Just Got My Map of TV - Oh My!
 

We are all set to visit TV the week of October 14th, plane tickets, LSV...and then two nights at Disney.

I called the realtor and @Schaumburger (thanks) told me to order a map. I did plus my realtor sent one..the place is HUGE! Glad I am prepared.

Meantime I am getting rid of stuff. We sold the woodburning stove that came with the house (never used - hubby was saving it for a cabin), exercise bike, games, unused stereo and more. A lot of big items. I figure even if TV is not right for me this will help me de-clutter. And if we love it, this will save a lot of work later and help get the best price on the stuff we don't need.

I sure hope we both like TV!

Don't forget your checkbook!:ho::ho:

and your tax returns

Where did you get the map?

Why tax returns? We never had to show tax returns.

I didn't bring a checkbook, either. found out you can put a house on hold with Visa!

Welcome Lee.

It is a very big place but made up of streets and homes and each inhabited by folks who are all wonderful surprise packages to us.

It is an opportunity for each of us to get to know other people from all over this country and all over this world who have come to this beautiful place to enjoy retirement and to share their life voyage with like minded folks who have worked long enough to now have to opportunity to do a lot of things they hadn't had time for.

So it may be big, but it is smaller too. A city with villages and neighborhoods and hopefully just the right place for you too.

I know you will love it.

if you need a mortgage you need two years of tax returns

So if I fall in love with a home I don't need my checkbook just my Visa card?
And then what happens next? How long do you have to get paperwork in order?
Would I need to have 2 years of tax returns with me....?

When we came for our LSV in 2011, my wife made me leave my checkbook at home. She said we are not buying a house in any old folks community! After 3 days she was ready to put our down payment on the VISA card. Since we were going on a cruise the next day, we had our bank wire the rest of the down payment. Not easy to do when you are on a cruise ship!

You might want to check about using a Visa. I think that has changed. When we put a down payment on our house this past June I hoped to use my Visa reward card so I could get the points. Our realtor told us that they no longer take Visa. They were, however, glad to take a personal check.

Good point to check on that. Some things have changed We bought our spec house in October of 2011, and put the initial hold for the house on Visa. Had to provide the rest of the $ within a week.

my wife was not remotely interested in even visiting a retirement community (that is where people go to get ready to die). i just wanted to check it out as i had always wanted to live in a warmer climate. ok, so the life-style visit was fun, but more resortlike than reality. so we went home, and then decided to come down again and this time stay in a home similar to one that would reflect our lifestyle and budget. we ended up buying a home in the same neighborhood. and we left our checkbook at home...on purpose. our realtor was great, and patient, and thorough, and make the whole process so seamless. and we are still here 5 years later. and not retired yet either.

I would visit several times before buying. If you can rent for A month or two. Don't rush.

Maynay is absolutely right. Many things have changed, many. In the last month they have started building to sell ONLY. If you don't like the cabinet color, sorry, if you want it expanded, then find one they have expanded themselves. It goes on and on. I understand why they have changed, but it sure is not a big plus for buyers, in many cases and in my opinion. They are savvy at dealing with the market and increasing the revenue flow. That's the name of the game and why we are the biggest and best retirement community - bar none. I think the credit card change is attributable to new federal regs.

I ordered it from Banner Mercantile.

I hope I don't fall in love with something this trip. I am afraid of what I might do...

Gracie is just the best example of the warmth and friendliness of the residents in The Villages.
We visited in May and bought in June. Had to think about it on the plane.
Everyone we met was friendly and helpful, the grumpy folks must just stay home!
You won't find any place quite like The Villages!
Hope you have a great time! you will have to post later and tell us where you bought! (wink, wink!)

I already called the realtor and told her what I want to look at.
I don't like driving (though I do drive backroads) so getting around without
a car is high priority for me.
Though I am not a big shopper I need to be able to get to the essentials.

Of course I cant have it all but location is the most important thing to me.
I would like..

Easy walking area (sidewalks?)
Walking distance to a little sundry store or coffee shop
Short Golf cart ride to grocery store
Nice gym facility that is easy to get to.
Golf cart ride to hairdresser/doctor/
Not noisy

Ideas for areas to look at?

Did you return to buy or how did you select your house?

Try to get KathieI to sell you her house in Hadley!

She lives very close to Colony.

Also you might like Belvedere. Barefoot lives there.

I think you will find that you need a golf cart to get to where you are hoping to go.

Always appreciate your help :)

Do you mean I would need a golf cart to get around anywhere?

Are there a lot of sidewalks for walking there?

Thanks!!!

Ask your realtor to show you the area around Spanish Springs, which has Dunkin Donuts, a big health club, a Publix, Target, drug stores, hairdresser, several restaurants, churches, and the hospital is about a mile away with lots of doctor's offices.

That sounds nice...now is the driving 35mph around there and is the area walkable and/or easy via golf cart?

A lot to look at! I am so hoping this is the right place for me. I think I will know when I see it.

Bring your checkbook ,when you get here and look around you will fall in love with this place just like the rest of us did..

Welcome to TV. It is Disney World for Seniors. If you talk to people who have been here for 20 years, they will tell you that they enjoy every minute here. Word to the wise You will have 100 salesmen knocking on your door trying to convince you that you need their products. Don't buy anything for a month. Talk to your neighbors and come on this sight to see who is good and who is bad, sorry we have a lot of both here.
Best of luck and WELCOME.

when you first see TV you will wonder how you are not going to get lost with in a week you will feel like home

I just made reservations for Katie Belles dinner and show the nite we arrive. I got to pick from a table for two in the back or table up front shared with another couple. I picked the latter. May as well meet some new people!

If you are seeking an active lifestyle and want to get involved in a wide variety of activities, then you will love it. If you are outgoing and like to have fun and meet new people, then you are coming to the right place.

You will soon have many new friends. All you have to do is smile at someone and say, I am new here, can I ask a few questions?

Most roads do have reasonable slow speed limits, but they are tricky.

Some say that the traffic is hazardous due largely because of the drivers from________________________. Fill in the blank.

Each blames other areas of the country. ;)

I would explain to the realtor that location is very important for your needs. We found that our sales representative was not high pressure. The new construction was exciting to see but we did not want to live near construction for a couple of years while they kept building. We found our little piece of heaven in Lynnhaven as it was near everything we wanted; we frequent Sumter Landing but are midway between that and Spanish Springs. We love the shopping, the entertainment at The Squares, Market nights, the restaurants, the grocery stores, friends that we already have and new friends. Don't know what else to say except be prepared to be amazed at THE premiere retirement community anywhere. Oh yes, have a friend at your local bank that can wire you some money.

What is appropriate dress for Katie Belles for dinner? Casual shorts and capris or dress slacks?

Tight fitting dresses, low cut, mid thigh cut. :clap2::clap2:

All of what you mentioned is appropriate. Be yourself. Be comfortable. That's what's important.

Seriously, no-one cares what you wear in The Villages. It's one of the most relaxing advantages of living in TV. I can't think of a single "dress up" place. Although you will see some pretty jazzy ladies on the dance floor at KBs!

Bogie Bogie Bogie.

Red or gold shoes?

What show are you seeing? I hope you get to see the Dunning Shaw and Donna Moore Show. They are fantastic. Some men wear jackets and some wear ties. I think the majority wear golf country club attire. If you eat upstairs at the Cattle Baron's, it is a little dressier. In either place, you will see a variety of dress and a lot of smiles and people enjoying themselves. Have fun.

bogie!!!!!!