Condo or Home/Villa?

[Broncosap]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.

[CFrance]

People like their privacy. Shared walls don't appeal to many. Many retirees can afford the maintenance on a single-family home. And there are some attached townhouses in TV, and some are for sale.

[JohnN]

People like their privacy. Shared walls don't appeal to many. Many retirees can afford the maintenance on a single-family home. And there are some attached townhouses in TV, and some are for sale.

Ditto.

I've got a villa with a very low maintenance yard. Other stuff, I deal with it.
I lived in apartments when I was younger and didn't care much for loud neighbors, etc. sharing my wall, so I like a bit of space even if it's not all that much. My lot is a corner and oriented so it feels extremely private.

[retiredguy123]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.
I agree. I would rather have a condo, and I have considered moving somewhere else to buy one. But, regarding cost, I don't think it is a toss up. Condo fees are typically more expensive than living in a single family house in The Villages. The overall cost of living here is cheaper than anywhere else I have lived. But, I wish The Villages would provide more maintenance, such as lawn maintenance, irrigation, exterior painting, roofing, etc. Other Florida communities offer these services.

[mikreb]

Single family homes in The Villages are a better investment than condos. Prior years have seen $10k per year increase in resale price. With the newer developments in the south home model prices have increased $25-$30k in the last 6 months. Home models selling in Hawkins/Bradford/Chitty Chatty in December 2020 for under $250 are selling in St Catherines for $275+ today.

[2newyorkers]

I think all or most of the condos are 2 floors.

[Garywt]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.

Amenity fees vs condo fees and what you get for that fee is the question. As for your items, if buying new you are most likely good on the roof, painting you hire someone, lawns do yourself or hire someone, sprinklers are mostly carefree, cable would be the same at either. In a condo you would not have the pools, golf courses, restaurants and miles of golf cart paths that the Villages offer.

[dkintzer1]

To each his own. I have lived in single homes and two condos. I love my manageable single home and would never choose to live in a condo full-time ever again. However, there are those who feel the opposite. Neither is right or wrong. Just preference.

[crash]

I agree. I would rather have a condo, and I have considered moving somewhere else to buy one. But, regarding cost, I don't think it is a toss up. Condo fees are typically more expensive than living in a single family house in The Villages. The overall cost of living here is cheaper than anywhere else I have lived. But, I wish The Villages would provide more maintenance, such as lawn maintenance, irrigation, exterior painting, roofing, etc. Other Florida communities offer these services.

Look at Lakeside Landing the fees are $303 a month this includes all landscaping, pest control, landscape water, all exterior maintenance (painting, roof), trash, and your amenities. Add this up and you will see it is a lot less expensive. The Villages, $129 a month for landscape and pest control, $248 a month for water, trash and amenity fee, $7,000 every 7 years to paint, $25,000 every 20 years or less for a new roof.

[MollyJo]

So, once you purchase your condo you realize you live next to a bossy, gossipy neighbor who is up in your lane 24/7. When you refuse to follow their made up rules, they curse & threaten you. My cameras get installed May 11 over my cars & both entrances. #regretful

[Papa_lecki]

It’s also about choice. I live in a cul d sac (6 homes). 3 of my neighbors LOVE working in their yard. They cut their grass and do all the landscaping. 3 of us hire it out.
My dad and father in law still cut their own grass, they love doing it.

[Coal Miner]

Steps, condos have steps

[Girlcopper]

So, once you purchase your condo you realize you live next to a bossy, gossipy neighbor who is up in your lane 24/7. When you refuse to follow their made up rules, they curse & threaten you. My cameras get installed May 11 over my cars & both entrances. #regretful
I dont know what kind of neighborhood you live in but I lived in condos for almost my whole life and never never got cursed at by any neighbors. Nor have I ever had the need to set up cameras. You get what you pay for. Pick a more upscale neighborhood

[J1ceasar]

Same bossy neighbor in a home next door.

[Shirleyq]

I'd much rather have a condo than a home. The "Powers to be" in The Villages built "Town houses" in Spanish Springs yrs ago & couldn't sell them because of stairs inside each Townhouse. Consequently they have been afraid of the concept since that time. Somebody doesn't understand the difference between townhouses & condo's. I love to see "Luxury condo's" built.

[Kelevision]

I don’t really understand how you can compare TV to other 55+ communities. It’s a town the size of Manhattan. I was born and raised in Leesburg and nobody there can even understand the magnitude of this place. Also, i just bought a home in Hawkins so I’m technically now a Villager. Having said that, I can’t imagine ever living in a condo. I already feel like these are too close and the yard is so small. I’d rather pay for amenities and pay for trash etc myself than HOA fees. Just my opinion though. And holy moly, where are you getting that roof estimate. I just put a new roof on my house in Atlanta for less than 7k and it’s fabulous.

[dewilson58]

Outsource.

[imalowany]

Look at Lakeside Landing the fees are $303 a month this includes all landscaping, pest control, landscape water, all exterior maintenance (painting, roof), trash, and your amenities. Add this up and you will see it is a lot less expensive. The Villages, $129 a month for landscape and pest control, $248 a month for water, trash and amenity fee, $7,000 every 7 years to paint, $25,000 every 20 years or less for a new roof.

We are counting down the days until we close in TV in late May. We also have lived in condos and my father currently lives in one. He is hard of hearing so he blasts the volume on the TVs - you could imagine the neighbors! No thanks. Also thanks for pointing out some of the cost. I was wondering what the yard would cost. But 25k for a roof? We just did a roof on a rental that’s around the same size of a home in TV and it was under 8k. Painting outside should cost no more that 3K at most including paint. These are Atlanta rates. Can’t imagine it’s much more in TV.

[Dlbonivich]

Be aware that with a condo everything is good until something goes wrong with the structure. I was paying $1000 a month at the beach. Things needed done and three assessments came( large sums of money). Even with reserves you can not anticipate everything. You can vote against the assessment but then the building would be in bad condition. Think carefully

[oemsp1]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.

I'd find a condo in Sarasota if I was you.

[coconutmama]

We are counting down the days until we close in TV in late May. We also have lived in condos and my father currently lives in one. He is hard of hearing so he blasts the volume on the TVs - you could imagine the neighbors! No thanks. Also thanks for pointing out some of the cost. I was wondering what the yard would cost. But 25k for a roof? We just did a roof on a rental that’s around the same size of a home in TV and it was under 8k. Painting outside should cost no more that 3K at most including paint. These are Atlanta rates. Can’t imagine it’s much more in TV.

I think a few things in TV are overpriced because there is a false presumption that we are all rich.

But if you shop around you can cut prices. Our neighbor had her Iris model home painted for under 3k (2 coats). The company did a great job

[JanHulaLove]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.


I too would have wondered why there are not tons of condos. I want to free myself from taking care of a house, yard, roof, etc.

[JMintzer]

Two words... "Condo Commandos"...

[funnycarbob1]

It seems to me that the new apartments in the Brownwood area are similar to Cond's in concept. Just my thought.

[Ndomines]

The Villages has so very much to offer and yet people move here and immediately want to clone what they left behind. For all that you are do well aware of perhaps you should stay where your needs are better met. llAsa likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.

[bowlingal]

KELEVISION........that's exactly why there are now apartments to rent

[bowlingal]

broncosap..... that is exactly why there are now apartments to rent in the Villages

[Bay Kid]

I love having my own home. Front and back porches, full size garage, grass under my feet.

[mrf6969]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.
My mother lives in a 55+ community outside of TV of which she has to pay an HOA fee of 425.00 per month. Living in any type of villa in TV will not cost you anything close to that monthly fee. I have owned a Patio Villa in TV for 6 years of which is a full time rental so I can speak to reality.

[joelfmi]

What I have experienced in Condo living is poor common area maintenance, extremely long periods of time for work orders to be completed the cost to me was $550.00 per month and it was not worth it at all. You CDD fee is expensive and somewhat doe's what my HOA fees doe's

[DAVES]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.

Freedom of choice. A condo as I understand it is an apartment. I've lived over my lifetime in both. When, first married we lived in a rented apartment in a three story building. My point is only difference with a condo is you own it vs paying rent to the owner. At the time there was a TV ad where the guy goes into the bathroom opens the medicine cabinet and sees his neighbor on the other side. We had a neighbor below us that would blast the stereo at 3 am. Above us they got the kid one of those inexpensive electronic keyboard kind of things and would play with it starting at 7 or 8 am.

It a properly run condo, you pay into a fund for stuff like a new roof etc. If, you decide to buy a free standing home you can do the same thing. Set up an account for repairs.
A roof for example does not last forever in a condo or in a free standing home.

[retiredguy123]

Look at Lakeside Landing the fees are $303 a month this includes all landscaping, pest control, landscape water, all exterior maintenance (painting, roof), trash, and your amenities. Add this up and you will see it is a lot less expensive. The Villages, $129 a month for landscape and pest control, $248 a month for water, trash and amenity fee, $7,000 every 7 years to paint, $25,000 every 20 years or less for a new roof.
For me, it's not about the cost. It just seems very inefficient that, if you live in a villa section, every homeowner needs to hire separate contractors to maintain the lawn, irrigation system, pest control, etc. And, some people get ripped off. It would be nice if you at least had the option to allow a larger Villages contractor to provide these services. Other single family communities do these things as part of the amenities.

[virtue51]

Look at The Lofts near Brownwood -- the units are not condos but rentals.

[stebooo]

I own a small condo in mn minnesota. My asoc fee is more than double what it is here in tv.and I get 1 pool for that nothing else. The house here also can accomadated children visiting. The condo doesn't. If you want a condo, you have either coastlines for 100's of miles have fun.

[stebooo]

All of those services are available now

[Jimlee2004]

I am 75+ and would not even think about condo living. Buy a house and call Massey. They take. Of everything including sprinklers lawn cutting , shrubs. Try it. Get out of your condo and live. However your comments tell me yo u need to stay where you are.You would be very unhappy here.
+

[Indydealmaker]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.

Try googling Condo Association abuses. That may help you with your decision.

[allenpegg1@gmail.com]

Spanish Springs has townhomes and condos.

[Suzieque]

Amenity fees vs condo fees and what you get for that fee is the question. As for your items, if buying new you are most likely good on the roof, painting you hire someone, lawns do yourself or hire someone, sprinklers are mostly carefree, cable would be the same at either. In a condo you would not have the pools, golf courses, restaurants and miles of golf cart paths that the Villages offer.

If the condos were in The Villages, you would. I think this would be a good option for widows especially.

[Broncosap]

As the OP, i thank you all for your responses and input. As some of you indicated, i think this just becomes a matter of personal choice.

[sallyg]

If you buy a new, or nearly new villa your maintenance will not be as bad as you think. Yards are small, but you get privacy and no shared walls like in a condo. As "some" of us age, "some" of us tend to turn the TV up very loud, speak loud etc. A free-standing home provides a sound barrier as well. Hire out lawn care, and periodic exterior cleaning, house washing etc. You can always move to a condo or an apartment later if it seems like you are doing more upkeep than you care to.

[lennythenet]

We have a condo up north and I would take a single family home any day. You have to everything approved by the board. A ring doorbell. Picky about how many flower pots I have. Only one shepherd’s pole. I understand it is to keep things nice and uniform but ...Come on man! 😝😝

[fgaba1949]

totally agree with you..

[butlerperkins@gmail.com]

2021 0429 Thursday @ 15:21
My condo was Unit 1300. I was thirteen floors up with a gorgeous view of downtown (to the west) and the college's "forest" (to the east). Had the unit been in New York, it would have been a million dollar listing.The fourteen story building had 24/7 "manned" front gate security for the entire community (condos, apartments and townhomes). The building required key access. Cameras caught all comings and goings.

Here are some of my complaints:
+ elevator issues - elevator waits / elevator maintenance (Note: I was only trapped once inside the elevator for about two hours. :-))
+ elevator issues II - construction workers only allowed between the hours of 9-4
+ elevator issues III - moving furniture (e.g. a sofa) requires reserving an elevator in advance
+ HVAC switch over from winter to summer / summer to winter (those periods during which you haven't HVAC control)
+ water maintenance (those periods during which you haven't hot water / any water at all)
+ grocery hiking - there is nothing like a covered garage >within feet of your kitchen<, which you have in a home with a garage
+ amenities limitations - we had a basketball court, two tennis / pickle ball courts, a large family pool and a playground
+ parking regulations - example: no backing into your space
+ maintenance issues, exterior - those leaf blowers can sure soil your vehicle (I'll overlook snow removal issues)
+ vehicular damage - my building was largely senior citizens who weren't the most accurate drivers
+ parking "rights" - it was common courtesy to allow the seniors the prime parking spots, but that meant every outing started with a hike and finished with a hike
+ wind - blowing so hard that it grabs the car door from your hand and damages the hinge!
+ rain - there is simply no way to avoid it (unless you have a garage)
+ BBQ - forget that, you'll have to visit a local park
+ high rise hazards - 10th floor owner left propane tanks on his/her balcony; one exploded blowing out his entire sliding door and setting the unit on fire [Good News: we learned that a ladder truck can reach the tenth floor!]
+ water "accidents" - numerous times we experienced water disasters with the lower floors experiencing the most frequent damage
+ package delivery - if allowed to your specific unit, it may make it - or not (it may be left just outside the building; it may be left inside the mailroom)
+ noise - being downtown, the fire department was very active; do not think that being up high gets you away from that, it was <bad>
+ visitor issues - quests had to navigate the "manned" front gate, the locked down building and my neighbors "stares and questioning"

I believe that our condo board was terrific. During my life in 1300 (Unit), the entire envelope of the building was completely overhauled. Believe me when I say that building was re-covered, top to bottom. Every condo owners balcony was stripped to cement, their railings removed, everything re-sealed, windows and sliding doors replaced (at the owners' expense). The building literally changed color from old to "brand new"!

I concur with the others here who mentioned noise from other condos. I still believe that my neighbors on the fourteenth floor played marbles on their tiled floors! ;-) Good News: My immediate neighbors were generously quiet. Personally, I used headphones.

Condo: You will get to know your neighbors. They will recognize you and greet you. They will also talk about you. They likely do that in TV as well. :-P

I am so happy to have chosen TV. While I am frequently away, I miss my little home in Florida. :-(

[allenpegg1@gmail.com]

Spanish Springs have single level townhomes and condos but all single levels are 2-br, 2-ba.

[allenpegg1@gmail.com]

You NEVER own a condo. The condo purchaser only owns from interior wall paint or wall paper INWARD. The other side of that wall paper belongs to the Condo Association. Townhomes are different. The purchaser owns the entire unit. The differences here is what the "owner" is responsible for. Townhome owners don't pay condo fees, but the condo owner doesn't have to pay for that new roof, whereas the townhome owner will pay for that new roof...

[Villagesgal]

Look at Lakeside Landing the fees are $303 a month this includes all landscaping, pest control, landscape water, all exterior maintenance (painting, roof), trash, and your amenities. Add this up and you will see it is a lot less expensive. The Villages, $129 a month for landscape and pest control, $248 a month for water, trash and amenity fee, $7,000 every 7 years to paint, $25,000 every 20 years or less for a new roof.

Your prices are much too high. I pay $45.00 per month for landscaping and lawn care, no pest control, do it myself for the last 20 years, pay approximately $210 monthly for amenity, inside and outside water and trash, not painted and still looks great, just paid $12,000 for a new roof after 20 years. We have a designer home on a championship golf course with custom landscaping. We love our home and would not live in a condo or other community. Your choice, but your costs list is way off. Compare apples to apples.

[Curtisbwp]

Well I am not one to be giving advice on this subject. My wife and I live in a house too large for just two. I NEVER liked condos and certainly not timeshares. I have bought and sold dozens of homes. And at 71 I just built a home in Maine in the foothills of the white mountains in the lakes area. In Maine the lakes are crystal clear and have no nasty inhabitants.

[Gulfcoast]

We currently live in a close to 4000 sqft home on over an acre and a half. We do all of our own house cleaning and yard work and most of the maintenance ourselves. We have dogs that love to run around in our large yard and we grill every chance that we get. This has been a wonderful house to raise kids in - plenty of room for batting practice in our own yard, a big pool, a large driveway to play basketball, plenty of room inside to spread out.

Now that the kids are older, we are looking to downsize. We want a house with a yard for our dogs and we want to be able to grill outside whenever we want to w/o having to haul meat down a bunch of floors and outside to a common grill area which may already be in use.

A smaller house to maintain along with an easy maintenance yard will give us more time to do fun things. We've lived in apartments and rented condos for vacations before and that lifestyle does have it's benefits. But at this point in our lives (mid/late 50's) we want the privacy and independence of a single family home and we want the space available for our kids to stay with us during the holidays and summer breaks.

[PennBF]

We lived on the beach in a Condo in southern Florida for quite a few years . Here are the problems you may face on a beach condo. If you are in a hurricane path the owners on the 2nd floor up which have "wind insurance" want some of the insurance money from the 1st floor owners who have flood Insurance and pay less for Ins. and get more. Then you have building repairs spread among the owners, that can and will cost a bundle for each owner. You wake up and find ex felon in one of the buildings and is not the owner. Question: who is paying for him/her. Three main complaints on a regular basis are the three "P's". Poop, pool and Puppy (Dogs). Rebars in balconies are failing, all balconies have to be repaired. Heavy expense. You are governed under Florida Statue 718 which is really not bad. Maintenance fees rates between $500-900 a month. Someone brings a child in the pool and that child "poop's. Under Florida law you must drain the pool and refill. Costly. There are large parties by some owners who make very loud noise. We also had a Condo up north at the same time. Lots of on going problems although not all the same as in Florida. NET: We bought a home in The Villages and are completely satisfied.
:ho:

[Vladimir]

If you buy a new, or nearly new villa your maintenance will not be as bad as you think. Yards are small, but you get privacy and no shared walls like in a condo. As "some" of us age, "some" of us tend to turn the TV up very loud, speak loud etc. A free-standing home provides a sound barrier as well. Hire out lawn care, and periodic exterior cleaning, house washing etc. You can always move to a condo or an apartment later if it seems like you are doing more upkeep than you care to.

Exactly. There are pros and cons to condo living.

I look at it this way. TV homes are in a way similar to condos/townhomes but without common walls (homes are close to each other)...and no crazy people running the HOA as in condo living.

I do wish the Lofts were condos instead of rentals though

[Roron123]

I have a corner Villa large enclosed backyard that my dogs just love and so do we! Never hear the neighbors who are great!

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Spanish Springs have single level townhomes and condos but all single levels are 2-br, 2-ba.

And stayed in 2 different ones , I didn’t know that any of them were only 1 floor

[PJOHNS2654]

And stayed in 2 different ones , I didn’t know that any of them were only 1 floor

There are three villages . The Villas Of Spanish Springs has two and three story units. Vista Lago and Villa Sonoma have some single story units.

[Sage327]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.

We lived in a condo up North for 29 years and we loved the fact that the landscaping, snow shoveling, and repairs were taken care of by an efficient Maintenance Dept. All it took was one inconsiderate neighbor next door to make our lives miserable for the last 3 years. We were happy to move into our own home in TV and not have to put up with shared walls or anyone living above us. There are condos in Spanish Springs and their HOA fees could be higher than the monthly expenses of most homes in TV.

[John41]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.

It’s like trying to explain why some people like the color red and some blue.

[Papa_lecki]

We currently live in a close to 4000 sqft home on over an acre and a half. We do all of our own house cleaning and yard work and most of the maintenance ourselves. We have dogs that love to run around in our large yard and we grill every chance that we get. This has been a wonderful house to raise kids in - plenty of room for batting practice in our own yard, a big pool, a large driveway to play basketball, plenty of room inside to spread out.

Now that the kids are older, we are looking to downsize. We want a house with a yard for our dogs and we want to be able to grill outside whenever we want to w/o having to haul meat down a bunch of floors and outside to a common grill area which may already be in use.

A smaller house to maintain along with an easy maintenance yard will give us more time to do fun things. We've lived in apartments and rented condos for vacations before and that lifestyle does have it's benefits. But at this point in our lives (mid/late 50's) we want the privacy and independence of a single family home and we want the space available for our kids to stay with us during the holidays and summer breaks.

You just described The Villages. Just make sure you have wide sliders to a great lania with a grill or summer kitchen.
Depends what type of dog(s) you have - our dog loves it in TV

[Fredman]

As a likely future resident, i am simply not understanding the demand for single family homes vs Condominiums, and yes im well aware that there are simply no Condo's or HOA's in TV.
Please convince me that, as a resident of TV, your choice of a home, at age 55+, with the burden of maintenance (roof, painting, grass, sprinklers, cable, etc) has been a good decision, vs what a condo may similarly provide, with an HOA fee.
I feel that you either pay for your amenities through a CDD, and home maintenance by check book, or both of these through an HOA, the total costs being a toss up.
I would love to get feedback to help me figure this dilemma out.


Don’t forget about how rules in a condo

[patfla06]

Most of us do not want to share walls with others.
I hate slamming doors in the hallway, people being loud
In the hallways of an apartment or condo. People living there tend to be more short term.

And though our lots are small I like green space around us.

I am much happier in my own house.

[karenzeee]

Having had a large home with lots of yard work and cleaning, we downsized to a Patio Villa for two and L♥ve it!
Just enough room and a lot less work to upkeep. Less work equals more playtime! ♥

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Well I am not one to be giving advice on this subject. My wife and I live in a house too large for just two. I NEVER liked condos and certainly not timeshares. I have bought and sold dozens of homes. And at 71 I just built a home in Maine in the foothills of the white mountains in the lakes area. In Maine the lakes are crystal clear and have no nasty inhabitants. the black flys and only 2 months of summer

[marvinh11791]

I am quite comfortable in my condo here on New York's Long Island. Snow is cleared for all residents and landscaping is done throughout the summer. I was considering buying a villa in the villages, but I have to consider the expense of outside maintenance again. (I had a house on Long Island for 40 years before retiring to my condo). Also I am not sports oriented, so I'm afraid I would be out of place in the villages. I know there are over 3,000 clubs with indoor activities, but really how many clubs can one person join? Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you. Marvin

[MrFlorida]

I don't like being attached to another homeowner, I always worry about fire and loud disrespectful neighbors.