After 18+ Years
 

My wife and I visited The Villages for at least the 8th time last week. We still had no intention of buying since she is still over a year from retirement. However, we fell in love with a house there and bought it ! We have been working with the same sales rep for over 8 years and are thankful for his patience and perseverance. When we were signing the papers, I asked him what the furthest date back was that TV had us on record and he told us October of 1999. I know we had inquired earlier than that but that was as far back as their database went.

You see, we knew when we were in our early 40's that we would eventually end up there. Our first real visit to TV was Jan 1, 2000 when there was about 10K residents. They were just building Santo Domingo back then. It is ironic that the home we bought is in Santo Domingo! We have always loved that area.

Somebody asked us if we were excited last night. After thinking about while we are excited to finally be moving to TV, we have planned for it for so long that it is more of a realization of a dream. You can look at my profile here and see I have been a member since 2007. We have learned so much here and are grateful for all and the information we have gleaned from here in NC over the years, good and bad.

We do hope to meet some of the people from here when we do make the permanent move! It has been a long ride but we are almost there.

Congratulations. We have made some great friends from Santa Domingo. Your going to love it here. All the best to you both. Just repeat after me YES DEAR, this term will be very handy while packing. Take Care.

Congratulations! It's said, "Patience is a virtue". Your story is conformation that our dreams do come true.

Congrats...

My wife thinks 6 years is too early to plan...

Way to go! The year will be up before you know it.

So happy for you!

Congratulations on your move. I am originally from Apalachin,NY.

Congratulations! That is one hard working RE agent!!!

Congrats!

Mafia Central?

Congratulations ... the best is yet to come!

I always thought you were already here.

I hope you enjoy life here as much as we do.

Welcome!!!!

I started my journey to TV in my 40's.

The broker said, "What the hell you doing here??"

He stuck with me for over 15 years.

:eclipsee_gold_cup:

Congrats. Best wishes as you start living the dream. :smiley:

My golf cart has a plate that says, "Living the dream", The Villages FL

Congratulations on the new purchase. You picked a great area close to all the shopping, medical buildings and no bond!

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We came here for the first time in early 2004. We knew then this is where we wanted to be after our first trip. Finally bought in 2008. During those 4 years we kept saying don't buy that as we won't be able to enjoy it once we move. Everything we were buying during those 4 years we would think first, is this something we can take with us to The Villages. It kept me from buying all kinds of things so we could save our money for the big event. We started getting rid of things almost immediately by cleaning our attic full of 20 years of accumulation. I suggest start early "getting ready for "the move" and your last six months will be an enjoyment and you will have plenty of time to party. Make those preparations to get your current home for sale in well in advance.

Congrats! We visited 3 times over 3 years and bought on the 3rd visit, so you've got us beat. Like you, we weren't going to buy on that last visit but walked into a new house being displayed and thought, "I want to live in this model of house." We decided on the drive home to buy a house of that model, looked online at several instances of it and ended up buying the very home we'd toured. We bought not quite 2 years before retirement, rented it out unfurnished for a year (to a very nice couple who left the house in immaculate condition) then started moving stuff down from North Carolina over a few visits before landing here permanently this past February.

Your last year will fly by and be agonizingly slow at the same time. Do yourself a favor and start going through everything you own to decide what you want to keep, donate or sell, where the stuff you'll keep will end up in your new home and what you might want to purchase once you're down here. And start thinking about what color you want your golf cart to be!

By the way, we've been here only a couple of months and so far it is exceeding our expectations. We keep finding new things about it to like. Having met and enjoyed a few of our neighbors has helped as well, as has finding a few clubs to join. The place is full of great people.

See y'all in a year!

Thanks everyone! We bought everything in the house we purchased as well right down to the spoons and forks so I don't think we will be moving much of anything with us except personal items, some nicer things we own and a couple pieces of furniture. We started clearing stuff out about a month ago since we knew we would be moving in the summer of 2018. We just didn't realize that we would be buying the house so soon !

Congratulations! I think in life folks regret more of what they do not do than what they do. The Villages is a one of a kind amazing place. If I can answer any questions for you always feel free to ask.

Respectfully,

Frank

More congratulations! Your story gives this wannabee some hope. Hope the upcoming year goes by quickly.

Welcome home.