Several part question
 

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This previous thread may be of help. Every Village is wonderful. Where you live is purely a matter of personal preference.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...village-89272/

We knew we wanted something newer so concentrated south of 466. Nothing is really far from anything else in TV so the house and feel of the neighborhood was our focus. We drove down Ambrosia in the Village of Hadley and loved all the palm trees and the look of the homes and bought a home off Ambrosia. Turns out we are very close to Colony Plaza which is convenient for shopping, also close to Lake Sumter that we don't frequent that often anymore. We are homebodies so the location of the amenities you mentioned were inconsequential to us - the welcoming way the neighborhood looks when we come home is what attracted us to The Village of Hadley. And as a bonus we lucked out with great neighbors!

I'm really confused -- you post how negative your feelings are towards TV. Too much crime, not safe, people not as friendly as you expected, too large. You start looking at other places -- islands even. Now, you're back to looking here. Someone recently gave you some great advice -- stay in your home town; vacation in different Florida locales. I sincerely doubt you will ultimately be happy in TV or anywhere that is not your home town.

I may have one opinion and the better half another
 

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Some people spend lots of time trying to find the "perfect" location. Others want something new and find what is currently available that meets their model desire. For the most part, it all works out. You move in, meet your neighbors, start driving around, joining in and all is well with your location. Being close to a shopping center isn't a big deal....if you're grocery shopping, you'll need your car if you buy lots of stuff....and after a while, people venture to other communities for things....just because one lives inThe Villages doesn't mean they are shut off from the world.

The Villages is a community, just like other communities, only in many instances, set up better and prettier. When people bought where they came from, they looked at a house, decided they liked it, it's location, etc. Same here. Rent for a while if you have doubts about which village. Put your things in storage and spend some time looking around. Each village has good points.....you just have to decide if the good points of location match what you will decide is important to you once you scout around.

Remember, your heart will tell you if a place is the right place. Good luck on your search!

You forgot the sex-crazed bottle blondes pole dancing in the garage.

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I think they have stopped, Patty.

We took the pole down.

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Hadley
 

We bought in the Village of Hadley. When we were looking, it was mainly about the type of house because of our animals. We bought a CYV and got the biggest model for house guests. If I had found this house in another village, I still would have bought it, however when I think about it, I am glad I bought in this area. I like the newer area. Seems to have more palm trees-whether it does or not-it could be my imagination, but I like the area south of 466. I really like that I am somewhat "in the middle" of The Villages as far as N to S. If I lived closer to 441 it would take me longer to get to work and the airport. If I lived closer to Brownwood it would take me longer to get to the shopping on 441. This is just how I feel.
If you have a dog, you might want to consider how far it is to a dog park, or a public grassy area if this is important to you.
There are more hills in Hadley than anywhere. That could be a positive or a negative. Its a negative and a positive for me because I can't ride my bike up them (I'll keep trying!) but I like that they are there for walking to "up" my walking routine. If it was all flat there would be no variety.
Finally, for me, I like the idea of being very close to my postal box (a pain in the butt to stop every day if its out of the way) and the pool. However, anywhere you go, its not really too far to a pool. I like the pools in the newer areas too. I don't think there is too much difference, but a few I have seen in the older areas seem a little smaller or the pool area is a little different. Just my opinion and observation. I may be wrong. And I love being near Lake Sumter. I like to drive my golf cart there and if it were too far I would have to take the car. Its easier to find parking with a cart and much more fun to drive than a car.
Good luck on your search!

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There has to be at least 50,000 answers to your many questions. Everyone feels their home is in the best village, closest to shopping, near rec centers and golf courses. So everyone (nearly everyone) is happy where they bought. To rely on a dozen or so posters on TOTV for your ideal location is wishful thinking..............................

Thanks for all of the help and description......any flat streets in Hadley?

Yes, there are many. The main hills are on Odell Circle, one of the "main" roads. The side streets are mostly flat. There is one hill behind my house on Havana but for the most part, you can easily find a house in Hadley on a flat street/neighborhood. I just love looking at the golf courses on the hills as I drive by. Definately don't rule Hadley out just because of the hills. Except for in a car, you can easily avoid them and find a house where you won't have to walk on a hill.
And as far as my walking routine up hills, I am 44 so hopefully I have a few more years before I start avoiding them :)

Dear Senior. I was teasing and going for a laugh as usual. I am a fragile comedian at heart. I think Patty was too.

I know this, that everyone who has read your posts over time feels that they know you and want you to be here if that is what will make you and your husband the happiest. I know you love to cook so I would consider Belvedere, close to three great and different grocery stores, close to The Lifelong Learning center, close to Laurel Manor regional rec center that has all kinds of fun things going on, and not awfully far from us, who want to get to know you and maybe even cook dinner for you some evening.

Belvedere is just down Buena Vista and across Stillwater to Lake Sumter Landing and Belvedere is close to many doctors and dentists and some really good restaurants including Giovannis and Sonrise Café. It is close to several family pools and adult pools always kept sparkling clean and not very busy.

Think about Belvedere. Barefoot and Rubicon and a whole lot of very nice frequent posters live in it or close to it and there are three executive courses there that I love to play, the triple crown: Pimlico, Churchill and Whatsitsname.

You are close to frozen yogurt, McDonalds, IHop, Bonefish Grill and Red Lobster. And a lot more restaurants and Bealls Outlet, and Bealls regular, both mine and Helene's favorite places to shop. Fresh Market and Walmart are just a short golf cart trip and so is Saddlebrook executive course that hosts a lot of beautiful migrant birds including Pelicans..

We want you here. I think you will love it. You just want to be sure you make the right choice. Moving again is hard work.

Our village, Bridgeport at Laurel Valley is close to all mentioned above and has a house for sale right now.

Here is a link to an open house in Belvedere http://www.thevillages.com/homes/vls...?VLSnum=214405

Thank you Gracie, but I wasn't joking.

There have been numerous posts alluding to the loose morals of the singles, perhaps they weren't referred to as "bottle blondes". That could come from me, but the sentiment and condescension was apparent.

From 8/3 The RSO thread...(Snipped by me)

"I just checked as of August 2013. Seems like quite enough of them.
It would be a concern to those with visiting grandchildren.
Not everyone is a swinging single who wishes to relocate to TV.....
I just read all of their backgrounds."

Grant it, this only one example, I'm sure if I wanted to spend my time wading knee deep in drivel I could find hundreds more but I can't risk clogging my ethers with negativity.

Perhaps as a former president of the SDBDL (Single Dumb Blonde Defamation League) I'm a little touchy about this sort of thing, I'm also tired of hearing about the STD Urban Legend and Leisureville being accepted as non-fiction.

We came on a life style visit 3 years ago and stayed in a CYV. Liked the house and asked our agent if she found a CYV with grass instead of all the cement to tell us about it. She found one, said they don't come up often and we bought it, sight unseen (except online). Didn't even know where it was, what village, or anything until we finally came down and got our keys. Turned out to be in Sabal Chase, centrally located, and just around the corner from the pool. We still don't come down often enough to tell you about the neighborhood, but to us, home is what you make of it, no matter where you are. Yup, we drank the Kool aid.

Village of LaZamora
 

:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot: Love our neighbors, the wonderful trees, trees, trees, (and now the leaves, leaves, leaves) the location (very close to big box stores, bowling, my favorite executive course - Mira Mesa, and favorite championship, Hacienda Lakes/Palms.... last but not least, our home..The terrain reminds me of North Carolina..Entrance is off of 466, you come into a beautiful canopy of trees, and easy in and out....BUT as previous posters have said, ALL Villages are wonderful...I could easily be a spokes-person for the Villages, we think we have died and gone to golf heaven!

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snipped by me...
Well, there you go.

I know that you rejected Redwitch's advice, but I think it was well intentioned. Based on your many comments in previous threads, you seem to have a lot of questions, fears and concerns about The Villages. And probably rightly so .... buying a home in The Villages is a huge decision!

I just have one point to make. Unless I was 100% confident that buying in The Villages was the right choice for me, I would definitely rent for a year. That way you could see if TV is truly a good fit, and whether you have too many regrets about leaving family and friends back home.

Just get down to The Villages, spend time there, listen to your gut. Choosing a retirement destination is as much an emotional decision as a logical one. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock both play a roll. Where do you feel happy, comfortable, at peace, at home? You will know it when you find it. Just don't get caught in the paralysis of analysis. Get the feel of the place, evaluate your options and make your move, whatever it may be. Don't remain stuck in stasis.

Everyone always think there Village is the best. But actually mine is. :ho:

Seriously, if I was doing it all over again, I would allow about 6 months to make the decision and rent in 6 different locations and different type homes. I would try a home close to each town square. a home on a golf course, a small home, a large home, and just mix it up as much as possible.

I know I would stay away from power lines, busy streets and train tracks. I love our location in Sunset Pointe. If I had to chose today and could not pick my current Village, I would buy in Winifred or Bridgeport at LSL.

You need to make that decision based on what you like and want and renting here for 6 months in 6 different locations and home types is the perfect way to do that. And if you do that from say around April through October it will be a reasonable investment as well.

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Thank you! This is how I plan on doing it although I believe I know what I want (a Lantana with a golf course and/or water view). For me right now it is about where in The Villages I want to buy. I want easy access to grocery shopping and a gas station. I also do not want to be down wind of a sewage treatment plant, too close to power lines, train tracks or a major thoroughfare. I want a quiet lot with privacy - which may be hard to find in The Villages.