Drove to Fenney...Here's my takeaway
 

Drove down via Morse extension south of 44. Here are the two most interesting things I discovered:

1. Ain't saying it's far, but my clothes went out of style on the trip down.

2. Despite The Villages describing it thusly " . Nestled in oak hammocks and overlooking wildlife preserves and springs, the Village of Fenney is old Florida at its finest." the above description only applies to the first two hundred yards. It is a facade through which one drives to reach a desert where all the vegetation was stripped and replaced with palm trees.

Noteworthy is the number of covered wagons stationed along side the road all the way down, denoting that TV is the claim owner.

Just reporting what I saw. No opinion offered as I am happy where I am and wish the same for all.

Good post, except that if you are like most Villagers, your clothes went out of style 30 years ago(mine too):1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Husband and I drove down Friday morning. In retrospect, we should have gone a bit later when Open House was in session (I think noon to 2:30). I had to smile at Rapscallion's description, as it was exactly right. While amazing to watch a Village being built, I found myself thinking it really had nothing to do with "my universe." On the way back, I noted it took us 10 minutes to get to 44 from the Village entrance, although we were behind a dump truck.

Obviously, many lots sold, homes in process of being built. Did have a chance to go through the only model open (on the corner by the entrance). Lots of square footage, very nice lanai, a master bath I would love to have. The model next door reportedly has an upstairs loft area, which we were not able to see.

It's nice The Villages is growing, but it's like if I was still living in the Indianapolis area. From the north suburb to the south suburb it takes about 30 minutes to drive. When we lived there, I didn't drive to that side of town, as I was close to just about everything I needed. If there was new construction on the other side of town, my reaction was , hm, interesting, but that's about it.

Kudos to the developer for such an amazing and successful vision.

Do the villages still have a bus to tour fenny area and where do you get on???

No,

Yes. Trolleys leave from Market Square and Paddock Square. I would call the sales dept. for the CORRECT info. :ohdear:

I made that same trek last weekend. We were headed to Sarasota and I thought it would be interesting to go to 75 that way. Research indicates a number of models/spec homes are either completed or in process. However, from the road it appeared to be more empty space in various stages of development. They just opened the lot sales the end of Feburary. By definition, the only choices are new homes. A model spec or build on a lot. The first build house will likely be finished in July. So this fall the appearance will be different. The square will likely be open and running at that time.

I haven't heard of any square being built south of 44 yet.

I plan on visiting Fenney during my visit to The Villages in September. I will be staying on the Historical Side. Should I pack provisions for the trip from Silver Lake to Fenney? :)

I am looking forward to seeing the newest part of The Villages.

My recommendation would be to stay a night at The Waterfront Inn and get an early start in the morning.:jester:

We made the trip to Fenney 3 times. Interesting the more times you go the shorter it seems. The fact we were traveling down from LaBelle likely makes some difference. If you want to purchase a new home, your options are going to be limited soon to far north or far south in The Villages. There are literally several hundred resales available so you could say there is something for just about everyone.

LOL. I'd better update my GPS before my next trip to TV. But the GPS may not be a lot of help. I will stop by one of the sales offices to get directions to Fenney. If I keep driving and see a sign "Welcome to Miami" I know I've gone too far south. :laugh:

We took a ride down there and bought a spec. designer home. There are quite a few of them sold now and dozens completed and ready for buyers. Distance is relative to where you are, we are currently in Charlotte and we drive down several times a day, it takes 10 to 12 minutes depending on how you hit the light at Morse and 44.. To us, Spanish Springs is an overnighter. From Fenny to Paddock Square it is also 12 minutes via 301 to 44. Shopping is easy, new Publix at Morse and 44, colony is 10 to 12 minutes, morse to Southern Leesburg via 44 to 411 is not far, we have driven to Babette's several times but never really timed it, they are just south of 44. Leesburg hospital is less than 15 minutes away. As far as vegetation goes, of course they cleared it out to build the houses however there is still a lot of protected green areas in phase one. The bar and grill at the rec center is going to be a hit for sure, the miles of walking paths were a plus for us also. I can go on and on. Are there negatives, of course there are espcially if you are a golfer which we are not. Fenney is not for everyone but neither are any of the other villages. Give it a chance, you will all get to enjoy it as time goes bye.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Welcome Vintage. 5 years ago we heard the same about being so for South and packing a lunch. We are behind Bonifay so now in the middle of the villages!
5 years years from now Fenney might be the new middle.

I meant to say centers rather than square. However, when a few other planned phases and golf courses get put in place, a square will likely appear.

It is really easy to get to Fenney from the Historic Side. Just go straight down Morse Blvd. After you cross Highway 44 keep going south. You will eventually cross over the turnpike. The entrance will be about about a mile on the left. From the Santo Domingo area, it took about 30 minutes to get there.

I can't wait until the day when all areas are connected by MMPs. Fill up the tank and pack a lunch for a golf care adventure!

7 years ago in Buttonwood we were at the very south and west of TV. Hell, we were warned about indians living that far remote.

Hi vintageogauge, When do you move into your home in Fenney? Keep us posted on life in Fenney: I am always interested in hearing how settling in goes.

Brownwood

???

We closed on our home 5/12 and are now in the process of furnishing it, most has been ordered and will arrive mid to late July. We have two neighbors across the street, one is living there and the other is in the process of moving from their current home in The Villages. We will be leaving at the end of the month and will be back in July when the furniture is ready then back to Ohio for several weeks to downsize. We hope to live here from September through May and spend the summer months near our family. Fenney seems to change every day, either more landscape, another home completed, or more progress on the rec. center and pool area. We are of course anxious to get everything in place and begin to enjoy our new home. I'm sure it will look a lot different when we get back in July, hopefully there will be enough rain to fill the ponds and lakes by then.

11am and 2pm departs from Brownwood.

Pioneers
 

We love to "pioneer" new Villages. Caroline, Hadley, Sanibel and LaBelle. We have lived in four Villages and bought and sold a manufacture home on the Historical side. Yeah, we have thought about it........:loco:

Funny. We're from the South (Osceola Hills)...hmm, you say, "No opinion offered"... seems like you said a lot. Still, it's all good. To question, for the moment, Fenney is the "wild-west" of TV... If you are from TV North, yeah, it's a truck and your clothes might transition a bit (just as ours do when we go up to your North)... but to each his own, right? I find the idea (and creation) of Fenney-World (and its associated satellites) fascinating... and attractive... who knows maybe our next move?

My take is Fenny will be a more secluded type setting. They have already built some nice home when I visited. Who knows what the finished product will look like and all it entails.

Keep in mind they are building south to north so as home are built, they will be closer to 44. TV historically was built north to south.

They will also be developing south of Fenney. If you listened to the Evening with the Developer he explained that they started in Fenney because it was all permitted etc from the previous developer who never built. By starting there they were able to keep their builders, designers etc busy while they acquired more land and put it through all the permitting processes. He said it would have been nearly impossible if they had waited for additional land to get their team of employees assembled again. Pretty smart and beneficial to the developer and the employees.

We are sort of newcomers, moving into Dunedin 14 months ago. It is fascinating learning about the history of this phenomenal real estate story, and I can only imagine the same Fenny talk about about developments "way down" south of 466 at one time. A neighbor of mine tells me about Villages realtors almost promising prospective buyers that there would never be another home built south of 466A. We heard the same thing about 44, which will very obviously be the center of gravity of Morseville in a few years. Really fun to watch - bring it on!

Probably good advice. :a20:

We bought a Courtyard Villa in Pennecamp in 2010 and were the southernmost village then. St. Charles Place had Jersey Barriers placed just past Pennecamp Drive :) The growth is unbelievable.

My take is that 4 executive golf courses, no town square yet with commercial development close by with a selection of shops and restaurants is a bit underwhelming to support the Feeney/Spanish Oaks population at this point. Of course, The Villages has had a very successful land development plan in the past and there is no doubt that they will make this area great!

It's so calming in Fenney. Hoping it stays that way. The three houses we looked at have already been sold. It's not going to be for everyone, but apparently it's for some since homes are selling

We visited over weekend. Our take. We would Never live way out there. So isolated all I could think about was driving back from the square at night on that desolatevep road (not Safe). Nothing even near by as far as stores, gas stations, hospitals, etc... Have No idea who would move there. Not even close to softball fields, Lahacienda where so many clubs are etc. Not even impressed with the homes and definitely not the price of them. Too far, too isolated, too dangerous

You evidently haven't done your homework Hulahips. Fenney is less than 15 minutes from the Leesburg Hospital, 8 minutes to Publix and the new Clark gas station and carwash at 466A and Morse and 8 minutes to Publix on 44 at Brownwood, 8 minutes to Paddock Square, 3 miles from the Turnpike and I-75 ramps, the ride back from the square is a quick drive down 301 and 1/2 mile east on 468 which is currently under development by TV. Once the commercial development along 468 is in everything will be within a couple miles. It is great down there and as development continues I feel it will be equal to any of the existing villages if not better. Not to mention having a poolside grill and cafe in the Rec. Center and the walking paths. A lot of greenspace will remain which is another plus. Give it a chance, go to the open house next week and see what it's all about. We bought there 2 weeks ago and can't wait until our furniture is delivered and we can move in.

Welcome to The Villages.

How close is the prison?

I agree, and the only research needed to be done was to either read your post #13 or drive down there oneself and note mileage and time before making a negative statement.

I would live there in a heartbeat if it wouldn't mean selling/moving.

My problem with Fenney is this. As an example I play in a band that meets at Mulberry. If I lived in Fenney it would be a 20 mile trip each way. Granted that is just my situation. However, there are so many activities spread out throughout the Villages and you may be interested in an activity that meets in a rec. center south of 466A. That would be my only concern.

John

That's a good point, LittleDog. I'm wondering, though, if the people who populate Fenney would start up their own groups. And sooner or later, because we know from the wagons staged along the route to Fenney that much more development is to come, that many more homes will be built with many more people with enough varied interests to start their own interest groups.

Still believe Fenny way too far away as most villagers believe if u talk to them. Again, I found the drive out very Desolate and for me personally would Not feel safe driving that road in the dark. No way. Also nothing to do. Fine if your a homebody but we are way too active to live way out there. As I said No softball fields , most clubs in evening in Lahacienda, Seabreeze, and you won't realize that till you live here. Start reading the recreation paper on Thursday and Note where the clubs are. No way, no how

Well, good for you. Stay where you are.