Summer is a Great Time in The Villages

[Michael 61]

This is my first full-time summer here in The Villages (I visited several times last summer before buying this past December.). As a full-time resident, summer is very different than the winter here (and I'm not referring to the obvious weather and temperature difference). Though I love the temperate winter climate here, I'm also enjoying the summer "vibe" right now. My villa neighborhood is well over half empty (between snowbirds who have left and the many short-term rentals that aren't being occupied right now.) The restaurants are a breeze to get into with no wait. Seating is plentiful at the squares. Traffic is lighter. Parking at the shopping centers is easy. The congestion on the turnpike and I-75 is less. Hotel prices are slashed for short over-nights to beach communities.

And speaking of weather, it has not been a big issue at all (I was kinda worried I wouldn't be able to handle summers here). The AC makes indoors very comfortable. I am still spending time out on my screened birdcage (morning coffee and again at dusk). And summer has not curtailed my outdoor activities in the morning (pickle ball, golf, shuffleboard) and water volleyball in afternoons.

This truly is a great community in all seasons.

[coffeebean]

This is my first full-time summer here in The Villages (I visited several times last summer before buying this past December.). As a full-time resident, summer is very different than the winter here (and I'm not referring to the obvious weather and temperature difference). Though I love the temperate winter climate here, I'm also enjoying the summer "vibe" right now. My villa neighborhood is well over half empty (between snowbirds who have left and the many short-term rentals that aren't being occupied right now.) The restaurants are a breeze to get into with no wait. Seating is plentiful at the squares. Traffic is lighter. Parking at the shopping centers is easy. The congestion on the turnpike and I-75 is less. Hotel prices are slashed for short over-nights to beach communities.

And speaking of weather, it has not been a big issue at all (I was kinda worried I wouldn't be able to handle summers here). The AC makes indoors very comfortable. I am still spending time out on my screened birdcage (morning coffee and again at dusk). And summer has not curtailed my outdoor activities in the morning (pickle ball, golf, shuffleboard) and water volleyball in afternoons.

This truly is a great community in all seasons.

You are a great ambassador for our community.

[Laker14]

This is my first full-time summer here in The Villages (I visited several times last summer before buying this past December.). As a full-time resident, summer is very different than the winter here (and I'm not referring to the obvious weather and temperature difference). Though I love the temperate winter climate here, I'm also enjoying the summer "vibe" right now. My villa neighborhood is well over half empty (between snowbirds who have left and the many short-term rentals that aren't being occupied right now.) The restaurants are a breeze to get into with no wait. Seating is plentiful at the squares. Traffic is lighter. Parking at the shopping centers is easy. The congestion on the turnpike and I-75 is less. Hotel prices are slashed for short over-nights to beach communities.

And speaking of weather, it has not been a big issue at all (I was kinda worried I wouldn't be able to handle summers here). The AC makes indoors very comfortable. I am still spending time out on my screened birdcage (morning coffee and again at dusk). And summer has not curtailed my outdoor activities in the morning (pickle ball, golf, shuffleboard) and water volleyball in afternoons.

This truly is a great community in all seasons.

I am not there but I can feel the vibe as you describe it. When I was in college I attended two very large state universities (U of Cincinnati and Ohio State), and I lived slightly off campus and attended summer classes. It was great. Facilities built to handle 40 or 50 thousand students, with only 5 or 10 thousand on site. Small classes, nobody at the athletic facilities, or student union, and plenty of parking. At OSU, in particular, I still remember looking out my window on the Sunday night before Fall Semester would start, and my quiet, peaceful street would be bumper to bumper with parked cars. And I could feel my heart sink.
I'm sure it's a more gradual transition as we 'birds return a few at a time.

Enjoy the summer! I may be a full timer someday, but family and friends who I miss the 7 months I spend in TV, give me great motivation to return north for summers.

[MrFlorida]

You are correct, the summers here are my favorite for all the reasons that you mentioned.

[Carla B]

And, there's plenty of green, now that the rains have started!

[pauld315]

This is my first full-time summer here in The Villages (I visited several times last summer before buying this past December.). As a full-time resident, summer is very different than the winter here (and I'm not referring to the obvious weather and temperature difference). Though I love the temperate winter climate here, I'm also enjoying the summer "vibe" right now. My villa neighborhood is well over half empty (between snowbirds who have left and the many short-term rentals that aren't being occupied right now.) The restaurants are a breeze to get into with no wait. Seating is plentiful at the squares. Traffic is lighter. Parking at the shopping centers is easy. The congestion on the turnpike and I-75 is less. Hotel prices are slashed for short over-nights to beach communities.

And speaking of weather, it has not been a big issue at all (I was kinda worried I wouldn't be able to handle summers here). The AC makes indoors very comfortable. I am still spending time out on my screened birdcage (morning coffee and again at dusk). And summer has not curtailed my outdoor activities in the morning (pickle ball, golf, shuffleboard) and water volleyball in afternoons.

This truly is a great community in all seasons.

I agree. I really love summers here but ususally take some vacations in the winter to get out of the madness at that time of year. Funny, you buy a house in Florida to get away from winter but travel during the winter to get awayh from The Villages Vacation Club

[mikeycereal]

While these places are not in the villages, had a great time at the Butterfly museum in Gainesville a couple weeks ago. Not crowded was just right. Their little food restaurant was awesome.

Speaking of food a month ago after flower shopping we went to a restaurant for brunch called Cali, located in Tampa Palms, and the food there was heavenly.

Will be going back again to both places. Summer fun for sure!

[Rwirish]

Summer is the absolutely the best time of the year in TV for all the points made.

[villager7591]

Agree. LOVE the summers, especially the lack of crowds.

[NoMo50]

Agree. Summer is great for a lot of reasons, and especially the ease of getting tee times, and being able to play golf later. But, it's still June, with the hottest months yet to come. The summer heat arrived early this year, and the rains arrived late. However, both did arrive and it's all good. Green everywhere, ponds full, crowds gone...what's not to like?

[asianthree]

Our first start in TV was in 2007, once one retired have always went north starting in May, and didn’t return until October or November.

So is our first summer in TV. During high season, we find traffic much less than where we lived up north, that we chuckle at those who complain.

Summer traffic is less, but lawn companies make up the difference. We eat late, so seating isn’t a problem. Shopping never at brick and mortar, so that not any different in summer. The lighting is a nice backdrop

Heat is a serious problem for me, always has been. So having a hard time being outside, once the heat takes over I am basically useless. My spouse loves the heat, me never. So next year may return to heading north for spring, summer and watch the leaves start to turn.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

This is my first full-time summer here in The Villages (I visited several times last summer before buying this past December.). As a full-time resident, summer is very different than the winter here (and I'm not referring to the obvious weather and temperature difference). Though I love the temperate winter climate here, I'm also enjoying the summer "vibe" right now. My villa neighborhood is well over half empty (between snowbirds who have left and the many short-term rentals that aren't being occupied right now.) The restaurants are a breeze to get into with no wait. Seating is plentiful at the squares. Traffic is lighter. Parking at the shopping centers is easy. The congestion on the turnpike and I-75 is less. Hotel prices are slashed for short over-nights to beach communities.

And speaking of weather, it has not been a big issue at all (I was kinda worried I wouldn't be able to handle summers here). The AC makes indoors very comfortable. I am still spending time out on my screened birdcage (morning coffee and again at dusk). And summer has not curtailed my outdoor activities in the morning (pickle ball, golf, shuffleboard) and water volleyball in afternoons.

This truly is a great community in all seasons.

Darn! The secret is out! 😊

[sallyg]

Shhhh....it's a well-kept secret.

[Rick13994]

Completely agree. We generally go outside TV in the winter and do the activities and squares in the summer when it is less crowded.

[Flyers999]

I have to respectively disagree with the OP. For five months of the year, this place is unlivable. Yes, I've adjusted over the years, but I don't call "not going outside after 12 noon" adjusting. More like surviving. it's pure hell, the torture rack, Sodom and Gomorrah, the plague,... you get the picture.

The only thing I like about it is the fact that the crape myrtles are in bloom — giving us the sign that summer is here as the trees burst into bloom with huge, colorful flowers. That's some consolation, I guess. I snapped this picture of one the other day in Chathan (see below).

Anybody else have a picture of a crape myrtle in their village? I would love to see it.

[chuckpedrey]

I agree 100%. I grew up in a college town and summers there were really fun for kids because we had all the college sports facilities to ourselves. Great memories

[tombpot]

Don’t tell anyone

[eweissenbach]

I agree with the OP. We have come to TV for the winter months since 2010 renting for several years before buying a CYV in 2018. That year we decided to come in August to see how the summer suited us. People would ask, “why go to Florida in the summer?” I would answer, “summer in Kansas City can be even hotter on occasion and the humidity just as high”. We found summer to be everything that the OP mentioned, less traffic, shorter wait times, more accessibility for golf and other activities. We have since come every August and September and love it. We now have a designer home with a pool which makes the hot months even more inviting. See you soon!:MOJE_whot:

[Mcnuke]

Lovin’ Summer here.
We look forward to the various snowbird exit dates throughout March-April-May.

No more reservations/waiting & no traffic on MMP’s or roads. All Golf is easy to get.

Thanks everyone for paying yearlong Fees that only the full-timers enjoy in summer.

[Bilyclub]

This is my first full-time summer here in The Villages (I visited several times last summer before buying this past December.). As a full-time resident, summer is very different than the winter here (and I'm not referring to the obvious weather and temperature difference). Though I love the temperate winter climate here, I'm also enjoying the summer "vibe" right now. My villa neighborhood is well over half empty (between snowbirds who have left and the many short-term rentals that aren't being occupied right now.) The restaurants are a breeze to get into with no wait. Seating is plentiful at the squares. Traffic is lighter. Parking at the shopping centers is easy. The congestion on the turnpike and I-75 is less. Hotel prices are slashed for short over-nights to beach communities.

And speaking of weather, it has not been a big issue at all (I was kinda worried I wouldn't be able to handle summers here). The AC makes indoors very comfortable. I am still spending time out on my screened birdcage (morning coffee and again at dusk). And summer has not curtailed my outdoor activities in the morning (pickle ball, golf, shuffleboard) and water volleyball in afternoons.

This truly is a great community in all seasons.



Shhh... We like everybody to think summer sucks here.

[Nana2Teddy]

Our first start in TV was in 2007, once one retired have always went north starting in May, and didn’t return until October or November.

So is our first summer in TV. During high season, we find traffic much less than where we lived up north, that we chuckle at those who complain.

Summer traffic is less, but lawn companies make up the difference. We eat late, so seating isn’t a problem. Shopping never at brick and mortar, so that not any different in summer. The lighting is a nice backdrop

Heat is a serious problem for me, always has been. So having a hard time being outside, once the heat takes over I am basically useless. My spouse loves the heat, me never. So next year may return to heading north for spring, summer and watch the leaves start to turn.
I’m the same with heat. When we watch TV at night my hubs has sweat pants and long sleeves on because I need the AC at 72. I’m in shorts and sleeveless. I’d love to have a northern home to go to in summer, but we came from Calif and are full time. No home left in Calif, except our kids’ homes, but they don’t have room for us. We’ll be active outdoors after sundown or in the pools from now until November. We haven’t experienced FL heat beyond June yet, so I’m a bit worried to say the least, lol.

[Nana2Teddy]

I have to respectively disagree with the OP. For five months of the year, this place is unlivable. Yes, I've adjusted over the years, but I don't call "not going outside after 12 noon" adjusting. More like surviving. it's pure hell, the torture rack, Sodom and Gomorrah, the plague,... you get the picture.

The only thing I like about it is the fact that the crape myrtles are in bloom — giving us the sign that summer is here as the trees burst into bloom with huge, colorful flowers. That's some consolation, I guess. I snapped this picture of one the other day in Chathan (see below).

Anybody else have a picture of a crape myrtle in their village? I would love to see it.
We have a brand new home in DeLuna with a crepe myrtle in the front yard, but no blooms yet. We carted up to Allamanda recreation center today and noticed blooming crepe myrtles everywhere. I’m afraid of bees so don’t know if we’ll keep it along with the bottle brush in the front yard too, but we’ll see. They’re really purty. The yards that didn’t get crepe myrtles got Magnolia trees.

[xcaligirl]

This is my first full-time summer here in The Villages (I visited several times last summer before buying this past December.). As a full-time resident, summer is very different than the winter here (and I'm not referring to the obvious weather and temperature difference). Though I love the temperate winter climate here, I'm also enjoying the summer "vibe" right now. My villa neighborhood is well over half empty (between snowbirds who have left and the many short-term rentals that aren't being occupied right now.) The restaurants are a breeze to get into with no wait. Seating is plentiful at the squares. Traffic is lighter. Parking at the shopping centers is easy. The congestion on the turnpike and I-75 is less. Hotel prices are slashed for short over-nights to beach communities.

And speaking of weather, it has not been a big issue at all (I was kinda worried I wouldn't be able to handle summers here). The AC makes indoors very comfortable. I am still spending time out on my screened birdcage (morning coffee and again at dusk). And summer has not curtailed my outdoor activities in the morning (pickle ball, golf, shuffleboard) and water volleyball in afternoons.

This truly is a great community in all seasons.
I still miss the cool mornings and evenings in Lodi/Sacramento/Fair Oaks. Some summers I think I’m going to blow a fuse with constant heat but I look back at other issues in CA and I’m so happy I’m here! 😁. Hurricanes are “annoying@ and we never know what we’ll get but all in all, life is good!

[Michael 61]

I still miss the cool mornings and evenings in Lodi/Sacramento/Fair Oaks. Some summers I think I’m going to blow a fuse with constant heat but I look back at other issues in CA and I’m so happy I’m here! 😁. Hurricanes are “annoying@ and we never know what we’ll get but all in all, life is good!

Agree- California summer mornings were awesome - and in Lodi, we would get the delta breezes in the early evenings to cool things down a bit. - Great memories.

[xcaligirl]

We have a brand new home in DeLuna with a crepe myrtle in the front yard, but no blooms yet. We carted up to Allamanda recreation center today and noticed blooming crepe myrtles everywhere. I’m afraid of bees so don’t know if we’ll keep it along with the bottle brush in the front yard too, but we’ll see. They’re really purty. The yards that didn’t get crepe myrtles got Magnolia trees.
Crepe Myrtles are quite pretty but super messy! Just an FYI, most houses/villas need to get ARC approval to take out a tree in the front yard! Enjoy your summer and the days in the Villages! Welcome and love your attitude!!

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Maybe we need to start a ‘Summer is the Best Time of Year’ club?:2excited::2excited::2excited:

[rustyp]

Here in the Adirondacks today hit 80 degrees with moderate humidity. I had to stop building the new dock at 2 pm. I guess you frogs are correct. Activities in the morning - inside mid day. Now if I can only stop the heat going on at 6 am.

[Stu from NYC]

Whose fault is it when the temps go above 95 for most of the day. Great place but sometimes it is a wee too hot

[tophcfa]

So much wishing we could be at our Villages home right now. It’s nasty hot and humid at our place up north without all the luxuries we have available to us in the Villages. If we were in the Villages the heat would be way less of an issue, we would be swimming in our pool, enjoying our central air conditioning, playing uncrowned golf courses at reduced summer rates, and driving around in the golf cart with the windshield folded down and the wind blowing in our faces. What I wouldn’t give to be floating in our pool with a cold brew right now : ( Oh well, time to go walk the dog and get bitten by a few nasty horseflies and hope a tick doesn’t try to catch a ride on me.

[Battlebasset]

What I tell people is that "summer in Florida is like winter up north".

By that I mean is that during that three month period of June, July, and August, just like December January February up north, you curtail your time outside, and deal with extreme temperature.

The difference is:

1. We can get outside in the early morning and later evening. You can go days up north in the winter and never go outside.
2. We wear very little clothing. No bundling up either in or outside.
3. No matter how much sun/heat, I never have to shovel it off my driveway.
4. I have also never slipped on a patch of sunshine. Nor has my car.
5. Speaking of my car, it starts with ease. If it doesn't, I don't worry about freezing to death if I'm not near shelter.
6. I can go to the pool if it's too hot. If I am up north I can go to the...inside.

I'm sure I could think of more. But I will leave you with this truism:

The much recorded song "Summertime", the opening line is "Summertime and the liv'n is easy".

It's not "Wintertime, and the liv'n is easy".

[Normal]

The weather is of little concern for us. Even when it hits 98 at mid afternoon, we have things to do. We enjoy our early morning daybreak walks when temps are in the mid 70s, all indoor activities are AC cooled anyway.

[Bilyclub]

It's been pretty brutal the last 4 or 5 days on the pickleball courts, but there's always the little afternoon nap to bounce back.

[patfla06]

I love Summer here also for many of the reasons stated.

However, after living in Florida 25 years the only way I like Summer is out on my air conditioned Lanai!!

No golf cart riding for me in this weather.
I need air conditioning in my car around 72 degrees.