Living in Lake Denham

[Markus]

We are thinking of buying in Lake Denham. Question for the current residents of that area.

Do many people have driveway get togethers?

Does it seem too far to drive a golf car to Publix or anywhere else? It currently seems like it is too far from everything except Sawgrass until Eastpoint opens.

[rustyp]

Well if you can't get there from here might as well have a driveway party.

[Bogie Shooter]

Well if you can't get there from here might as well have a driveway party.

Do you live in Denham?

[frayedends]

I'm part time in Lake Denham. There is a Lake Denham social club that is/was trying to make room for more members (need a bigger rec center room). There are driveway parties. At least one is supposed to be every month or close to that. It was huge when I went (first one back in February). Everyone is ready to mix and mingle and get together. That is part of a Lake Denham Facebook group. There are 2 groups on Facebook. I know at one time they tried to combine but it seems it didn't happen.

Anyhow, for shopping there is a Publix and Winn Dixie down 470 about 10 minutes. No golf cart obviously but not a bad drive. Publix at Brownwood is about a 30 minute cart ride from Lake Denham. I enjoy that ride. To be honest, the drive to Brownwood in a car isn't much faster, maybe 10 minutes, because of the route you have to take. It's more direct going Megisson all the way.

Stuff in Eastport and Middleton will be open before you know it, probably very early next year if not sooner. They are a 19 minute cart ride from Lake Denham going 20 MPH.

[Altavia]

Magnolia Plaza will be about 20 min away when they open Bexley/Corbin - maybe 2-3 mo.

[Randall55]

I'm part time in Lake Denham. There is a Lake Denham social club that is/was trying to make room for more members (need a bigger rec center room). There are driveway parties. At least one is supposed to be every month or close to that. It was huge when I went (first one back in February). Everyone is ready to mix and mingle and get together. That is part of a Lake Denham Facebook group. There are 2 groups on Facebook. I know at one time they tried to combine but it seems it didn't happen.

Anyhow, for shopping there is a Publix and Winn Dixie down 470 about 10 minutes. No golf cart obviously but not a bad drive. Publix at Brownwood is about a 30 minute cart ride from Lake Denham. I enjoy that ride. To be honest, the drive to Brownwood in a car isn't much faster, maybe 10 minutes, because of the route you have to take. It's more direct going Megisson all the way.

Stuff in Eastport and Middleton will be open before you know it, probably very early next year if not sooner. They are a 19 minute cart ride from Lake Denham going 20 MPH.The amenities in Eastport will be open on day one. Commercial stores will take years to open. Brownwood commercial is still not 100% occupied. To the best of my knowledge, no stores have opened near Middleton. It has been nearly one year since construction of that area began.

[Rwirish]

Yes there are or will be driveway parties as it is so remote there is nothing near. If you are interested in golf forget it.

[mlmarr]

The amenities in Eastport will be open on day one. Commercial stores will take years to open. Brownwood commercial is still not 100% occupied. To the best of my knowledge, no stores have opened near Middleton. It has been nearly one year since construction of that area began.

remember the world is in a recession, many stores/companies are closing around the country, stores will open when the economy is better .. for now enjoy what you do have without wanting more and more...

[MrFitness]

The Lake Deaton Publix is about a 20 minute cart ride from Franklin Rec Center. I live across the street from there in Lake Denham. I make that trek often, and often as a part of other activities that take me to rec centers that get me closer to there. There is a gas station, a pizza restaurant, and my bank there as well as a number of other retail stores I never use. Like someone else mentioned, the options are only gonna grow over the years as Eastport comes online. One of the nice things that may happen is that traffic might always be lighter over by us given that there is currently no reason to come our way other than as a route to get onto the turnpike. I'm very new here (10 days) and that is speculation. But retail shopping is night and day compared to up by 466. I find myself driving up there (30 minutes) as I get things for my home. Haven't started golfing yet but it does seem like many courses will be 30-60 minute cart rides for me.

[Moderator]

OP in asking for Lake Denham residents, and their neighborhood activities. Please be respectful, giving firsthand experiences, living in a new area.

[Altavia]

.

Haven't started golfing yet but it does seem like many courses will be 30-60 minute cart rides for me.

In case unaware, lots of new golf in various stages of completion just south of the Turnpike.

Laural Oak just over the bridge is in final stages. There's "talk" the High School golf team will help break it in soon and potentially open in the June timeframe.

Continuing The Dream: Volume 15 (https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol15/index.php)

[mwpoet]

The Lake Deaton Publix is about a 20 minute cart ride from Franklin Rec Center. I live across the street from there in Lake Denham. I make that trek often, and often as a part of other activities that take me to rec centers that get me closer to there. There is a gas station, a pizza restaurant, and my bank there as well as a number of other retail stores I never use. Like someone else mentioned, the options are only gonna grow over the years as Eastport comes online. One of the nice things that may happen is that traffic might always be lighter over by us given that there is currently no reason to come our way other than as a route to get onto the turnpike. I'm very new here (10 days) and that is speculation. But retail shopping is night and day compared to up by 466. I find myself driving up there (30 minutes) as I get things for my home. Haven't started golfing yet but it does seem like many courses will be 30-60 minute cart rides for me.

There was too much driving for me from Fenny, and not much happening in terms of driveway parties. I love living in Duval, which is six minutes to lots of shopping and 10 minutes to even more shopping consider the heart of The Villages here in the central part.

[coleprice]

We are thinking of buying in Lake Denham. Question for the current residents of that area.

Do many people have driveway get togethers?

Does it seem too far to drive a golf car to Publix or anywhere else? It currently seems like it is too far from everything except Sawgrass until Eastpoint opens.

Golfers shopping for homes in The Villages should NOT purchase a New Home in the Southern Areas. Rather, they should buy a pre-owned home in the Middle or Northern areas which have plenty of golf courses nearby.

[frayedends]

Magnolia Plaza will be about 20 min away when they open Bexley/Corbin - maybe 2-3 mo.

You figure 20 min by car or cart? I was just looking at the map and glad you posted this. I hadn’t made the connection before but I can see where it will be now.

Oh and question: which is lake deton plaza? Is that the Brownwood Publix? I still get confused but then I’m part time so haven’t had months to explore yet.

[JMintzer]

You figure 20 min by car or cart? I was just looking at the map and glad you posted this. I hadn’t made the connection before but I can see where it will be now.

Oh and question: which is lake deton plaza? Is that the Brownwood Publix? I still get confused but then I’m part time so haven’t had months to explore yet.

Lake Deaton Plaza is on the corner of Morse and 44, just east of Rohan Rec Center. Go over the Chitty Chatty bridge and there you are. There is a Publix there, as well.

The Brownwood Publix is west of Buena Vista, just off 44, west of Brownwood...

[Utah Flyfisher]

Golfers shopping for homes in The Villages should NOT purchase a New Home in the Southern Areas. Rather, they should buy a pre-owned home in the Middle or Northern areas which have plenty of golf courses nearby.

As has been pointed out MANY times how stupid people are to not do their own research…. Instead of actually helping, thanks so much for your input 🙄
THIS ⬆️ is significant. If you golf, buy a pre-owned home. Sure it’s fun to buzz around in ur golf cart but if you are interested in PLAYING golf you should look much further north than the ‘new’ areas

[DrMack]

Lake Deaton Plaza is on the corner of Morse and 44, just east of Rohan Rec Center. Go over the Chitty Chatty bridge and there you are. There is a Publix there, as well.

The Brownwood Publix is west of Buena Vista, just off 44, west of Brownwood...

The plaza is about 35 minute by golf car. We have a house in Dabney and it takes a while to get there. The golf car thing wears off quickly. The area is too far from everything.

I have some advice you, wait till more opens up in the new Eastport area.

[frayedends]

The plaza is about 35 minute by golf car. We have a house in Dabney and it takes a while to get there. The golf car thing wears off quickly. The area is too far from everything.

I have some advice you, wait till more opens up in the new Eastport area.

I was just looking at it on the map and I think I was there once. Is it really 35 min? Seems closer to me than Brownwood and that only takes 29 minutes. :D

[DrMack]

I was just looking at it on the map and I think I was there once. Is it really 35 min? Seems closer to me than Brownwood and that only takes 29 minutes. :D

Yes, maybe a couple extra minutes depending on cart traffic. It’s only about 15 to Sawgrass. After Sawgrass though it’s another 20 through Chitty Chatty and whatever to get to Kristine Way where the the center is. Then, there’s the return trip to consider. So yes, well over an hour is required just in cart time to make a trip by golf cart. It’s better to use a car.

We found Magnolia a little farther.

If you are ever bored, try the tip sometime just to get out. It’s a pretty long drive.

[frayedends]

^^^^^

Yeah, pretty much how I do things is use the cart if I'm bored or heading to a few places. But if I just need a quick Publix run I take the car. I don't find Brownwood to be much faster by car than cart, maybe 10 minutes at best.

[Marathon Man]

As has been pointed out MANY times how stupid people are to not do their own research…. Instead of actually helping, thanks so much for your input 🙄
THIS ⬆️ is significant. If you golf, buy a pre-owned home. Sure it’s fun to buzz around in ur golf cart but if you are interested in PLAYING golf you should look much further north than the ‘new’ areas

That research would include the many complaints about the conditions of the courses. The five execs and one champ course south of 44 are in great shape. We rarely have trouble getting a tee time down here. Plus, there are additional courses being built right now. Golfers should absolutely include the south in their list of possible locations.

[Michael 61]

We are thinking of buying in Lake Denham. Question for the current residents of that area.

Do many people have driveway get togethers?

Does it seem too far to drive a golf car to Publix or anywhere else? It currently seems like it is too far from everything except Sawgrass until Eastpoint opens.

You have a third option in your Lake Denham vs Eastport decision - Richmond! The last part of Richmond (east of Meggison) will come on-line, maybe by end of this year. Cart ride times are approximately 5 minutes to Brownwood (I’ll often walk over in a little over 10 minutes), 5 minutes to Lake Okahumpka Rec Center and the future Harry and the Natives restaurant, 9 minutes to Edna’s on the Green, 12 minutes to Everglades Rec Center and Magnolia Plaza, about the same to Eisenhower Rec Center, 20 minutes to Sawgrass, should be about 20-25 minutes to Eastport, and is about 30+ minutes up to Lake Sumter Landing. As the Villages grows, Richmond is a good, central location to access most of the community within about a 30 minute cart ride. The only area that is a bit of a hike is the Spanish Springs area, though I seldom have the need to go that far North.

[Altavia]

The plaza is about 35 minute by golf car. We have a house in Dabney and it takes a while to get there. The golf car thing wears off quickly. The area is too far from everything.

I have some advice you, wait till more opens up in the new Eastport area.

Magnolia Plaza will be about 4 mi from Sawgrass once McNeil/Corbin open. So about the same as Lake Deaton.

Is Lake Harris faster by car than Lake Deaton?

Previous Villages sales maps show footprints for a Publix at Eastport and a Wallmart Market at Middleton. If and when those might materialize is unknown.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/groceries-middleton-eastport-348268/

[Markus]

Golfers shopping for homes in The Villages should NOT purchase a New Home in the Southern Areas. Rather, they should buy a pre-owned home in the Middle or Northern areas which have plenty of golf courses nearby.


Three new golf courses will open over the next 9 months for the Southern folks

[JohnWW]

We are thinking of buying in Lake Denham. Question for the current residents of that area.

Do many people have driveway get togethers?

Does it seem too far to drive a golf car to Publix or anywhere else? It currently seems like it is too far from everything except Sawgrass until Eastpoint opens.

Downside: It's not shopping friendly for golfcarts. There are no big box stores nearby (30 minute drive).
Upside: Walk to Pitch and putt. Nice paths along ponds I walk and ride my bike (gators and tropical birds all the time; sometimes wild turkeys, armadillos, opossum). Infrastructure is great. I get 5 bars 5G everywhere I ride (500 MB/s downloads outdoors). Super close to Florida turnpike. Good tennis community and of course huge pickleball community.

I go to Costco and replenish supplies every week or two and make frequent trips down 470 to Publix, Winn Dixie or Ace Hardware (8 to 10 minutes). I have Centric Fiber and pay $65/mo for 1 GB symmetric speeds. I could get Comcast or Spectrum if I wanted too. Comcast just sent a flyer for 1 GB speed for $60/mo with a 2 year contract. Having competition is great.

I got a whole-home water filter. I don't know that I needed it, but the water is hard. All my clothes come out clean. I added a gas line for a couple grand (Fireplace installers) and bought a natural gas grill and now I can grill any time without bottle gas hassles. I get to Wildwood Aldi's about once a week in less than 20 minutes and get good value there. And, the neighbors are all new to the area too and want to make friends, so it's super friendly.

I like Lake Denham, but I'd sure like a big box store or Aldi's a little closer. Also, I got a lithium ion Evolution D5 cart from Botero in Ocala, in part because there are no gas stations easy to get to with a golf cart. I recommend Botero. I got Dean's for lawn care and they seem reliable and easy to work with.