Villages - buying north of 440
 

This may prossibly upset some people, but I would like to get your feelings about it. We have been advised by a number of people who live in TV, not to buy a home north of Rte. 440 when we come down to buy in November. We've heard a number of comments that I will not repeat, but what is truth and what is perception? Please don't shoot the messenger (Questioner).
Thanks
John & Barb
Cherry Hill -- Villages by 12/15

When we bought our home this summer, we bought south of 466 because we bought a new home. While we were in the buying process, we checked out north of 466 and liked it very much. It was more established and had a "familiar" feel to us. If we didn't go new, I would have had no problem living there. In my opinion, and my knowledge of TV is limited at best, I don't think you can buy in an area of TV that wouldn't be wonderful.:thumbup:

I don't know what you mean by Rt. 440. Do you think it could be Rt. 44?

Or do you think it was Rt. 466? I really don't know of Rt. 440.

My guess is they mean 441 and it would be North East. That is what is known as the historic section which has a mix of stick built and factory built homes. However there are some very nice places of both types and some very nice locations there at very attractive prices. So you need to buy what fits your budget and life style. And as said above, there are no bad places in TV. I chose my location based on the town square I preferred, not near a treatment plant, power lines or rail road tracks. And i liked LSL better then SS. To me those were more important then what section, N or S of any place.

If I was looking for a place in TV that I wanted to keep in a lower price range and didn't care about being near LSL, I would have been looking in the historic section. It has a lot of positive things to offer.

Don't really think it matters which Hwy the poster meant. We bought south of 466 over 4 years ago because we bought new. We still love our location and at first thought it was superior to everyone else's:)

With repeated visits (we have been snowflakes/landlords) have discovered that every area, north or south, east or west, has its advantages and disadvantages. There really is no BAD area. Wherever you end up, you will probably think that yours is the best, and it will be for certain things (close to shopping, or softball diamonds, libraries, or town squares, dog parks, Savannah Center, quieter with less traffic, other shopping areas, woodshop, driving range, favorite country club restaurant or golf course).

Older areas have more mature landscaping, larger lots. New areas may have a higher concentration of younger buyers, but not always. In each area, you could be within walking distance or a 3 minute cart ride to a rec center and/or family or adult pool or country club, or you could be out of easy walking distance to anything and need to take your cart or car. Some people never walk anywhere, even if they are around the corner. You will be close to a golf course no matter where you end up.

If you have close friends or family you expect to be visiting a lot, then you may not want to be at opposite ends which would be a 45 minute (or possibly more) cart ride. But it's kind of fun to visit someone occasionally in an area you don't get to very often.

north
 

If you mean north of 446 , can't imagine why someone would say negative things about living there. We bought north of there and are very happy with the location. Everything is well established, same facilities as south of 446. Yes, they are older, but new doesn't always mean better. There are lots of trees over here, close to many stores, plenty of Rec centers, pools, golf courses, what more could you want? Everywhere in The Villages is a nice place to live !

I'm sure this is a generality but probably the ages of people that live in the historic section are older because it's been there longer. I have good friends who live there and she is very defensive when people "bad mouth" the historic section. When we moved here 5 years ago we were very interested in a manufactured home in the historic district that had a lot of storage, was wonderfully maintained, and had great landscaping. However we felt the price was a little high and we continued to look after taking 3 visits to this home. As an aside, on the 3rd visit we noticed that the home had no oven (which was not a deal breaker for us). We kept looking and purchased in Poinciana but if our experience is typical regarding the historic side I would not eliminate a purchase there.

John

If you are speaking about north of CR 466, try Polo Ridge. Great neighborhood, close to shopping, golf, rec centers, etc. We moved from there just for a larger home. Plus we build a home every ten years. Don't ask me why but we do. You will enjoy north of 466.

Another one who doesn't think it matters where you live -- it really is a matter of price, affordability and preference. I have issues with a lot of rules and regulations (I would never have gnomes or flamingoes in my yard but I'll defend your right to have to the death), so south of 466 is not for me. Also, I like Spanish Springs better than Lake Sumter Landing (probably because I'm more used to the Spanish decor coming from California). The biggest reason though, is the more mature landscaping. I just find it soothing and don't want to wait years to have that growth.

To me, the only real negative to living north of 441 is the distance to the southern areas of TV, especially since I've been known to travel from one of TV to the other in one or day. So, I chose just north of 466 off of Morse.

So, go for what you like. While a new neighborhood will make it easier to make friends at first (and have more frequent get-togethers), the odds are you will end up making other friends as you find your interests and you'll find they live all over TV.

I think the women north of 466 are better looking.

Better looking?????
 

OH NO THEY AREN"T!!!!!!!:rolleyes:

Nope. Nope. Not gonna touch that one. Nope:girlneener:

I really meant 466 sorry
 

Brain Cramp

Hi Rugbyjohn,
We bought north of 466 because of the mature landscaping, the homes further apart, and our favorite golf courses and country clubs are on the north side. We enjoy both town squares. If you want new, north of 466 is not an option.

I'm curious what you were told. Whatever it was, check it out for yourself. Whatever you choose, I hope it's perfect for you!

says who!!!!!!!

Are the better looking ones married are single?

yes

Good answer!

Thank you, TH! :clap2:

[QUOTE=Pturner;299503]Hi Rugbyjohn,
We bought north of 466 because of the mature landscaping, the homes further apart, and our favorite golf courses and country clubs are on the north side. We enjoy both town squares. If you want new, north of 466 is not an option.

..................................

And now that the golf cart paths are being widened, I think that buying north of 466 is even more appealing.

Nice insulting comment coming from an old man!!!!!!!

???? Who are you referring to?

Am I included even if I'm up by Mulberry only temporarily?

I will say staying this far north in the rental I notice that it's much quieter and less traffic. I met some people who recently bought in Orange Blossom Special and they seem very happy. I agree it's all preference. We'll permanently land centrally.

The better looking women north of 466.



.

There are a couple of things you can consider. On the older homes built before 2006, I think, they are not built to newer construction standards as regards hurricanes. It may or may not be an issue. You do get a house in an established neighborhood with mature plantings and a home, possibly, with many upgrades you won't have to do yourself.

On the other hands in the new neighborhoods everyone is moving in at the same approximate time and meeting and greeting each other. It's far easier to get involved in a golf group, for instance, or any kind of recreational gathering when you're forming them from scratch. In an older neighborhood the golf groups are pretty well established. It won't matter if you're a gregarious person, I imagine, and know how to take the bull by the horns, but if you're laid back, like me, it could be harder to fit in easily.

In the end though, TV is such a beautiful place and the people are, almost without question, some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. We're almost all people with a positive attitude who are willing to take chances and meet new people with an open hand. Think about it, we've all left our homes and gone on an adventure with our hopes for a better future. At our age? Who could imagine?

We all know that is true!!!! Been here nine years and haven't seen finer!!!

Misinformation
 

[QUOTE=RichieLion;299689]There are a couple of things you can consider. On the older homes built before 2006, I think, they are not built to newer construction standards as regards hurricanes.
QUOTE]

I think someone may have given you some flawed information. We live north of 466 and our house was built to hurricane standards. I can't say when the changes came, but our house was completed in January, 2004 and they were in place then. We had the additional inspection the state offered done a couple of years ago (don't remember exactly when this was) and as a result, got a substantial reduction in our insurance. Several things go into this wind-whatever-it-is inspection such as the construction itself, the attic, the type roof (hip vs gable), etc. We've been here since Feb. 2004 and have had no issues except for the drywall residue in the kitchen plumbing which was resolved through the warranty department with no fuss whatsoever (cracking, siding, etc.).

[quote=dillywho;299721]You're right. I don't know why 2006 was in my head, but it was 2002 that Florida instituted the new building codes.

http://www.housingpolicy.org/toolbox...?tierid=113289

You said it, RichieLion! Most everyone who moves here had to give up either family, friends, or roots of some sort seeking a new adventure! We are all from somewhere else -- and so, it is easy to make friends no matter which neighborhood or village you choose.

:a040: Thanks, neighbor.

[quote=dillywho;299721]
Our home was built in 2000, we had the same inspection and passed with flying colors. Our insurance went down by 1/3.

Vote for south of 466
 

Back to the thread question...My vote is for south of 466 and here are our reasons..We like the larger ,newer cart paths on the south side. Because you spend a large amt of time on your golf cart, this helps a lot. Also, the golf cart tunnels are larger also. We also like being , what will soon be, in the middle . When Brownwood is finished, our area ( village of Amelia) will be in the middle with about equal north/south distances from SS and Brownwood. We do find that the crowds are a little bit younger at LSL versus SS which of course makes sense becasue the northern part is the most established. One thing I would do if we could have a "do-over" is to rent a few times in different areas first, to figure out exactly where we want to be. The Villagers I have spoken with that have moved a few times since becoming FT, have said they moved due to location. (wanted to be closer to where they seemed to spend most of their time. ex: swims laps for excercise so closer to a sport pool, likes the Odell pickleball league so wants to be closer to that court) ..Just some (hopefully) helpful things...

After my visit this past week, I've really come to like the layout of the "old" Villages - Spanish Springs area and points east and northeast. I've been a New Englander all my life and I just can't wrap around the idea of -not- having lots of mature shade trees around. So the oaks all over that area is particularly appealing to me. The newer section is gorgeous, but it's just too sparse and cookie-cutter for my taste.

My concern is about the manufactured homes, and this bond stuff. I understand there are bonds, amenities fees, and CDD fees, and they're all different from each other, serve different functions, and that the bonds get paid up after 30 years.

So if I were to buy a home that was built 10 years ago, does that mean I'll only have 20 years left to pay on the bond? And what are the average monthly bond fees, for people who still have to pay them? Also, I understand some people have paid their bonds off prior to the 30 year period. So I'm wondering, do you get the impression that if we were to buy 5 years from now (which is when we're likely to be fully retired and ready to make that move), there will be a significant increase in homes that have had the bonds already paid off in full?

As for the manufactured homes themselves, well - where I come from, that means "trailer park" and for the most part they're not all that stable and tend to be lower quality, and can blow over in a stiff wind. I am pretty sure that isn't the case for the ones in the Villages, but I'd love it if someone can address that concern.

Thanks! I know wherever we end up in the Villages, we'll have some awesome neighbors. Last week was filled with some pretty terrific people and you all made us feel very welcome, so thanks again!

Re: the bonds. You pretty much have to ask/check/verify what the outstanding bond amount is, property by property. The general suggestion from many folks is to not pay the bond off when you buy a home in TV - mindset being that you'll never realize that money when you would sell. If you know you're going to be there til they drag you out toes-up, then it might make sense to pay it off up front if you'd like. For some reason, prevailing mentality seems to be that many buyers don't bother to factor the outstanding bond amount into the purchase price of a home......which makes no sense to me. But that's just me! :) I view it as an outstanding obligation for the house - call it a bond or whatever you'd like. It's money you owe for the property. Regardless - - - to the original point, verify what the bond amount is.

Re: the manufactured homes. I don't know it to be fact personally but I've heard from several people that the cost of insurance will be higher for a manufactured home than for a site built home (of equal selling price/valuation), probably due to the fact that they would be more susceptible to damage in severe weather. Also - again, from what others have said - some insurance companies might not be willing to cover a manufactured home built prior to a specific year. Might be related to construction techniques, etc. from back when it was manufactured. Verify all this with your insurance agent.

Bill

IMO, one of the bigger differences between north or south of 466 is the number of rec centers and pools. There are approx 40 pools south of 466 and 15 pools north of 466....gn

Who knew? Soon as I need more than 15, I'm heading south! :)

It seems to me that proportionately, the spread is nearly even. Pool-space and rec-center-space per resident isn't that much different between north and south, if you consider there are more homes south than there are north. Also, the polo fields and Savannah are north of dead center, so people living north of 446 have the advantage over people living at the far south (such as Colony Center) when it comes to watching/playing in a Polo match or using the computer lab.

Also, thanks SO much for the tip on insurance for manufactured homes - it never even occurred to me to consider insurability and insurance costs. That definitely rules out a couple of neighborhoods I had for my first choice! It's okay though. Second choice is just as gorgeous. I just will have to accept that I won't be allowed to put a family of tacky pink flamingos on my front yard. Le sigh <sniff>

Thanks SO much for the tip about insurability in the mfg. homes vs. site-built. I never would've thought of that. As for the bonds, I'm not sure why the -sellers- don't include it in their selling price, or the listing itself doesn't include a caveat specifying the bond price, if any. I have to guess that the vast majority of buyers have never lived in a community that required bonds before, so some might not even know to ask about them.

It seems to me that proportionately, the spread is nearly even. Pool-space and rec-center-space per resident isn't that much different between north and south, if you consider there are more homes south than there are north. Also, the polo fields and Savannah are north of dead center, so people living north of 446 have the advantage over people living at the far south (such as Colony Center) when it comes to watching/playing in a Polo match or using the computer lab.

No problem, AnonChick.

The mindset on the bonds really does confound me. Like you said, many times it's just referenced that there is a bond but the amount is not stated. We've gone to several open houses for pre-owned homes in TV and have found that some agents will list the actual amount of the bond in the sales document(s) they hand out - that's nice! You'll be surprised how much the amounts will vary.

Hope you're able to find something you like, regardless of where it is in TV!!

Bill

Anon, pool space/rec ctr space is TOTALLY different north vs south of 466, south of 466 closest rec ctr/pool is usually within a 1/2 mile at the most, north of 466 it could be several miles. I'm not aware of any neighborhoos rec ctenters north of 466, but there are about 10 of them south of 466. Look at the back of any rec center newspaper and you will see the difference......gn