I keep hearing from friends You are buying a Lifestyle NOT a House

[keithwand]

I have heard from a number of friends that own or have visited and their comment is always the same.

"You are buying a lifestyle NOT a House.

There meaning is the homes are pretty bland with few upgrades, pretty much production builder quality, style etc. unless you want to spend 800K+

We heard this again last night at a cocktail party from a couple who visited and shopped around for 4 days and decided they would summer in Toronto and live on their boat in Ft Lauderdale in the winter.

Is this true?

What can you get for 500K?

[Bogie Shooter]

I have heard from a number of friends that own or have visited and their comment is always the same.

"You are buying a lifestyle NOT a House.

There meaning is the homes are pretty bland with few upgrades, pretty much production builder quality, style etc. unless you want to spend 800K+

We heard this again last night at a cocktail party from a couple who visited and shopped around for 4 days and decided they would summer in Toronto and live on their boat in Ft Lauderdale in the winter.

Is this true?

What can you get for 500K?

If you go here http://www.thevillages.com/ and click on Homes you can view both new and preowned homes. Even do a search on your $500K.

[rjm1cc]

As a non resident my impression is the same as yours. In answer to your question I think you buy the model that is closest to what you want and then remodel. Depending on the lot I think you can add a few feet to the width or length of the house and that is abut it. For myself I could come up with a very nice home for 500,000. Say 300,000 for the hone and 200,000 for the remodeling. Don't' think I would come close to spending the 200,000 unless it a lot of it went for the view.

[pooh]

My house is far from bland, I like it and it came with lots of upgrades. Of course I added a few of my own, but it wasn't absolutely necessary.

For the funds you've talked about, you can buy an extremely nice house....and remember, location plays some part in the cost of a home here in TV. You can buy a home on a golf course, with a view of water, a home with open land behind, all these add to the cost of a house.

What your friend might have been talking about is that some people would prefer to spend their time and money doing what they enjoy and not spend time or money for a large home that requires more upkeep than a smaller home.

The "lifestyle" they're talking about is what you want to do. The opportunities are plentiful, you just pick what you like and then spend some time doing it. If you don't like the game, event, etc, you just try something else. That's my idea of what "lifestyle" represents. Remember, when someone has been working for many years, and now doesn't have to work, they might just want to try golf, working with clay, painting, learning how to play bridge, learn archery, try bicycling, roller blading. Then again, they might just want to be able to get up when they like, read, walk, watch tv, go to the movies, do NOTHING or do everything. Here, you're lucky to have so many choices....do or don't do, it's up to you.

[graciegirl]

We had a group of new people to The Villages over to our home in November.

One of our guests had a large home in the midwest with a full basement and all of the things people like in houses, granite, stainless steel, big bathrooms on acres of land. It certainly wasn't the kind of house that you could duplicate here in TV.

If you are looking for a dramatic, personalized large home, I think you will be disappointed here. Even the million plus homes aren't HUGE by midwest standards.

The Designer homes biggest models are right around 2000 square feet and the Premiers have models that are 3000 plus.

That said, it may be the time in your life that taking care of a large home is getting to be less fun. Maybe you are ready to concentrate on having fun doing a lot of things you enjoy and not spending so much time IN your house.

No one here has a lot of property, even if it is the biggest house built. I was delighted to see that even in very similar models people have made these homes very much their own and very welcoming and absolutely beautiful with all of the current upgrades that people like.

I have to say that our postage stamp size yard here is very easy to weed and to plant a few flowers . I don't feel at all deprived not mowing and weeding a big yard.

What this place has to offer is one heck of a good time with opportunities to try new skills and spend time with interesting people and that often leaves very little time to maintain a big house.

It may be a different lifestyle, but I find it appeals to almost everyone of a certain age and willingness to fully enjoy more time now that they are no longer working.

Come and see. I bet you will agree.

[nkrifats]

Pooh and Gracie,

Very well put. You ladies said it all.

[Russ_Boston]

As a non resident my impression is the same as yours. In answer to your question I think you buy the model that is closest to what you want and then remodel. Depending on the lot I think you can add a few feet to the width or length of the house and that is abut it. For myself I could come up with a very nice home for 500,000. Say 300,000 for the hone and 200,000 for the remodeling. Don't' think I would come close to spending the 200,000 unless it a lot of it went for the view.

Not sure how you'd remodel into a view. But if your point is that you could spend the extra 200K before the purchase on a private/view lot then I can see your intent.

If you (not referring to you directly RJM) are the type who need an ego stroke by the home you live in then TV is probably not the place for you unless you can part with 750K to 1M or more.

We love our new 'production builder quality' home in Buttonwood and we can't wait to move down full-time.

[2BNTV]

keithwand:

Why not try a LSV and judge for yourself. TV is a place that must be seen to be believed. there is not enough words to describe how wonderful it is.

I personally would get more enjoyment from people that I do things with, as opposed to living in a certain type of home. I would use my home as a hotel. Dropping in to rest until my next thing to have fun doing.

I heard of someone who moved to TV and they didn't do anything. They basically lived in their home and didn't enjoy what TV offers. In that case, they could have lived anywhere.

It may be not right for everyone but it sure has a lot to offer for an active person.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

keithwand:

Why not try a LSV and judge for yourself. TV is a place that must be seen to be believed. there is not enough words to describe how wonderful it is.

I personally would get more enjoyment from people that I do things with, as opposed to living in a certain type of home. I would use my home as a hotel. Dropping in to rest until my next thing to have fun doing.

I heard of someone who moved to TV and they didn't do anything. They basically lived in their home and didn't enjoy what TV offers. In that case, they could have lived anywhere.

It may be not right for everyone but it sure has a lot to offer for an active person.

Exactly!

Come and see/experience for yourself - form your own impressions.

Bill

[Tom Hannon]

Exactly!

Come and see/experience for yourself - form your own impressions.

Bill

My Iris (designer home) was cheaper than my crappy house in NY. To think I could sell my NY house and roll it over on the house in TV and still have money left is amazing. My friend said "The difference bewtween my two homes was like comparing a Mercedes to a 57 Chevy."
So actally, compared to NY prices, I believe the house in TV are fairly priced. And then you have to add in the lifestyle in TV. Priceless.

[Mikeod]

Looking for a place to retire, we had a lot of options. I like to golf, my wife not so much. We often came across communities built around one or two golf courses. These would suit me fine, but not my wife. When we investigated The Villages, it was apparent that there was much more to do than other communities, and we would both have many options to fill our days. So, yes, we bought a lifestyle and not a house. In many ways, you can feel like you are on an extended vacation, using your home as a place to eat and sleep when you're not doing something you enjoy.

[logdog]

For me, "You are buying a lifestyle NOT a house" means that when we looked at other retirement locations, we could have gotten more house for the money at other places. But you can't get the variety of activities, the beauty of the community, the shopping and dining choices - all golf cart accessible - anywhere else. TV is a unique lifestyle. There is nothing wrong or cheap about the home construction. You just pay a little more per sf than other retirement home sites but nowhere else is a car optional. You have to see it to really understand.

[pzjay]

Not sure how you'd remodel into a view. But if your point is that you could spend the extra 200K before the purchase on a private/view lot then I can see your intent.

If you (not referring to you directly RJM) are the type who need an ego stroke by the home you live in then TV is probably not the place for you unless you can part with 750K to 1M or more.

We love our new 'production builder quality' home in Buttonwood and we can't wait to move down full-time.

Nothing more needs to be said! Perfect!:clap2:

[LindaManson]

I agree with everyone here. You have to experience TV before you believe it is really as great as we say it is. We fell in love with TV on a Week long visit back in 2000. We still had only a partial concept of what was available here. Our biggest problem was not would be move to TV, but when and WHERE would we buy. We solved that problem by renting a furnished courtyard villa for 3 months before we committed to buying. We went to lost of open houses and began to find the things we love to do. We never intended to buy new, but that is what we did. Like someone else said...it is great not to have to mow a large lot, I have a place to plant flowers without overloading myself by upkeep (although the cost of having Some One Else doing it is very reasonable). My concept of the title for this thread "buying a lifestyle NOT a house" is that I want to enjoy my retirement. I want to entertain (just not hundreds at a time) and I want a comfortable HOME, not a house. My home includes the neighbors, and the community and the activities available. I have a home that didn't cost near 300,000. I love it. I use the different to do other things like travel: See someone elses HOME. I do hear that some are not happy hear or don't understand how we can be happy here, but if they live here: The are not taking advantage of all that is here. If they don't live here: GO bother someone else....Leave me alone..I am happy!!!

[Kelsie52]

:welcome:I have heard from a number of friends that own or have visited and their comment is always the same.

"You are buying a lifestyle NOT a House.

There meaning is the homes are pretty bland with few upgrades, pretty much production builder quality, style etc. unless you want to spend 800K+

We heard this again last night at a cocktail party from a couple who visited and shopped around for 4 days and decided they would summer in Toronto and live on their boat in Ft Lauderdale in the winter.

Is this true?

What can you get for 500K?


Keith !!
I would suggest as some have said before me --to take the Lifestyle tour for several days and see what is here

I will tell you the homes here are built well. and are worth the dollars spent

We came from Long Island (NY) in Oct --I have a designer home 3 bedroom 2 bath 2 car plus golf cart garage over 2000 square feet on a golf course with every upgrade available (stretches, granite countertops etc) not close to 500
As many people will tell you --you only needto be comfortable with the house --you spend most of the time away enjoying all the amazing thing that we have to do here ... :shrug:

[dwbevan]

I agree with everyone here. You have to experience TV before you believe it is really as great as we say it is. We fell in love with TV on a Week long visit back in 2000. We still had only a partial concept of what was available here. Our biggest problem was not would be move to TV, but when and WHERE would we buy. We solved that problem by renting a furnished courtyard villa for 3 months before we committed to buying. We went to lost of open houses and began to find the things we love to do. We never intended to buy new, but that is what we did. Like someone else said...it is great not to have to mow a large lot, I have a place to plant flowers without overloading myself by upkeep (although the cost of having Some One Else doing it is very reasonable). My concept of the title for this thread "buying a lifestyle NOT a house" is that I want to enjoy my retirement. I want to entertain (just not hundreds at a time) and I want a comfortable HOME, not a house. My home includes the neighbors, and the community and the activities available. I have a home that didn't cost near 300,000. I love it. I use the different to do other things like travel: See someone elses HOME. I do hear that some are not happy hear or don't understand how we can be happy here, but if they live here: The are not taking advantage of all that is here. If they don't live here: GO bother someone else....Leave me alone..I am happy!!!

I agree whole heartedly - we have been in our new house for about a week, however, the house is not what convinced me to leave my children and grandchildren for part of the year - it was and is the lifestyle! I do not play golf, but may . . . have just started to play pickelball . . . looking forward to zumba, line dancing, water aerobics and more. One of our favorite things to do on the evenings we choose is go to the square, have a drink and watch all of the fun and smiles many, many people our age are having. Can't find that even one night a week at home, let alone everynight should you choose. If you can't find something to do here and wonderful people no matter what kind of house you live in - then you have not embraced the lifestyle.

We have only just begun.:clap2:

[dpingram]

I am looking forward to giving up the 5 acres for my "postage stamp lot" in Buttonwood. We spend 5 hours every weekend during the growing season taking care of the yard. Not to mention all those pesky leaves that need to be raked. As far as bland....I would never have used that adjective to describe the home that we are building. No, it will not be as big as the home I have now but at our age who wants to spend their time cleaning. As far as the upgrades, we chose what we wanted in the home and not always the "top of the line". I do not care for stainless so I didn't want it nor did I want granite, I prefer corian. It's all a personal preference. The Villages has a home for everyone. Spending 500k for a home? Not me.

[SALYBOW]

I have a very beautiful, personalized home in Buttonwood. The first three homes on my side are Irises and they all look very different because we all chose to add different upgrades. I had a party for about 20 people, which is as high as I would care to have, and it is a great home for entertaining. We did get a larger lot because I wanted to extend my lanai (great idea) and we have 20 feet past the lanai. The people behind us have 15 so our lanais are 35 feet apart. RThat is just fine with us.
To call these homes bland is ridiculous. They are anything but bland.:spoken: Come down and see for yourself, the houses are very personalizeable.:laugh:

[Pturner]

Yes, TV is about an unmatched lifestyle. TV also has homes for a wide range of budgets. To me, the homes and neighborhoods in TV are more personal and charming than the modern McMansion neighborhoods I've seen.

Come experience TV for yourself. Check out the homes available in your price range. I bet you'll be glad you came. :icon_wink:

[Jhooman]

Well said Pat.

[kentucky blue]

I have heard from a number of friends that own or have visited and their comment is always the same.

"You are buying a lifestyle NOT a House.

There meaning is the homes are pretty bland with few upgrades, pretty much production builder quality, style etc. unless you want to spend 800K+

We heard this again last night at a cocktail party from a couple who visited and shopped around for 4 days and decided they would summer in Toronto and live on their boat in Ft Lauderdale in the winter.

Is this true?

What can you get for 500K?
I live in a McMansion neighborhood in Lexington,Ky.At first i felt i needed 3600 plus sq.ft.in a premier neighborhood in TV to meet my needs and ego. After meeting the residences and visiting most all of the villages, i realized how unimportant SIZE really was in the big picture..We found the perfect home, terrific location, fabulous neighbors,incredible lifestyle, and added all the upgrades. Sharon's, lovely emmy winning daughter, living the celebrity high life in NYC loves TV, and can't wait to return .Never in a million years did i think i would end up in TV, it took just ONE visit!!!!Come see for yourself.

PS. We looked at living on the water in Ft. Lauderdale, the city bored us to death.Dee and Gracie, Sharon is looking forward to you visting soooooooon.:o

[K9-Lovers]

While we could have afforded a larger house, we chose a very small home for our future here in TV. After being a caregiver for my mother, and seeing the difficulties some people may have at an advanced age, we decided to find a home that would be manageable for us should we be lucky enough to live a long, long time. Before moving to TV we owned a very large lake home, and don't miss it a lick! We love our cozy retirement home. Here's looking to the future :beer3:

[ladylake1]

I find I have spent alot more time out of my house than in it. Activities at rec centers, shopping, town squares, entertainment, walking, gardening, pools all fill my days. I have a comfortable home that is large enough for family/guests and the entertaining we do yet not so large that I need a walkie talkie to find my husband in it. Each of us has our own priorities for what we want out of TV and retirement. I came from a home on a mountain with government forest all around. Yes, I do miss some of the expanse of the land but that has been more than compensated for by the "lifestyle" offered here.

[Larry Wilson]

Saying anything bad about the Villages on TOTV is like going to the cheerleader bench and trying to put down the school they are cheering for...My take is everyone is entitled to what they love. Most love where they chose to live and there is no one place that is perfect for everyone. Now before anyone attacks, I'm a cheerleader for the Villages.:pepper2:

[BobKat1]

Saying anything bad about the Villages on TOTV is like going to the cheerleader bench and trying to put down the school they are cheering for...My take is everyone is entitled to what they love. Most love where they chose to live and there is no one place that is perfect for everyone. Now before anyone attacks, I'm a cheerleader for the Villages.:pepper2:

Very good point. If TV was right for everyone, everyone would live there.

As it is, it's pretty sweet IMO.

[Chopper]

When we moved here from Alabama, we moved out of a 4,400 sf home into a 1,968 sf Designer home here in TV. We built our home in Alabama eight years ago. We enjoyed living there, but have never regretted making the move.

We wouldn't trade our under $300K home for a $5M mansion anywhere in the country. And to say that our homes are bland or a basic builder home is simply untrue.

[keithwand]

We had a group of new people to The Villages over to our home in November.

One of our guests had a large home in the midwest with a full basement and all of the things people like in houses, granite, stainless steel, big bathrooms on acres of land. It certainly wasn't the kind of house that you could duplicate here in TV.

If you are looking for a dramatic, personalized large home, I think you will be disappointed here. Even the million plus homes aren't HUGE by midwest standards.

The Designer homes biggest models are right around 2000 square feet and the Premiers have models that are 3000 plus.

That said, it may be the time in your life that taking care of a large home is getting to be less fun. Maybe you are ready to concentrate on having fun doing a lot of things you enjoy and not spending so much time IN your house.

No one here has a lot of property, even if it is the biggest house built. I was delighted to see that even in very similar models people have made these homes very much their own and very welcoming and absolutely beautiful with all of the current upgrades that people like.

I have to say that our postage stamp size yard here is very easy to weed and to plant a few flowers . I don't feel at all deprived not mowing and weeding a big yard.

What this place has to offer is one heck of a good time with opportunities to try new skills and spend time with interesting people and that often leaves very little time to maintain a big house.

It may be a different lifestyle, but I find it appeals to almost everyone of a certain age and willingness to fully enjoy more time now that they are no longer working.

Come and see. I bet you will agree.

We are used to smaller lots in Baldwin Park (Orlando) so that is not an issue Ours is 1 of the larger at 12,000SF which is both good and bad. Good for resale but has been expensive for landscaping etc.

We would want to go smaller in the 2500-2800SF range, 1 floor and 3 car garage.

What our friends are saying is that most homes seemed generic, no frills basic construction and to def. get into the newer areas as the older areas are relly tired.

[pooh]

We are used to smaller lots in Baldwin Park (Orlando) so that is not an issue Ours is 1 of the larger at 12,000SF which is both good and bad. Good for resale but has been expensive for landscaping etc.

We would want to go smaller in the 2500-2800SF range, 1 floor and 3 car garage.

What our friends are saying is that most homes seemed generic, no frills basic construction and to def. get into the newer areas as the older areas are relly tired.

The homes in older sections are quite charming, and indeed, they are a bit older than homes in the newer areas of Sumter County. It's the same in any community, some developments are older and the houses might be of a different style or even show their age a bit.

People want different things from their neighborhood or home...some need a larger lot, a larger floor plan, pristine surroundings. What seems to be forgotten is that this particular community currently has about 80,000 residents, some full time, some part time, some younger than others, some older. There could be a few homes that aren't up to the exterior standards one imagines they should be, but I've not seen one neighborhood that I personally wouldn't live in because of the "tired" appearance of the homes. Guess it's all a matter of perception.

[graciegirl]

We are used to smaller lots in Baldwin Park (Orlando) so that is not an issue Ours is 1 of the larger at 12,000SF which is both good and bad. Good for resale but has been expensive for landscaping etc.

We would want to go smaller in the 2500-2800SF range, 1 floor and 3 car garage.

What our friends are saying is that most homes seemed generic, no frills basic construction and to def. get into the newer areas as the older areas are relly tired.

12 Thousand square feet?
Holy bowlegged Sarah!

[pooh]

12 Thousand square feet?
Holy bowlegged Sarah!

Gracie,

My lot is almost 12,000 SF here!

[graciegirl]

Oh. The LOT!

Sorry. As you can see, I was taken aback.

[Russ_Boston]

We would want to go smaller in the 2500-2800SF range, 1 floor and 3 car garage.

The only homes that fit that bill are what TV calls the premier series. For the most part they only come in certain areas and at much, much higher price tags than the other areas of TV. But they are available.

[Trogg]

I have heard from a number of friends that own or have visited and their comment is always the same.

"You are buying a lifestyle NOT a House.

There meaning is the homes are pretty bland with few upgrades, pretty much production builder quality, style etc. unless you want to spend 800K+

We heard this again last night at a cocktail party from a couple who visited and shopped around for 4 days and decided they would summer in Toronto and live on their boat in Ft Lauderdale in the winter.

Is this true?

What can you get for 500K?

All real estate is location...location...location. It is no different here in The Villages. If you main interest is a life of leisure and a fun and diverse retirement, The Villages is the location. The next step is to find a place to hang your hat at your desired location.

[dadspet]

I have heard from a number of friends that own or have visited and their comment is always the same.

"You are buying a lifestyle NOT a House.

There meaning is the homes are pretty bland with few upgrades, pretty much production builder quality, style etc. unless you want to spend 800K+

We heard this again last night at a cocktail party from a couple who visited and shopped around for 4 days and decided they would summer in Toronto and live on their boat in Ft Lauderdale in the winter.

Is this true?

What can you get for 500K?

I guess it all depends on your frame of reference and what you expect in a house. But for a lot less then $500 you can get a beautiful 2500 sq feet on a golf course and even a pool with waterfall. Builder is now allowing a lot of upgrades and modifications but you start with a model (that tend to change ofter) and can do bumps to it.

Your buying a lifestyle not a house means your coming to The Villages because there is no place in the world that will have this lifestyle (or even come close) and Quality of living. The housing here can be purchased someplace else and perhaps even cheaper but it won't be The Villages and if housing is you prime consideration and not lifestyle I'm sure you can find a nice house to fill your needs any place else. Ft Lauderdale in the winter might be nice for a week or even two but I got a feeling there are a lot more negatives about Ft Lauderdale then are perhaps obvious (But to be honest you can't live on your boat in the Villages). You need to just come to the Villages and feel the Life. Its every where, you can see it and feel it. Its not for everyone but with our rate of growth it sure is for a lot. Sorry - I swore I was going to stop sounding like a sales men. We really don't need any more active, friendly, happy people who complain very little about anything except perhaps the cool weather. (the builder I'm sure will disagree with that)

[keithwand]

Oh. The LOT!

Sorry. As you can see, I was taken aback.

Me too and I wrote it!
12,000 sf of house could house a lot of people.

I do appreciate all of the replies. Yes we will visit someday in the future as TV might be an option for us. One never knows.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Me too and I wrote it!
12,000 sf of house could house a lot of people.

I do appreciate all of the replies. Yes we will visit someday in the future as TV might be an option for us. One never knows.

keith - It's only a short drive over to TV from where you are in Orlando. Take part of a day and come on out to check things over.....then you can start to decide on your own! :)

But keep in mind: It's really tough to get the full perspective of everything TV represents in just one trip. Given your close proximity, it would be pretty easy for you to make several trips over time to check things out.

Hop in that yellow 'Bird and get on the road to TV!!!!! :MOJE_whot:

Bill

[logdog]

The only homes that fit that bill are what TV calls the premier series. For the most part they only come in certain areas and at much, much higher price tags than the other areas of TV. But they are available.

There was a premier close-out reduced to below $390K in the paper yesterday. Probably not much of a view at that price point. There's also the premier with the great outdoor space and views that many of us walked through this summer that's now reduced to just under $1.5M in the paper today.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

.........There's also the premier with the great outdoor space and views that many of us walked through this summer that's now reduced to just under $1.5M in the paper today.

Better jump on that one, logdog. It is YOU!! :)

WHEW!! $1.5M.....that takes my breath away! We've seen it and walked through it this past summer as well. Really nice place..........but that's a bunch of bucks!

Bill

[Tbugs]

Sniff, sniff - not to by a cynic, but do I smell a spoof?

Sorry if I am wrong, but Keith has a 12,000 square foot house - and is willing to settle for something smaller like 2,800 square feet?

The $1.48 million home advertised in the Daily Sun is less than 12,000 square feet - and Keith says his is going to be easy to sell.

Again, I apologize if I am wrong, but I get the feeling someone is getting a good time pulling our collective legs.

I do realize there are some extremely wealthy people here but this one seems like a spoof to me.

[Tom Hannon]

There is a Gardenia (Designer home) built on the golf course, on my block. It is the only available house remaining. AND there are great neighbors!!! $410,000 cut from $428,000. Check out Kincord Court.

[pooh]

Sniff, sniff - not to by a cynic, but do I smell a spoof?

Sorry if I am wrong, but Keith has a 12,000 square foot house - and is willing to settle for something smaller like 2,800 square feet?

The $1.48 million home advertised in the Daily Sun is less than 12,000 square feet - and Keith says his is going to be easy to sell.

Again, I apologize if I am wrong, but I get the feeling someone is getting a good time pulling our collective legs.

I do realize there are some extremely wealthy people here but this one seems like a spoof to me.

12,000 s/f is the size of the lot his house sits on Tbugs, not the square footage of his house.

[Russ_Boston]

Sniff, sniff - not to by a cynic, but do I smell a spoof?

Sorry if I am wrong, but Keith has a 12,000 square foot house - and is willing to settle for something smaller like 2,800 square feet?

The $1.48 million home advertised in the Daily Sun is less than 12,000 square feet - and Keith says his is going to be easy to sell.

Again, I apologize if I am wrong, but I get the feeling someone is getting a good time pulling our collective legs.

I do realize there are some extremely wealthy people here but this one seems like a spoof to me.

Already stated that he meant lot size. Not house size.

[Tbugs]

I misread the message. I do stand corrected and apologize.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

12 Thousand square feet?
Holy bowlegged Sarah!

Great catch gg.
:mademyday: