Which community to choose?????

[BeeGee]

I know there may be a lot of different opinions on this, but when we stayed in the mulberry grove area in a CYV - great location as far as privacy - backed up to a lake? pond? and golf course, but was so far away from Sumter and Springs that it took a while to get to each - loved mulberry grove, but was wondering if the hubs and I could get some input. Also, we were told by our "AGENT" that newly built homes are not going to be equipped with gas - kind of disappointing. Does anyone else share this opinion. Should we consider buying resale in order to get gas? :ohdear: - We love TV and are working to make this happen. This forum is great for valuable tips and just plain fun.:thumbup: Thanks in advance for your help!!!! Bonnie

[mak44070]

We lived in an all electric home in Ohio for over 30 years (heat pump). I loved it. I felt it was much cleaner than gas. Our bills were comparable to homes that heated with gas.

[l2ridehd]

I want gas for cooking. I have had both and much prefer gas. As for new or resale. Their are pro's and con's for both. My preference is resale for many reasons, but that is a personal choice. I would look at both and buy what you like in a location you like. As for which Village, there all great. I would visit both town squares several times, decide which one you prefer and buy somewhere within a 5 minute golf cart ride from it.

[logdog]

We looked at some resales in the Glenview area (just south of Mulberry). Nicely landscaped areas close to nature preserves. These were somewhat older homes with somewhat older neighbors. Also a long drive by cart to the town squares.

We wound up buying in Amelia which is one of the newer areas. We can get to LSL and Colonial Plaza in under 10 minutes by cart and will centrally located when TV finishes building out. Lots more executive courses close to our home. Works for us.

As to gas, we've had both and prefer electric. At one time gas was cheaper but no more.

[golfnut]

logdog, just curious where can we find stats on costs of gas vs electric....gn

[Ohiogirl]

I too have had both all electric and gas homes. I highly prefer gas for cooking, but I cook a lot. I prefer gas for heating up north (feels warmer to me than a heat pump - heat pumps recirculate warm air - I think the gas blows out warmer); however, that said, if you don't cook all that much it probably doesn't matter. Most years (I'm hoping this one and last is an exception) I don't think you will have the heat on all that much to really make electric vs gas an issue for heating.

If you really want gas for cooking and want a newer home, the villages closest to LSL I believe have gas - I know Sabal Chase and Largo do, and I think Virginia Trace, Sunset Pointe, Mallory Hill and Caroline may also have gas - check the resale listings on TheVillages.com to make sure. Age of these Villages is probably 3-6 years. Not sure about Poinciana or any others. Bonds, although they may not be paid off, are also less to begin with than new construction.

[graciegirl]

:welcome:I love to cook and I have now a solid surface cooktop at both homes. It requires you to be a little more observant as the heat doesn't come up and down as quickly but really, I don't think there is a huge difference between gas and electric.

One of the pluses in TV about having electric only is that the gas lines go through the attic and Central Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S.

I have felt more than adequately cool and warm in our Camellia in Hadley and the utility bill is nice and comfortable too.:clap2:

[BeeGee]

gas is preferred to electric. Also like gas for heat - I agree - feels (and is)warmer - have gas heat now and have had heat pump in previous homes - but hopefully the temps in TV will be much better than up here. Right now, of course being a little bit of exception - we haven't any snow...yet. Thanks for the input on the areas around LSL...I think we'd like to be close to that square, so your input was very helpful. Also, I think we'd like concrete over wood frame w/siding...any thoughts?

[bluedog103]

I know there may be a lot of different opinions on this, but when we stayed in the mulberry grove area in a CYV - great location as far as privacy - backed up to a lake? pond? and golf course, but was so far away from Sumter and Springs that it took a while to get to each - loved mulberry grove, but was wondering if the hubs and I could get some input. Also, we were told by our "AGENT" that newly built homes are not going to be equipped with gas - kind of disappointing. Does anyone else share this opinion. Should we consider buying resale in order to get gas? :ohdear: - We love TV and are working to make this happen. This forum is great for valuable tips and just plain fun.:thumbup: Thanks in advance for your help!!!! Bonnie

You can have propane installed for your cooking, dryer, fireplace, pool heater etc. if that's a show stopper. Most experienced cooks prefer gas to electric. More control over the heat.

[sschuler1]

As to wood frame/siding vs. block and stucco: each has it's own benefits and downfalls, so look at all the plus and minuses and make a decision that is right for you.

Plus-
-Block and stucco looks more expensive.
-Block and stucco is more secure in hurricane strength winds

Minus-
-Block and stucco IS more expensive
-Block and stucco requires painting every 7 or 8 years.

Plus
-Frame/siding is less expensive.
-Frame/siding requires less maintainance.

Minus
-Frame/siding looks less expensive.
-Frame/siding is less secure in hurricane strength winds.

[golfnut]

i don't think propane is an option...gn

[bluedog103]

i don't think propane is an option...gn

Propane is definitely an option. Whether you like this option is another story but it's been done in many homes in the southern area. Suburban Propane in Wildwood as well as Heritage in Leesburg work in TV.

[chuckinca]

I believe GG is an experienced cook and just said she doesn't see much difference between gas and electric.

As far as propane - you have to convert a standard gas stove to operate on propane and it doesn't operate like a gas stove as the pressure varies with the decreasing tank pressure. Also, you have to hide the propane tank. We have a propane tank here in Norcal and it only serves the stove (my wife insisted she had to have gas) and we can't get anyone to provide a large tank because of the small amount of usage, so we use a 5 gallon tank and have to watch it closely so it doesn't run out when she is baking or cooking.

[bluedog103]

I believe GG is an experienced cook and just said she doesn't see much difference between gas and electric.

As far as propane - you have to convert a standard gas stove to operate on propane and it doesn't operate like a gas stove as the pressure varies with the decreasing tank pressure. Also, you have to hide the propane tank. We have a propane tank here in Norcal and it only serves the stove (my wife insisted she had to have gas) and we can't get anyone to provide a large tank because of the small amount of usage, so we use a 5 gallon tank and have to watch it closely so it doesn't run out when she is baking or cooking.

It's all a matter of personal preference and there really isn't a right or a wrong. My mother and grandmother could prepare incredible meals on a wood stove. It doesn't get too much more difficult to regulate the heat than that.
In TV the propane tanks are underground. The only thing visible is a small dome. The tanks are something like 120 or 150 gallons. Pretty good size.
We've lived in parts of the country where most everyone, including us, used electric stoves and in other places where most everyone used gas. Our present home in New York has oil heat and propane for the stove and dryer. The propane works fine for us here. The first appliances were converted and installed by the builders guy. Since then in the 33 years we've owned this home, I've converted and installed several dryers and stoves myself. It isn't difficult. You just have to know what you're doing.
Propane isn't for everyone but the option is there for someone who really wants gas.

[Taj44]

I know there may be a lot of different opinions on this, but when we stayed in the mulberry grove area in a CYV - great location as far as privacy - backed up to a lake? pond? and golf course, but was so far away from Sumter and Springs that it took a while to get to each - loved mulberry grove, but was wondering if the hubs and I could get some input. Also, we were told by our "AGENT" that newly built homes are not going to be equipped with gas - kind of disappointing. Does anyone else share this opinion. Should we consider buying resale in order to get gas? :ohdear: - We love TV and are working to make this happen. This forum is great for valuable tips and just plain fun.:thumbup: Thanks in advance for your help!!!! Bonnie

BeeGee - you are right to be concerned about location. The best advice I can offer is to suggest you take a look at what activities you will be pursuing. Will hubby play softball - be near the sofball complex. Do you play a lot of golf on championship courses? Will you be taking classes at the Villages Learning Center - how about grocery shopping - do you plan on going to the square a lot? And so on - to give you a feel of the best locations for you . If you look at a map of full build-out, you will see that just south of Lake Sumter is pretty close to being the center of the Villages at full buildout, so villages of Virginia Trace, Mallory, Caroline, Amelia, Saball Chase, and Sunset Point etc., are the most central. But, say your interest is tennis, and you plan on playing the clay courts over at Glenview. You may wish to consider the Glenview area instead. In my view it really depends on your interests. And many activities are very location specific i.e. you can only do them in certain areas. For example, if you are on the swim team, the practices are 3 times a week up at Mulberry (way up north by Nancy Lopez). Now you can commute there, at least a 30 minute car ride I think from Heminway, but it would be a lot more convenient if you lived closer. It is all a matter of personal choice. As far as gas/electric, many people prefer gas - its up to you. Having had both, I like the gas better. Good luck.

[graciegirl]

As to wood frame/siding vs. block and stucco: each has it's own benefits and downfalls, so look at all the plus and minuses and make a decision that is right for you.

Plus-
-Block and stucco looks more expensive.
-Block and stucco is more secure in hurricane strength winds

Minus-
-Block and stucco IS more expensive
-Block and stucco requires painting every 7 or 8 years.

Plus
-Frame/siding is less expensive.
-Frame/siding requires less maintainance.

Minus
-Frame/siding looks less expensive.
-Frame/siding is less secure in hurricane strength winds.

Now there is a writing style after my heart!!!:024:

[golfnut]

bluedog, where would you put a propane tank in TV....gn

[Army Guy]

golfnut, most bury them. That is what we are going to do. When we are full time here we are putting in a spa and summer kitchen so we will need gas. So going to put our tank underground.

Army Guy

[katezbox]

It's all a matter of personal preference and there really isn't a right or a wrong. My mother and grandmother could prepare incredible meals on a wood stove. It doesn't get too much more difficult to regulate the heat than that.
In TV the propane tanks are underground. The only thing visible is a small dome. The tanks are something like 120 or 150 gallons. Pretty good size.
We've lived in parts of the country where most everyone, including us, used electric stoves and in other places where most everyone used gas. Our present home in New York has oil heat and propane for the stove and dryer. The propane works fine for us here. The first appliances were converted and installed by the builders guy. Since then in the 33 years we've owned this home, I've converted and installed several dryers and stoves myself. It isn't difficult. You just have to know what you're doing.
Propane isn't for everyone but the option is there for someone who really wants gas.


BD - we have propane. Right now we are using it only to cook with and the tank should last us one year. Many Villagers use propane for their summer kitchens and pools/spas also. We have it buried in the back yard.

If you are buying a new stove, you don't need a converter kit. You just buy and LP version of the stave. My hubs and I love to cook - and greatly prefer gas. We have a Wolf dual fuel range (gas on top - electric with convection in the oven).

Taj - your comments on location (the original thread topic) are spot on. If you can rent for a bit - or like some of us who couldn't - you research as much as you can - you will find the place that suits your needs. In our case we wanted to be near friends in Largo, we wanted a lot of privacy but didn't want to spend the $$ for a golf course lot and wanted a cul de sac if possible. We found a home on a cul-de-sac in Bonita - just one village down from Largo off Canal St - with a villa wall in back, a side view to Kenya and room for the buried propane tank.

[Dirigo]

My mother and grandmother could prepare incredible meals on a wood stove. I can't count the number of wonderful meals I've had cooked on a woodstove by my grandparents and my parents. Some of the best Thanksgiving turkeys came out of the old Clarion cook stove. Other uses for the kitchen wood stove were drying mittens and boots behind the stove, and extending the life of DC batteries on the warming shelf. The temperature on the top of a wood cook stove is not uniform, so you just slide the pot/pan to where the temp is right for the item you are cooking. Some of the best biscuits I ever ate came from the ovene of a wood cookstove.

[kwachowski]

My husband and I have been in the Villages for 7 years. We have moved twice and both times stayed in the north end of the Villages. We live in Springdale. We enjoy the privacy and quietness of this area. It does take us 20 minutes to get to the squares but who cares, we are retired. I would rather be away from the hustle and bustle of the traffic. And now we will be close to the new VA center when it opens. Hopefully some restaurants will see an opportunity to build on the out parcels by Publix.

[BeeGee]

BeeGee - you are right to be concerned about location. The best advice I can offer is to suggest you take a look at what activities you will be pursuing. Will hubby play softball - be near the sofball complex. Do you play a lot of golf on championship courses? Will you be taking classes at the Villages Learning Center - how about grocery shopping - do you plan on going to the square a lot? And so on - to give you a feel of the best locations for you . If you look at a map of full build-out, you will see that just south of Lake Sumter is pretty close to being the center of the Villages at full buildout, so villages of Virginia Trace, Mallory, Caroline, Amelia, Saball Chase, and Sunset Point etc., are the most central. But, say your interest is tennis, and you plan on playing the clay courts over at Glenview. You may wish to consider the Glenview area instead. In my view it really depends on your interests. And many activities are very location specific i.e. you can only do them in certain areas. For example, if you are on the swim team, the practices are 3 times a week up at Mulberry (way up north by Nancy Lopez). Now you can commute there, at least a 30 minute car ride I think from Heminway, but it would be a lot more convenient if you lived closer. It is all a matter of personal choice. As far as gas/electric, many people prefer gas - its up to you. Having had both, I like the gas better. Good luck.

Taj - thank you for making some very good points - and thanks to everyone else regarding stucco/siding - gas/electric - all good points to consider - didn't think of propane - in my growing up days, the huge white tanks in the yards were very ugly - didn't know burying w/be option - i, too would probably put in an outdoor kitchen - all good tips -i love this forum, so glad i found it - my brother & sister-in-law have also been "bitten" or have drank the kool-aid ;) - love the idea of my big brother living in TV too!!! We have always been close and that would really make living here perfect!! Thanks again everyone!!!:thumbup:

[Taj44]

BD - we have propane. Right now we are using it only to cook with and the tank should last us one year. Many Villagers use propane for their summer kitchens and pools/spas also. We have it buried in the back yard.

If you are buying a new stove, you don't need a converter kit. You just buy and LP version of the stave. My hubs and I love to cook - and greatly prefer gas. We have a Wolf dual fuel range (gas on top - electric with convection in the oven).

Taj - your comments on location (the original thread topic) are spot on. If you can rent for a bit - or like some of us who couldn't - you research as much as you can - you will find the place that suits your needs. In our case we wanted to be near friends in Largo, we wanted a lot of privacy but didn't want to spend the $$ for a golf course lot and wanted a cul de sac if possible. We found a home on a cul-de-sac in Bonita - just one village down from Largo off Canal St - with a villa wall in back, a side view to Kenya and room for the buried propane tank.

Sounds like you found a nice spot. We wanted to back to a villa wall, but couldn't find one at the time, but we do like being by a cul-de-sac and the lack of traffic.

[Happy2B]

Hi everyone, am a virgin poster..

am thinking of buying a home in TV also. Dad has lived here awhile and I love to visit.. Does anyone know if one can put solar panels on the roof in order to get solar electricity for the home?? Am thinking of buying a cyv possibly..
Thanks!
Bonnie G

[Larryandlinda]

Hi everyone, am a virgin poster..

am thinking of buying a home in TV also. Dad has lived here awhile and I love to visit.. Does anyone know if one can put solar panels on the roof in order to get solar electricity for the home?? Am thinking of buying a cyv possibly..
Thanks!
Bonnie G

Bonnie
Since 1976 up in Md we have had Solar Domestic Hot Water, and installed PV in 2002, added another hot water system in 2008, and a ground water loop in 2007.
We take heat out of constant 55 degree water instead of sub freezing air.
We sell electricity to the power company when the meter runs backwards - this is just fascinating to say the least!

Florida is the place for solar for many reasons. The laws are friendly and until the end of June 2010 between the tax breaks and rebates from the State and the Fed, you're going to realize savings sooner than ever.

Under a very progressive Florida LAW, you're allowed to have solar panels, solar tubes, clotheslines (mmm.....sunbathed fresh fragrant garments and no gas or 'lectric") no matter what deeds and covenants say.Why, there's even a federal FCC law that says you can install a sattelite dish or ol-fashioned TV antenna on your property no matter what your covenant says.

Why don't more people want to saver money and natural resources?
Solar, wind, and other renewable energy has been misconstrued by some as a treehugger move and then the knee-jerking and even climate change politics take over.

Tsk Tsk

While we are not planning on the satellite dish nor huge aerial in the yard or rooftop, we are contracting for systems in our home and our guest home in TV, and our farmette in Wildwood.

We're also planning on using our brand new solar and wind powered clothes dryer (made in USA, available at ACE hardware in TV on sale for $7.95)someplace out of sight in the yard. We do want to be good neighbors
and not cause an offensive neighborhgoodpscape.

Friends of ours in TV are also negotiating with our contractor and nthey've already starting working on plans with the Architectural review officials.

Have a Sunny Day and many to follow

L&L

[Pturner]

Hi everyone, am a virgin poster..Bonnie G

Oh, I bet you just said that cause you're dad's here.
:024:

[Larryandlinda]

Hi everyone, am a virgin poster..

am thinking of buying a home in TV also. Dad has lived here awhile and I love to visit.. Does anyone know if one can put solar panels on the roof in order to get solar electricity for the home?? Am thinking of buying a cyv possibly..
Thanks!
Bonnie G

Sorry Bonnie and others, we forgot to post the link to the Florida Law

http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_hot_water/q_and_a/rights.htm


L&L

[Hawkwind]

Why, there's even a federal FCC law that says you can install a satellite dish or ol-fashioned TV antenna on your property no matter what your covenant says.

L&L

I am well aware of the federal law regarding satellite dishes but not the one regarding the over the air tv antennas. Care to post a link or reference. Oh and by the way your covenants trump PBR-1.

[Larryandlinda]

I am well aware of the federal law regarding satellite dishes but not the one regarding the over the air tv antennas. Care to post a link or reference. Oh and by the way your covenants trump PBR-1.

Hawkwind
Here's one of several:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html


by the way, we tried to find what PBR-1 was, and found everything from rock bands to peanut butter and raisin sandwiches.;)

(we title this off-topic because covenants and laws are more or less uniform throughout TV, and it;'s not a question of the forum topic/thread "which community to choose"

Hopefully someone will move it soon.

L&L

[graciegirl]

Many a nice chat happened in my grandmothers day over the backyard clothesline, and I was sent to gather the clothes when rain threatened.

But...I do so love my dryer. The clothes come out of it soft and germ free and not covered with a light dusting of pollen.

[chuckinca]

When the weather is nice in Norcal, I like to use the clothes line.


.

[ricthemic]

I know there may be a lot of different opinions on this, but when we stayed in the mulberry grove area in a CYV - great location as far as privacy - backed up to a lake? pond? and golf course, but was so far away from Sumter and Springs that it took a while to get to each - loved mulberry grove, but was wondering if the hubs and I could get some input. Also, we were told by our "AGENT" that newly built homes are not going to be equipped with gas - kind of disappointing. Does anyone else share this opinion. Should we consider buying resale in order to get gas? :ohdear: - We love TV and are working to make this happen. This forum is great for valuable tips and just plain fun.:thumbup: Thanks in advance for your help!!!! Bonnie

As every realtor knows the most important three decisions in buying a house:
Location, Location, Location. Your quote "so far away from" fill in the blank while considering the ideal mode of transportation being your new golf cart.
How about houses four to eight years old less than five minutes by golf cart to shopping, grocery stores, quality chain restaurants, dunkin donuts, walmart, publix, library, etc. Ten minutes to Palmer and Sumpter Landing ALL BY GOLF CART.
Houses complete with lots of extras i.e. gutters, pull down stairs to attic, bond paid or paid down etc.,
Gas cooking? Ever see anyone using an electric stove on the cooking channel? no comparison. Propane Gas? That would be liquid propane in a large tank buried in your yard and hopefully anchored properly that vaporizes as it's volume expands but it is literally a bomb buried in your yard not to mention the additional high cost to install this system.
Land scaping, full grown palm trees that contractors WILL remove from your yard for free because there is a huge demand for them to be sold/installed at new houses for big bucks.

During the buying process I think some would have you believe you have two choices, the OLD section or the new section. In my experience they were leaving out the inbetween sections.

This is just my opionion and thought I would address the original question regarding location.

Bottom line: The Villages is an awesome place, it will exceed your expectations as it did ours.

[baileysdad]

Was reading your post and wanted to pass some info along. A friend of mine has a 3br/2ba , golf car garage, florida room, with a private backyard ( room for pool ) ..many extras: solar tubes, plantation shutters and lots more...if interested to see PM me back for details

[jebartle]

We love the Village of LaZamora, very convenient to both Village squares, best part NO BOND in Lake County, and GREAT neighbors, LOTS of Trees, only one problem, most homes sell quickly in this Village

[BeeGee]

seems like a good idea and we have been looking at the resale houses, but not too old. We're confident that we will find the right one in the right village - as we plan to rent for a few months before we sign on the bottom line, we feel very good about it. Thanks again to everyone who has responded and given such good advice. ;)