Woodbury and DeSoto
 

Just wondering if anyone can give the pros and cons of living in these two or one of these two particular villages? All answers will be appreciated, thanks.

Woodbury is an older neighborhood while Desoto is 3-4 years old. Both are a bit off the beaten path. Desoto is in a rapidly growing area..Woodbury is not. My vote would be for Desoto..Lots of great facilities and terrific people there..

For an opinion to be valid for you wouldn't you need to know more about the people giving their pluses and minuses?

I live in DeSoto. We built and moved in a little over two years ago. There are many threads on pros and cons of north or south of 44. For me personally we are happy with our choice. I am a biker so I love to ride the multimodal paths and explore. I am also a golfer and like the executive courses here, but the championship courses are at least 30 minutes to an hour cart ride away. If you go by car most are 20 to 30 minutes away. I like the walking paths, Edna’s and all the new things going on down here with the construction of Sawgrass Grove and the new Championship course. Magnolia Plaza is nice and growing with more stores and restaurants. It’s is about a 30 minute car ride to big box stores either in Leesburg or on 441.

If you are sensitive to noise it could be an issue. At certain times you can hear the turnpike and there is a cement factory on 470 you can hear in the morning. It is really a personal choice on what specifically you are looking for in a Village.

I know nothing about Woodbury but live in Fenney and watched them build DeSoto. DeSoto is actually phase II of The Villages of Fenney and both communities are very similar. DeSoto has the archery range, dog park, air gun range and possibly another amenity I'm missing, Fenney is not a duplicate as we have the Putt and Play, sports pool, rec. center, and Fenney Grille. Both communities compliment each other very well. All of that being fairly equal, you might want to consider looking a little further west and north in DeSoto or Fenney as we are on the west side of Fenney north of Fenney way and we don't hear the turnpike or cement plant over here, occasionally if the air is heavy and the wind is blowing from the west we can hear a train whistle at the crossing in Coleman, but not very often, maybe 2 or 3 times per month. One thing you will hear no matter what village you choose to live in are lawn mowers, some early and some late. Good luck with your search.

It is always fun to live in a new home and here it is fun to live in a New Village.

I have just read all of your previous posts and see you haven't ever been here. I love to see reactions from REAL newbies. This place is HUGE. It is now 21 miles north to south and about six miles east to west. You can walk if you are in EXCELLENT shape but it is really hot starting NOW. It was in the mid nineties today. You can use a Golf Cart to get around but many of those who are new drive their car here and use it while they are here. This is a very large place with close to 150,000 residents now. Remember when you visit the new homes, foundation plantings that are small will get twice as big in eighteen months. Remember that people prefer small lots for easy and cheap maintenance.

Remember to tell us when you get here. Come and chat on our front porch if you like. We are all fully vaccinated.

Woodbury is a wonderful village to reside in. Mulberry regional recreation center is there, Veterans services, an outdoor fitness trail, Mulberry dog park, a shaded walking trail, pools, convenient stores and restaurants within a mile, and the First Responders recreation center will be coming soon in that area with even more activities to offer. Woodbury is very dog-friendly and there's mature trees everywhere to provide shade always.
I would also assume that most of the home bonds in that area are paid off as well because it is an older area. We also enjoy the nearby country club(s) dining and the Polo field activities up there as well.
Desoto is also lovely, new, with exciting energy all about.
However...Woodbury is an established neighborhood, wonderful people but more on the quiet side, just my opinion and a general observation from experience.
Spend time in each area and see which one feels more tuned into
you and your desired lifestyle.

Why move to an area that lacks shopping, supermarkets, doctors offices, libraries, Lowes or Home Depot, gas stations, etc.
Willing to wait another give years?

I live in DeSoto. I love it south of 44. I lived north of 44 for 12 years. Loved it up there as well. Depends on if you want preowned or new Come on down

Woodbury is great - in the quiet north end with all services nearby.

I live in Woodbury, only downside is 20-25 minutes to The 2 Squares. On the plus side, houses are lower priced, No Congestion especially in Prime Season, easy access to Groceries and restaurants, Great Golf at Nancy Lopez CC and some really good Executives, No Bond or just a small one left, many house have already replaced Roof & AC, easy to get in and out of the Villages for travel and or Retail shopping. Built in 2003 so many house have turned over so even though an older area, many younger residents.

I live in DeSoto and love the easy access to the Turnpike and I75. I believe this is going to be the place to be in 5 years. We do not have a lot of amenities, shopping, restaurants but they are coming. I do travel out of the bubble often to see family, activities and restaurants so access to the highway is most important to me.

I agree with Bitsee. Come down & get a feel. Don't overlook other "older" areas, especially around Spanish Springs. Be aware of the county in which your house choice sits so that you can make an informed choice regarding things like taxes. A home in Woodbury may be a pleasant surprise.

DeSoto
 

Rent in both places for a month, and it will help you decide. Both places are great, but I went to DeSoto.
Sure there are less stores south, but more are being built. Leesburg is 15 minutes away you can find almost everything there.

I bought a new home in Woodbury almost 4 years ago. I love it’s convenience to 441 and 301. The convenience of the area and the lack of congestion all appealed to me. The nearest square is Spanish Springs and is my favorite of the three. I am very happy with my location. My neighborhood is filled with wonderful people. If it’s nature that appeals to you, it seems that the southern portion is more tropical.