Other developments worth seeing

[OldDave]

We plan to rent a house for a month this summer in TV. This will be our first visit. I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but while we're there we'd like to see what other developments in the area look like also. What do you think is worthwhile? If you live at another place or visit what can you recommend about your place. I saw a note from someone this morning from the Plantation. I also saw Stonesomething across the highway east of TV. Other than those two I'm not familiar with any other place. So any information good or bad would be helpful. Thanks so much.

[asianthree]

I think you should always look at all your options. There were places with more home for less money, and different ideas. We did and still came back to TV and bought.

[graciegirl]

You can get more ground, more house, fewer restrictions, for less money in a lot of places all over Florida. Even more balance politically.......

I secretly know what you will decide after all investigations. ;)

[buggyone]

Definitely, check out the others. Check out the Del Webb communities in the area, Lake Weir Living, Village of Citrus Hills, Top of the World, Summit Greens (Clermont), and numerous others.

You can find more house for less money than The Villages but not the same lifestyle. Lots of the communities talk of their savings over The Villages, crowds in The Villages, congestion of traffic in The Villages, bond issues of The Villages - and then all say they are just a short drive to The Villages!

It is a personal choice for everyone to make. You will not be "flamed" for asking about other developments. Visit as many as you can before making up your mind.

[asianthree]

Old Dave you also need to make sure who can build the house you need to live in if you need modifications on halls or rooms.

[OldDave]

Thanks folks, I'd still like names of developments that are really worth looking at, even if you still prefer TV.

[scroll]

stonecrest is what you were talking about. It has the only golf cart access to the villages because of the walmart shopping plaza. However, if you like all the activity that the villages has to offer move to the villages. I own property in both developments. You get a lot more bang for the buck in stonecrest but do not have access to all the fun unless you live or own property in the villages. If you are a stay at home person stonecrest could be a choice but if you like to get out and do things nothing and I mean nothing will top the villages.

[chuckinca]

Most of the developments have more fun things to do than you have time or energy.


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[batman911]

You may want to take a look at this community:

Florida Country Club Community, Terra Vista of Citrus Hills, featuring luxury home models and championship golf courses (http://www.citrushills.com/)

They also have a stay/visit program.

[jimbo2012]

Thanks folks, I'd still like names of developments that are really worth looking at, even if you still prefer TV.

Dave, been coming to FL now for 5 winters,
I always visited other places and there are a lot of nice ones out there.
I gues it wa s3 years ago I first heard about this place.

Kept it in back of my mind kept looking mostly south of here, I loved the Keys the most, but it just doesn't work for us.

I've been at one retirement community for the last 3 winters and this year my neighbor bought a home here which is under construction.

They were always talking about it over the winter and gave us papers, dvd and other info, we just said ok lets go see it.

We spent three days here at different times during a week or so in March.

I can't find similar lifestyle anywhere in FL.

Can you buy a bigger house for less yes, but it's not the property its the entire package, can't be beat.

We narrowed down what we want and will be back in fall to buy.

Making plans on this end to rent our monster home here, can't sell it now.

So look all you want if you're not interested in sitting on your butt waiting to die, this should work for any active senior.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

You may want to take a look at this community:

Florida Country Club Community, Terra Vista of Citrus Hills, featuring luxury home models and championship golf courses (http://www.citrushills.com/)

They also have a stay/visit program.

They didn't look like they had much to offer, IMHO unless you were into golf and tennis. The homes looked expensive and I didn't see any fenced yards. Before my friend who has a home in TV told me about the CYV I NEVER considered any adult community for just that reason. I was so thrilled by the fence and then everything beyone that just kept getting better and better until we couldn't wait til our closing day. Now we can't wait to move down full time. I don't think any other place anywhere has what TV has but we are a bit biased at this point (thankfully since we bought here).

[ssmith]

While we were there, we met an unusual couple who wished they had not bought in TV????? What you say? Wel,l both of them have lost their good health shortly after they moved and cannot take advantage of all that the place has to offer. It also sounded like they felt bad enough that they did not socialize much....they wish they had moved to another developement.

I think they are the only people we have ever met with this opinion but it is worth mentioning. In other words, if you are not social and/or if you are in poor health another developement might be the ticket for you.

[bimmertl]

Solivita near Orlando also worth a look.

Solivita | Vitalia (http://www.vitaliahomes.com/communities/solivita)

[graciegirl]

The Daily Sun (!!?) carried a full page advertisement for a community that sounded WONDERFUL. Citrus something. They advertise other communities all the time.

[OldDave]

I continue to appreciate the input from everyone. I am checking these out on line as they come up. I know many if not all of you here think TV is the best. I'm sure it is for you. But as I've said before this will be a huge decision for us, and the more information you have the better a decision you can make. Thanks again,

Dave

[Barefoot]

While we were there, we met an unusual couple who wished they had not bought in TV????? What you say? Wel,l both of them have lost their good health shortly after they moved and cannot take advantage of all that the place has to offer. It also sounded like they felt bad enough that they did not socialize much....they wish they had moved to another developement.

I think they are the only people we have ever met with this opinion but it is worth mentioning. In other words, if you are not social and/or if you are in poor health another developement might be the ticket for you.

Not such an odd couple. I've met quite a few people in the past five years who've sold their houses in TV and moved on. (Still, a very small percentage overall). You don't have to be in poor health or anti-social or odd to prefer living elsewhere. Many people move closer to their family, after living a few years in TV. Some people find it too much like a busy city, and move to an acreage with more privacy, or to the ocean, or to a community with fewer covenants (or with fences). Some people find they never use the pool or amenities and golf courses. Even small communities usally offer a pool and some recreation activities. As people age, and family situations change, there are often practical reasons for moving.

TV isn't for everyone, but for most of us, it is fabulous. Many purchasers consider other developments, but decide TV has the most to offer. Even if you don't use the amenities, it's nice to have them available.

[graciegirl]

I am so positive about TV because I truly love it here. A few months ago I received in the mail an anonymous letter from someone who felt that I had encouraged him and others to move here and he found the people here to be unfriendly and he didn't like the Republican paper or the Morse families huge success. He was more than disappointed in me, he was angry. He and his spouse were leaving The Villages.

I was, of course hurt by this. I really felt in some way responsible.

You see, it is a huge decision for all of us, where we spend our hard earned money and where we spend the fourth quarter of our lives. All of us must do our own research and find out everything there is to know. If we don't do the due diligence, than we have only ourselves to blame.

I must say if you don't like it here, the homes are easier to sell than other parts of Florida and way easier to sell than most places in U.S. if it comes to the fact you feel you have made a mistake.

I feel that we bring with us certain attitudes and habits that will contribute to the success or failure of being fairly happy wherever we choose, which is all that any of us can expect from life.

We ARE ageing and health issues are emerging that we have never experienced, including some age related depression. We need to keep this all in mind.

I say..come down and see, and think and think again.

There are many of us who hope that you too, will be as happy as we are.

Hugs and welcome.

[kofficer]

We went to Summerglen, which is at the Belleview exit up 75, one exit. It is considered Ocala, and it is listed in Retirement Magazines. I dragged my husband up there, and we both feel in love. The builder will make any changes or additions, or just move walls around if you want to change room sizes. Many upgrades, and all very reasonable. All homes are concrete block, there is no CDD and the community's finances are very stable. 1000 homes, golf community if you want to buy into that, large community building, activities and activity director. They do not have all the activitites you will find in the Villages, but, you may find they have the ones you want. I can only tell you want we have seen, because we are not living there yet, but are in process of building the house now, we just finished our appointment for upgrades. Alot of what we are having done are things that the Villages builders would not do for us. You will also find their homes less expensive to buy. I offer this only to answer your question. I'm sure we will be visiting the villages on occasion as we like walking around the town squares there and having dinner, but for us, the Villages, was not worth the cost of it. The people that live in Summerglen are some of the nicest people I have ever met. After our first trip up to the Villages, we did not find the same friendliness that we did on our first trip. We had made 4 trips before we decided to take a look elsewhere because we wanted a friendlier atmosphere. Summerglen has only 40 lots left, go take a look.

[Patty55]

We went to Summerglen, which is at the Belleview exit up 75, one exit. It is considered Ocala, and it is listed in Retirement Magazines. I dragged my husband up there, and we both feel in love. The builder will make any changes or additions, or just move walls around if you want to change room sizes. Many upgrades, and all very reasonable. All homes are concrete block, there is no CDD and the community's finances are very stable. 1000 homes, golf community if you want to buy into that, large community building, activities and activity director. They do not have all the activitites you will find in the Villages, but, you may find they have the ones you want. I can only tell you want we have seen, because we are not living there yet, but are in process of building the house now, we just finished our appointment for upgrades. Alot of what we are having done are things that the Villages builders would not do for us. You will also find their homes less expensive to buy. I offer this only to answer your question. I'm sure we will be visiting the villages on occasion as we like walking around the town squares there and having dinner, but for us, the Villages, was not worth the cost of it. The people that live in Summerglen are some of the nicest people I have ever met. After our first trip up to the Villages, we did not find the same friendliness that we did on our first trip. We had made 4 trips before we decided to take a look elsewhere because we wanted a friendlier atmosphere. Summerglen has only 40 lots left, go take a look.

GREAT, but do they have a message board?

[Bonny]

The Villages is definitely great for people who like to golf, enjoy the Rec Centers, Clubs, taking your golf cart to a ton of bars & restaurants. You can even take your golf cart to the hospital. It's truly amazing.
We moved here first & then went & looked at all the other communities.
It even made me love the Villages more. :thumbup:
We've been here over 12 years.

Enjoy looking at the communities. There are several south on 27. Those are good if you want to be close to Orlando or the attractions, Disney, etc. Kings Ridge & The Plantation are 2 of them.

[Bogie Shooter]

GREAT, but do they have a message board?

Well, maybe.
SummerGlen in Ocala, Fl (Belleview, Christmas: sales, rent, hotels) - Marion County - City-Data Forum (http://www.city-data.com/forum/ocala/124691-summerglen-ocala-fl.html)

[kgentile1010]

One thing to consider is how much more there is to do here. I've lived in two other golf communities (not retirement), one was great. The other one wasn't so great. There was a group of people who pretty much ran things. About 20 couples. A cliche. And if you weren't part of the cliche, it wasn't so much fun to go to events. Not so much with the guys in the group. Mostly a ladies thing. I'm kind of nerdy and I don't shop. That community had about 900 homes. What I like about The Villages, if you go to one group and don't quite fit, there are hundreds of other groups to try. But definitely try them all out. Only you can know what's a good fit for you.

[asianthree]

I think where ever you move you find grumpy people, i am sure if we don't want to stay here one day selling will be a breeze

[eweissenbach]

If you are looking for the most house for your money try Detroit. If you are looking for the best place to live and enjoy every moment of the rest of your life --- it's The Villages.

[anarick]

We went to Solivita, Summer Glen and Lake Weir. No comparison to TV and we don't live in TV yet. Went to visit once and we were flabbergasted. We got a lot and plan to build in a year. Too young to retire yet.
Good luck hunting.

[goodgrief]

I'm personally glad this thread came. Don't be afraid to explore your options. You'll find several differences between the different communities. There are several in Ocala, Summerfield, Leesburg, Clermont... google or yahoo 55+ communities in central florida and you'll get a list of many of them. We did visit Stonecrest and like the place because its more residential (and you have a mailbox in front of your house!!), lots are larger...more home for the money. Oh and of course fell in love with a floorplan doesnt hurt. Havent been able to say that about here in the villages. We plan to visit about 4 more commmunities in the coming weeks before we decide where to build or buy in the upcoming months. The homes here in the villages have become a detracter in sorts for us. We like a little more space, being able to customize a floorplan. That was one thing at Stonecrest... they don't say no too much of anything when adjusting a floorplan. Here in the villages you can stretch a home but thats about it.

Anyway..the biggest thing...take your time and look around. We decided to spend a year down here before buying in order to get the lay of the land. Our current neighbors wish they had done the same thing. So looking around can't hurt. And yep the villages has built a great infrastucture here, business etc so that everyone can reap those benefits :)

[Pturner]

Hi OldDave,

Here is a very good resource (http://www.55places.com/florida/communities/the-villages) that lists the to top retirement communities in Florida. It includes helpful information about each listed community.

All best wishes in finding a place that suits you to a T.

[rjm1cc]

In the Ocala area. Summerglen. Small - about 1,000.
Stone Creek I think this will be about 4000. Next to Top of the World
Top of the World. Little confusing as it has a few communities under the same name. Will be about 10,000 when done. Offers different types of ownership and maintenance.
All seem nice so your first decision is the size of the community you want. I would lean toward Top of the World. The builder will modify the house any way your pocket book likes.

[mar/bob]

Hi Lovethosebigdogs,
Lost touch with you. I see you are still in Pa like us. We agree TV is the best and wish
we could get there sooner. Moving in Oct 2013. Keep in touch.
Stuck in Buckingham/New Hope

Mar/Bob