55+ Communities that go under
 

We are looking at age restricted communities, and while some are appealing one of our concerns is doing any of them have financial, maintenance, etc issues down the road. Since we are seasonal residents of the TV this question would be regarding a permanent home. Thanks for any assistance.

Why look anywhere else?

TV will not make any changes to their home plans, there are other communities that will. We want a home that we can age in place, wider doors and hallways, as an example. In addition, we do not want to be in Florida year round.

If you have to have your own way, you won't be happy here.

The Villages has some huge financial issues on the horizon. The IRS investigation is into the hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties and interest. When the bill is finally tallied, it remains to be seen who will end up paying.

The transfer of the amenities south of CR466 from the developer to the districts is another big ticket item. If history repeats itself (as in what happened north of CR466), the developer will be asking for much more than what it cost to build said amenities.

We are very happy here, as snowflakes.

What happened north of CR466 when the amenities were transferred?

I too would like to know of an age restricted community that is financial strong between here and Fort Myers - if anyone knows of one on the Gulf side, please let me know - thanks.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/likethebread...retirem#cma11w

This writer explains how it was done in very easy to understand language. However, he doesn't give any footnotes for his information. As I recall, his info is accurate.

Interesting article.

we have a home in the plantations of leesburg, lake county, which is actually in Okahumpka, about a 20 minute drive to brownwood.. we purchased a prime golf front lot stucco home $245. The HOA was and still is $86 a month, past 8 years. we are a true gated community and you are not allowed to enter unless you have gone threw security. They write down your plate and you are given a pass to display on your windshield.

The subdivision was transfered to the homeowners i believe 3 years ago when they sold there last new home, and the business managers have invested the money well. This is the reason the hoa has not changed and the reserves are in the millions.

The plantations has almost the same ammenities of the villages, just not the population. no free golf but you can join and pay for a membership.....golfs not my thing, but I do like the free hot tubs, exercise rooms, sauna and steam baths. tennis, botche ect all open till 11pm every night.....clubs are open to whatever you want to create. All included in the 84 hoa...no bonds either.

We puchased a home in the villages as well to take advantage of rental income.

Just a thought.....you might want to check out. plantations of leesburg.

There are a number of retirement communities in Central Florida but none compare to The
Villages. The IRS issue is with the Developer---not the residents.

OH STOP.
That is simply not correct.

The lawsuit is challenging whether a CDD can issue Tax free municipal bonds. We are not the only CDD form of government in Florida but we are by far the most successful. Possibly the most successful way of running a town our size in the world.

The attorney fees are protecting the matter of the CDD form of management, which is what makes this place so special and so well run and not ordinary. In essence it is keeping the place like it is, but some of the outside interests and Morse bashers don't like that.

PLEASE see how much better it is than if it were run like a HOA. Someone would have spent our money for a big performance center that could not sustain itself and cut back on the flowers and the trimming. Someone would decide it would be cheaper to paint all of the rec centers the color of their favorite sports team.

Something like the POA would be suing the developer at every whip stitch and the pools would be overtaken by aliens and the chairs would be inhabited by the urban poor from Orlando.

Sorry. Got carried away. The last few statements were meant as sarcasm and have nothing to do with my opinions or those of my heirs and assigns.

Whoops. I promised myself I would stay off this forum.

You have an eloquent way with words Gracie and I love to come on here to watch you keep everyone in line. Keep up the excellent work...and maybe you should be tweeting too! If you did I would get a twitter account and follow you.

Just curious where you got this information.

Thank you for the responses.

I believe there are several retirement communities along Hwy 27 south of Leesburg leading into Clermont. I like the area and we've visited Clermont many times to see the Lakeridge Winery and shop at the stores at the JC Penney shopping center. I was wondering, in that shopping center is that the closest movie theater to your community? Does the Plantations have an organized softball league year round? Do you have bowling alleys nearby?

When people start to compare one community to another, they always list golf, I take usually take that for granted. It's the other amenities and conveniences that make a difference for me. How about hospitals or in my case, the VA Clinic? How far for grocery shopping, restaurants, etc? It seems most everything necessary for day-to-day living is not near the Plantations but ten miles away in Clermont or Leesburg.

Looking at the Plantations website it's obvious you get more home for the money, but that is true in most places outside TV. Here's one home I just pulled off their website, it's a masonry 3 BR/2Ba built in 1996 and listed for $189,900. That seems like a great deal, but there is a reason, maybe it's because of lack of nearness to what we all need.

http://mlsphotos.idxbroker.com/a710/...6e7619511/b003

Dear John,
Happy to answer your questions. As some here know, I live in The Plantation and am in The Villages everyday doing Inspections. My wife thinks I actually spend more time in The Villages working then home not working. She may be right.

I love The Villages and have met some wonderful folks here. When we moved to Florida I did not know about The Villages, and bought here. I do like it here in The Plantation. As with every 55+ community including The Villages, there are pros and cons with each one. At least we can all agree that our taxes and cost of living expenses are low, (compared to up North) and we do not shovel snow anymore.

Just two miles north of The Plantation is South Leesburg. There are at least 5 banks there, a Winn-Dixie and a Publix, a least 6 restaurants, McDonalds, a great ACE hardware, Advantage Auto, etc. There are various strip malls on both sides of 27 that are closer then going up to Leesburg itself.

The closest Movie theater to us is Brownwood. Clermont is 15 miles south. We actually go to church there and go to BJ's, etc there. Clermont is very nice, and although it is farther then Leesburg or The Villages, there is NO traffic, so the trip seems fast and scenic.

Living here I find I do not go to Leesburg often, but will go to South Leesburg, Clermont or The Villages. I drive to The Villages every working day, and can be in Brownwood in under 15 minutes. Nearest bowling alley is in Leesburg I think...(have not bowled since living here). The Plantation does have a very active softball league as well as many other activities, plays, dances, etc.

The two 18 hole golf courses we have are nice and not tiny. They currently have a 4 year program re-doing all of the greens. The Plantation is farther away from Ocala, and closer to Orlando, the Turnpike, Disney, etc.

Like I said, there are pros and cons about every community and slight differences in each one. Nothing else is The Villages and it would be foolish to say otherwise. That being said, people are also buying in these other communities for various reasons, so there is something to like in each one.

My purpose in posting here was not to try to "sell" anyplace or try to say anyplace is better than anyplace else...just simply trying to answer your questions because I am in both places everyday.

Respectfully, Frank

GracieGirl wrote: "Whoops. I promised myself I would stay off this forum".

Why?

Thanks so much. I rarely look at that other site. I'll check it out.

Bonanza, my point is that those attorney fees are keeping this in limbo and making it continue as a CDD.

I love the way this place is run. I have no reason to not trust the developers. It is my opinion that the law suit that was brought by that HOA was unnecessary and really screwed things up for the people on the "other" side of 466. I was here "THEN" and saw NO evidence of things that needed to be changed or repaired and no reason to sue the Morses. The developer does not appear to need his feet held to the fire to continue to add new and wonderful things. Yes I have been the observer of several HOA's over time and they have often made dumb decisions. Unqualified and self important people used them for their bully pulpits and did not run them for the "greater good".

Let's agree to disagree.

I think that the homeowner's association that you like so much is simply against the developer mostly because of politics. I would think differently if they held elections and allowed other people to be the head of it. Correct me if I am wrong. In the history of that organization there have only been TWO presidents.

I do not want to be involved with any HOA. I have no desire to captain any ship or direct anything. I just like to type.

I like how things are run here. I think this place is as perfect as it gets.