New Homeowner with questions

[westernrider75]

We are in the process of purchasing/closing on our new home in The Villages.

Do we need a water filtration system?

What do people use for WiFi?

Is Comcast the cable provider?

Thank you!

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, you don't need a water filtration or water softener system. They are two separate systems. The tap water here is pretty good and better then most places I have lived. But, other people will disagree.

You will most likely have several choices for cable TV and WiFi, but I like Comcast. But, other people will disagree. Some people don't subscribe to cable TV. They only pay for WiFi, and use a streaming service to watch television.

[Stu from NYC]

I think the water is ok my wife not so much so she often adds a bit of lemon. We do use a filter via our frig.

We use xfinity (div of comcast) in our area you need to find out what is available where you are going to be living. We find xfinity to be ok but when a storm and wanting to put on prime video sometimes it does not work. Need to look into why but does not happen too often.

[Medtrans]

We are in the process of purchasing/closing on our new home in The Villages.

Do we need a water filtration system?

What do people use for WiFi?

Is Comcast the cable provider?

Thank you!

If you purchased south of 466A you also have Spectrum to choose from. We really like Spectrum over Comcast but that’s mostly based on customer service.

[IndianaJones]

No, but many will try to sell you a water filtration system. I work at UF, took water up there for testing, it passed with flying colors. Nothing wrong with it.
I found Comcast/Xfinity to be superb - hardly ever down, high internet speeds, cable is solid (but it's pricey) - work for a deal on it, if they quote a high price just tell them you'll get a satellite dish. They'll go down in price. We get Internet & TV from Comcast, and both are excellent.

[dewilson58]

If you purchased south of 466A you also have Spectrum to choose from. We really like Spectrum over Comcast but that’s mostly based on customer service.


agree...........spectrum is best.


buy your own wifi unit from best buy.


yes water filter............many use nova, i purchased pelican (much better).

[GreySkies]

We are in the process of purchasing/closing on our new home in The Villages.

Do we need a water filtration system?

What do people use for WiFi?

Is Comcast the cable provider?

Thank you!

I am now renting before purchasing but can provide some input..
The owner of the house I am renting has a water filter, the house I am selling has on and I plan to purchase one in the house I buy next year. Although the tap water is safe according to municipality standards, I like knowing my water is even better via advance filtration I would recommend a whole house system from Pelican.

Don't use the cheap WiFi router provided by your Internet provider, this one is inexpensive, easy setup, highly rated and provides advanced security features:
Linksys-Dual-Band-Router-AC1200 (https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Dual-Band-Router-AC1200-Wireless/dp/B00JZWQW4C?tag=p00935-20&ascsubtag=03afAHkXEM6kTBpdXccXWUS#ace-6796040015)

Depending where you purchase you have options, I have Spectrum in the rental and pleased with the service so far. I have Comcast in my other home and pleased with their service also.

[westernrider75]

Do you mean a hotspot such as Mifi?

[dewilson58]

Do you mean a hotspot such as Mifi?




Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L | Verizon (https://www.verizon.com/internet-devices/verizon-jetpack-mifi-8800l/)




not very fast

[retiredguy123]

If you are getting a cable landline phone service, you need a modem that will interface with a phone line. These modems are more expensive than a standard modem.

[eweissenbach]

Spectrum (formerly Brighthouse) for wi fi. We are dual residents (mostly winter, but sometimes other seasons), and we use the streaming service YouTube TV with Netflix and Amazon Prime. Especially for part timers this works perfectly. I pay $4.99 a month when not using Spectrum, just call to turn on and turn off. With YouTube TV I don’t have to do anything, as it is portable, plus I can keep my local (KC) channels to keep up with local news and sports (eg: I watched the Chiefs super bowl coverage and the parade last February). I get every channel I want on YouTube TV for $65 per month.

[Rick13994]

Although the tap water is safe to drink, we don't like the taste and rarely drink it out of the tap or at restaurants. But we decided not to invest in filtration and just use the filtered water out of the frig for drinking or coffee. We came from St. Louis and the water is reported to be some of the best tasting in the nation, so that may be why we have trouble getting used to the tap water here. Many of the restaurants serve tap water.

As far as Internet and cable we use Xfinity and we have been happy with it. We mainly use streaming services, but Xfinity basically threw in basic cable so we have it.

[427dave]

Water filter not needed. We have Comcast for TV, Internet, and cell phone, we got a package deal.

[Topspinmo]

We are in the process of purchasing/closing on our new home in The Villages.

Do we need a water filtration system?

What do people use for WiFi?

Is Comcast the cable provider?

Thank you!

You don’t need water filtration system, unless you want one.

WiFi——Internet

Comcast—- one of three or 4 options. They all get pricey the more channels you want and if you bundle.

[TedfromGA]

In general, Florida water has a higher content of calcium due to the limestone deposits underground. While the water is safe to drink you will find calcium deposits on items where water is allowed to evaporate e.g. around handles on sinks, on glasses and clear dishes, on the dishwasher sides, sides of toilet bowls, etc. Your water heater (electric or gas) will over time have calcium buildup shorting the life of the unit. The only way to prevent calcium deposits is to have a water softener. You will also need a filtering system to remove dirt and other particles suspended in the water before entering the water softener. Nova's products that I use would be my recommendation. I chose a potassium chloride water softener vs. a salt based unit from Nova along with their filter system. This combination will remove most of the "Florida taste" as well as the damaging calcium. I also have a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for the water on the refrigerator. This completely removes any taste and all bacteria in the water. The ice cubes are clear and the water is better than any bottled water you can buy. FYI Nova also installed the RO system.

[Stu from NYC]

When we started with xfinity they offered to rent us a modem/router for somewhere about 4 dollars a month possibility was a bit higher.

We did go to Best Buy and purchased a better one for about $ 200 which the xfinity tech installed.

[vintageogauge]

The drinking water is safe but it has dirt in it evidenced by what is caught in the filtration system. The water if not softened will leave deposits on your faucets, glasses, etc., We purchased a complete Nova system, the filters as well as the softener, we use potassium pellets. Noticed a huge difference almost immediately with the system. Nova is the least expensive system available down here and by far seems to be the most popular, they all basically do the same thing some are just much more expensive.

[La lamy]

Water softener leaves me feeling like I'm never fully clean. Such a weird deposit on skin. I much prefer no softener, but I use a "Zero" water filter for my drinking water, just to be safe.

[retiredguy123]

When we started with xfinity they offered to rent us a modem/router for somewhere about 4 dollars a month possibility was a bit higher.

We did go to Best Buy and purchased a better one for about $ 200 which the xfinity tech installed.
Wow. 4 dollars per month. Today it is about 14 dollars per month. But, the advantage is that, if your service goes down, they can't blame it on your modem.

[eweissenbach]

Wow. 4 dollars per month. Today it is about 14 dollars per month. But, the advantage is that, if your service goes down, they can't blame it on your modem.

I paid about $150 for my router three years ago or about $4 per month and going down each month.

[retiredguy123]

In general, Florida water has a higher content of calcium due to the limestone deposits underground. While the water is safe to drink you will find calcium deposits on items where water is allowed to evaporate e.g. around handles on sinks, on glasses and clear dishes, on the dishwasher sides, sides of toilet bowls, etc. Your water heater (electric or gas) will over time have calcium buildup shorting the life of the unit. The only way to prevent calcium deposits is to have a water softener. You will also need a filtering system to remove dirt and other particles suspended in the water before entering the water softener. Nova's products that I use would be my recommendation. I chose a potassium chloride water softener vs. a salt based unit from Nova along with their filter system. This combination will remove most of the "Florida taste" as well as the damaging calcium. I also have a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for the water on the refrigerator. This completely removes any taste and all bacteria in the water. The ice cubes are clear and the water is better than any bottled water you can buy. FYI Nova also installed the RO system.
Actually, if you look at the USGS water hardness map, Florida water has about the same or less calcium than more than half of the country. The hardest water is located in the middle part of the USA.

[Hoosierb4]

We use Comcast/Xfinity for internet and Youtube TV for streaming with Rokus. That's fine for us, because we like to watch a lot of sports, which Youtube TV has in abundance. We don't use a central water filter or softener, but drink filtered water from the fridge and have a miniature water softener under the sink for the dishwasher. The beads need to be recharged or changed every few months. It's easier to replace them than try to recharge. Amazon sells the beads for a reasonable price. When we forget to change the beads, the glasses get cloudy.

[Singerlady]

We are in the process of purchasing/closing on our new home in The Villages.

Do we need a water filtration system?

What do people use for WiFi?

Is Comcast the cable provider?

Thank you!

Just bought a water filtration system. Wonderful! Held out for 2 years. Lots of sediment, etc. in water down here. Your water will pass a test but there is a lot of lime and calcium that gunk up our faucets. The filtration system will not clean that up, but I’m not getting any more. I also noticed a difference in the shower. I don’t have to use conditioner on my hair as much. Well worth the cost. When I have the faucets replaced I’m sure I will notice an even bigger difference as I won’t see that calcium and lime around them.

We have Comcast for internet. So far, so good.

DirecTV for cable. Trying to move to all streaming. Slow process for us.

[jimbo2012]

Yes a filter is good idea

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-aabq2uqurc/product_images/uploaded_images/dirty-filter.jpg

this is a set of Nova filters after 26,000,

see Whole House Water Filters & Filtration Systems | Nova (https://novafilters.com/whole-house-water-filters/)

[Enough]

Our filter is NASTY when we change it. The filter also got rid of the sulphur smell
when bathing. Most all of our friends in the Villages have a filtration system.
Get one if you don’t want to smell like a bad egg.

[TheMoyers]

In answer to question on the need for a water filter/conditioner, the answer is not simple.
My opinion as an engineer who has dealt with water in its many forms for 40 years is:Yes, if you want to minimize staining, clogged shower heads, and prevent a possible major expense in the future.
Yes, the water itself is safe to drink. But it also has a lot of minerals far in excess of what your body needs. We have had a good system (GE) for 7 years and it works well. Get them (or another reputable company) to come test your water, and you will probably find what I say is accurate. I saw a photo of the water pipes of a friend's neighbor who had to replace the pic pipes because they were 80% filled with these excess minerals. And we all know those pipes run just under your floor and are buried in concrete. Cost and mess !!!!!!!
So, I recommend the best system you can afford that removes those excess minerals.

[chrissy2231]

Yes to water filter and if you want to alleviate white calcium stains, you need a water softener as well.
Visit THE BEST 10 Plumbing in The Villages, FL - Last Updated September 2020 - Yelp (https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=plumbing&find_loc=The+Villages%2C+FL), click on Free price estimates from local Plumbers.
Century link has high speed internet $50 for life.

[KRM0614]

We are in the process of purchasing/closing on our new home in The Villages.

Do we need a water filtration system?

What do people use for WiFi?

Is Comcast the cable provider?

Thank you!
You need a water filtration system Nova and around 600-
Spectrum is 49.99 if you bundle with cable total is about 127-/ for 12 months then the total goes up
Install is 49- Comcast charges 79 install and about 15-% higher

[KRM0614]

Wow. 4 dollars per month. Today it is about 14 dollars per month. But, the advantage is that, if your service goes down, they can't blame it on your modem.
Actually they can blame it on your modem if you don’t use theirs they can allege faulty equipment

[seetshaw]

We have had Comcast for WiFi 20 years and now just do streaming. We also have an antenna for local (free) stuff.
The water here is ok and you don’t need anything, however, I have purchased a filter for my ice maker and one at the kitchen sink for drinking water.
Get your electric box properly grounded And protect your electronics from lightning.

[holmesperdue]

We needed a filter / softener due to taste not safety; but you really don't need to get a expensive one. Under $2k, installed, will work just fine,,,

[merrymini]

A softener is different than a filter. Most people like the taste of the water they grew up drinking. I installed a NOVA filter but not a softener. Have had softeners and they can be terrific but require space in the garage and maintenance.

[LonnyP]

We are firm believers in a water system. The Nova system is top notch.
Nova Water Filter System
brad 3525662649

[kendi]

No, but many will try to sell you a water filtration system. I work at UF, took water up there for testing, it passed with flying colors. Nothing wrong with it.
I found Comcast/Xfinity to be superb - hardly ever down, high internet speeds, cable is solid (but it's pricey) - work for a deal on it, if they quote a high price just tell them you'll get a satellite dish. They'll go down in price. We get Internet & TV from Comcast, and both are excellent.

Curious to know if all the water in TV comes from the same place? Up North tastes different than South. What part of TV did you get the tested water from?

[Dust Bunny]

No - a hitech scam. If your refrigerator has a water dispenser it should already have all the water filtering you need.

[jimbo2012]

I saw a photo of the water pipes of a friend's neighbor who had to replace the pic pipes because they were 80% filled with these excess minerals. And we all know those pipes run just under your floor and are buried in concrete. Cost and mess !!!!!!!


What were his pipes made out of?

cpvc or pvc will not have any buildup, I've done homes here that were very old pipes were clean.

Do no rely on in home water testing, only way is thru an independent lab, better yet just ask the water dept for the annual test report.

In home is subject to the bias of the person selling a softener, a dog & pony act.

[Sunflower33]

We got a Pegasus system and live it. Too much Clorine in the water. I use spectrum for WiFi. Fast speed never had a problem have had them for 2 years and the cost is reasonable. I stream tv no cable and love it. My preference

[newbie1758]

Good morning--We just replaced our Water softener unit with The Nova Whole House Water Filtration System ($599) Uses 3 filters that last about a year depending how much. Loving it so far. No more smell from chlorine, or lugging 40 lb bags of Potassium Chloride. Check out the web site for more info. The other units cost around ($2000) We had it for 10 years. Our coffee tastes better too.

[Buzman]

We installed a 2 stage whole house water filter by Kiley & Sons. (352) 753-7586. Seems to be inexpensive and seeing that the filters look dirty when we change them, it must be working.

Don’t forget that DirecTV is also an option with competitive packages that can include out of market sports channels, NFL Sunday Ticket and MLB Extra Innings as well as all of the local and movie channels.

FYI, around here, you can’t get over the air free broadcast channels from Orlando without a really good antenna.

[ctmurray]

We are in the process of purchasing/closing on our new home in The Villages.

Do we need a water filtration system?

What do people use for WiFi?

Is Comcast the cable provider?

Thank you!

I saw others have posted you don't need a water filtration system. I found the water here is horrible, comes from shallow wells and is heavily chlorinated, resulting in a bad taste. I live in the northern section and maybe different areas have different experiences. It does not need to be softened. By comparison my Minnesota home water is heavenly. I lived with it by getting filtered water from the machines at Publix (where you bring empty containers and pay to get filtered water). The Covid crisis made me not want to be in grocery stores and so I got a whole house water filtering system (I chose the NOVA system after reading reviews on this web site). It costs about $620 and you replace the cartridges about 1x per year. Now I wish I had gotten this when we first moved in.

The Villages is blessed with a large selection of cable TV and internet service providers. I have had CenturyLink for internet. Part of the time I got TV from Directv, part of the time from CenturyLink in a package with internet. Now I use YouTubeTV which means I only need internet, which I still get from CenturyLink. Comcast is here and I think even another provider. The nice thing is the prices are lower her due to the competition. And after the teaser rate ends you can just go to another provider and get their teaser rate. Or if you have a spouse you can cycle whom is the purchaser every couple of years to get the "new" customer rate. The WIFI is provided by the router that comes with your internet provider (so I have a CenturyLink router with WIFI).

Welcome.

[wsachs]

I have Pelican also and am please. Water no longer has smell and bad taste. Also have Comcast. Had it in MI also, except for a year with ATT, which was cheaper but always going out and less stations/free movies and no voice commands. You will find all your toilets, sinks, etc a lot cleaner with no rings around them when you go away.

[JerryLBell]

Do we need a water filtration system?

What do people use for WiFi?

Is Comcast the cable provider?

We've lived places with worse water than in The Villages, but we didn't enjoy it. The water here is clean and safe to drink but tastes a bit of the chemicals they use to keep it clean and safe to drink. We chose to get a whole-home water filter system from Nova, who is very popular here and now we have the best-tasting water that we've ever had.

Most people use a WiFi router with whatever internet service provider (ISP) they have chosen. Some providers include this in the base price, some charge a small monthly rental and you can, of course, always buy your own and set it up. They run anywhere from around $50 to a few hundred dollars with the more expensive one providing a stronger signal over a larger area of your house and also supporting the newer, faster versions of WiFi encoding out there.

Comcast is a cable provider here, but the specific providers (and there are a few in most areas) available vary with which part of The Villages your house is in. Some areas have Comcast but others don't. Same for Xfinity, Spectrum and others. Some folks opt for satellite TV (DISH Network or DirecTV), some for over-the-air (reception from Orlando varies greatly around The Villages) and some skip cable/satellite and go just with streaming providers (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Apple+, Disney+, YouTube TV, etc., etc.).