We are considering moving to The Villages

[Jejuca]

We are going to rent for a couple of months to see if we like The Villages. We have lived in Florida for many years and finally retired so we are in search of a new place to live.
Is it really true that people rope off groups of chairs to save them? At what venues does this happen?
Is it true that most people are home by 9:00 or 9:30 pm due to limited activities in the evenings? We aren't big drinkers so the bar scene is not appealing to us.
Does it cost anything to belong to the various clubs? And, is it true that some clubs are closed to new members?
I would especially like to hear from people who make The Villages their primary home.
Thanks for providing additional information.

[Mallory Voice]

We are going to rent for a couple of months to see if we like The Villages. We have lived in Florida for many years and finally retired so we are in search of a new place to live.
Is it really true that people rope off groups of chairs to save them? At what venues does this happen?
Is it true that most people are home by 9:00 or 9:30 pm due to limited activities in the evenings? We aren't big drinkers so the bar scene is not appealing to us.
Does it cost anything to belong to the various clubs? And, is it true that some clubs are closed to new members?
I would especially like to hear from people who make The Villages their primary home.
Thanks for providing additional information.

Bar none - you will have the time of your lives here at The Villages. The people are wonderful, caring, supportive, helpful and what else can I say. We have made TV our primary home since March 2007 and wouldn't want to live any other place. To answer a few of your questions - don't know about rope a chair thing. Usually all public events are first come first serve. The live entertainment does end at 9 pm at the Squares, however there are restaurants & movie houses active past 9pm. Then there are all the wonderful socials with friends and neighbors wayyyyy past 9. As to the Clubs posted in the weekly Recreation Newspaper - they are all open clubs - just inquire. You can be as active as you want to be here - it's wonderful. Mostly it is the people that live here that makes TV what it is.

Hope this helps! Mallory Voice:pepper2:

[TraceyMooreRN]

Yes, I heard some people rope off chairs for popular venues. I find most people home by 9:30--I don't think it is because they are drinkers or not--I work, so I am good with going home early. I am a YOUNG Villager- yes people live here under 55. Please don't say "I thought you had to be 55 to live here".

I actually think Villagers go home early because they actually get up at 5am to start their day.

We got in the Amigo's club. There is a waiting list- it is not closed, just a waiting list. I heard other clubs were the same trying to control the member list so everyone who wants to participate in the activities can--is my understanding.

[Bogie Shooter]

We are going to rent for a couple of months to see if we like The Villages. We have lived in Florida for many years and finally retired so we are in search of a new place to live.
Is it really true that people rope off groups of chairs to save them? At what venues does this happen?
Is it true that most people are home by 9:00 or 9:30 pm due to limited activities in the evenings? We aren't big drinkers so the bar scene is not appealing to us.
Does it cost anything to belong to the various clubs? And, is it true that some clubs are closed to new members?
I would especially like to hear from people who make The Villages their primary home.
Thanks for providing additional information.

You are doing the right thing by renting. All of your questions will be answered while you are living here.
As to you club question. Here is a list of clubs. This list has 102 pages of different clubs.................with that many, wouldn't you guess that some may be full? How can that be a problem?
http://www.districtgov.org/images/ClubsListing.pdf
Come, enjoy your visit.

[Ooper]

Most clubs are free or charge a minimal $5/yr membership, but some cost considerably more if there is a dedicated facility the club uses. Some clubs charge a weekly or "per use" fee depending on prizes, awards, etc.

[Jejuca]

Thanks so much for the responses. We are trying to gather as much information as we can prior to renting this fall.
So far, we like what we hear about The Villages. I was a little concerned about the waiting lists for some of the clubs. One of the reasons we are considering the villages is because of the clubs. Neither of us golf - yet!
We have heard such good things about the friendliness of the people. We will be year round residents.
Another question - does anyone know how many people reside there full time? It seems as if there are a lot of rental properties.

[Jejuca]

Just curious - what is the Amigos club and why does it have a waiting list?

[Happinow]

People do rope off chairs at the squares....I hear the problem is being addressed. I don't spend much time there, usually just pass through. There are so many clubs and some do fill up fast and there is a waiting list, or if going to an exercise class, water volleyball, pickleball, you may have to get there sometimes an hour early to get a spot.....not my thing to wait that long for any activity. The rec centers are well done and deserve a look just to see how they are decorated. The pools are great but I not use them as I have my own. People, in general, are very friendly. The weather is beautiful, the landscaping is beautiful and the sunsets are to die for. A leisurely ride in your golf cart is refreshing and fun. I can't understand why one would not want to live here. It is everything we could have imagined and then some. Take your time searching for that perfect home. And, if you are building, give great consideration to your lot. If you want privacy a "kissing lanai" may not be for you. The lot is more important than the house. Enjoy researching The Villages and hopefully you will join us permanently some day.

[TraceyMooreRN]

Just curious - what is the Amigos club and why does it have a waiting list?

We were invited by guest to attend a monthly social. This is made up of mostly members and a few guests (I believe we had to have our "green card" to even be a guest). Each month except July we gather in a group- pay 10.00 each person and provide a dish for 8 people. We have a live band (some you see on the square)...Rocky and Rollers, Scooter the DJ for our entertainment are just two I can remember.


Social Group- Dynamic group of 350 members involved in various sports throughout the villages. Including Pickelball, Water Volleyball, Golf...involved in charities throughout the area. We give back to the community as well as The Villages. Last December I think they raised almost 8000 or maybe more for local children for Christmas. Provided meals and gifts for 30 + families (don't quote the numbers--I can't remember). I was very pleased with the amount of not only money donated but the time and effort put forward to this project--thus I was hooked and wanted in on the group.

Just joined the Saturday night couples golf. Hubby and I get paired up with another couple- then the entire group goes to dinner. I think yesterday- we had about 32 people who showed up to eat at Cane Garden...:beer3:


You can join multiple groups/clubs in this area. I love it here!

[asianthree]

yes people do rope off chairs its a thread...but we bring our own chairs so not a problem for us. the squares do empty out around dusk, but lots of people walking around the villages and enjoying the villages..but there are people at the rec centers at the clubs...you will find that people are very friendly here..if you get lost many people will stop to help you on your way...renting is the way to go that way you can see what this wonderful place is like...we are snowflakes and in our neighborhood its about 25% full time and goes from there..you will find in the older neighborhoods that there may be more full timers...people here truly do care about each other...if you read our posts we had a wonderful person pass on last week and so many had such kind words to say that had never even met him in person, its how life is here one big extended family... if you need one.

[maddie101]

New homes and construction is expected to close out in about 18 months. We don't retire for two more years. Renting first wasn't an option. We fell in love with TV and Can rent our home long term if it turns out not to be for us ( that just won't happen). If a club is full, you can request another (similar) club to open. There are multiple Mah Jongg clubs to meet demand on different days, for example. Fees are mostly to cover supplies, not reall a fee per se'

[fb32162]

Most clubs are open but there are some that are so large they close their membership for a while. Almost all closed groups have wait lists and try to get folks in when they can accommodate more members. We belong to several groups and most charge $5-$10/yr for membership. As to the number of full timers, I'd say it depends on the neighborhood. We had a cottage where 3/4 were full timers. One street over was patio villas that were mostly snow birds. We now live in a designer neighborhood with only 2 snowbirds out of about 2 dozen homes. Friends just moved from a CYV because there were so few fulltimers like themselves. Don't be afraid to chat with potential neighbors before buying. Ask about neighborhood social groups and the number of full timers in the neighborhood.

[keithwand]

Better hurry; prices on new homes go up every month. Our base price is up 30K in 12 months.

[Jejuca]

Thank you for all the replies. I appreciate it.