OPINION: Living ON a golf course, water, or nature?

[123marcel]

I have rented for years. I am thinking I should drink the Kool Aid already! So...
I would love to be able to look out one side of my house and NOT see my friendly neighbor watching TV through the window. I would prefer nature or openness of some kind...

a) I think water would have the problem of bugs and or bigger creatures? (I'm a dog person. My dog is big but as I get older might opt for one easy to pick up. So NO CROCS PLEASE!)

b) I think golf course would be nice. I heard they mow the grass at sun up. I sleep until 9-10. I'm retired! You think I'm getting up early!?!

c) Nature preserve - Both bugs and crocs?

d) Fenced properties w/ pebbles instead of grass seems not great for a dog. Also dog clean up might be more unpleasant... I'm not thrilled about limiting my horizon to 20 ft either.

I would love to hear from any long term residents who have lived in these type of situations and can give me feedback. And/or suggest another way to have some nature around my home?

Thanks for your time!
Be safe!
M

[tophcfa]

I love golf, but living on a course is not for me. Let's see, pay a premium to have no privacy from sunrise to sunset, get woken up early by lawn mowers and weed wackers, and risk having the club house torn down and replaced with a multi story high density apartment complex. After what happened at Hacienda Hills, anyone would be crazy to pay a premium to live on a golf course.

We abut a nature preserve and love it, it can never be developed, it gives us great privacy, and the sounds and sights of the wildlife are great. The bugs are only bad right around sunset to a little while after dusk and the only critters that concern me are snakes. We have seen gators, bobcats, fox, and just about every type of bird you can imagine. We love the spring when the frogs are chirping and as a bonus the sunsets are spectacular.

[RErmer]

We live on a golf course (3rd hole of Fox Run/Glenview) and yes, they mow early in the morning. Never bothers me because I’m a sound sleeper. Never bothers my hubby because he’s any early riser. That said, we moved here from Ft. Lauderdale where we lived on a small lake, so we weren’t used to having anything/anyone behind us. We love living on the course, and are glad we chose it over a water view.

[vintageogauge]

We lived on a golf course for 13 years and never again, if you are near the cart path, or God help you a tee box, there is no privacy whatsoever and very noisy. We have now lived on a lake/pond for 3-1/2 years and it is totally peaceful and relaxing, no bug problem, have only seen one snake since moving here, have one resident gator that doesn't bother anyone. You know my answer.

[Spepper]

We live on Bogart #4 and love it. The view is great. Sunsets beautiful. I have seen the headights from the mowing equipment but have never heard any noise at all. I don't like snakes of any kind. I was told by a landscaper that I should stay away from water and oak trees. I also have a dog so I we didn't want to take any chances and live around water.

[starflyte1]

Have lived on golf course for 12 years. It is a championship course, so it is not as busy as an executive course. The golf cart trail is 12 feet from my lanai screen. My house is on the left side of the fairway so we don’t get many balls close to the house.

I love living on the course! Nothing about it bothers me. The players seem so rushed and quiet, and I don’t sleep with windows or doors open, so I don’t hear the maintenance crews.

If you have a water view, it may change at different times of the year, or may just become an area with a lot of growth.

No doubt someone will say that my golf course can be changed by the developer (think Hacienda) but where I live should be safe for many years to come.

I love the fact that there is activity in my back yard. The carts and players are nice to watch. Lots of life! Sitting on the lanai by the pool and golf course is like being on vacation every day.

[rustyp]

Most water lots in TV are nothing more than drainage ponds. The water level vary drastically. When water levels go low aquatic weeds go wild and you are now looking at a marsh. Do your homework here and talk to neighbors before a purchase offer. Golf course lots are an easy formula. For the most part your view is protected - most likely it will remain a golf course and not another neighborhood (putting this apartment debacle issue aside for a moment). The don'ts of a golf course lot are:
1 - not on a tee unless you like listening to swearing
2 - not adjacent to the cart path
3 - not on the right side of a hole unless more than 300 yards from the tees.
4 - If you are a late sleeper golf course lots are not for you.

[patfla06]

We live on water and it is simply heaven.

The birds that we see are so relaxing.
Yes we have a gator but this is Florida.

Like my Son says every time he visits,
“ this view never gets old.” ☺️

[Toymeister]

I think what is important is the view should have some action.

Some nature views are pretty inactive the same also applies to golf views.

Have you considered that you can get two out of three. Nature with water or golf with water?

We went with golf and water away from the tee on the fairway 50 yards from the path. 120 feet of frontage makes for a nice panorama. It is common to see birds, golfers and a gator all at once

[dewilson58]

Water view................no guarantee water will be there tomorrow.

[bluedivergirl]

No crocs here, they need brackish or salt water. There are plenty of alligators.

We chose a lot with a pond connected to Evan's Prairie. We love it. We constantly see birds and bird arguments. A few turtles and snakes . Some kind of mammal comes and night and feeds on clams and other shells. We think it is a racoon. Alligators come and go regularly, but have never bothered us.

Since we are connected to the Prairie, I don't worry about losing water. We'd be in a heap o trouble if the Prairie went dry.

We were not attracted to a golf course lot, because we don't like early morning mowing, and the potential for people to constantly be near your house.

P.S. No bug problem at all.

[tophcfa]

Water view................no guarantee water will be there tomorrow.

Very true, but let's not forget, Country Club view..................., no guarantee that will be there tomorrow either.

[Happinow]

We live on a champion golf course. Our home is set back so there is no cart path real close.....probably about 30 feet. We just love our location. Once in a while at about 8:00 am or so I hear them empty the metal trash cans on the tee but that’s about it. We have an inroom air conditioner going so we don’t hear much...if anything, so noise is not a problem for us. What we like is having nobody behind us, the beautiful sunset that occurs over the golf course, we love that we get to watch people tee off and hear them laugh (and of course a few choice words when the shot goes a foul) sometimes we yell a friendly hello when people are looking our way. They wave, we wave back. I like having people around and the golfers, for us, are part of what The Villages are all about. I think living on an executive course may be a lot different with the amount of golfers on them every day. I would not choose to live on an executive course. I agree about the bugs near water. When we were looking a homes when we first moved here, we looked homes on the water and all of them Had an enormous amount of bugs on their lanai screens. We knew then that water was not for us. Best of luck with your search. Everyone’s needs and desires are different. Do what’s right for you!

[Altavia]

I have rented for years. I am thinking I should drink the Kool Aid already! So...
I would love to be able to look out one side of my house and NOT see my friendly neighbor watching TV through the window. I would prefer nature or openness of some kind...

a) I think water would have the problem of bugs and or bigger creatures? (I'm a dog person. My dog is big but as I get older might opt for one easy to pick up. So NO CROCS PLEASE!)

M

Have a water view and no problem with bugs, critters or lack of water. They use bubble aeration at least south of 44 to keep the water clear of alge. Plenty of nature to watch and sunset view is amazing.

[doodles]

Try looking for a house between two streets. I love it, no traffic after 9 at night ( it is a retirement community) and you and your dogs can watch the people go by during the day.

[Bay Kid]

While making your decision take a look at my YouTube video about Golfing in The Villages Golfing in The Villages FL | Executive Courses - YouTube (https://youtu.be/7x17lQqk63s)

I am a realtor and would love to help find your perfect home.

Thanks. She was a hoot.

[DecaturFargo]

If you choose a golf course home, please embrace the golfers, when their ball comes into your yard, and not getting made at holfers or putting up no trespassing signs. Never understood why owners on holf courses get mad at golfers. What did thet expect?

[Cpusch53]

I have a house for sale 230770 on the Villages site. It is water view and corner cul de sac. Has great privacy and a wonderful view and I played with my 2 dogs in the cul de sac side as well as put their wading pool out there. Can throw a ball and play. Not buggy , no issue with critters, great neighbors. Sounds like exactly what you are looking for. Close to pool and mailboxes. Ready to move in

[La lamy]

I LOVE my waterview with gorgeous sunrises. What an awesome way to greet the day! It's a perfect size lake where I can see the houses all around which makes me feel part of a community, yet far enough that I don't feel we are checking each other out. I haven't seen any alligators in it yet, but LOTS of beautiful birds, ducks, turtles and jumping fish. Total delight.

[Villagesgal]

I have lived on a championship course with water view for 20 years now; the Talley Ho course,
and even after 20 years I have never gotten tired of the beautiful view. Championship courses are not crowded with players like executive courses. They seem to mow on days the course is closed and around 9 or 10 a.m. so that's not a problem. The golfers are great, often waving and saying hello if I'm outside. Rarely hear swearing, no more or less bugs than anywhere else in the Villages. My lot will never have apartments near, too many lakes, no room for a street or houses or apartments. I think most who say they would never live on a golf course can't afford a championship course. You'll see that they seldom come up for resale. People love living on championship courses because of their privacy. I wouldn't buy next to the club house because that's not the view I want, wouldn't buy next to or near a community center either, again, not the view I want. Definitely consider buying on a championship course, 20 years from now you'll still be happy you did.

[merrymini]

I live on a championship course with the most glorious sunsets. But there are golfers, because, it is a golf course. Most are good but the rare few are just plain stupid. They know better than to go on private property but do it anyway. It has nothing to do with living there, they just can disregard the rules. No golf cart trail, which makes a significant difference. Do not live near a pickle ball court! They start before dawn and go all day, so unless you like the sound of “ping ping ping,” I would stay away. The prairies and large bodies of water are very nice with wildlife but a little buggy. Small ponds can dry up and your water view can disappear. So, like everything, everything has it pro and cons, you have to decide what you can live with. One thing is certain, a premium lot is a definite advantage.

[MKDiva]

I live on a championship golf course and the cart path is far away from my house. My house is in the very back of my neighborhood and it’s very quiet. There is a big difference between championships and executives. Even if someone started out at 7 am it would take them hours to get to the hole I’m on so no issue with that. I love watching the sandhill cranes and other birds walk by everyday. Also the championship courses have much fewer people on them. Many days I see no one in summer. Once in a great while I’ll hear someone mowing. I would never switch to an executive course and I love the oak trees but wouldn’t want those around my house for many reasons. From safety to mess to small dogs getting attacked. Sons dog got scooped up and killed by an owl. Hope that helps.

[kbogli]

What sold us on our home was the conservation area across the back, no homes behind us at all.nice and private and what a view of lots of plants, flowers and the other side of the area is all big oak trees. We feel like we live in the country! We have no problem with bugs, sometimes the frogs get a little loud ;) we get lots of visits by all kinds of birds, even the cranes come sometimes. We don't have pets but do have grands that visit so a water view would be out because of the gators! We turned down a home that was on the golf course because of the lack of privacy.

[coleprice]

I have rented for years. I am thinking I should drink the Kool Aid already! So...
I would love to be able to look out one side of my house and NOT see my friendly neighbor watching TV through the window. I would prefer nature or openness of some kind...

a) I think water would have the problem of bugs and or bigger creatures? (I'm a dog person. My dog is big but as I get older might opt for one easy to pick up. So NO CROCS PLEASE!)

b) I think golf course would be nice. I heard they mow the grass at sun up. I sleep until 9-10. I'm retired! You think I'm getting up early!?!

c) Nature preserve - Both bugs and crocs?

d) Fenced properties w/ pebbles instead of grass seems not great for a dog. Also dog clean up might be more unpleasant... I'm not thrilled about limiting my horizon to 20 ft either.

I would love to hear from any long term residents who have lived in these type of situations and can give me feedback. And/or suggest another way to have some nature around my home?

Thanks for your time!
Be safe!
M

Our house backs up to a Nature Preserve and we love it. We have no problems with alligators or bugs, although a shy tortoise occasionally visits our yard. We love the privacy and enjoy seeing different birds, including Hawks, Eagles, Owls, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Sandhill Cranes that visit the preserve.

[jgmroc67]

We lived on a golf course for 7 years. we even had a golf club lodged in the upper branches of a tree on our property for a while! Yes, the machinery noise starts around 5am...but over time I trained myself to immediately go back to sleep....so that was not the reason I will never live on a golf course again. People don’t think about the fact that they spray pesticides three or four times a year. And during those days, for a day or two, I couldn’t go in my backyard. I felt like my throat was closing/or had a slight sore throat. Pesticides may not hurt the golfer while they’re on the course for a couple of hours but breathing that for 24 to 36 hours is definitely not good for you.

Oops...almost forgot: 2 dents in the siding & 1 broken patio light fixture from wayward golf balls. The light fixture golfer owned up .....the dent-ers did not.

[Kgcetm]

We love living on the golf course. Our lanai has a cage so no bugs. Alligators are in every pond in the villages. If they’re not there, they will be. Get used to it. Walking your dog on the golf course is prohibited and enforced.

And we have alligators not crocodiles. You should know the difference.

[OhioBuckeye]

I have rented for years. I am thinking I should drink the Kool Aid already! So...
I would love to be able to look out one side of my house and NOT see my friendly neighbor watching TV through the window. I would prefer nature or openness of some kind...

a) I think water would have the problem of bugs and or bigger creatures? (I'm a dog person. My dog is big but as I get older might opt for one easy to pick up. So NO CROCS PLEASE!)

b) I think golf course would be nice. I heard they mow the grass at sun up. I sleep until 9-10. I'm retired! You think I'm getting up early!?!

c) Nature preserve - Both bugs and crocs?

d) Fenced properties w/ pebbles instead of grass seems not great for a dog. Also dog clean up might be more unpleasant... I'm not thrilled about limiting my horizon to 20 ft either.

I would love to hear from any long term residents who have lived in these type of situations and can give me feedback. And/or suggest another way to have some nature around my home?

Thanks for your time!
Be safe!
M

What you want, be prepared to spend a lot more money to live by a pond, lake or wildlife area! You’ll pay 75 to at least $100,000. more to get what you want. I know someone will answer this & tell me I’m way off, so price another home yourself. You will pay a lot more for what you’re asking for. Then again money might not be an issue for you!

[pennywin]

Not sure just how much space you want between houses. We purchased at the end of a cul de sac on a pie shape lot
and I feel we have adequate space between houses.

[zendog3]

Our first house was a villa with a west facing view of a golf course with a pond. The villa had a picket fence which was great for our two dogs. Just let them out, they do their thing, you pick up the poop once a day. The garage was the only down-side so we moved to a larger house with a west facing view of a golf course and a bigger pond. Now, I have to walk the dogs twice a day, and pick up the poop.
I am blessed to be able to pay the $100,000 premium for the view. If you can afford it, definitely go for it. Here are some hints:
1. Don't worry about gators or bugs. Bugs (on a golf course) are not a problem. You have to keep your dog on a leash at all times anyway. Just stay away from the haters. They will not attack you.
2. I am typing this sitting on my patio with my coffee and the morning paper. The third tee of Pensacola is about 20 yards from where I sit. If I notice the carts driving up and the golfers teeing off at all, I am only curious how many of them can hit across the water. The golfers don't bother me. They are a form of entertainment.
3. Get a west-facing view. Sunsets are spectacular.

[dtennent]

a Few comments
1)We live on a nature corridor that is essentially a canal. While it is a drain basin for the storm run off and the water level does go up and down, it is never completely dry. The powers that be seem to manage the water level so that during hurricanes, it doesn't flood nor does it go completely dry in other times. We have hawks, osprey, kingfishers, egrets, great blue herons, little blue herons, tricolored herons, wood storks, blue birds, occasional white pelican, alligators and even saw a river otter once. Bottom line is we love it.
2) We only have mosquitoes once in a great while - must spray for those at night.
3) The back of our house has a plank fencing with some wire at the bottom to discourage the gators. Everything around it is grass.
4) We did pay a premium and with today's prices you are looking at least $100,000 over an inside lot.
5) Being a golfer, I have "read" about folks slicing the ball into houses. Would stay away from the right side of fairways and probably away from the executive courses.
6) We don't usually let our dog off the leash. We do walk around our village and go to park areas near us for our pooch.
7) Space between houses is usually pretty small though you can buy places with more land. These will also have higher bonds as well. While I wanted a 100 acres of land when I was young, today I am happy with 100 sq. ft of lawn. Okay, Okay, it is a bit more than that but you get the idea. Good luck and have fun in your search!

[kendi]

I have rented for years. I am thinking I should drink the Kool Aid already! So...
I would love to be able to look out one side of my house and NOT see my friendly neighbor watching TV through the window. I would prefer nature or openness of some kind...

a) I think water would have the problem of bugs and or bigger creatures? (I'm a dog person. My dog is big but as I get older might opt for one easy to pick up. So NO CROCS PLEASE!)

b) I think golf course would be nice. I heard they mow the grass at sun up. I sleep until 9-10. I'm retired! You think I'm getting up early!?!

c) Nature preserve - Both bugs and crocs?

d) Fenced properties w/ pebbles instead of grass seems not great for a dog. Also dog clean up might be more unpleasant... I'm not thrilled about limiting my horizon to 20 ft either.

I would love to hear from any long term residents who have lived in these type of situations and can give me feedback. And/or suggest another way to have some nature around my home?

Thanks for your time!
Be safe!
M

Mowers on the golf courses are not very loud. Very easy to sleep through.

[OCsun]

We have lived in two houses here in The Villages. Both have been on golf courses with ponds and a slight street view. The thing we love about our house the most is sitting on the lanai and watching golfers enjoying their day as well as the wonderful view and wildlife. It's even fun to see the groups of bikers who go by on the nearby street. I know I would not be happy looking at another persons house. The extra money spent on the view lot was an investment in ourselves which we or our children will get back someday.

[KRM0614]

Don’t buy. Go somewhere that you own your house with no bond or a neighbor behind you and you can life in freedom

[jpvillager]

We have backed up to a horse pasture for 10 years and the lanai faces east. Horses better neighbors than golfers. Sometimes smells like a horse but no big deal. Prefer an north or east facing lanai to avoid the heat. Two drawbacks are it could be developed someday and an occasional critter.

[Dilligas]

I have rented for years. I am thinking I should drink the Kool Aid already! So...
I would love to be able to look out one side of my house and NOT see my friendly neighbor watching TV through the window. I would prefer nature or openness of some kind...

a) I think water would have the problem of bugs and or bigger creatures? (I'm a dog person. My dog is big but as I get older might opt for one easy to pick up. So NO CROCS PLEASE!)

b) I think golf course would be nice. I heard they mow the grass at sun up. I sleep until 9-10. I'm retired! You think I'm getting up early!?!

c) Nature preserve - Both bugs and crocs?

d) Fenced properties w/ pebbles instead of grass seems not great for a dog. Also dog clean up might be more unpleasant... I'm not thrilled about limiting my horizon to 20 ft either.

I would love to hear from any long term residents who have lived in these type of situations and can give me feedback. And/or suggest another way to have some nature around my home?

Thanks for your time!
Be safe!
M
I live on a course that also has water in my view.....exactly what we wanted. We have lived on a course in the past also. To answer your questions.....The animals are present where ever you live....the bobcats and coyotes come out at night and roam. The alligators will stay in the water and away from you except during mating season, then they protect. If a small dog/cat is near the water edge, risk of being grabbed by the alligator is high. The bad snakes are in or near the water and generally run from any advances. The bugs come from aqua positions but the areas also get sprayed at night. Wooded areas near water will contain more bugs. As for golf course noise, cutting is done beginning before sunrise on the greens....starting on #1. The cutters are fairly quite but can be heard if you live on the green. After 7:30, the lawn cutting noise is far more abundant. We live on a tee box and seldom hear any loud out bursts (except occasional hole in one shot celebrations). If you live down a fairway, within 200 yds of the tee, you can expect errant golf balls in your yard. We have never had a window broken....but it does happen once in a while...and is the owner's responsibility. Noise from carts on the cart paths is not a problem, any more than a cart driving down the street in front. I find far more privacy on the golf course than I would if I backed up to another lanai within 30 yards. The only draw back to homes on the courses or water or both, would be the premium you will pay for the view.

[splashes]

Live on a preserve great water and grass view. 2 fences so no alligators or animals. Just birds. Great long view. Beautiful house on the market. 3 bed 2 bath boxwood if interested in seeing view and house please call me. 352 5523799

[airstreamingypsy]

The Villages has Gators, not Crocs.

[dadspet]

We have a lot below 466a with a nice size pond very close behind us with golf on the other side of the pond. We absolutely love it. When we started to look, this type of lot wasn't on our list but when we came across it the view clearly made our decision easy. The water lot wasn't cheap, by any stretch of the imagination, but every day we look at the view and wild life for breakfast and dinner on our Lania we know it was the right decesion. We did 3 years of looking and reasearch before we finally purchased this house. I'll share with you a few notes on what we like about the lot.

Its very enjoyable watching the wildlife. This includes a large variety of birds, ducks, pelicans, eagles, cranes, and yes every once in a while a gator. Yes there is a gator that comes into the pond but not often and they don't really bother us at all. Their arrival makes the day a little more interesting and gives us a little something to talk about. A few of our neighbors have small dogs and the rare gator hasn't been an issue (one actually moved across the street to have the water view)
Our pond is clear and the level is very steady >it doesn't vary much at all (Even durning the last hurricane) Bugs are not a issue. Since the golf course is on the other side of the pond the golfers try real hard to avoid the water and we haven't had a ball on our lot in 7 years. The golf path and T box are on the other side of the pond also and far enough away to not present even a small problem. We enjoy watching the golfers from afar (but close enough to wave to neighbors playing ) and often use the lack of golfers to tell us when we can run over to the starter shack and jump on for 9 holes after an early dinner. Golf course mowing is also not an issue; the grass cutting of our own lawn is more anoying when they decide to do it in the early morning. The golf course has 7 palm trees behind us we don't have to maintain and a cluster of large oak trees on the far side or the pond. Sunsets many evenings are unbelievable!

[coffeebean]

No crocs here, they need brackish or salt water. There are plenty of alligators.

We chose a lot with a pond connected to Evan's Prairie. We love it. We constantly see birds and bird arguments. A few turtles and snakes . Some kind of mammal comes and night and feeds on clams and other shells. We think it is a racoon. Alligators come and go regularly, but have never bothered us.

Since we are connected to the Prairie, I don't worry about losing water. We'd be in a heap o trouble if the Prairie went dry.

We were not attracted to a golf course lot, because we don't like early morning mowing, and the potential for people to constantly be near your house.

P.S. No bug problem at all.

I work in the yard a lot. I'm on my hands and knees a lot when I work in the yard. I'm not sure I could comfortably work in the yard, on my hands and knees, with my back to the water. But......that's just me.

Do you or would you work in the yard, as I do, with your back to the water? Just wondering.

[dadspet]

I work in the yard a lot. I'm on my hands and knees a lot when I work in the yard. I'm not sure I could comfortably work in the yard, on my hands and knees, with my back to the water. But......that's just me.

Do you or would you work in the yard, as I do, with your back to the water? Just wondering.
Pond behind us and did it today for 2 hrs. Easier now that its a bit cooler.

[Dgodin]

I have rented for years. I am thinking I should drink the Kool Aid already! So...
I would love to be able to look out one side of my house and NOT see my friendly neighbor watching TV through the window. I would prefer nature or openness of some kind...

a) I think water would have the problem of bugs and or bigger creatures? (I'm a dog person. My dog is big but as I get older might opt for one easy to pick up. So NO CROCS PLEASE!)

b) I think golf course would be nice. I heard they mow the grass at sun up. I sleep until 9-10. I'm retired! You think I'm getting up early!?!

c) Nature preserve - Both bugs and crocs?

d) Fenced properties w/ pebbles instead of grass seems not great for a dog. Also dog clean up might be more unpleasant... I'm not thrilled about limiting my horizon to 20 ft either.

I would love to hear from any long term residents who have lived in these type of situations and can give me feedback. And/or suggest another way to have some nature around my home?

Thanks for your time!
Be safe!
M
We bought on a golf course 2 years ago and are happy with our decision. We selected the location because, like you, we were looking for a place without a neighbor in the rear. We also considered houses at the edge of the villages (farm field behind), along a turtle preserve (not wetland), a wetland, lake frontage, and courtyard villas. We decided the golf course was the best bang for the buck. Our home is at the end of the fairway behind the green so there is some distance between our lot and the course. The golf cart path is not near us. We looked at a home on a course near a tee box but noticed, while touring the house, that we could hear golfers teeing off. We have also seen evidence that a few homes along the fairway are frequent targets for errant golf balls. We do not notice the grass cutting noise near our home although I see them out on the course in the morning when i walk the dog. We actually enjoy watching golfers putt while we sit on our lanai.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I think the price differential will be a deciding factor these days. Yikes! some lots are 300K with a new $400K house 5 lots down. Bit of a head scratcher to us.

We personally have partial water view, and a softball field view to watch the games. But the lot price determined our choice, being an impulse buy trying to get in on a brand new development as well as being near the sports complex and the walking path, and the grocery store, so we are happy but not happy not being retired and joining all the adult camp activities.

[dave from deland]

We live on a cul de sac backed up to a state nature preserve (gopher tortoises). It will never be developed. The tortoises don't make any noise and there is wire fencing along the base of the Villages wooden fence to keep them out, although newly hatched ones get through from time to time. Just put them back. Have no problem with bugs and privacy to the rear.

[Hancie2]

If you would like privacy and a place for your dog...villa. When we moved here we got a corner villa, large enclosed lot and a 3 bedroom villa...loved it!

[Hancie2]

One other issue, just because it is on a nature preserve today, doesn’t mean it will be there tomorrow and the realtor or Villages can’t give you any guarantees.

[vintageogauge]

Live on a preserve great water and grass view. 2 fences so no alligators or animals. Just birds. Great long view. Beautiful house on the market. 3 bed 2 bath boxwood if interested in seeing view and house please call me. 352 5523799

Preserve snakes are not held back by fences.

[Villages Kahuna]

Lived for fifteen years backing up on a 12-acre pine forest which was behind a small farmhouse. The neighboring property was not owned by The Villages, but we did the research and concluded there was virtually no chance it would be developed. Beautiful and we couldn’t be happier. The only occasional problem was after occasional and infrequent heavy rains, rats would be forced from their normal, preferred habitat in the woods, closer to our house. But a few days of dry weather and some traps set and maintained but Massey fixed that problem quite satisfactorily.

Golf course lots aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Other than stray golf balls, the noise of golf carts, and golfers hitting from too close to your house, the biggest problem might be the stench of the pond water used for irrigation. It’s the same water used to water your lawn, but maybe the amount heavily sprayed on the golf courses exacerbates the malodorous stink when they water the courses.

Maybe there’s no “perfect” lot, but ours has been pretty doggone nice for the entire time we’ve lived here. And the pine trees have grown bigger, thicker, and more attractive over the years!

Do your research!

[prminna]

Perhaps, we should chat as we live on a beautiful large pond w/n the "Golden Triangle". We spent much time on chosing the right location on a pond---quite peaceful with great views. Franky, the pond setting is the best option to great living in The Villages. Family needs are causing us to sell. How should we connect?

PRM

[CoachKandSportsguy]

given that "they" have allowed me on a golf course, and I have driven ball directly into houses on courses. . . I would avoid golf courses. . . However, I did stay at a Holiday Inn on Saturday night and shot mid 80's on Sunday

But if you like to collect and reuse badly behaved golf balls, a course might be a good idea.

Sportsguy

[PugMom]

so many good replies posted. we chose the wildlife area, no ponds, close to golf course. if you love animals, there's no better place to be. 1st week here we had a family of sandhill cranes strolling thru the yard observing US, lol

[bluedivergirl]

I work in the yard a lot. I'm on my hands and knees a lot when I work in the yard. I'm not sure I could comfortably work in the yard, on my hands and knees, with my back to the water. But......that's just me.

Do you or would you work in the yard, as I do, with your back to the water? Just wondering.

I have, and never gave it a second thought. Maybe it comes from being a SCUBA diver ~ most critters see humans as predators, not prey. Most ~ not all!

[coffeebean]

so many good replies posted. we chose the wildlife area, no ponds, close to golf course. if you love animals, there's no better place to be. 1st week here we had a family of sandhill cranes strolling thru the yard observing US, lol

That sounds wonderful. Best I ever got was (before first light in the morning) some kind of a dog "like" animal (it was NOT a dog) racing through my property in between my house and the neighbor's house heading to the back yard. Within 5 seconds, I heard a blood curdling cry from what sounded like a small dog. Poor dog. I've never forgotten that!

[newchapter]

We moved for that very reason. We've lived here abt 10 yrs. We now live on a champ course with both a golf and water view. No cart path or tee box close to the house. We watch the egrets, sandhill cranes, ducks, and blue heron fly in and feed around the water and they also come up and walk around our house. Beautiful sunrises that bathe the sky and the water with wide open views never gets old. Most homes have a screened in lanai to escape the mosquitos. Yes, they do mow early, but that doesn't bother us. Face it, they have to mow before the golfers take the course...right? Good luck on your house hunting and ultimate decision. The Villages offers a lot of choices and yes, the ultimate home we choose is reflected in the price.

[PhilipB]

You will be pleased to learn that there are no crocs in the Villages.

[tophcfa]

so many good replies posted. we chose the wildlife area, no ponds, close to golf course. if you love animals, there's no better place to be. 1st week here we had a family of sandhill cranes strolling thru the yard observing US, lol

Your place sounds just like ours, on a wildlife preserve, no pond, but close to a golf course. We love the animals and frequently get woken up just after sunrise by the sand hill cranes announcing themselves as they land in our yard.

[tophcfa]

I have, and never gave it a second thought. Maybe it comes from being a SCUBA diver ~ most critters see humans as predators, not prey. Most ~ not all!

As a fellow scuba diver I totally agree, we tend to see most critters differently. However, I have been scared pretty good two times diving, both times while diving for lobsters. Up north, off of Cape Cod, I came eye to eye with a great white. In the Caribbean, while reaching into a coral head to grab a spiny rock lobster, out popped a big green moray eel. The eel took a bite at my hand but luckily I was wearing kevlar gloves and only got a bad pinch. After the great white, no more lobster diving for me up north (it's too cold and the visibility sucks anyways). I will still dive for lobsters in the Caribbean, but I will be very careful before sticking my hand into a coral head.

[vintageogauge]

This is the view from our Lanai every morning, very peaceful and lots of birds and wildlife.

[Dan9871]

You will be pleased to learn that there are no crocs in the Villages.

I've seen Crocs in Brownwood.... at ShoeBiz.

[logdog]

you will be pleased to learn that there are no crocs in the villages.


86665

[valuemkt]

Water View below 44. Always birds to watch. constant breeze minimizes bugs, which seem to only be out at night. Love Bugs are everywhere twice a year - you will have a difficult time escaping them. Any fresh water pond below North Carolina has the potential for gators. Florida native can pick out their eyes a mile away. Talk to the folks at Invisible fence to tech your dog its boundaries and to protect them from chasing birds into the water. There are two nice parks below 44 as well.

[TCNY61]

Alligators climb fences no problem: Alligator climbs fence in Florida - YouTube (https://youtu.be/z7DMjQJD7vM)

Coyotes climb walls no problem: Coyote Vs Cat - YouTube (https://youtu.be/wXYOvqt48VE)

[bilcon]

We have lived on the golf course for the past 11 years and love it. Beautiful open space. sunsets every night, 180 degree unobstructed views, including a pond from our lanai and most of the rooms in our home . We could never live in a walled in property or be so close to our neighbor that we know their life story. The only house we see is a neighbors 3 houses away. Even our first home here, a villa, had no wall in the back because it was on the golf course. The majority of golfers are great and friendly. Every once in a while you get the entitled golfer who doesn't understand the concept of private property, but not too often. We even offer Champagne if we see someone get a hole-in-one. Now for everyone, but it is for us.


"I have never made a mistake in my life. I thought I did once, but I was wrong."

[123marcel]

HELP?!? I didn't get any of these nice input replies via email. I used to get a daily digest. I get nothing and had to hunt quite a bit to even find MY OWN POST!?!? This site is not easy to navigate.

ANY TIPS: How do I get a daily digest of the forum sent to email again?
:)

Thx



Most water lots in TV are nothing more than drainage ponds. The water level vary drastically. When water levels go low aquatic weeds go wild and you are now looking at a marsh. Do your homework here and talk to neighbors before a purchase offer. Golf course lots are an easy formula. For the most part your view is protected - most likely it will remain a golf course and not another neighborhood (putting this apartment debacle issue aside for a moment). The don'ts of a golf course lot are:
1 - not on a tee unless you like listening to swearing
2 - not adjacent to the cart path
3 - not on the right side of a hole unless more than 300 yards from the tees.
4 - If you are a late sleeper golf course lots are not for you.

[123marcel]

Our house backs up to a Nature Preserve and we love it. We have no problems with alligators or bugs, although a shy tortoise occasionally visits our yard. We love the privacy and enjoy seeing different birds, including Hawks, Eagles, Owls, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Sandhill Cranes that visit the preserve.

Where do you live? Are there houses for sale? I'm looking for a simple / not expensive home for 1 plus doggy!
Thx
M

[123marcel]

What sold us on our home was the conservation area across the back, no homes behind us at all.nice and private and what a view of lots of plants, flowers and the other side of the area is all big oak trees. We feel like we live in the country! We have no problem with bugs, sometimes the frogs get a little loud ;) we get lots of visits by all kinds of birds, even the cranes come sometimes. We don't have pets but do have grands that visit so a water view would be out because of the gators! We turned down a home that was on the golf course because of the lack of privacy.


Where do you live? Are there houses for sale? I'm looking for a simple / not expensive home for 1 plus doggy!
Thx
M

[123marcel]

We have backed up to a horse pasture for 10 years and the lanai faces east. Horses better neighbors than golfers. Sometimes smells like a horse but no big deal. Prefer an north or east facing lanai to avoid the heat. Two drawbacks are it could be developed someday and an occasional critter.


Where do you live? Are there houses for sale? I'm looking for a simple / not expensive home for 1 plus doggy!
Thx
M

[123marcel]

Where do you live? Are there houses for sale? I'm looking for a simple / not expensive home for 1 plus doggy!
Thx
M

We have a lot below 466a with a nice size pond very close behind us with golf on the other side of the pond. We absolutely love it. When we started to look, this type of lot wasn't on our list but when we came across it the view clearly made our decision easy. The water lot wasn't cheap, by any stretch of the imagination, but every day we look at the view and wild life for breakfast and dinner on our Lania we know it was the right decesion. We did 3 years of looking and reasearch before we finally purchased this house. I'll share with you a few notes on what we like about the lot.

Its very enjoyable watching the wildlife. This includes a large variety of birds, ducks, pelicans, eagles, cranes, and yes every once in a while a gator. Yes there is a gator that comes into the pond but not often and they don't really bother us at all. Their arrival makes the day a little more interesting and gives us a little something to talk about. A few of our neighbors have small dogs and the rare gator hasn't been an issue (one actually moved across the street to have the water view)
Our pond is clear and the level is very steady >it doesn't vary much at all (Even durning the last hurricane) Bugs are not a issue. Since the golf course is on the other side of the pond the golfers try real hard to avoid the water and we haven't had a ball on our lot in 7 years. The golf path and T box are on the other side of the pond also and far enough away to not present even a small problem. We enjoy watching the golfers from afar (but close enough to wave to neighbors playing ) and often use the lack of golfers to tell us when we can run over to the starter shack and jump on for 9 holes after an early dinner. Golf course mowing is also not an issue; the grass cutting of our own lawn is more anoying when they decide to do it in the early morning. The golf course has 7 palm trees behind us we don't have to maintain and a cluster of large oak trees on the far side or the pond. Sunsets many evenings are unbelievable!

[123marcel]

We live on a cul de sac backed up to a state nature preserve (gopher tortoises). It will never be developed. The tortoises don't make any noise and there is wire fencing along the base of the Villages wooden fence to keep them out, although newly hatched ones get through from time to time. Just put them back. Have no problem with bugs and privacy to the rear.


Where do you live? Are there houses for sale? I'm looking for a simple / not expensive home for 1 plus doggy!
Thx
M

[123marcel]

Where do you live? Are there houses for sale? I'm looking for a simple / not expensive home for 1 plus doggy!
Thx
M

Lived for fifteen years backing up on a 12-acre pine forest which was behind a small farmhouse. The neighboring property was not owned by The Villages, but we did the research and concluded there was virtually no chance it would be developed. Beautiful and we couldn’t be happier. The only occasional problem was after occasional and infrequent heavy rains, rats would be forced from their normal, preferred habitat in the woods, closer to our house. But a few days of dry weather and some traps set and maintained but Massey fixed that problem quite satisfactorily.

Golf course lots aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Other than stray golf balls, the noise of golf carts, and golfers hitting from too close to your house, the biggest problem might be the stench of the pond water used for irrigation. It’s the same water used to water your lawn, but maybe the amount heavily sprayed on the golf courses exacerbates the malodorous stink when they water the courses.

Maybe there’s no “perfect” lot, but ours has been pretty doggone nice for the entire time we’ve lived here. And the pine trees have grown bigger, thicker, and more attractive over the years!

Do your research!

[123marcel]

Where do you live? Are there houses for sale? I'm looking for a simple / not expensive home for 1 plus doggy! I have no idea how to connect directly, much less WHY this site took away my daily digest as soon as I post THIS ONE TIME!?!? Ugh!

Thx
M

Perhaps, we should chat as we live on a beautiful large pond w/n the "Golden Triangle". We spent much time on chosing the right location on a pond---quite peaceful with great views. Franky, the pond setting is the best option to great living in The Villages. Family needs are causing us to sell. How should we connect?

PRM

[123marcel]

so many good replies posted. we chose the wildlife area, no ponds, close to golf course. if you love animals, there's no better place to be. 1st week here we had a family of sandhill cranes strolling thru the yard observing US, lol


Where do you live? Are there houses for sale? I'm looking for a simple / not expensive home for 1 plus doggy!
Thx
M

[coleprice]

We live in the Village of Santo Domingo, just off of Madero. There are currently several attractively homes that are for sale in the area, although many of them are not backed up to the nature preserve. However, a couple of the homes that are for sale actually do back up to the nature preserve.

[UpNorth]

Always amusing to hear areas with power grid towers or giant cell phone antennas being called "nature preserves".