Calumet Grove/Chatham Area

[Posh 08]

Looking on-line at a home in that area. What do ya'll think about the pools, shopping, golf in that proximity? Miss Sam and I are rethinking some things that may be delaying our move to TV.

[jgbama]

Looking on-line at a home in that area. What do ya'll think about the pools, shopping, golf in that proximity? Miss Sam and I are rethinking some things that may be delaying our move to TV.

On our LSV and second visit (a week each time) we stayed in a villa in both Calumet Grove villa and Chatham. Love the Lopez course and country club. The few things that influenced our decision not to buy there was the limited shopping in Mulberry, long cart ride to Spanish Springs (about 20 minutes) and beyond. It is quiet up there and out of the "hustle and bustle" crowds. We rented about 8 times over the past 7 years and stayed both above (once) and below 466. Due to my golf course preferences (Hacienda, Tierra Del Sol, Mallory and Havana), we like along the Morse Blvd. corridor. We ended up with a wonderful, pre-owned, home in Rio Grande and am now 5 minutes to either town square, just a block off Morse. Ideal for us. The bond is paid off and the annual maintenance fee is very low, because Rio Grande does not have a rec center. Not a big deal for us. Chula Vista is just a few blocks away and has a nice executive course.

Did not use the pools in Chatham, but they are all nice and just a short cart ride from the villas we stayed in. Guess it boils down (again) to what activities will you be doing most. We love the squares, but know we will probably go less and less once the newness wears off a little. We do plan to get involved in a lot of the activities offered and since we are just above 466 off Morse, most all regional rec centers are not far away. It is quite a ride by cart to go over to the polo grounds and Savannah Center, but we would probably do those by car anyway, except maybe tailgating at the polo grounds! :beer3:

Good luck with the "rethinking" as we are finding out it is a big move, with lots of little details to tend to. But, we know it is worth our labors here in Montgomery to enjoy a relaxed, fun and enjoyable life in "lower paradise" as PTurner and Gracie Girl call TV.

All the best!

[Posh 08]

On our LSV and second visit (a week each time) we stayed in a villa in both Calumet Grove villa and Chatham. Love the Lopez course and country club. The few things that influenced our decision not to buy there was the limited shopping in Mulberry, long cart ride to Spanish Springs (about 20 minutes) and beyond. It is quiet up there and out of the "hustle and bustle" crowds. We rented about 8 times over the past 7 years and stayed both above (once) and below 466. Due to my golf course preferences (Hacienda, Tierra Del Sol, Mallory and Havana), we like along the Morse Blvd. corridor. We ended up with a wonderful, pre-owned, home in Rio Grande and am now 5 minutes to either town square, just a block off Morse. Ideal for us. The bond is paid off and the annual maintenance fee is very low, because Rio Grande does not have a rec center. Not a big deal for us. Chula Vista is just a few blocks away and has a nice executive course.

Did not use the pools in Chatham, but they are all nice and just a short cart ride from the villas we stayed in. Guess it boils down (again) to what activities will you be doing most. We love the squares, but know we will probably go less and less once the newness wears off a little. We do plan to get involved in a lot of the activities offered and since we are just above 466 off Morse, most all regional rec centers are not far away. It is quite a ride by cart to go over to the polo grounds and Savannah Center, but we would probably do those by car anyway, except maybe tailgating at the polo grounds! :beer3:

Good luck with the "rethinking" as we are finding out it is a big move, with lots of little details to tend to. But, we know it is worth our labors here in Montgomery to enjoy a relaxed, fun and enjoyable life in "lower paradise" as PTurner and Gracie Girl call TV.

All the best!

Thanks for your reply. Pools and golf, not so much the Squares for us. :beer3:

[eweissenbach]

On our LSV and second visit (a week each time) we stayed in a villa in both Calumet Grove villa and Chatham. Love the Lopez course and country club. The few things that influenced our decision not to buy there was the limited shopping in Mulberry, long cart ride to Spanish Springs (about 20 minutes) and beyond. It is quiet up there and out of the "hustle and bustle" crowds. We rented about 8 times over the past 7 years and stayed both above (once) and below 466. Due to my golf course preferences (Hacienda, Tierra Del Sol, Mallory and Havana), we like along the Morse Blvd. corridor. We ended up with a wonderful, pre-owned, home in Rio Grande and am now 5 minutes to either town square, just a block off Morse. Ideal for us. The bond is paid off and the annual maintenance fee is very low, because Rio Grande does not have a rec center. Not a big deal for us. Chula Vista is just a few blocks away and has a nice executive course.

Did not use the pools in Chatham, but they are all nice and just a short cart ride from the villas we stayed in. Guess it boils down (again) to what activities will you be doing most. We love the squares, but know we will probably go less and less once the newness wears off a little. We do plan to get involved in a lot of the activities offered and since we are just above 466 off Morse, most all regional rec centers are not far away. It is quite a ride by cart to go over to the polo grounds and Savannah Center, but we would probably do those by car anyway, except maybe tailgating at the polo grounds! :beer3:

Good luck with the "rethinking" as we are finding out it is a big move, with lots of little details to tend to. But, we know it is worth our labors here in Montgomery to enjoy a relaxed, fun and enjoyable life in "lower paradise" as PTurner and Gracie Girl call TV.

All the best!

Thoughtful post! We have stayed in Summerhill, just north of 466, and Hemingway, just north of 466A. We liked both areas, Summerhill for its proximity to southern trace and the businesses along 466, both squares, Savannah center, lots of exec courses, etc. We also have found Hemingway great for its proximity to many exec courses, rec centers, Sumter Square, country clubs and Colony for shopping. Everyone I have talked to seems to really be happy where they are, including the historic area and the far northwest. Our preference is to eventually buy south of 466 and close to either Buena Vista or Morse. The northwest is beautiful, and is definitely quieter, with much less traffic, but the deal killer for us is the shortage of convenient rec centers and executive courses, and the golf cart distance to the existing squares, not to mention Brownwood. Some people that like the things that the northwest offer are very happy there, and the homes there seem to sell for $10-30,000 less than some of the other villages. In the end, there is no bad choice, only different advantages to enjoying paradise.

[jgbama]

Thanks for your reply. Pools and golf, not so much the Squares for us. :beer3:

Posh, I'll end with this. . . if golf is high on your list, and long cart rides are low on your list, just look along Buena Vista (Lopez, Glenview, Palmer, Cane Garden) and the distances to all but Lopez from Calumet Grove. Then look along Morse (Hacienda, Tierra, Mallory, Havana, and Bonifay). It is really just a short ride from Morse to Cane Garden (on Odell Cir.). Then look at the villages along Morse just north of 466 and south to 466a. Quite a selection of older and newer sections. As I said, we will be in Rio Grande and actually have a beautiful oak tree in the front and side yards!

Not trying to sway you to my view, but golfing was a priority to me too.

As a sportscaster here use to say, "my time's up and I thank you for your's!" :bowdown:

[jgbama]

Thoughtful post! We have stayed in Summerhill, just north of 466, and Hemingway, just north of 466A. We liked both areas, Summerhill for its proximity to southern trace and the businesses along 466, both squares, Savannah center, lots of exec courses, etc. We also have found Hemingway great for its proximity to many exec courses, rec centers, Sumter Square, country clubs and Colony for shopping. Everyone I have talked to seems to really be happy where they are, including the historic area and the far northwest. Our preference is to eventually buy south of 466 and close to either Buena Vista or Morse. The northeast is beautiful, and is definitely quieter, with much less traffic, but the deal killer for us is the shortage of convenient rec centers and executive courses, and the golf cart distance to the existing squares, not to mention Brownwood. Some people that like the things that the northeast offer are very happy there, and the homes there seem to sell for $10-30,000 less than some of the other villages. In the end, there is no bad choice, only different advantages to enjoying paradise.

Great points! In six years of looking at homes online and in person, you are so right about getting more home for you money in the northeast. I think the same holds true north of the Savannah Center off Buena Vista. As many have said, "all the villages are nice". The location you pick is based on the activities you plan to do (or not do). I'm use to running just up the street for milk and bread (plus an occasional 6-pack), so being fairly close to shopping is a must! :laugh:

[Posh 08]

Posh, I'll end with this. . . if golf is high on your list, and long cart rides are low on your list, just look along Buena Vista (Lopez, Glenview, Palmer, Cane Garden) and the distances to all but Lopez from Calumet Grove. Then look along Morse (Hacienda, Tierra, Mallory, Havana, and Bonifay). It is really just a short ride from Morse to Cane Garden (on Odell Cir.). Then look at the villages along Morse just north of 466 and south to 466a. Quite a selection of older and newer sections. As I said, we will be in Rio Grande and actually have a beautiful oak tree in the front and side yards!

Not trying to sway you to my view, but golfing was a priority to me too.

As a sportscaster here use to say, "my time's up and I thank you for your's!" :bowdown:

Got the map spread out. Thanks!

[zcaveman]

I live in Springdale - a hop and a jump from Chatham. I am very happy out here. I have my Walgreens, Kindred Spirits, and Publix. It is a 20 minute ride to SS but it is also 20 minutes to LSL. The only thing that you should be concerned about in Chatnam is the train. Make sure you are not looking in the far west area (out near the Amberwood GC).

Let me add that you have 15 golf courses with in 15 minutes. You have 3 country clubs with in 15 minutes. You have a gas station if you have a gas cart. There are a couple of other eateries. I hardly ever use my car because everything is within cart distance. That is 30-40 minutes for me. Wal-mart and all of the eateries and businesses are max 20 minutes away. My doctors are in LSL and SS and are close enough for me.

Like I always say, take a map and draw a 5 mile circle and if everything you want is within that circle look for a place.

[lovesports]

It seems the best prices on houses is up there in Calumet and Chatham. There is always a reason for that and the reason seems to be location. They are two far out for some people,. Before we bought we rented in Calumet and we didn't like the travel time. Also, be sure you are not too close to the railroad tracks.
Everyone has given good answers.

[Posh 08]

I live in Springdale - a hop and a jump from Chatham. I am very happy out here. I have my Walgreens, Kindred Spirits, and Publix. It is a 20 minute ride to SS but it is also 20 minutes to LSL. The only thing that you should be concerned about in Chatnam is the train. Make sure you are not looking in the far west area (out near the Amberwood GC).

Ahh the train. I'll keep that in mind. A beautiful 20 min. ride, no problem. Looks like the 4 food groups are covered too. :pepper2:

[zcaveman]

Ahh the train. I'll keep that in mind. A beautiful 20 min. ride, no problem. Looks like the 4 food groups are covered too. :pepper2:

Have you looked at Springdale or Woodbury? I do not know what style of home you are looking at but most everything is available on the other side of Buena Vista.

And we do not hear the train unless you are walking the dog in the wee hours.

[Posh 08]

Have you looked at Springdale or Woodbury? I do not know what style of home you are looking at but most everything is available on the other side of Buena Vista.

And we do not hear the train unless you are walking the dog in the wee hours.

She wants a CYV. They have them?

[zcaveman]

She wants a CYV. They have them?

Fairlawn is CYV.

[graciegirl]

Ahh the train. I'll keep that in mind. A beautiful 20 min. ride, no problem. Looks like the 4 food groups are covered too. :pepper2:

Posh. There is a vacant and for sale home in our village. We have delightful folks living in Laurel Valley. Brier Creek Circle would be a perfect circle for you to pay off your debt to certain folks when you streak.:evil6:

We would love to have you here.:pepper2:

[zcaveman]

But our area has low or no bonds. We want you here.

[eweissenbach]

Okay if this is a contest, you should consider my place, NO BOND ........ MO For Sale By Owner Website | ForSaleByOwner.com - FSBO (http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/6J12U)

[Schaumburger]

These are excellent posts with great advice for wannabees and gonnabees -- location, location, location!

[Posh 08]

But our area has low or no bonds. We want you here.

Perfect!

[Posh 08]

Posh. There is a vacant and for sale home in our village. We have delightful folks living in Laurel Valley. Brier Creek Circle would be a perfect circle for you to pay off your debt to certain folks when you streak.:evil6:

We would love to have you here.:pepper2:

Too ritzy.

[Pturner]

I live in Springdale - a hop and a jump from Chatham. I am very happy out here. I have my Walgreens, Kindred Spirits, and Publix. It is a 20 minute ride to SS but it is also 20 minutes to LSL. The only thing that you should be concerned about in Chatnam is the train. Make sure you are not looking in the far west area (out near the Amberwood GC).

Let me add that you have 15 golf courses with in 15 minutes. You have 3 country clubs with in 15 minutes. You have a gas station if you have a gas cart. There are a couple of other eateries. I hardly ever use my car because everything is within cart distance. That is 30-40 minutes for me. Wal-mart and all of the eateries and businesses are max 20 minutes away. My doctors are in LSL and SS and are close enough for me.

Like I always say, take a map and draw a 5 mile circle and if everything you want is within that circle look for a place.

But our area has low or no bonds. We want you here.

We are in Springdale too and I agree with everything Z said. We love the north side because of the beautiful mature landscaping, our favorite golf courses are on there and especially because it is more peaceful. The houses are not as close together and there is more green space within the Villages. Low or no bond too.

South side of course has other advantages, primarily being more central. So it's a matter of priorities.

Best bet: Springdale. :) We want you here!

[jojo]

For consideration, I find myself mostly using regional rec centers for fitness classes and tennis. We are close to Colony and fairly close to Seabreeze and Lake Miona. I go to one of these centers almost every day and sometimes twice a day.

[senior citizen]

Thanks for your reply. Pools and golf, not so much the Squares for us. :beer3:

We also stayed one month in a large designer home on the Nancy Lopez Golf Course......beautiful birdcaged pool and waterfall.....peaceful lanai right off the birdcage........nice and quiet neighborhood of long time residents. Seemed perfectly normal to us. The shopping was fine at Mulberry plus in the other direction past the Polo Grounds was all the shopping one could want.........can't remember the number of that highway as I am not looking at the map.

If you like quiet and do not plan to frequent the squares on a daily basis, Calumet Grove is very nice..........

At first we thought it would be "too far out" as it is in the northwest quadrant...........however, we had no problem driving to Lake Sumter Landing when we wanted to eat out on the lake.

My husband , who was totally adverse to The Villages, loved the location.
It was as comfortable as home could be. He said he actually preferred it.
We rented for one month on a cul de sac..........everything was just fine.

Obviously, the homes are a bit older......but we are used to much older up here.......and being on the golf course and in a pool home, made up for the distance. Most people, I would imagine, would settle into a normal routine of daily existence and do the things that interest them.
Again, it was nice and quiet. Initially, our lifestyle visit for the four days was in Creekside Landing.......also very very nice, but didn't seem as cozy a neighborhood as did Calumet Grove.........which went over the top in decorating their homes at Thanksgiving time for Christmas.......

We actually hated to leave........good luck in whatever you choose.

[Posh 08]

Okay if this is a contest, you should consider my place, NO BOND ........ MO For Sale By Owner Website | ForSaleByOwner.com - FSBO (http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/6J12U)

Hahaha, I got one of those too. :cus:

[Posh 08]

We are in Springdale too and I agree with everything Z said. We love the north side because of the beautiful mature landscaping, our favorite golf courses are on there and especially because it is more peaceful. The houses are not as close together and there is more green space within the Villages. Low or no bond too.

South side of course has other advantages, primarily being more central. So it's a matter of priorities.

Best bet: Springdale. :) We want you here!

That looks real nice up there and just might fill the bill.

[asianthree]

You have to admit the homes up there seem to have larger lots, and more detail in the homes, we just decided south of 466 was for us, and we can hear the train as well but just not as loud

[jgbama]

That looks real nice up there and just might fill the bill.

Well Posh, you can say one thing about my earlier post. . . it brought the "snowbirds" out of the northwest sector! I was PM with someone earlier and they own a villa just behind Mulberry and she referenced that area as having snow, being so far up north! :1rotfl::1rotfl:

Folks, I wasn't knocking the area one bit. It is beautiful up there. I didn't mention the trains, because you can hear them everywhere west of Lake Sumter and sometimes all over.

I'll take everyone's word for it, but Lake Sumter from Chatham has to be a l-o-n-g cart ride, especially driving home when the dancing stops!

NOW, regardless of where you choose, I want everyone reading this, who isn't there yet, TO GET THERE - - ASAP!!! Paradise is awaiting, plus all these new friends to welcome us!!

We are busting with excitement that our 7-year wait is coming to an end!!!:pepper2::pepper2::crap2:

[Posh 08]

Well Posh, you can say one thing about my earlier post. . . it brought the "snowbirds" out of the northwest sector! I was PM with someone earlier and they own a villa just behind Mulberry and she referenced that area as having snow, being so far up north! :1rotfl::1rotfl:

Folks, I wasn't knocking the area one bit. It is beautiful up there. I didn't mention the trains, because you can hear them everywhere west of Lake Sumter and sometimes all over.

I'll take everyone's word for it, but Lake Sumter from Chatham has to be a l-o-n-g cart ride, especially driving home when the dancing stops!

NOW, regardless of where you choose, I want everyone reading this, who isn't there yet, TO GET THERE - - ASAP!!! Paradise is awaiting, plus all these new friends to welcome us!!

We are busting with excitement that our 7-year wait is coming to an end!!!:pepper2::pepper2::crap2:

I was pondering if we would need a scraper/shovel up there. :laugh:

[Posh 08]

Z and P, are available homes scarce in Springdale? TV doesn't show many except under contract. Hard to find in the MLS.

[cologal]

Looking on-line at a home in that area. What do ya'll think about the pools, shopping, golf in that proximity? Miss Sam and I are rethinking some things that may be delaying our move to TV.

I live in that area....pools are good, Amberwood is one of the best 9 hole courses in the area. Many old trees and area greenery is well developed.

[liere]

Bought our house in Woodbury last April. Did not know too much about Woodbury then just found the house we wanted. We go to the Springdale pool and love it, just a few minutes from the house. Have gone to the Calumet Grove pool a few times for a change of scenery. Enjoy walking the neighborhood and seeing the mature landscaping in Woodbury. Mulberry Rec Center is close by and the Publix is minutes away. In NY we were 20 minutes away from shopping so it is no big deal for us. We enjoy the leisurely golf cart drive to Spanish Springs. When we visit friends "down south" we take the car. Have friends in Calumet Grove and Chatham and we are there in no time. Neighbors are very nice, although very quiet. Someone on the cul de sac is trying to form a block party and that will be nice. As everyone else has said....it is just a matter of preference.

[Posh 08]

Thanks to all. I'm still listening.

[Pturner]

Z and P, are available homes scarce in Springdale? TV doesn't show many except under contract. Hard to find in the MLS.

Posh, I'm not up on the current market but I have seen some for sale. Are you working with a TV sales agent and an MLS Realtor? No cost or obligation but they could keep you posted as listings become available that meet your criteria. With an MLS Realtor, get a written Buyer's Agent agreement.

[Posh 08]

Posh, I'm not up on the current market but I have seen some for sale. Are you working with a TV sales agent and an MLS Realtor? No cost or obligation but they could keep you posted as listings become available that meet your criteria. With an MLS Realtor, get a written Buyer's Agent agreement.

Ron Delk is my TV guy and I just emailed Lyle Gant for the first time. We are using the TV relo program but we are thinking a price reduction is in order to move this thing along. The hooks are in :beer3:

[Posh 08]

Bought our house in Woodbury last April. Did not know too much about Woodbury then just found the house we wanted. We go to the Springdale pool and love it, just a few minutes from the house. Have gone to the Calumet Grove pool a few times for a change of scenery. Enjoy walking the neighborhood and seeing the mature landscaping in Woodbury. Mulberry Rec Center is close by and the Publix is minutes away. In NY we were 20 minutes away from shopping so it is no big deal for us. We enjoy the leisurely golf cart drive to Spanish Springs. When we visit friends "down south" we take the car. Have friends in Calumet Grove and Chatham and we are there in no time. Neighbors are very nice, although very quiet. Someone on the cul de sac is trying to form a block party and that will be nice. As everyone else has said....it is just a matter of preference.

Hope the block party thing gets revived up there.

[jgbama]

I was pondering if we would need a scraper/shovel up there. :laugh:

I'd say so! Heavy coats would be in order too. Yikes, did I say those words, "heavy coats"? Might even consider snow chains as far south as Savannah Center. Hope we will become friends when we all get there! Certainly hope to meet you at a Crispers gathering. The pleasure would be ours! :ho:

[Posh 08]

I'd say so! Heavy coats would be in order too. Yikes, did I say those words, "heavy coats"? Might even consider snow chains as far south as Savannah Center. Hope we will become friends when we all get there! Certainly hope to meet you at a Crispers gathering. The pleasure would be ours! :ho:

We'll "mush" on down.