What is missing from the houses offered here in TV?

[graciegirl]

There are all kinds of homes built by TV, villas, cottages, designers and premiers and Cottages with a big "C". Is there something missing that isn't being offered and is part of your dream retirement home?

If I could I would have more outdoor space UNDER ROOF. I love to be outdoors and I like the open screened lanais, but the sun can be brutally hot. I would like to have that space under a REAL roof...and bigger than is offered.

I also wish that there was a way to climb into the attic with real stairs, so that it is safer to store things there and I also would like it to be air conditioned.

What would your dream for a home not offered be??

[jmitchell]

There are all kinds of homes built by TV, villas, cottages, designers and premiers and Cottages with a big "C". Is there something missing that isn't being offered and is part of your dream retirement home?

If I could I would have more outdoor space UNDER ROOF. I love to be outdoors and I like the open screened lanais, but the sun can be brutally hot. I would like to have that space under a REAL roof...and bigger than is offered.

I also wish that there was a way to climb into the attic with real stairs, so that it is safer to store things there and I also would like it to be air conditioned.

What would your dream for a home not offered be??

graciegirl,

Your two points are the exact two that I would make. Our house is not even finished yet, but believe me I am thinking, thinking, thinking. We are building a Begonia and I already have big plans to make the golf cart garage, not a gargage at all. I would like to open it up to the breakfast nook with big french doors, install an eastern facing skylight, replace the golf cart garage door with big french doors, oh the details go on and on. Don't know if this will be allowed, but I have pictures from magazines, and ideas out the wazoo (how do you spell that anyway?) I would like to make our frontyard very inviting to our neighbors by creating a courtyard atmosphere -we'll see.

I also want to see if it's possible to build a lanai on top of our lanai. I know we can't go higher than the roof line and there may be all other sorts or no, no's about doing this, but a girl can dream. Our lot is very small, but it has a beautiful view, and from what we have found already and we haven't even finished building, we have AWESOME neighbors, so even if I can't do any of this I AM GOOD! but that won't stop me from thinking about it :D

[philnpat]

Gracie, what's missing is not having you as a neighbor :(

[Russ_Boston]

I wish that there were more lots that had real room in the back. Yes they would be more expensive but many people would opt for them. These lots are few and far between and get snapped up as soon as they are available.

As far as the home goes I agree with Gracie - more covered outside area. But you can get that by extending the lanai if you have the room (see wish #1).

[l2ridehd]

BIGGER Garage, more storage space, and lots of outside screened space. Also the guest bedrooms in most homes could be a little bigger. I like to do everything myself. Mow, trim, repair the cars and carts, make things, build things, on and on. I also have toys. Two carts, Harley, tools, saws, and crafts. There is no apace to do all that. We have even looked at 3 car garage premiers and it still doesn't work.

We are now thinking that buying another small home real close to us may be the answer. Cheaper then a premier, actually provides more space and privacy for guests and grand babies, and you now have 6 bedrooms, 4 car garage, and all for much less then a premier.

[jmitchell]

BIGGER Garage, more storage space, and lots of outside screened space. Also the guest bedrooms in most homes could be a little bigger. I like to do everything myself. Mow, trim, repair the cars and carts, make things, build things, on and on. I also have toys. Two carts, Harley, tools, saws, and crafts. There is no apace to do all that. We have even looked at 3 car garage premiers and it still doesn't work.

We are now thinking that buying another small home real close to us may be the answer. Cheaper then a premier, actually provides more space and privacy for guests and grand babies, and you now have 6 bedrooms, 4 car garage, and all for much less then a premier.



This is a really great idea given your needs. I bet many other TVers have similar needs and have never looked at it this way!

[Kelsie52]

HELP !
We are building a Begonia also --you guys dont think there is enough room ?? ---

We stretched every part of it we could---------- please dont tell me we will be ---looking to get bigger ---

I will have to go back to work !!!!!!!:jester:

[jmitchell]

HELP !
We are building a Begonia also --you guys dont think there is enough room ?? ---

We stretched every part of it we could---------- please dont tell me we will be ---looking to get bigger ---

I will have to go back to work !!!!!!!:jester:

Kelsie,

I'm sure "size" is up to you. We were not able to stretch anything except for our lanai and then only 2 ft because our lot is somewhat small and because we back up to the Lake Miona Golf Course. I don't think I "need" the space I just like to make use of every inch I have - I hate having wasted space. Plus my brain is just sort of crazy that way. :loco:

My husband and I have a 23 ft RV that lived/traveled in for over 3 months straight. So I can work with small. I just want room for lots and lots of friends, family and neighbors!

[pooh]

I'm with you on the stairs to the attic, Gracie, as well as air conditioning up there! I'd also opt for a golf car garage for all. I've got a large garage, but no golf cart bay.... that extra space would be nice.

[salpal]

They need to design a home with 2 master bedrooms. This would permit siblings, roommates, etc to easily share a home within TV.

I agree about the bigger lots, people would pay more for them along with the price of privacy (which is why we live in a CYV).

I wish there were a small closet somewhere to store vacuum cleaner, mops, etc. I have mine stored in garage in a plastic closet thing, but would love to have the convenience indoors.

[Mikitv]

I would have liked the space in my laundry room next to the sink, larger so I could get my extra fridge in there that now sits in the garage. I could lose some of the space in master bedroom and make the other two bedrooms a little larger. I wish they would consider offering solar on the houses since we live in a sunny state and it would help the environment. We had to do so many things after market on a new house, that with the other 5 houses we built it was done at construction time. It's a crime to have to rip out brand new carpet, even though it is pretty bad, to get the wood floor we wanted and then where does all that carpet go. Probably Landfill. I was shocked after living here months to realize when I bought my new dinner ware how shallow the cabinets are. Can't fit the dinner plates in there. Would be nice if they put pull out shelves in the pantry cabinet. They are so deep you have a long reach in and anything on the bottom you have to practically lay on the floor. Granted they are doing a little more on choices then they did a few years ago. Garages really need to be bigger. Not everyone has one small car and a golf cart. On our bridgeport they could have taken some of the kitchen area by my desk and made the garage bigger. We even added footage to the house while building but only what they would allow. I'll probably think of more. lol

[Tom Hannon]

Mikitv- With an Iris you get a much larger laundry room than a Gradenia, Begonia or most of the othe rdesigner houses. My biggest complainy is it seems all lanai's are narrow. My Iris is a shade over 8 feet wide. Adding another 4 feet to the width would make a huge difference. A larger lanai shoud be a standard option. I also feel the attic stairs should be standard equipment. PS: I haven't lived in my home yet so I'm sure I will find other issues I'd like to have improved. Ask me the question in a few months and I'll be a better critic. Three more day....

[tghoul]

They need to design a home with 2 master bedrooms. This would permit siblings, roommates, etc to easily share a home within TV.

I agree about the bigger lots, people would pay more for them along with the price of privacy (which is why we live in a CYV).

I wish there were a small closet somewhere to store vacuum cleaner, mops, etc. I have mine stored in garage in a plastic closet thing, but would love to have the convenience indoors.

I think an Aster has 2 master bedrooms?

[jebartle]

I wish there was a closet big enough for me to store my "already decorated"
Christmas tree.....yea, yea, I know, I'm lazy.....tee hee

[BeeGee]

We've stayed in 2 BR CYVs in our stays in TV - one was the Woodlawn - love the layout - but the laundry was located in the Garage and to get to it we had to move the golf cart out :yuck:(or crawl through it!!!) Very bad design, I think. The Amelia that we've stayed in has the laundry in Garage, too, but right outside the kitchen door. My question is has anyone purchased a Woodlawn or Marathon CYV and later redesigned the laundry area. Ideally, I'd like to have the laundry interior, but we like the 2 BR size. Hope you can help me.:undecided:

[scrapple]

Gracie, what's missing is not having you as a neighbor :(

I agree with your wishful thinking! But as long as we're dreaming, I would like to be able to have a potting shed in the back yard to do the gardening and space to hang out in when I want to watch my plants grow. One that hubby could stand up in.

[784caroline]

On our Lantana, we added a 150 sq ft hexagonal room off of the master bedroom. We took one back window out and its now simply an entrance way to the new room. This room can be used as a sitting room, office space or a hobby room. The new room also connects (via pocket door) to the glass enclosed lanai space that has full ac/heat.

The extra space is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ajbrown]

This is such a social community, I would love a way to sit out front and wave as folks walked by. I suspect they would often stop by for a chat. Something along the lines of a small covered "porch" for a few rocking chairs?

I have not gotten used to sitting in my garage as an option. I always start taking apart my golf cart :shrug:

[twalker919]

walk in closet in both bedrooms.

garage large enough for two cars and a golf cart in the villas OR a wider drive way (wide enough for a golf cart to pass while two cars are parked side by side in the drive way).

the drive way would have to widened no more than than 6 feet to "fix" the wider drive way problem.....

[JenAjd]

We have a cottage series and for the most part it's good to keep up as well as the yard which we keep up, ourselves. BUT...would have liked a coat closet, a pantry and a bit larger garage too would be nice. The walk-in closet isn't as big as some villas I've been in. Over-all though we're pretty satisified as we did want to 'down-size'. Some day even this may be too much to keep up as we age. Again....sometimes it's "want vs (real) need". Alot of homes in other parts of the world are MUCH smaller than we have here and I think those folks would think we're very blessed.

[SALYBOW]

I cannot imagine why in the world they only have gutters over the entrances. We had to put some up along the front and rear of the home. I would like some sturdy steps to the garage attic. Since we have a large lot by TV standards I wish I had extended my guest rooms a little and made the garage bigger. That being said I thank God all the time for blessing me with such a beautiful home in such a wonderful area. So, I'll shut up now.
Tee Hee.

[VillagesFlorida]

We've stayed in 2 BR CYVs in our stays in TV - one was the Woodlawn - love the layout - but the laundry was located in the Garage and to get to it we had to move the golf cart out :yuck:(or crawl through it!!!) Very bad design, I think. The Amelia that we've stayed in has the laundry in Garage, too, but right outside the kitchen door. My question is has anyone purchased a Woodlawn or Marathon CYV and later redesigned the laundry area. Ideally, I'd like to have the laundry interior, but we like the 2 BR size. Hope you can help me.:undecided:


We have lived in a Las Brisas (Woodlawn) courtyard villa for over 12 years. One of the few complaints I have had with this floor plan is the location of the laundry. The only way I can get to the washing machine is by going "sideways" between the car and the golf cart! Usually, this means folding in the rear-view mirror on the car and hoisting the laundry basket over my head! This narrow passage HAS encouraged me to keep any extra weight off, so I guess that is a good thing! I can see no way to move the laundry to the main part of the house. There just is not enough room. Perhaps if the floor plan had a galley-style kitchen, that would free up space somewhere. But, the beautiful kitchen layout is what sold me on this villa plan. I have had some lovely kitchens in my homes in that "other life" but none any more fun and enjoyable to work in as this one. It's amazing to me what we can learn to live with when other things become more important in our lives. Besides, that narrow garage may just keep me from ever needing the services of Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers!! Life is good!

[Maryland Girl]

I would have liked the space in my laundry room next to the sink, larger so I could get my extra fridge in there that now sits in the garage. I could lose some of the space in master bedroom and make the other two bedrooms a little larger. I wish they would consider offering solar on the houses since we live in a sunny state and it would help the environment. We had to do so many things after market on a new house, that with the other 5 houses we built it was done at construca crime to have to rip out brand new carpet, even though it is pretty bad, to get the wood floor we wanted and then where does all that carpet go. Probably Landfill. tion time. It's I was shocked after living here months to realize when I bought my new dinner ware how shallow the cabinets are. Can't fit the dinner plates in there. Would be nice if they put pull out shelves in the pantry cabinet. They are so deep you have a long reach in and anything on the bottom you have to practically lay on the floor. Granted they are doing a little more on choices then they did a few years ago. Garages really need to be bigger. Not everyone has one small car and a golf cart. On our bridgeport they could have taken some of the kitchen area by my desk and made the garage bigger. We even added footage to the house while building but only what they would allow. I'll probably think of more. lol

Amen to this, especially the part about having to go in and ugrade a brand new home. We wanted/needed a CYV because of privacy and our 2 dogs and were able to purchase one in Edgewater Bungalows that was stretched, had a two-car garage on a large lot. The only thing we wished was that we could have made upgrades as the villa was being built. Now we want/need to go in and start ripping out here, adding there, upgrading this and that. I want to learn to live within the space we have-I'm tired of too much clutter-but I dread walking into a builder grade home and having my eyes roll up the dollar signs at the upgrades. My true wish is that I would walk into this home and not care about the cheap cabinets, appliances, materials, lack of finishes, etc. But I don't think that is going to happen. I have decided that I will do only targeted upgrades. We are not about to rebuild the house from scratch! So.....my wish? Let us make upgrades to the CYV's as they are being built. Yeah, I know, wishful thinking!!! :shocked:

[Maryland Girl]

We have lived in a Las Brisas (Woodlawn) courtyard villa for over 12 years. One of the few complaints I have had with this floor plan is the location of the laundry. The only way I can get to the washing machine is by going "sideways" between the car and the golf cart! Usually, this means folding in the rear-view mirror on the car and hoisting the laundry basket over my head! This narrow passage HAS encouraged me to keep any extra weight off, so I guess that is a good thing! I can see no way to move the laundry to the main part of the house. There just is not enough room. Perhaps if the floor plan had a galley-style kitchen, that would free up space somewhere. But, the beautiful kitchen layout is what sold me on this villa plan. I have had some lovely kitchens in my homes in that "other life" but none any more fun and enjoyable to work in as this one. It's amazing to me what we can learn to live with when other things become more important in our lives. Besides, that narrow garage may just keep me from ever needing the services of Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers!! Life is good!

I just love your positive responses! Keep 'em coming; I/we need them to keep our perspective where it should be!:bowdown:

[Russ_Boston]

This is such a social community, I would love a way to sit out front and wave as folks walked by. I suspect they would often stop by for a chat. Something along the lines of a small covered "porch" for a few rocking chairs?:shrug:

I've seen many people who add, for the lack of a better phrase, a European style grotto on the front entrance. Probably not too much cost.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

We've stayed in 2 BR CYVs in our stays in TV - one was the Woodlawn - love the layout - but the laundry was located in the Garage and to get to it we had to move the golf cart out :yuck:(or crawl through it!!!) Very bad design, I think. The Amelia that we've stayed in has the laundry in Garage, too, but right outside the kitchen door. My question is has anyone purchased a Woodlawn or Marathon CYV and later redesigned the laundry area. Ideally, I'd like to have the laundry interior, but we like the 2 BR size. Hope you can help me.:undecided:

We own a San Pedro (former model home)in the Rio Grande Villas and are one of the few that has an inside laundry and a pantry.
We just listed it with a realtor and is for sale.

[Russ_Boston]

There are many CYV styles that have indoor laundry.

[VillagesFlorida]

I just love your positive responses! Keep 'em coming; I/we need them to keep our perspective where it should be!:bowdown:

Thank you, Maryland Girl. It's a lot easier and takes a lot less energy to be positive in our thinking. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Surgery was successful and I remain cancer-free. I have to believe that my relaxed life here in The Villages has contributed to my good health. How can we live here and NOT have a positive outlook? My belief is that if a person can't be happy here they will never be happy anywhere. This place isn't perfect but NO place is. I believe I said in another post that happiness means different things to different people. Trying to find happiness in external places and things doesn't always work. I often see golfers who can't seem to enjoy a game unless they are getting low scores on every hole. That is a definite set-up for misery! A great golf game for me is watching the undulating flight of a flock of bluebirds as they head across the fairway to a stand of pine trees. I still laugh when I recall the squirrel who stole my friend's snack bar out of the golf cart and proceeded to sit under an oak tree, peeling the wrapper and eating it all! How could I be angry, watching these antics? How can we not enjoy the beauty of a golf course as the sun sinks below the horizon? On a good day I break 100. On a good day my score is over 100! What did it really matter? I was too busy enjoying nature, the landscape, and my playing partners! So, getting back to the question, that narrow garage is nothing more than a challenge to me, and such a tiny negative in the grand scheme of life. As a cancer survivor I am just happy to be here, enjoying this fabulous lifestyle. It's all "gravy" to me and I couldn't have picked a better place to live out my "bonus" years!

[duffysmom]

Thank you, Maryland Girl. It's a lot easier and takes a lot less energy to be positive in our thinking. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Surgery was successful and I remain cancer-free. I have to believe that my relaxed life here in The Villages has contributed to my good health. How can we live here and NOT have a positive outlook? My belief is that if a person can't be happy here they will never be happy anywhere. This place isn't perfect but NO place is. I believe I said in another post that happiness means different things to different people. Trying to find happiness in external places and things doesn't always work. I often see golfers who can't seem to enjoy a game unless they are getting low scores on every hole. That is a definite set-up for misery! A great golf game for me is watching the undulating flight of a flock of bluebirds as they head across the fairway to a stand of pine trees. I still laugh when I recall the squirrel who stole my friend's snack bar out of the golf cart and proceeded to sit under an oak tree, peeling the wrapper and eating it all! How could I be angry, watching these antics? How can we not enjoy the beauty of a golf course as the sun sinks below the horizon? On a good day I break 100. On a good day my score is over 100! What did it really matter? I was too busy enjoying nature, the landscape, and my playing partners! So, getting back to the question, that narrow garage is nothing more than a challenge to me, and such a tiny negative in the grand scheme of life. As a cancer survivor I am just happy to be here, enjoying this fabulous lifestyle. It's all "gravy" to me and I couldn't have picked a better place to live out my "bonus" years!

:bowdown::bowdown: You are a gracious lady and a role model for women everywhere.

[taylor111947]

What's missing is ME!

[barb1191]

Thank you, Maryland Girl. It's a lot easier and takes a lot less energy to be positive in our thinking. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Surgery was successful and I remain cancer-free. I have to believe that my relaxed life here in The Villages has contributed to my good health. How can we live here and NOT have a positive outlook? My belief is that if a person can't be happy here they will never be happy anywhere. This place isn't perfect but NO place is. I believe I said in another post that happiness means different things to different people. Trying to find happiness in external places and things doesn't always work. I often see golfers who can't seem to enjoy a game unless they are getting low scores on every hole. That is a definite set-up for misery! A great golf game for me is watching the undulating flight of a flock of bluebirds as they head across the fairway to a stand of pine trees. I still laugh when I recall the squirrel who stole my friend's snack bar out of the golf cart and proceeded to sit under an oak tree, peeling the wrapper and eating it all! How could I be angry, watching these antics? How can we not enjoy the beauty of a golf course as the sun sinks below the horizon? On a good day I break 100. On a good day my score is over 100! What did it really matter? I was too busy enjoying nature, the landscape, and my playing partners! So, getting back to the question, that narrow garage is nothing more than a challenge to me, and such a tiny negative in the grand scheme of life. As a cancer survivor I am just happy to be here, enjoying this fabulous lifestyle. It's all "gravy" to me and I couldn't have picked a better place to live out my "bonus" years!

WOW So eloquently put. I too share your positive thinking and I also share your having survived cancer, as I have myself (although still not cancer free, but alive and kickin') and owe so much to my wonderful hubby Bill and family, as well as this paradise we live in. It's the best medicine. Remember that song? "Don't Worry; Be Happy." Both Bill and I have a favorite expression when nitty-gritty things become annoying and then comes....."don't sweat the small stuff" and the agitation passes immediately....we laugh!

The "druthers" have passed and we are okay with the downsizing and thoroughly enjoying our little nest.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Since all we're planning on for the near term is continuing to be snowflakes, we purchased a re-sale Patio Villa - Cabot Cove model. Vaulted ceilings throughout, indoor laundry, nice sized pantry, really large walk-in closet in the master BR, lanai on the front (so we can sit and watch the world passing by! :) ), backs up to a CYV development wall, nice sized car-and-a-half garage, some extras added by the previous owner (attic stairs and some decking above for storage, ceiling fans, solar tubes, blinds, leaded glass front door, extra shelving), and so on. It really suits our current needs for not a ton of money out-of-pocket. What do we wish it had? We would definitely prefer a 2-car with (being greedy here) a golf cart garage. Can't fit that on most existing PV lots, though (exception would be some corner lots). Also, an additional coat closet for jackets, etc. would be a plus. Upgraded appliances, countertops, cabinets......all the stuff that everyone would prefer as well........but then we'd wind up with nearly $200k in a Patio Villa!!! :eek:

In the meantime, we feel everything in life involves a series of compromises. What we'd really LIKE to have in a TV home and what really MAKES THE MOST SENSE for us are going to be two different things. We're willing to settle for the sensible option (at least what seems sensible to us) at present. :)

Bill

[BeeGee]

Thank you, Maryland Girl. It's a lot easier and takes a lot less energy to be positive in our thinking. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Surgery was successful and I remain cancer-free. I have to believe that my relaxed life here in The Villages has contributed to my good health. How can we live here and NOT have a positive outlook? My belief is that if a person can't be happy here they will never be happy anywhere. This place isn't perfect but NO place is. I believe I said in another post that happiness means different things to different people. Trying to find happiness in external places and things doesn't always work. I often see golfers who can't seem to enjoy a game unless they are getting low scores on every hole. That is a definite set-up for misery! A great golf game for me is watching the undulating flight of a flock of bluebirds as they head across the fairway to a stand of pine trees. I still laugh when I recall the squirrel who stole my friend's snack bar out of the golf cart and proceeded to sit under an oak tree, peeling the wrapper and eating it all! How could I be angry, watching these antics? How can we not enjoy the beauty of a golf course as the sun sinks below the horizon? On a good day I break 100. On a good day my score is over 100! What did it really matter? I was too busy enjoying nature, the landscape, and my playing partners! So, getting back to the question, that narrow garage is nothing more than a challenge to me, and such a tiny negative in the grand scheme of life. As a cancer survivor I am just happy to be here, enjoying this fabulous lifestyle. It's all "gravy" to me and I couldn't have picked a better place to live out my "bonus" years!

Thank you for your very positive outlook. You're right of course. My husband & I get caught up in trying to find the perfect place for our bonus years, but I know that's not going to happen. Our perfect place WILL be perfect for us - good point about keeping Jenny Craig & WW from our doors! I do love the kitchen in the Woodlawn....Thank you very much!!!!

[Bogie Shooter]

This thread is kinda like the " what don't you like about The Villages" thread.

[ssmith]

a bathtub in the master bath?

[rjm1cc]

Goof topick. I have spent a lot of time looking at various floor plans etc and the comments here help me very some of my thoughts. I am not inclined to buy a new house and then rebuild it so I am leaning toward an existing home that someone else went through all the agravations or remodling.

[VillagesFlorida]

a bathtub in the master bath?

No, I have never wanted a tub in my bathroom! I would worry that one day I might not be able to get out of it! I suppose grab bars would help but I would still have to make the knee and hip joints work! We DO have a tub/shower in the guest bath so I could always use that. I am not sure how I got to the point of having to think about "how" I am going to get up off the floor! LOL!

[VillagesFlorida]

What's missing is ME!

Well, hurry up and get yourself down here! You will love it!

[Maryland Girl]

I've seen many people who add, for the lack of a better phrase, a European style grotto on the front entrance. Probably not too much cost.

Russ,
I see where you quote Dennis Miller. Did you hear him say the other night on Bill O'Reilly that the Chinese President Hu and John Boehner together would be known as Hu and Cry? I'm still laughing. He can be very cutting edge funny!:laugh:

[Pturner]

Thank you, Maryland Girl. It's a lot easier and takes a lot less energy to be positive in our thinking. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Surgery was successful and I remain cancer-free. I have to believe that my relaxed life here in The Villages has contributed to my good health. How can we live here and NOT have a positive outlook? My belief is that if a person can't be happy here they will never be happy anywhere. This place isn't perfect but NO place is. I believe I said in another post that happiness means different things to different people. Trying to find happiness in external places and things doesn't always work. I often see golfers who can't seem to enjoy a game unless they are getting low scores on every hole. That is a definite set-up for misery! A great golf game for me is watching the undulating flight of a flock of bluebirds as they head across the fairway to a stand of pine trees. I still laugh when I recall the squirrel who stole my friend's snack bar out of the golf cart and proceeded to sit under an oak tree, peeling the wrapper and eating it all! How could I be angry, watching these antics? How can we not enjoy the beauty of a golf course as the sun sinks below the horizon? On a good day I break 100. On a good day my score is over 100! What did it really matter? I was too busy enjoying nature, the landscape, and my playing partners! So, getting back to the question, that narrow garage is nothing more than a challenge to me, and such a tiny negative in the grand scheme of life. As a cancer survivor I am just happy to be here, enjoying this fabulous lifestyle. It's all "gravy" to me and I couldn't have picked a better place to live out my "bonus" years!

Wow, I'm honored to just want to know you. Hope we can meet soon!

[VillagesFlorida]

WOW So eloquently put. I too share your positive thinking and I also share your having survived cancer, as I have myself (although still not cancer free, but alive and kickin') and owe so much to my wonderful hubby Bill and family, as well as this paradise we live in. It's the best medicine. Remember that song? "Don't Worry; Be Happy." Both Bill and I have a favorite expression when nitty-gritty things become annoying and then comes....."don't sweat the small stuff" and the agitation passes immediately....we laugh!

The "druthers" have passed and we are okay with the downsizing and thoroughly enjoying our little nest.

Maybe this is getting away from the original thread but I just have to let you know that you are in my thoughts. It is no fun to deal with cancer. I said in my post that I have been cancer-free since 2001 but all of us who have this disease know that there is seldom a cure. We just have to live with the possibilty that it will return one day. That said, we CAN keep our immune systems strong so that we can send any of those stray cancer cells packing! Let's hope we have many more happy years here.......I don't know about you but I have many more sunsets to watch and more new villages to explore. We live in a positive environment and that, alone, can go a long way toward healing. Good luck to you and also to any other members here who may be dealing with a serious illness. This forum is a good place to share our thoughts about many things.

[Maryland Girl]

Since all we're planning on for the near term is continuing to be snowflakes, we purchased a re-sale Patio Villa - Cabot Cove model. Vaulted ceilings throughout, indoor laundry, nice sized pantry, really large walk-in closet in the master BR, lanai on the front (so we can sit and watch the world passing by! :) ), backs up to a CYV development wall, nice sized car-and-a-half garage, some extras added by the previous owner (attic stairs and some decking above for storage, ceiling fans, solar tubes, blinds, leaded glass front door, extra shelving), and so on. It really suits our current needs for not a ton of money out-of-pocket. What do we wish it had? We would definitely prefer a 2-car with (being greedy here) a golf cart garage. Can't fit that on most existing PV lots, though (exception would be some corner lots). Also, an additional coat closet for jackets, etc. would be a plus. Upgraded appliances, countertops, cabinets......all the stuff that everyone would prefer as well........but then we'd wind up with nearly $200k in a Patio Villa!!! :eek:

In the meantime, we feel everything in life involves a series of compromises. What we'd really LIKE to have in a TV home and what really MAKES THE MOST SENSE for us are going to be two different things. We're willing to settle for the sensible option (at least what seems sensible to us) at present. :)

Bill

You are so right Bill and your home sounds lovely. Life is a series of compromises. We went for the CYV because it had been expanded, had a two-car garage, was on a nice lot and is within walking distance to LSL. We knew we had to make any upgrades once the house was built. And this is O.K. with us-we will just target the upgrades and when it is all done, it will truly be our home and to our liking. I complain and grumble but it was a conscious decision and we are anxious to get started.

[Russ_Boston]

Russ,
I see where you quote Dennis Miller. Did you hear him say the other night on Bill O'Reilly that the Chinese President Hu and John Boehner together would be known as Hu and Cry? I'm still laughing. He can be very cutting edge funny!:laugh:

Didn't see it but I'm laughing now! Not many more intelligent comics than Dennis Miller.

[2BNTV]

There are all kinds of homes built by TV, villas, cottages, designers and premiers and Cottages with a big "C". Is there something missing that isn't being offered and is part of your dream retirement home?

If I could I would have more outdoor space UNDER ROOF. I love to be outdoors and I like the open screened lanais, but the sun can be brutally hot. I would like to have that space under a REAL roof...and bigger than is offered.

I also wish that there was a way to climb into the attic with real stairs, so that it is safer to store things there and I also would like it to be air conditioned.

What would your dream for a home not offered be??

Me living in a home preferably next to Gracie Girl. :smiley:

[SALYBOW]

A live in maid to cook, clean and do laundry while I had fun. Other than that my needs are simple. :MOJE_whot:

[J & J plus M]

Hey Lake Weir,

Are you reading any of this ?????? Now you are hearing from your competition on what's missing in The Villages! Please let us know when and if your homes meet these suggestions !!!!!!!:spoken:

[2BNTV]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maryland Girl
Russ,
I see where you quote Dennis Miller. Did you hear him say the other night on Bill O'Reilly that the Chinese President Hu and John Boehner together would be known as Hu and Cry? I'm still laughing. He can be very cutting edge funny!

Didn't see it but I'm laughing now! Not many more intelligent comics than Dennis Miller.
__________________
All over northern RI 1957-1989
Norton, MA 1989 - 2012
Village of Buttonwood 2012 to the end!


"That's just my opinion - I might be wrong" Dennis Miller


Maryland Girl and Russ:

If you combine John Boehner and Chinese President Hu together would be known as Cry Hu a river. :smiley: