Is there any reason to avoid Lake County?
 

In case we want to buy a new home, we noticed they are building homes in Pine Ridge, which is in Lake County. Is there any reason to avoid living in that county?

When we looked at a map of The Villages south of 466, we noticed the neighborhoods all are in Sumter County, even though some border Lake County. Do you know why The Villages did not build in Lake County until recently?

Thanks for your help.

Villages in Lake County
 

The Villages was born in Lake County (Historic Side Spanish Springs etc.)

I believe Lake County has the highest tax rate of the three counties in which Villages homes are located.

Zombies ?

Taxes are high but equal to Marion county but
 

Looked up millage rate for 3 counties, Sumter 5.9, Lake 6.6, Marion 7.8 for 2015. I can think of all kinds of reasons to buy in Lake County, (of course, we are a little prejudice, living here with lots of trees (that would be a negative for some but we love it), close to box stores, many restaurants, many stores, both bowling alleys are here and did I mention no bond, giggle! You can get a lot more home for less bucks, which will give you an allowance for updates and last but certainly not least WE LIVE HERE in the beautiful Village of La Zamora, giggle.





Because of no bond if you buy north of 466, it will save you as much as $50,000.


Njbchbum;1159992]i believe lake county has the highest tax rate of the three counties in which villages homes are located.[/quote]

In a word. NO!!!

IMHO - Lake County is just as good as Sumter and Marion counties.

Being in TV is what counts!

I don't believe taxes are that much higher in Lake as opposed to Sumter and Marion but it won't be the last time I'm wrong.

Check what the bond, (if any), will be, on new construction because I heard two stories. One is there will be no bond in Lake County for new construction, and the price of your home will be configured to pay for the infrastructure. The second one is there will be a bond assessed.

You are smart to ask questions like this now. It's always good to avoid surprises and most folks on this forum are happy to help newcomers. The bond question Joe raises is an important one. Good luck in your search.

Thanks for your comment. Yes, the people on this forum have been VERY helpful and I really believe they give good honest answers.

Of course, there are always a few wise-ass answers, but since I am that way myself at times, I can't very well fault anyone, can I? :wave:

There is no bond on new homes in Lake county and the prices are the same as or lower than Sumter and Marion.

I just bought a brand new house in Lake County. I see the same model in Sumter for the same money and more. And I have no bond.

I like the new location in Lake County.

Doc - Did you buy in the new District 11? The district gov site provides bond info here:

Lake County Amortization Schedules

Historic rebuilds do have no bond...But, new builds in pine ridge DO have bonds and higher lake county taxes.......and maintaince fees....

And a City of Fruitland Park additional 4.737 tax.

:confused: Not entirely true.

Watch out for some of the info. you get here. Some people are trying to help...

but don't know everything about the things they offer help on. Some know

nothing. IMHO :wave: Be careful.

The new Pine Ridge area (Lake County) does have a Bond. As mentioned by a previous post, the Orginal Villages in Lake County does not have a bond. You can buy a new home in that part of Lake County that does not have a bond---they are removing some of the older manufacture homes and replacing them with site built homes.

I believe you wrong! Marion county by far has the highest taxes. Let the CYV owners compare? Marion 2/2 2598. With homestead exemption. Beat that!

There's an additional tax to the City of Wildwood if you live down that way as well. I have a friend in Antrim Dells who pays just short of $1000 to Wildwood in addition to Sumter taxes. Be sure to ask questions.

Lake county originally did not apply bonds to a purchase but in Pine Ridge they did and it was reported to ranged from $23,000 to $53,000....that's a lot of bonds if its true?

No, I'm in the Historic District. My understanding is that Lake County does not allow bonds. But I could be wrong. It could be the town of Lady Lake that does not allow bonds.

Is Pine Ridge in Lady Lake?

This is the same model that I bought and I paid less than this.

The Villages - Search for New, Pre-owned Homes and Villas in The Villages, Florida

Of course all of these homes are a bit different and there is a wide range of prices for the same model depending on the lot, location and some features. In fact if you look at a designer home model called the Bourgainvillea, you'll see that it's the exact some house with some upgrades.

Lake County A new Courtyard Villa in Lake County has a $18,000 bond, houses are much more depending on size.
$59.5M in bonds to be issued for The Villages of Fruitland Park - Daily Commercial: Business

I wonder how the smell from the dump will affect the home's in pine ridge.

friends and residents of Charlotte will give you a nosefull......when the wind blows their direction.....

Pine ridge may need pine sol. [emoji319]

Thank you for your correction...but that info was already politely posted by jebartle in post # 5 of this thread.

Been in The Villages for 14 years, traveled into every nook and cranny, done my homework, as a former Real Estate Broker would be expected to do….in my opinion I choose Lake county in the Villages, for dozens of reasons, to many here to list.

Is there any reason to avoid Lake County?
 

How about just three ? Outside of financial reasons ( real & debatable ) why would Lake County ( Within the Villages border ) be any different ? Is there a special ID entitling a Lake County Villages resident to do things that Sumter & Marion Villages residents cannot do ? Are the streets cleaner or trees nicer ? Are the neighbors friendlier ? Do the stars not shine the same or is the weather more pleasant ? Please explain your reasoning.

OldManTime: "Of the too many reasons to list" could you perhaps give the OP just five reasons given your previous occupation and years experience living here? You appear to be the best poster so far that could advise with some authority

$59.5M in bonds to be issued for The Villages of Fruitland Park - Daily Commercial: Business[/QUOTE]

I wonder if those 510 acres of undeveloped land north of Pennbrooke will be the 'final' build-out :a20:

As they say, you can pay me now or pay me later. You, the home buyer gets to pay for the roads, utilities, clubhouses, golf courses, and all common land. It's either paid for by a bond or it's included in the price of the house so you don't really get more house for your money if there's no bond.

When choosing a home your location is most important. You should be happy with your location. New or used all homes can be remodeled but you can't change the location. I chose no bond and location. And since I gutted the house it is new in a great LOCATION.

Side note. Avoid the fringes. You can't control what gets built near you. Look for the buffer.

We bought a new home in Pine Ridge in October, and there is a bond.

OhioBuckeye
 

The question to the comment to this question is: "Is there any reason not to live in Lake County".

That is a very good point. Thanks very much for the excellent suggestion.

You know we're fairly new here too. It wouldn't bother me to live in lake county. We live south of 466A & personally I think it's a big advantage to live in Lake county. We bought a new home in Sumter county & my bond for the next 15 to 20 yrs. runs $2,000. a yr. my amenities run $150. a month & I heard the amenities on the old side less than $80. or they're FREE. (correct me if I'm wrong) That's a far cry than paying a little more taxes, I think! So to buy an older house which people try to get a new house price & the updates & repairs will come with, is another factor.

You may want to check your amortization schedule. Bonds typically run for 30 years. (Don't look at the totals at the bottom...it'll ruin your day.)

Then how is it that I paid the same or less for my house in Lady lake than what the same models are listed for in other areas of The Villages outside of Lake County?

Location...location...location....

Its a deal
 

You got to build a home in an area of TV (historical) that already had the infra-structure and recreation facilities. And the beauty---no bond and about the same cost of a house had you purchased in Pine Ridge. What a deal!

$80 or free amenities on the historic side? For the most part - WRONG! The original homeowners - some of whom still reside there - did receive special incentives when they purchased; and they persist as long as those residents do. ;) The rest of us pay according to the same schedule all Villagers pay.