Walkable Lifestyle
 

Would love to be able to walk to grocery stores, rec centers, pools, etc. when I retire. Are certain places in the Villages better for this than others? Maybe being close to one of the Town Centers would be the best option? Appreciate any feedback.

There are homes in Marsh Bend that are near Magnolia Plaza as well as the rec. center and sports pool, Virginia Trace would be another village that would fill the bill for you. Keep in mind if you plan on walking for groceries you will need a cooler if you buy anything needing refrigeration, it get's hot very quickly,

I live in McClure and all that is about a 1 mile walk each way. Not bad, and actually my PCP wants me to walk further than that each day - so it's a workable range for me.

McClure is in the newer section south of 44.

The Lofts in Brownwood would be a good location.

The squares do not offer the necessities of life, groceries , drug store and so on.

One way to look at this, when you see a map of TV, is to have a home near an exit from TV. While there are grocery stores located in TV controlled commerical properties, there is more or less, a guarantee that you will find what you need at an exit.

Sure there are exceptions, but this gives you something to think about. Not all will be golf cart accessable, but that is not what we are talking about.

Publix is 1 block away from Spanish Springs Town Square, 2 blocks from parts of Villa Del Mar, 2 blocks from the Villas of Spanish Springs. This is also within walking distance (less than 1/2 mile one way) to the Hacienda rec center and sports pool. Winn Dixie is 1.5 blocks from the Cottages at Lake Sumter Landing. The Cottages have a pool.

There are homes available in walking distance (less than 1/2 mile each way) to the town squares AND supermarkets. The Publix shopping strip adjacent to Spanish Springs also hosts an eyeglass place, an audiologist/hearing aid store, and a dentist office.

Up north, near County 42, there are homes close to the Mulberry Recreation center and also close to Walgreens and Publix. Villages of Woodbury or Briarwood, along Belle Meade Circle. Several villa sites as well.

You definitely can do a walkable lifestyle.
Just make sure your realtor knows it’s a requirement

Also, it will limit the number of houses available to you - and with the low inventory, you’ll need to be patient when for a house, and be ready to buy QUICKLY when one comes available.

I think The Lofts would have been a big hit if they had designed it around a grocery store and restaurants. But, the current design has been problematic for attracting residents. You can own or rent a villa for less than half of the monthly cost, with essentially the same conveniences.

Lake Sumter has Wynn Dixie very near to the square and Everglades Rec. Center is right across the street from Publix, Publix is also an easy walk from Paddock Square which also has a new pharmacy, you can even walk to The Villages Health from there. Plenty of housing available near all 3 of these with access via golf car. I'm sure there are many more.

Really appreciate the suggestions everyone. Thank you!

Don’t put all your eggs in the walkable basket. As we age and our joints go, what was walkable today very well might not be tomorrow.

The Lofts are convenient o a Publix, Eisenhower Regional Rec Center, their own pool and 6 restaurants. It is a great location. Plus nightly entertainment.

I run to Winn Dixie for a donut early morning. I don’t think ice cream, would be of any frozen consistency.
So LSL Caroline, Creekside, Are close to a square, grocery, I would say a bank, but citizens First, is everywhere

Convenient maybe, but the Publix and Eisenhower rec center are both more than a half mile away from The Lofts. I doubt that many people want to walk that far, especially to buy groceries. Many of the houses in Pine Ridge are closer than that to the Walmart grocery and the Moyer rec center, and there are 10 restaurants nearby. Also, the Clifford Villas are immediately adjacent to the Walmart grocery store, much more convenient than walking 0.6 miles to a Publix. I just don't think The Lofts were well thought out. I would gladly trade my house for an apartment or condo, if I could walk a few steps to a grocery store and some restaurants, but The Lofts doesn't fit the bill. My opinion.