Driving in the Villages?
 

I really dislike driving and have problems with it. Would love to know more about the transportation in TV.

Is it possible to get by easily without a car?

Is a walk to the town center and other locations doable from many of the homes?

Are the golf carts easy to use and to get around with or does it get pretty rough in some areas?

What is driving like in TV?

How is the bus system?

Thanks so much!

I sent a private message.

if one knows before they choose their location there are any number of choices available to live a life style that excludes having a car. The location would/could vary depending on one's choices such as to have a golf cart or not.

If it were not for the fact that we do a lot of traveling we would have a golf cart and one of those mini sized, high mileage grocery getters (for the longer than golf cart, local, day trip outtings).

btk

You will have to drive to get around here. The Villages is a BIG place, I think the right figure is 17 miles from bow to stern.

Even if you do not have a car, a golf cart requires just as many driving skills without the protection of all that metal.

Think and think again before moving here because you will have to drive something to get what you need and see what you want to see and do what you want to do.

That said, welcome, and come and see for yourself, but please learn to drive comfortably, before driving a cart, for your safety and all of ours.

might want to rent off season for a month or so and see how you get along

The Villages is a huge city, without a lot of public transportation. Without a car or golf cart, getting around would be difficult. If you wanted to stick with one small area, and you bought a home close to Spanish Springs, there are a lot of stores and medical offices in that area. Of course, there are taxi companies here, but that could get expensive.

I had a visiting relative for about 6 months in the Villages...
 

...who used the Sumter County Transit Service quite a bit. They did come to the door to get him. I remember that he could even get to Bushnell via a bus for a small charge.

http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/index.aspx?nid=95

Villages FL-Golf Cart-Auto Mechanic-Car Rental-Car Wash-Motorcycle

BUT....it isn't simple and easy and not likely to change into a place where public transportation is simple and easy.

You KNOW I think this is a wonderful place but may not be for everyone.

I just don't like to have someone move here to be disenchanted.

They do prioritize their trips for Sumter County Transit. I doubt if you could use it just to go to movies, the Squares, etc. on a regular basis. It was good for medical appointments or other necessary visits for my relative. http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/index.aspx?nid=95

I travel by golf cart 95% of the time. I only use the car to go to Lowes, Home Depot or travel outside The Villages. I love my golf cart! If only there were golf cart paths up I95!

The OP said that they don't like driving and have problems with it. I think this probably applies to golf carts as well as cars, but perhaps not.

You will need to drive something cart, car plus if you come from a part of the country without round-a-bouts you will need to learn to navigate them. That was the biggest driving adjustment for us

Just to clarify I do drive a car. I just strongly prefer not to drive - had a bad situation some years ago. I don't mind so much if the driving is within a neighborhood but do not like highways, busy streets or long road stretches.

So it sounds like driving is involved either golf cart or car, how easy is the driving if one stays in TV? What is the general speed limit?
In general can one walk to a recreation center and other activities?

Also on the golf cars do people drive these to the night activities? What about when it rains are they still used? And how hard is it to find parking?

Thank you so much.

I am sure I will have to do some driving, but would Spanish Springs be the best section to consider for the least driving possible or are there other areas also?

I would love to be able to walk to town for breakfast or shopping or do a very short hop in cart.

Go to cartingthevillages.com This is an awesome website designed by a Villager.

Definitely the Spanish Springs area would be the best section to consider. It is more like a small town with everything you would need on a daily basis. You could walk to town for meals and shopping and groceries. You could walk to Chula Vista rec center for the adult pool, pickle ball, tennis, etc, or you could walk to Hacienda rec center for exercise classes, tennis, pickle ball, etc.

Within a two mile radius you could get to the hospital, churches, bowling alleys, exercise center, and other shopping such as Target, Walgreen's, etc.

Getting around by golf cart is easy in this area as there are golf cart paths, and parking is no problem. Most carts come with a rain enclosure and lights for driving after dark.

Once you get the hang of driving a golf cart, you can even travel as far as Wal-Mart, Lowes, and Bell's on a cart.

Sounds good and thank you. Is it the same situation with the other town area (I think it is called Sumpters) or is the Spanish Springs area most condusive to walking?

Are there new builds in the SS area or mainly resales?

And finally what is actual driving a car like in TV? Is it slow thru neighborhoods? Or pretty busy streets. Was wondering what speed limit is for most streets.

Thank you so much!

Thanks - checking it out now.

The Spanish Springs area was developed in the late 1980's, so only resales are available. Lake Sumter Landing opened in 2004, has many restaurants, shops, movie theater and a grocery store, but no churches, fitness center, bowling alley.

Every village around Lake Sumter Landing has it's own adult pool at the mailbox, and there are regional recreation centers with sports pools, and all other sports activities.

Some streets are busier than others. I think the max speed limit is now 25mph.