Surrounding area and...

[bobnunny]

I'm thinking of moving to the Villages. I spent a day there last year, but I know that's not enough. I'm going to spend 3 there this fall.

But I'm wondering if anyone can address why there are such limited options outside of the Villages for shopping and entertainment? The area seems so depressed and devoid of options. Did I just not see it, or is there a reason. I'd hate to have to drive an hour just to get some options.

I'm concerned that the town squares would be a bit of a monopoly with little competition.

Thanx! :confused:

[Bogie Shooter]

Options? What is it you are looking for?

[alwann]

I'm thinking of moving to the Villages. I spent a day there last year, but I know that's not enough. I'm going to spend 3 there this fall.

But I'm wondering if anyone can address why there are such limited options outside of the Villages for shopping and entertainment? The area seems so depressed and devoid of options. Did I just not see it, or is there a reason. I'd hate to have to drive an hour just to get some options.

I'm concerned that the town squares would be a bit of a monopoly with little competition.

Thanx! :confused:

What kind of options are you referring to? Shops at the squares are just boilerplate. Anything & everything you would want or need are just minutes away from the squares.

[villagetinker]

30 minutes or less north to Ocala, LOTS of shopping, also to a lesser extent, west to Leesburg and Mount Dora. Take a look a google maps for the type of shopping you are looking for.
Hope this helps.

[JGVillages]

Entertainment? We have the 1100 seat "The Sharon Performing Arts Center with entertainers to name a few as Bobby Rydell, Johnny Mathis, Jerry Lewis, Willie Nelson, and coming soon Howie Mandel and The Beach Boys. The Savanna Center a 700 seat venue with a wide variety of great entertainment. This fall Tierra Del Sol will feature a 90 seat dinner theater with a variety of Broadway style plays. Katie Bells offers afternoon entertainment with May evening specialty dinners shows. Three town squares with nightly entertainment 365 days a year. If you are looking for Celine Dion, Streisand, or similar superstars then you may have to travel an hour to Orlando or Tampa. Plenty of shopping and restaurants, with more coming each year, and additional in nearby Ocala. If you are considering The Villages for "exclusive entertainment" and shopping this may not be for you, but if the options mentioned above can fit your needs it will. The entertainment and shopping are a small part of the "Lifestyle" available here. A three day visit will not be nearly enough for you to experience the Lifestyle here so plan some additional time to absorb it all.

[NYGUY]

I'm thinking of moving to the Villages. I spent a day there last year, but I know that's not enough. I'm going to spend 3 there this fall.

But I'm wondering if anyone can address why there are such limited options outside of the Villages for shopping and entertainment? The area seems so depressed and devoid of options. Did I just not see it, or is there a reason. I'd hate to have to drive an hour just to get some options.

I'm concerned that the town squares would be a bit of a monopoly with little competition.

Thanx! :confused:

If you are looking for shopping and entertainment outside of The Villages and its immediate surounding area you are not going to find much. The Villages is a community of approximately 120,000 in season. We are pritty much self sustaining in the middle of nowhere. You can travel to Ocala or Leesburg, but combined the are smaller than The Villages. If you are looking for a highly active retirement community, this is it!! If you are looking for a city life type of community, this is not it.

[rubicon]

I'm thinking of moving to the Villages. I spent a day there last year, but I know that's not enough. I'm going to spend 3 there this fall.

But I'm wondering if anyone can address why there are such limited options outside of the Villages for shopping and entertainment? The area seems so depressed and devoid of options. Did I just not see it, or is there a reason. I'd hate to have to drive an hour just to get some options.

I'm concerned that the town squares would be a bit of a monopoly with little competition.

Thanx! :confused:

bobnunny: Perhaps your responses would more accurately reflect your concerns if posters knew what city you are living in now and what it is you are looking for.

I moved down from the Minneapolis area and my wife misses the abundance of malls and the vast and varied amount of entertainment there. We both don't miss the higher taxes nor the snow; albeit its always a trade off as the last few days have felt like an oven here

having said that apparently on line shopping is overtaking mortar and brick stores anyway

We all adjust and we find that our needs change as we age
To satisfy her fix for mall shopping we travel to Ocala and Gainesville because in that she will never change:D

[asianthree]

I'm thinking of moving to the Villages. I spent a day there last year, but I know that's not enough. I'm going to spend 3 there this fall.

But I'm wondering if anyone can address why there are such limited options outside of the Villages for shopping and entertainment? The area seems so depressed and devoid of options. Did I just not see it, or is there a reason. I'd hate to have to drive an hour just to get some options.

I'm concerned that the town squares would be a bit of a monopoly with little competition.

Thanx! :confused:
Three days may not be enough for you to determine what you are looking for. It's hard to take in inside the bubble much less out. The squares are like small time town shopping. If you want target, SAMs, Marshalls/ HomeGoods, Steinmart, they are minutes away. If you are a window shopper outlet mall is within an hour. Almost everything I buy is online.

[graciegirl]

I'm thinking of moving to the Villages. I spent a day there last year, but I know that's not enough. I'm going to spend 3 there this fall.

But I'm wondering if anyone can address why there are such limited options outside of the Villages for shopping and entertainment? The area seems so depressed and devoid of options. Did I just not see it, or is there a reason. I'd hate to have to drive an hour just to get some options.

I'm concerned that the town squares would be a bit of a monopoly with little competition.

Thanx! :confused:

YOU need to come here and spend a couple of weeks and drive around and talk to people. This is for ME, so that you won't move here and complain that it isn't to your liking. Then I will have to defend this place.

I was happy in Ohio and I am happy here. I think that the business that runs The Villages does a good job. You need to remember that you will see a LOT of older people and they are mostly conservative and traditional people, who organized their lives so that they could afford to live here. You can buy a home from about 100K to about two million, and everyone gets exactly the same amenities. The golf courses and pools and Country Clubs and Recreation Centers belong to EVERYBODY. You won't get to vote to decide what kinds of flowers are planted or whether The Villages will keep expanding. There are alligators, sinkholes, snakes, palm rats and sometimes Hurricanes.

The lots are small and the population is largely Republican. Most of them have guns. Golf is not what you are used to, but there is a lot of it and the nine hole courses cost about four dollars to play if you drive your cart.

I love it here. LOVE it here.

[Chi-Town]

YOU need to come here and spend a couple of weeks and drive around and talk to people. This is for ME, so that you won't move here and complain that it isn't to your liking. Then I will have to defend this place.

I was happy in Ohio and I am happy here. I think that the business that runs The Villages does a good job. You need to remember that you will see a LOT of older people and they are mostly conservative and traditional people, who organized their lives so that they could afford to live here. You can buy a home from about 100K to about two million, and everyone gets exactly the same amenities. The golf courses and pools and Country Clubs and Recreation Centers belong to EVERYBODY. You won't get to vote to decide what kinds of flowers are planted or whether The Villages will keep expanding. There are alligators, sinkholes, snakes, palm rats and sometimes Hurricanes.

The lots are small and the population is largely Republican. Most of them have guns. Golf is not what you are used to, but there is a lot of it and the nine hole courses cost about four dollars to play if you drive your cart.

I love it here. LOVE it here.

GG.......snakes, rats, and Republicans with guns. The OP won't leave the house for the three days. [emoji6]

[twoplanekid]

Orlando is less than 1 hour away and Tampa is only a little bit further to find what you can�t locate in or near TV.

My wife usually cancels out my vote and still undecided if I should get a gun for the gators?:icon_wink:

[Kahuna32162]

GG said, "The lots are small and the population is largely Republican. Most of them have guns."

Wow, I love being a minority! I'm not a Republican, I don't have a gun, I'm younger than most at 62 and I don'y play golf....what the hell am I doing here? And BTW, we all saw last week what happens when a horny senior with a Sig Sauer semi automatic 9MM handgun with multiple clips, mixed with alcohol can do.

[Fred R]

I was told that before The Villages were developed here Lake and Sumter counties were the 2 poorest in the state. This development has brought thousands of jobs to this area and so much for residents to do. You will find more to do than you have time to do.

[perrjojo]

GG.......snakes, rats, and Republicans with guns. The OP won't leave the house for the three days. [emoji6]
You forgot to mention love bugs and alligators.:1rotfl:

[Bonnevie]

I agree with the OP. There is a sameness to the merchandise here. I'm hoping the Sharon will start booking younger acts. However, there are bus excursions one can take to Orlando for shopping or plays there. Not the same but once you start doing activities here, an occasional trip may be all you can fit into your schedule.

[2BNTV]

I'm thinking of moving to the Villages. I spent a day there last year, but I know that's not enough. I'm going to spend 3 there this fall.

But I'm wondering if anyone can address why there are such limited options outside of the Villages for shopping and entertainment? The area seems so depressed and devoid of options. Did I just not see it, or is there a reason. I'd hate to have to drive an hour just to get some options.

I'm concerned that the town squares would be a bit of a monopoly with little competition.

Thanx! :confused:

I see this is your first post. :welcome: to TOTV.

I also notice you are 57 years old. You will find people your age bracket in TV, as some people retire early, (lucky stiffs). :D

Even three days will go by in a blink of an eye. If your shopping needs are not met with the stores on 441, one can go to Ocala. Tampa and Orlando are an hour away if one wants to see big name acts/entertainment. I think the level of entertainment in TV is adequate or way above average depending on who you see. You can find anything you need with shopping around TV and then there's always Amazon/online shopping.

TV is not depressed in any way shape or form. Please take the time to discover all the options. The lifestyle here is fantastic.

The only downside is, they're a lot of chain restaurants so if you are a foodie, one might have to search for better restaurants in surrounding towns. I think as we get older, one must control the amount of food we take in, so TV restaurants work for me. I don't have selective taste buds but that works for me.

BTW - One big upside to living in TV, is you get younger the longer you live here! :smiley:

[redwitch]

Both Tampa and Orlando have pretty decent performing arts centers with Broadway road shows, concerts and many other events. The Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale books some interesting acts. The Sharon books a wide variety of acts. I've yet to find a ballet company to my liking around here, but, all in all, I can't complain. Well, I can complain about the lack of good museums (and do). That is one thing I truly miss.

There are some cute shops in Lady Lake and Leesburg. TV itself does have a few shops that are not truly cookie cutter although the vast majority are chain stores.

The reality is that TV can fulfill most of our needs for food, clothing and entertainment at fairly reasonable prices. While we're a captive audience, the prices seem to remain fair and competitive for the most part. (I've found The Sharon to be a bit overpriced for the acts provided, but not entirely unreasonable.)

I do agree that three days really isn't enough time to get the flavor of TV. At best, you'll get a tiny nibble. I would say that two weeks is the minimum needed to see what all the hype is about, with a month or more being optimal.

[Jima64]

I agree with the OP. There is a sameness to the merchandise here. I'm hoping the Sharon will start booking younger acts. However, there are bus excursions one can take to Orlando for shopping or plays there. Not the same but once you start doing activities here, an occasional trip may be all you can fit into your schedule.

I think they try to book the acts that the villages majority relates to growing up. I would like to see more diversity also.

[John_W]

From the age of nine I grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. That's on the westcoast about a 90 minute drive south on I-75 from The Villages. You will find that most people that move to Florida settled near the coast, that's what my parents did 57 years ago. My wife's best friend since grade school, and who is still living in Baltimore, can't understand why we moved to central Florida. She's been to Florida many times and takes a half a dozen cruises a year as a retired travel agent, but has never visited The Villages.

That's why central Florida appears the way it did, with one exception, Walt Disney. What he did with Orlando and of course Universal, Sea World and many others followed, is what the Morse Family did in creating The Villages in the middle of nowhere. However in the 25 years of The Villages' main progress most retailers and restaurants have moved to us. You just weren't able to see them with only a single day visit. The Villages is 35 square miles and still growing. Many business are located not directly inside but next to The Villages. We actually do almost no shopping at the squares, they are mostly comprised of eateries.

On Hwy 441/27 on the east boundary you'll find Kohls, Target, Sam's Club, Bealls, Ross, Belk, Stein Mark, Best Buy, Lowes, Home Depot, Circuit City, Bed Bath & Beyond and many more. Restaurants will include Outback, Applebees, Ruby Tuesday, Longhorn, Texas Roadhouse, Chilis and many smaller and local eateries.

Running east to west through the heart of The Villages is CR 466. On that road you'll find Walmart, Marshalls, Bealls, Home Goods, Fresh Market and many casual dinning locations. Such as Bob Evans, IHOP, Perkins, Arbys, McDonalds, Duncan Donuts, Burger King and many more.

The only major stores we are lacking would be Pennys, Sears and Macys, and those 3 stores are in Paddock Mall in Ocala. That's about a 30 minute drive north on I-75.

Paddock Mall | Ocala, FL Shopping Center (http://paddockmall.com/)

If you're into more choices, drive another 30 minutes north on I-75 to Gainesville and the Newberry Exit to Oaks Mall. They don't have the crowds that Orlando has, but they have a mall just as big as Florida Mall in Orlando. You'll find almost all the typical mall stores at Oaks Mall.

Shopping Mall In Gainesville '|' The Oaks Mall '|' The Oaks Mall (https://www.theoaksmall.com/en.html)

[Nucky]

OP. Some people have better instinct's than others. I sensed the thrill of this operation instantly. I drove from O.T. of T.W to TV. You may want to do the same. No place is perfect. Really try to absorb the information the people have offered to you in the threads above. People here have a way about them here, they want to help. I gave in to the GPS even though I'm old school and prefer a map. When I pulled over to get situated 3 different golf carts stopped to make sure we were OK. I would guess anything you will need is accessible here or someone on TOTV can help you find the things you require. Good Luck.

[NYGUY]

From the age of nine I grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. That's on the westcoast about a 90 minute drive south on I-75 from The Villages. You will find that most people that move to Florida settled near the coast, that's what my parents did 57 years ago. My wife's best friend since grade school, and who is still living in Baltimore, can't understand why we moved to central Florida. She's been to Florida many times and takes a half a dozen cruises a year as a retired travel agent, but has never visited The Villages.

That's why central Florida appears the way it did, with one exception, Walt Disney. What he did with Orlando and of course Universal, Sea World and many others followed, is what the Morse Family did in creating The Villages in the middle of nowhere. However in the 25 years of The Villages' main progress most retailers and restaurants have moved to us. You just weren't able to see them with only a single day visit. The Villages is 35 square miles and still growing. Many business are located not directly inside but next to The Villages. We actually do almost no shopping at the squares, they are mostly comprised of eateries.

On Hwy 441/27 on the east boundary you'll find Kohls, Target, Sam's Club, Bealls, Ross, Belk, Stein Mark, Best Buy, Lowes, Home Depot, Circuit City, Bed Bath & Beyond and many more. Restaurants will include Outback, Applebees, Ruby Tuesday, Longhorn, Texas Roadhouse, Chilis and many smaller and local eateries.

Running east to west through the heart of The Villages is CR 466. On that road you'll find Walmart, Marshalls, Bealls, Home Goods, Fresh Market and many casual dinning locations. Such as Bob Evans, IHOP, Perkins, Arbys, McDonalds, Duncan Donuts, Burger King and many more.

The only major stores we are lacking would be Pennys, Sears and Macys, and those 3 stores are in Paddock Mall in Ocala. That's about a 30 minute drive north on I-75.

Paddock Mall | Ocala, FL Shopping Center (http://paddockmall.com/)

If you're into more choices, drive another 30 minutes north on I-75 to Gainesville and the Newberry Exit to Oaks Mall. They don't have the crowds that Orlando has, but they have a mall just as big as Florida Mall in Orlando. You'll find almost all the typical mall stores at Oaks Mall.

Shopping Mall In Gainesville '|' The Oaks Mall '|' The Oaks Mall (https://www.theoaksmall.com/en.html)

You can go an hour south, and just off 75 find:

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/tampa

or

Home at The Shops at Wiregrass | Wesley Chapel (http://www.theshopsatwiregrass.com/)

[graciegirl]

It took me about five minutes to figure out that I was in an amazing place.

[perrjojo]

Ocala also has Dicks Sporting Goods and Dillard's. If you want more upscale shopping Tampa's International Plaza has Neimans, Nordstrom and many other upscale stores.