Workshops?

[pdnesbitt]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul

[CFrance]

You don't say what your price range is, but a premier model might suit your needs. Most of them have at least a three-car garage, and you could probably shoe-horn a golf cart in with the two cars.
Maybe someone with a premier could elaborate.

[pdnesbitt]

You don't say what your price range is, but a premier model might suit your needs. Most of them have at least a three-car garage, and you could probably shoe-horn a golf cart in with the two cars.
Maybe someone with a premier could elaborate.

Thank you for the quick response. My price range is probably $750k or so. I do see that some the premier homes listed have 4-car garages but I don’t see workshop spaces.

I just have to wonder, with the bulk of the TV population being in non-Premier homes, what do they all do for space. Do they just give up hobbies that require workshops when they retire?

[jdulej]

Thank you for the quick response. My price range is probably $750k or so. I do see that some the premier homes listed have 4-car garages but I don’t see workshop spaces.

I just have to wonder, with the bulk of the TV population being in non-Premier homes, what do they all do for space. Do they just give up hobbies that require workshops when they retire?

Short answer - yes. Longer answer - there are clubs for just about every activity you can imagine, and many have found space for workshops. The run-of-the-mill Designer house is very limited on extra space. If you can't dedicate one of the bedrooms for your hobby or convert part of the garage (including adding AC) then you might want to take up stamp collecting!

[Bogie Shooter]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul
Try calling the woodshop and ask your question.

Woodshop - Call for Info Hacienda Office Monitor 704 Oak Street villageswoodshop@embarqmail.com (352) 751-0513

[pdnesbitt]

Short answer - yes. Longer answer - there are clubs for just about every activity you can imagine, and many have found space for workshops. The run-of-the-mill Designer house is very limited on extra space. If you can't dedicate one of the bedrooms for your hobby or convert part of the garage (including adding AC) then you might want to take up stamp collecting!

Hahaha, thank! I don’t know about stamp collecting (been there done that), but there do seem to be a lot of other activities to try out

[Mortal1]

Rent a storage place(or two)and put your workshop in there. Any workshop that causes too much noise will not be allowed for very long. Living here means you must abide by their conditions. While some who live here seem to regret the conditions they moved into I believe many moved "because" of the conditions. Most for peace and quiet.

Some people rant and rave about the regs and rules, but they bought into this life style and can always move. So really look into what is banned...not okay. Aside....if you're thinking of a home business....that is questionable. Luck I love it here.

[DAVES]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul

I've seen homes advertised with four car garages. A 10 foot RC plane? I would expect it needs it's own bedroom. I had model RC planes many years ago. I wonder about servos that can move control surfaces that large as well as restrictions on where you can fly it.

Years ago I met a guy that bought a one bedroom apartment in New York city.
It was actually at one time the janitors closet. He and his brother , both skilled woodworkers built their own furniture. Stuff like tables that became chairs. Beds that became tables and the bathroom was in the middle of the living room.

Wife? My wife thinks my lathe and my table saw are a great place to put her over runs.

Space? No matter how much space you have, you will wish you had more. Least I do.

[vintageogauge]

Build a home with a 4-car garage and have them wall it any way you wish to use as a workshop, you will most likely have to be on a corner lot to get the 4-car garage so leave room for a mower and landscape tools. You will have to insulate the shop well and run a portable floor air conditioner or a mini-split (window air is not allowed) as it get's extremely hot in the garages, $750 should cover it with a nice sized designer on a interior lot. View or golf course lots might not fit into the budget with a finished work shop.

[pdnesbitt]

Rent a storage place(or two)and put your workshop in there. Any workshop that causes too much noise will not be allowed for very long. Living here means you must abide by their conditions. While some who live here seem to regret the conditions they moved into I believe many moved "because" of the conditions. Most for peace and quiet.

Some people rant and rave about the regs and rules, but they bought into this life style and can always move. So really look into what is banned...not okay. Aside....if you're thinking of a home business....that is questionable. Luck I love it here.

I hadn’t really thought about renting a space somewhere. I will look into that, thanks. Insofar as noise, I don’t usually make a lot of noise, and even when I do make a little, it is during the day.

It is interesting that you mention people moving to TV for the peace and quiet. We live on a lake now and we have nothing but peace and quiet. Too quiet, we need more activities.

Thanks again

[Bogie Shooter]

I hadn’t really thought about renting a space somewhere. I will look into that, thanks. Insofar as noise, I don’t usually make a lot of noise, and even when I do make a little, it is during the day.

It is interesting that you mention people moving to TV for the peace and quiet. We live on a lake now and we have nothing but peace and quiet. Too quiet, we need more activities.

Thanks again

Here ya go.:ho:

https://districtgov.org/images/ClubsListing.pdf

[John Mayes]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul

There’s a house, (Premier), near me. The owner designed a beautiful workshop into the plan. It’s 24x60. I drooled the first time I saw it. From the front, you’d never know it was a workshop. It looks like a 4 car garage from the street. The workshop is separated from the other two car garage with an interior wall and a man door. Awesome setup.

[Orvil]

On Top Of The World has an RC club with an area to run air craft, drones and other assorted rc things. I read a posting where a former Villages resident had moved to OTOTW in order to indulge in his hobby. They do sell fee simple homes in a couple of developments if leasehold bothers you.

[pdnesbitt]

There’s a house, (Premier), near me. The owner designed a beautiful workshop into the plan. It’s 24x60. I drooled the first time I saw it. From the front, you’d never know it was a workshop. It looks like a 4 car garage from the street. The workshop is separated from the other two car garage with an interior wall and a man door. Awesome setup.

24x60, WOW! I was thinking 12x20, but I guess it doesn’t hurt to dream big.

[pdnesbitt]

On Top Of The World has an RC club with an area to run air craft, drones and other assorted rc things. I read a posting where a former Villages resident had moved to OTOTW in order to indulge in his hobby. They do sell fee simple homes in a couple of developments if leasehold bothers you.

I am familiar with OTOTW. Nice, but not TV. Actually, having a place to fly isn’t the problem. There are actually several big RC clubs very close to TV.

[Blueblaze]

I feel your pain!

I can tell you from experience, renting a storage unit is not the answer. Apparently there's some dumb law here that prohibits electricity in a storage unit, to prevent people from living in them. You can't even have a light bulb.

There was a "Lantana" I wish I'd bought when we were looking. They had extended the golf cart garage an extra 20' to create a shop. The golf cart garage on that plan is just stuck onto the side, so there's room to extend it without touching the rest of the floor plan. Maybe you could find something like that or talk them into building you one.

It's weird. There are hundreds of car guys here. Where do they work on their cars?

If somebody opened a hobby garage business, they'd clean up. It's amazing that the "Developer" never thought of it. There actually is one down on 44, but it's $1500/mo, with a long waiting list.

[vintageogauge]

I hadn’t really thought about renting a space somewhere. I will look into that, thanks. Insofar as noise, I don’t usually make a lot of noise, and even when I do make a little, it is during the day.

It is interesting that you mention people moving to TV for the peace and quiet. We live on a lake now and we have nothing but peace and quiet. Too quiet, we need more activities.

Thanks again

Storage units don't have electricity available for tenants and don't have lighting either. However there are garages available with separate meters along with AC and restrooms but they are in the $900 range plus taxes and fees. All aboard storage as well as some other storage facilities have these available.

[Stu from NYC]

Leave one car in the driveway.

[pdnesbitt]

Storage units don't have electricity available for tenants and don't have lighting either. However there are garages available with separate meters along with AC and restrooms but they are in the $900 range plus taxes and fees. All aboard storage as well as some other storage facilities have these available.

Thank you

[pdnesbitt]

I feel your pain!

I can tell you from experience, renting a storage unit is not the answer. Apparently there's some dumb law here that prohibits electricity in a storage unit, to prevent people from living in them. You can't even have a light bulb.

There was a "Lantana" I wish I'd bought when we were looking. They had extended the golf cart garage an extra 20' to create a shop. The golf cart garage on that plan is just stuck onto the side, so there's room to extend it without touching the rest of the floor plan. Maybe you could find something like that or talk them into building you one.

It's weird. There are hundreds of car guys here. Where do they work on their cars?

If somebody opened a hobby garage business, they'd clean up. It's amazing that the "Developer" never thought of it. There actually is one down on 44, but it's $1500/mo, with a long waiting list.

That’s kinda what I was thinking; either find a house that they would add an extension or third garage, or have a house built with an extended third garage.

[frose]

don't waste your time here.. you really can't do anything creative in your garage. I know, i've tried.. people here just like to bitch. i wish they had some hobbies themselves just to stay out of everyone's business.. i'm out of here as soon as I can..

[jswirs]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul
We have a 2 car + golf cart garage EXTENDED by 4 feet deep and 2 feet wide. This is sufficient room for my carpentry tools / machines. I simply do most carpentry jobs in my driveway, or, at the very edge of my garage (where the door comes down), keeping the majority of sawdust outside.
Works for me!

[pdnesbitt]

We have a 2 car + golf cart garage EXTENDED by 4 feet deep and 2 feet wide. This is sufficient room for my carpentry tools / machines. I simply do most carpentry jobs in my driveway, or, at the very edge of my garage (where the door comes down), keeping the majority of sawdust outside.
Works for me!

Thank you

[NoMo50]

While living in the Villages provides countless opportunities to stay active, some sacrifices do need to be made. Extra space is certainly one of them. Those who came from locales with basements know all about that. In our prior home, I had my dream workshop, which was primarily for woodworking. Fortunately, I was able to satisfy my addiction by joining the woodworking club (yes...the Villages Woodshop is certainly better than what I had). But, I have also been able to carve out sufficient space within our 3-car garage for a serviceable workshop space. You just have to be a little creative.

I have a neighbor who had his home built, and he has a six car garage (yeah...you read that right). His home has a "standard" four car garage, but one of the garages is double deep. That is his workshop, and gives him about 400 sq ft of work space. You would, however, have to find a lot that would accommodate such a plan.

With a little forethought and planning, I'm sure you can find or build something that will satisfy most, but maybe not all, of your needs/wants. Another thing to keep in mind: once you move here, you will likely find so many things to occupy your time that you won't be spending near as much "free time" doing things you used to do. I know that was certainly the case for me. Good Luck on your search, and welcome to The Villages in advance!

[b0bd0herty]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you


Paul

I've seen one house (a designer I think) have his far bay on a 3 car garage extended the length of the house. Probably 60 feet or so. I'd recommend talking to your agent about this possibility.

[egmcaninch]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul

Working through real estate agent, Nanette Tollison, my brother-in-law had a house built in the Village of Linden with a 4 car garage. One bay of the garage is his wood working shop. Plenty of room! :welcome:

[Catalina36]

Perhaps you can purchase a new home with a extension room added for your workshop??

[DaleDivine]

don't waste your time here.. you really can't do anything creative in your garage. I know, i've tried.. people here just like to bitch. i wish they had some hobbies themselves just to stay out of everyone's business.. i'm out of here as soon as I can..

WOW, you really picked the wrong neighborhood to move into...
I know several people that have workshops in their garages and neighbors have never complained...
Maybe TV lifestyle just isn't for you.
:ohdear::ohdear::bigbow:

[Weeone]

We have a large Air Condition and insulated 3 car garage for sale on the village web. Check our VLS 233854.

[cwnavy1]

In my small neighborhood, we have one fellow with a 3 car garage who converted one bay for a wood shop. He has everything including AC and a huge vacuum system. Another guy here just added a room on the Back of his garage out of block, with its own AC.

I also noticed in the new village going in below the Red Fox golf course in Fenney, many designers under construction with 4 car garages. I was amazed; I suppose lots of car guys on the way.

[Spepper]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul

There are rental units with electricity and some with a/c. There are some near my hobby shop just 8 minutes from Morse and 44 in Leesburg. Call Boyd Rentals to inquire.

[beckylou152]

You have a nice price range to look at! I think you could accomplish this easily by extending the golf cart garage or third car garage. You may need to build your own home to get it just right with insulation and climate control. You seem like a really friendly person and I would bet you would love it here. If you haven’t been for a visit come down and make sure to visit the model homes. Some of those have extra rooms that could give you some ideas.

[riga618]

Thank you for the quick response. My price range is probably $750k or so. I do see that some the premier homes listed have 4-car garages but I don’t see workshop spaces.

I just have to wonder, with the bulk of the TV population being in non-Premier homes, what do they all do for space. Do they just give up hobbies that require workshops when they retire?

You just have to use your imagination and make your own workshop in a oversized garage, use a lot of good built ins and get some professional help with that.

[arlenewinters]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over
100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul

I have such a house (with a workshop) that just went on the market (yesterday). Please email me at twinters50@me.com.

Tom

[HORNET]

Buy outside of The Villages or remain seated. It’s not fair to neighbors to hear saws running. I know that I wouldn’t

[72lions]

There’s a house, (Premier), near me. The owner designed a beautiful workshop into the plan. It’s 24x60. I drooled the first time I saw it. From the front, you’d never know it was a workshop. It looks like a 4 car garage from the street. The workshop is separated from the other two car garage with an interior wall and a man door. Awesome setup.

And it’s value is now likely $7K

[edd.wade]

In the new construction some have a couple of 2 car garages. One for sale had three 2 car garages.

[KRMACK55]

I hadn’t really thought about renting a space somewhere. I will look into that, thanks. Insofar as noise, I don’t usually make a lot of noise, and even when I do make a little, it is during the day.

It is interesting that you mention people moving to TV for the peace and quiet. We live on a lake now and we have nothing but peace and quiet. Too quiet, we need more activities.

Thanks again
You’re so young to move here and become part of group think. You will miss that lake. Why not look at real estate outside the bubble ? Get a realtor to find a place, actually work for a client? Building in TV is taking forever

[rsmurano]

It will take 6 months or longer to get into the woodshops here, we are on the list and it’s going to be at least that long. Why can’t you use part of the garage? I have many tools and I use 1 bay. I’ve seen houses with 5 car garages here

[bobeaston]

Yes! Set up a workshop in a bay of your garage. Don't worry about the grump who doesn't want to hear a saw running. You'll likely make less noise than the people who mow his lawn.

There are a lot of 4 car garages being built these days. Watch for one with deep bays.

We lucked into a house with a 3 car garage that had deeper bays; all were 24', and one of those is now my woodworking workshop. Of course, my woodworking is mostly with hand tools, no table saw or other power tools. I've found plenty of room in that bay for the workshop, a pair of 16' kayaks and a pair of recumbent trikes (which actually take more space than the golf cart we neither have nor want).

Another possibility that I haven't seen mentioned is one I saw in a previously owned home. The owner had glassed in their large lanai and turned it into a substantial crafts work room. (A quilter in that instance.) ...and if you still want outside space after enclosing a lanai, and your lot is large enough, you could add a patio with a birdcage.

There's always a way to find enough space. Best wishes in finding the home that works for you.

[GregG7]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul

I also like building and flying large RC planes, as well as doing wood working. When we had our house built, we extended the garage. So I use the golf cart garage as my workshop. I never had a huge workshop back up north, so I got used to working in a slightly confined space. It sounds as if you like to have a LOT of room to work, so maybe a golf cart garage wouldn't be large enough for you.
The biggest problem I ran into was where to store the large RC planes. Up north I had 10' ceilings in the garage, and I used a rope/pulley system to hoist the planes up near the ceiling in the garage. My house in TV only has an 8' ceiling in the garage, so I can't store planes by hanging them from the ceiling in the garage.
If I do woodworking, I like to move out to the driveway to keep the sawdust out of the garage, so that reduces the amount of space required in the garage.

[pdnesbitt]

There are rental units with electricity and some with a/c. There are some near my hobby shop just 8 minutes from Morse and 44 in Leesburg. Call Boyd Rentals to inquire.

Cool, thanks! You have a hobby shop?

[Petersweeney]

Purchased a beginner RC plane years ago - put it all together - and brought it to the RC club field - one of the “members” offered to help with my first flight - 30 seconds after liftoff he flew it into a thorny brush area and it couldn’t be retrieved. Moral of the story - none.

[ThirdOfFive]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul
I was in the same boat when we moved here some time back. I had been an avid woodworker back in Minnesota and had accumulated some really good equipment over the years; stuff that it was painful to have to sell. But, realistically, what was perfectly OK in a Minnesota garage would be a real issue in a lot of the neighborhoods here: a 12 1/2" plane makes quite a racket, as does a full-sized table saw, etc., to say nothing of the noise your dust-collection system would be making also.

But there is woodworking, and then there is woodworking. Refinishing a table is not as noisy as building one and can be profitable at the same time. One of those mini-lathes to build fancy fountain pens is something I am considering as well: There is a Rockler store in Altamonte Springs and if it anything like the Rockler store that I used to haunt back in Minnesota they sell exotic wood blanks specifically for that purpose. Decorative hand-carving is another thing one could get into. Lots of stuff you can do at home that won't rouse the ire of your neighbors.

Then there are The Villages woodworking shops (two now, I think) where you can indulge your hobby with their equipment; all it costs is one day of volunteer time every so often serving as a monitor or something like that. I'm thinking about doing that: my wife wants a standalone pantry and it would be a lot cheaper to build than to buy.

[Luggage]

Solution is to buy two homes . One for the workshop the other to live in.

[Fastskiguy]

Building is a good option or cutting down to 1 car and 1 golf car, converting the other car garage bay to the shop. Or...as mentioned above, one car stays in the garage. Or one bedroom of a 3 bedroom house gets used as a shop. In crazy moments I've thought....I should just buy the cottage home across the street from our designer for the space.

But yeah, getting by with less space is a bit of a problem for those of us with a ton of hobbies. Simplification of your lifestyle does have some upsides though. Ultimately everything needs to "earn" its space in these "small" homes.

Joe

[Spepper]

Cool, thanks! You have a hobby shop?

Auto hobby shop. 40 x 80 warehouse actually.

[jimjamuser]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul
The idea is to have small lots so that there is MORE house density and thus more profits. So, they throw you a bone for woodworking and have a special warehouse and club for that. Plus with small lots and not too many shrubs on each lot, the noise from the screeching, high-frequency, high-volume sounds emitted from wood saws and other power tools would become annoying to neighbors. It, basically, goes back to SMALL lots for BIG profits!

[OhioBuckeye]

My wife and I are seriously considering moving the The Villages. We have looked at dozens and dozens of listed homes but none of them seem to have anything like workshops. With way over 100k residents and lots of clubs, like RC and woodworking, that require some place to work what does everyone do for a workshop?

For background, I am an avid RC modeler and build and fly planes as big as 10’ or more. In addition I love to occasionally do some woodworking. That said, I need a space big enough for work benches, power tools, painting, etc… It doesn’t have to be a huge space but it needs to be a couple hundred square feet or so.

I know I could probably convert one bay of a garage, but I would still need two bays for cars and one for a golf cart. That would mean a 4-car garage. It that what others do?

Thank you

Paul

If you’re NOT in a hurry to move to TV you might find something but if you’re in a hurry, TV has a woodworking shop to go to but there is a small fee. There are homes that have work shops but I’m sure they’ll be bigger homes that have workshops & might be a while before you find a home that has a shop in it. I had a shop in my home but it was in my golf cart garage & very cramped. Otherwise I would buy a home with a 3 car garage & make a workshop the way you want it.

[cherylncliff]

Thank you for the quick response. My price range is probably $750k or so. I do see that some the premier homes listed have 4-car garages but I don’t see workshop spaces.

I just have to wonder, with the bulk of the TV population being in non-Premier homes, what do they all do for space. Do they just give up hobbies that require workshops when they retire?

I am an avid woodworker. We have a stretched, 2 car garage and golf cart garage on a Lily. I have a table saw, band saw on a table, free-standing drill press, router table, chop saw on a table and a work bench in the garage and golf cart areas. I have made furniture as well as children's toys. I do need to sometimes move the car or golf cart outside to allow enough space. It does get rather warm in the summer and a little chilly in the winter. Although not ideal it works and is convenient vs going to the woodshop.

[Mschmalzsr]

I only have a two car garage, so I pull out one car. My work top is on wheels. My tools are in, or on top of cabinets hanging on the wall. I used to fly r/c, they have a good club. Contact them and get there input.

[Bill Pruett]

Be aware garages here come in a variety of sizes. Ours is smaller than our neighbor's. Ours holds two medium size cars and a golf cart, and has room for a handy fix-it work bench left over. Fine for me. But my neighbor's garage is the one you want to have. It holds two cars and two golf carts, and still has room left over for his wood-working and painting hobbies. He also added a separate code-approved air conditioning unit.

[Stu from NYC]

The idea is to have small lots so that there is MORE house density and thus more profits. So, they throw you a bone for woodworking and have a special warehouse and club for that. Plus with small lots and not too many shrubs on each lot, the noise from the screeching, high-frequency, high-volume sounds emitted from wood saws and other power tools would become annoying to neighbors. It, basically, goes back to SMALL lots for BIG profits!

Wow glad to see you like it here.

[Briand]

I hadn’t really thought about renting a space somewhere. I will look into that, thanks. Insofar as noise, I don’t usually make a lot of noise, and even when I do make a little, it is during the day.

It is interesting that you mention people moving to TV for the peace and quiet. We live on a lake now and we have nothing but peace and quiet. Too quiet, we need more activities.

Thanks again
I help to build sets for a couple of theater groups here in The Villages and we rent a ‘storage’ unit which has has electricity but no A/C with water available too. We have fairly sophisticated woodworking tools and a large area for painting and storage - AND no neighbors!
At home, I personally have built a Silversmithing and Lapidary workshop in what is supposed to be a golf-cart garage (never used as such - we keep our car and golf cart under our covered carport) - we are on the ‘historic’ side of T.V. My painting Art studio is a third of our lanai with picture windows overlooking Lake Paradise. You can ‘make do’ with very little space here as the equipment for most creative activities is stored at the Rec Centers.

[pdnesbitt]

Purchased a beginner RC plane years ago - put it all together - and brought it to the RC club field - one of the “members” offered to help with my first flight - 30 seconds after liftoff he flew it into a thorny brush area and it couldn’t be retrieved. Moral of the story - none.

Sorry to hear that. I guess not all “instructors” are equally competent.

[curler1]

I am aware of some that use storage areas (commercial storage units). Some have climate controls some do not. Also power needs to be investigated.

[jimjamuser]

Wow glad to see you like it here.
Yes, thank you, I love it here! A man can LOVE his wife or a woman her husband. But the woman might wish that her husband were taller, weighed a little less, and was more considerate about sharing housecleaning tasks. So, the woman asks for help from her friends. One suggests that they should jog as a couple together. Another suggests that the husband and wife join the MVP gym. Another suggests taking a couples' class that is about EMPATHY. .............the main point is that they LOVE each other, yet they may still need to improve themselves in various ways.

Another way to look at this is that nothing is PERFECT.......not even something that you may LOVE. I LOVE TV Land and find it about 95% PERFECT. I write to criticize it to expose that 5% that still needs IMPROVEMENT. Something can NOT be IMPROVED without 1st stating WHAT the problem is!!! Thank you!

[ChowBoss]

Hahaha, thank! I don’t know about stamp collecting (been there done that), but there do seem to be a lot of other activities to try out
There are two woodshops in TV that you can use.

[JerryLBell]

I've seen a couple of houses in the Conservation Village in The Villages that would be right up your alley. One is at 751 Krietemeyer Path and has a 2-car garage, a golf cart garage, a garage apparently big enough for a pretty large RV and another garage somewhere between a car and an RV that would make a great workshop. Too bad the Zillow estimate on the place is roughly a million bucks higher than what your budget is (and even further out of my own budget). Still, one can dream.

We toured On Top of the World before buying in The Villages. The houses were well-built and very energy-efficient but (to me) laid out a little weirdly and really didn't give you any more room that the houses in The Villages. I did see their RC Airplane field (like all the other facilities we saw there, nobody was using it at the time) but didn't see where folks worked on their planes. I've seen RC planes flying in a field just off Rolling Acres Rd to the East of Lake Sumter Landing. It's outside of The Villages and so is probably not a Villages club, but may be open to new members.

But seriously, folks in retirement communities usually either give up on their space-consuming hobbies or try to find groups to share the overhead with in the form of clubs and such. Yards are way too small for 99% of the houses to add a workshop to once you've bought.

[JerryLBell]

There are two woodshops in TV that you can use.
Be aware that these woodshops are for members-only, that they are extremely popular and that there is usually a lengthy waiting list to become a member. Having toured the original, I was totally impressed with the facilities and all the good work the members do for the surrounding communities and for the military.

[Ghat724@gmail.com]

There are two fulky equipped woodworking shops, clubs, coops in The Villages that can handle large projects.
Check them out!

[DAVES]

While living in the Villages provides countless opportunities to stay active, some sacrifices do need to be made. Extra space is certainly one of them. Those who came from locales with basements know all about that. In our prior home, I had my dream workshop, which was primarily for woodworking. Fortunately, I was able to satisfy my addiction by joining the woodworking club (yes...the Villages Woodshop is certainly better than what I had). But, I have also been able to carve out sufficient space within our 3-car garage for a serviceable workshop space. You just have to be a little creative.

I have a neighbor who had his home built, and he has a six car garage (yeah...you read that right). His home has a "standard" four car garage, but one of the garages is double deep. That is his workshop, and gives him about 400 sq ft of work space. You would, however, have to find a lot that would accommodate such a plan.

With a little forethought and planning, I'm sure you can find or build something that will satisfy most, but maybe not all, of your needs/wants. Another thing to keep in mind: once you move here, you will likely find so many things to occupy your time that you won't be spending near as much "free time" doing things you used to do. I know that was certainly the case for me. Good Luck on your search, and welcome to The Villages in advance!

I can't help my weird humor. The story of Noah's arc, I think it says his neighbors thought he was a fool. Manure? You are going to pick up after those elephants The villages had not yet been built. Lumber surely cost far less.
Space? I miss my basement. Here it would quickly be an indoor swimming pool.

[Jim1mack]

Rent a space from a storage company.

[buzzy]

pdnesbitt,

I hope you come here. A three car garage would work for you. Maybe even a 2 car plus golf cart garage, if you only put one car and a cart in it. I have an oversize 2 car size, and the whole outside wall is workbenches. I have seen giant models hanging from ropes & pulleys, but height is an issue. I have twenty or so models of 4-5 foot span, some hanging and some on roll-about racks. Another ten race boats on wall shelves. I just put in a mini-split air conditioner, and it's wonderful.

The Villages has a beautiful flying site on the polo grounds, but only for electric powered models. For giant scale and IMAC stuff there is a small mixed power club just outside The Villages, and another very big club in Ocala.

[bobeaston]

Something else to consider while shopping for a home...

Assuming you hang your planes from ceilings, some homes are better suited for that. It seems a majority of homes here are built with 8 foot outer walls. This leaves indoor ceilings that often are arched or include vaulted details. However, there are some that are built with 10 foot high outer walls and have absolutely flat ceilings, both in interior rooms and the garages.

As you browse the homefinder site, pay attention to the model of the home and look for those that include a "-10." For example, ours is a Lantana-10, a 10 foot tall version of the Lantana design, and has a lot of extra air space for those planes.

[pdnesbitt]

pdnesbitt,

I hope you come here. A three car garage would work for you. Maybe even a 2 car plus golf cart garage, if you only put one car and a cart in it. I have an oversize 2 car size, and the whole outside wall is workbenches. I have seen giant models hanging from ropes & pulleys, but height is an issue. I have twenty or so models of 4-5 foot span, some hanging and some on roll-about racks. Another ten race boats on wall shelves. I just put in a mini-split air conditioner, and it's wonderful.

The Villages has a beautiful flying site on the polo grounds, but only for electric powered models. For giant scale and IMAC stuff there is a small mixed power club just outside The Villages, and another very big club in Ocala.

20 planes and 10 boats; awesome! Sounds like you are as addicted as I am. I probably have 20 planes, ranging from small electric to 35% scale and a seaplane and heli (I used to be really big into helis). I only have one boat; a fairly nice sailboat. Cars, check and of course a drone. The later two are just something I had to try, not really my passion.

[bobeaston]

Then, ...after you find a home with enough garage space for your workshop, here are 4 improvements I've found helpful for my shop:

1. The first improvement is a floor coating that makes it easier to keep clean than just bare concrete. I chose a polyaspartic coating that is tougher and more durable than epoxy. Find it by searching for Liquid Floors. There is a franchise near here that does a lot of floors in The Villages. Talk with Amy at (352) 518- 0855. Superb work!

2. My garage has dark chocolate colored doors that really soak up sunlight and radiate huge amounts of heat inward. I insulated the insides of the door with a high R-value insulation from "US Energy Products (https://www.usenergyproducts.com/collections/garage-door-kit-1)" that dramatically lessons heat radiation inside.

3. Keeping garage doors open allows good air flow most of the time, but also good insect flow, not to mention good visibility for anyone passing by. Screens solve all of those problems. My screens are electric roll-up roll-down screens that are white. During the day, someone outside doesn't see much of what is inside. Different story in darkness hours. Added bonus. Keeping the screens down even when the garage doors are down hides my dark chocolate doors from the sun, resulting in even less heat radiation. I got my screens from Rick at "RK Sunshades." (352) 430-4430

4. A ceiling fan from "The Solar Guys" is good for pulling air in from outside and pushing it through the attic (and the roof vents) offering a bit more heat relief. (866) 641-1963

BTW, I get no compensation from any of these vendors for mentioning their products, but am simply delighted with their products and their installation services.