Is there a patent on The Villages lifestyle?
 

With the raging success of The Villages, why do you think others have not copied the The Villages 'model'? I've looked all over -- California, Arizona, Texas, other states, and throughout the state of Florida, but no other retirement areas compare to the Villages. Normally, success is emulated, but this leaves me scratching my head.

I forgot the name of it. Somewhere out west. Maybe Arizona? It's visible from the air. I think it's modeled simular but I don't know how you could model a lifestyle other than offer the same amenities. There are a a lot of various retirement communities to fit each couples needs and budget. One of the things that attracted us to the villages is the use of golf carts. Can you imagine if you had to throw your clubs in the car and drive to any of the executive or championship courses, rent their cart, and drive back?

Once anything reaches a certain size it becomes very difficult to copy. It took many decades for TV to be even half its current size so it would take a long time for another one to catch up. Thus, if you want to live in a retirement community that offers as much, you can either choose TV and get those facilities now or opt for one that promises to grow that big and wait for the facilities to be developed.

Also, wondering if Florida has (had?) especially favorable laws/taxes etc.? I'll check with Disney.

The presence of DisneyWorld and Florida's long and distinguished history as the Sunshine State (& the primary winter vacation spot of every American West of the Mississippi) make it a "one of a kind".

Disney brings the "access" ... easiest warm weather resort area in the USA to fly into, from every corner of the USA (& the world).

I visited quite a few communities out West before deciding on The Villages - The Del Webb Sun City communities (Sun City / Sun City West / Sun City Grand / Sun City Festival) have some similarities to The Villages, albeit on quite a smaller scale, but nothing comes close to the lifestyle/amenities we have here.

Very difficult to replicate. The developer had the perfect storm of good fortune. Lots and lots of cheap undeveloped land, easy access, great weather, no state income taxes, and a huge population of well off retiring baby boomers. Add to that the fact that they basically control local government (their agenda is rubber stamped) and have carefully aligned themselves with the state government. The sheer size of the Villages provides economies of scale that allow extensive amenities to be provided at a cost to residents that is almost impossible to match.

I thought maybe Lakewood Ranch would become a competitor with the Villages. Start small and build out, developing lifestyle along the way. But their crazy autonomous villages policy dooms them from the start. One of the best features of the Villages is the intermingling of the various villages and their amenities. The villages of Lakewood Ranch (now close to 20 +/-) are each gated and open only to residents (and guests) of that village. Makes no sense to me...

Very true. Started off as a trailer park and with vision and hard work made this happen.

They do control local govt and tend to get what they want, if not immediately soon thereafter

Theres just somuch Kool-Aid to go around

The history of The Villages is quite interesting. It really started to take off after Harold invited his son Gary down. My guess is Gary studied precursors such as Youngtown and Sun City in the phoenix area.

Youngtown, Arizona - Wikipedia

Sun City started the golf cart thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxZH_WTRVNU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki5-aDvC2kw

The Viera development near Cocoa Beach is very much like The Villages. Actually, it is more of a 'golf cart community' than The Villages because the golf cart paths have the right-of-way when they intersect the roadways.

They have multiple builders so buyers have a greater variety of homes to choose from. In addition, it is close to a nice beach.

You need to have a CDD style taxation and authority district to succeed. This is illegal in 47 (?) States.

Now could this be replicated elsewhere in Florida? Yes.

Lakewood Ranch has both family and 55plus areas.. Some do not want to mingle or pay for the other’s amenities. Just a different version of tv that is very successful

It's not something patentable. Copying concepts is completely allowed. The Villages very obviously took ideas including the golf cart thing from Sun City in Arizona. Concepts like Edna's and Sawgrass I've definitely seen in other places.

Quite a few variables had to come together in just the right way, at just the right time and place.