Why are there no condominiums in TV?
 

There are about 35,000 detached houses and still coming more, but not a single condo. Why? Condos have their advantages. Especially for the large amount of part-time residents. They don’t have to worry about garden and maintenance.

With condos, more people can live closer to preferred locations like squares with restaurants, recreational areas with pools, lake side, shopping areas, golf course, etc.

Instead of staring at the neighbours’ house wall, you have a beautiful view with a condo.

And not to neglect, condos in general are cheaper than detached houses.

I personally prefer condos. What about you?

Think they built a few over by the Spanish Springs Square. Don't know why they didn't build more after that.

There are two story villas near Spanish Springs that I THINK are attached to each other. They were built and then not continued.

I am not sure how people maintain the outside or if there is any shared space on the outside to maintain.

The Morses must have found some flaw in that concept.

I dunno why there are no condos.

I kinda like my air space all around me. But everyone is different.

How do you treat a home if it has bugs if it is attached to another home? Silly thing to think about, but it comes to my mind........

AND.............Welcome to the forum Swissy. Have you visited The Villages yet?

There are some condos in TV, but very few. They're located adjacent to Spanish Springs. All two story townhomes, I believe. I don't know that they're set up with a separate condo association or anything.

They were priced pretty darned high when first marketed. I think that was a big factor in what kept them from selling well.

Bill

condos in SS
 

There are three groups of VILLAs surrounding SS (approx. 25-50 units ea.)....Each unit has a single story (2 bdrm) on either side...Prices around $350,000 -$400,000 (some as high as $600,000 on lake near Hacienda Rec.)....Also at Glenview (overlooking range), same floor plan in most....We actually almost bought one.....Nice layout, we liked the two story, very large bedrooms, nice foyer, dining room that could easily be converted to additional TV room (We are not into formal dining), Garage and half...The Villas in the middle, actually have a 3 story in some of their units, although I'm not sure anyone who is retired would want to struggle with those steps...Maintenance fee quoted to us was $150, but may have changed during this market....Kitchens needed updating (No stainless). All furnished.

Seems to me that many of the courtyard and patio villa neighborhoods could have been developed into condos. Agree with Gracie that there must have been some reason that concept wasn't used. Conflict of rules/regulations maybe? HOA vs TV? Who would really be "in charge" and could the HOA overrule TV?

You answered your own question that they are cheaper and bring in more people. We don't have the amenities to support the influx. We don't need more people and we certainly don't want properties that may bring down our home values. Have you looked around lately to see how many people are already in the Villages? Condos would give us greater density and crowd our open spaces. Open space and the beauty of the golf courses and nature preserves are why I moved here. If you want condos go to south Fl. but keep the suggestion of having condos to yourself. Additionally we don't need another HOA/Condo association dictating our lifestyle.

Spanish Springs Villas
 

Here are several Spanish Springs Villas and a Glenbrook Villa listed to give you an idea of what they are like.
I really like the floor plans.

http://www.thevillages.com/homes/vls/search_new.asp
http://www.thevillages.com/homes/vls...asp?vls=208903

My SIL was very interested in one of those townhomes near SS a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly, the monthly maintenance fee, including insurance, was $350 in addition to the amenities fee. Yikes. And the places needed upgrading.

Villas of Spanish Springs Condominium Owners Association.

http://www.corporationwiki.com/graph...px?id=18611131

I don't usually speak so bluntly, but I have to agree.:agree:

My guess would be that the developer would not want to deal with florida's VERY restrictive condo law. He loses a great deal of the control he has everywhere else

No stairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you pointed out, this was designed to be a retirement community. As people age (or are already aged), stair climbing is increasingly difficult, if not downright impossible (or safe).

Hi Lady - I thought cyv and patio viollas were sprinkled throughout all the neighborhoods.. Are there specific neighborhoods for JUST cyv? can you tell me the neighborhoods the courtyard and patio villas are in? thanks !

I may be wrong, but I think the condos at SS were built to house the professional lady golfers when the LPGA had The Villages on their schedule. The Villages was also part of the Profeesional Bowler Association for a few years. As The Villages has grown, they have quit sponsoring those events.

I had thought they were places for people on their lifestyle visit at one time, like the elegant Cottages at Lake Sumter Landing. Just two years ago when we were looking there were a lot just put on the market.

i agree!

1998 Samsung LPGA in The Villages- after the tournament, they were used for lifestyle visits. That was also back when visitors were given Village Dollars with Harold's picture on front to spend anywhere in The Villages during visit. Those were the days.

[QUOTE=GatorFan;324975]I may be wrong, but I think the condos at SS were built to house the professional lady golfers when the LPGA had The Villages on their schedule. The Villages was also part of the Profeesional Bowler Association for a few years. As The Villages has grown, they have quit sponsoring those events.[/QUOT

We stayed in the Condos in SS in 2000 when we first visited The Villages.They picked us up in a big white Limo at the Orlando airport and we also were given half of what the week's fee was in Village dollars. The condos were very nice but the steps would be a killer now 11 years later

I prefer a house...gn

Freedom Pointe, located within The Villages are considered condos with full access to all of the amenities in The Villages.

http://www.seniorhousingnet.com/seni...l_32159-563380

"Freedom Pointe at The Villages provides a luxurious condominium atmosphere in the unique environment that only The Villages can offer. If you love the active independent lifestyle that The Villages provides with the peace of mind and security that a continuing care retirement community gives then Freedom Pointe at The Villages is for you.

You will enjoy totally independent living in your own private condominium: care free, no household chores or home maintenance to steal hours from your golf game or other fun pursuits."

Isn't Freedom Pointe more of an advanced age and medical needs facility?

Here's how they describe themselves "55+ Lifestyles, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care, Nursing Care, Continuing Care."

I don't know. I knew a wealthy couple (both healthy) who moved into a similar facility in Rye NY that had continuing care on the premises. Their reasoning: a luxurious home with no maintenance, a gourmet dining room (no need to cook). He died a few years later, she continues to live there as far as I know.

First of all, this is a strange attitude for someone who lives in “Florida’s friendliest home town”. You manage to get yourself into TV and the first thing you want to do is lock the gates so no one else can get in.

Secondly, a condominium is a form of real estate ownership and has nothing whatsoever to do with the style of construction or the density of the population, or the price for that matter. In fact, the condominium I just sold in Massachusetts consisted of 26 units on 24 acres of land and it sold for a price that was a lot higher than the single family home I purchased down here.

And other than a high rise style, I don't know how you could possibly get any more dense than the courtyard villas that already exist in TV.

My mother in law lived in such a facility for several years. Whenever we would stay to have dinner with her in the dining room, we were surrounded by people of all ages and health conditions. Some of the residents in the dining room were really infirmed and on medical support equipment. There was little mistake about where we were.

JLK

I have a neighbor behind me who must be deaf as a post and blasts his TV - I can hear it across the backyards. Can you imagine having a common wall with him in a condo?

The different levels of care are in different buildings, so the "independent living" apartments at Freedom Pointe do not have the atmosphere of a nursing home. They provide meals, cleaning etc., but no health care or nursing assistance. If you need that you can move to the Homewood assisted living building (but there are only 30+ apartments there) and if you have Alzheimers or other memory problems there is a separate building that is totally secure and even smaller (12-15 residents.) The new building across from the hospital is for nursing and rehab with 80 beds or so. All are operated by the same company -- Brookdale.

I agree
 

I agree 100%. Greater density is what many of us left in cities and suburbs. Rec facilities are already full enough and for some activities, too full.

I looked at one in glenview, needed updating but the biggest turn off was the stairs, very steep!!dsned

Basic reason, I guess, is that most people when they get to be age 55 or higher, do NOT want to climb stairs.

The VIllages is an upscale community of single family homes with the exception of very few townhomes (carriage houses). No apartment, no condos, etc.

This is an old post from January. I believe what the original poster had in mind was not townhomes but a high rise condo. No steps to climb. This would be more like a 10 level building like the condos in larger cities. I am somewhat doubtful that the ground composition in the TV area would support such a building without a lot of costly support structure build deep into the ground. It would be an easier life style for singles with limited home maintenance skills especially as we reach the age where any chore is difficult.
You would only need to maintain the interior of your unit and the condo association could help with providing recommended/approved maintenance sources.

gee...and I was just beginning to feel welcome :(

Hahaha, maybe a prune therapy would help them out with that Condo phobia. LOL

I consider Freedom Pointe a condo living area. Eventually they will build part two next door where the buffalo used to roam - if they can ever fill the original building.

Aw Trish you will always be welcome at my home.....well, after I get there anyway. Oh wait since it is college football season maybe I should ask which MI school is your team......
Suzanne

Michigan, of course....maize and blue!! (hope I'm still welcome :) )

:oops: Well I guess as long as you can handle some GREEN and WHITE......:icon_wink:
Suzanne

Spanish springs condos
 

[quote=schotzyb;325028]I own one of these condos. Great floor plan and the stairs are not a problem as the mbr. is on first floor. Upstairs br. and loft are for guests (usually a lot younger) Very well insulated, never hear anything from neighbors unit other than the Courtyard. Some nights we can hear music from the square if we are sitting in the Courtyard but it is not too loud. Location can't be beat in my opinion.

I really feel the posters main issue was wanting to go away and know that the landscaping and upkeep were being done without him worrying about it. That can be acomplished easily if you hire a crew and ask a friend or neighbor to check it once in a while (of course, you must return the favor!). The lack of maintenance is the main reason most people choose condo living. If he truly does want a high rise...there are lots and lots all along the coasts to choose from. This is just another example of one of my pet peeves...choosing to live in an area, knowing all there is to know about it, purchasing a home then B****ing about it! We have friends that bought a condo in an active complex near Fort Lauderdale and they love it (of course, they haven't been to TV yet!) Oh, one other thing..Momesu..I can handle the colors if you can! Have you been watching the Tigers???