Nancy Lopez Area
 

I and my wife live in NJ, and are IMPATIENTLY waiting for our house to sell and move (that day) to TV! I do not plan on working anymore however my wife is looking at government jobs in Ocala. People I know in TV suggest living in the middle to be close to everything. That makes sense, but I have some questions. We do plan on renting, but we also want to buy as soon as possible. My questions are:

1. Is it easier to commute to Ocala from the Nancy Lopez area?

2. I plan on playing tennis/pickleball, swimming laps and using the woodshop. Is it hard to get to the woodshop by cart from there?

3. Are the recreational facilities more crowded there?

4. Is it less crowded there in general?

Thanks for any replies, and hope to join you SOON!

I live south of 466A and my sister and her husband live in Chatham, by Nancy Lopez, and loves it. When we go to Ocala, yes it is shorter as we go up 301 to 441, not that far from her house. As far as sports pool they don't go so couldn't answer that question, the woodshop would be a little bit of a hike in a golf cart, by car not that far at all, but I would say less than 45 minutes I'm guessing in golf cart, I'm sure others responding will guide you better on time. My sister and husband wanted established neighborhood, landscaping etc.. they got a much better price on there house as they live on the golf course than south where I live. They have done some remodeling and made it there own, beautiful home. They also like living close to the restaurant at Lopez, they frequent that and very close to home for them, it's one of the best in The Villages. Your smart for renting and test out the waters before you buy, discover it all then decide.

The two best areas for communiting to Ocala are the very northern end and the very southern end, the middle is not as good. From the north, you already know about US 301, however you'll have a lot of traffic in sections of that road but should get there in 30 minutes. The very southern end where I live near, is about 35 minutes for us. Take Hwy 44 west through Wildwood and then get on I-75 and it's 26 miles to the Ocala Rte 200 exit. If you're working on the west side of Ocala around Paddock Mall, the interstate is the best route. For the hospitals and downtown, 301 would be the closest route.

With Tennis you're not far from Glenview in the northern area, which is the base for The Villages Tennis Club. The only times I go to the northern area, which would be convenient for me, is when I visit the VA Medical Facility, that is in the Mulberry Plaza area. Also the Lopez Golf Course is a quality course with a driving range and three tough nine hole layouts. Also, I find the best pizza at Sammy Joe's in Mulberry Plaza. We'll drive up there every other week just to get pizza, it's 11 miles from our place and we're only by 466A, not as far south as some villagers.

When I moved here in 2011 my village did not yet have a softball team, so I played for Calumet Grove, which about as far north as you can get. I found most of the players on the team in their 70's, I was the youngest. The next year the team disbanded because the coach retired and no one wanted to take over. I believe they still have a level 3 team, but it is an older area compared to where I live, so the original residents moved in about 15 years ago.

One word of caution regarding the Chatham community. TRAINS.

The railroad track runs right in back of Chathan and does have a lot of freight trains day and night. The train whistle is loud. I hear it when playing golf at Amberwood. Personally, I would not want to live very close to train tracks.

1) yes, definitely 2) wood shop is hard to get to by golf cart from just about anywhere except El Santiago area 3)no 4) about the same at rec centers but car traffic is much better... as far as trains I live in Springdale and barely hear them but closer toward Chatham pool it is definitely louder...over all I enjoy it here I would not want to be south....a lot busier

I live in he Chatham area. Convenient to everything you need, 4 executive courses, Lopez Legacy Club, Mulberry Rec Centers. Best part, not near the traffic as you'll find I other parts of TV.

I rented for 3 winters before I bought. I rented north middle and south. For me that was the only way to know where I wanted to live. If you just guess, you maybe unhappy. Of course if you are buying new, you have a more limited area to choose from.

Thank You for the great info!
 

To all that responded, thanks for the great info! The people on the TOTV are the best!:BigApplause:

I live in Springdale, near Nancy Lopez, and will probably be leaving within the next year. They are building 300 new Villas up here, but aren't building any new golf courses, and that will harsh my mellow.

Hello, we just bought there and find it's the perfect area! Not only are you away from the traffic and the congestion during snowbird season, you will be near some very good clubs and recreation centers such as savannah

Love the North End of TV
 

I've lived in 2 different locations (Calumet Grove) and now Briar Meadow in the North end of TV. We love it up here, and I haven't heard anyone mention the convenience of Publix, Walgreens, and a GAS station close by. Traffic is much lighter during Snow Bird months, and easy access to the different pools, Lopez, Glenview, etc. Yes, it's closer to Ocala, and it would take some time to get to the woodworking facility on Rolling Acres.

Those pools require a priority membership.

:clap2:

I would stay south of Belle Aire (first community in Sumter County). North of that is Marion County which has higher taxes than Sumter. JMHO.

1. yes
2. woodshop a looong way from NL area
3. no
4. yes

Nancy Lopez Area
 

Meant to say "Belle Aire and south. It's a stones throw from Nancy Lopez (almost).

BY!

Wow! over 600 holes of golf and that's not enough. :popcorn: there are lots of amenties lacking in district 3 and 4, but golf courses not one of them. IMO of course which I sure golf nuts will disagree with profanity:boom:

In my humble view its best for you to rent and determine the answers to your questions first hand.

It says something positive about The Villages when so many people like were they live.

Good luck with your move

Personal Best Regards:

Age of residents seem to get younger as you go south so maybe you would find more in common
in a area that fits your age group.

I live in Chatham and the TRAINS do not run day and night. The horns on the trains were changed some years ago from the top to lower on the train which has reduced the noise a lot.

I like the sound of a train, the chime of a clock and the creak in a floor.

I do enjoy seeing concise answers to questions.

If the OP's intention is to shorten the driving time of his wife's commute to work in Ocala, then I think it's definitely a good idea to buy in the northern part of TV. Just be forewarned that once your wife sees all that TV has to offer, she may change her mind about working. :evil6:

The OP could also look at our beautiful Village of Woodbury on the other (east) side of Nancy Lopez. Like Calumet Grove and Chatham, it's close to the shopping, VA, gas stations etc in the Mulberry Grove complex and is convenient for Ocala travel.

I think that was meant as a list, Bonny: 1. easy access to the different pools, 2. easy access to Lopez (Country Club), 3. easy access to Glenview (CC), etc.

Welcome to you. You will love it here. We have three different law enforcement crews. I think you are in Marion County. I don't recall anything ever mentioned about the Marion County Sheriffs taking kickbacks, so you are good.

They will be there if you need them;

Marion County Sheriff's Office

I figured that. I didn't know if the OP was aware that those would require a priority membership.

We recently had similar questions on our minds before making the big move. TOTV people will help you in any way they can for as long as is needed. Your job is to take the better advice and leave the other behind. The one thing I have to offer is that whatever you plan as far as where you will buy may not happen. It is just amazing here. We rented for a month near Springdale and it was just fantastic. Our original plan changed twice. We moved to the Hysterical Section and could not be any happier. The timing to get to places fast is not important to us now as much as when we were planning. It's so much better than the life we were accustomed to. We rush nowhere. Take Care & Good Luck...You Can't Go Wrong! The biggest trip we've taken was Spanish Springs to Brownwood via Golf Cart, it took about 45 minutes to an hour and is just beautiful from start to finish.

Nancy Lopez Area
 

We have lived in the NL area for 13 years. We love it. You are NOT convenient to the squares, but once you live here full-time you will probably spend less of your daily hours at any of the squares.

The commute to Ocala is a snap - you're on either 27/441 or 301 within a few minutes of leaving your driveway.

We have 10 PB courts at Mulberry and there are also Tennis courts at Chatham Rec Center or (priority courts) at Lopez and Glenview Country Clubs.

Can't compare the rec facility crowds because I don't go to any except Mulberry for cards and crafts and most of my activities are outdoors. My husband swims laps and all the lap pools have "open" time posted in the Rec Center News weekly so that should not be a deciding factor.

I also belong to the wood shop. It is accessible by golf cart. Not a short drive - maybe 20-25 minutes - but doable, and I've done it.

The north end is quieter, houses are spaced further apart, trees are mature, less traffic and if you want to go to the south end by car you can go out on the highway and avoid all the round-abouts. We can go to Brownwood in our golf cart - but it takes about 55 minutes. We take our car when we go that far.

As you probably know, we have the daily conveniences at our back door - bank, drug store, grocery, gas station, Subway, pizza, Beef O'Brady's - all by golf cart.

Be sure to look at houses with an agent other than TV realty - TV agents are biased on location and push the south end. You'll get more bang for your buck as we've added all the "extras" that you'll have to do after you move in on the south end.

Come play PB at Mulberry when you arrive - known for our friendly group.

Good luck on selling your home.

Commuting Answer
 

As far as commuting, living near one of the major roads is the best concept. I drive to Gainesville every single day - living right off 466 (or 466A, south, or 42/441, north). We lived on the north side of 466 for about 6 months, then moved just south of it (you could say, "closer to the middle".
The best ideas are 1) avoiding having to go through lots of roundabouts; 2) picking your route and understanding the alternates (more on that later); 3) testing a location. I can tell you from my experience that I-75 is faster, but sometimes too fast - people drive like the Grand Prix is going on, often. 441 is slower, stop lights through small burgs, etc. But - you need to know all the routes, as traffic accidents are not uncommon on either.
Lopez area had great homes, nice people - but many of the ones we looked at last year needed serious "renovation", as they are older. Some have already been renovated, some not. The area does have more "yard" per house, and it also has lots of vegetation (oak trees are huge - that's good and bed, they shed leaves a lot).
I don't like the train noise, some love it. Your call there. Getting to Town Squares/Woodshop? It's a hike by golf cart from some sections (further west - longer trip).
So, it's all your choice. But, beware the commute thing. Sometimes it's faster to drive down I-75 to the 44 exit (Wildwood) and live south; sometimes it's faster to jump off at 484, scoot over to 301, and voila! You're at the north end. Plus, double-bonus of living north - you'd be close to not one but TWO Wal-Marts!:smiley:

Hi, LOCATION is the first item to see about. Near what you want or a lot of driving and sometimes big traffic lineups?
Second. a house or a Villa that has privacy in back yard, almost no yard work?
Want lawn or shrubs or gravel?
Want new or used,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ? Want to deal with the Village and lifestyle program or do you want an independent Realtor, Re Max, Grizzard, Realty Executives. Check them all out, be patient, DO NOT buy on impulse, you can get roughed up a bit.
Maybe I shouldn't do this,, but,,,,,,,,,,,,, Dan Foster with Grizzard Realty is great to deal with and will uncover problems you may not see.
bbbbbb

Thank You for the great info!
 

Thank everyone for all that info. It really is a lot to think about!