Considering the Villages
 

Within the next year, the wife and I plan to retire and purchase a second home in Florida. Another set of snow birds, yeah! :ohdear:

We have driven through the Villages and love the new homes available online but we have one thought that keeps us away. I wanted to ask about this to see if our thought is correct or way off base.

"Oh the humanity!" is our thought. Once we left our new Village home, all we would encounter is a crush of people. Decide to go food shopping, crowds. Golfing or swimming, people everywhere. Enjoy a beer and music on the square and it's like a day at Disney. Wherever you are standing, you are in the way.

We are are looking to slow down some. Enjoy the warm weather with our little dogs without giving up all privacy.

We will certainly rent something in the Villages and other areas in Florida for a month or two prior to purchasing anything but the thought around the crowds is our concern.

I've read this forum for years and enjoy the conversation. Thought I would state our concern, seeking comments.

You are describing every warm-weather, southern state during high season.

Ditto.

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. If you are snowbirds you will always see TV at the peak of population. I think comments about the crowds and heavy traffic are all relative to where you are coming from and what you are used to. Being from Chicago suburbs the peak traffic volume in TV is nothing. Grocery stores and restaurants are busy but not as busy as what we were used to..

If you are a golfer tee times can be a more difficult but we still get in as much golf as we want. I can't speak about crowding at pools, but you could always look for a home that has a pool or room you could add one.

During normal times the squares can, for sure, be busy. During normal times we only go a couple times a month during peak season. We take our old car to cruise nights and sometimes if there is a particular band we enjoy. My experience is most people that have been Villagers for awhile don't frequent the squares all that often.

If you are active people I can't think of a better 55+ community than TV. Yes, we love it here, but do your own due diligence and check out other interesting communities. We rented here three winters before we bought our home.

Good luck to you.

Some snowbirds come down in November and December but many don't leave home until after the holidays with the grandkids. January and February are the most crowded months. Some seasonals are gone in March. In early April (when many more have left for home) you will notice a huge difference.

We have only been down here for about 2 1/2 years but I don't find things super crowded. The main exception is evening entertainment at the squares when one of the most popular bands is playing. (Villages LOVE their Hooligans!)

Definitely rent for a while, in both high and low season. Good luck with your decision.

kathy

To the OP, having researched and visited numerous retirement communities in Florida and Arizona, it quickly becomes apparent that during the high season they are all crowded. Given the popularity and growth of TV, with its almost unbelievable amount of activities and amenities, we don't have any expectation that it will ever be less crowded than it is right now. However, the same can be said of any other upper-scale 55+ retirement community. So, unless someone wants to build a home in the middle of nowhere or live in another country, I think it's just a matter of making up ones mind on whether having lots (with more every day) of other like-minded people, is something you can live with. We've decided that we can live with it.

You described The Villages perfectly. The largest retirement community on the planet. We even have over 50000 golf carts.

I agree in that if you want to just sit back and relax - and not a thing wrong with that at all - you can find a smaller community pretty easily, but you can do that here too. The Villages is big, but not overwhelming to us after 12 years. Sure, at times in high season, we do plan and time our trips to wherever. But we like having the amenities that are here which you won't find anywhere else, plus the resort feel to the whole community. Best wishes on your retirement.

When you look around you might look at small, medium, large and very large communities (Villages). Decide what amenities are available that you are interested in and the crowd situation. That should help narrow your search.

The Villages and almost everywhere in Florida is kinda crammed during high season; January, February and March, but not so much the rest of the year so if you plan to be snow birds you will usually have a lot more folks around you.

However, in going to the rec centers for activities such as I do; painting, clay, crafting, etc., it is never crowded. Exercise classes in rec centers are crowded during high season, but not so much line dancing and the plethora of other activities.

I think it wise to come and rent when you would be snow birding to get a feel. The Villages is very beautiful and sought after.

I will also add that where you live makes a huge difference as to how quiet your home is.

My wife and I own two villas, one is nearish to a gate and a "thru" area from the Multi-modal path to the gate. Cars and carts all day.

The other backs up to a preserve and is not through to anywhere. Out back on the Lanai there at night feels like our home in the woods in NJ. It's super quiet and peaceful. It's also further away from the stores, squares and food.

Each place has its merits. You need to decide what's right for you.

Echoing what the others have said, it's definitely more crowded during high season. My wife and I are snow-flakes or sunbirds or whatever you call it. We come down all year round, more in the summer in fact. We are going full time this year though.
It is nice in some ways when it's easier to get into a meal, but it also seems like that feeling when you're visiting a NJ shore town at the end of September. Think "Boys of Summer" by Don Henley :)

Crowded & will get worse!
 

I am only here in TV because my wife insisted. This is not her opinion; she loves every little thing about it. For me though other than the warm winter weather, it sucks. Driving anywhere is a pain. Way too much traffic and it will continue to get worse as they are continuing nonstop developing. Homes are crammed together. Heavy golf cart traffic is ridiculous and dangerous. I ride my bike on the cart paths and it is scary. Read The **************.com for all the latest drunk cart driving accidents and crimes.

I am more prejudiced than most because I don’t play golf, I don’t like games or clubs, I don’t like to socialize, I don’t swim or like pools, and would rather be around animals than people. I’ve been here 3 months and haven’t even needed or would use a TV ID card for anything. I prefer solitary pursuits, cycling, hunting, fishing, kayaking, reading, television, sitting on a beach, etc.

TV is a marvel of cookie-cutter overpriced homes in town that reminds me of The Twilight Zone episode where a couple woke up in this picture perfect town only to find out everything in it was fake and they were in a giant being’s terrarium. The place is just plain weird.

Get outside TV and this central part of FL is pretty darn ugly. Swamps, brush & scrubs, ugly trees, trashy homes, dumpy house trailers with plenty of crime & drugs to go around. I carry a legally concealed handgun pretty much everywhere I go.

Last year we stayed at Navarre Beach which is near Pensacola and absolutely gorgeous. Sugar white sand with the turquoise water of the Gulf on one side of Santa Rosa Island and the sound on the other. It is in the Central Time Zone. No bugs or alligators (at least on the island).

There is 20 miles of protected seashore with wind swept dunes and sparsely populated beaches with a bike/hike trail almost the entire length of the island. At one end of the island is a historic fort dating back to the civil war and toward the eastern end is a Marine Science Station. Golf carts are used by some residents but really very few. Overall traffic is extremely light on the island. The 4-lane on the mainland can be busy but there are no roundabouts and traffic moves right along.

There are many fresh seafood, authentic southern BBQ restaurants and local markets (as in real markets, not the imitation overpriced ones in the TV pretend town squares). Navarre Beach is NOT a tourist trap. The summers there are bearable too, not 100 degrees in the shade like here.

Beautiful homes and condos (some <$300k) on the waterfront at reasonable prices (2019). The condo amenities/fees are next to nothing compared to TV. From our rental condo's bedroom window, we could watch porpoises playing in the water. I thought Navarre was a slice of heaven. I wanted to buy there but my wife insisted on TV. I got my summer lakefront home though for most of the year so all is not lost.

I admit, I am not the typical TV resident and my comments will generate plenty of “Yankee go home” comments but you asked for opinions so there you go...to each his own.

ALL nice places in Florida are crowded during Snowbird season. If they weren't that nice, they wouldn't be crowded.

I agree with you about Navarre! I was there last year with my husband, just before the pandemic hit. It was quite memorable. The beaches are beautiful and the infrastructure manageable. A highlight was visiting the turtle museum/observatory.

I have lived on the historic side for 20 years ... no thru traffic ... the traffic we've got is all it's ever gonna be !!! facilities include 1 CC with the best pool in TV & 18 hole championship GC, 2 REC CTRs one with Family pool, 2 more Pools, 2 executive golf courses Softball field, floodlit tennis, business center., library, archery range, horseshoe pits, Bocce Courts, small dog & Large dog parks, walking trail with fitness machines installed, lakeside BBQ area, convenience store and gas station, post office, a couple of Banks and other businesses e.g. Dental/Tire and car service and a pretty decent Mexican Restaurant. The adjacent golf cart bridge takes you to Spanish springs in a couple of minutes exiting into the parking lot behind Ruby Tuesdays.
We also have a gate that exits TV and allows golf carts to travel up the east side of 441 to places like Lowes, Wal Mart, Bealls, Aldi etc. Property prices here are significantly cheaper than way down south - mine is a massive stretched manufactured (about 2,500 sq ft total footprint) on a full size lot overlooking the championship golf course on a quiet side street 2 bed 2 BR and would probably sell for the $185-195K region ....what more could a person want ... big live oaks and mature landscaping with none of the busy TV.
Lots of luck in your search.

Great feedback.

Thank you very much for sharing as it sort of captures some of the same reservations I have.

Minority opinion noted

We sold our property in New England this past November and rented a place in TV for a couple of months with the intention of visiting numerous 55+ communities. We visited Margaritaville, Webb, Top of the World, and others. You can get nicer houses for your money at some, especially Top of the World, but no matter what they advertise, there are few options for activities. We are now in the process of having a house built here TV and have extended our rental extended until it is done.
You can do as much of as little as you want. Hundreds of activities, clubs and entertainment. Yes hundreds. I have yet to meet anyone that isn't friendly , which is a change that we are pleasantly adjusting to.
The only complaint I have so far is the rate that property price increases, which, I suppose for us, is good for the long term.

Where do you live now? What are you used to? Due to the traffic this time of year, there are several times a day when turning left from Morse Blvd. into the Tierra del Sol postal station parking lot is difficult. I may have to wait an entire minute for several dozen cars and carts to pass because they get held up at the light at San Marino, then arrive at my turn in a long stream. Big deal. The very worst traffic in The Villages at the busiest time of year is much lighter than average traffic year round in most sizable American cities. As for residential streets? I’d guess my street gets on average thirty cars an hour. Some areas get even less. Have you ever driven in Los Angeles or New York or Boston? I taught for 34 years at a university in tiny Kutztown, Pennsylvania, population 5,000. During the school year it gets much more traffic than The Villages at its worst. So at the busiest season during the busiest parts of day, driving Morse from 441 to 466 takes an extra minute. Big deal! It’s not going to be a problem.

As for the town squares, do you want to dance? Go there tonight and you can easily dance with no one within ten feet of you. You may have to walk a little slower because more people are around the square and in carts and lawn chairs outside of it, but if you cross the street you can go for a run at that time without getting in anyone’s way. It’s not nearly as crowded as walking on TImes Square in New York, much less going to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Is it more crowded this time of year? Yes. But entirely bearable.

Yes, restaurants are more crowded right now. I’ve walked away from places that tell me it will be a 45 minute wait. Part of the problem is that there may be dozens of empty tables, but that is due to social distancing, and there are fewer employees, so it takes longer. However, I’ve always managed to go to some other restaurant in the area and get in at once. It helps to be flexible. Also, next winter, when all the tables are available, it will be easier to get seated.

The Villages, apart from this, is delightfully relaxed and a wonderful place to retire. My biggest problem is that at Sam’s Club, lots of people seem to be there for a pleasant stroll, whereas I want to get what I need and get out.

Be sure to visit my YouTube channel. I post episodes about living in The Villages and Florida Fun.
Youtube.com/rcavallaro

"America's friendliest Home Town : NOT
 

I've lived in TV for over a year and recently moved to Stone Crest, which is just across the road from TV. Many stores are within 5 minutes of Stone Crest by golf cart, and TV is also accessible by golf cart. There are not as many amenities in Stone Crest, but there are also not as many people here, so, less crowds, more space between houses, less people along with more value per housing dollar.
With all the amenities available, I enjoyed my time in TV, but what I disliked most was grumpy old men and women who can't wait to correct or chastise others for something they may see someone doing "wrong", whether they are impacted by that action, or not. I have had this happen to me many times, sometimes I was guilty of some minor incident (like going the wrong way in a parking lot and was yelled at), and sometimes I was innocent, yet I was chastised because my actions somehow upset someone else, (like riding my bicycle in the middle of a small street and having a neighbor's dog pull away from it's owner, and chase me). I have my own thoughts of why people are grumpy, but one thing I know that is a causative factor is the crowded conditions in TV. It's really simple, the more people there are in a given area, the more problems occur. So, TV is definitely not America's Friendlies Home Town. TV is like any other retirement community, you will find many grumpy old folks, but you will also find many friendly, happy folks. For me, I prefer Stone Crest, but each to their own.

My wife and I are a couple years ahead of you. We did the Lifestyle visit in Brownwood and really liked what TV has to offer. We bought just south of Lake Sumter last year. Our solution to the crowds? We rent the place at high-season rates and travel. Mexico is perfect in January/February.

We moved from a sparsely populated area, lived without any neighbors in sight. Moving to TV was not a hard adjustment as far as crowds or traffic, but seeing a house out every window was strange. We quickly adapted to the convenience of shopping, rec centers, banking, restaurants, etc by golf cart. Renting first is a very good idea. Good luck.

It’s not the same as it was when we moved here fifteen years ago. Your sense of “crowdedness” is correct. Public events are wall-to-wall people and traffic is becoming impossible. Renting for a couple months, maybe for a couple of years, is an excellent idea. Maybe while you’re here, research other alternatives. Don’t be disappointed by just drinking the Kool Aide.

Nucky, you left the barn door open and the scavengers are getting in. :shocked:

Check out Lakewood Ranch, which is father south. Decide if you want a truly gated community, closer to the ocean, out of the central FL sinkhole zone, etc. I think the taxes are higher but they have many of the same amenities. You owe it to yourself to ck it out.

On another thread someone suggested searching “best 55+ communities in Fl”, which perhaps you have already. I think TV rated 3rd? Good luck! Enjoy the journey

We had the same concerns. We explored multiple retirement communities and after considerable thought purchased in The Villages six years ago. We have never looked back as it was the correct decision. The reason we bypassed other retirement communities and settled here is that in retirement the greater risk is dying of boredom, not having too much to do.

You might consider the northern Villages. Rec centers and sports facilities are far less crowded, and you can save a lot of money by buying with no bond. Many homes have been fully updated, so it's not necessary to sacrifice on home quality.

Dhdallas #12 - right on Rambo I wish you were my neighbor.....

I think that it all depends on where you come from. Yes, The Villages, and all Florida communities get busier and more crowded in the winter. But I've lived and worked in big cities and it's nothing like that. I think that some people that have come from rural areas think that we have a lot of traffic. While there is certainly more traffic here during the season than in the summer, it is not like a big city. The lines at restaurants and super markets are not bad.

I think that many of the years round residents are also a bit spoiled by the smaller population that we enjoy for 7-8 months of the year. But as I say, no matter where you go in Florida, you're going to find the same thing.

I'm originally from Eastern Massachusetts and the people on Cape Cod complain about the excess traffic in the summer time. I can tell you that the winter traffic here is no where as bad as the summer traffic on Cape Cod of the year round traffic in Boston and other places.

In addition, left hand turn lanes are currently being added to many of our busiest intersections to some of the crowding is being addressed.

If you're concerned, rent a place here in January and February and decide. That's the only way that you'll know.

100% Agree
 

Just wanted to say I completely agree. We are originally from NY, then lived in South FL for 38 years. Talk about traffic and crowded restaurants...it's like being "in season" all the time! It depends where you come from, but we cannot think of a lovelier, aesthetically pleasing, friendlier,, active place to be! Coming up for 5 years, living here full time a year and a half. We love it here...true paradise!

We cannot choose for you. Everywhere has pluses and minuses. I just re-established
contact with an associate that I've not heard from in many years. Far different from the Villages he and his brother bought 168 acres in North Carolina and they live in the woods.

Making a choice is not easy for most people. I would suggest since it is not an inexpensive, easy to reverse choice, I suggest, you spend some time here. The sales dept has inexpensive short term rental programs. We did it 3x before we bought. If I recall the second time you do not get a free movie or diner. We were not here for a free movie or a free? diner. We bought 8 years ago and are happy with the choice we made

This is a perfect plan.. what do you do with personal things... that you don't leave out when renters move in?

The very best thing you are doing is renting. I rented for about a year before buying and I'm glad I did. By then I knew what area of The Villages I liked best and where was spending my time. I live off of 466 and 10 years later I still love this location. Close to 2 town squares, 441 with lots of shopping, Publix, Fresh Market, Walmart, banking and restaurants.

You have a valid point about, I'm not into clubs, I was in car club but quit after 3 months. I don't use the rec centers, it's the golf courses that brought me here, and since I've arrived I'm trying to make up for lost time, when I discovered MVP at Brownwood. I only wish I had worked out the rest of life instead sitting on my butt.

I also like the panhandle, I lived in Pensacola for six years in the late 70s and early 80s and built 3 houses during that time. I discovered Panama City Beach in 1970, I went through Army school at the Ft. Rucker, Alabama, which is just a 2 hour drive north just across the state line. I was there during summer and every weekend was down at PC.

You would not believe how much PC has grown. The entire commercial area was about ten blocks long in '70 and five of us would rent a cottage for $15 a night right on the strip. Only if I was smart enough to have bought land back then, it's now 30 miles of condos, amusement parks, restaurants, and then wait til spring break, it's get wild. I went to PC during spring break '86 and I don't remember the bar, but it was on the beach with the biggest deck I ever seen. The guy that sang "Key Largo" Bernie Higgins was singing on the deck with his guitar. It was great and hundreds of women.

My best friend lives in Navarre, we were in the Army together 50 years ago and worked in the FAA at Pensacola together. He lives in Navarre, bought a masonry home with a 2 car garage, 3 BR, 2 BA and swimming pool in 1990 for $98,000, today it's worth about $275K. The biggest problem with the panhandle and one of the reasons I settled in TV, besides the golf here, is hurricanes. In just my 6 years of living there I went through two hurricanes. The one in '79 I rode out in the hallway and winds at the airport a mile from my house reached 100 mph. No damage to speak of except for a million pine cones in my pool, we don't have birdcages because of the hurricanes.

My neighbor who lives and loves golf even more than me, I shot a 78 yesterday at Cane Garden and he shot a 70. Him and his wife go the beach at least 3 weekends a month. Monday he's leaving for a week in the Florida Keys. In the past 12 months, he's been to Destin, St. Pete Beach, Siesta Key and his favorite Venice Beach about 20 times. He doesn't mind driving, to me, I rather never have to drive again.

Hang in there, if you don't like golf, try pickleball. Look to see when they have the 101 classes, I took that back in 2013 and it's really a neat sport. I also enjoy music when things are normal, the Hooligans, Uncle Bob, the classic rock bands I enjoy going to see. Movies, it's neat to go the theater and there's not a million kids and their mothers there to see some cartoon in the other theater. That's one of reasons I like it here, now that I'm 70 I rather be around people my own age than young people.

Traffic here, I grew up in St. Petersburg, and when I go there the traffic is 20 times worse and I remember when there was hardly anybody. Traffic here is really nothing. Condos are cheap in PC, maybe get a vacation condo for $200K and then rent it out when you're not there. The heat, I lived up north before moving here and in Maryland it would hit 100 degrees 15 days in the month of August. At the beach we got constant thunderstorms, they were really more over the city. I remember being on Pensacola Beach a few times in beautiful sunshine and looking back at Pensacola and seeing dark clouds and lightning. However, the storms didn't last long, the air over the gulf meeting the air over the land you get thunderstorms just about every afternoon. So for that reason, I really don't mind the heat here.

You could own something like this in PC and rent it out for $250 a night when you're not there.

https://res.cloudinary.com/rws-ecbyo...h_1200x900.jpg

https://ivacationonline.com/uploads/...es/23/6567.jpg

BTW, Jaws 2 was filmed at Navarre Beach in '77, I went several days during shooting and saw the sharks sitting on the trailers, didn't see any actors but did see the director setting up shots. Base camp was at the Holiday Inn Navarre, beautiful motel with a Holidome and indoor pool, the movie's opening scene with the band playing was shot inside the Holidome, however that motel was destroyed in a 2005 hurricane and wasn't rebuilt.

Ask yourself, if you are golfers and/or joiners. To me, if you are social, and a joiner, then move to The Villages. If you don't golf, pickleball, swim... and you don't want to join clubs...... there are plenty of places in Florida the are less crowded.

We landed in TV to escape the long NH winters and because my husband is a golf enthusiast.
He absolutely loved TV from the moment we first visited. I was not as excited about purchasing here and thought it to be a bit Stepford. That being said, we visited numerous times (in TV and basically everywhere else of interest to us in FL) and purchased a home here almost 5 years ago.
We were snowbirds for 3 years and visited numerous times throughout the year. I grew to love TV as much as my husband, over the years. Our initial plan was to keep both homes and enjoy the best of both worlds. We fully retired January 2020 and decided to sell our northern home. It was a major decision but neither of us have any regrets.
The Lifestyle of TV, can’t be beat.
We chose our home based on our particular needs and wants. Like you, we wanted our home to provide us with the peaceful setting we were accustomed to, (for privacy and alone time) yet centrally located for ease of getting where we wanted to with as much ease as possible. Life does get crazy here during peak season but not enough to discourage us. The activities we enjoy are still within easy reach, shopping, dinning and entertainment require a little more planning but remain just as enjoyable. Traffic in and around the squares is heavy but no more of an issue than Cape Cod during summer months. You will eventually learn the best times to shop and venture out without too much difficulty. It’s a learning curve. Crowed squares can be a major source of entertainment as you never know what you will see. Regardless of where you purchase, FL is crazy in season. It’s up to you to figure out how to deal with it.
Realistically speaking, there is no perfect place to live. There are however places that meet more of your needs than others.
Like everywhere else, it’s all about location and fulfilling your needs. You can easily find your slice of heaven here if you know what you want.
No kissing lanai’s for us, a quiet side street that doesn’t connect to busier streets, a large corner lot with pool and privacy hedge, no cart path or busy road behind us and we couldn’t be happier. We can go days without socializing with neighbors or engage several times a day if we wish. Most people are likeminded and basically seek the very things you are looking for.
Best of luck in your search. Stay true to yourselves and you won’t be disappointed.

As Yogi is reported to have said "No one goes there anymore, it's too crowded."

Peak season in Jan thru March brings more visitors and traffic. Seniors have time to arrive very early at popular events so plan accordingly. Parking is limited at the squares. Planning for large events definitely was not on the radar. All TV can do is encourage golf carts so two can park in one space.
If you are a swimmer or diver, pools are shallow in TV. Only two that I know of are deep enough for those 5’5” and more to do water aerobics in: Mulberry and Laurel. Pools in the new home areas toward the south are 3’6” - shallower than above ground pools back home. No indoor pools at all. I mention this because we left two regulation size pools with deep ends back home and expected at least a few down here. We maintained two pools for years, so don’t even mention building or buying one unless it comes with a pool boy/gal.
Golf is plentiful, just plan ahead. Maintenance can be an issue, but with crowds that is expected.

Disappointed As Well
 

My wife and I considered purchasing a home in TV. Based on on-line research, I thought it would be the perfect place. We rented a home for a month and I was disappointed. I loved the concept, but was very disappointed with the shape and condition of the golf courses. The other significant negative was the expense - both overall general home costs, golf fees and everything else including groceries. I also found the area (outside of TV to be far from attractive). We are still looking but haven't landed on where to purchase yet. Nothing is perfect.

I'm glad you got your slice of heaven, and that your wife got her wishes, too.
We're all such different creatures from each other. What pleases one won't always please another. It's nice to see the compromise, and I can see the happiness and nature appreciation in the solitude as well as the social pleasantries of the other.
G-d bless you!