Shouldn't there be a new square

[KARENNN]

Out by the Lopez country club/Hwy 42 area?? Those homes are so far away from all the fun stuff in The Villages. Has there ever been talk of a square out there?

[PammyJ]

I wonder the same thing. I am thinking that it is so far north, that businesses wouldn't be interested. Too far to travel for some. I suppose.

[DougB]

Probably just as far north as Brownwood is south.

[cathyw]

Nancy Lopez to Spanish Springs is only 6 miles.

[Lbmb24101]

If they overbuild, it might not be successful
We went to Brownwood a couple of times while we where there Dec 26- Jan 13th, and it was pretty empty both times....

[ureout]

I hope not!!!! its nice and quiet here keep all the winter congestion to the south...btw its about 12 1/2 miles from lopez to brownwood not really a long travel

[ureout]

I hope not!!!! its nice and quiet here keep all the winter congestion to the south...btw its about 12 1/2 miles from lopez to brownwood not really a long way to travel

[ddan32162]

OMG - I hope not! I live up there and I love the fact that we are away from all the commotion and traffic of the squares. We are 5 minutes away from shopping, two rec centers, 4 pools, and a country club. 15-20 min. ride on a golf cart will get you to SS or LSL squares. Many times we will take CR 42 to US 301 to go south instead of battling the traffic on Buena Vista.

[Madelaine Amee]

Out by the Lopez country club/Hwy 42 area?? Those homes are so far away from all the fun stuff in The Villages. Has there ever been talk of a square out there?

Please do not even think of interfering with our end of TV. We love it just the way it is.

[ssmith]

....that is exactly what I thought....that people move there to be part of the Villages but not part of the busyness....something for everyone!!!!

[Bucco]

Marion County has been the "fly in the ointment" in any large scale development in that area !

[KathieI]

I agree, I recently drove up to Lopez for lunch and was astonished about how calm and relaxing it is in that area. Out of the "frey" (sp?) of all the hustle and bustle of the southern area. I've looked at CYV's there and you really get a lot more for your money. Its interesting and has me thinking.

[llaran]

you have got to be kidding! if the developer had wanted a square there, it be there. the developer ownes all the squares and 18 hole golf courses

[2BNTV]

I would tend to think the developer has his hands full building Brownwood to even think of another square.

By then, what do i know? I am just a wannabe.

The developer sure has the Midas touch,

[OldDave]

I'm really glad you asked this question, because I've always wondered. Of course the most obvious answer is that the developer has nothing to gain by building a square up there, because the houses are all built and sold. They don't need an attraction like Brownwood to sell houses.

What does surprise me is the many responses from residents in that area that they want it to stay quieter. We have considered that area because I've heard the houses are built a bit better, the bonds are lower, or more likely already paid off, etc. On our next triip I want to spend some time looking at houses for sale in that area and see what it feels like.

[jbdlfan]

Comments are right on the money! We just bougt here for exactly the reasons listed. Much more bang for the buck. The traffic is very light, Publix is easy in- easy out, we have a Beef's, Ocala and points north are easy access, and we are minutes to SS or LSL. Heck, even Brownswood is only a fifty minute cart ride!

[janmcn]

When they first developed the Marion County part of TV and opened Mulberry Grove Plaza in 2003, there were plenty of land parcels available, both large and small. Apparently, no one was interested for whatever reason. That's probably one reason that area was chosen for the VA hospital.

[Roaddog53]

I think we are too spoiled sometimes. It is as many say only 6 miles to a town, or a few minutes. Heck, prior to moving here we were in a suburb and it was 10 miles to the "business district" or about 15 minutes in traffic. The quietness has it's advantages but the disadvantage is distance to noise. :)
But, many want something here and say why isn't it happening or why can't the developer do this or that. I say why the developer? It is open for anyone to start a business, town, or whatever they want. Obviously they did years ago. Go for it.

[njbchbum]

Out by the Lopez country club/Hwy 42 area?? Those homes are so far away from all the fun stuff in The Villages. Has there ever been talk of a square out there?

calm yourself, karennn! the next thing we know is that someone will want to start advocating for a square here on the historic side! i wonder how we could get no town square into our covenants! ;

[Barefoot]

Those homes are so far away from all the fun stuff in The Villages.

After a few years living in TV, "all the fun stuff" may be just taking a walk in a quiet neighborhood or relaxing on your lanaii. :laugh: And there are good restaurants, pools and country clubs available in the north/west quadrant.

[maryanna630]

We are also interested in this area because we like peace and quiet and like to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. We like to socialize with friends but are definitely NOt party animals and will hardly ever go to the squares at night. We don't golf but my husband is a big tennis player. Our main concern with the homes is that they are older and might need lots of updating. We would appreciate any and all opinions on this and we plan on renting in that area for a month in June. Many thanks.

[ilovetv]

The town squares have many purposes and those purposes are accomplished. One purpose for them is to attract home buyers, to both new and pre-owned homes.

Think of being 55 to 65 and working and approaching the age at which you will retire. Finally you'll have freedom from work commitments and freedom from your employer or business customers owning your time and your schedule. I think people who are working and looking at retirement want to finally enjoy a social life that is not limited to half a day on Saturday, and Sundays, and only 3, 4, maybe 5 weeks of vacation per year.

To me, people on the verge of retirement come here because they are looking for a social lifestyle that is lively and not restricted nor confined to the leftovers of your calendar that work/career dominates.

The town squares and all the activities and businesses with them demonstrate that TV is not all "sedate" nor "elderly" everywhere. The town squares demonstrate to newcomers and residents that there are lively things to do or enjoy (electively), and that it is not Geriatric Estates....which is a depressing thought.

One day, we'll all be selling our home or our kids will be selling it. I don't think we want buyers thinking it is totally a sedate, Geriatric Estates type of community. Of course we want quiet and even sedate neighborhoods, but we want lively places to go here, too.

[whybeglum]

Please do not even think of interfering with our end of TV. We love it just the way it is.
Wow!! I have looked at houses "way down south" and knew within minutes that I would stay as far north as possible. Everything so green and quiet up here. Everything so flat and brown and congested down there. To each his own.....

[NotGolfer]

We have friends who've had a place here for 15+ years. They told us that The Developer did have plans for a square up near Mulberry but had to scrap those plans due to Marion County being hard to work with. I thought I'd also heard he had purchased some land up there for that intent...but not sure what happened with all that land now.

Village View Church which is also north of there ran into many delays etc. when they wanted/needed to expand. So that's further verification of the county being difficult to work with on development.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I always thought that it's strange that it's 3 miles from Spanish Springs to Lake Sumter Landing, but it's 8 miles from LSL to Brownwood. Also, Brownwood is at what is supposedly going to be the end of The Villages. Wouldn't you think that a town square would be more centrally located?

[Culvers2Villages]

Well as I read the 1st post, I was like... No... ummm we don't need another square up in the Chatham area... and then I began to read all of your reply's... which by the way, you happen to be my neighbors... I agree... we love the quiet streets and no hassle of being a little "out of the way"... but, in just a few minutes we can be right in the thick of things... shopping, town squares, restaurants and people... Love...love...love living in Chatham... The only time it's a hardship is when we head to church in Wildwood at Grace Tabernacle... but, we love the church and happily drive it...
By the way... Hello Neighbors!!!

[buzzy]

I always thought that it's strange that it's 3 miles from Spanish Springs to Lake Sumter Landing, but it's 8 miles from LSL to Brownwood. Also, Brownwood is at what is supposedly going to be the end of The Villages. Wouldn't you think that a town square would be more centrally located?

Since the squares are open to the general public, I think it was chosen for its access from rte 44, just as Spanish Springs is from rte 441/27.

[PattyCakes]

No Thanks! I live in Springdale and it's quiet, peaceful and wonderful. Hubby and I, and our fur children love the area without the hustle and bustle of any square. So thanks, but no thanks!

[archerlc]

Last year we rented in Alhambra and at first we were disappointed by how far away we were from things. We later learned to love it. This year were are in Pennecamp. Much heavier traffic. I agree with other posters: If I buy here I would look in the Lopez area.

[Jim 9922]

We've always thought of the area to "the North" as the "Suburbs of The Villages". Quiet, green, real trees, some larger lots, nice facilities, and uncrowded.

[jalopy54]

No more squares needed!

[Xavier]

Another Town Square would be nice, but not in the North end. From Savannah north is truly God's Country. We wouldn't want to mess it up. It is the IDEAL for some of us. In fact, I was on a few of the Real Estate websites this morning. Zillow predicts home values up our way will increase 8.2% next year, compared to a 7.6% rise for The Villages as a whole. I would recommend that, if you haven't already done so, you should take a relaxing golf cart ride up Buena Vista to Mulberry Grove Rec. Center located at Route 42. Don't forget to drive through a few of the Villages in Marion County along the way.

Maybe a Town Square near Colony would be a better location!

Xavier

[ilovetv]

Another Town Square would be nice, but not in the North end. From Savannah north is truly God's Country. We wouldn't want to mess it up. It is the IDEAL for some of us. In fact, I was on a few of the Real Estate websites this morning. Zillow predicts home values up our way will increase 8.2% next year, compared to a 7.6% rise for The Villages as a whole. I would recommend that, if you haven't already done so, you should take a relaxing golf cart ride up Buena Vista to Mulberry Grove Rec. Center located at Route 42. Don't forget to drive through a few of the Villages in Marion County along the way.

Maybe a Town Square near Colony would be a better location!

Xavier

Your point is well taken, except for relying on Zillow for pricing.

And since you're concerned about the home values and like it that they're going up, I would caution again to look at the area thru the eyes of potential buyers, who will, in the end, decide what is true market value when they write a check for it at closing. Age 55 or 60 is looking younger and younger all the time as people are living longer. The appeal when we came a few years ago was that The Villages did NOT look like a sleepy "retirement" community deserving the name Geriatric Estates.

The nightly music, dancing, retail and bar-restaurants open etc. at the town squares is a big draw for potential buyers who are about to retire and finally are gaining the freedom to go out and have fun, not go to bed at 8:30pm because they have to get up at 5 to commute to work and get home after dark--too tired to go out and too little time before bedtime anyway.

I think The Villages has been extremely wise in marketing to the 55-60 age group (even the music on 640 am radio show this). They've been wise in knowing buyers are looking for activity and vitality, NOT "heaven's waiting room" as some characterize TV without ever having been here. Homeowners hoping for rising home values would be wise follow The Villages' lead and think about what buyers are looking for as they retire.

P.S. Skip2MySue just put the perfect example of what buyers are NOT looking for, at this thread, "Another Retirement Option":
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/just-fun-109/another-retirement-option-107846/

[scarecrow1]

I would think that they would consider another town square over near Fruitland park. It's going to be quite a ride for the people down that way even to get to Brownwood. As they get more shopping and activities at Brownwood it will become a zoo like the rest of the squares.

[Bogie Shooter]

Give it up. There will not be anymore town squares.

[Xavier]

Your point is well taken, except for relying on Zillow for pricing.

And since you're concerned about the home values and like it that they're going up, I would caution again to look at the area thru the eyes of potential buyers, who will, in the end, decide what is true market value when they write a check for it at closing. Age 55 or 60 is looking younger and younger all the time as people are living longer. The appeal when we came a few years ago was that The Villages did NOT look like a sleepy "retirement" community deserving the name Geriatric Estates.

The nightly music, dancing, retail and bar-restaurants open etc. at the town squares is a big draw for potential buyers who are about to retire and finally are gaining the freedom to go out and have fun, not go to bed at 8:30pm because they have to get up at 5 to commute to work and get home after dark--too tired to go out and too little time before bedtime anyway.

I think The Villages has been extremely wise in marketing to the 55-60 age group (even the music on 640 am radio show this). They've been wise in knowing buyers are looking for activity and vitality, NOT "heaven's waiting room" as some characterize TV without ever having been here. Homeowners hoping for rising home values would be wise follow The Villages' lead and think about what buyers are looking for as they retire.

P.S. Skip2MySue just put the perfect example of what buyers are NOT looking for, at this thread, "Another Retirement Option":
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/just-fun-109/another-retirement-option-107846/

We do our share of activities in and around The Villages. As someone mentioned previously, all of the Town Squares are with just a few minutes of us by car and SS and LSL are within easy Golf Cart access. Hanging out at bars is no longer that important to us, but we know that others may enjoy just that. The beauty of our area and it's lack of day-in and day-out hubbub provides the perfect balance. All amenities and material needs are close by. We are still young - I retired at 52 years old. I can believe that many of the potential buyers are looking for the availability of activities. I cannot believe that all of them want to live in the middle of it all day and night. One day last week we took the cart on a 15 mile trek to the Library located on 466A. We just couldn't believe how busy each intersection was on the way down and the way back. South of 466 every intersection had golf carts and automobiles backed up. We'll have none of that up in God's country! We believe we made a wise choice.

Xavier

[LndLocked]

I would venture to say that 98.765% of all of us up in the Northern Hinterlands do not want a town Square built here!

It is peaceful with a fraction of the traffic to the south. Here in the drama free noth, I never hear anyone complain about dog poop or pop a blood vessel if a golf cart goes over 20mph.

It might be nice to have 1 or 2 more restaurant options ... but every time I am forced to endure the insanity that is the Colony Publix .... I am ok with what we have.

[graciegirl]

I would think that they would consider another town square over near Fruitland park. It's going to be quite a ride for the people down that way even to get to Brownwood. As they get more shopping and activities at Brownwood it will become a zoo like the rest of the squares.


The new homes in Fruitland Park are contiguous to the present homes in Sanibel and Charlotte. If people in Sanibel and Charlotte can get to Brownwood then it will be doable for the new "Fruitflies".


I think some people must think the new homes are going in way down 466A near 441 or something.


Fruitland Park very neatly moved their boundaries right smack dab up against Colony Plaza some time ago.

[ettojr]

We did our homework before buying in the Village of Woodbury. It's quiet. We have larger lots, mature landscape. Excellent neighbors. Few if any traffic problems and access to off campus highways...42, 441, 301, so no crawling down Buena Vista or across El Camino Real.

We don't need a Square, thanks anyway. When we need to 'party down' there are rec centers minutes away in every direction, and 2 Squares five miles away.

When asked where I live, I say Woodbury, then I smile when that person says, I've never heard of it.

[rdhdleo]

I hope not!!!! its nice and quiet here keep all the winter congestion to the south...btw its about 12 1/2 miles from lopez to brownwood not really a long travel


:agree:

[Dpost]

I am 52 can retire in 5 years and am thinking this exact way

[Bogie Shooter]

I am 52 can retire in 5 years and am thinking this exact way

???

[Barefoot]

I have a close friend in Piedmont. I love the north/west quadrant. Lovely mature landscaping and quiet neighborhoods, yet shopping at Mulberry and Southern Trace is close by. Spanish Springs is also close. I think it's a real bargain to purchase there right now.

[TednRobin]

Love, Love, Love the North end of TV. Have owned in Hemingway and now in Springdale. Not a bit sorry about the move. But original post was about another town square, any chance one will go up in Fruitland Park area or is it too close to Brownwood?

[rdhdleo]

Love, Love, Love the North end of TV. Have owned in Hemingway and now in Springdale. Not a bit sorry about the move. But original post was about another town square, any chance one will go up in Fruitland Park area or is it too close to Brownwood?

:thumbup: I think the current town squares are pretty evenly situated and doubt another one will happen, but one never knows what might come next. Just my opinion :)

[rdhdleo]

No Thanks! I live in Springdale and it's quiet, peaceful and wonderful. Hubby and I, and our fur children love the area without the hustle and bustle of any square. So thanks, but no thanks!

:agree:

[justjim]

I believe that most residents go to a Square a lot the first year or two and then may still go but only Occasionaly. The Developer built at Brownwood for all the Newbees moving into TV. And that is where the new homes are being built.

I don't have a crystal ball but I wouldn't bet on any more town squares.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I think we should have a town square for every two villages. That way they'd be less crowded and people wouldn't have to save seats.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I am 52 can retire in 5 years and am thinking this exact way

You can't come here. There are no more homes available. Nor will there be in the future. Beside, the place is so big and crowded that no one wants to come here.