First Visit to TV

[Nonni252]

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[vintageogauge]

Think school buses.

[Carla B]

Thanks for posting. Please let us know your impressions of both developments in Sarasota and how they compare to TV.

[Chatbrat]

Great Restaurants in Sarasota, really bad traffic-try the Lucky Pelican-terrific seafood

[graciegirl]

We're finishing up our first visit to TV and it was a lovely visit indeed! We were welcomed by so many friendly, helpful Villagers and the two agents we used (one an MLS and one a VLS) were very helpful without being high pressure. I loved seeing how the private homes and public spaces are so well cared for - pride of ownership is in full bloom in TV.
Now we're on to the Sarasota area to check out Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch and The Village Walk. The Village Walk isn't age restricted but according to our agent in Sarasota, it has many of the amenities we're looking for and lots of new retirees in our age group (early sixties). Does anyone have any info on The Village Walk in Sarasota?
TV is high on our list of possibilities and after our Sarasota trip we'll be able to (hopefully) make our decision. Thanks for all the help and btw, Bravo!!! Pizza in Sumter Landing is fantastic! We ate there twice in our very short visit here. They have a nice selection of thin pies (very foldable) and also a Sicilian style. A serving of garlic knots and marinara sauce are complimentary while you're waiting.

You are welcome to come see us. Be home from art class at 12. I think I gave you directions. Oh it looks like you are heading out. If you decide to come back this trip. We would love to welcome you to our home.

[gatorbill1]

More hurricane possibilities in Sarasota area than TV. Just one thing to think about. Close to bigger city (tampa) is a plus.

[Packer Fan]

We did the same thing as you - TV, then Fort Myers, then Naples. Only thing is we put a hold on a new house while here, and the agent reset the hold every 3 hours. When we got to Naples (it was December) the traffic was a turnoff, we found out the homeowners insurance and/or Condo dues is Crazy when you get close to the beach, and the prices get crazy right by the beach. About 2 days after we left TV, our realtor called and said there was someone else who wanted the house in TV and we had 2 hours to decide. We went to lunch, compared all the weather differences, activities, pricing etc. At the end, my wife said "the reality is that we are VILLAGE PEOPLE!". 5 years later I can tell you she was dead right. I am sure you will find your place, whatever it is. As for me and Donna, we are VILLAGE PEOPLE!

[patfla06]

Sarasota is wonderful if you love living by the beach.
Siesta Key beach is my absolute favorite.

The traffic and congestion is awful and even worse in Winter.

The property taxes will probably be double what it is in T.V.

We moved from Tampa after 17 years there because of the same thing, traffic and congestion.

[Nonni252]

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[Chatbrat]

Come here after the snow birds are back, the traffic you experienced in other locations might not seem that bad; however, this place is the best

[villagetinker]

You all continue to make good points and I appreciate every one of them. I'll post an update once we get back home. We're staying in Clearwater for a little break before Sarasota and here I am back here on TOTV - pretty funny, right?

I think it is a sign, VT

[Dond1959]

We looked at a lot of places in Florida before deciding. For us, we compared everything to what we saw here in The Villages and nothing compared to what is available here. Everybody is different and have to make their own decisions. When we came here the first time it was crazy how big the place was and all the activities. It is truly mind boggling to me.

[Cookie Princess]

We are also considering Lake Wood Ranch so please share your thoughts on how it compares to TV after your visit.

[Midnight Cowgirl]

I have previously lived on the east coast and drove in traffic every day from the Ft. Lauderdale area up through parts of the Palm Beach area. I also lived in Sarasota for a number of years. Traffic in both areas was heavy but always moved except for problems on the Interstates.

Overall, I have found traffic worse here because the counties have not kept up with the roads due to the population increase. Our two-lane roads with no shoulder are too narrow and mostly impassable. Also, within The Villages, the circles do nothing to help with the flow of traffic, particularly in season and the gate cards in many areas also slow down the ingress into some communities. Just last week I was about the 10th car in line waiting to go through the Sanibel gate.

In any major town or city in Florida, particularly in season, you can expect to have heavy traffic. We just have to grit our teeth, smile and deal with it!

[vintageogauge]

I have lived here full time for over 2 years and was a winter renter for 5 or 6 years and can say that unless there is a construction back up I have never had a problem with traffic and the turnabouts are much much better than stop lights or stop signs, safer too. Probably the worst intersection is 466 and Morse and even then waiting for a second green light is not that bad. We also spent a lot of time renting on the east and west coasts and at times traffic, especially on the west coast is a nightmare.

[eweissenbach]

IMHO the traffic issue in The Villages is monumentally overstated by some. Compare the traffic here with any large metro area in the country and it is laughable. We have spent the past 10 winters in TV and find the traffic very manageable and stress free. Also, IMO many overstate the ability to get into restaurants in high season. A wait time of 15 to 30 minutes is about the upper range that we experience in the busiest meal times. Further, I play a lot of executive course golf and almost always get a tee time in my favored time frame on a favored course. Do not let fear of overcrowding or "snowbird mania" cause you to make a bad decision. The Villages may or may not be the best place for you to settle, but make your decision based on facts, not fantasy.

[New Englander]

I have previously lived on the east coast and drove in traffic every day from the Ft. Lauderdale area up through parts of the Palm Beach area. I also lived in Sarasota for a number of years. Traffic in both areas was heavy but always moved except for problems on the Interstates.

Overall, I have found traffic worse here because the counties have not kept up with the roads due to the population increase. Our two-lane roads with no shoulder are too narrow and mostly impassable. Also, within The Villages, the circles do nothing to help with the flow of traffic, particularly in season and the gate cards in many areas also slow down the ingress into some communities. Just last week I was about the 10th car in line waiting to go through the Sanibel gate.

In any major town or city in Florida, particularly in season, you can expect to have heavy traffic. We just have to grit our teeth, smile and deal with it!

I live in Sanibel and go through the gates every day and I've never had any more than two cars in front of me at the gates.

[seoulbrooks]

There is no traffic in the Villages worth talking about. Wait until you drive in Seoul, Korea or Tokyo, Japan, then we can have discussions on traffic delays. Blessed we are!

[John_W]

I grew up in St. Petersburg/Clearwater, graduated from St. Pete High in '68. I love it there, but after living in TV for eight years, I don't think I could live in regular society anymore. I can't imagine going to the movies on a Saturday and having a 100 kids and their mothers waiting to go the latest animated film. Going to the golf course and being paired with 3 young guys who are drunk by the 9th hole. Having a neighbor who paints his house pink. Most important, not being able to drive to the golf course in your own golf cart.

[John_W]

There is no traffic in the Villages worth talking about. Wait until you drive in Seoul, Korea or Tokyo, Japan, then we can have discussions on traffic delays. Blessed we are!

I was stationed in Korea for 13 months '70-'71. Once we went to the USO Club in downtown Seoul and decided to go to the zoo. We had asked our houseboy how to say, take us to the zoo. We stood out on the curb of a huge square with cars going in every direction, and the cabs were polished and professional looking with drivers wearing black uniforms. Not one cab would stop. We paid a little Korean kid a nickel to get us a cab. When the cab stopped and the kid opened the backdoor, we ran out and jumped in. We told the driver 'take us to the zoo'. He was a little upset, but took off. We knew from our houseboy it was a short trip, maybe 300 yen.

Twenty minutes later as were looking out the back window at the city, and all we see is rice paddies, the cab gets a flat tire. He stops and we get out and the driver starts cussing. We walk up the road to the village and find a typical cab, a beat up Shinjin. The seats have covers over them, sides and doors are dented, the paint is faded, the tires wobble. We say, take us to the zoo. He drives 25 minutes and pulls up to the zoo.

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[trekker954]

Consider the west coast of Florida had 18 months of blue algae killing all the sea life and sickening many residents from fort Myers to st. Pete. You couldn’t even breathe the air. Businesses in Sarasota closed. You couldn’t swim at the beaches. I’d think twice before buying there and do believe it’s affected home sales. I’m spending a lot of time here in TV now free house/pet sitting instead of I use to spend long periods in Sarasota. I will buy here eventually but for now testing out which of the many areas to chose

[Braddock]

8 years in Winter Park, 7 in TV.
Sold my house in April.
Looking at Estero/ Naples
Like the diversity of ages and family and no restaurant monopoly.
Just my choice

[graciegirl]

First trip to Gainesville for medical appointment yesterday. Saw a couple in elevator and he had on a "Top of the World " shirt. I smiled and asked...The Villages or Top of the World?? SHE said...The Villages. He just smiled.

[Bay Kid]

There is no where close to TVs for fun everyday.

[coffeebean]

I live in Sanibel and go through the gates every day and I've never had any more than two cars in front of me at the gates.

Same at the Mallory gate. In fact, I usually don't have any cars ahead of me entering Mallory. I frequent the Odell Circle south gate also and have had no more than two or three cars ahead of me going through the gate.

[John_W]

Those seniors living on the east coast of Florida right now, must be wishing they had retired to The Villages. Live near the coast and the word Hurricane means boarding up your windows and evacuating. I know, I lived in St. Petersburg 17 years, Pensacola 6 years and Savannah 8 years. Lived through at least one hurricane at each place.