Should I avoid some Villages?
 

Everyone from a big city knows, there are some places you avoid, and some places you don't want to live; some are even nice areas, but they are close to not so nice areas.

While I understand there's probably nothing bad within TV, I am concerned about surrounding areas. Even bubbles have edges.

There are "bad edges" everywhere in Florida. Once living in the state you will know where not to venture. All of the villages within TV are safe. You can easily look up crime statistics for all of the surrounding communities.

I would worry less about the edges of the bubble than the noise coming from nearby highways, cart paths, pickleball courts, etc. Before buying, take some time in front and back yards and listen to the background noise. Lawnmowers, power washers can be heard anywhere. Having played golf on Southern Oaks, I would hate to live that close to the turnpike.

I recall that Talk Host had moved too close to the train tracks in the northwestern part of the Villages. And I have heard that some places near Florida turnpike can be rather noisy. And some areas have problems with lights.

Having grown up in North Minneapolis, I think I know what you are referring to and would be happy to tell you that you won't really find that here. Take the advice of others and spend sometime in the area you think you want to live in. Do it at different times of the day and have an idea of what's most important to you, if its quietness, close to things or maybe you don't mind a little drive to get to something.

The biggest thing I had to get used to here when moving from Mpls, was this is more like a small town. Outside of the big box stores, many things close early and are not open on the weekends or sometimes just not on Sunday's. Great example is Hardware stores, I love going to Ace but if I don't get there before 6pm or if it's Sunday, I need to plan to go to Lowe's or Home Depot....

I personally would avoid being too close to the turnpike or quarry but we are all different and what we would do others might not

I also did not want to be on an edge of The Villages. The reason mostly being any non-Villages property could be developed into anything. A beautiful country view could turn into high rise apartments or a restaurant, or anything. If you purchase within a Village you will be able to see what you get.

One other word of caution: be wary of any location that has an open field behind it. In the future you will have no idea of what might end up in that field and you will have no control over that change unless you buy the field. This would generally apply to locations along the outside of the villages, but there are occasional interior lots NOT owned by the villages and therefore not under their control.

That’s very good advice. Parcels of land can also have their zoning changed, so don’t rely on current zoning status as protection. I will add that depending on your interests and preferred lifestyle, different parts of the Villages might be either more, or less, appealing to you.

If you're talking about crime, then this is a safe place. Outside of the bubble is like any other town, has its ups and downs.

Correct
Although I think if your property backs up to the power lines and the acreage around it...youre probably good on future development.

Up front I will say the The Villages, as a whole, is a very safe and comfortable place to retire to and live. We bought back in 2006 and were snowbirds until making things full time in 2012. Add another 12 years (really how possible) and we still love living here. We were young 52 and 51 and felt like the odd ones. Never was a problem with great neighbors and eventually friends.

There should be a place and situation for anyone who desires a nice life and comfortable surroundings. This just could be it.

True but who wants to be on top of a power line

That’s why we bought with a wildlife preserve behind us. It can’t be developed, it’s part of the flood control system, without power lines but full of a beautiful variety of wildlife.

We did the 3rd time around as well. Best decision ever.

I’d stay out of Orlando:22yikes: don’t believe me watch Orlando news.

I would avoid the Village of Winifred.
Priciest place to buy in TV!

You’ll be fine here no worries…….know if you own a dog and you let it take a crap in yard that’s another story !!

If you are talking about Crime, there are no villages you need to avoid, the entire Villages is very safe.

There are personal reasons you may want to avoid certain lots; but that. Is up to you - everyone has their own reasons.

I thought OP was asking about is it Safe outside of the bubble of TV. Not what warnings of what village to live in, due to ________ don’t buy there.


So OP I will give you places We don’t feel comfortable driving, because if you are in TV walking it would take a long while to be out of the edges:pepper2:

Inside TV we still have a fair amount of wildlife, bear, bird of prey, bobcats, coyotes, fox and of course gators. Walking early morning or evening one should always be careful especially the woods, ponds, and the prairies.

Once you are outside of the bubble some neighborhoods, say behind Russell Stover make me a little uneasy. Wildwood Post office is in a strip mall, with an Ace hardware, that we frequent, we used to go to restaurant and little shops on 301 Wildwood, but parking was a nightmare. As I type they are building a prefab 2 story parking garage, but many little businesses have closed. But you have Miz Cathy’s, thrift shop, and the train store. Hopefully with the parking some mom and pop will come back.
Really outside of TV, Once a month we go to Gainesville and enjoy restaurants and shopping. Clermont, we go to Costco, 5/3 bank and restaurants. Disney is 50 minutes along with the rest of the parks. We travel occasionally to Ocala, and Orlando, like any city some parts are not where I want to be day or night.

But once thing to consider living in TV, pretty much anything you need is within TV bubble. Yes if you live south of 44 it will take you 20-40 minutes to go to the northern areas, but compared to our northern house quality shopping was more than an hour.

You may want to avoid areas where city taxes apply. Some villages are within city limits of Wildwood, Fruitland Park and others. Not only will you pay county property tax but also a city tax with no added benefits. Also some areas have higher bonds than others.

"Having grown up in North Minneapolis, I think I know what you are referring to and would be happy to tell you that you won't really find that here."

so, what is in north Minneapolis, that this person would not find here, and you think the person is referring to? can you enlighten me?

That is a very good suggestion.

We bought our house in Osceola Hills in 2016. We pay tax to Sumter County but we pay no city tax.

In 2016, The Villages was also building new houses in Pine Ridge and Pine Hills. However, those houses were located in the city of Fruitland Park, and the owners have to pay a yearly tax to that city.

I recall a posting in which a new owner in St. Catherine complained about paying tax to the city of Wildwood. He said, "Why should I pay tax to Wildwood when it is several miles away from our house?'

I responded, "Go out your front door and look around. You are in Wildwood. You just didn't know it."

Think less about crime and what a village has/doesn't have. For example, we wanted a gas stove and prefer gas appliances to electric. When we started looking Chitty-Chatty was being built and looked there. Loved the village....but no gas.

We wanted to be closer to a turnpike on ramp, 301, and 75, so that put us on the west side of the Villages verses in the middle of The Villages.

As others have said, I'd stay away from open non-Villages fields behind you.....know exactly what is all around your home.

I think we all know what the poster was referring to.....


North Minneapolis | CURA Twin Cities Gentrification Project

really? you are speaking for the o.p. and everyone else here? I have no idea what he was asking, and referring to. I asked the o.p.
thank you very much

Just a minor correction… the train store (Nick’s Trains) closed many months ago. The owner moved to another location.

I’ve lived in two homes in my four years here. First was in Tierra del Sol South a couple hundred yards north of 466. Now I live in a courtyard villa five minutes north of the intersection of Buena Vista and 466A. I have NEVER seen a mosquito at either place. I think they get sprayed with insecticides. However, I have seen them near lakes and ponds north of 44 and at homes near them. South of 44, there seem to be mosquitoes at every home I’ve visited, including those not near water. I’d say that south of that line, you may want a birdcage if you are going spend time outside. Not necessary where I live.

Also, if you want a water view, bear in mind that what looks like water on maps may actually be a retention pond that is covered with vegetation and is home to lots of birds, bugs, reptiles, and mammals, from mice to bobcats. If you want to attract birds and other critters with a feeder, that is the place to be. Where I live, I never see a bird except mockingbirds. Nothing for them to eat.

I'm familiar with the Twin Cities....our daughter used to live in "North" as they call it. We have other family members and friends who live in the "Cities" as well. We once did but it was in the early 70's. Back to our daughter during the day, in their neighborhood, it was quiet and lovely but once in awhile in the evening I remember hearing gun-fire and once looking out a man was walking in the alley and was staggering. He either was on drugs or alcohol or both. The grocery store also seemed sketchy in many ways. I was happy when they moved. I'm sure many areas have changed up there, that once were beautiful and safer than other areas. IF you've not visited here then don't over-think. We've been here nearly 15 yrs. Certain areas of Wildwood and Leesburg (or any city for that matter---any state or FL) has areas not to go to if it's worrisome to you. We're relatively safe in The Villages.

Is there a huge financial risk if the CDD that got sued over the white crosses?
If CDD does not win, are they on the hook for big$ lawyer costs, and damages? Are they already on the hook for their lawyer costs even if they lose because homeowner may not have $ to pay?
Wouldn't all the residents of that CDD have to pay?

So I would avoid buying there. Not worth the risk to me.

I guess that answers the question..........

They purposely put the golf course directly beside the turnpike to act as a buffer for the homes.

Pay attention to the utility company servicing the area and the local town and county taxes. Cost can vary.

I'm not speaking for the OP...or you! One drops an ambiguous post and another does what many others did....searched it. So like you, cant wait for the answer...

Yet, there are lots of homes that are not buffered at all. Those homes are a stone’s throw to the Turnpike. I have seen those home as we drive by. All the discounts in the world would never entice me to purchase a home that sits so close to the Turnpike. But…… that’s just me.

Ask about bad smells
 

Stay away from the stinky water treatment plant on Buena Vista behind Bacall Golf course!

I would also be aware that occasionally the developer decides to do something else with the land they own. Ask the people that live by the Hacienda Championship course how that goes.

Take everything you know about being from a big city and throw it in the trash! You’re not in Kansas anymore! There isn’t a bad area here. Depends on what you’re looking for! If you want brand new, then you will go South of 44. Want to be close to shopping? north of 44 would be your thing. When speaking to a Villager, they will say they live in the best Village! And that’s true! Enjoy!

I personally would avoid buying next to a pickleball court. The noise from pickleball can grate on one’s nerves.

There are definitely some very depressed areas just on the other side of the fence from the Villages. You rarely, if ever hear of any property crime. Bad news is not good for selling houses. Check local counties to find crime stats. The streets and town squares are public so you are not in a gated, isolated community. Any one can access the Villages. Best advice we got - rent first. Acquaint yourself with the area more thoroughly before buying. The place is so huge, and growing day by day. It is hard to take it in until you are able to spend some time. Good luck.