Lifestyle Visit this spring.. Not golfers (yet)..

[Will.S]

We are not golfers... well not until we watched the video on "Pitch & Putt" that looks fun to both of us... We are considering the move for the amenities, the type of socializing we like, clubs, and rec center activities. We maybe looking at this backwards not looking for a house first... But we already have a nice house, so we just dont want to trade one nice house & move for another nice house..It really is the community and the closeness to activities we like is our main reasons we want to relocate. I have had homes in 2 golf communities before & I got looks like WHAT, You dont golf ?. I just dont think my back & knees could take it..I digress. We watch videos everyday to see all the Rec centers & squares to find what we really like.. Sumter Landing seems to have mature trees and landscaping, the quick food, drinks and small shops, the evening dance music & festivals that interest us. So with the development moving south, after our first visit- when its hot, and we are agree with ourselves that is where we want to be- we will start looking for homes just a little south of Sumter Landing maybe in the Virginia Trace or Sunset Pointe areas. Then a winter 2nd visit when it is crowded possible to look around again or buy a home. Wherever we end up.... The beaches & fishing are my hidden agendas for moving..and if I remember my visit to Orlando.... y'all have cleaner air. :)

[Randall55]

I think you are on the right track. Buy a home that suits your lifestyle. That is the key! Purchasing a home and then trying to fit in can be complicated. This is one of the reasons many Villagers move an average of 3 times. We moved to the southern area for a few years. Recently, we moved back to the Northern area. Our life is MUCH better because we are surrounded by people and places that fit our preferred lifestyle. The Villages offers something for EVERYONE. You simply have to find your happy place.

[kkingston57]

We are not golfers... well not until we watched the video on "Pitch & Putt" that looks fun to both of us... We are considering the move for the amenities, the type of socializing we like, clubs, and rec center activities. We maybe looking at this backwards not looking for a house first... But we already have a nice house, so we just dont want to trade one nice house & move for another nice house..It really is the community and the closeness to activities we like is our main reasons we want to relocate. I have had homes in 2 golf communities before & I got looks like WHAT, You dont golf ?. I just dont think my back & knees could take it..I digress. We watch videos everyday to see all the Rec centers & squares to find what we really like.. Sumter Landing seems to have mature trees and landscaping, the quick food, drinks and small shops, the evening dance music & festivals that interest us. So with the development moving south, after our first visit- when its hot, and we are agree with ourselves that is where we want to be- we will start looking for homes just a little south of Sumter Landing maybe in the Virginia Trace or Sunset Pointe areas. Then a winter 2nd visit when it is crowded possible to look around again or buy a home. Wherever we end up.... The beaches & fishing are my hidden agendas for moving..and if I remember my visit to Orlando.... y'all have cleaner air. :)

Lifestyle visits are geared for new construction. They have very little incentive to show you the established mature areas. In fact their agents can only sell properties they list. If you have an interest in buying a re-sell you will need to get an MLS agent involved.

[Will.S]

Agreed... BUT accommodations AND a Cart for $99 bucks a day cant be beat.. Plus having our car we can cover alot of areas in 5 days. After the 2nd visit in Tourist season and we are sure TV fits us THEN we will start looking at individual houses.


Lifestyle visits are geared for new construction. They have very little incentive to show you the established mature areas. In fact their agents can only sell properties they list. If you have an interest in buying a re-sell you will need to get an MLS agent involved.

[Laker14]

Agreed... BUT accommodations AND a Cart for $99 bucks a day cant be beat.. Plus having our car we can cover alot of areas in 5 days. After the 2nd visit in Tourist season and we are sure TV fits us THEN we will start looking at individual houses.

You also have the option of renting in different areas, for longer periods of time, to see how those areas suit your needs.

[Papa_lecki]

We thought we wanted to buy in LSL. We rented near there a few times (in Virginia Trace). Ended up buying by Brownwood.

Take your time, visit, and spend time if different areas.

[ThirdOfFive]

Sounds like you are doing it right; planning to experience not only different areas but different times of the year. Even though the physical surroundings are similar, January compared to July in TV are very different.

To be honest though, our favorite season here is the hot one. Fewer people, tee times easier to get (even though you don't golf now, it may be a consideration in the future), little or no problem getting into your favorite restaurants, less crowded in the evenings at the squares, etc. Don't get me wrong. It's all good. But summers IMO are just a bit better.

[Marathon Man]

We thought we wanted to buy in LSL. We rented near there a few times (in Virginia Trace). Ended up buying by Brownwood.

Take your time, visit, and spend time if different areas.

Great advice.

[Laker14]

Many of the villages, IMO, are interchangeable as far as the lifestyle experience. Especially between 466 and 466A. The differences between Largo, Duval, Poinciana, St. Charles are small, if they exist at all. This is probably also true of many of the villages north of 466, and south of 466A, although since I haven't lived or rented in those areas I can't personally speak to that.
Where, I think, things get quite different is south of 44. Not better, not worse, but different.

IMO from what I've seen of The Villages' marketing, they stress in their advertising all of the things the newer areas have that don't exist north of 44, which are the pitch and putts, more walking and biking trails, and a variety of unique recreational opportunities available at various rec centers. What they don't explain in their marketing is the things that are really handy via golf cart north of 44, that are remote in the new areas: proximity to golf, or the squares being two obvious examples. Not only do they not emphasize the disparity, they show videos that make it appear that the lifestyle includes all of the benefits of the northern areas, PLUS all of the new stuff in the southern areas, when in fact it would be more honest and truthful to explain that it's a bit of a trade-off.

[JMintzer]

Lifestyle visits are geared for new construction. They have very little incentive to show you the established mature areas. In fact their agents can only sell properties they list. If you have an interest in buying a re-sell you will need to get an MLS agent involved.

Villages agents can show plenty of re-sales, as long as they are listed on The Villages site...

But yes, getting an MLS agent as well can be helpful...

[Rwirish]

Good plan, come different seasons and long over a year or two period. Don’t buy on emotion like many do.

Final piece of advise, avoid most areas south of 44 especially along the turnpike.

[NoMo50]

Sounds like you are doing it right; planning to experience not only different areas but different times of the year. Even though the physical surroundings are similar, January compared to July in TV are very different.

To be honest though, our favorite season here is the hot one. Fewer people, tee times easier to get (even though you don't golf now, it may be a consideration in the future), little or no problem getting into your favorite restaurants, less crowded in the evenings at the squares, etc. Don't get me wrong. It's all good. But summers IMO are just a bit better.

Absolutely agree. While the weather here from November to May is generally fantastic, the lack of crowds in the warmer months trumps it. In fact, we tend to steer clear of the popular venues during snowbird season...they are simply too crowded for our taste.

[NoMo50]

Lifestyle visits are geared for new construction. They have very little incentive to show you the established mature areas. In fact their agents can only sell properties they list. If you have an interest in buying a re-sell you will need to get an MLS agent involved.

But remember...a Lifestyle Visit does not require one to spend any time with a sales agent if you choose not to. Plus, there is nothing wrong with stipulating that you are only interested in resales, or properties in a certain area. The better plan of attack, once ready to start a house hunt, is to have both a VLS and an MLS agent working for you.

[Susan1717]

Definitely get a real MLS agent! The Villages agents aren’t licensed MLS agents so do not have to abide by the state laws. They have their own agenda to push and it’s for the villages development not for you. I had a horrible experience with them and felt really taken advantage of. The MLS agents there know as much about the area and will listen to your needs and not push theirs.

[KendallW]

We are not golfers either but like you we will likely buy the clubs and pitch and putt. We rented a month in Fenney with really not knowing much about the area...We loved it and bought in McClure, short cart ride to Brownwood, magnolia shopping and several nice rec centers. Much more building south east port and easier access to Sawgrass.

[Altavia]

Does anyone know where they are putting the Lifestyle visitors?

Last I heard it was near Sawgrass?

[SHIBUMI]

If you want a real feel of the villages, take that golf car out for 8 hours and tour the Villages on the ground, not in your car. It is a different view of reality and areas.

[RRGuyNJ]

We are not golfers... well not until we watched the video on "Pitch & Putt" that looks fun to both of us... We are considering the move for the amenities, the type of socializing we like, clubs, and rec center activities. We maybe looking at this backwards not looking for a house first... But we already have a nice house, so we just dont want to trade one nice house & move for another nice house..It really is the community and the closeness to activities we like is our main reasons we want to relocate. I have had homes in 2 golf communities before & I got looks like WHAT, You dont golf ?. I just dont think my back & knees could take it..I digress. We watch videos everyday to see all the Rec centers & squares to find what we really like.. Sumter Landing seems to have mature trees and landscaping, the quick food, drinks and small shops, the evening dance music & festivals that interest us. So with the development moving south, after our first visit- when its hot, and we are agree with ourselves that is where we want to be- we will start looking for homes just a little south of Sumter Landing maybe in the Virginia Trace or Sunset Pointe areas. Then a winter 2nd visit when it is crowded possible to look around again or buy a home. Wherever we end up.... The beaches & fishing are my hidden agendas for moving..and if I remember my visit to Orlando.... y'all have cleaner air. :)

We did a Lifestyle Visit last September for 7 days. We went to open houses but was really there to visit good friends and see what it was really all about.
Then we did the entire month of January in DeLuna to see how bad the crowds were. It's not as bad as they make it out to be. But then we are originally from Jersey. Here again, it was more a get away and a chance to visit good friends. Now, the wife would like to go in August for a month to experience the HEAT. We're in NC now and I can tell you it will be HOT! Just like it is in NC.
As for me, I have almost no intention of moving there. Too much $$ for me and a little too crowded as far as house spacing. Also, being somewhat disabled I can't jump in on a lot of the activities. Now, my wife would probably be selling off all our stuff tomorrow and have a sign on the house by the end of the week.
Over all, I think you're definitely on the right track. Don't rush, stay at different times of the year for more than a week if you can. Don't fall for the story that new builds are cheaper either. They may be cheaper, but does the comparable preowned already have landscaping upgrades, epoxy garage floors, plantation shutters or upgragded counter tops and backsplash etc? Add all that up and you may find a preowned that is comparable to a new build.
I will admit, since we have been back here in NC, I do miss the pristine landscaping and the lack of trash along the roads. Out here in the country, you definitely have to do that for yourself because no one else will. Good luck with your search!

[Justputt]

You are on the right track with multiple visits to different areas. If you are not golfers, that opens up a lot of opportunities. The South is somewhat starved for real golf courses (18 hole), cart rides to real golf courses are long, and tee times are challenging with a population of 151k. Living near Town Squares can be nice for a quick ride to hear music at night, but I suspect you'd be more in the "rental zone" where your neighbors would be random rotating groups depending on the season. While our area of Dabney is a haul to Brownwood, it will be quick by car to Eastport, and Sawgrass is an easy cart ride. We have neighbors my wife loves to chat with, they have gatherings, exchange contact information like old friends, etc. Maybe that comes with being in an area less likely to be rental heavy. We back up to preserve, so even a small lot feels bigger.

[jimjamuser]

We are not golfers... well not until we watched the video on "Pitch & Putt" that looks fun to both of us... We are considering the move for the amenities, the type of socializing we like, clubs, and rec center activities. We maybe looking at this backwards not looking for a house first... But we already have a nice house, so we just dont want to trade one nice house & move for another nice house..It really is the community and the closeness to activities we like is our main reasons we want to relocate. I have had homes in 2 golf communities before & I got looks like WHAT, You dont golf ?. I just dont think my back & knees could take it..I digress. We watch videos everyday to see all the Rec centers & squares to find what we really like.. Sumter Landing seems to have mature trees and landscaping, the quick food, drinks and small shops, the evening dance music & festivals that interest us. So with the development moving south, after our first visit- when its hot, and we are agree with ourselves that is where we want to be- we will start looking for homes just a little south of Sumter Landing maybe in the Virginia Trace or Sunset Pointe areas. Then a winter 2nd visit when it is crowded possible to look around again or buy a home. Wherever we end up.... The beaches & fishing are my hidden agendas for moving..and if I remember my visit to Orlando.... y'all have cleaner air. :)
As far a "cleaner air" - if you go to .....weatherbug. Lady Lake Fl. , you will find that POLLEN from oak trees and other plants is in their RED ZONE for extremely high. Also, pollen is a year around problem in central Florida. That may be why a lot of population prefers the coasts - just my opinion. In the Villages over 60% of the golf carts are gasoline, not electric and you can smell the pollution that most give off after they pass where you are standing.
........I also like to mention that if people INTEND to be year around residents, they need to visit during the worst part of the year (the summer). Inland Florida is HOT during the summer months. HEAT bothers some people and not others. Just be aware.

[JMintzer]

Definitely get a real MLS agent! The Villages agents aren’t licensed MLS agents so do not have to abide by the state laws. They have their own agenda to push and it’s for the villages development not for you. I had a horrible experience with them and felt really taken advantage of. The MLS agents there know as much about the area and will listen to your needs and not push theirs.

Nonsense. They most certainly do have to abide by State Laws...

[badkarma318]

Does anyone know where they are putting the Lifestyle visitors?

Last I heard it was near Sawgrass?

Yes, Harper Villas.

[MX rider]

Yes, Harper Villas.
We did one 2 years ago and the put us in Alden Bungalos right by Brownwood.

[Dusty_Star]

Nonsense. They most certainly do have to abide by State Laws...

Oh Rats! I thought not having for follow state laws might be fun. :loco:

[nick demis]

Get out and talk to as many residents as you can. Making a good connection will help you navigate the do's and don'ts. We lucked out and met an agent and someone that had done what we were in the process of doing, after starting the design phase and helped us turn everything around.

[Altavia]

Get out and talk to as many residents as you can. Making a good connection will help you navigate the do's and don'ts. We lucked out and met an agent and someone that had done what we were in the process of doing, after starting the design phase and helped us turn everything around.

Good point, everyone here has an interesting story.

Visiting open houses is a good meet to meet Rep's and find one you click with.