do not have a laptop computer to bring with me...mine is a desktop. I've heard that there are computers at the public libraries available for public use. Is this true? Are there long waits to use these computers? I'm trying to decide whether I should just go ahead and purchase a laptop computer to bring with me so I can go to Starbuck's, McDonald's, etc to use their wireless networks...or..if the public computers are sufficient.

Third question: I will just be there for one month. Trying to decide whether to have the post office just hold my mail here or have it forwaded to the Villages. All of my normal bills (utilities, etc) are all deducted from my bank account automatically so that's not an issue. What do the regular visitors do?

Would appreceiate any input. Looking forward to my stay....Wilt

[Hawkwind]

#1. I just spent the month of December in TV and did not rent a cart and got along just fine. I did miss the opportunity of dropping into the tunnels and coming up in another location to explore but that gives me something to look forward to next time. If I had a cart I would have used it to go to the pool but I the 10 minute walk in the warm sun was a lot better.

#2. I would get a lap top and you can use the wireless access at the larger Rec Centers. I used my work lap top and looked or an open wireless connection in my neighborhood but nothing was open. I tethered my company provided Blackberry to the lap top and connected to the Internet that way. This connection is expensive but the company I work for has a very good corporate rate. I only use the tethering when I cannot find an open access point.

#3. As far a mail service, I just had mine held at the post office for the month. All my bills were prepaid so I did not have anything to worry about. You will be surprised now much junk mail you will get in a month.

One thing you may want to do is go on-line and download at the weekly Recreation News. You can then mark your calendar for those activities that you may be interested in. This was a great help in planning appointments with my sales rep as they did not interfere with other activity.

Enjoy your stay.

[Russ_Boston]

When I used the library computers in May there were many open. In March it could be a different story. I think they have 8 or so computers available.

I only rented for a couple of single weeks so far and I had a cart. You can get one for around $75 per week from private renters. You don't NEED a cart but I wouldn't be without one.

From a previous thread:

For the rental or purchase of a used golf cart I would call Jim Followell at cell 317-258-1241 or home 352-259-7525. He rents carts that go faster than the ones The Villages rents and his all have side curtains also which The Villages carts don't have. He also has 4 seat carts. Good person to work with.

[Tripngirl]

Wilt - In answer to the golf cart question - My husband and I spent a month, the first time
staying in The Villages in August 2008 - we only rented a car to get to The Villages from the airport and to get our groceries. The golf cart was included in our rental but between golf and going to the down town area we made the most of it....don't worry about getting lost driving in the tunnels etc.....anytime we stopped to look at a map someone came along and asked us if they could help us find whatever we needed...we even had a couple who had us follow them back to the village we were staying in one night! it's as friendly as all the posts say......were making arrangements now to spend two weeks in March....a golf cart isn't included but were making sure to get one....my husband is an avid golfer too. You will have an awesome time! Enjoy! (Oh, don't stock up to much on the groceries....the resturants offer great prices, so do the golf club returants and in the town squares......).

[Pookirgirl]

We have been to TV numerous times and are also coming for the month of March. I would not be without a golfcart if you are planning on "searching and traveling". There is so much to see in TV and you really need a cart to explore. Just a head's up... March is a busy month and we called in August to put a hold on 2 of them for us and another couple. There were very few available at the time...so... if you are seriously considering a rental, you would be wise to call the guy that Russ recomended. We also contacted another villager who rents from her home and she had none available in March either.
Also, I believe there are also computers available in the Savannah Center for your use as well.
Where are you staying during your visit? That is another thing to consider as traveling to the Town Squares and stores by vehicle are sometimes a problem...parking, especially if there is something big going on!
Good luck and enjoy!

[starflyte1]

We just closed on a home in TV in December, but aren't there full time yet. I already miss a golf cart, if for no other reason than to go to the squares.

The way some mail travels, I would just have your home PO hold the mail. I wouldn't have it forwarded. We have a neighbor pick up ours, so if we need anything they can go thru it for us.

Have a wonderful time in TV!

[JohnN]

We're part times for now, til we can get there fulltime

We have comcast internet, and a laptop. Rent close to me and you can grab my signal for free.

We don't yet have a golf cart but look forward to getting one when we can use it more.

We have our mail held, not forwarded.

Enjoy

[wilt2448]

Thanks to all. Based on what I've read here I will probably have my mail held or let my neighbor check it for me. I also think I'll try to use the public computers instead of purchasing a laptop and used the saved money to rent a golf cart for the month. I'm lookng forward to seeing the Villages....Wilt