Any pointers for upcoming life style visit?

[Transplant]

Leaving the Northeast (Mass) Dec 3 for a 7 day Life Style visit. Any last minute pointers? I've been lurking on this site for over two years and find all of you very helpful in your responses.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Get the Villages GPS app on your phone, beats unfolding one of those large maps (no one told us this, wore out 2 maps the week we were here) to find your way around. Don't go into a roundabout beside another vehicle (in case they decide they own the road and turn in front of you). If you go out to eat, go mid afternoon to avoid 30-45 minute waits. Take in a sunset at the cart pull-off on the bridge over Lake Sumter.

From your first day here, enjoy it. It's the first day of the rest of your life.

[msendo]

-Take the different trolley tours
-Have breakfast or lunch in the screen porch at the Fenney Grill-
very peaceful and pretty
-Take a walk in the Sharon Rose Wichens Preserve
-Visit the Eisenhower Recreation Center

Enjoy!

[Schaumburger]

Definitely take the trolley tours -- call The Villages sales office for information on departure times. Visit the 3 squares - Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing and Brownwood -- free entertainment and dancing nightly from 5 to 9 on each square. There are open houses held daily in The Villages if you want to look at homes -- open houses are listed in The Daily Sun newspaper. Don't hesitate to ask questions when you meet a Villager. Most Villagers are happy to tell you about their experiences. Have a great time!

[zmarkp]

Make a list of homes you want to see. Don't see more than three in one day. Be out the door before dawn and don't come back until way after dark. Bring your checkbook because you just never know!

[Ingenuity]

Definitely the trolley tours-very helpful. Do that the first day. Before you come, look at the floor plans on TV website and choose some that would fit your lifestyle. Then look at what neighborhoods have these floor plans. Make a list of "must haves" and "would likes". For us a must have was a fence and a cottage home. So we moved to Fenney. But do not discount pre owned in other neighborhoods. Have fun, I knew this was the right choice the 3rd day.

[BRN_RI_FL]

On your days not looking at houses, drive the golf cart as much as possible. Drive it to each town square. The golf cart is a big part of The Villages experience.

[fred53]

1)trolley tours...as to the rest...half the fun is figuring it out for yourself. It's not like any of the responses you read here will really be designed with you in mind...they are what other folks who aren't you did/decided. As for the villages gps...forget it...get the $5 map and go for a ride...you'll get turned around a few times, but getting lost here is like trying to find a corner in a round room. Have fun...eat at the country clubs...as it's approaching the flood stage with people I do suggest going a few hours ahead of normal eating hours unless you like to wait and a bit and noisy crowds(seems many folks are hard of hearing and worse when it comes to listening).

[manaboutown]

You will be hooked up with a Villages RE agent. I hope you get one willing to show you preowned as well as new homes. If you get serious about buying be sure to find a Realtor to show you MLS listings as VIllages agents can only show VLS listings.

[graciegirl]

You will be hooked up with a Villages RE agent. I hope you get one willing to show you preowned as well as new homes. If you get serious about buying be sure to find a Realtor to show you MLS listings as VIllages agents can only show VLS listings.



The Villages agents will show you anything you want to see. New, used or anything at all. When we hooked up with the one assigned to us. She asked our interests and she showed us the golf courses and the art rooms.

We had to ASK her to show us houses.

Then she was gone. It was her vacation.

We had to ask for a new one when we found a house we loved on our own and decided to buy it.

We waited a half an hour too long to decide and it was gone.

The houses and The Villages sell themselves.

I am not a realtor, never have been and don't know or work for the developer.

I am just a very.....VERY happy villager of almost ten years.

P.S. The new rep and his wife became our friends. Sold us our second home here too. I LOVED that there is NO pressure from Village agents. NONE. Nada.

Don't be in a hurry to buy. Take your time and ask questions of people anywhere here. Ask them what they like best and least.

[KSSunshine]

Best tip we received during our last visit in October was to take 301 between the Alden Bungalows in Brownwood to Spanish Springs when you need to get somewhere quickly. You are going between the North and South ends of the Villages. We went to the car show and were able to get reservations at Katie Belles for dinner, but wanted to change clothes for dancing! 301 worked well.

[Count'n the days]

If you're doing serious house hunting look for things that can't be changed after you buy like the lot and square footage. I've heard the average Villager moves three times while living here. That may be overstated but I know many do.

Make sure you take note of how crowded it is. Many people are very dissatisfied with how crowded it has become since moving here. December isn't the busiest month but more crowded than in the summer months.

Enjoy your visit!

[dewilson58]

You will be hooked up with a Villages RE agent. I hope you get one willing to show you preowned as well as new homes. If you get serious about buying be sure to find a Realtor to show you MLS listings as VIllages agents can only show VLS listings.

Being assigned a Villages RE agent is the best. Ours was GREAT. Ended up being a friend of the family. Have recommended him to three other couples. The wealth of knowledge is great.

Once you have seen enough houses (make sure you have an idea of size and price......it will focus your time), then jump on the golf cart and tour around. Hit a town square or two. Enjoy the sunset on the lake at Sumter.

Your agent will give you a Villages map.......find rec centers and other locations of interest.

Good Luck.

[ArkOuFan]

Do play a round of golf. They will help you with tee times. You can rent clubs at the country clubs so you don't have to pack your own. My wife is a beginner and she was really self conscious. However going around the course gives you a complete different perspective. She only played shots she was comfortable with so we had a great time.
Don't spend every day looking at houses unless you are ready to buy. Pick a couple of floor plans that interest you to view. You can really get a lot of information on homes online. What you can't do online is get a feel how neighborhoods tie together with recreation centers, trails, etc. So get out in the cart and get lost. A friendly villager will give you directions to get back.

Visit the recreation centers. If you see a upcoming meeting that you might be interested in ask if you might attend to observe.

Ask lots of questions and be observant. One evening while listening to music on the square my wife notice someone with our college logo on it. We both attended a small college so that caught our eye. We struck up a conversation and before you knew it we were getting that couples complete history of their transition to the villages.
We've been visiting the villages since once a year for the last 7. We're still 2 years away from moving but the lifestyle visit really got us started.

[Two Bills]

The bigest lie you will be told by sales agents is, "Build out is imminent!"

[Sgroemm]

The trolley tours each have their specific focus: Tours leaving from Brownwood emphasize that area and the new area called Fenney. Tours leaving from Lake Sumter emphasize "the lifestyle" and Tours leaving from Spanish Springs emphasize the history. I wouldn't do all three unless you have too much time on your hands....they are each a couple hours and occupy a half day in getting there, parking, waiting to load, touring, breaks at the Rec. centers, etc. Prioritize...if you think you might buy new construction in Fenney take that tour. If you think you might buy a resale in the Spanish Springs or Lake Sumter area take that tour.

House hunting....it can occupy your whole time here...try to research 5 or 6 houses you want to see ahead of time (ERA Grizzard has an easy to use website for MLS listings and The Villages site is great for their own listings....note that all homes for sale are not listed in one convenient place) Narrow your focus....it can be overwhelming if you don't.

Go to all three squares....note the crowds (that is exciting for some people...bothersome for others) Take note of the different architecture and "feeling" each square projects....one may be a better fit...Spanish Springs happens to be my favorite.
I believe you will get a daily paper on the lifestyle visit...look at all of the special happenings...steak night at certain country clubs, holiday craft shows and music, market nights at the squares, club meetings you are interested in sitting in on, etc.
Talk to the people at the pool! Most lifestyle visitors are in the same area so they will have experiences to share. My parents were just on a lifestyle visit at Alden Bungalows....many others were too and we met them at the pool.

Evan's Prairie Country Club was one of our favorites....great food, little wait time, lovely atmosphere....less crowded than the restaurants at the squares. Enjoy a little R & R by the pool during your visit!!!!!!

[Sgroemm]

Google maps works well on your phone in the villages....by cart or by car.

[REDCART]

The Sharon Performing Arts Center in Spanish Springs opened one year ago, and if possible try to see a show there. If not Google the Sharon and take their virtual tour. It’s a very impressive theatre and the entertainment options have been very impressive. I just learned from the virtual tour that with the exception of four, The Sharon is larger than NY’s Broadway theaters.

[Sgroemm]

One more thing...lifestyle visit golf carts are limited to 12 mph for "safety" (which I can understand, but it makes them much less fun to drive around!!)

[lafoto]

Finding a house is secondary. Finding out if you love the lifestyle is primary.
If you love the lifestyle, find the spots that you love the best. For instance, I love golf,
I loved the Hacienda Hill CC, My wife loves the trails for running, we love mature green
and lush surroundings. We bought a house that was central to all the areas we love.
You are not buying a house in the villages because it has a certain layout, its not about layouts,
its about having fun and feeling young!
Buy the lifestyle in an area that you love with the things you enjoy doing. MHO

[jswintberg]

Look in the recreational guide for a beginner's pickleball location at 10 a.m. and give it a try. Ask at the desk of the rec center if they have a standard paddle as opposed to the wooden paddles in the equipment building. An advance knowledge of the rules on line and/or YouTube would be helpful. This is a very addicting game.

[ditka41]

Try to play at least one each of our Championship and Executive golf courses. If you aren't into golf, check out other surrounding developments also, even though they offer more limited amenities. Be aware that The Villages "entry gates" are all on county owned roads, and as such, anybody driving up to the gate will be allowed entrance. The main purpose our gates serve is to allow golf carts to cross roads more safely. There is some comfort in knowing that every vehicle entering the gate is automatically photographed. That is better than no gates here, but there are neighboring developments offering actual "security" if that is important to you. I was disappointed, but golfing and other benefits of living here make it tolerable. All three squares with the nightly entertainment / dancing are open to non-residents and property owners alike.
This is a friendly place and I would suggest simply asking some of the people on the street or wherever, what they like or dislike about living in The Villages. You will get lots of opinions and then decide if it's for you. The Villages Real Estate sales people are truly very low pressure and know the market and areas very well. However, they do not sell pre-owned MLS listings. So, if you're looking for a pre-owned, make an appointment with any MLS agent in addition to one from the Villages Sales organization. By all means, I'd suggest you take the trolley tours as quickly as possible upon your arrival.

[Transplant]

Wow. You people are great ! Thank you for the pointers. The Village rep called and told me they will schedule a tee time for me. They are also looking for a show for us to attend. They sent a paper in the mail that comes out every Thursday with all the activities. There are soooo many ! I heard a lot about pickle ball and we will try that out. I was also interested in lawn bowling and the putting course at the Putt and Play at Fenney. We will definitely take the trolley tour(s) and drive around in the golf cart (with caution going around the roundabouts). Some of you suggested RR at the pool. Will it be hot enough in December for that? Looking forward to checking out the country clubs and some restaurants. Thanks for the tip about going a little early because of the crowds. We will of course check out all the town centers for the nightly entertainment. We plan on talking to people to see how they adjusted / like the Villages. Again thank you to everyone. If you think of anything else, let us know. We are very excited.

[MarkGoldberg]

Absolutely. First of all, enjoy yourselves and welcome. We’ve been here a year.
2nd- don’t worry about finding the perfect house. Take your time and learn about and enjoy the lifestyle. If you like the lifestyle, you’ll find the house. If you don’t, then it won’t matter how much you love the house.
3rd- Talk to everyone you meet. We are all friendly and have bee. Through the same thing. We’d love to tell you all about The Villages.
4th/ one of the new villages that they are pushing is Fenney. It is beautiful, but about 6 miles away and not connected by golf cart yet. Ask to see houses for sale in other Villages. There are still new homes in Pine Hills (where we live), Pine Ridge and Osceola Hills, as well as some others.
Good luck and always feel free to ask any questions.

[BRN_RI_FL]

Absolutely. First of all, enjoy yourselves and welcome. We’ve been here a year.
2nd- don’t worry about finding the perfect house. Take your time and learn about and enjoy the lifestyle. If you like the lifestyle, you’ll find the house. If you don’t, then it won’t matter how much you love the house.
3rd- Talk to everyone you meet. We are all friendly and have bee. Through the same thing. We’d love to tell you all about The Villages.
4th/ one of the new villages that they are pushing is Fenney. It is beautiful, but about 6 miles away and not connected by golf cart yet. Ask to see houses for sale in other Villages. There are still new homes in Pine Hills (where we live), Pine Ridge and Osceola Hills, as well as some others.
Good luck and always feel free to ask any questions.

There are still about 22 new courtyard villas for sale at Phillips Villas in the extreme northern section of the villages. We have a brand new Cody’s Roadhouse going in here. Also we have the Mulberry Rec center with a brand new one being planned a short drive away (where the Church was purchased). From what I understand this section of The Villages is a lot less crowded than other sections during the busy winter season. You might want to give it a look.

[kaseydog]

Just remember what is true today may be gone tomorrow in the villages. on my lifestyle visit:

-villages health centers accepted my health insurance(part of my retirement package)now centers only take medicare advantage.
my plan covers more than medicare advantage so can no longer use centers. Great inconvenience to me.
-Lifelong Living College is gone. I feel the replacement does not compare.
-Buildout is coming soon. Well enough said.
-Due to personal reasons.can't move now. Wish I could.
-My personal experiences with The Villages.

[skip0358]

Take your time there's a lot to see. Look at the different communities North of 466, South of 466, South pf 466A, South of the Turnpike. See where you might like to live, visit the different squares at night and see what crowd you'd like to fit in with. Talk to different people in one of the many establishments and see what they have to say. Check out a few resales versus new builds to see which way you might like to go. If you know your budget see what you can get for it. Coming from the Northeast I think you'll find living easier I know we did. Good luck & have fun !