First Impression

[klc1923]

We've taked and planned to move to FL upon retirement for some time. Still a few years away but I'm a planner and need to know my options. My parents could use it now and then it would be available when we are ready. Last weekend on our way to drive back up north (home) we stopped by the Villages for a few hours to see what everyone was talking about.

Obviously our first impression when we stumbled upon Sumpter Landing was Wow! - this is where I need to be. So we parked and walked around. Then we went into the real estate office and someone was happy to show us around. My husband make it clear we would not be purchasing today but we were just getting ideas. The agent was happy to accomodate us with no pressure.

My first concern that that we are "young" and would not fit in as we both are mid 50's. Well she took us to the community centers and we saw how active everyone was. Then she took us to the gym and I saw "older" folks working out and doing things that we could not physically do I thought - OK, the "older" folks are better off than we are.

They we went around and looked at some new houses (don't even know what villages we were in). The suggestion was then made that maybe we would look at resales. My next statement was "I don't want already furnished cause I don't want my house to look old". The realitor smiled and said you would be surprised.

After looking on line I see many beautifully decorated homes that I woud be so proud to live in.

In summary, this is the beginning. We both fell in love. We are planning on a time when we can come for a lifestyle preview later this year. I see it as a win-win since my parents would use it immediately and my mom would be going non stop. since I am her daughter I will fall into her footsteps rather quickly.

I've been creeping on these boards for some time, I've officially joined the boards, will be active in the discussions, and look forward to continue reading all of the comments and suggestions. Keep the ideas comming:thumbup:

Karen

[twinklesweep]

I never did a Lifestyle Preview, I never spent a lot of time here in TV, I had never visited before, in fact I never took a trolley tour! I came to visit a friend, took a look around, decided that this is for me after doing my research, and bought a resale (bond paid and thousands of dollars of landscaping) where my friend knew the people selling. Just do it--and good luck!!!

[Blessed2BNTV]

My husband and I are in our 50's. We came to visit friends, came back 6 months later, looked at new, looked at resales. Walked out of our 4 house and went into negotiations. 24 days we were moving in!

While we are only part timers we try to get to TV once a month. We live in Atlanta so we are only 6.5 hours away.

Will be there in 2 weeks and can't wait!

We love our home in TV and looking forward to making it our final home in the next several years.

[graciegirl]

We've taked and planned to move to FL upon retirement for some time. Still a few years away but I'm a planner and need to know my options. My parents could use it now and then it would be available when we are ready. Last weekend on our way to drive back up north (home) we stopped by the Villages for a few hours to see what everyone was talking about.

Obviously our first impression when we stumbled upon Sumpter Landing was Wow! - this is where I need to be. So we parked and walked around. Then we went into the real estate office and someone was happy to show us around. My husband make it clear we would not be purchasing today but we were just getting ideas. The agent was happy to accomodate us with no pressure.

My first concern that that we are "young" and would not fit in as we both are mid 50's. Well she took us to the community centers and we saw how active everyone was. Then she took us to the gym and I saw "older" folks working out and doing things that we could not physically do I thought - OK, the "older" folks are better off than we are.

They we went around and looked at some new houses (don't even know what villages we were in). The suggestion was then made that maybe we would look at resales. My next statement was "I don't want already furnished cause I don't want my house to look old". The realitor smiled and said you would be surprised.

After looking on line I see many beautifully decorated homes that I woud be so proud to live in.

In summary, this is the beginning. We both fell in love. We are planning on a time when we can come for a lifestyle preview later this year. I see it as a win-win since my parents would use it immediately and my mom would be going non stop. since I am her daughter I will fall into her footsteps rather quickly.

I've been creeping on these boards for some time, I've officially joined the boards, will be active in the discussions, and look forward to continue reading all of the comments and suggestions. Keep the ideas comming:thumbup:

Karen

WHAT a great first post. Welcome. I think I see a new Villager.

We love it, love it. love it.

Hope you do too and your mother as well.

Age is only a number here.

[ilovetv]

Just do it!


Seeing the answers you found to your main "concerns", you've made more progress toward a decision than some make in years. You won't regret buying here. And if you do regret it, SELL it.

Years of searching for the "perfect" house in TV makes one miss out on all the fun and happiness outside the house, with wonderful neighbors all around who are truly "there for you".

[Bizdoc]

We didn't do a lifestyle visit (no room at the inn when we were going to be here). We had been to TV a couple of times to visit an old friend of my wife and were going to visit him and take a look at Freedom Pointe. After looking at Freedom Pointe, decided we should look at some houses. Looked at houses for several hours each day for 3 days and found one we really liked. After a minor delay in deciding (we had actually left and driven down to Disney World before we decided that we should buy a house), we bought what we thought was the perfect house for us.

Having said of that, I had done research on the Villages over the course of 3 years before that trip. Lurked here on TOTV and read everything that I could find (pro and con) about TV. As the result, I didn't have any major questions to resolve before committing.

You're doing the right thing in reading up on TOTV. Most issues have been raised/hashed out/(sometimes) beaten to death here.

Most of us love it here. A few folks don't. From what I have seen, the ones that don't like it generally leave.

You will realize that there is a great variety in the houses here. Most folks find one that they really like. Look until one really grabs you. Trust me, you'll know when that happens.

Good luck and hope to see you around TV!

[sjdjmd]

We, too, did the Lifestyle Visit, and 1 time was all it took! Fell in love with....everything!!! You'll love it here...that's a promise!

[HDriders]

We are both now in our 'mid' 50's ~ we came here 2 years ago for a day, loved what we saw, came back last year for LSV for one week, LOVED again what we saw, found our 'home'......had our 'checkbook' with us : ) 30 days later we were the proud owner of a new home. Never looked back!!!

[keithwand]

WOW!
Visited friends that were renting; bought a lot and moved in 6 months later.

[Bay Kid]

My parents have been renting 2 months a year for 3 years. Dad always wanted to buy but I didn't have time to come look (I pay Dad's bills). He got me to come stay with them this year and that is all it took! We will be a new owner next month.

[The Buckeyes]

The more you look at TV...the more it sells itself!!!!!!! Bring your checkbook!

[Yucatan2]

Hi Karen,

We are also in our mid-late 50's. We heard about The Villages from a couple we met on a cruise who had moved from New Jersey and absolutely loved the place. My husband works online, so we rented a home in the old section for the whole month last September. We loved it! Found a home we liked but was overpriced, and just waited.......and put our home in Virginia on the market. In January we had an offer on our home, the one we liked in The Villages was still available and had just lowered the price in late Feb. so we made an offer which was accepted. The next day our buyer's financing fell through. But we loved TV house and knew we were getting a good price so we stuck with it.......just got our appraisal for $20K above our purchase price! We close on April 16 and will move down the next week after that to our new home in Del Mar! Now if only we would get another offer here, but I'm sure it will happen sooner or later.

Looks like there will be plenty of boomers and we are looking forward to making new friends soon!

[2BNTV]

We've taked and planned to move to FL upon retirement for some time. Still a few years away but I'm a planner and need to know my options. My parents could use it now and then it would be available when we are ready. Last weekend on our way to drive back up north (home) we stopped by the Villages for a few hours to see what everyone was talking about.

Obviously our first impression when we stumbled upon Sumpter Landing was Wow! - this is where I need to be. So we parked and walked around. Then we went into the real estate office and someone was happy to show us around. My husband make it clear we would not be purchasing today but we were just getting ideas. The agent was happy to accomodate us with no pressure.

My first concern that that we are "young" and would not fit in as we both are mid 50's. Well she took us to the community centers and we saw how active everyone was. Then she took us to the gym and I saw "older" folks working out and doing things that we could not physically do I thought - OK, the "older" folks are better off than we are.

They we went around and looked at some new houses (don't even know what villages we were in). The suggestion was then made that maybe we would look at resales. My next statement was "I don't want already furnished cause I don't want my house to look old". The realitor smiled and said you would be surprised.

After looking on line I see many beautifully decorated homes that I woud be so proud to live in.

In summary, this is the beginning. We both fell in love. We are planning on a time when we can come for a lifestyle preview later this year. I see it as a win-win since my parents would use it immediately and my mom would be going non stop. since I am her daughter I will fall into her footsteps rather quickly.

I've been creeping on these boards for some time, I've officially joined the boards, will be active in the discussions, and look forward to continue reading all of the comments and suggestions. Keep the ideas comming:thumbup:

Karen

Karen:

Great first post. I guess you found out how beutiful TV is.

I always say, "be prepared yo be blown away by the beauty of TV and it's friendly people" The second is "bring your checkbook".

There are some new villages that have the same age brackets, (younger), south of 466A but if you decide to buy a pre-owned that doesn't have or very little bond payment. No matter where you choose, there is no bad village.

Best wishes in moving to TV. :smiley:

[LABSX2]

We came for a one day visit just to look around about a year ago. I felt like someone had picked me up out of the "real world" and put me down in Utopia!! We loved it. We came back in September for a 5 day Life Style Preview and then loved it even more. We are come back in 2 weeks to look at the newest homes near Brownwood and if we find one we like will buy a house to use as a vacation home until we can move down full time. Soooooo excited!!!! :pepper2:

[ilovetv]

It's as good as it gets, when surrounded by so many happy people.

[Jerseygirl08]

It's as good as it gets, when surrounded by so many happy people.

Hi Karen: You drank the water !!! That was your first mistake, and the best thing you ever did.

I was first in TV in 1998 visiting for one day. Loved the place. Ten years later - when I was thinking about buying a house in FL, The Villages popped back into my mind. I scheduled a LSP, grabbed up a friend, and spent a week in TV, NOT PLANNING TO BUY, JUST LOOKING. Wrong!! I drank the water and never looked back.

Welcome to TV.

[mac9]

My husband kept talking about TV and moving to Florida. I told him that I wasn't sure that I wanted to be around all the old people. Came for a lifestyle visit in 2006, bought a month later and have been here ever since! We love it and are more active now than we ever were up north. I've noticed that the people don't seem to be as old!

[Parker]

We bought here sight unseen in our mid 50's. My parents bought a vacation home, loved it so much they decided to buy a bigger home within a couple of months and were going to sell the first one. Knowing their taste and judgement, we said over the phone that we'd take it. Never saw it or The Villages until after closing! We were amazed when we got here. LOVED the home and TV. That was eight years ago. Now here full-time. :o

[JourneyOfLife]

I would be careful about current emotions influencing some distant future event/plan.

My baseline decision would be: I will wait till I am retired and ready to permanently move to make a home purchase. I would be very concerned that the cost of buying early would outweigh the benefit of it and consider all of the risks. My plan would be to rent till I was ready to move.

I would have to come up with a very compelling reason to alter that decision. It would have to be more than excitement about the future!

[graciegirl]

I would be careful about current emotions influencing some distant future event/plan.

My baseline decision would be: I will wait till I am retired and ready to permanently move to make a home purchase. I would be very concerned that the cost of buying early would outweigh the benefit of it and consider all of the risks. My plan would be to rent till I was ready to move.

I would have to come up with a very compelling reason to alter that decision. It would have to be more than excitement about the future!

You are very wise indeed. But the beautiful place and the myriad of things to do and the joy of being with enthusuastic people from all over will wear you down.

Best mistake we ever made.

And we continue to get younger. Soon they will be begging us to join that danged Baby Boomers club.;)

Up with Bloomers down with Boomers. Or is it the other way around?

[2BNTV]

You are very wise indeed. But the beautiful place and the myriad of things to do and the joy of being with enthusuastic people from all over will wear you down.

Best mistake we ever made.

And we continue to get younger. Soon they will be begging us to join that danged Baby Boomers club.;)

Up with Bloomers down with Boomers. Or is it the other way around?


Gracie, you are a hoot. :1rotfl:

[capecodkev]

I would be careful about current emotions influencing some distant future event/plan.

My baseline decision would be: I will wait till I am retired and ready to permanently move to make a home purchase. I would be very concerned that the cost of buying early would outweigh the benefit of it and consider all of the risks. My plan would be to rent till I was ready to move.

I would have to come up with a very compelling reason to alter that decision. It would have to be more than excitement about the future!

I disagree with that, we plan on buying very soon even though we will not be able to spend a great deal of time there for 4-5 more years. Sure we will have to rent it out for the next few years but after the tax deduction for my mortage interest, I estimate my out of pocket expense to be about $7,000 per. On a $225,000 house, that is 3%, I am sure home prices will rise more than 3% per yer over the next five years.

[MicheleE]

We've been here 2 months and I am also one that never looked back. I am 52 and my hubby is 55 - we've met many people and are starting to make some friends. It takes time though....wish that happened a bit sooner! But all in all.....I love it here! Welcome and enjoy!

[JourneyOfLife]

I disagree with that, we plan on buying very soon even though we will not be able to spend a great deal of time there for 4-5 more years. Sure we will have to rent it out for the next few years but after the tax deduction for my mortage interest, I estimate my out of pocket expense to be about $7,000 per. On a $225,000 house, that is 3%, I am sure home prices will rise more than 3% per yer over the next five years.

Good luck to you. I hope it works out.


If you noticed, my post was in the context of what I would do... not you!

I just happen to be very conservative in the area of personal finance and personal risk.

[capecodkev]

Good luck to you. I hope it works out.


If you noticed, my post was in the context of what I would do... not you!

I just happen to be very conservative in the area of personal finance and personal risk.

I wasn't attacking you, I was just pointing out how small the potenial risk is with the current market condtions and interest rates.

[klc1923]

Thanks everyone for all of the comments.

A couple of years ago we got a good deal and bought a vacation home near Disney (I love Disney). Our thought was that it is large enough to accomodate our entire family. I love the place but the kids just don't seem to use it enough as anticipated. It is too far to drive for regular visits (17 hour drive with minimal stopping each way and too expensive for a family to fly down frequently), and now the grandkids are enrolled in so many activities.

Our new plan is to put that place up for sale and just "switch locations" of our vacation/retirement place. My husband most likely will be retired within a year and we can be snow birds for a while. I see a Disney club that I will join and he will golf and look into the motorcycle club. Then there are so many other options too.

While I can't be there now it sure if fun planning - except to watch the home prices raise.

[wendyquat]

We just wish we had been able to move here 10 years earlier when we were in our 50's! Sigh!

Don't buy and move your parents here in anticipation of "your turn"! Once they get here, they may just outlive you! :pepper2: