Visiting end of January and have a few questions
 

Hi Villagers!!

We had a lifestyle visit scheduled in December but had to cancel as our elderly dog was sick and we couldn't leave him. He is now doing better and his trusted sitter will be able to watch him and we are coming to the Villages January 23, - Jan. 28. Not that long and of course lifestyle visits were booked and that was okay and we got a room at the Brownwood Hotel. I do have some questions if anyone knows. I know about the restaurants and the music in the squares.

Is it possible to rent a golf cart for such a short period and where would I go? If I get a golf cart would I still need a car?

What's the nearest good quality gym for my husband.

I read something about Trolley tours?

For such a short period what do you suggest we do? I am interested in pickle ball and I realize you have to take a class first etc., and wondering if it's too short of a visit to play? - The lifestyle person said they would get us some passes for things we are interested in.

We don't golf.

I like the pool, husband does not. He loves the music.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I am so excited to visit the Villages and I have seen so many you tube videos that I really feel I am going to love it there. My husband doesn't seem convinced and is comfortable living in freezing New England so it will be interesting, though I feel he will love it also. We will see.

Thank you in advance for any advice and comments.

Pam

LOL!
We live in Worcester, and are figuring ways to quit our jobs and move down, so just go with an open mind. . . If your husband is an introvert, just drive around with your car first, and park near brownwood at about 4 pm, and walk around all the streets with retail buildings. . . there's a gym there, maybe have a drink at one of the establishments, and them maybe dinner, listen the the nightly entertainment, just look around or sit and watch. .

Definitely visit Lake Sumter Landing, (LSL) and do the same thing. .. Same with Spanish springs. .

and then drive around. . you know your husband best, however, I would also vacation in other parts of the country, in warmer retirement locations as TV is not for everyone,

You are going to have a lot of fun. The Brownwood hotel is very nice. Has a nice pool. Could walk to Brownwood for shops/restaurants/music but you will definitely need a golf cart; car not needed for short visit. I have used JJ Golf Carts for rentals and they deliver and pick up from where you want; the Villages Golf carts makes you come pick it up and return it yourself, so you could do that if you didn't mind walking over to the square (prolly a little less than a mile) but would have to return during business hours and you might have an early flight. Unfortunately I don't think you can use the rec centers/pickleball courts as you are not on a lifestyle visit; you can walk thru and check them out, though. If there is a softball game going on at Everglades, your fitness hubby may enjoy having a beer and a hotdog while watching them play. There is a very nice Genesis Health Club gym in Brownwood that is not part of the Villages; not sure if they have guest rates but I bet the hotel could hook you up. I would just plan on getting (lost) in the golf cart and having fun looking at the squares and the new areas south of 44; nature trails at Fenney, Okahumpka, Ezell, etc have beautiful paths for nature walks. Enjoy and welcome.

Rather than even attempt to play pickleball during this short stay, find out where the courts are, compared to where some homes you might be interested in are located. Then go and watch them play for a half hour, as part of your tour of that rec center's facilities.

My hubby is also an introvert, but he loves golf. He also likes watching the entertainment at the squares. So when we go, I do the dancing, he does the sitting. Works out great!

I'm also from New England and will -always- consider it home - even though I no longer have a home there and live in The Villages full time. You could tell him - if he has to be anywhere other than New England for retirement, even if he's not fond of Florida, The Villages is awesome. That's my take on the Villages. Of all 50 states (and I've been to 48 of them), Florida is one of my least liked. I wish the Villages was in New Mexico instead of Florida. That would be perfect, for me. But it's not in NM - so I put up with Florida, and enjoy my retirement at the Villages. Lots to do, OR nothing to do if you prefer - you get to set your own pace here.

Hi!! I live in Milford, MA lol. We are so lucky to live in that west of 495 twilight zone for the snow storms!! My husband is the opposite of an introvert. We both could talk to a rock so we are extremely outgoing. So if I get a golf cart would I still need a car also? That sounds great though, going over about 4. I would like to get a second house there actually but of course would have to really try it out first. I don't think I could do the summers, but I'll never say never. Thanks so much for your advise.

Actually the Lifestyle person said she could get me passes for anything I would want to go to but not sure what to do, lol. That's a very doable walk. We could drop off the cart the day before as we are getting picked up by a car for the airport. I am so excited to see the squares and also the new area also. I have seen all the videos of the squares and the new area with the trails and it all looks so nice! I am very glad to hear the Genesis Health Club is in Brownwood as that will be very convenient. I'll get in touch with JJ's and hope that I can get one. Thank you so very much for all your helpful ideas. It is very appreciated as no videos can take the place of being there so I am so excited to finally see the Villages.

Hi!! My husband isn't an introvert, but just the opposite. He is hesitant because he's the type who hates change and likes where we live. It's nice of course with the best hospital care and schools in the country but the winters are really awful and I would like to have a place there to come and go when I want and we or me could go back and forth depending on how I feel. I wouldn't want to retire there permanently, at least that isn't the plan right now. I do like Florida but really haven't spent that much time there. I would have to see. Thanks so much for taking the time to get back to me. I really appreciate it.

Only addressing your concern for golf cart and or Car. Others may have different views but at least consider the following.

At this time of year and short amount of time, I would strongly recommend a car. On your first visit, you might want to see as much as possible including possible living areas, shopping, dining, entertainment.

The Villages is huge, over 20 miles from north to south, and more by golf cart. Brownwood to Lake Sumter about 7 miles and another 5 or 6 to Spanish Springs and then you have to return. Sunset at your time of visit around 6PM and temperatures average high 70 and low 50. Rental carts normally have no weather enclosures. Golf carts can't go everywhere so you would eliminate options for exploring shopping and dining. Many rental golf carts are speed limited.

If your goal was to just experience the lifestyle and golf, exercise, dance at one square, explore a limited area perhaps OK.

Otherwise, do yourself a favor and have access to auto transport. It might be quaint to think golf cart only, but it is not practical unless you are staying with friends or relatives.

I think you really need to have a car and a golf cart to get the full feel for things. You'll want the car to check out what's available in the other parts not in Brownwood like LSL, Spanish Springs/Lady Lake, and you may also want to check out the vast amount of newer areas South of 44 which would take a LONG time to explore just by golf cart.

Before my first visit less than a year ago I thought I totally understood the layout of the Villages as I'm usually great with studying maps. The reality is that Lady Lake (Spanish Springs) looks like it's 10 mins away from Brownwood on a map but it's much further apart. Similarly, some places that seemed like a reasonable golf cart trip on a map were closer to 30-60 mins. The Villages is just massive and the size in incomprehensible until you've seen it in person. Having been here for awhile, I now know which trips are for the golf cart and which ones are car trips. We almost always prefer the golf cart for the most part.

There are three trolly tours of about 1-2 hours each - take all three and learn about and see The Villages!!

Actually no there aren’t three trolley tours anymore. They only started one back up after Covid, and it is boarded at Brownwood Sales office and only goes south of 44 where the new homes are being built.

Thank you so much for your answer. I have read it intently and you are absolutely right!! I do realize it is a huge place and the weather won't be that that warm and I do want to explore but also get some groceries for the room. Plus neither of us has ever driven a golf cart and I have seen it could be complicated with the rotaries and tunnels. I see there is a rental car place in Brownwood so I am going to contact them today. I was going to rent a car at the airport but decided against that and hiring a professional car service to take us there. Thank you again!!

Thank you!! That sounds amazing!! Can't wait. It will definitely be on the list.

Oh, good to know then. Brownwood is the area we will be staying at it will be convenient to be able to check out that area of the Villages without having to drive there. Thank you!!

Good advice. Especially the bit about not every street/location being golf cart assessable. It is very dangerous, and expensive if you get pulled over, to drive a golf cart on a road here not designed for them. Unfortunately visitors don’t usually understand where to drive them in TV & cart rental places don’t bother to explain well, or at all. That being said, it is the most fun way to get around. Oh, and don’t forget to park your cart 2, staggered, in a car parking spot. Just notice how that is done.

We can tell newbies by the smiles on their faces. Enjoy your visit!