Neighborhoods-Where to Stay
 

Planning to visit the Villages in December. I'll stay for 10 days, maybe even a month if it's too enjoyable to leave. Which neighborhood should I start out with for the first 10 days? Are others worth staying in or should a golf cart be sufficient to cover the entire area? I could see buying a place there. Thanks.

Is Spanish Springs the ideal starting point?

Wherever you can get a 10 day rental, would be the first choice. As the high season nears, many will only rent for 3 months. Hotels near property would be second choice

After you get here there is a very slim chance of finding another rental to extend your stay, if you're lucky you might find someone that just bought a home to rent and might have the month of December opened but doubtful. In any event I don't think you'll be choosing your neighborhood, you'll have to take what's available. That being said they are all nice.

The lifestyle visit is a place to start but the longest is either 5 or 7 days. Hotels are always an option but you want one that you can get a golf cart to. I know the Hampton in is across the street so you can’t get there.

If you can, I'd try to stay between the 6's (466 & 466A). It's pretty much centrally located, near two town squares (Sumter & Brownwood), and will give you easier access to all the different areas...

10 days....IMHO you're staying in one of the hotels unless you know someone that has a house they rent and will let you in for that short of a visit

good luck

In the fall of 2015, we came from Virginia and stayed in the Hampton Inn for three nights, We did not look at any homes for sale. We just went to the Squares and saw that everyone was just like us, so we decided to move here if we could afford it.

As far as a golf cart is concerned, keep in mind from the Northern limit to the Southern limit , it's 14 miles. Long ride in a cart.

Actually from the southern corner of Monarch Grove to Mulberry Grove, it's 23.17 miles via golf cart.

They now have “extended” life style visits longer than the standard life style visit. But I’m sure they have to be arranged well in advance.

If you want a new house you want to be south of 44, otherwise not sure it matters as you will be going all over.

We rented for a month and could have/should have taken longer.

Lots of people come here buy a house and a year or two or three move elsewhere in the villages.

We rented for 2.5 months and bought our 9 years ago. We are 100% happy and no interest in moving.

We visited friends for 5 years, one year twice and looked at open houses each time. Finally when we were ready we bought. Have owned for 2.5 years but have only been down 10-12 weeks so far.

you have no idea of the magnitude of the villages until you get here. It cannot be explained. You will definitely get lost at some point whether in a car or golf cart. Be prepared. A golf cart to cover the entire area?? Good luck with that