Should I avoid some Villages?
 

Everyone from a big city knows, there are some places you avoid, and some places you don't want to live; some are even nice areas, but they are close to not so nice areas.

While I understand there's probably nothing bad within TV, I am concerned about surrounding areas. Even bubbles have edges.

There are "bad edges" everywhere in Florida. Once living in the state you will know where not to venture. All of the villages within TV are safe. You can easily look up crime statistics for all of the surrounding communities.

I would worry less about the edges of the bubble than the noise coming from nearby highways, cart paths, pickleball courts, etc. Before buying, take some time in front and back yards and listen to the background noise. Lawnmowers, power washers can be heard anywhere. Having played golf on Southern Oaks, I would hate to live that close to the turnpike.

I recall that Talk Host had moved too close to the train tracks in the northwestern part of the Villages. And I have heard that some places near Florida turnpike can be rather noisy. And some areas have problems with lights.

Having grown up in North Minneapolis, I think I know what you are referring to and would be happy to tell you that you won't really find that here. Take the advice of others and spend sometime in the area you think you want to live in. Do it at different times of the day and have an idea of what's most important to you, if its quietness, close to things or maybe you don't mind a little drive to get to something.

The biggest thing I had to get used to here when moving from Mpls, was this is more like a small town. Outside of the big box stores, many things close early and are not open on the weekends or sometimes just not on Sunday's. Great example is Hardware stores, I love going to Ace but if I don't get there before 6pm or if it's Sunday, I need to plan to go to Lowe's or Home Depot....

I personally would avoid being too close to the turnpike or quarry but we are all different and what we would do others might not

I also did not want to be on an edge of The Villages. The reason mostly being any non-Villages property could be developed into anything. A beautiful country view could turn into high rise apartments or a restaurant, or anything. If you purchase within a Village you will be able to see what you get.

One other word of caution: be wary of any location that has an open field behind it. In the future you will have no idea of what might end up in that field and you will have no control over that change unless you buy the field. This would generally apply to locations along the outside of the villages, but there are occasional interior lots NOT owned by the villages and therefore not under their control.

That’s very good advice. Parcels of land can also have their zoning changed, so don’t rely on current zoning status as protection. I will add that depending on your interests and preferred lifestyle, different parts of the Villages might be either more, or less, appealing to you.

If you're talking about crime, then this is a safe place. Outside of the bubble is like any other town, has its ups and downs.

Correct
Although I think if your property backs up to the power lines and the acreage around it...youre probably good on future development.

Up front I will say the The Villages, as a whole, is a very safe and comfortable place to retire to and live. We bought back in 2006 and were snowbirds until making things full time in 2012. Add another 12 years (really how possible) and we still love living here. We were young 52 and 51 and felt like the odd ones. Never was a problem with great neighbors and eventually friends.

There should be a place and situation for anyone who desires a nice life and comfortable surroundings. This just could be it.

True but who wants to be on top of a power line

That’s why we bought with a wildlife preserve behind us. It can’t be developed, it’s part of the flood control system, without power lines but full of a beautiful variety of wildlife.

We did the 3rd time around as well. Best decision ever.