Garage size

[JimJoe]

I have noticed the TV competitors like to brag that their garages are big enough for "toys". Is garage size a common problem in tv and if so, do any of the new models have a larger garage as an option, especially in the villas?

[Ohiogirl]

there are a few CYVs with 2 car garages. Not many. Not sure if you can order a newbuild CYV - you couldn't when I bought 4 years ago, nor could you choose interior design packages. You could probably get on a list when a new CYV with a 2 car garage becomes available. In 4 years of checking out listings of new and resale CYVs (just because I'm still in Ohio and like to keep my pulse on what's happening), I have only seen 1 listing (it was a resale) of a CYV with 3 bedrooms and a 2 car garage. It sold quickly. All of the others (with 2 car garages) have had only 2 bedrooms, but maybe I've missed some.

The garages in different model CYVs are differently sized. Except for the rare ones with a 2 car garage, all are advertised as 1-1/2 (1 car plus golf cart). In some models, you can fit a car and 2 golf carts (tandem style for the golf carts).

Garage sizes ARE an issue for many as there are no basements. For others, it's an opportunity to simplify and get rid of stuff you no longer need or use. For many woodworkers, the Villages Woodshop is probably a nice alternative.

[chacam]

Garages, no matter how big, are never big enough ! ! !

[skip0358]

Depending on the house and lot. You can add a golf cart garage, you can extend the fron 2' as well as the side 4'. Other then that as others have said there's never enough room. I don't know if any of the models have a higher garage ceiling as those suspended overhead shelves are nice but if the ceiling is only 8' you can't put to much on those shelves without hittig your head. I made my garage as large as I could and just got rid of more stuff.

[cmfjr]

When we decided to purchase a villa over a designed home, we asked the same question and were told all have 1-1/2 car or a car and golf cart garage. We were also told that as the buyer you had no choices as to cabinets, carpet vs tile or any physical changes like you can do in most of the designer homes. Finally we were told that you can not enter into a purchase agreement on a villa until it is �released� by The Villages. We wanted a specific model on a specific lot and were told we had to wait till it was released. To the credit of our sales rep., she called each time villas we �released�. Finally on a Sunday evening, she called and sent pictures and was given 3 hours to commit to purchase or take a pass. Since this was the one we wanted we looked at the pictures of the cabinet wood, a piece of tile and the carpet color. Remember that this was before these items were installed. She looked into the garage and opened the boxes and took the pictures from which we spent in excess of $200,000! Not sure if this is typical or not but thought it might be of help to you.

[iandwk]

After renting a CYV and trying to back the car or the golf cart out and down the curved driveway, we ruled out buying a CYV. This year we rented a patio villa with a straight driveway and 1.5 car garage and we both decided that we definitely needed a 2 car garage. We have 2 bicycles, 2 golf carts and one van in our 2 car garage, and still have a lot of room for storage along the sides and in the front end. I would love to have a larger garage, but I think it's mostly a guy thing and I can live without it. I can always find something else to do besides tinker with something in the garage.

[elevatorman]

We have a 2 car + GC garage, And it was not expanded. I would like an extra 4 feet on the side but I don't have a problem with the space. I just wish I could part with some of the things that end up in the garage. :shrug:

[Shimpy]

Garages, no matter how big, are never big enough ! ! !

I agree 100%. If I could do it all over again, I would have bought this model with the GC garage and paid the few dollars extra a month that it would have cost.

[Rag Bagger]

We have a two car and golf cart garage. For me, a DIYer, it's a must. Plus the larger garage allows for a lot more storage space in the attic. These houses are all smaller than what we were use to in the past. That's not a bad thing just a statement. Our needs are different now. But storage and a place to work on stuff is very limited if you have only a 1-1/2 car garage. It was a must for us. I wouldn't consider less than a two car garage unless you are snow flakes then the extra room isn't so important.

A big positive is that it gives me somwhere to sleep if I have been bad. chilout

[Ohiogirl]

we think we're fine with the 1-1/2 in the CYV, but we are not big DIYers, plus I've moved 22 times as an adult and part with things pretty easily. If I haven't used it in 2 years (or by the next time I've moved) then I really don't need it. We are cleaning out the basement, garage and storage shed right now.

We also both back up cars/carts well. Used to have to back up big boats and trailers in another life. This is a piece of cake after that.

I met another couple who didn't buy CYV solely because the wife could not negotiate the driveway.

We have room for 1 car (probably his Honda Fit, but my Accord fits as well - we'll be down to 1 car by this fall) and 2 golf carts, 2 bikes (hung on the wall) and 4 golf bags (extras for guests), plus garden tools, painting supplies (I do my own painting) stepladder, tennis rackets, coolers, beach chairs, etc. A good garage storage system helps (we chose Rubbermaid). I think perhaps the Bonita model's garage is longer than some of the others, which helps. Didn't really think about that though, when we were looking at models.

We will probably also get one of those vinyl deck storage bins about 5 feet long and 2 feet high to put on the side patio by the A/C unit. Easier to do that in a CYV than a house because you can't see it from the street. Not sure what will go in that yet.

Having an inside laundry help with added cabinets/shelves/hooks also helps. Ours is off the hallway to the garage so we have one of those hook thingies with about 5 nice hooks for our jackets, guest jackets and the dog's leash.

[getdul981]

Jackets?

[Yoda]

If they advertise by the size of their garage they must not offer very much else. Scrap your toys and join the fun. Toys wear out.

Yoda

[Ohiogirl]

Jackets?

yes, once in a great while it will get below 65 degrees in the winter :) Apparently you haven't seen the posts about golf cart heaters yes!

[getdul981]

I was actually kidding about the jackets. We were down there in May and spent quite a while looking at houses. After a few, my wife asked the realtor "Where's the coat closet?". He said "This is Florida, you don't need a coat closet." We're from VA and have coat hooks and a coat closet.

[laryb]

We have an At Ease with a 2 car garage, and when we move down full time, we want to buy 2 golf carts. We have 2 cars now, and I realize everything is not going to fit. Does anyone park their car in the driveway under these circumstances, or is this frowned upon? I would like to keep the wagon for the move down and then sell it, but would sell it earlier if it is against the grain.

[Barefoot]

The garages in different model CYVs are differently sized. Except for the rare ones with a 2 car garage, all are advertised as 1-1/2 (1 car plus golf cart). In some models, you can fit a car and 2 golf carts (tandem style for the golf carts). Garage sizes ARE an issue for many as there are no basements.

We found the garage in our CYV (1 1/2) was just not large enough. (Part of the garage was a laundry area). We have bikes, a motorcycle, golf cart, SUV, lawn furniture, just normal stuff. We also decided we needed a third bedroom.

Now we have a house with a large double garage, extended about four feet. Much better.

[Shimpy]

We have an At Ease with a 2 car garage, and when we move down full time, we want to buy 2 golf carts. We have 2 cars now, and I realize everything is not going to fit. Does anyone park their car in the driveway under these circumstances, or is this frowned upon? I would like to keep the wagon for the move down and then sell it, but would sell it earlier if it is against the grain.

We have the same home and 2 cars, a cart and motorcycle. One car stays in the driveway all the time, no problem.

[JimJoe]

We have the same home and 2 cars, a cart and motorcycle. One car stays in the driveway all the time, no problem.

Your solution seems the simplest and the one most people I have talked to have adopted. My question is why the heck dont they just build em some villas and more 2 bedroom homes that way instead of having lots of cars sitting outside of garages. With all of the wonderful emphasis on beauty here, require garages big enough to get the cars and golf carts inside when not in use.

[Ohiogirl]

my guess would be that you can get a lot more houses/villas built on the same plot of land if you keep the footprint down, and thus they make more money. They are developers and in this to make money, even though i think they are doing a great job for the most part. There's a reason most of us have bought, are buying, or wanna buy.

I would guess that many, many more retirees move from another retirement community to The Villages than the other way around.

[faithfulfrank]

Although I'm not a "Villager", I am a NY'er moving to our Florida home soon. Up here I have a huge 60'x 35' basement and a big 26'x 40' garage.

Our Florida home sadly only has a 1.5 car garage, even though we have the biggest lot in our neighborhood. They could have easily built the two car model 15 years ago, but foolishly did not. :(:(

Thankfully I got approval to build and attached 14'x21' extra garage. This will make me happier, as I'm a big DIY'er. This will also give me neighborhood bragging rights.......;-) Can't wait to start it!

Frank

[Rag Bagger]

The developer is very calculating. They know what people normally by or want. So they build accordingly.
We are one of the rare ones that wanted extra garage space but not a lot of house. Two bed rooms has been really fine with us. Our garage is a 2 car plus golf cart garage and it is a very long garage. When we first moved in two years ago we had a diesel truck that was a crew cab. The garage was actually long enough to house the truck. We were retiring RVers at the time. Now it works perfect for our one car, golf cart and my workshop in the other car bay.
The odd thing is our house has larger living areas and kitchen than most three bedroom houses plus the master bedroom is larger. Perfect for us.