Considering a Courtyard Villa
 

My wife and I will be visting in April and the Courtyard Villas seem to be a good alternative since we will only be there six months out of the year. I was wondering how people that had purchased one like or dislike them and why. Thanks for any insight you may be able to shed.

WE love our CYV. First bought a small 3br when we were snowbirds. Upon moving here full time we moved to a larger CYV(1600+sq ft) We have owned 7 other larger homes with yards and large lots. We now love the freedom from most outside work except that which we enjoy. The privacy is outstanding. The closeness of the neighbors makes it a much friendlier place(at least for us) and we know almost every family in the neighborhood.

Ive always believed that God deemed it just as virtuous to play golf(or whatever) as it is to do yardwork.

I have rented CYs a couple of time and loved it. I decided to build a larger home after hearing so many stories how people started with a smaller home and resized up 3 times. Suggest thinking ahead about becoming full time Villagers.

Some of the smaller ranch homes on the used market offer more privacy without a lot of maintenance and it actually has a small yard plus a greater value per sq ft.

We actually live on Cape Cod and I forsee us coming back there for the summers and fall since its so nice here then.

Courtyard Villa
 

Courtyard villas can be nice, however, keep in mind that you are close to neighbors on several sides so don't be surprised if you hear more than you'd care to.

We love ours and think we have more privacy than some of the "kissing lanai" designers we've been in. And cheaper to own - lower maintenance, lower utilities if the overall sq footage is less. Keep in mind there are designers smaller than the 3 bedroom CYVs, but the bonds are less in a same age villa neighborhood. We considered moving to a designer when we thought we would be full-timers, decided we would miss our privacy.

Yes, some do buy bigger if/when they become snowbirds, but many downsize as well. Some get tired of the maintenance and lack of privacy in non-CYV neighborhoods, and some downsize when they lose a spouse for maintenance or financial reasons. We think we are set for life - no more moving for us.

Downsides are the 1-1/2 car garage (some are deeper than others) in most CYVs, although there are some with 2 car garages, and the more limited space for entertaining. We can only have large crowds in good weather, but that's because we don't want to enclose our lanai as we like the outdoor feeling with the screening. Larger CYVs on corner lots or lots allowing lanai extensions aren't as limited. You'd be amazed what's in some of our backyards.

I had one and moved...1 reason is it seems most people with multiple dogs buy them so the dogs can be left outside and bark all day long...The 2nd reason is decorating...The living room , dining , kitchen, is like one long hallway and it just didn't appeal to me....

We had a designer and the neighbors were too close so we bought a villa and love the space and privacy; our villa is just about the same size as our designer home. Our next door neighbor and 3 neighbors behind do not have dogs, and it's never been an issue anyhow so we're lovin' life!

We bought a new masonry CYV in July 2011 in Tamarind Grove. It was a Woodlawn model, it's now called a Durham. It's a 2 BR model, the living room/dining room is actually 2' longer than the 3 BR model. We love our home, our last two electric bills were $97 and $107, that's pretty good. We came from Maryland and our BG&E bills in Dec/Jan there would cost us $400 a month.

We bought a Valparaiso Model in Tamarind Grove about a year ago. Plan to retire in summer of 2014. We are currently renting the villa for the high months and spending as much time as we can there for the rest of the year. We looked at all the other models and decided on the CYV because it had the best combination of privacy, ease of maintenance and value. The longest time we have been there is a month, but we found it to be more than enough room, even when we have overnight guests. We are looking forward to the day we can become full-timers. It will require some downsizing of furniture and "stuff", but I would rather downsize on my own terms rather than being forced to downsize due to health or age. Up North we have a large house and lot, and I am more than ready to give up the maintenance and headaches of a large home.

we love the privacy and the elevated, unparalleled, panoramic golf and water view. Noise from neighbors/ dogs etc. never an issue. The CBS villas are so well insulated, we save on utility bills and never had a problem with bugs.

I live in a CYV. I have never heard ANY dog(s) barking. Also, it does NOT look like a big long hallway inside. Maybe you needed some decorating advice to differentiate the rooms. (Ie:table in dining....couch in Living room,etc.)

We are having this same debate. My wife really likes the idea of the CYV because it appears to have the privacy that most smaller houses don't seem to have. But we are both bothered by the thought of barking dogs, as one person posted about. It would make sense that dog owners would be drawn to these. Any other experiences with dogs?

When we started looking for a place in TV we started looking at houses. We rented houses and villas on multiple occasions in different areas. We visited many times to get an understanding of TV. We went to many open houses. We had a large house and yard up north and didn't want to worry about maintaining a large yard. We have just enough room in our CYV. We don't hear dogs barking in our area and we have several dogs in our little neighborhood. I know that many don't care for the CYV design but it made sense for us.

Love our Arlington CYV. Plenty of room, storage. We have a corner lot. We have a small dog as do many of our neighbors but none of us leave them outside alone barking! We added a pool last spring with a birdcage...use it almost everyday! The one drawback when we first moved in (for hubby) was the garage but now that it is organized no complaints.

We moved into our new designer in November and after getting settled agreed that other than the garage area the space of the CYV's would have accommodated our needs just as well. I like the more open feel of the houses from the street over the CYV's, but I can see advantages of both.

If you only have one car and one golf cart a CY Villa is good. Garage is very small with very limited room for storage. Great if you do not care about a yard or do not like to do yard maintenance. Streets are narrow. Neighbors are close by. Excellent for Snowbirds.

We also added ladder stairs and flooring in attic for more storage...works out well!

considering a CYV
 

We live in one of the largest CYV on a golf course. We have one car and 2 golf carts in our garage.(in a 1 1/2 car garage - some of the newer CYV neighborhood have 2 car garages) Many of our neighbors have dogs. Our next door neighbor has two little dogs - no big deal. Prior to moving we got rid of all the crap we accumulated for years and years. We are extremely happy with the decision to purchase a CYV - but apparently many TOTV posters feel differently.

I suspect the naysayers are mostly the ones who have never lived in a CYV, or who had a 2 BR and found it too small. I do agree that snowbirds who originally bought a 2 BR and become full-timers often move for more space, but not too many 3 BR owners. 2 BR is fine if you remain a snowbird, or perhaps if you are single, or become single, but the extra storage space in a 3 BR makes a world of difference. Remember, all the 3BR CYVs all have closets in all 3 BRs, no dens here.

Like you, we are seasonal residents. We had a Courtyard Villa for a few years. I really loved it. We had only a three-foot railing in back. That makes a difference if you don't like to feel closed in. (But the high fences offer good privacy and security). We never experienced any problems with dogs barking. The neighbours were great. Now we have a house with an oversized garage, simply because of needing more room for hobbies.

One thing to consider in buying a new CYV is that you must choose from existing inventory, or wait for a completed one to become available for sale.
The cabinetry, flooring, counter tops, light fixtures, appliances (actually everything) is pre-selected by a design team. Same with outside landscaping plants... the decisions are pre-made.

In other words, you can not custom order. Many add or change out things after they take ownership.

We love ours. For us, downsizing is simplifying.

At this point the house would be mostly rented since we still work and wont be able most likely to stay there for any extended period of time for about five years. At that point I think we would more customize it then or if we decide to move there full time, buy a larger house there.

I think you would be hit and miss as far as noise i.e. if you luck out you won't have barking dogs to contend with, but there's no guarantee. We have friends who have a courtyard villa, and while the wall and privacy is nice, when their neighbors are on their lanai talking in normal tones, we could really hear them. The villas are very close.

But you can also be close to your neighbors in a Designer Home, with out any fence.

Most people in CVY's, unless they are hard of hearing, dumb as a stump, or enjoy being a narcissistic horse's patoot, understand that our villa yards are our sanctuaries. As a general rule, unless you want only barren rock, sound is softened by plantings.

When you can hear your neighbors, you understand that they can also hear you and most neighbors graciously keep their noise to a minimum. Renters and visitors can be gently educated ahead of time.

But only truly wonderful souls move to The Villages, so my point is moot, right?

Did I mention that I LOVE it here?

I am really looking forward to going there in April, especailly today with this storm coming.

How did you weather the storm. Guess you lost electricity. hope all is well on good ole Cape Cod. I miss the snow and wind. yeah right lol.

we made out fine, we lost power for about 40 hours, but the house was warm with the gas stove in the finished basment kept the temp at 65 on the first floor, only about 55 on the second floor though. Most people on my street, the temp inside was down to about 38-40.

We bought a new CYV three years ago and just love it. We too are part-timers spending approximately 7-8 months per year here. First thing we did was to remove all the grass and landscape the grounds. No lawn maintenance issues. A bottle of roundup weed killer is all we need.

Love the privacy that a CYV gives. Neighbors are great. We have a 2 bedroom villa, a Beauregard which now is called a Cambridge. No regrets at all. Maybe when we decide to sell our other home in CT we may decide to get a Designer Series home, although we have been talking about purchasing a larger CYV as well.

Only downside we can think of is the 1.5 car garage.

I agree...we bought an austin ranch and have quite a distance from the house on the other side of st. and behind us

We have a designer that backs up to a wall that has CYVs on the other side. There are two or three (can't discern exactly) small yappy dogs on the CYV side who bark frequently. Their owners don't seem to realize how much these snarling, growling, yippers annoy the neighbors. Or they don't care. If our dog barks once, he's brought inside. Not so on the other side of the wall, although thankfully they are not left out all day. It's only a small annoyance, truth to tell.

Someone on this forum advised that we throw our pet alligator over the wall to silence them, and that has been our joke ever since, diffusing the situation. "Go get the alligator out of the tub."

However, it wouldn't be any different if you were on the CYV side of the wall or the designer side of the wall, because everyone can hear them on each side. It's a crap shoot as to who your neighbors will be, and you won't be able to tell about the dogs till after you move in. Or the people, for that matter, but they mostly confine their barking to inside.

Go for what you want. Try to determine what furry friends are on either side of you when you house hunt. I think if you had a barker around you who is outside all day, you'd be able to determine that while house hunting.

Our first Villages home was a Cabana Courtyard Villa. Liked it for awhile, took out all the grass, what little there was, and used stone, etc. But after the second year I just felt closed in by the vinyl fence and the houses on both sides. One side is not yours, so we rarely went down that side of our home since it was actually your neighbors property. Never saw neighbors, could hear them talking, or dogs barking, but that was it. Also, conversations were easily overheard since only feet separated us. Felt like Tim Allen and his neighbor in Tool Time! Also, lots of cars in the driveways since the garage is your storage, plus golf cart, and if you like to bike, a pair of those.
Garage was tight for an SUV and golf cart, not much room to maneuver. We are still snowbirds, but now live in a Designer with neighbors that we can see and greet, and still far enough apart to enjoy our lanai and yard.

Our first Villages home was a Cabana Courtyard Villa. Liked it for awhile, took out all the grass, what little there was, and used stone, etc. But after the second year I just felt closed in by the vinyl fence and the houses on both sides. One side is not yours, so we rarely went down that side of our home since it was actually your neighbors property. Never saw neighbors, could hear them talking, or dogs barking, but that was it. Also, conversations were easily overheard since only feet separated us. Felt like Tim Allen and his neighbor in Tool Time! Also, lots of cars in the driveways since the garage is your storage, plus golf cart, and if you like to bike, a pair of those.
Garage was tight for an SUV and golf cart, not much room to maneuver. We are still snowbirds, but now live in a Designer with neighbors that we can see and greet, and still far enough apart to enjoy our lanai and yard.

Oops, double post. Don't know how to delete.

We rented a CYV and I loved the floor plan, BUT felt too closed in between the high fence out back and on the sides and not really being able to see out front. So we ended up in an offset lot designer which is working out very nicely. I also always have my blinds open so that may explain my need for openness.

I'm frustrated with MLS listings that generally do not include the model name or indicate which homes are CYVs--online searches just don't produce this information. I end up with a long list of possible homes to check out, but no way to tell whether they're a designer, ranch, or villa. We'd like to find an older CYV with a breakfast nook (with windows) floor plan. Definitely a needle in a haystack! Thanks one and all for the pros and cons of living in a house vs. a CYV. Seems like each has advantages, and every bit of info helps folks like us who are house-hunting at a distance and can only visit TV briefly.

If you get connected with a good REALTOR they will do the work for you and send you appropriate listings as they become available.

That's true, and I'm working with one, but we aren't in a position to buy til we sell our home here. I feel as though an agent (MLS or TV) would be more likely to email us about possible CYVs consistently and regularly if we were actually able to buy something now, so I'm trying to do preliminary research myself to see what's out there, for how much, and where it is. I'd love to get professional help with my search, but it's too soon. The fact is that most agents lose interest in a potential client who's not ready to buy, especially at this busy time of year. I just wish it were easier to distinguish which MLS homes are CYVs without needing professional intervention for each listing that comes up on, say, Listingbook. Without a model name or even a category, it's impossible to match each potential home with a print-out of the available CYV floor plans, and I have a pile of those. I use interior photos to help figure it out. Doesn't always work, though.