What made you choose the village you live in?

[lanabanana73]

There are so many CHOICES! What influenced your decision on where to buy/build?

Alanna

[Bill-n-Brillo]

What do you want to be close to (or far away from)? How important is it to be close to one of the squares (or not), grocery stores, restaurants, a rec center, and so on.

If you're buying a resale home, we based part of our decision on the age of the house we wanted to have. That alone will point you to certain areas. Also with resales: Do you want natural gas service or not? Some will have it, some won't.

Bill :)

[skyguy79]

We chose Hadley because we heard that Graciegirl was in Hadley. Once we bought though we must have scared her away since she sold and moved to another Village!

Seriously, we didn't really care what village we were in or where it was located. We just wanted to find a home that would satisfy our likes and preferences and today we're 100% satisfied except for not having a golf cart garage.

We started looking all the way up in Chatham, worked our way down and wound up purchasing all the way in the south-east corner of TV. At the time that was as far away from where we started, Chatham as we could possibly go.

[Don Dukes]

Are the villages different? I mean, do they have a theme or something?

[Army Guy]

No, all villages basically the same, just think of them as "large neighborhoods". South of 466 most every village has a pool with horseshoes, boccee (?) shuffle board.
When we where looking we wanted something out of concrete, and to down-size from what we had. So we looked primarily at villas. Also like the privacy of actually having yard area with a fence since fences are not allowed in TV.
We bought a CYV and LOVE IT! Yes, it took some getting use to the smaller size but you are so busy in TV that a bed, small kitchen and bath is really all you need! All of our firends own homes and wish they had bought a CYV.

Army Guy

[Don Dukes]

No, all villages basically the same, just thing of them as "large neighborhoods". South of 466 most every village has a pool with horseshoes, boccee (?) shuffle board.
When we where looking we wanted something out of concrete, and to down-size from what we had. So we looked primarily at villas. Also like the privacy of actually having yard area with a fence since fences are not allowed in TV.
We bought a CYV and LOVE IT! Yes, it took some getting use to the smaller size but you are so busy in TV that a bed, small kitchen and bath is really all you need! All of our firends own homes and wish they had bought a CYV.

Army Guy


Thanks! Good to know. We are just discovering The Villages. What's a CYV?

[Army Guy]

Thanks! Good to know. We are just discovering The Villages. What's a CYV?

It is a great place! CYV = Court Yard Villa

Army Guy

[Don Dukes]

It is a great place! CYV = Court Yard Villa

Army Guy


Thanks! We have been hearing a lot about it from some friend of ours who are moving there! In fact, that's ALL they talk about!

[Schaumburger]

Thanks! We have been hearing a lot about it from some friend of ours who are moving there! In fact, that's ALL they talk about!

Don, Go on :The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Retirement Hometown - New Home Sales, Home Resales, Build Your Dream Home (http://www.thevillages.com) and look at both the new homes and preowned homes and you can see photos of what manufactured hoems, courtyard villas, patio villas, ranch homes, designer homes and premier homes look like. Large price range from less than $100K to $800K+

[lanabanana73]

Thanks! We have been hearing a lot about it from some friend of ours who are moving there! In fact, that's ALL they talk about!

Well, I'll bet I can guess who that is!! It wouldn't be the most excited person to be building at TV EVER, could it? :cool smiley: I hope I get a chance to meet her someday. Her excitement is surely contagious and I just love being around people who have such positive energy!

[Don Dukes]

Well, I'll bet I can guess who that is!! It wouldn't be the most excited person to be building at TV EVER, could it? :cool smiley: I hope I get a chance to meet her someday. Her excitement is surely contagious and I just love being around people who have such positive energy!

Ed and Beth Sterling. Do you know them? They are moving down next week! It's all they talk about! They told us to come on this site and thevillages.com.

I've been looking at the "pre-owned" homes and the new homes on thevillages.com. Nice homes, but many of the homes in Florida are a lot less expensive with more options. I'm not sure I get it. I don't mean to be rude. I'm just trying to figure this out.

[lanabanana73]

Ed and Beth Sterling. Do you know them? They are moving down next week! It's all they talk about! They told us to come on this site and thevillages.com.

I've been looking at the "pre-owned" homes and the new homes on thevillages.com. Nice homes, but many of the homes in Florida are a lot less expensive with more options. I'm not sure I get it. I don't mean to be rude. I'm just trying to figure this out.

I assumed you were talking about this person, but I think her name is Kathy. How big is Queensbury, anyway?

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/happinow-update-48693/

[Villages PL]

There are so many CHOICES! What influenced your decision on where to buy/build?

Alanna


I lived in a manufactured doublewide on the east side of 441 for about 5 years. Then one morning, while reading my newspaper, I noticed a patio villa in the classified section. I wasn't looking for a house but it caught my attention. I had never seen the inside of one and was curious. But I didn't want to bother the occupants just because I was courious. Well, I thought, I'll just call and ask some questions. I ended up on the phone with the owner for about a half hour.

The owner was so friendly that I couldn't resist going to look at it. It was less than a year old and in a great location behind the Villages High school. This was before the Villages library was built and before Walmart.

So here's what happened: After about 10 minutes looking at the house, I gave the owner a deposit. There was no realtor involved. I bought the house and have been living in it since 2005.

:)

[Schaumburger]

Ed and Beth Sterling. Do you know them? They are moving down next week! It's all they talk about! They told us to come on this site and thevillages.com.

I've been looking at the "pre-owned" homes and the new homes on thevillages.com. Nice homes, but many of the homes in Florida are a lot less expensive with more options. I'm not sure I get it. I don't mean to be rude. I'm just trying to figure this out.

One of the great selling features of TV (at least for me as a wannabee) is the huge variety of clubs, social activities and volunteer opportunties that are available. Also from what I have heard, TV for the most part is a safe area (also important to me as a single female). I walked through the squares at LSL and SS at 9:00 pm and later last year several times and never felt unsafe, although I always keep aware of my surroundings. I'm sure TV residents will post more feedback.

[Don Dukes]

I assumed you were talking about this person, but I think her name is Kathy. How big is Queensbury, anyway?

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/happinow-update-48693/


We are bout 65 square miles with a population of about 35,000 people. It's beautiful here.

No I don't know Kathy (Happinow). I know of her and her husband. They own CSA Coin and Jewelery on Glen Street. I've never met them but have heard of them.

My friends are moving to The Villages next month to a village they call Brownwood or something. They had a house built there. I don't remember but the model was the name of a flower.

[Don Dukes]

One of the great selling features of TV (at least for me as a wannabee) is the huge variety of clubs, social activities and volunteer opportunties that are available. Also from what I have heard, TV for the most part is a safe area (also important to me as a single female). I walked through the squares at LSL and SS at 9:00 pm and later last year several times and never felt unsafe, although I always keep aware of my surroundings. I'm sure TV residents will post more feedback.

That's what my friends are saying.

[lanabanana73]

I lived in a manufactured doublewide on the east side of 441 for about 5 years. Then one morning, while reading my newspaper, I noticed a patio villa in the classified section. I wasn't looking for a house but it caught my attention. I had never seen the inside of one and was curious. But I didn't want to bother the occupants just because I was courious. Well, I thought, I'll just call and ask some questions. I ended up on the phone with the owner for about a half hour.

The owner was so friendly that I couldn't resist going to look at it. It was less than a year old and in a great location behind the Villages High school. This was before the Villages library was built and before Walmart.

So here's what happened: After about 10 minutes looking at the house, I gave the owner a deposit. There was no realtor involved. I bought the house and have been living in it since 2005.

:)

That's a great story. So, you didn't care which village it was in. It was the right place at the right time!

[jgbama]

Ed and Beth Sterling. Do you know them? They are moving down next week! It's all they talk about! They told us to come on this site and thevillages.com.

I've been looking at the "pre-owned" homes and the new homes on thevillages.com. Nice homes, but many of the homes in Florida are a lot less expensive with more options. I'm not sure I get it. I don't mean to be rude. I'm just trying to figure this out.

Sometimes folks assume you are more familiar with The Villages (TV) than you may be. If you are comparing TV to other retirement communities, you may be right about home prices. One thing you have to consider at TV is it is larger than any other. When you factor in the two, soon to be three, town squares with free nightly music and dancing, plus the shops, restaurants, bowling alleys, movie houses, professional services, doctors, banks and much more can be reached in your golf cart, well no other place compares. Being a Community Development District (CDD) there are some additional expenses you don't have in a regular city or town, but we learned all about that several years ago and it is all doable on our modest budget.

Add to that the unbelievable number of social clubs and activity groups, you won't find another place like TV. It is all about staying active and enjoy as many of our remaining years as the Lord will grant us. No other place has 10 championship (27-hole) golf courses and over 30 executive (par-3) courses to choose from. The person in the lowest priced manufactured home has the same privileges and access as the person with a million-dollar home.

It is a lifestyle change, not just another retirement community. A chance to do the things we all wish we could have done when we were younger. For example, my DW (darling wife) always wanted to be a chorus line dancer (when she was younger). Once we get moved, she'll have a chance to make that dream come true.

THAT, new friend, is why 80,000+ folks call TV home, and another 30,000 of us "gonnabees, wannabees" want to join them!

As many have stated on this forum, it is "lower paradise" (implying it is the greatest place this side of heaven)!! Is it perfect, maybe not, but neither am I and once some friends told us about TV and we saw it in person in 2005, we stopped looking at any other location. It is the place for us - - hands down!!

Hope this helped a little.:) Also, I'm one of those, like Ed and Beth, you can't shut up about TV. I'm been accused of being an undercover marketing representative for them!! The best advertising is word of mouth, and after 7 visits, we are "big mouths" about TV!!!!:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

HEY. . WAIT, I forgot to mention the Broadway caliber shows at the Savannah Center, their own hospital, TV station, radio station and newspaper.

OH HECK. . .then there is the solfball complex and polo grounds! Whew, let me catch my breath. The new assisted living complex and Hospice facility just means that when I can't golf any more she can take me to the assisted living facility in our golf cart!! :coolsmiley:

I'M THROUGH! MY LIPS ARE SEALED (for now)! :icon_wink: :clap2:

[Don Dukes]

Sometimes folks assume you are more familiar with The Villages (TV) than you may be. If you are comparing TV to other retirement communities, you may be right about home prices. One thing you have to consider at TV is it is larger than any other. When you factor in the two, soon to be three, town squares with free nightly music and dancing, plus the shops, restaurants, bowling alleys, movie houses, professional services, doctors, banks and much more can be reached in your golf cart, well no other place compares. Being a Community Development District (CDD) there are some additional expenses you don't have in a regular city or town, but we learned all about that several years ago and it is all doable on our modest budget.

Add to that the unbelievable number of social clubs and activity groups, you won't find another place like TV. It is all about staying active and enjoy as many of our remaining years as the Lord will grant us. No other place has 10 championship (27-hole) golf courses and over 30 executive (par-3) courses to choose from. The person in the lowest priced manufactured home has the same privileges and access as the person with a million-dollar home.

It is a lifestyle change, not just another retirement community. A chance to do the things we all wish we could have done when we were younger. For example, my DW (darling wife) always wanted to be a chorus line dancer (when she was younger). Once we get moved, she'll have a chance to make that dream come true.

THAT, new friend, is why 80,000+ folks call TV home, and another 30,000 of us "gonnabees, wannabees" want to join them!

As many have stated on this forum, it is "lower paradise" (implying it is the greatest place this side of heaven)!! Is it perfect, maybe not, but neither am I and once some friends told us about TV and we saw it in person in 2005, we stopped looking at any other location. It is the place for us - - hands down!!

Hope this helped a little.:) Also, I'm one of those, like Ed and Beth, you can't shut up about TV. I'm been accused of being an undercover marketing representative for them!! The best advertising is word of mouth, and after 7 visits, we are "big mouths" about TV!!!!:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

HEY. . WAIT, I forgot to mention the Broadway caliber shows at the Savannah Center, their own hospital, TV station, radio station and newspaper.

OH HECK. . .then there is the solfball complex and polo grounds! Whew, let me catch my breath. The new assisted living complex and Hospice facility just means that when I can't golf any more she can take me to the assisted living facility in our golf cart!! :coolsmiley:

I'M THROUGH! MY LIPS ARE SEALED (for now)! :icon_wink: :clap2:

Our friends tell us we just need to come down and see it to believe it! You sound like them. Hard to believe anything that "perfect".

Thanks! It's nice to hear this from someone other then just one couple!

[keithwand]

We wanted new to get exactly what we want and to be in a newer area and chose The Village of Fernandina.
They found us a staggered lot large enough for a pool and a 3 car garage that we wanted.

[jgbama]

Our friends tell us we just need to come down and see it to believe it! You sound like them. Hard to believe anything that "perfect".

Thanks! It's nice to hear this from someone other then just one couple!

You do have to see it in person. When you drive all throughout TV and see a place as well maintained and as beautiful as Disneyworld, you just have to admire the unbelievable vision that Mr. Schwartz had 40 years ago when it all started as a trailer park. Their social activities were only on Saturday, and that was under a tent! An look at it now! Truly remarkable.

Give it a try. Also, as you are learning, this forum is an invaluable source for making friends and gathering information that would take you years to find out on your own!

[jebartle]

We had considered the condos (no maintenance) that surround Spanish Springs but as luck would have it, I noticed a home for sale online and the rest they say "Is History"......Love love love our neighbors and the beautiful trees...

[janmcn]

When I made my first trip to The Villages in July 2000, they were building CYV's in Santiago. Two months later the sales person I had met called and said they had one lot left and were offering one million dollars in incentives, either 5% in upgrades to your house or 5% in furniture from Southern Lifestyles. I took the upgrades, but some of my neighbors were able to furnish their entire homes with this deal.

This was back in the day when everyone got to design their own home, from patio villas to premiers. Also back in the day when everyone visiting The Villages got picked up at the airport in a big white limousine with a fully stocked bar and two free nights in the villas at Spanish Springs.

This was when Harold Schwartz was still alive, and he and his son, Gary Morse were extremely customer service oriented.

[jgbama]

We had considered the condos (no maintenance) that surround Spanish Springs but as luck would have it, I noticed a home for sale online and the rest they say "Is History"......Love love love our neighbors and the beautiful trees...

That area just above 466, off Morse Blvd, is pretty. We are thinking courtyard villa, because we are bringing a yorkie, and like the fenced backyard. I like villages off Morse, because my favorite golf courses are along there, i.e. Hacienda, Tierra del Sol, Mallory and Havana. I understand it is easier to get to the new course Bonifay off Morse, than Buena Vista. Haven't been down in a year, so I'm going on what a friend told me.

Being social creatures, and loving to dance, I'm thinking we don't want to be too far from a town square. A 30 minute plus cart ride at 9PM doesn't exactly excite me.

We once rented near Lopez course, and that is a long ride from Spanish Springs in a golf cart. Would never venture to Lake Sumter from that far North.

[jblum315]

Chose Hemingway. Wanted to be near family in Hadley without being "in their pocket."

[graciegirl]

Chose Laurel Valley because it and Pennecamp were the only places available to build the Seabrook model we liked.

I really like it here because we are convenient to many places and especially LSL living off 466. I still love Havana Trail and Hadley.

[PandG]

Hi everyone!

This is our first foray into TOTV! We've been reading TOTV for a couple of months now and have enjoyed the many conversations. We first visited TV in July 2011 as part of a short "tour" of 55-plus communities. (We honestly thought we wouldn't like TV because of its size. We were wrong.)

We returned in November for a 4-day Lifestyle Preview visit and completely fell in love with the surroundings, sense of community, and friendly people.

Now we're figuring out how to accomplish the next step: buying in TV! We are leaning toward buying a lot and building, although if we find that "perfect" house we might go that route.

A new unit has opened up in Fernadina. We would like to see those properties, plus the Sanibel and Charlotte villages, in person. We are planning to come down for another week, and would appreciate any suggestions, ideas, thoughts, experiences, etc., from the collective wisdom of TOTV.

[Ohiogirl]

but would have considered resale also; however, at the time (2006) the Florida buyer boom was almost at its height. Resales were quite a bit more expensive than new. Had to get on the waiting list for a 3 BR CYV, took about 2 weeks, then 4 hours to take it or leave it. Know people who only had 2 hours.

Those wannabes or mightbes are correct in that homes are more expensive here than other parts of Fla., and some places don't have a bond (infrastructure cost is built into the home price, like most places up North).

But - and this is a big BUT - you aren't nickel and dimed to death to join activities and golf - unless you play a lot of championship courses. The current amenity fee is about $139 - for almost everyone (OK, a few from the historic side may be grandfathered in), no matter the value of your home.

Can't tell you how many people I've met who moved here from other parts of Florida, many from other retirement communities, who have told me they could not afford to do all of the things where they used to live that they do here. Or have the expansive choices.

For instance, if you golf, belong to an art league and want to go to zumba classes, you might have to pay country club fees, an art assoc. fee, and a gym fee plus class charges. Plus you'd probably have to drive to some of these thru heavy traffic in season. Plus homeowner insurance is cheaper than on the coast, and probably auto insurance too (but I'm not sure). For sure, we spend less on gas for our car and minimal wear and tear because we drive our golf carts most of the time. And - when we get older and really don't want to drive much in traffic, we will still be driving our golf carts here (I know, I know, but let's not go there right now).

[Schaumburger]

Hi everyone!

This is our first foray into TOTV! We've been reading TOTV for a couple of months now and have enjoyed the many conversations. We first visited TV in July 2011 as part of a short "tour" of 55-plus communities. (We honestly thought we wouldn't like TV because of its size. We were wrong.)

We returned in November for a 4-day Lifestyle Preview visit and completely fell in love with the surroundings, sense of community, and friendly people.

Now we're figuring out how to accomplish the next step: buying in TV! We are leaning toward buying a lot and building, although if we find that "perfect" house we might go that route.

A new unit has opened up in Fernadina. We would like to see those properties, plus the Sanibel and Charlotte villages, in person. We are planning to come down for another week, and would appreciate any suggestions, ideas, thoughts, experiences, etc., from the collective wisdom of TOTV.

PanG, Welcome to TOTV! Read and post questions and you will learn so much about moving to and living in The Villages from the wise people who post here. :welcome:

[Barefoot]

There are so many CHOICES! What influenced your decision on where to buy/build?
Alanna

We based our decision on the following:

We wanted a pre-owned house because we think you get more for your money that way. We wanted something built in the last five years because we didn't want to have to worry about replacing roofs or furnaces or air conditioners. We wanted to live mid-town with easy acces to both Town Centers.

We wanted to be minutes away from the following by Golf Cart:

Library
Publix
Fresh Market
Urgent Care
Vet
WalMart
Bealls
Perkins
Crispers
MacDonalds Golden Arches
Bob Evans
Olive Garden
Bonefish Grill
Red Lobster
and many other restaurants and stores

We wanted to be within 10 minutes of the dog park called Doggie Doo Run Run, because we take our dogs there for an off-leash run every day.

So we live in Belvedere Village, just south of CR 466 and The Villages Charters School. We are very close to Southern Trace, Buffalo Ridge, etc.
For us it is the perfect location. As a matter of fact we sold our CYV in Belvedere Village and bought a Designer in Belvedere. That is how much we like it!

[coffeebean]

Ed and Beth Sterling. Do you know them? They are moving down next week! It's all they talk about! They told us to come on this site and thevillages.com.

I've been looking at the "pre-owned" homes and the new homes on thevillages.com. Nice homes, but many of the homes in Florida are a lot less expensive with more options. I'm not sure I get it. I don't mean to be rude. I'm just trying to figure this out.

It's not only a home you are purchasing in TV, it's a lifestyle. There aren't any other retirement communities like TV so it is very hard to compare this lifestyle to others.

[lanabanana73]

We based our decision on the following:

We wanted a pre-owned house because we think you get more for your money that way. We wanted something built in the last five years because we didn't want to have to worry about replacing roofs or furnaces or air conditioners. We wanted to live mid-town with easy acces to both Town Centers.

We wanted to be minutes away from the following by Golf Cart:

Library
Publix
Fresh Market
Urgent Care
Vet
WalMart
Bealls
Perkins
Crispers
MacDonalds Golden Arches
Bob Evans
Olive Garden
Bonefish Grill
Red Lobster
and many other restaurants and stores

We wanted to be within 10 minutes of the dog park called Doggie Doo Run Run, because we take our dogs there for an off-leash run every day.

So we live in Belvedere Village, just south of CR 466 and The Villages Charters School. We are very close to Southern Trace, Buffalo Ridge, etc.
For us it is the perfect location. As a matter of fact we sold our CYV in Belvedere Village and bought a Designer in Belvedere. That is how much we like it!

That is perfect, thank you and exactly the kind of answer I'm looking for. Hmmm.....since I have now turned into a "crazy dog lady", perhaps we too need to be near Doggie Doo Run Run!

We have decided that we are going to dump our 3 kids and make a day trip to TV next month on the 16th to lay our eyes on it. I simply canNOT wait until October! We'll take a trolley tour and maybe make a reservation for a LSV for a few days before we take possession of our rental on the 1st of October.

Hanging out on these boards is probably not good for me. I'm ready to sell the two properties we own here and buy something at TV sight unseen!! Someone needs to tell me, "Hey, slow down girl"!!!

I really appreciate everyone's input and hope you'll keep it coming. I'm very interested to know how people decided on the homes/locations they are in when there are just so many choices.

On to more dreaming....... :MOJE_whot:

[l2ridehd]

Your all wrong, my Villages is best. :a040:

[graciegirl]

When I made my first trip to The Villages in July 2000, they were building CYV's in Santiago. Two months later the sales person I had met called and said they had one lot left and were offering one million dollars in incentives, either 5% in upgrades to your house or 5% in furniture from Southern Lifestyles. I took the upgrades, but some of my neighbors were able to furnish their entire homes with this deal.

This was back in the day when everyone got to design their own home, from patio villas to premiers. Also back in the day when everyone visiting The Villages got picked up at the airport in a big white limousine with a fully stocked bar and two free nights in the villas at Spanish Springs.

This was when Harold Schwartz was still alive, and he and his son, Gary Morse were extremely customer service oriented.

I think that if you look around you, and see what it takes to maintain this place and look how it is kept and the flowers changed out every six weeks, and the remarkable HEAVY folding chairs in all of the rec centers and the design and furnishings of all of the rec centers, and the dozens of beautiful clean sparkling pools with painted every year common areas and beautiful shade coverings to the shuffleboard courts and the picnic areas at the neighborhood rec centers, and the pools for family and the pools for adults over thirty, and the pristine CLEANLINESS, no trash along the roadside or trash anywhere in the neighborhoods and the immediate response given by the warranty department, and the beautiful downtown areas, and the music available at the squares nightly and at the church on the square and at the Savannah center and the stages with curtains at all of the regional rec centers and the mail drops with air conditioning so our prescriptions don't get hot, and the EMS running all of the time to the folks who have fallen or become ill and the big hospital and the attempts to improve health care by the invited USF and the gorgeous landscaping, expensive landscaping right now everywhere getting new pine straw and the..

I think they are still plenty "customer service oriented". Thank you Harold's descendents. I would like to hug all of you. The apple never falls too far from the tree.:bigbow:

[lightworker888]

as it was centrally located and will about center from all 3 town squares. We can get to SS and LSL by golf cart. I take the car north of 466 on the Buena Vista end as I haven't yet learned the tunnel connection through Laurel Manor. But I do go to Southern Trace by golf cart through Belvedere. The only other reason I use the car is if I have to cross 441. Except of course, if I don't leave enough time!

We are in Poinciana and because we bought a turnkey that was fully furnished with everything I needed and liked, it was a no brainer, even though we had no intention of buying when we rented! Must have drunk the Kool-Aid as soon as we landed. I'm sure you will love TV as much as we do. They seem to have thought of everything to make retirement a permanent vacation.


LW888

[swimdawg]

I think that if you look around you, and see what it takes to maintain this place and look how it is kept and the flowers changed out every six weeks, and the remarkable HEAVY folding chairs in all of the rec centers and the design and furnishings of all of the rec centers, and the dozens of beautiful clean sparkling pools with painted every year common areas and beautiful shade coverings to the shuffleboard courts and the picnic areas at the neighborhood rec centers, and the pools for family and the pools for adults over thirty, and the pristine CLEANLINESS, no trash along the roadside or trash anywhere in the neighborhoods and the immediate response given by the warranty department, and the beautiful downtown areas, and the music available at the squares nightly and at the church on the square and at the Savannah center and the stages with curtains at all of the regional rec centers and the mail drops with air conditioning so our prescriptions don't get hot, and the EMS running all of the time to the folks who have fallen or become ill and the big hospital and the attempts to improve health care by the invited USF and the gorgeous landscaping, expensive landscaping right now everywhere getting new pine straw and the..

I think they are still plenty "customer service oriented". Thank you Harold's descendents. I would like to hug all of you. The apple never falls too far from the tree.:bigbow:

Give me 5 for that one! You said it all, Gracie. :highfive:

[keithwand]

Re: The Villages being more expensive than other parts of FL is not totally true.
We thought so at first too. Then we priced it out.

Selling our 3,213sf home with 3.5 baths, 3 car garage in Baldwin Park, Orlando and purchasing 3,200sf, 3 bath, 3 car garage with 2' bumpout, pool, cage and summer kitchen for the same $$ in TV.

Now to me thats a deal.

[Barefoot]

Hanging out on these boards is probably not good for me. I'm ready to sell the two properties we own here and buy something at TV sight unseen!! Someone needs to tell me, "Hey, slow down girl"!!!

We bought our first CYV sight unseen! And we never regretted it for a second. We wanted a newish Villa south of CR 466 and backing on a golf course. So when one came up, we grabbed it for $20,000 less than list price. My husband came home from work (in Canada), and I told him "We just bought a Villa in TV." You go girl!

[Bosoxfan]

we really didn't choose the village we live in .our representative showed us so many lots & so many houses in 2 days that we had no idea where we were .we found a lot that backed up to a horse farm with lots of old oaks and fell in love with the idea of no houses behind us! haven't regretted a thing!

[rubicon]

What made me choose the village I live in? My neighbors promised me a rose garden:a040:

[PandG]

We appreciate everyone's thoughts and suggestions, as we inch closer to making a permanent move from the Midwest to become Frogs in TV. We're getting some projects done, before putting the house on the market. In the meanwhile, we're living vicariously through everyone's posts! :)

Paul & Gail

[Someday Came]

We picked Heminway, because a friend of my sister who lived in TV for 10 years said buy in one of 5 or 6 ( she have us a list) Villages that are some what on the new side you will find people more your age that are just retireing. We looked in many other states and kept coming back to the Villages for activties people and life syle. We take over our home March 31 2012, part time for the first year .

[angiefox10]

We didn't choose the village... We didn't know enough about The Villages to know what or where any of the villages are. We chose the lot!

We didn't care where we lived in The Villages as long as we could get there! We wanted a lot that didn't back up to another home as we have a "yapper' and we didn't want the sun setting on our lanai. We also wanted a lot large enough to build a birdcage.

I don't think you can live in a "bad" village! They are all wonderful!

[lanabanana73]

Thanks you guys! Keep 'em coming!!! I'll have my village picked out before you know it. :a040::a040:

[jane032657]

We looked at a lot of wonderful neighborhoods, houses (including premier and designer) as well as different views. We chose Haciendas at Mission Hills on the view side because we found it a combination of seeing preserve, water, the tunnels under the bridge, and private looking straight out; and activity looking out to the side view where the new Live Oak Park and baordwalk is which we can see from our home, the golf cart path etc but all with privacy. We have the corner lot. We liked the quiet and the busyness depending on what you want to gaze at. We likes the very large fenced yard for our two dogs as well as our own enjoyment of privacy. We know we will love our neighbors when we finally get moved there. We also liked it is a new neighborhood four minutes by golf cart to Lake Sumter Landing and a short ride to Spanish Springs, near many golf courses and easy to get to the supermarket, liquor store, town square. We also get the same gorgeous sunset you see over the Morse Street bridge and we can hear the music at night from a dstance. Just seemed like everything we wanted. We wish our villa was a few hundred feet bigger but we are making a Florida room out of the lanai and putting in a big bird cage. We could have bought a larger view villa a few doors down but we wanted the corner lot so settled for the smaller space as the yard, outdoors and view is important to us.We feel it is plenty for our lifestyle and the kids still have a few rooms to stay in when they come to visit!

[jane032657]

By the way, there are still 5-7 left on the view side....

[wendyquat]

We picked a pre-owned cyv in Largo because it just "felt right" and also because it will be about the center of tv when Brownwood is completed! Close to Lake Sumter but not a really long golf cart ride from the other 2 squares either. I have noticed that if you are on the "younger side" or maybe just like to be very social, you might be happier buying in a newer area. Our neighborhood is 6 years old and tends to be more settled and not prone to weekly driveway parties, etc but that suits us. There's still plenty to keep us as busy as we want to be!

[blessinn]

We based our decision on how easy the access is to Morse and Buena Vista blvd., as well as shopping since we just about always travel by golf cart. I think location is very important in your decision as some areas are quite far from stores and longer rides on roads and cart paths. You will make friends from all over the villages so don't base your decision on where some one you know may live. All styles/ sizes/ prices of homes are in each village.

[senior citizen]

I think that if you look around you, and see what it takes to maintain this place and look how it is kept and the flowers changed out every six weeks, and the remarkable HEAVY folding chairs in all of the rec centers and the design and furnishings of all of the rec centers, and the dozens of beautiful clean sparkling pools with painted every year common areas and beautiful shade coverings to the shuffleboard courts and the picnic areas at the neighborhood rec centers, and the pools for family and the pools for adults over thirty, and the pristine CLEANLINESS, no trash along the roadside or trash anywhere in the neighborhoods and the immediate response given by the warranty department, and the beautiful downtown areas, and the music available at the squares nightly and at the church on the square and at the Savannah center and the stages with curtains at all of the regional rec centers and the mail drops with air conditioning so our prescriptions don't get hot, and the EMS running all of the time to the folks who have fallen or become ill and the big hospital and the attempts to improve health care by the invited USF and the gorgeous landscaping, expensive landscaping right now everywhere getting new pine straw and the..

I think they are still plenty "customer service oriented". Thank you Harold's descendents. I would like to hug all of you. The apple never falls too far from the tree.:bigbow:

We echo everything Gracie has mentioned above. We had to see it with our own eyes and were quite surprised at how GREEN and lush everthing was.

The landscaping was definitely gorgeous. No matter where we went , it was totally immaculate. We saw the manpower at work, early every day, maintaining the highways and byways with the meticulous flower arrangements, etc. A very pretty place indeed.

[keithwand]

We didn't choose the village... We didn't know enough about The Villages to know what or where any of the villages are. We chose the lot!

We didn't care where we lived in The Villages as long as we could get there! We wanted a lot that didn't back up to another home as we have a "yapper' and we didn't want the sun setting on our lanai. We also wanted a lot large enough to build a birdcage.

I don't think you can live in a "bad" village! They are all wonderful!

Different strokes.

We currently live across from a Park and watch young families and their kids play and it is just steps away from 1 of the pools and rec centers in Baldwin Park (Orlando). Nice view but not a lot of neighbor interaction.

We are not really golfers so a golf view did not mean much to us; especially at 200K lot premium vs the 24K premium we are paying. We are putting that difference into the house itself.

So we chose a larger lot to be able to go with a 3 car garage rather than 2 + golf which is staggered between the houses behind us. The Premier lots are larger so you don't feel like you are on top of each other.

We also chose the lanai/ cage to face West as we are putting in a pool and enjoy the brilliant orange in the sky at night at sunset. The MBR will face North and West.

This is the same as our current house and it works for us. The cage will deflect quite a bit of the sun.

Like I say different reasons for different folks.

[eamesmanley@gmail.com]

We chose Sanibel, because we decided to build. There didn't seem to be a lot of difference between new and preowned, so we decided to build what we wanted. We are very glad we did. The area is great, the people are super friendly. However, we have not been anywhere in the Villages where they have not been super friendly, so is you want new, build, if you want prowned look in any Village as they are all fantastic. The bottom line is enjoy your life no matter which Village you are in.:wave: