Postal stations instead of letter carriers
 

Why does the Villages use postal stations instead of letter carriers?

The Villages has very little to do with it. The U.S. Post Office decides the method for delivering the mail. But, postal stations or neighborhood box stations are used in many areas around the country to reduce the cost of mail delivery. The small size of the house lots makes it more likely that they will erect a common area for picking up the mail, rather than delivering mail to individual houses.

it's cheaper

Interesting thread from 2008 about postal stations when the Villages was a bit smaller.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...t=postal+stops

My understand is that the developer way back when, thought it was a way to get villagers to go out and about more

Personally, have had both methods and absolutely prefer ours now - the postal station. Handy, more secure, effective exp since we’re out just about every day to stop by. And having the parcel locker for bigger things, great. It all works for us. Period.

Not a fan of the P.O, but if it saves a bit of $, good.

Back home all new developments had free standing neighborhood mail stations at the end of each street. A single carrier can service more homes. A sign of the times.

Exactly, door to door delivery was phased out for newer development..

I have mixed feelings about it and, in general, when tallying the pluses and minuses of a place to live, it's a minus. While there's something to be said for the security, it also says you need that security (whether that's true or not). It smacks of "less service, more cost". It's one thing when it's an apartment building and you're walking past the array of boxes ANYWAY. But it's just another key to have to carry around - and I don't carry keys these days (yes, I realize that's not the norm).

I also realize that THAT ship has sailed and there's nothing I can do about it, regardless of where I might move to in retirement. That decision will have already been made.

With the small footprint of our homes, could you imagine what the streets would look like with a mail box in front if every home.

Nothing to do with The Villages
 

Postal Station instead of Letter carriers has been an ongoing change for the USPS for years.
Areas like The Villages, growing and growing, it would take endless new letter carriers and trucks. Almost all of the people delivering your mail (postal stations or parcels) are not federal employees. They are contractors paid to work one certain postal station. Also in many cases, someone else (or machine) will have letters sorted out for contractor to pick up and take out to the postal stations, along with parcels for that Village. This goes on many places in the country where there is a new community being built. Yes, it saves money, but it also is much more time saving. Facts are the USPS, until this newest Postmaster took over, NEVER, in 150 years EVER lost money or needed any Federal Funds to operate. The only Federal Agency who could say that. "If something is not broken, don't fix it." That does not apply to a government agency.

Bombs away
 

i imagine hundreds of mail boxes being knocked over annually by us, delivery men and sanitation personnel. Not to mention theft of mail and arguements over fido making his presence known, along with the bird feces to decorate both the box and the driveways .

Don’t know if that was the reason, but if it really was, GREAT thinking. Gives some of us an opportunity to meet others. Can drop off and pick up mail at same location. Also co-located with pools very convenient.

Clean look!
 

I like the clean look of the neighborhood rather than having mail boxes in every yard. It’s like power lines. Most are underground.

Your “facts” are not facts.

The postal service has not made a profit since 2006. The current postal service was formed in 1971 but it’s roots go back to 1775. Until that 1971 reorganization they received many tax subsidies, then they were gradually phased out.

Money

What if you are not able to drive remember this is a senior citizen 55+ community with no community travel.

That is why stamps to deliver to TV are less expensive than places with home delivery

My parents house had a mail slot in the wall. No mailboxes anywhere to be seen in the neighborhood. Wonder if that is common anywhere now.

If you can't get yourself to the postal station, then it would be silly to pay a premium to live in a place like TV, where not only the houses cost more for the benefit of living close to all of the amenities that provide access to an "active" senior lifestyle, but on top of that you have to pay nearly $200 per month in amenity fees to enjoy the facilities.

Most communities in this country don't provide public transportation, door-to-door, for shut-ins. When we get to the stage that we can't go pick up our own mail, it will be time to sell the home in TV, pocket the cash, and move to a different type of facility, depending upon our need for assistance at that time. Those facilities exist. TV is not one of them.

Very true! And some days, there are so many contractor trucks on the streets, that the mail delivery vehicles wouldn't have much of a path.

The postal stations are very convenient. If you take a day trip or go on vacation for a few days your mail is not piling up at you house. For long trips ask your carrier to hold your mail. I have met many nice people at the postal station. To the person who can't get to the mailbox ask a friend to get yours. We do that all the time in my neighborhood. Len

I felt the same way when I first visited friends many years ago. I thought, seriously? No way am I going to walk or drive every day to get my mail. Obviously, I decided to overlook it because I’m in my 3rd year here. I see now in the grand scheme of things, the mailbox situation is actually not a big deal and even a plus.

1. I don’t pick up my mail everyday because I don’t need to. It’s mostly junk. I do all my bill paying electronically.
2. I subscribe to USPS Informed Delivery. Every morning I get an email with photos of my mail for the day so I know if there is something I want to pick up right away.
3. I enjoy hopping in the golf cart to pick up mail. I often run into neighbors or meet people with their dogs. It can be a social encounter if you wish.
4. As someone else pointed out, it’s easy and convenient to stop for mail when out and about.
4. I can go away for a few days and my mail stays there safe and sound.

You do not live here, and constantly post the same complaint. You add no value with your posts.

That was what we were told by the Villages Sales rep and it sounded logical given how they designed the place

Our daughter lives in DC and very common to have a slot for mail in the front door.

If you are someone you know needs help getting mail, Caring Neighbors may be able to help:
https://www.uwls.org/sumter-senior-resources/

People in my neighborhood often pick up mail for each other when someone is out of town or injured.

Because letter carriers would walk across you lawn, and then you would complain about that !

I consider the method of mail delivery in TV to be another example of a well designed community. The postal stations are well located, and plentiful enough that there is seldom a difficult crowd to negotiate around, and close to the neighborhood pool, as well as a few other minor amenities. Between the DW and me, one of us is nearly everyday driving right past it. Very easy to pop in and get the mail.
The only minor inconvenience is that DW is very short and our box is on the top row, but that is balanced out by the very tall man we often meet there who has his box on the bottom row. I looked into switching with him, but the Postal Service doesn't have a way to do that. Well, I'm sure they do, but they don't want to be bothered with it.

For comparison, how is mail delivered where you live?

Uhhhh what?

Postal
 

Been here in DeLuna for a month and like the postal station for mail. Can pick up mail daily same time unlike up north sometimes not delivered until dark. Good idea.

Additional Post Office
 

While I like the stations, would like to see an additional post office in the newer areas. Currently the Post Office cannot hold any mail for those leaving the area for a week or so; anything placed in the larger boxes will be returned to sender after two days. Lady Lake says they cannot handle routine hold mail items.

A mail slot in the wall? One day someone is going to be doing renovation and find hundreds of old letters behind the drywall.

I had a condo in Miami, where there were fancy art deco style maildrops on each floor, but I can not see it working in a house. I am curious as to how this worked.

What do people in TV do if they are unable to physically go to the mail station perhaps bcs of a medical issue, inability to drive, etc? How do house bound Villagers get their mail?

Growing up on Long Island NY all homes in the area had a slot in the front door for mail.
When I moved into an apartment bldg we had a bank of locked mailboxes in a wall in the lobby near the elevator -- similar to what we have in TV except right inside the bldg. For the past 15 years I have been living in a 2-family townhouse with a mail slot in the door. Mail slots are convenient, safe/secure and are excellent if you can't get out for some reason. They do require hand delivery so work best in higher density areas.

I have never had to leave my abode to receive mail. This was a huge help during hard rain, heavy snow, the flu, broken leg/foot, etc. Now that we are older with potential physical issues in our future, we will have to somehow get to the mail station and I am wondering how.

i don't want a mailbox in my yard!

Boost to the economy
 

We could have ones that look like flamingos, alligators, golf bags, golf carts, canes, and Ooo, Ooo, Ooo! How about a pair of lovebugs! Stores would open to sell, booths at the squares!

I heard recently that the mailboxes are assigned by address and that can’t be changed. They’re actually designing the new stations differently now with the bottom row of mailboxes higher above the ground than the older ones. Not sure about the top row height though. I’ve heard some people bring step stools to stand on if they have a high mailbox.

Here in SoCal in our 50 y/o neighborhood we have a mailbox on the wall next to our front door, and some neighbors have a mail slot installed in their front door.

It's a small slot in the wall that goes from the outside to the inside of the house (or business).

The mailman puts the letter in the slot (outside) and it drops thru to the inside.

It was invented at least 45 years ago.

What they do is that they research the problem and find using Google that the USPS has anticipated such a problem and has a free easy solution for you.

USPS.com FAQs