Changes due to all the building and growth

[j_vermilya]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?

[alwann]

I, for one, agree. Started off as a renter for 5 years and now a FROG for the past seven. Although the summers aren't too crowded, yes, the winter season surely is. And now the with the winter climate seemingly colder in the Sunbelt, I recommend all you snowbirds go to Costa Rica next year. (Just kidding. Keep spending and buying to support local businesses. Maybe the ratio of amenities to population will balance some day. You think?)

[LiverpoolWalrus]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?

Imagine how much worse the traffic would be if "shops, restaurants, golfing, amenities that should go with it" did keep up with the "exponential growth in home building"!

[Altavia]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?

Check out the Goldwingnut video's.

Rate of home growth and ratio of homes to amenities and commercial businesses has remained relatively constant.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

with the winter climate seemingly colder in the Sunbelt, I recommend all you snowbirds go to Costa Rica next year.

No need to go that far. With the exception of this winter, I spend my winter months just a three and a half hour drive away in southeast Florida where the temperatures are often a whopping 10-20 degrees higher than the frigid Villages.

Example: this morning it was 46 degrees in the Villages and 65 degrees in Ft Lauderdale.

[Stu from NYC]

I, for one, agree. Started off as a renter for 5 years and now a FROG for the past seven. Although the summers aren't too crowded, yes, the winter season surely is. And now the with the winter climate seemingly colder in the Sunbelt, I recommend all you snowbirds go to Costa Rica next year. (Just kidding. Keep spending and buying to support local businesses. Maybe the ratio of amenities to population will balance some day. You think?)

OK I will bite what is a FROG?

[Bogie Shooter]

OK I will bite what is a FROG?

Here till I croak.

[GoPacers]

Check out the Goldwingnut video's.

Rate of home growth and ratio of homes to amenities and commercial businesses has remained relatively constant.

Why disrupt the narrative with facts? Silly you.

[Stu from NYC]

Here till I croak.

Thanks, who would have thought

[Stu from NYC]

Do wish someone would figure out how to expand Morse Blvd.

More and more cars will pass thru with no more capacity to be added.

[VApeople]

I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?

We have lived here for five years and we are not at all concerned about the new growth. The Southern Area has some very nice amenities like bike paths that do not exist anywhere else in The Villages.

[justjim]

We have been in TV fourteen and half years. Yes, lots of changes, building construction and it’s been fun to watch. Sumter Landing was new in 2006 and we were on a “waiting list” for a Villa in the village of Caroline. We were in our Villa and enjoying the village lifestyle when a devastating tornado hit The Villages and Lady Lake on Groundhog Day 2007. Homes two blocks from us were completely destroyed. You can Google for details but about 100 houses were rebuilt in The Villages along with Mallory Hill Country Club, a recreation Center, courtyard fences, etc. Just north of forty Villagers needed hospital treatment but no deaths in The Villages. Perhaps this say something about how well our homes are constructed. As I remember, nine deaths in Lady Lake and seventy or so total deaths across Central Florida from this tornado on Groundhog Day in 2007.

Brownwood was maybe in somebody’s imagination and there were no homes south of 466A when we moved to the Village of Hadley in 2009. We now live in a designer home where we were among the first to build south of 466A. We are Sunbirds who go North in the summer for a couple of months but happy Florida and Village residents.

OP, when more businesses become available south of 44 traffic on Morse Blvd. will remain “busy” during the winter months, lighter the rest of the year and the golf courses “busy” during the winter months and much lighter the rest of the year. Growth has its issues but I’m confident that The Villages will be up to the task in the future as it has in the past.

Traffic does seem a bit heavier on Morse Blvd. Some of the new traffic is Residents from the new Villages south of 44 coming up north to shop. Eventually, if we live long enough, we may be traveling south on Morse Blvd to shop down there. Because of COVID 19, we have some new golfers mostly on the executive courses. This pandemic too will pass and “normal” will return. One thing for sure, it will never be boring here in The Villages, Florida. Fore.

[Stu from NYC]

We have been in TV fourteen and half years. Yes, lots of changes, building construction and it’s been fun to watch. Sumter Landing was new in 2006 and we were on a “waiting list” for a Villa in the village of Caroline. We were in our Villa and enjoying the village lifestyle when a devastating tornado hit The Villages and Lady Lake on Groundhog Day 2007. Homes two blocks from us were completely destroyed. You can Google for details but about 100 houses were rebuilt in The Villages along with Mallory Hill Country Club, a recreation Center, courtyard fences, etc. Just north of forty Villagers needed hospital treatment but no deaths in The Villages. Perhaps this say something about how well our homes are constructed. As I remember, nine deaths in Lady Lake and seventy or so total deaths across Central Florida from this tornado on Groundhog Day in 2007.

Brownwood was maybe in somebody’s imagination and there were no homes south of 466A when we moved to the Village of Hadley in 2009. We now live in a designer home where we were among the first to build south of 466A. We are Sunbirds who go North in the summer for a couple of months but happy Florida and Village residents.

OP, when more businesses become available south of 44 traffic on Morse Blvd. will remain “busy” during the winter months, lighter the rest of the year and the golf courses “busy” during the winter months and much lighter the rest of the year. Growth has its issues but I’m confident that The Villages will be up to the task in the future as it has in the past.

Traffic does seem a bit heavier on Morse Blvd. Some of the new traffic is Residents from the new Villages south of 44 coming up north to shop. Eventually, if we live long enough, we may be traveling south on Morse Blvd to shop down there. Because of COVID 19, we have some new golfers mostly on the executive courses. This pandemic too will pass and “normal” will return. One thing for sure, it will never be boring here in The Villages, Florida. Fore.

Only here about a year and find the best shopping here is on 27/441 with new stores constantly opening.

Would be surprised if the same stores open in the South but who knows.

As a result for us we like being N of 466A.

[photo1902]

Only here about a year and find the best shopping here is on 27/441 with new stores constantly opening.

Would be surprised if the same stores open in the South but who knows.

As a result for us we like being N of 466A.

Let’s hope south of 466A doesn’t become like 27/441

[laboutj]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?

Maybe the same number of people as years before (plus the new folks south of 44), and 'Rona' is keeping people from doing things outside the bubble? That could be why people are playing golf and shopping locally instead of taking trips to the coast, etc......

[Garywt]

We were just commenting last week how many for rent signs are on houses, how many empty store fronts there are still, how quiet the cart paths are, how empty the town squares were and how there were no lines at restaurants. So we were thinking the opposite, did COVID make this winter quieter than winters in the past.

[coffeebean]

We have lived here for five years and we are not at all concerned about the new growth. The Southern Area has some very nice amenities like bike paths that do not exist anywhere else in The Villages.

I don't think that is what this thread is about........unless you can take the bike paths to local restaurants, retail stores, medical buildings, etc.

[coffeebean]

Let’s hope south of 466A doesn’t become like 27/441

I much prefer to be close to 27/441. Nothing wrong with having a saturation of restaurants, retail stores and medical facilities all within a 2 mile stretch. Everything is so close. I love to do those what I call "441 runs".

This traffic we have here in The Villages even in high season is not nearly the amount of traffic I was used to on Long Island, South Florida and New Jersey. I'm sure there are plenty of people who come from areas of the country which are more rural so the traffic here might be more than they are used to so there is that.

[photo1902]

I much prefer to be close to 27/441. Nothing wrong with having a saturation of restaurants, retail stores and medical facilities all within a 2 mile stretch. Everything is so close. I love to do those what I call "441 runs".

This traffic we have here in The Villages even in high season is not nearly the amount of traffic I was used to on Long Island, South Florida and New Jersey. I'm sure there are plenty of people who come from areas of the country which are more rural so the traffic here might be more than they are used to so there is that.

Good for you. I don’t need to shop multiple times a week, so the trips to Sam’s, Home Depot, etc, are minimal. The majority of our household shopping is done online. Much more convenient. Since I live south of 466A, I hope neither 466A or 44 become like 441. I, for one, don’t feel the need to be 5 minutes from “saturation”. Good thing we all have choices :)

[mrfixit]

We were just commenting last week how many for rent signs are on houses, how many empty store fronts there are still, how quiet the cart paths are, how empty the town squares were and how there were no lines at restaurants. So we were thinking the opposite, did COVID make this winter quieter than winters in the past.

From Monday 18-Jan-2021>> REPORT<< 6:30 pm

Lake Sumter Landing was ROCKIN.

.....GREAT Band at Playing at The Square.
..........Scooter The DJ at CODYS.( tons of families)
...............MOST Restaurants SLAM FULL

BARS are now BUILDING CASH PIPELINES DIRECT TO THE BANK

....................PEEPS in Lawn Chairs ALL OVER the place

I said to MYSELF....
......SELF....I must be in a time warp.

[VApeople]

I don't think that is what this thread is about........unless you can take the bike paths to local restaurants, retail stores, medical buildings, etc.

The walking/bike paths in the new Southern Area are a wonderful amenity for some of us.

Even though we live north of 44, we can easily put our bikes on our carrier, drive to Bradford, and catch the trail where we can ride for miles and miles without ever having to deal with a golf cart or a car.

In short, what they have done in the Southern Area has definitely improved the quality of our life.

Heck, if we need to go to a restaurant, retail store, or medical building, we can just drive our cars.

[graciegirl]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?

No. I am not concerned. There has been a lag always until the commercial growth catches up with the number of homes ALWAYS. We have been here for more than a dozen years and have heard this complaint EVERY year at this time. The developer builds houses and commercial areas to rent. The businesses need to be able to have both the capital and the need to expand here.

This was tough during the downturn in economy about ten years ago but it boomed for the last four years. We will see what the future brings.

If you build it...they will come. I was here before Michaels and Culvers and Sam's Club. If you can't get a tee time, expand your horizons and go a little further....and your time slot too. Being busy is what happens in all of Florida during high season. Until the pandemic this year, I didn't think anyone ever cooked at home.

It'll work out fine. I don't think there is ANYWHERE as nice as The Villages.

[GRACEALLEMAN]

It's called a pandemic, everybody leaving from New York and New Jersey Ohio and all those places to come here, it's been a very unusual year for traffic because of the virus. Everyone knows that that's why it's crowded

[Joanne19335]

Imagine how much worse the traffic would be if "shops, restaurants, golfing, amenities that should go with it" did keep up with the "exponential growth in home building"!

Huh?

[Rwirish]

You are spot on. TV has gotten way too big.

[jack.hunter00@yahoo.com]

It's all about the Snowbird, selling new homes.

[dewilson58]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?
Welcome to Florida
:ho:

[mlmarr1]

Get use to it or move.. winter is always busy..going to get busier.. it's not just TV it's the entire state..

[DrBrutyle109]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?
All good points. I haven’t had a major problem getting tee times, but you are 100% correct. More people living here....more playing golf during peak season. I have a bigger problem with running the winter rates thru MAY!

[Quixote]

I am grateful to snowbirds who pay for services and amenities for twelve months a year but utilize these services and amenities for only a portion of the year.

[jerseyjoy]

We lived just south of 466A for two years. When we first moved in, TV announced Fenney was going to be built south of 44. When we left two years later, 7 new “villages” existed south of 44. I remember calling for take-out food – took two hours because of all the orders. Had to reschedule a dental appointment and first available was in six months. Going to the mailbox was like entering a demo derby and we had to start timing it for “off hours.” Make your hair appointments all at once for the entire winter, or you’ll never get in. And if you have a pet and need to kennel it while you go “home” for Christmas, make a reservation a year in advance. The homes and neighborhoods are beautiful, but there are not enough support services. For that, and a few other reasons, we moved out of TV a year ago.

[Kgcetm]

I agree with you. We've found alternative golf courses, restaurants and shops around the area (within 60 miles) that we enjoy. For the most part, better restaurants are found in Ocala, Orlando Homosassa, and many other surrounding communities. Mission Inn is a great golf course with good restaurants and accommodations if you want to stay over and it's only a 20 mile trip. Let's face it, most restaurant chains would love to operate in the villages, but the developers model (charging high rents and a piece of the company's gross profit) make that less than likely. The Villages will continue to get new nail salons, donut shops, and one off restaurants until the developer changes the model. I do see that BJs has bought property adjacent to TV and plans to build a warehouse store and they are a great store to shop in. We've seen some restaurants open just outside TV that serve excellent food and are doing quite well. Texas Road House, Longhorn Steaks, Mission BBQ, Napolinos to mention a few. Marks Prime in Ocala serves some of the best steaks you'll ever find. And we do have some fine restaurants in TV with Chop House, Blue Fin, Red Sauce and Piesanos.

Capitol Grill probably won't be in our future. PF Changs was coming but the developer wouldn't work with them on space and a year later, the space sits empty.

In short, we have some really fine places to eat, golf and have fun all around us. Some are in TV; many are not.

[rlcooper70]

I fear you are seeing what you want to see. I recall one apartment overlooking a busy highway and then a beautiful lake. Which one should be look at?

The Villages in a Pandemic is very busy ... and the number of shops and restaurants will reflect the demand by the population. We play golf as a foursome every single day and never have a problem with scheduling it.

Step Back. See the positives.

[Kgcetm]

I agree with you. We've found alternative golf courses, restaurants and shops around the area (within 60 miles) that we enjoy. For the most part, better restaurants are found in Ocala, Orlando Homosassa, and many other surrounding communities. Mission Inn is a great golf course with good restaurants and accommodations if you want to stay over and it's only a 20 mile trip. Let's face it, most restaurant chains would love to operate in the villages, but the developers model (charging high rents and a piece of the company's gross profit) make that less than likely. The Villages will continue to get new nail salons, donut shops, and one off restaurants until the developer changes the model. I do see that BJs has bought property adjacent to TV and plans to build a warehouse store and they are a great store to shop in. We've seen some restaurants open just outside TV that serve excellent food and are doing quite well. Texas Road House, Longhorn Steaks, Mission BBQ, Napolinos to mention a few. Marks Prime in Ocala serves some of the best steaks you'll ever find. And we do have some fine restaurants in TV with Chop House, Blue Fin, Red Sauce and Piesanos.

Capitol Grill probably won't be in our future. PF Changs was coming but the developer wouldn't work with them on space and a year later, the space sits empty.

In short, we have some really fine places to eat, golf and have fun all around us. Some are in TV; many are not.

[ts12755]

Thank goodness covid is here or it would be worse. Usually much worse than what's going on this Snowbird season.

[jabacon6669]

Good to hear BJ's is coming. Any word on Costco coming to the area, somewhere on 44 would be great. closest one is over an hour away.

[mastergolfer]

Been here 11 winters for 6 months most years, always busy during winter months but only a few times have we not gotten a tee time with our groups. If you think our traffic is bad here, try Ft. Lauderdale on for size of crowded roads...

[vintageogauge]

Add to the mix all of the non-village apartments, townhouses, condo's and single family homes that are in the works all around the outskirts of TV and see what that does to traffic, shopping, etc. Of course it will have minimal affect on the amenities such as golf but it might keep the championship courses busy. The 320 units approved on 44A near Brownwood should really help the Paddock Square businesses.

[jbrown132]

You are spot on. TV has gotten way too big.

When I first came here in 2008, I came on the preview plan. One of their selling points was that The Villages was to be capped at around 100,000 people. I was happy about this because I was concerned about unabated growth. The thought was never to reach the turnpike. It was busy in the winter but really pleasant in the summer and you could always get tee times. The restaurants were busy in winter and there was a wait but not like it is today where wait times can be up to two hours. Most snow birds left at the end of March not April. This all changed after the death of the original founders. Unfortunately, and I hate this saying, it is what it is. So you either put up with it or you move. There are a lot of nice communities in other areas of Florida that are suited to a quieter life style.

[Marathon Man]

Get use to it or move.. winter is always busy..going to get busier.. it's not just TV it's the entire state..

Well said.

[Autodeals]

Traffic so much worse in other areas of Fl.

Fort lauderdale is a nightmare of traffic to go around the corner.
I selected TV because far less traffic here vs. Other areas.

Love Lynnhaven location as it on the edge of Tv so easily use outlying country road to travel south. Scenery on county roads beautiful with trees lining both sides of the streets.

[Gunny2403]

Where did you relocate

[Ken D.]

And the Canadians aren't here this year due to COVID, they need to get the championship course in Southern Oaks and restaurants south of 44 open sooner rather than later.

[Gunny2403]

Name alternative communities please

[Mikee1]

Yes TV is growing, but remember they are not the only ones building. If it isn't TV it will be someone...

[dhdallas]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?

I've got mine. Now no more new builds!

[DAVES]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?

The good old days. Reality-first of all you can't go back. Video proof. I have family movies from when I was 4 or 5. They were 16mm and I had never seen them till I had them transferred to DVD. It was amusing to see how different reality was from what I remembered.

Enjoy what is. You can no longer enjoy what was or what you remember

[merrymini]

No need to go that far. With the exception of this winter, I spend my winter months just a three and a half hour drive away in southeast Florida where the temperatures are often a whopping 10-20 degrees higher than the frigid Villages.

Example: this morning it was 46 degrees in the Villages and 65 degrees in Ft Lauderdale.

Call us in July

[LiverpoolWalrus]

I don't think that is what this thread is about........unless you can take the bike paths to local restaurants, retail stores, medical buildings, etc.

Hi coffee. Have you ever seen a thread that did not go off on tangents? Or where some posters make their answers all about them? That’s what keeps it humorous.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Name alternative communities please

You’re welcome
55 and Over Communities in Florida | Best Florida Retirement Communities (https://www.55places.com/florida)

[Stu from NYC]

Thank goodness covid is here or it would be worse. Usually much worse than what's going on this Snowbird season.

I cannot believe anyone would write this.

[haysus7]

People who would be traveling are staying put now. It will improve as the virus goes away internationally. Stay safe and be hopeful

[Veiragirl]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?


Actually I see a slight reduction in the Bird Traffic. I think it's because of the COVID. But after Easter they go back home. Oh yeah, Snowbirds taste like chicken:bigbow:

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Hmmmmm thank God for COVID hmmmm please God I hope he’s kidding

[Marykess1802]

OK I will bite what is a FROG?
LOL 🐸 22 years. Warts and all.

[Curtisbwp]

I have lived here since 2003. Growth has been constant and none of the groth and added population has effected my lifestyle.

[stebooo]

You are spot on.

[spatz111048]

No need to go that far. With the exception of this winter, I spend my winter months just a three and a half hour drive away in southeast Florida where the temperatures are often a whopping 10-20 degrees higher than the frigid Villages.

Example: this morning it was 46 degrees in the Villages and 65 degrees in Ft Lauderdale.

As is normal, the temperature can reach 10 to 15 degrees higher in Fort Lauderdale in January, not 20 degrees. Once your body acclimates to the climate, you'll see the difference. After living in Long Island, New York, and then to Coral Springs, Florida, which is South-East Florida, and now living in The Villages for six years, 46 degrees is far from frigid! https://d32rzbb554tqz0.cloudfront.net/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

[maxigirl]

:ho::ho::ho:We have been in TV fourteen and half years. Yes, lots of changes, building construction and it’s been fun to watch. Sumter Landing was new in 2006 and we were on a “waiting list” for a Villa in the village of Caroline. We were in our Villa and enjoying the village lifestyle when a devastating tornado hit The Villages and Lady Lake on Groundhog Day 2007. Homes two blocks from us were completely destroyed. You can Google for details but about 100 houses were rebuilt in The Villages along with Mallory Hill Country Club, a recreation Center, courtyard fences, etc. Just north of forty Villagers needed hospital treatment but no deaths in The Villages. Perhaps this say something about how well our homes are constructed. As I remember, nine deaths in Lady Lake and seventy or so total deaths across Central Florida from this tornado on Groundhog Day in 2007.

Brownwood was maybe in somebody’s imagination and there were no homes south of 466A when we moved to the Village of Hadley in 2009. We now live in a designer home where we were among the first to build south of 466A. We are Sunbirds who go North in the summer for a couple of months but happy Florida and Village residents.

OP, when more businesses become available south of 44 traffic on Morse Blvd. will remain “busy” during the winter months, lighter the rest of the year and the golf courses “busy” during the winter months and much lighter the rest of the year. Growth has its issues but I’m confident that The Villages will be up to the task in the future as it has in the past.

Traffic does seem a bit heavier on Morse Blvd. Some of the new traffic is Residents from the new Villages south of 44 coming up north to shop. Eventually, if we live long enough, we may be traveling south on Morse Blvd to shop down there. Because of COVID 19, we have some new golfers mostly on the executive courses. This pandemic too will pass and “normal” will return. One thing for sure, it will never be boring here in The Villages, Florida. Fore.

[maxigirl]

Well said!

[beckylou152]

I'm visiting for the first time this month, and to me, it doesn't seem as crowded as I was expecting. We have been able to golf quite a bit (just call the morning and make a tee time in the afternoon), and do about anything we want. We like it!

[dewilson58]

Played Havana on Monday.......8:30am. There was a twosome ahead of us, we were a twosome and there was a twosome behind us. We saw a foursome ahead of the first twosome.......but never saw anyone behind us.


Played Palmer this morning.......~8:40am. We had the place to ourselves. After four holes, a single played thru us.


Not very busy.

[jimjamuser]

Call us in July
In July Ft.lauderdale will be cooler than TV Land because they are close to the Gulf Stream which moderates the temperature of Ft Lauderdale.

[rhood]

It's our fourth winter here, we live here full time. I see much harder to get tee times, much heavier traffic, and many other changes that I have never noticed before when the snowbirds return. I think it's all due to the fact that we have grown exponentially in the home building, but not in shops, restaurants, golfing, amenties that should go with it...and I am getting quite concerned....your thoughts?

You think they should have stopped selling after you moved here? How do you think those of us feel who have been here for 20 years. Quit whining..

[LiverpoolWalrus]

In July Ft.lauderdale will be cooler than TV Land because they are close to the Gulf Stream which moderates the temperature of Ft Lauderdale.

True. Southeast Florida is Cooler in summer and quite a bit warmer in winter. That’s why I decided to spend the spring and fall in TV and rent my TV place out in the winter and summer while enjoying more hospitable temperatures and beaches down south. Life is what you make it and life is good.

[Garywt]

From Monday 18-Jan-2021>> REPORT<< 6:30 pm

Lake Sumter Landing was ROCKIN.

.....GREAT Band at Playing at The Square.
..........Scooter The DJ at CODYS.( tons of families)
...............MOST Restaurants SLAM FULL

BARS are now BUILDING CASH PIPELINES DIRECT TO THE BANK

....................PEEPS in Lawn Chairs ALL OVER the place

I said to MYSELF....
......SELF....I must be in a time warp.
I was at Sumter Landing on Monday, got there at 6:30/7:00. The square was empty, plenty of parking right in the square. By the time we left there were 12 carts and maybe 20 cars. I was surprised because the bank was really good. Walking to the bathroom, didn’t see anyone.

[Garywt]

I agree with you. We've found alternative golf courses, restaurants and shops around the area (within 60 miles) that we enjoy. For the most part, better restaurants are found in Ocala, Orlando Homosassa, and many other surrounding communities. Mission Inn is a great golf course with good restaurants and accommodations if you want to stay over and it's only a 20 mile trip. Let's face it, most restaurant chains would love to operate in the villages, but the developers model (charging high rents and a piece of the company's gross profit) make that less than likely. The Villages will continue to get new nail salons, donut shops, and one off restaurants until the developer changes the model. I do see that BJs has bought property adjacent to TV and plans to build a warehouse store and they are a great store to shop in. We've seen some restaurants open just outside TV that serve excellent food and are doing quite well. Texas Road House, Longhorn Steaks, Mission BBQ, Napolinos to mention a few. Marks Prime in Ocala serves some of the best steaks you'll ever find. And we do have some fine restaurants in TV with Chop House, Blue Fin, Red Sauce and Piesanos.

Capitol Grill probably won't be in our future. PF Changs was coming but the developer wouldn't work with them on space and a year later, the space sits empty.

In short, we have some really fine places to eat, golf and have fun all around us. Some are in TV; many are not.

The place PF Chang’s was going has been empty since Brownwood was built, never rented. There are so many empty store front in Brownwood as well with all the expanding they have done there. BJs will be good and even better we can go by golf cart.

[Joeint]

It's all about the Snowbird, selling new homes.

I've got mine time to stop the building...

[j_vermilya]

My original post wasn't a whine, just stating facts and wondering about others' experiences. There is way too much building going on, and is against what was originally promised. Stores, restaurants, etc., are by and large more crowded (and that's with covid) and it is because of the lack of places to go and things to do in the southern portion. Might it catch up? Yes...but likely not for a very long time. People I know are having a much harder time getting tee times. The apartments in and out of the Villages will eventually create much more crowding. No need to reply with snarky or off topic statements...since I began this thread just wanted to comment to end my participation.

[VApeople]

My original post wasn't a whine, just stating facts and wondering about others' experiences.

We live north of Route 44. Our experience is that the new amenities they have built in the Southern Area have greatly increased our quality of life.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

No need to reply with snarky...

My minions have been searching for a snark-free TOTV thread for months, to no avail.