Lifestyle visit questions

[badkarma318]

I just read a recommendation on a 55+ real estate site that prospective visitors to The Villages should book their lifestyle visit at least a year in advance.

That seems a bit far out to me, but what were your experiences?

Did you try to book, and were told that the first availability was a year out, or was it only a few months? Less than that? Curious to hear the different stories/timelines.

[MrChip72]

Just call them. They're very helpful and no pressure. It won't be a year out.

[asianthree]

I just read a recommendation on a 55+ real estate site that prospective visitors to The Villages should book their lifestyle visit at least a year in advance.

That seems a bit far out to me, but what were your experiences?

Did you try to book, and were told that the first availability was a year out, or was it only a few months? Less than that? Curious to hear the different stories/timelines.

High season January, February and March will usually be booked 6 months or more. Most want to come during the busiest time of the year, and get away from the cold.

Summertime is usually never a problem, and have booked a week or two in advance. Summer is the time to visit to see if one can tolerate the heat. This past summer was brutal, it is our first and only summer in TV, and will be traveling north next summer for cooler weather

[dsgreen3]

I just read a recommendation on a 55+ real estate site that prospective visitors to The Villages should book their lifestyle visit at least a year in advance.

That seems a bit far out to me, but what were your experiences?

Did you try to book, and were told that the first availability was a year out, or was it only a few months? Less than that? Curious to hear the different stories/timelines.

We just booked in September for April, I originally called in May and was told not booking 2024
dates yet. They called me in September saying they were now booking for 2024.

[frayedends]

Summer may be slower, but we tried to book for August of this year back in June and there was nothing available. So you still may need to check in sooner.

[Bogie Shooter]

The folks at the Lifestyle office would have current info.

800-346-4556

[Blackbird45]

I don't know what a good timeline is to book your rental. But what you do have to take into account is that most good rental properties will have repeat renters. Which means the sooner you book the better off you will be.

[TheWarriors]

FYI, Summer isn’t brutal here, it’s hot, who would have thought?

[skippy05]

The reasonably priced Lifestyle Visit will locate you in the newer south portion where there is nowhere to shop, eat or see. Consider finding a North side AirBnB. Additionally, focus on looking at resales on this side. You'll be glad you did. Otherwise listen to all the naysayers replies to this sound advice.

[westernrider75]

The reasonably priced Lifestyle Visit will locate you in the newer south portion where there is nowhere to shop, eat or see. Consider finding a North side AirBnB. Additionally, focus on looking at resales on this side. You'll be glad you did. Otherwise listen to all the naysayers replies to this sound advice.

OMG, have you ever even been south of 44?

[PersonOfInterest]

The reasonably priced Lifestyle Visit will locate you in the newer south portion where there is nowhere to shop, eat or see. Consider finding a North side AirBnB. Additionally, focus on looking at resales on this side. You'll be glad you did. Otherwise listen to all the naysayers replies to this sound advice.

This is why Thousands of people buy homes South of 44.

[KendallW]

Our first trip down was 2 October s ago and stayed at the Brownwood Hotel for 3 days.We spent a day with the guides a d made it a quick trip...we booked it just a few weeks in advance. We rented a house for a month this last October from " rent from a villager" Headed back today to close on the home and the community we fell in love with while visiting. Guess it mostly depends on the accommodations aspect of the visit.

[Bogie Shooter]

The reasonably priced Lifestyle Visit will locate you in the newer south portion where there is nowhere to shop, eat or see. Consider finding a North side AirBnB. Additionally, focus on looking at resales on this side. You'll be glad you did. Otherwise listen to all the naysayers replies to this sound advice.

Really? It never stops.

[defrey12]

High season January, February and March will usually be booked 6 months or more. Most want to come during the busiest time of the year, and get away from the cold.

Summertime is usually never a problem, and have booked a week or two in advance. Summer is the time to visit to see if one can tolerate the heat. This past summer was brutal, it is our first and only summer in TV, and will be traveling north next summer for cooler weather

Yes, but it’s only brutal for about a month and half—July and August. You get used to it. You just have to become Floridians…doesn’t take long. Couple of years. Beats the expense of maintaining two homes, in my opinion. And not everyone can afford two homes.

[shut the front door]

I don't know what a good timeline is to book your rental. But what you do have to take into account is that most good rental properties will have repeat renters. Which means the sooner you book the better off you will be.

OP is not looking for a private rental. OP is inquiring about the Lifestyle visit (as noted in the subject line and first sentence).

[Dusty_Star]

This past summer was brutal, it is our first and only summer in TV, and will be traveling north next summer for cooler weather

I spent this past summer both here & up north & here was definitely better weather. It wasn't brutal, but up north was rainy, cold, & plagued by smoke from the Canadian wildfires - it was brutal.

[Justputt]

I just read a recommendation on a 55+ real estate site that prospective visitors to The Villages should book their lifestyle visit at least a year in advance.

That seems a bit far out to me, but what were your experiences?

Did you try to book, and were told that the first availability was a year out, or was it only a few months? Less than that? Curious to hear the different stories/timelines.

I booked for May right after the price drops to $99/night with maybe 1-2 months' notice. Not too hot, not too crowded, and easier to get around and look at TV and surrounding area. Be aware your lifestyle stay may be a long way from where you chose to build (if new), so gauge travel distance from any build site you like. My lifestyle was <5min by cart to the Paddock, my new house is 40min by cart. DO NOT buy any house without seeing it. We totally changed our model after looking at models in real life, and those locations close to amenities may be too close (e.g. pickleball courts are noisy), family pools may be noisy, highway can be noisy, power lines are ugly. Pay attention for the bonds for the area you pick, as some are as high as $72k/lot. Sit down with folks at the design place, if possible (they're busy, but your salesperson can be helpful on this too), to talk about what you can and can't do with a build, because it's not nearly what you would think. e.g. no cabinet style changes, no interior wall moves, not lighting location changes, no window changes, no option to not have textured walls, etc. TV is very much into cookie cutter, probably to speed build, so be very aware that many changes you may want to make when you build CANNOT be done, but not to worry, they have a group that specializes in remodeling your cookie cutter to your customizations, for a price, after you pay for the new house... Honestly, they build a pretty nice house, but be aware you are limited at the start, so choose wisely.

[Rzepecki]

FYI, Summer isn’t brutal here, it’s hot, who would have thought?

I agree 100%.

[villagetinker]

Now, if you want a specific time period, there are several hotels in the area that you may be able to rent for a week or so. You will lose out on the ability to get around in a golf cart, but you should be able to get a sales agent and look at the various neighborhoods. You will need 2 agents, one for the villages for NEW homes, and an MLS agent for resales.

[asianthree]

Yes, but it’s only brutal for about a month and half—July and August. You get used to it. You just have to become Floridians…doesn’t take long. Couple of years. Beats the expense of maintaining two homes, in my opinion. And not everyone can afford two homes.

Don’t have to get used to it. We were building in the summer so had to stay.

Actually we have two homes in TV, and up north our 5 bedroom family home, plus the Lake house, so have really good reasons to leave summers to those who need to adapt (which I have zero interest in) and sit on the beach with the sun setting over the lake, and no worry of a gator trying to join the bonfire. Then close up the lake house, go to family home to watch the start of fall colors. When first sparkling snow hits, close up that house head south

[BettyInFL]

I just read a recommendation on a 55+ real estate site that prospective visitors to The Villages should book their lifestyle visit at least a year in advance.

That seems a bit far out to me, but what were your experiences?

Did you try to book, and were told that the first availability was a year out, or was it only a few months? Less than that? Curious to hear the different stories/timelines.

We did a lifestyle (was near Brownwood several years ago). We had a 3 bedroom Patio home with a golf cart. They included Theater tickets and entrance to Championship golf course. There were a few other things to encourage to get out and about.

I would definitely suggest Lifestyle over trying to rent a BNB.

[asianthree]

We did a lifestyle (was near Brownwood several years ago). We had a 3 bedroom Patio home with a golf cart. They included Theater tickets and entrance to Championship golf course. There were a few other things to encourage to get out and about.

I would definitely suggest Lifestyle over trying to rent a BNB.

Our lifestyle in 2007 was patio villa, In Caroline, golf cart that did 20mph.
Two 18 on championship courses per person
Continental breakfast every morning at what is now Panera.
Two theater tickets
Tennis or passes for class
Dinner at Palmer CC
Dinner at KB’s
Lunch at Lopez

We only stayed 3 days. Developer no longer needs to offer such expensive perks.

Our oldest came for 2 day lifestyle, at Alden bungalow, instead of staying at one of our homes.

They decided staying at our house would have been better. The cart supplied top speed 14mph, by end of first day they stopped at our house, to retrieve one of our carts.

Conclusion if we didn’t own here they would AbnB, pick where one wants to stay, and normal speed golf cart.