living next to a rec center?

[2 Oldcrabs]

We just put a non refundable $2500 deposit on a lot next to Sanibel Rec ctr. Having second thoughts on being there because of the noise from pickleball and screaming children in the family pool. We can can hold off until the next group of lots become available (4-6 weeks). They have very limited lots that a stretched Lantana will fit on. Any Pro's or Con's on living next to a Rec. Ctr.:undecided:

[cybermuda]

Every time I play pickleball I think how awful it must be living near the courts, but I haven't been inside one of those homes to see if it actually is annoying. You might want to do that.

A friend lives on a golf course and says that it surprised her how noisy that can be. Not just the players and carts all day, but the grass-cutting and other servicing after hours.

The only way to be sure is to experience it for yourself.

[cybrgeezer]

You resurrected a nearly-gone memory: Several years ago, I was visiting TV and stayed at one of the motels in the Spanish Springs area, I think the Comfort Suites.

In the morning, it was very cold, for north-central Florida, maybe in the low 30s. There was frost on the cars parked in the shade of the motel.

And, it was quiet ... except for the "thunk-thunk-thunk" of the players on the pickleball court next door (I don't remember the name of that rec center; you residents know the one). I walked over to take a look; about eight folis were playing, all bundled in sweat clothes.

Thanks for the memory.

As for that location for a home, well, it's certainly convenient. But just that visit of mine and the early-morning (it was maybe 7:30 or 8 a.m.) players tells me there are some dedicated players out there and they're not dedicated to letting you sleep in.

[rubicon]

Your right to have second thoughts. Some folks in Arizona have been pushing to have pickelball remove from their communities because of the noise

[linandvin]

Wow. I thought just the opposite. The lovely sound of pickleball would lull me to sleep! Up north people have no problem next to the courts, but there are only two courts there. Your decision.

[graciegirl]

Sweetie and I and Helene spent three seasons in our Hadley home just a stones throw from the Odell family pool and fairly near the pickleball courts and right next to the shuffleboard courts and loved every second of it.

We could throw on our bathing suits and grab a towel and walk out our back yard to the pool. The sound of little ones having a good time was a happy sound to us. We are early risers and so any sound in the morning didn't bother us, but none of us ever noted the sound of pickleballs. The shuffleboard players, who were the closest...sometimes the guys were a little raucous, but behind our bushes in the privacy of our very close back yard, I could yell out..."hey there fellas watch your language" if we were having company ...otherwise it didn't bother me either. I bet they wondered where that sweet voice came from. ;)

I loved it when family came. It was like having your own entertainment park in the back yard and you didn't have to clean the pool or do anything...Plus The Villages planted beautiful palm trees that we could see from our house. It was cheaper than planting our own.

We felt the walls and windows kept out almost every sound.

We loved it.

[buggyone]

When my wife and I were looking at homes 2 years ago, one of the houses on our "short list" was fronting on Bacall golf course. On our second or third look at the house, 4 golf balls hit the house with a big thud while we were looking all within 1 hour. One of the golfers actually came into the yard and was searching in the bushes by the lanai for his ball.

We also noticed the noise of the pickleball courts quite a bit on that second look and decided between the pickleball noise and the placement of the house on the flight path of too many golf balls, this was NOT our dream house.

We found another one on Glenview golf course that we have not had any hits of the house in 2 years. Location, Location, Location.

So, Old Crabs, I would not live close to a rec center.

[LivingLarge]

Seems to me that the vast majority of pickleball noise is AM. I have friends who have a home next to a rec center and love it. Private lanai for less $ and the convenience of walking out to the pool.

[StarbuckSammy]

The Picklball courts would drive me crazy. Imagine sleeping in at 7 am...then the constant cracking of the paddles....some can handle it..not me

[l2ridehd]

I would think it would be about how late you sleep. I am up every day at 5:00 AM or before. So I doubt it would bother me much. And if you don't have your own pool, being close to a pool would be good. However if you like to sleep late, don't like the noise of kids in your back yard, (yards are REALLY small in TV, so yes in YOUR back yard) I would make a different decision. Being one street over from an adult pool would be a good location. Being next to a rec center with a family pool and pickleball, maybe not so good.

[Mudder]

Living next to a rec center is not a problem at all. The sounds are those of people and their grandkids having fun. That's what it's all about.

[Double Bogie]

While seriously considering a pre-owned last year that backed up to a rec center we found ourselves questioning the same thing. We then came back a few times, at different hours to see the home, walk around etc. The home was empty so we didn't feel that we were imposing on the owners. After the early morning pickelball hours visit we made the decision to pass on the home.

It really is a personal preference. If you are second guessing your lot choice, this may be an indicator.
Nan

[Jakel]

We also own a home that backs up to the Rec Center....the pickleball is on the other side of the grounds, so the sounds are not annoying to us. We could have purchased new for the price of this 3 year old home, but we felt the location was ideal. Just think of not having to get into the golf cart everytime you wanted to take a dip. When family comes, we can easily walk to all of the activities the Rec Center has to offer. We probably would have thought twice about having the pickleball courts adjacent to our home, so you may want to see how close you are to the courts, but we really enjoy the sounds of people having fun, for us it is much more enjoyable than other sounds you may encounter.

[NJblue]

As others have said, being "next" to a rec center is relative to where you are next to a rec center. If the lanai overlooks the pickleball court and you don't like the sound, that is one thing, but, if you are on the other side of the rec center, you have to strain your ears to hear the pickleball.

We are very close to a rec center and view its location to be a strong positive for the reasons cited. It provides a built-in activity center for any spur of the moment whim to use the shuffle board, bocce, billiards or swimming pool. It is exceptionally good when company comes to visit. As far as noise, we occasionally hear some noise coming from the shuffle board courts which we are nearest to. The very distant sounds of kids in the pool during the peak spring break times is like music - reminds you of the joy of living in such a great place where grandkids can have fun.

I doubt that we will ever move, but if we did, we would have close proximity to a rec center as a virtual necessity.

[GeorgeT]

We just put a non refundable $2500 deposit on a lot next to Sanibel Rec ctr. Having second thoughts on being there because of the noise from pickleball and screaming children in the family pool. We can can hold off until the next group of lots become available (4-6 weeks). They have very limited lots that a stretched Lantana will fit on. Any Pro's or Con's on living next to a Rec. Ctr.:undecided:

Looks like you're in quite a pickle! I think no matter where you live in TV you'll have a ball. However, I would prefer not to live that close to a court. I live a few blocks away from one and I can hear the noise clearly in the AM. Doesn't really bother me from that distance though.

[JohnM]

FWIW .... I am about 1/4 mile from one pickleball court and about 1/2 mile from another one and I can hear both clearly in the morning ... neither is annoying ... YMMV

[Shimpy]

It's amazing what you get used to. When we first moved into Buttonwood the trains in Wildwood sounded like they were in my back yard to me. Now I hardly notice them. Trains come and go but pickle ball goes on and on and has that plinking sound. If you have a choice I'd pick another lot just to be on the safe side, but it may not be much of a bother to you.

[2 Oldcrabs]

The lot we have backs to the side of the building with the pool & pickleball being on the far side of Rec ctr. TV plants bushes bet our house and the building, giving us some privacy. We visited a few rec ctr today but it was after 11am and no one was playing. Will go out again about 7:30 am and check out the noise. We also rented in 2009 and could hear the pickeball about 1/4 mile away, but it seemed muted. The problem is that TV only has 6 lots that our house can go on and they are all next to the Rec ctr. We have no idea what will be available when the next lots are released. TV is very very restrictive on what type homes can go on lots. There is another lot that is large enough but they only allow "inside" golf gart garages on those lots.:cus:

[NJblue]

Based on where the pickleball courts are relative to your lot, with the rec center being between you acting as a sound barrier, it sounds like what our situation is. I can tell you that neither we nor any of our neighbors ever complain about pickleball noise and really don't ever even notice it. On the contrary we all love the convenience of being able to walk to the pool - especially when the grandkids visit and they invaribly "forget" to bring something with them to the pool or want to run back and get a snack or use the bathroom. It's also a blessing not having someone else's lanai 20 feet from where you are sitting on your lanai.

However, if you are concerned about it and since it sounds like you won't be building for awhile, perhaps you can just monitor the lots as new ones are opened up and see if anything appeals to you more.

[Carla B]

If you pass on this one, don't worry that you'll not find another lot. TV has thousands of lots left and you'll find the lot and location you want. The developer's marketing strategy is to close out one section before releasing another but there will be desirable lots coming out month by month.

[KittyKat]

After the early morning pickelball hours visit we made the decision to pass on the home.

It really is a personal preference. If you are second guessing your lot choice, this may be an indicator.
Nan

I totally agree. Go with your first instinct--it's usually right. Would hate to lose the money but better than having to move later on. Good luck!

[cquick]

We just put a non refundable $2500 deposit on a lot next to Sanibel Rec ctr./:

I didn't realize you could "move" your choice of lot after you put down your deposit. That's good to know, because I am having second thoughts on where the lot is that we have put down a deposit. We are building either a Holly or a Zinnia and we need a golf cart garage, and our rep. said there aren't very many lots wide enough for the the 2 car plus golf cart garage.

[2 Oldcrabs]

After your suggestions, we visited 4 Rec ctr while pickleball was being played and stood about where our lot would be. We were amazed how quiet it was. We also talked to 2 couples who have similar lots next to Rec ctr. They said it is no problem. The pickleball noise seemed to be worse about a block away from the Rec ctr. So we took the plunge. Wrote the check. House will be done on Dec 7th. Thanks for your input.:bigbow:

[jackz]

Congrats on your decision, which considering all the work you put into it, seems like the right one for you.

Enjoy.

[graciegirl]

After your suggestions, we visited 4 Rec ctr while pickleball was being played and stood about where our lot would be. We were amazed how quiet it was. We also talked to 2 couples who have similar lots next to Rec ctr. They said it is no problem. The pickleball noise seemed to be worse about a block away from the Rec ctr. So we took the plunge. Wrote the check. House will be done on Dec 7th. Thanks for your input.:bigbow:

I am very happy for you!! I want to say again that we loved our home in Hadley. We decided to build a little bigger one for the three of us for our year 'round one or we wouldn't have ever moved.

We left behind the dearest neighbors, including the folks we sold to.

But we are still here in Lower Paradise and so are they, just a golf cart ride away!!

[NJblue]

After your suggestions, we visited 4 Rec ctr while pickleball was being played and stood about where our lot would be. We were amazed how quiet it was. We also talked to 2 couples who have similar lots next to Rec ctr. They said it is no problem. The pickleball noise seemed to be worse about a block away from the Rec ctr. So we took the plunge. Wrote the check. House will be done on Dec 7th. Thanks for your input.:bigbow:

My prediction: after you move in and start taking advantage of close proximity to the rec center that you will wonder why you ever questioned your choice. Good luck and enjoy yor new home.

[Schaumburger]

After your suggestions, we visited 4 Rec ctr while pickleball was being played and stood about where our lot would be. We were amazed how quiet it was. We also talked to 2 couples who have similar lots next to Rec ctr. They said it is no problem. The pickleball noise seemed to be worse about a block away from the Rec ctr. So we took the plunge. Wrote the check. House will be done on Dec 7th. Thanks for your input.:bigbow:

2 Oldcrabs -- Congratulations and best of luck in your home building. Enjoy your new home and the proximity to the rec center. :wave:

[champion6]

After your suggestions, we visited 4 Rec ctr while pickleball was being played and stood about where our lot would be. We were amazed how quiet it was. We also talked to 2 couples who have similar lots next to Rec ctr. They said it is no problem. The pickleball noise seemed to be worse about a block away from the Rec ctr. So we took the plunge. Wrote the check. House will be done on Dec 7th. Thanks for your input.Woo-hoo!! That's fantastic. Good luck... and the best is yet to come!

[2BNTV]

After your suggestions, we visited 4 Rec ctr while pickleball was being played and stood about where our lot would be. We were amazed how quiet it was. We also talked to 2 couples who have similar lots next to Rec ctr. They said it is no problem. The pickleball noise seemed to be worse about a block away from the Rec ctr. So we took the plunge. Wrote the check. House will be done on Dec 7th. Thanks for your input.:bigbow:

I just love it when things get resolved. Congrats on your new home.

:BigApplause: