Originally Posted by senior citizen (Post 554665)

Just curious as to how many of you looked at The Plantation in Leesburg prior to buying in The Villages? I do know that quite a few posters on TOTV actually live in The Plantation or elsewhere.

The chain of lakes would be a nice "plus". Unfortunately, we just drove past Leesburg but never had time to explore it as we did Mount Dora and Tavares.

In looking at the homes for sale, it seems that all building has stopped, although the homes appear to be fairly new and quite spacious at lower prices with, of course, less ammenities than TV offers.

Just wondering how close in actuality is Leesburg as far as being "their town"; population 18,000.

On our flight back north, we met a nice widowed lady enroute to visit her family in the farmlands above Albany, New York. I told her I'd save her a seat on the plane as we had the early boarding pass.......and I did.
She held my hand the entire time as she wasn't sure if we'd be landing back in snow or not............anyway, she really liked the Plantation, which she and her hubby found after touring the entire state of Florida when he retired from the police force.........

I've looked at the site, but although the golf course frontage pool homes are only $245,000 approx. with 2 and a half bathrooms, 3 bedrooms and large greenspaces around..........I'm wondering if someone would feel "stranded" out in the middle of nowhere..............or is it close to Leesburg ?????? Thanks in advance. It looks very "country" and green.

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry (Post 554667)

Not even close to what The Villages offer!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by 2 Oldcrabs (Post 554675)

We looked at about 10 other retirement communties within 30 mile of TV. They have larger lots and bigger houses for less money. But they are isolated and offer very little to do. Some looked like ghost towns in the summer. TV cost about 30% more but, as they say, you are buying a lifestyle not a house. Since my wife wanted to live in TV, it was still cheaper than a divorce!:what:

Originally Posted by mikeod (Post 554712)

I previously lived in an area without much public transportation and saw personally what happened to seniors when they lose their license to drive. They become dependent on friends or neighbors to accomplish simple tasks, such as grocery shopping, banking, doctor's visits, etc or they become reclusive. The way TV is organized with access to all these things by golf cart, and the proximity of neighbors who understand your limitations makes the possibility of losing driving privileges less stressful. That is a quality of life benefit that is well worth the extra cost of homes here.

My mother is approaching 90 and lives here in the same village as we do. When we were planning a trip overseas, we worried how she would do without us nearby. We shouldn't have been concerned. Our neighbors, unasked, constantly checked on her to see if she needed anything. We all watch out for each other.

Originally Posted by missypie (Post 554720)

Think I've said it once before on TOTV, NEVER did I want to move to Florida. I said it for years. Then hubby and I bought a lot in Fernandina. NOT because it is in Florida, but because it is The Villages.

I have the "better" house where I am, but TV is the lifestyle that we want not the house. We will still build a beautiful home in TV .

Good luck OP with your decision. We are all different and want different things in life. The blessings that we all have are immeasureable.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach (Post 554812)

OP might want to PM FaithfulFrank as he lives in the Plantations and could offer a resident's perspective. Also EdVinMass lives in Stonecrest. We looked in Stonecrest a couple years ago and liked what we saw, however we noticed that people were not "out and about", like they are in TV. We went into their rec center and there was not much going on and it did not compare with the big Villages rec centers. The kicker for us was the salesman kept pointing out to us that we could get to the villages by golf cart as a sales point! We were like, why would we want to buy a home in a community where the major advantage was the ability to get to the nearby community by golf cart by going behind Wal Mart....................

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 555167)

Thank you quiet successful rich brilliant Gary Morse, and to your dad Harold Schwartz and your kids too. It was such a great idea that you had that became this wonderful reality, THE VILLAGES.

Since you are 75 and live smack dab in the middle of this place in that huge plot of land....in my heart I know that what you have created gives you just as much satisfaction as the money...maybe more.

It would if it were me.

If you wanted fame, we would see you present at the rallies and stuff and see your picture in the paper. There isn't even a current picture of you on google. You deserve every penny of your financial success.

Somehow I know that you read this forum.

Thank you Gary Morse.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 555167)

Thank you quiet successful rich brilliant Gary Morse, and to your dad Harold Schwartz and your kids too. It was such a great idea that you had that became this wonderful reality, THE VILLAGES.
Since you are 75 and live smack dab in the middle of this place in that huge plot of land....in my heart I know that what you have created gives you just as much satisfaction as the money...maybe more.

It would if it were me.

If you wanted fame, we would see you present at the rallies and stuff and see your picture in the paper. There isn't even a current picture of you on google. You deserve every penny of your financial success.
Somehow I know that you read this forum.


Thank you Gary Morse.

Originally Posted by senior citizen (Post 554665)

Just curious as to how many of you looked at The Plantation in Leesburg prior to buying in The Villages? I do know that quite a few posters on TOTV actually live in The Plantation or elsewhere.

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank (Post 586705)

I've watched this thread off and on since it's start, but declined to comment. But since I was asked specifically I'll be glad to share our experience/perspective.

I'm a retired firefighter from western NY, and my former Captain bought a place in Hawthorne in Leesburg. He loves it there. Another firefighter I worked with visited him and bought a place in The Plantation. He returned to work and spoke about it daily.....My wife and I needed a vacation and we visited them down here, and we looked around a bit at some other communities and ended up buying the house across the street.

That was 5 years ago, and this last year I retired from the Fire Dept and brought my Home Inspector skills down here and started my business as a licensed Florida Home Inspector. My business has grown, and I now actually advertise here on TOTV, and have done many home inspections in The Villages as well as surrounding communities. D'Angelo Inspections LLC | Serving The Villages, Leesburg, Clermont, and Surrounding Areas 352-250-7818

When I bought here in The Plantation I did not even know about The Villages. I really like The Villages and are there very often doing inspections. It is an amazing one of a kind place and I've assisted many folks in buying there.

That being said, I also like The Plantation. I have a huge lot that backs up to a beautiful full time spring fed pond. I can fish in my backyard. No one can build next to me, and I do not feel "squished" between neighbors. Across the pond I can watch golfers put on a green.

My neighbors are wonderful, active, and many play golf and tennis daily. We have 2 nice full size golf courses, three large activity centers, fitness centers, pools, hot tubs, a great restaurant, etc,etc,etc.

Of course, this pales in comparison to The Villages. I would not even attempt to try to compare. We have about 3,000 homes here in about 21 little villages that are already fully built out, so no new homes are being built. The developer has turned the place over completely to the homeowners. There is no one time bond fee or anything. Our HOA fees are only $85.00 a month. My taxes this year were just over $1,000.00 (just paid them yesterday...lol)

Our HOA seems balanced, common sense and not too restrictive. They have a very good amount of money in the bank, and are continually improving the grounds, adding nice new stuff.

I like that WE own the place. I like the low HOA fees and the size of The Plantation is not huge. I love my big lot. I like that we have real security guards at the gates 24/7/365. From my driveway I am two miles from most all the shopping I need. I am 2 miles from the Turnpike.

I like the lack of traffic, especially during snowbird season. I do not feel like I need to lock our doors. I keep my garage door open much of the day when I'm home, as I'm always working on projects. I can walk our neighborhood in the middle of the night and not fear.

I've seen Bobcats and coyotes in the neighborhood, and have more often then not gators in my pond. I like them. (and no, I do not feed them!)

I drive my golf cart all over the place here, but of course not for shopping.

Folks are all different....if we were all the same life would be boring. I am happy here, and I think I'd be happy in The Villages. I have neighbors just up the street who did live in The Villages, did not like it at all and moved here.

The Villages is bigger, which is either good or bad dependent on our views. The Villages has much more to do....but we have a lot to do here also on a smaller scale. We too have many clubs, concerts, plays, etc.....not as much as The Villages of course, but remember, we are only 3000 homes. I go to the closest pool many times and find it all to myself. I like that. I do not like crowds and traffic that much.

Well, I hope that helps. Remember, I like both places and am not trying to compare or put one over the other. I only posted because I was asked.

Both places have free snow removal :D. Up in NY I paid over $6k in taxes, had potholes and rust everywhere and tons of snow, ice and cold. Both The Villages and The Plantation has none of that.

We are all blessed.....only 10 miles separate us and I consider many of you good friends and "just down the road" neighbors.

Frank

P.S....It is true that I once was a Moderator here, but had to give it up to devote more time to the business. I just did not want anyone to think I was still serving in that capacity. Thank you!

Originally Posted by 3puttharry (Post 586720)

Hi frank, glad you like it there. question? how much free golf do you get for your two 18 hole courses? As an aside, I am an avid golfer. hv played both of your courses and although i get confused as which one is which but I will never play one of them again. As far as real estate investing, why does the plantation now allow outsiders to play both courses? Is it possible that the average plantation age is going up every year thus golf membership/revenue is going down? IMO, nothing beats the villages

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank (Post 586705)

I've watched this thread off and on since it's start, but declined to comment. But since I was asked specifically I'll be glad to share our experience/perspective.

I'm a retired firefighter from western NY, and my former Captain bought a place in Hawthorne in Leesburg. He loves it there. Another firefighter I worked with visited him and bought a place in The Plantation. He returned to work and spoke about it daily.....My wife and I needed a vacation and we visited them down here, and we looked around a bit at some other communities and ended up buying the house across the street.

That was 5 years ago, and this last year I retired from the Fire Dept and brought my Home Inspector skills down here and started my business as a licensed Florida Home Inspector. My business has grown, and I now actually advertise here on TOTV, and have done many home inspections in The Villages as well as surrounding communities. D'Angelo Inspections LLC | Serving The Villages, Leesburg, Clermont, and Surrounding Areas 352-250-7818

When I bought here in The Plantation I did not even know about The Villages. I really like The Villages and are there very often doing inspections. It is an amazing one of a kind place and I've assisted many folks in buying there.

That being said, I also like The Plantation. I have a huge lot that backs up to a beautiful full time spring fed pond. I can fish in my backyard. No one can build next to me, and I do not feel "squished" between neighbors. Across the pond I can watch golfers put on a green.

My neighbors are wonderful, active, and many play golf and tennis daily. We have 2 nice full size golf courses, three large activity centers, fitness centers, pools, hot tubs, a great restaurant, etc,etc,etc.

Of course, this pales in comparison to The Villages. I would not even attempt to try to compare. We have about 3,000 homes here in about 21 little villages that are already fully built out, so no new homes are being built. The developer has turned the place over completely to the homeowners. There is no one time bond fee or anything. Our HOA fees are only $85.00 a month. My taxes this year were just over $1,000.00 (just paid them yesterday...lol)

Our HOA seems balanced, common sense and not too restrictive. They have a very good amount of money in the bank, and are continually improving the grounds, adding nice new stuff.

I like that WE own the place. I like the low HOA fees and the size of The Plantation is not huge. I love my big lot. I like that we have real security guards at the gates 24/7/365. From my driveway I am two miles from most all the shopping I need. I am 2 miles from the Turnpike.

I like the lack of traffic, especially during snowbird season. I do not feel like I need to lock our doors. I keep my garage door open much of the day when I'm home, as I'm always working on projects. I can walk our neighborhood in the middle of the night and not fear.

I've seen Bobcats and coyotes in the neighborhood, and have more often then not gators in my pond. I like them. (and no, I do not feed them!)

I drive my golf cart all over the place here, but of course not for shopping.

Folks are all different....if we were all the same life would be boring. I am happy here, and I think I'd be happy in The Villages. I have neighbors just up the street who did live in The Villages, did not like it at all and moved here.

The Villages is bigger, which is either good or bad dependent on our views. The Villages has much more to do....but we have a lot to do here also on a smaller scale. We too have many clubs, concerts, plays, etc.....not as much as The Villages of course, but remember, we are only 3000 homes. I go to the closest pool many times and find it all to myself. I like that. I do not like crowds and traffic that much.

Well, I hope that helps. Remember, I like both places and am not trying to compare or put one over the other. I only posted because I was asked.

Both places have free snow removal :D. Up in NY I paid over $6k in taxes, had potholes and rust everywhere and tons of snow, ice and cold. Both The Villages and The Plantation has none of that.

We are all blessed.....only 10 miles separate us and I consider many of you good friends and "just down the road" neighbors.

Frank

P.S....It is true that I once was a Moderator here, but had to give it up to devote more time to the business. I just did not want anyone to think I was still serving in that capacity. Thank you!

Originally Posted by senior citizen (Post 554665)

Just curious as to how many of you looked at The Plantation in Leesburg prior to buying in The Villages? I do know that quite a few posters on TOTV actually live in The Plantation or elsewhere.

The chain of lakes would be a nice "plus". Unfortunately, we just drove past Leesburg but never had time to explore it as we did Mount Dora and Tavares.

In looking at the homes for sale, it seems that all building has stopped, although the homes appear to be fairly new and quite spacious at lower prices with, of course, less ammenities than TV offers.

Just wondering how close in actuality is Leesburg as far as being "their town"; population 18,000.

On our flight back north, we met a nice widowed lady enroute to visit her family in the farmlands above Albany, New York. I told her I'd save her a seat on the plane as we had the early boarding pass.......and I did.
She held my hand the entire time as she wasn't sure if we'd be landing back in snow or not............anyway, she really liked the Plantation, which she and her hubby found after touring the entire state of Florida when he retired from the police force.........

I've looked at the site, but although the golf course frontage pool homes are only $245,000 approx. with 2 and a half bathrooms, 3 bedrooms and large greenspaces around..........I'm wondering if someone would feel "stranded" out in the middle of nowhere..............or is it close to Leesburg ?????? Thanks in advance. It looks very "country" and green.

Originally Posted by senior citizen (Post 554665)

Just curious as to how many of you looked at The Plantation in Leesburg prior to buying in The Villages? I do know that quite a few posters on TOTV actually live in The Plantation or elsewhere.

The chain of lakes would be a nice "plus". Unfortunately, we just drove past Leesburg but never had time to explore it as we did Mount Dora and Tavares.

In looking at the homes for sale, it seems that all building has stopped, although the homes appear to be fairly new and quite spacious at lower prices with, of course, less ammenities than TV offers.

Just wondering how close in actuality is Leesburg as far as being "their town"; population 18,000.

On our flight back north, we met a nice widowed lady enroute to visit her family in the farmlands above Albany, New York. I told her I'd save her a seat on the plane as we had the early boarding pass.......and I did.
She held my hand the entire time as she wasn't sure if we'd be landing back in snow or not............anyway, she really liked the Plantation, which she and her hubby found after touring the entire state of Florida when he retired from the police force.........

I've looked at the site, but although the golf course frontage pool homes are only $245,000 approx. with 2 and a half bathrooms, 3 bedrooms and large greenspaces around..........I'm wondering if someone would feel "stranded" out in the middle of nowhere..............or is it close to Leesburg ?????? Thanks in advance. It looks very "country" and green.

Originally Posted by senior citizen (Post 554722)

Excellent response and very important consideration. Thankyou.

Originally Posted by mikeod (Post 554712)

I previously lived in an area without much public transportation and saw personally what happened to seniors when they lose their license to drive. They become dependent on friends or neighbors to accomplish simple tasks, such as grocery shopping, banking, doctor's visits, etc or they become reclusive. The way TV is organized with access to all these things by golf cart, and the proximity of neighbors who understand your limitations makes the possibility of losing driving privileges less stressful. That is a quality of life benefit that is well worth the extra cost of homes here.

My mother is approaching 90 and lives here in the same village as we do. When we were planning a trip overseas, we worried how she would do without us nearby. We shouldn't have been concerned. Our neighbors, unasked,
constantly checked on her to see if she needed anything. We all watch out for each other.

Originally Posted by 3puttharry (Post 587929)

Do you have Pickelball? If so, how may courts?

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 586924)

Thanks Frank, that is very fair reporting. I thought you were still a Moderator on TOTV. I didn't realize you had started a Home Inspection Business. My husband, Fireboy, just retired in January. I hope he doesn't hear about what you're doing or he'll be wanting to do the same thing!

Your home sounds wonderful, fishing in the back yard, great. I think a lot of people are finding the size of The Villages has become a bit daunting, so it's nice to know that homes in smaller communities are for sale close by. But the shopping by golf cart is a perk that most of us enjoy a lot.

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank (Post 586705)

I've watched this thread off and on since it's start, but declined to comment. But since I was asked specifically I'll be glad to share our experience/perspective.

I'm a retired firefighter from western NY, and my former Captain bought a place in Hawthorne in Leesburg. He loves it there. Another firefighter I worked with visited him and bought a place in The Plantation. He returned to work and spoke about it daily.....My wife and I needed a vacation and we visited them down here, and we looked around a bit at some other communities and ended up buying the house across the street.

That was 5 years ago, and this last year I retired from the Fire Dept and brought my Home Inspector skills down here and started my business as a licensed Florida Home Inspector. My business has grown, and I now actually advertise here on TOTV, and have done many home inspections in The Villages as well as surrounding communities. D'Angelo Inspections LLC | Serving The Villages, Leesburg, Clermont, and Surrounding Areas 352-250-7818

When I bought here in The Plantation I did not even know about The Villages. I really like The Villages and are there very often doing inspections. It is an amazing one of a kind place and I've assisted many folks in buying there.

That being said, I also like The Plantation. I have a huge lot that backs up to a beautiful full time spring fed pond. I can fish in my backyard. No one can build next to me, and I do not feel "squished" between neighbors. Across the pond I can watch golfers put on a green.

My neighbors are wonderful, active, and many play golf and tennis daily. We have 2 nice full size golf courses, three large activity centers, fitness centers, pools, hot tubs, a great restaurant, etc,etc,etc.

Of course, this pales in comparison to The Villages. I would not even attempt to try to compare. We have about 3,000 homes here in about 21 little villages that are already fully built out, so no new homes are being built. The developer has turned the place over completely to the homeowners. There is no one time bond fee or anything. Our HOA fees are only $85.00 a month. My taxes this year were just over $1,000.00 (just paid them yesterday...lol)

Our HOA seems balanced, common sense and not too restrictive. They have a very good amount of money in the bank, and are continually improving the grounds, adding nice new stuff.

I like that WE own the place. I like the low HOA fees and the size of The Plantation is not huge. I love my big lot. I like that we have real security guards at the gates 24/7/365. From my driveway I am two miles from most all the shopping I need. I am 2 miles from the Turnpike.

I like the lack of traffic, especially during snowbird season. I do not feel like I need to lock our doors. I keep my garage door open much of the day when I'm home, as I'm always working on projects. I can walk our neighborhood in the middle of the night and not fear.

I've seen Bobcats and coyotes in the neighborhood, and have more often then not gators in my pond. I like them. (and no, I do not feed them!)

I drive my golf cart all over the place here, but of course not for shopping.

Folks are all different....if we were all the same life would be boring. I am happy here, and I think I'd be happy in The Villages. I have neighbors just up the street who did live in The Villages, did not like it at all and moved here.

The Villages is bigger, which is either good or bad dependent on our views. The Villages has much more to do....but we have a lot to do here also on a smaller scale. We too have many clubs, concerts, plays, etc.....not as much as The Villages of course, but remember, we are only 3000 homes. I go to the closest pool many times and find it all to myself. I like that. I do not like crowds and traffic that much.

Well, I hope that helps. Remember, I like both places and am not trying to compare or put one over the other. I only posted because I was asked.

Both places have free snow removal :D. Up in NY I paid over $6k in taxes, had potholes and rust everywhere and tons of snow, ice and cold. Both The Villages and The Plantation has none of that.

We are all blessed.....only 10 miles separate us and I consider many of you good friends and "just down the road" neighbors.

Frank

P.S....It is true that I once was a Moderator here, but had to give it up to devote more time to the business. I just did not want anyone to think I was still serving in that capacity. Thank you!

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 586646)

I believe that Frank, one of the Moderators of TOTV, lives in The Plantation. I'd love to hear his input.