Has anyone bought after one visit and regretted later?

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Just wondering if anyone, after just one lifestyle visit, moved to The Villages and regretted it later. Was one visit enough? Should you have visited more often before making the big decision? I hear of people visiting for years before moving there. Do you think that is the wise thing to do? Thanks

[asianthree]

I think it depends on you. Some visit for years due to still working and can not take on a second house. Some buy the house thinking selling theirs is not a big deal and then when they don't sell they sell in TV. And then there is the people who come have a payment and their spouse dies suddenly and can't stay here on their own income. We came three times my husband always knew this was the place, me not so much. We bought on the third time, he will be semi retired this year and will be spending as much time there as possible. I well have four years to retire. If you look at all of the possible reasons as to if you regret it, I think you will find very few people who are unhappy, just their life changed.

[jimbo2012]

We spent 3 days here at separate times in March, plus spending time on this forum.

If for some odd reason we decide to do something else it appears we can get our most of our investment back if we sell.
So we see regret a low risk.

Plan on selecting a lot this summer

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Ditto what asianthree said: "I think it depends on you".

You've got to do whatever it is that makes you feel comfortable in the decision making process.

Bill :)

[keithwand]

Jan. 2012- FIRST time visiting TV and visited friends that were renting.
Feb. 2012- first LSV. Purchased a lot in Fernandina.
March 2012- came back and picked out our options for the house.
April 2012- house construction starts
May- house is up, painted inside and out, pool is in, driveway is in and landscaper called to see what we want and ready to landscape now!
May- invited to 3 neighborhood partys already; thanks future great neighbors for thinking of us.
June- Closing and moving in.

Long story short... when it feels right why wait?

[bluedog103]

Just wondering if anyone, after just one lifestyle visit, moved to The Villages and regretted it later. Was one visit enough? Should you have visited more often before making the big decision? I hear of people visiting for years before moving there. Do you think that is the wise thing to do? Thanks

I would advise some caution. While most like it in TV, some do not. Many residents in surrounding communities such as Stone Crest and Spruce Creek are former TV residents. I play golf each summer in NY with a former TV resident. He loved it, not his wife. As they say, "if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". It's very easy to get caught up in the hype of TV on the initial visit, I'm positive that if he had the chance my grandson would highly recommend living in Disney World. In our own situation, while we really like TV, we also really like our NY home. We had to figure out how to make snowbirding work for us. Being full time in TV is just not an option at this time.

[Zoomie1955]

We did it and did not look back! Sure we question ourselves afterwards, but it is all worth it. You have to remember, everyone has their "story" on what it took for them to get to TV. We moved in 1/1/12 and are very happy with our new life!:a040:

[Bobcuse]

We bought a lot and waited a year to build back in 2001. Our only regret was the lot location because when you pick out the lot you cannot envision how tight the homes are behind you as well as next to you. We moved to a larger lot after three years and built a 2nd home. We sold the 1st home at a nice profit and reinvested in the new home (new house prices were up but we covered the increase with our profit). So, our only regret was not taking more time thinking about the lot location. Nothing else about moving here is regrettable, except the slight population increase from 16,500 in 2001 to 90,000 now, but we still wouldn't move anywhere else.

[graciegirl]

I think...that you will be happy here if you are fairly happy "there".

I think that your chance of happiness is greater if you have decent health, enough money to get by and enough put by to feel "secure"...and if you are able to see the folks you left behind frequently.

I think that if you have an open mind to differences in other people, their attitudes, politics, ATTITUDES, POLITICS, and if you can forgive others their foibles and try not to have too many irritating ones yourself, you will be happy here...

But be prepared to be VERY HAPPY here and **** off the people who are not, due to NO fault of your own.

[skyguy79]

We closed on our home the day after we arrived at TV for the very first time and moved in within the week. We've had no regrets so far except for not having a golf cart garage. Thankfully though, not having the GC garage hasen't cause the earth to shake for us! It's no big deal!
:a040:

[Taltarzac725]

Know some couples who have loved the Villages and others who have moved away for some reason or another. It seems to depend on good neighbors being available, relations with other family members, health of the homeowners, accessible quality medical professionals, etc.

Not sure if you can discover whether or not you will get along with your neighbors in just one visit. My parents visited for a weekend here in the Villages but actually bought a home a good 5 miles from where they stayed during their first visit.

[Mikeod]

It depends on the individual for sure. We visited TV one day in 2005, came back for a second look a couple of days later and told the agent what we were looking for. We closed on our home a few months after that and wound up in a great neighborhood with fantastic neighbors. We came from CA so we were used to smaller lots and neighbors close by. Some of the people we have spoken to who were not so happy came from areas where the home sites were around an acre or more, so they had more space than they have here. They were not used to hearing their neighbors' parties, TV, radios, etc. and were bothered by that at first. Either you get used to it or you don't.

There was a couple in our neighborhood also from CA who left after a year or so because they missed CA. We sometimes miss CA, but have many, many more friends here than we ever had there. So far, it's been the best move I have made.

[Barefoot]

Just wondering if anyone, after just one lifestyle visit, moved to The Villages and regretted it later. Was one visit enough? Should you have visited more often before making the big decision? I hear of people visiting for years before moving there. Do you think that is the wise thing to do? Thanks

Since you're asking the question, it strikes me that you are possibly a cautious type of person. If you have a tendency to worry about things, then perhaps you should rent a few times rather than making a rush decision. The Villages is becoming a large, busy city, which isn't for everyone.

We came for a lifestyle preview in 2007 and returned to Canada without purchasing. Then we threw caution to the winds and bought a month later over the internet, sight unseen. We figured we'd save our rent money and buy. No worries, no regrets.

[looneycat]

Just wondering if anyone, after just one lifestyle visit, moved to The Villages and regretted it later. Was one visit enough? Should you have visited more often before making the big decision? I hear of people visiting for years before moving there. Do you think that is the wise thing to do? Thanks

never regretted it for even a second!

[784caroline]

Where else have you looked??? We were looking off and on from all along the east coast to Arizonia...of course we were never moving to Florida. Then on a lark, we visited TV and you ask were you sorry you bought "after" you first visit ? Since we were looking for 2 plus years, we came to TV on a 5 day preview visit and we bought ,not after, but during our first visit. This was 2006 and TV was only selling spec homes , already built and selling neighborhoods. The Square at LSL only opened about 9 months earlier and things were actualy quiet. You could pick out nothing for your home, you had to pay closing, no discounts, no furniture incentives no golf carts thrown in to sweeten the pot. Finaly moved here permanently the summer of 2008 (could not sell up north for 20 months) but looking back...best decision we ever made. We still know friends who are waiting to sell at the right price for they dont want to give their home away while we have been growing with a new community and with many new founded friends and neighbors. Friends and former neighbors (notice I didnt say former friends) all come buy to visit and we still cruise and meet up with our friends of 40 years from Va at least 3 times a year. Life is good!

Bottom line: Hope you have been looking at other locations and have something to compare TV with. If not you should before you buy, I know you have heard from many people that few if any "over 55 active lifestyle" communities will compare or even come close to what TCV offers but you should determine this for yourself. We have found that many people who hestitate moving to TV ...its NOT TV that is the problem...they would have concerns that need to be resolved within themselves if the move was only 100 miles from home.

[ilovetv]

In addition to the above accounts, there are also people who worked like animals for 45-50 years, living within their means while saving for retirement etc. They came here, bought or built the home of their dreams.....only to have their spouse or themselves get an aggressive cancer, massive stroke, heart attack etc. within weeks or months of moving here to their dream place.....and then when the person died or is vegetative, the spouse or victim is certainly not "living the dream" anymore.

Our days are numbered. We don't know if today might be our last day. Get out there and live your life!

[billethkid]

we were in no hurry and visited TV several times over a 4 year period.
We were also looking at other locations in SC, AZ, TX.

What we gained, without knowing we would, was we were able to get in the "new" area....south of 466....Buena Vista was just paved to where they were going to build the Arnold Palmer club house.

I am sure we would be as happy if we bought earlier north of 466.

There are many folks in TV that relocate within TV...some down sizing...others upsizing...some just wanting to get into the "new" area (it is a moving target).

When we built the population was approaching 35,000. It is now 87,000-ish....can't be too many regrets with growth like that.

We looked at a lot of places and kept coming back to TV...we found it hard to beat...with all we wanted back in 2004 and now there is so much more, making it all the better.

btk

[jsw14]

Regret movein too Paradise? Sheeeesh.........When I Die, I won't be movein far from TV!

[borjo]

We weren't as fast as Skyguy but we visited friends here on a trip to Florida never thinking about moving here. We left 5 days later with a down payment on an empty lot. Moved in when it was built 4 months later. Here for 8 years in the same spot....love it!

[2 Oldcrabs]

We rented the style house we thought we wanted. Found out we did not like the living in the layout. We rented a couple of more times. Went to a lot of open houses, both new & preowned. Took a "tape measure" to every room and the GARAGE. Our sales person told us the average person moves 2.6x in The Villages. My next move is to a "pine box", but I am sure it will be outside of The Villages. Time will tell if this is the right house & lot. :popcorn:

[senior citizen]

...

[graciegirl]

And I say.

How many funerals have you gone to recently?

Good morning everyone, It is a beautiful day in The Villages.

[senior citizen]

...

[Barefoot]

We will make many more visits before we list our home and buy in TV, as lovely as it is. Under pressure, is not a good way to buy a home. So, even though we have NOT bought, it is uppermost in our minds...but no need to rush into anything......would be my suggestion.

I think those who can maintain a home in the north plus own in TV do have the best of both worlds. It's an ideal situation. We do remember the heat and humidity of summer.

I'm assuming that you are still quite young and in pristine good health and have lots of time to make visits and think about things. Those of us who are a bit older may feel that we want to get settled and enjoy our golden years with good friends. A long life isn't promised to anyone. I say ... seize the moment!

In the words of ilovetv "Our days are numbered. We don't know if today might be our last day. Get out there and live your life!"

[graciegirl]

Senior, you dear person.

I wasn't exactly responding to only YOUR post which again was thoughtful, on target, to the point, intelligent and kind...just like you are, but just responding to the issue in general.

Life is very short, I regret not having our house from Cincy here, I miss our immediate family, I ache sometimes for the lush and beautiful Ohio scenes and the familiar old ways of life. But life is not a dress rehearsal.

We have taken care of others, now it is time to take care of ourselves and put ourselves where the opportunity to have fun is all around us, every day. Because tomorrow may just vanish.

[ilovetv]

If you like it and can afford it, why wait till you're too old and decrepit to enjoy all the free golf, teams, clubs, free live entertainment and friendly neighbors who are all in the same boat and always organizing socials and travels...in addition to a lovely, sturdy-built, affordable home.

After decades of developing and building all these villages and floor plans, they've pretty much worked out all the things that needed tweaking. By selling homes to 85,000 people, I'm sure they have heard of every single complaint that makes people uneasy about a move to FL, and they've eliminated or limited many of those issues.

[ilovetv]

Senior, you dear person.

I wasn't exactly responding to only YOUR post which again was thoughtful, on target, to the point, intelligent and kind...just like you are, but just responding to the issue in general.

Life is very short, I regret not having our house from Cincy here, I miss our immediate family, I ache sometimes for the lush and beautiful Ohio scenes and the familiar old ways of life. But life is not a dress rehearsal.

We have taken care of others, now it is time to take care of ourselves and put ourselves where the opportunity to have fun is all around us, every day. Because tomorrow may just vanish.

So true!

[senior citizen]

...

[Posh 08]

Senior, I think you are very wise.

[senior citizen]

...

[ronsroni]

We visited over the course of three days, went home to NY, went onlline and found our TARA and closed in 4 weeks and moved in on closing day.
Oh. Did I mention......CLOSING DAY was 46hours ago. No kidding.
Life events brought us to this place in life. My husband had a cancer scare and when the doc said.... It's scarring from repeatedly breaking ribs when you were young and crazy, diving for line drives'. That was the day of decision and he decided to LIVE; hence our move here to TV. Surviving eye cancer gets your attention and he looks at things a bit differently now; no pun intended. So, I bet we are here for the long haul and I am thrilled to be here with my best pal. We are only here for a visit and we hope for a long visit. Best of luck.

[HelenLCSW]

Just wondering if anyone, after just one lifestyle visit, moved to The Villages and regretted it later. Was one visit enough? Should you have visited more often before making the big decision? I hear of people visiting for years before moving there. Do you think that is the wise thing to do? Thanks

First heard of TV in July of last year, first visited in August, bought dirt and picked out a house on that visit, went home and put our house on the market, sold our house four days after it was listed and moved here in January of this year. We have not had a moment of regret. The timing was perfect for us. If the timing is right for you, you will not have a moment if regret. Best wishes on whatever decision you make.

[mrsanborn]

The only regret I have in moving to The Villages is that Ground Hog Day no longer has any significance.

[Villageshooter]

I must say almost everyone who leaves here, it is outside conflicts, not things that happened here. I have known a few that leave and move to another area outside the villages. There is not much here to dislike. Life is not perfect, but this is pretty good. I really think most people blame TV, with the idea of saving face, with personal issues causing there regrets.
Making the decesion, is like shaving your legs, once you do it feels soooo good.. ENJOY

[swimdawg]

The only regret I have in moving to The Villages is that Ground Hog Day no longer has any significance.

You, my dear former Wheatfield neighbor, definitely get the Swimdawg Post of the Day Award!

And yes, I am a little jealous.....because I do keep an eye on Dunkirk Dave....our Western New York version of Punxsutawney Phil.