Is There A "Class System" By Home Price?

[rdkent]

My wife and I are about 3 years away from retiring, but starting to look at options. We have really enjoyed this site and found it very informative. TV sounds great in a lot of ways, but one question we have is whether you are looked down on if you buy a less expensive home there (I'm thinking $150K - $225K). We own our own business in a very small town in the midwest (MO), and live in a 110 year old home that is very charming and comfortable, but being in a small town will not have great resale value. We will not be able to sell and have a tremendous profit to put back into a home in TV. Very honestly, also, we want to downsize and enjoy the amenities and not spend time in yard work and cleaning. But just wonder if we will be considered "lower class" because of less expensive home.

[Avista]

Class system? I would say just the opposite. The Villages, their clubs, pools etc is a great equalizer. We certainly don't see a class system here. Barb

[rballruss]

I haven't noticed any "classism" here, and I have owned my home for 5 years. One thing that gets to me though, is when people ask, "Do you have a house or a Villa?" A house or a Villa? I tell them I live in a "house" which happens to be a Courtyard VILLA! Not sure why they are making that distinction, especially when, many times, ai 1800 sg ft with a pool, my Villa is larger than their "house." Am I being a bit sensitive? :dontknow:

[Avista]

We have a courtyard villa too. Love it and wouldn't ever trade for a "house". Barb

[villager99]

class system disappears when we're all out enjoying equal access to amenties etc. but "house" owners do sseem to think villa residents are somehow different.
folks also stereotype villagers by which area you live in. historic, north or south of 466.
to me we're all the same and i socialize based on shared interests and activities not house size or price.

[rballruss]

:agree: Way to go Osh!!!!!!! :bigthumbsup:

[rdkent]

oshunluva - thanks for the info. We might just take you up on that when we get down there. Hope you have a great move.

[Hancle704]

I haven't ever seen any evidence of classism. I think reason some folks ask about Villa or House, is because they believe that a larger percentage of Villa residents are not year round residents and I believe there are more Villa renters than there are House Renters.

When we moved here in 1997 there were a variety of prices and home options from patio villas to courtyard and designer villas and ranch homes and designer homes and premier homes. Don't know if these categories still exist, but even if they do, they have nothing to do with a class structure. The only real dominant class I can see in TV is ade up of mostly seniors living in God's Waiting Room. The majority of people I've met in last 10 years couldn't care what your economic status is. They just are happy to be sharing the lifestyle.

[JohnZ]

No classes here. I like to think that we're all in the same boat. 'Cause we are.

[Frangyomory]

The homes are built in groups of same type home. Premiers are all together in certain villages; designers are grouped together in each village; ranch homes are grouped togethe in each village; each village has a separate section for the patio villas and one for the courtyard villas.

I have heard some folks who live in ranch or designer homes commenting that the villa people are the "poorer" groups. Interesting comment because you can buy a courtyard villa for about $250k or more based on size and location.

We have a courtyard villa and love it because we have a corner lot and a full fenced yard. We live just off 466 and were not interested in the manufactured homes over in the historic section just off of 441/27.

Premiers can cost over $1million from about $500k; designers can go from $250k to $750k; patio villas run about $170k and courtyard villas run about $200k but all depends on size of home, size of lot and if pre-owned, what has been added to the home.

Best of luck to everyone who is interested in the Villages. It is a great place to live.

[bamafan]

One of the things I have told my friends: It does not matter the value/cost of your home you get the same services as everyone else. I have met people who live in the largest of homes down to the smallest and it did not matter. What mattered was that we all were considerate of each other and had a good time together. Their golf ball may go farther, but so what mine might be straigher. It does not matter how much the ball cost. In the end we had a beer and a good laugh. :beer2:

[ripwho]

rdkent - looks like you are getting your answer on these posts - no 'class system' in TV! I'm going thru similar 'exploratory' phases now and it looks like TV will be my destination end of 2008/ early 2009... when I visited a friend down in Sunset Pointe last April, I met about 30 different folks from all different types of backgrounds and 'houses'... they all had different personalities, house sizes, golf handicaps, backgrounds, etc.. but all had one thing in common - they all loved TV!!!! They also all asked me one question - 'when are you moving down?'....

[samhass]

I've seen no evidence of a class system. We're just a group of happy, friendly people that are all getting older and enjoying life!

[Barefoot]

We bought a Courtyard Villa cuz our dogs asked us to, and they don't care if other dogs have bigger houses.

I think everyone buys whatever suits their needs .. all the people on posts and in the chat room are warm and friendly,
I can't imagine there is a class sytem!

[villagerjudy]

Hey Fran what about us "ranch homes"...LOL. They run $190,000 up. There IS a class system but they folks that think they have more class than anyone else are VERY lonely. I love it here. No one knows (or really cares) who or what you did at one time unless it its interesting. Come one down.....55+ year olds in swim suits are a great equalizer

[Frangyomory]

OH, VillagerJudy, how could I forget the ranch homes.....they are quite lovely and have two to three bedrooms or a den. They also run about $200k.

Again, while the homes are built in pockets, our ladies group come from all over our little Village. Everyone here is nice..oh, you will meet a few exceptions and I have to ask myself why did they buy in a place like this if they can't be nice, but anyone who is looking to ENJOY their retirement needs to come on down..presuming you are North of here.....and see it for yourself. Lovely neighborhoods; lawns and yards cared for; quiet streets and just about the best folks in the world. All this and add the amenities and I can't imagine living anywhere else!!!!!!! :welcome: :welcome: :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:

[F16 1UB]

I never had any class to begin with. Ask the other 7 guys I lived with in a tent in Kuwait 17 years ago. So I'd fit in anywhere. Okay almost anywhere. Somewhere? Aw forget it. At least my dog loves me. ;D

Steve

[larrydube]

Fran,

Not all homes on the "other" side of 441/27 are manufactured. We happen to own a designer. So even over on the "historic" side there are differences in housing

[Frangyomory]

:dontknow: :redface: :redface: :dontknow: Larrydube, I apologize. Of course all the homes over in the historic area are not all manufactured! I know better than that since we have many friends in Orange Blossom and play pinochle in Paradise every Thursday. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!!!

[kar guy]

IF I AM ASKED IF I HAVE A HOME OR A VILLA I WILL TELL THEM I HAVE ONE OF EACH AND SWAP EVERY 6 MONTHS. HA HA HA ACTUALLY, WE WILL BE BUYING A 3 BEDROOM VILLA BECAUSE OF MY DOGS. TAKE CARE. THE KAR GUY

[Donna]

If I am at Panaras...How do I get to the Historic side?? I have never been there..
:dontknow:

[Avista]

We only looked at Villas because of our dogs. Being a dog person, I don't think I would ever be without one.

[larrydube]

Donna,

First I am assuming you are in a golf cart.

to get to the Historic side you need to go down bichera ave towards morse.blvd. There is a parking lot on your right side. Turn into this parking lot and go towards 441/27 (the back of the parking lot). You will see a sign and probably some golf carts coming. This is the entrance to the "Bridge" over 441/27. You will go over this bridge, and come out on the other side of 441/27. At the bottom of the Overpass (Bridge) you will bear left youwill come out in a parking lot. Continue on to the road which is Paradise Drive. Paradise drive will bring you up to the Boone Ct. gate.

Good Luck

Larry

[Barefoot]

Avista, I'm with you .. We also only looked at Courtyard Villas because that is what our dogs preferred. We'll always have a couple of dogs. I 'm not sure what all this "class" stuff is about .. we could have bought a Ranch Amarilla for less money than a Courtyard Villa.

We plan to avoid anyone who discriminates for any reason; it should be easy to spot them, they're the grouchy ones with the frowns.

[Donna]

Thanks Larry.. :)

[Avista]

Barefoot, What kind of dogs do you have? We have a longhaired dachshund who was 7 years old Aug 11 and a Boston Terrier that is 3. They are quite the characters.

[beady]

Interesting comments Avista and Barefoot.
I am going to have to rethink the villa vs house situation. We have a 10 year old English Cocker Spaniel who is used to being out in the yard on his own. Earlier I had posted a question about using an invisible fence. That apparently would not work because technically the dog would be unleashed and therefore,against the rules!!! So, maybe the villa is worth considering.
Thanks for the insight.

[Barefoot]

Avista

I have a 10 lb poodle/terrier mix and a 65 lb lab mix (10 years old). The 10 year old dog has had both knees "done", so he isn't very active... But my TerriPoo can hardly wait to go to the dog park to make new friends.

We wanted to back on "open space" because we come from horse country and are used to privacy. But I am so afraid of alligators taking my little dog. We almost bought a place on San Marino, until they told us alligators mate in the preserve there, and someone saw a black panther in their back yard. So we decided to stay away from water and preseves.

When we started looking, we looked at Courtyard Villas. THen, Ranch Amarillos were larger and less expensive. I called all kinds of landscape companies and the CDD to see if we could erect a Hedge barrier, or a flower garden barrier, but the restrictions were daunting. Everything in TV has to be approved beforehand, and inspected after the fact. And I would never want the dogs to interfere with anyone else's enjoyment of their property.

We finally gave up and opted for a Courtyard Villa, we feel we have great privacy (we back on a fairway, no water), and our dogs won't bother anyone, and be perfectly secure.

I know a lot of people won't understand making decisions based on dogs, but to us they are just little furry humans that can't talk.

[Avista]

.

"I know a lot of people won't understand making decisions based on dogs, but to us they are just little furry humans that can't talk."

:agree:


What! You mean everyone doesn't buy homes based on their dogs needs? I thought we were the norm!

[BUC]

My dogs talk everytime I get home from work they meet me at the door and are always so excited to see me,and my wife and I will also be making our home purchase with Bailey and Lilley best interest in mind. We may have to give up our dream of retiring to the TV to a more pet friendly location. I won't be forced to buy a place I don't want at more money than I want to spend. I've stated on here before allowing property owners to construct small fences in the back yard that they have purchased is a reasonable answer to peoples concern about where and how people walk they're dogs. I also don't want to be looked down upon if we decide to buy a manufactured home in the "historical Section"

[Donna]

The way I look at it .....You buy what you can afford!

no one has the right to judge any one else by what they can afford and where they choose to live! That is just wrong...People like that are not worth knowing!

I bought in a neighborhood with Patio Villas, and Designers..We all get along..No one thinks they are better than any one else... :bigthumbsup:

[Frangyomory]

TV is very dog friendly! The only issue of concern is the no fence rule. If you walk your dog and clean up after it...ensuring that it doesn't do it's business on someone else's lawn, you won't have any problem. Our dog has always had a fenced yard so she and I picked out a courtyard villa. My husband says we are high maintenance females and so he accepted the villa. Truthfully, we all love it. Our little village has ranch, designer, patio villas and courtyard villas and we are a friendly neighborhood. The only issue that ever seems to bother folks is dog owners who don't accept responsibility for cleaning up. TV is the place to live if you have a dog or cat...or even a bird!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :hot: :2cool: :bigthumbsup: ;D

[KenMac]

:agree:
We have friends that bought in TV several years ago, and are probably responsible for our relocation. One of the things they told us about TV was that people "checked their egos at the door", that it made no difference where you lived ("don't ask, don't tell!), and that it made no difference "What you did" (where you worked, how high you were in the org., etc.) - their house is bigger than ours, they had better paying jobs than we did, they have a nicer view than we do, etc. - but we are still great friends, and none of us CARE about anything else!

I think you will find that to be the case in most instances. If not, get other "friends" who don't care about anything except the friendship. Oh, jeez, I reread this - and it sounds like I'm lecturing my kids! Sorry! :(

[BUC]

Sometimes I need lecturing. I just really want a small fence for my Little dogs. when I walk my dogs of course I'll clean up any mess Bailey or Lilley may leave behind, but a small fence would be wonderful and it's crazy that we can't have a small fence in our back yards.

[Avista]

Buc, We've lived in Florida since '83. Most of the nicer places are deed restricted and do not allow fences. It isn't just The Villages. Our dogs are very important to us. I just couldn't see not having a fence and walking them a few times each day. We were so happy to find these courtyard villas. We lived in a courtyard type villa in Tampa. It worked out great for us. When we recieved our information from The Villages, the first thing I notices was that they had courtyard villas. We knew right away that would work for us.

[rdkent]

When I started this thread I was concerned about a class system. Got lots of great responses on that and reassured my wife. We really appreciate that. But we also are dog people (have 2 rescue dogs - a golden retriever 2 yr old and a chow-german shepherd mix 11 yr old), and we have really enjoyed all the responses on the dog situation. Everyone has been really helpful, and we really appreciate all the info and opinions. TV is sounding better and better.

[golfnut]

First to answer the question, NO I've never seen evidence of a class system. Now on to the dog subject, has anyone in a house used a stake in the ground with one of those retractable leashes/tethers (sp?) to keep the dog close? We have used this successfully at several homes in the north.

[llaran]

One the nice things about the villages is we are all in the same boat, pretty much, RETIRED. one of our friends drove the EL train in Chicago and our neighbor has a PHD in mathmatics and still teaches in the summers. I haven't noticed and class lines. Actually it maybe better to buy under the max that you can afford. So that you are able to do all of the things you want. Expect to eat out more that you plan. You have to be confortable with yourself. Can you live next to someone who is a CC member, drives a Mercedes, maybe has a 20/25000 golf cart?

My neighbor has an invisible fence for his Golden.

[darbyduff]

Please - Who really thinks there is a "class' system in TV?????? ??? Come on-- It's all about.... What state are you from and do you know so and so!!! That conversation could happen between two lawyers or two brick layers. Who cares??? NO ONE!!!! Which is why my husband and I fell in love at first sight!!!

[Avista]

Class system? That's ridiculous! This is one place you WON'T find a Class System!

[Lil Dancer]

What do you mean by "Can you live next to someone who is a CC member, drives a Mercedes, maybe has a 20/25000 golf cart?".

[kar guy]

THE WEEK MY WIFE AND I SPENT DOWN THERE WAS GREAT. I DID NOT FEEL THAT PEOPLE LOOKED AT US DIFFERENTLY. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE WHERE WE LIVED IN OR OUT OF THE VILLAGES, THEY WERE ALL NICE. EXCEPT FOR 2 OLD GALS WALKING TOGETHER AND LOOKED AT MY WIFE WITH TOTAL DISGUST. MY WIFE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID "WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT"? I LAUGHED AND STATED THAT THEY NOTICED THAT MY FLY WAS DOWN AND THEY WERE JEALOUS. ENOUGH SAID TAKE CARE THE KAR GUY

[LindaManson]

First to answer the question, NO I've never seen evidence of a class system. Now on to the dog subject, has anyone in a house used a stake in the ground with one of those retractable leashes/tethers (sp?) to keep the dog close? We have used this successfully at several homes in the north.


We have tried the Tether but ONLY if we are on the lanai and can see what she is doing. (8 foot so she stays in our yard) Don't want the neighbors having issues if she barks or if she decides to dig in the potted plants! :joke: So far so good.

[Barefoot]

The consensus of opinion certainly seems to be that there is NOT a class sytem by home price, everyone is treated equally.

I'm wondering if there is a "class system" where "seasonals" are a bother to permanent residents. I've heard some grumbling about traffic when snow birds arrive, and the inability to get good golf times and restaurant reservations.

[Avista]

There are 2 different seasons for sure. Summer is slower. Many of the clubs do not hold meetings, but some do. Itis a quieter time. The fall and winter season brings our seasonal friends back. Some of the Villages will have a welcome back block party for them. True the traffic becomes heavier. Both seasons are enjoyable for full timers. It is nice seeing our seasonal friends once again in the fall.

[villager99]

amen, by late august most villagers are looking forward to the return of snowbirders, welcoming back our seasonal friends, resuming monthly club meetings and temps below 90. so yes it's somewhat more crowded but that's relative depending on where you lived prior to moving to tv

p.s. with internet connections it's easy to keep in touch with seasonal friends and current events in tv even when away. i no longer snowbird but that was a personal choice after 5 years of 6/6.

[Lil Dancer]

I have heard a lot of negative comments about "snow-birds". A certain number of people do act like snowbirds are a hassle. ::)

[villager99]

pre tv i always lived in university towns where the university populatuin was the seasonal intrusion that was both a blessing and a dreaded thing.
but i've rarely heard full time villagers acknowledge that snowbirders feed the amenity money pool and help to draw businesses etc.
entrepeneurs in the villages know snowbirders pay their bills.

[Sandy222]

Unbelievable !! Class system in TV...I didn't think so until today at a pool I was asked if I lived in a house or a villa. I replied a villa is a house...once she thought for a second to smooth things she said that she wished she had bought a patio villa and swam the other way.... I really don't think she meant anything by it. When people first meet their houses are one thing that they have in common. Medical issues is another favorite.

There is no place like TV and I feel so fortunate to be able to live in such a wonderful place. The size of the house you live in does not indicate how big your heart is. :)

[darbyduff]

Ahhhhh Sandy!!! :agree: :agree:

[Barefoot]

pre tv i always lived in university towns where the university populatuin was the seasonal intrusion that was both a blessing and a dreaded thing.
but i've rarely heard full time villagers acknowledge that snowbirders feed the amenity money pool and help to draw businesses etc.
entrepeneurs in the villages know snowbirders pay their bills.


Good response Villager99! :bigthumbsup:

[blueeagle65]

I suppose that like many areas, there are people that are 'full of themselves' because of their bank account or where their home is located, but thank goodness they are in the minority. One of the golf ambassadors told me that he asked a lady to please rake the bunker after she finished excavating it to which she replied "I don't have to because I live in ***".

I left the name of the specific village out because I'm sure there are also nice people that live there as well.

We've met some really down to earth people that live in very expensive home here, so I don't think everyone falls in to the same category as the above mentioned woman.

[beady]

One of the main reasons we are choosing to become "villagers" is to meet people from all walks of life. Not catagorised by "class"

We have had the priviledge to have been in a business where we regularly :bigthumbsup: traveled with such vast a cross section of people.

My favorite story is about 2 men traveling without their wives and becoming great friends during a week long trip. They did not know or care about what their professions were. The friendship arose from a love of sailing , the outdoors, good food and gin. At the end of the trip they exchanged business cards. One was a vice president at IBM and the other was the head waiter at the Waldorf Astoria.

The lesson is common interest will surpass your level of income, the house you live in and the car you drive. None of those carry any weight in a real connection and friendship. :bigthumbsup:

[darbyduff]

Beady- AMEN!

[Barefoot]

Beady - nice post. :agree:

[ripwho]

beady - the perfect comment! (please be my neighbor)...

[Avista]

beady, :agree: :agree: :agree:

[marygalexa]

Well, I live in a courtyard villa and if I run into someone who is really concerned about which "side" of the town or in what kind of "house" I live in - I just pray they aren't right next door to me!! I live in Mallory Square, attend clubs at Paradise, play cards at Mulberry and Pimlico and shuffleboard at Laurel Manor and haunt both squares. I LOVE this whole place!

[larrydube]

There we go about the SIZE thing again...... ;D