Working in the Villages

[sim73vike1]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with information regarding living and/or working in the villages.
I first encountered TV when I went to visit my wife's grandmother who recently relocated to TV. I instantly loved the environment and thought it would be a great place to eventually move to. Now, my in-laws are planning a move to TV, and my wife would love if we could stay close to them.
I am a physical therapist, currently living in NJ. I know that there is high demand and few options for therapy in TV and see it as a great location to start a business practice.
I have been researching employment in the villages, TC Charter schools, and nearby neighborhoods where we could live if we were to relocate to the area.
I would appreciate any information you have regarding nearby areas to live in or what your feelings on the school system are. Additionally, I have seen some information about The Villages of Parkwood, and that seems nice, but I want some more options and areas to check out the next time that I go to visit the villages. Are there any areas of The Villages Specifically designated for families or employees? If so, where are they located? Are there any good suburban areas within a 30 mile radius outside the villages that are worth looking into?

Thanks,
Sim

[NotGolfer]

Yes there are some communities for families right next to The Villages. Before making that move of inquiry though...I'd check on what the salaries are here compared to what you're used to. I had to have O.T. a year ago and the therapist had just moved here to be close to her parents. She came from near the Chicago area (not a suburb but a community close by) and said she'd taken a cut in pay. They're all fairly new and nice as well. One is off from 466---we didn't know it was for families til a year or so ago. It blends in. Another is off from Rainy Trail and the 3rd one is off from 101 near Southern Trace.

[gomoho]

My first recommendation is to get yourself a knowlegable REALTOR - not a Village sales associate, but a REALTOR that works with the MLS. They will be knowledgable in the
surrounding areas and help you find exactly what fits your family's needs.
I believe TV charter school is probably some of the best education you could find in Florida and the cost of living is much lower here than in the north - so maybe the salary adjustment isn't as drastic as one might think. Do your due diligence and use the professionals available to help you with this decision. Good luck.

[janmcn]

One of the family areas is Bison Valley, and you can find homes for sale there on The Villages website under preowned homes.

[bike42]

Family neighborhoods in The Villages are Bison Valley, Spring Arbor and Oak Forest. There are also many options for houses nearby but outside TV.

You would definitely want your children to go to the Charter Schools (pre-K though High School); they are far superior to any other schools in the area and compare with the best in the state. HOWEVER, to qualify for the Charter Schools one parent MUST work for The Villages, a Villages-associated business or an employer who rents/leases space in The Villages. This is very strict. If you want to start your own office you would need to lease space from TV.

Get a TV sales agent who will explain all of this to you, and show you homes in the family neighborhoods. Then also get an outside (MLS) agent who will help you exlore kid-friendly housing options outside TV.

[jbdlfan]

Family neighborhoods in The Villages are Bison Valley, Spring Arbor and Oak Forest. There are also many options for houses nearby but outside TV.

You would definitely want your children to go to the Charter Schools (pre-K though High School); they are far superior to any other schools in the area and compare with the best in the state. HOWEVER, to qualify for the Charter Schools one parent MUST work for The Villages, a Villages-associated business or an employer who rents/leases space in The Villages. This is very strict. If you want to start your own office you would need to lease space from TV.

Get a TV sales agent who will explain all of this to you, and show you homes in the family neighborhoods. Then also get an outside (MLS) agent who will help you exlore kid-friendly housing options outside TV.

This is a bit of exaggeration. Depending on the age of your children, your family educational goals and your children's needs there are many exceptional schools in the area. If your children are at the age to be considering college and they will attend here in Florida, unless they are athletes, you want a school with an IB or ACE program. Florida and Florida State won't look at you without it. My kid graduated from TVCHS so if you want any inside information, feel free to private message me.
Before the ridiculous flames start about how I'm disparaging "The School", save it. Nothing bad about "The School", just a person should know the true options available.

[graciegirl]

Family neighborhoods in The Villages are Bison Valley, Spring Arbor and Oak Forest. There are also many options for houses nearby but outside TV.

You would definitely want your children to go to the Charter Schools (pre-K though High School); they are far superior to any other schools in the area and compare with the best in the state. HOWEVER, to qualify for the Charter Schools one parent MUST work for The Villages, a Villages-associated business or an employer who rents/leases space in The Villages. This is very strict. If you want to start your own office you would need to lease space from TV.

Get a TV sales agent who will explain all of this to you, and show you homes in the family neighborhoods. Then also get an outside (MLS) agent who will help you exlore kid-friendly housing options outside TV.

I totally agree.

[DougB]

This is a bit of exaggeration. Depending on the age of your children, your family educational goals and your children's needs there are many exceptional schools in the area. If your children are at the age to be considering college and they will attend here in Florida, unless they are athletes, you want a school with an IB or ACE program. Florida and Florida State won't look at you without it. My kid graduated from TVCHS so if you want any inside information, feel free to private message me.
Before the ridiculous flames start about how I'm disparaging "The School", save it. Nothing bad about "The School", just a person should know the true options available.

Well said, jbdfan

[jbdlfan]

Keep in mind also that in just Marion County alone, there are IB, AICE Cambridge, AAIT and other Magnate programs all the way down in the elementary schools. High schools have performing arts schools as well as EMIT and propulsion labs. These are all less than 40 miles from TV. Many true gated country club communities and some unbelievable properties right in the middle of horse country. Lake and Marion Counties also have private Christian/Catholic schools to chose from. Please, be very studious on your choices.

[obxgal]

Another thing to keep in mind is if you move to Lake, Marion or Sumter County neither you, your wife, or your children can use any of the facilities here in the villages. Family members living in the tri-county area (meaning those 3 counties) can not get passes. You can use the Championship golf courses/country clubs and restaurant, go to the movies at the higher prices and shop at all the retail stores and go to the town squares for the nightly entertainment.

You will not be able to use the executive courses, pools or any of the other facilities encluding tennis courts, basketball courses etc. Just want to make you aware of these things before you would make the move.

[sim73vike1]

I was just looking at TV Regional Hospital and noticed that it is owned/managed by Central Florida Health Alliance. Do employees of the hospital also qualify as being employees?

[jbdlfan]

Another thing to keep in mind is if you move to Lake, Marion or Sumter County neither you, your wife, or your children can use any of the facilities here in the villages. Family members living in the tri-county area (meaning those 3 counties) can not get passes. You can use the Championship golf courses/country clubs and restaurant, go to the movies at the higher prices and shop at all the retail stores and go to the town squares for the nightly entertainment.

You will not be able to use the executive courses, pools or any of the other facilities encluding tennis courts, basketball courses etc. Just want to make you aware of these things before you would make the move.

Sorry, but this is misinformation. First off, even if you live in the family sections, you don't have access to the amenities. Now, since you wife's grandparents and your in-laws live in TVs, you can obtain an "in area" guest pass. This will allow you to visit any place your parents can go. If they are priority members, you will even be a priority guest!. We had these passes for five years and had access to everything. The only time we really had to have our parents with us was the priority pools and executive golf courses. I know they are supposed to be more picky, but they didn't care much off season.

[jbdlfan]

I was just looking at TV Regional Hospital and noticed that it is owned/managed by Central Florida Health Alliance. Do employees of the hospital also qualify as being employees?

Yes. Some of the spin offs, Citizens and such are still considered Villages employees.

[graciegirl]

Sorry, but this is misinformation. First off, even if you live in the family sections, you don't have access to the amenities. Now, since you wife's grandparents and your in-laws live in TVs, you can obtain an "in area" guest pass. This will allow you to visit any place your parents can go. If they are priority members, you will even be a priority guest!. We had these passes for five years and had access to everything. The only time we really had to have our parents with us was the priority pools and executive golf courses. I know they are supposed to be more picky, but they didn't care much off season.???????

.

Bogie Shooter...you usually come up with links to this and that. Which is correct?

[jbdlfan]

I have heard differently.

Bogie Shooter...you usually come up with links to this and that.

I just said I lived with it for five years! Yea, I made it up......geesh.....

[graciegirl]

I just said I lived with it for five years! Yea, I made it up......geesh.....

It appears you are right, but it doesn't seem right to allow it. I defend myself by saying that it wasn't always so.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/acc-takes-dive-24442/

[obxgal]

Sorry, but this is misinformation. First off, even if you live in the family sections, you don't have access to the amenities. Now, since you wife's grandparents and your in-laws live in TVs, you can obtain an "in area" guest pass. This will allow you to visit any place your parents can go. If they are priority members, you will even be a priority guest!. We had these passes for five years and had access to everything. The only time we really had to have our parents with us was the priority pools and executive golf courses. I know they are supposed to be more picky, but they didn't care much off season.

I thought in my first sentance that I had said can't instead of can. I also was not aware of the "in area" guest pass. Thank you for correcting my misinformation jbdlfan.

[Bogie Shooter]

Information on Guest ID's

http://www.districtgov.org/departments/Recreation/images/Guest%20ID%20Policy.pdf

[NannyO12]

I thought there were non-resident IDs that could be purchased if you live in the surrounding area.

[graciegirl]

My first recommendation is to get yourself a knowlegable REALTOR - not a Village sales associate, but a REALTOR that works with the MLS. They will be knowledgable in the
surrounding areas and help you find exactly what fits your family's needs.
I believe TV charter school is probably some of the best education you could find in Florida and the cost of living is much lower here than in the north - so maybe the salary adjustment isn't as drastic as one might think. Do your due diligence and use the professionals available to help you with this decision. Good luck.



Gomoho. The Villages reps can't sell him stuff off campus anyway and that is probably what he is looking for.


I would say, check salaries. It is a huge shock for people from both coasts.


The Florida Schools aren't known for excellence. I know exactly who is gonna come back on me for that comment, but I still believe it. The Charter schools are good if you work in The Villages, your kids can go to the Charter Schools.


I would think, and think again before you make this major move. That is just the mother and grandmother in me saying that.

[TraceyMooreRN]

Yes, The Villages Hospital along with Promise Hospital (LTAC) both qualify for charter schools. Also check into Freedom Pointe Rehab Center (great in patient, out patient and home health) therapy needs.

Big difference in nursing Salaries from VA to FL. However- so is the cost of living. It all became equal. Healthcare for me personally went through the roof compared to what I was receiving in Virginia.

As to the other posts--I wasn't aware of the surrounding areas could get the pass for relatives. I don't mind, I am 40 and LOVE IT IN THE VILLAGES!! My kids are in College in Virginia. I wouldn't think 19 year olds find it much fun here--but I LOVE IT!!

[LoriAnn]

Sounds like you don't have to worry about lower wages since your plan is to "start" a business. I would assume you plan Medicare/Medicaid certification which might have a slight regional difference in reimbursement. Your primary difficulty will be the large prevalence of Medicare replacement policy's/Advantage plans. That is the reason healthcare salaries are so much lower in Florida than the rest of the country. They reimburse as low as 70% of traditional Medicare. That results in salaries being 25-30% lower as well. It can take as long as a year to be approved as a provider for each replacement plan ,so, start early. If you are planning to create just enough business for yourself and maybe a few other therapist you should certainly earn more than being an employee as long as you stay below the magic FTE 50 number. Good luck. It sounds like fun!