For those that are in or are considering the Eastport area, thoughts on retail?
 

Looking at the possibilities in the Eastport area. One thing trying to become familiar with is retail in or planned for the area. In areas north of 44, there are many options for groceries, pharmacies, restaurants and retail. For those more familiar with Eastport, am I correct that the closest grocery is at Magnolia? Other than that plaza, there is not much else currently close - correct? Have plans already been announced for other options in the vicinity?

Areas north of 44 were completed over 10 years ago, Eastport hasn’t opened yet. Understand that it is a new area and give it time.

There is retail planned for both Eastport and Middleton. I believe I saw a Publix announced but with no timeline. Magnolia is not that far away either.

Retail will be just like the other areas of the villages. Commercial real estate group tends to use the same tenant mix formula all across the villages.
Not sure about timing, but Brownwood took years to build out, and there’s still space available there.

It will take some years for a substantial amount of retail stores and restaurants to open in Eastport. If you are not prepared to drive some distance, look elsewhere. Still building in Brownwood 10 plus years later.

Downtown Middleton will have a grocery store. Lake Deaton Plaza is a couple of miles further than Magnolia Plaza. The 470/27 intersection has a ton of retail and it continues all along 27. There is retail planned for 470 near the turnpike. 301 is developing a lot of new retail south of 44.

Thanks. I am thinking mostly about golf cart accessible retail. Getting to grocery, bank pharmacy, and restaurants from fast food to sit down locations. Deaton about 30 minutes by cart and has some of that. Some at Magnolia which is about 15 minutes by cart. Just didnt know the timeframe on those type things.

A few recent threads, downtown Middleton is probably12-18 months ahead of Eastport.

The Developer generally does not announce anything until it is infinal build out.


https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...dleton-357984/

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...stport-356833/

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...letown-356610/

We left between the 6’s because of all the retail and moved south of 44.
You will be good for eating establishments..but have to ask how many times a month do go to the Bank (I am online only, stop twice a year)
Pharmacy for us never we are mail order,
Grocery Kroger and Walmart Plus shops, bags and delivery to my door whenever I want. Even in a hour if I am desperate.

It seems brick and mortar is the biggest worry for new Residents, on where to live, but if you wrote down every time you went to bank, pharmacy, grocery, you may find they aren’t top of your list. Then again once you shop Publix or WD, you may decide there are much better grocery choices that deliver or outside the bubble. Plus Costco will be here soon adding to shopping and delivery.

Restaurants in TV are once a week social after golf, for us, other than that we travel outside the bubble for dining. For us food needs to be good, and most restaurants here don’t strive above mediocre.

If I didn’t love where we are in this fourth house, Eastport would be our next home.

I don't think Walmart+ delivers to the Eastport area yet. Maybe in the future. But I haven't checked again lately. Kroger definitely does.

Thanks all. We did extensive looking this weekend. Spent A LOT of time in all areas currently developing in and around EP and with Villages Sales Team (they are awesome). We have decided that we have become too accustomed to the "developed" feel with golf, shopping/dining, landscaping, squares etc raher than buying there and riding it out until the new areas mature to our current feel. Some friends have moved there and are super excited about being part of the early wave for that expansion. Happy for them. It's just not for us. Not saying the area we are in now is better, just different. The good thing is...The Villages offers a fit for all of us.

Retail smetail, I’d be waaaaaay more worried about golf.

For that matter, still building at TrailWinds on 466A, which is close to my 12 year old home. If you want handy access NOW to the sorts of stores and services you want, buy near where they are. It you can wait five or ten years, buy new. I live close to Buena Vista and 466A. Most of the things I do and places where I shop are within thirty minutes of driving, and the majority of those within twenty minutes. That’s definitely not the case with the new homes going up. However, there’s a big difference between driving for thirty minutes in the relaxed beauty of The Villages and doing it in most big cities I’ve visited, or even small cities, or even must suburbia.

lots of pre-owned homes for sale south of 44 already. WHY? Bonds? Taxes? Retail stores? Restaurants? Coleman prison? Think about it

Walmart super store going in at Morse and 44. Why are people more concerned with shopping compared to getting out and doing something to work your body or brain? We could care less if it takes us 10 mins or 1 hour to get somewhere to shop if we only need to go a couple times a week or couple times a month. For years, we never go to a square to shop, maybe to eat once every 6 months, we go to the concerts, car shows, and the art festivals at the squares.
We go shopping up on 441 once every 6 months. But we use the sports courts, golf courses, and rec centers multiple times a day. Where are the clubs you are going to join? Where are you going to play tennis? Pickleball? Archery? Rc boats? If you rc boat at hacienda multiple times a week for example, why would you think about moving to Eastport? Move close to what you are going to do everyday!

Same reasons lots of pre-owned homes for sale north of 44 plus flipping. Nothing north vs south about that.