Heading out to TV end of March

[NYBob]

We're heading over to TV the end of March for quick look around. Just a few questions.
What days would you suggest ? I understand they have open air markets over the weekend, which sounds good. What other events/activities are scheduled for the end of March ? We'd like to hit a few while we're there.
Also, I have a good idea of the areas north of 44 but haven't gotten down to the southern most sections. How far down does TV go and what areas would we actually be able to enter ?

[alwann]

We're heading over to TV the end of March for quick look around. Just a few questions.
What days would you suggest ? I understand they have open air markets over the weekend, which sounds good. What other events/activities are scheduled for the end of March ? We'd like to hit a few while we're there.
Also, I have a good idea of the areas north of 44 but haven't gotten down to the southern most sections. How far down does TV go and what areas would we actually be able to enter ?

Here's a link to The Villages Comunity Calendar. You might see some things worth doing by looking at it. Events Calendar - Things to Do in The Villages(R) (https://www.thevillages.com/calendar/#/)

[Stu from NYC]

You can go wherever you want here. However a quick visit will not tell you enough.

Before we bought we rented a month and could have been longer. Lots to see

[Altavia]

...


Also, I have a good idea of the areas north of 44 but haven't gotten down to the southern most sections. How far down does TV go and what areas would we actually be able to enter ?

Checkout the recert GoldWingnut video's.

GoldWingnut (https://www.goldwingnut.com/)

They are offering Trolley tours through the southern areas.

Take a Trolley Tour - The Villages (https://www.thevillages.com/visit/trolley-tour/)

The Villages app can be very useful:

The Villages(R) App on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-villages-app/id984137181)

Stay Updated with What's New in The Villages(R) (https://www.thevillages.com/whats-new/)

[VApeople]

You can wherever you want here. However a quick visit will not tell you enough.


In 2015, we came here and stayed in a motel near Spanish Springs for 3 days. That was enough to convince us to move here.

We love it here.

[Stu from NYC]

In 2015, we came here and stayed in a motel near Spanish Springs for 3 days. That was enough to convince us to move here.

We love it here.

It took us longer to decide where we wanted to hang our hats

[VApeople]

It took us longer to decide where we wanted to hang our hats

Yeah, it also took us longer to decide exactly where we wanted to live and what style of house we wanted. Asking specific questions on this forum sure helped a lot.

[Stu from NYC]

Yeah, it also took us longer to decide exactly where we wanted to live and what style of house we wanted. Asking specific questions on this forum sure helped a lot.

People say average villager is in their third home before they are frogs. No idea if that was true but renting for a month sure helped us decide where to stay.

[Bill14564]

People say average villager is in their third home before they are frogs. No idea if that was true but renting for a month sure helped us decide where to stay.

We lucked out and chose well our first time. No house is perfect but we're pretty happy with this location.

I've heard many credible reasons why Villagers move:
- Downsize too much, then upsize but overshoot, and finally get it right
- Just like living in a newer home
- This home has now appreciated in value enough to buy a larger, newer home
- Discovered over time that another location was more desirable (might see that a lot when Eastport opens)


For the OP:
- Walk around the Spanish Springs square, Brownwood square, and Sawgrass market then look at the plans for Eastport. This will help you get a general feel for the areas north to south
- If you rent a golf cart, spend some time north of 466A and south of the Turnpike. Notice the difference in the design of the MMPs and the number of non-golf cart walking/biking trails.
- The far south areas, currently where Eastport and Middleton will be, lack commercial areas. There is every reason to believe they will be coming and the area will become lively and popular but it is pretty sparse today
- Clermont and Orlando are much closer from the southern areas while the northernmost areas almost border on Ocala

[CoachKandSportsguy]

- The far south areas, currently where Eastport and Middleton will be, lack commercial areas. There is every reason to believe they will be coming and the area will become lively and popular but it is pretty sparse today
- Clermont and Orlando are much closer from the southern areas while the northernmost areas almost border on Ocala

We bought when the area was just dirt. . no grocery stores, no bridges across the highways, no activity centers. . If you can get in early, you have more lot and style choices, and the development will come.

Two types of buyers, those that want comfort in buying into existing, and the remaining who will get in early, aka early adopters, for the choices and can see what the future will be, being satisfied with the extra effort today

We had no idea / had never heard of TV for our lifestyle visit. Just going on vacation, Bought a site of dirt with about 10 out of 99 lots under construction, and didn't have the money in the banks to make a deposit when we decided. .

Hopefully the buyer will be able to figure out what type of buyer he/she/they is/are. . there is a reason why established neighborhoods are higher priced, some has to do with upgrades, others have to do with desire to see what they buy will not be changing, buying a 100% known outcome.

good luck OP

[Stu from NYC]

We lucked out and chose well our first time. No house is perfect but we're pretty happy with this location.

I've heard many credible reasons why Villagers move:
- Downsize too much, then upsize but overshoot, and finally get it right
- Just like living in a newer home
- This home has now appreciated in value enough to buy a larger, newer home
- Discovered over time that another location was more desirable (might see that a lot when Eastport opens)


For the OP:
- Walk around the Spanish Springs square, Brownwood square, and Sawgrass market then look at the plans for Eastport. This will help you get a general feel for the areas north to south
- If you rent a golf cart, spend some time north of 466A and south of the Turnpike. Notice the difference in the design of the MMPs and the number of non-golf cart walking/biking trails.
- The far south areas, currently where Eastport and Middleton will be, lack commercial areas. There is every reason to believe they will be coming and the area will become lively and popular but it is pretty sparse today
- Clermont and Orlando are much closer from the southern areas while the northernmost areas almost border on Ocala

Commercial development will take a long time. Still building out along 466A by Brownwood. We moved to what was the middle of the villages at the time so as to make driving to shopping along 441/27 easier.

[VApeople]

spend some time north of 466A and south of the Turnpike. Notice the difference in the design of the MMPs and the number of non-golf cart walking/biking trails.

North of Route 44, there are NO "non-golf cart walking/biking trails", except for the crummy sidewalks.

We live north of 44. We love to takes long walks and always drive to the many trails south of 44.

[Bill14564]

Commercial development will take a long time. Still building out along 466A by Brownwood. We moved to what was the middle of the villages at the time so as to make driving to shopping along 441/27 easier.

The only 466A development I can think of is non-Villages. That kind of development may never end as long as there is empty land.

[splashes]

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[asianthree]

People say average villager is in their third home before they are frogs. No idea if that was true but renting for a month sure helped us decide where to stay.

Top 4 reason you buy/sell a home in TV. First house you swore you could downsize from 4,000sf to a patio or courtyard villa. We got a kick out of watching giant moving vans eventually putting extra stuff in the garage, then the driveway, and finally the yard.

Second house, I can’t fit any of my stuff in that 1.5 car garage and definitely can’t downsize this much. So bigger house and garage.

Third house Spouse dies, move back to the smaller house because current house is just too much to handle.

Or in our case First house a Vaca house 2/2
Second house 3/2 so parents had their own space, then maintained as a long term rental.

Third house 3/2 with a golf cart garage. Sold first house.

Fourth house 4/3, because life changes, and parents no longer able self care.

[Stu from NYC]

The only 466A development I can think of is non-Villages. That kind of development may never end as long as there is empty land.

Does not really matter who owns that land at that point, people needed places to shop and had to drive a long way for a long time. As the villages move south same thing will happen.

[Mrfriendly]

Here's a link to The Villages Comunity Calendar. You might see some things worth doing by looking at it. Events Calendar - Things to Do in The Villages(R) (https://www.thevillages.com/calendar/#/)

Thank you for posting the link of activities in The Villages. On that site and from your phone, would you know how to find out the details of the event?

[bowlingal]

NY Bob...go to districtgov.org for all events happening in the villages

[Bill14564]

Does not really matter who owns that land at that point, people needed places to shop and had to drive a long way for a long time. As the villages move south same thing will happen.

No, at the point that development at Trailwinds started, people were already shopping at Winn-Dixie and eating at Square1, Darrel’s, and Roberto’s. They were buying gas at Marathon and picking up prescriptions at Walgreens. That development added variety (as well as more apartments) but people didn’t have to drive a long way for a long time.

EDIT: It has been mentioned several times that the Villages applied to develop that area but were rejected by the city of Wildwood. The Trailwinds commercial (and residential) development is still being built out today partly because the Villages Developer was denied the opportunity to build it earlier.

There is little to no commercial development in the southern area AT THIS TIME. That will change as businesses see the customers and begin to move in.

[MandoMan]

We're heading over to TV the end of March for quick look around. Just a few questions.
What days would you suggest ? I understand they have open air markets over the weekend, which sounds good. What other events/activities are scheduled for the end of March ? We'd like to hit a few while we're there.
Also, I have a good idea of the areas north of 44 but haven't gotten down to the southern most sections. How far down does TV go and what areas would we actually be able to enter ?

Well, most of the good restaurants are closed on Monday.

[MX rider]

Lots of great advice here. We did a lifestyle visit 3 years ago and after a few days we knew this was the place for us. Chosing the area we wanted to be in was a much tougher task.

Decide whats improtantant for you. We're in Amelia and love it here.

Every area in TV has it's pluses and minuses.
So theres no right or wrong, it's about finding the best fit for you.

Btw, it's a great time to buy. It's a buyers market, and many sellers are taking significant price reductions.

[CybrSage]

I personally went for a turnkey home. 1 year old and came fully furnished - including hand soap, extra towels, etc.

Cost barely more than a newly built one, but we did not have to enter the lottery system and hope for the best.

My biggest complaint about the new build homes is you get no choices in how it looks unless you go custom or higher. If all the Moonstones, for example,are built with dark wood flooring and cabinets, that is what you can get, no choice provided. You enter the lottery to see if you are allowed to buy the house after it is ready to move in.

The lottery is nice in that there is no bidding war that artificially inflates pricedd

[Velvet]

Husband and I did careful analysis while we were here on Lifestyle trip. I knew the area because my parents had a seasonal home for 10 years, and my uncle lived in TV for 32 years. My husband was new to this part of Florida so it was important that he felt comfortable with it too. We looked at maybe 20 properties and then chose one. I also looked at the neighborhood, the people there and what they were interested in. It was the best decision ever. When my husband suddenly passed it was my neighbors who stepped in to help me, to find my reason to go on. I would not change my neighbors for any model of house, any view or any amenities. Now it is 6 years later and some neighbors have passed others have moved away. But the flavor of the neighborhood is the same.

[DAVES]

We're heading over to TV the end of March for quick look around. Just a few questions.
What days would you suggest ? I understand they have open air markets over the weekend, which sounds good. What other events/activities are scheduled for the end of March ? We'd like to hit a few while we're there.
Also, I have a good idea of the areas north of 44 but haven't gotten down to the southern most sections. How far down does TV go and what areas would we actually be able to enter ?

People think differently. Pseudo-name NYBob. I/we are ex New Yorkers.
Imagine someone asks I want to see New York and have three days ? a week. We've been in the villages for 12 years. Far different than New York. You know you've been here a while when palm trees are normal. Weeds, not sure why,climate? We don't have dandelions.
Pigeons, I think the Hawks prevent them.
Temperature. Heat like palms becomes normal. Snow, I think it snowed once 20-30 years ago.
Assuming there is more than one of you, old school perhaps. Write on index cards what is important and then switch piles. Writing STUFF down makes people THINK clearly.
A planned community. Has plusses and minuses.
Hobbies, interests, whatever. There is likely a club for that. Where you choose. Think of what you want. Where we are, you can but walking, bike riding are limited. It is easy to talk to people. Ask several people where you are looking. Look at different times.
Florida-a lot of rain. How good does the water drain?

[jimjamuser]

It would be better to visit in July if you are planning on staying year round. You have to experience Florida HEAT.

[DAVES]

I personally went for a turnkey home. 1 year old and came fully furnished - including hand soap, extra towels, etc.

Cost barely more than a newly built one, but we did not have to enter the lottery system and hope for the best.

My biggest complaint about the new build homes is you get no choices in how it looks unless you go custom or higher. If all the Moonstones, for example,are built with dark wood flooring and cabinets, that is what you can get, no choice provided. You enter the lottery to see if you are allowed to buy the house after it is ready to move in.

The lottery is nice in that there is no bidding war that artificially inflates pricedd

A good thing is freedom of choice. People are different. Sort of like going to a doughnut shop. Waiting on line for say 15 minutes and the person in front of you has not thought what they want and keep changing their mind. Choices? That one in the doughnut shop. When it happens may well be my wife. Artificially inflates the price? People are different. Bidding war only happens if you let it. We sold our previous home. It was an adventure.
Most people your home is the biggest buy and sell of your life. I was involved in sales. My home was the TAX on some sales. At closing the atty for the buyer was shocked. The contract was already agreed to it and he tried to change it. Someone is always in control.
My attorney who didn't care and just wanted to get it done and be paid. In public told me to give it to them. All were shocked. I publicly said, truth we have another offer, tell em we will keep the earnest money.

[DAVES]

It would be better to visit in July if you are planning on staying year round. You have to experience Florida HEAT.

You/we acclimate to the heat. As I posted we are ex-New Yorkers.
I was out once and it was 20 below zero. Imagine leaving Florida in July and being somewhere that is 20 below zero. For that matter imagine Florida when air conditioning was rare.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

People say average villager is in their third home before they are frogs. No idea if that was true but renting for a month sure helped us decide where to stay.

We couldn't afford to rent for a month in one shot. We spent a 5-day vacation visiting friends from up north who'd moved recently to The Villages our first time. We did another week several years later. A couple years after that, we came down for another vacation for a week. And then we did a lifestyle visit for a few days a year later.

It wasn't until the following year that we were put in a position that we had no choice but to move out of our home of 12 years, and that's when we found our current home in The Villages, where we've been for 6 years.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You/we acclimate to the heat. As I posted we are ex-New Yorkers.
I was out once and it was 20 below zero. Imagine leaving Florida in July and being somewhere that is 20 below zero. For that matter imagine Florida when air conditioning was rare.

I spent a summer in Plantation, Florida, in a house that had no air conditioning. It was unbearable at night because that's when the heat really settles in from the day under sunshine. During the day I spent most of my time outside, often "stealing" a space at the hotel pool at the beach (since I wasn't a paying guest) or interviewing for a job. That was when I realized in the deepest depths of my soul that I hated Florida. My opinion hasn't changed. The Villages is a great community. It's just a shame it's in Florida.