[samhass]

They say the average villager moves three times. If you had it to do all over again, would you pick the same home, location and size of home?

[barb1191]

Yes, definitely. Was looking for a winter home that was easy upkeep as well as easy on the pocketbook. The patio villa chosen suits us perfectly, as snowbirds.

We love TV and yet it's nice to spend summers around the deep roots of home and family in MA. Have downsized living quarters in MA to a comfy, cozy inlaw we added onto daughter's home.

barb

[villages07]

Sam,

That would be a yes. Although, just recently discussed this topic. We had no idea it would take 18 months to sell the home back North. We discussed whether, in retrospect, it would have made more sense to buy a patio villa, use that 'seasonally' until the house sold then eventually buy a larger designer and either sell the villa or keep it as an investment.

Given how I hate packing and moving, I'm happier we did what we did....this is a great location for us and the house model fits our needs perfectly.

So, yes, we are happy with the house and location and don't plan to move again...except maybe to Freedom Pointe when I can no longer get around on my own....many, many years from now.

[samhass]

Hah! 07, We may all end up at Freedon Point. Or a bunch of us older gals end up living together like the Golden Girls.

[TomW]

I hope to see more contributions to this thread. We will be down in July to continue the hunt for a place and another tussle with the decision to buy now and rent it or wait 30 months until we are fully retired and (hopefully) sell the house up north.

[samhass]

It's funny, Tom. Once you're down her for a couple of years, you tend to take the deep blue skies and fabulous weather for granted. It becomes normal. It takes an extended trip back north to bring you back to your senses. You get back here and wonder how you could ever take this sky for granted.

[TomW]

That's a very nice image. Little chance of taking the sky up here for granted. It regularly opens up and dumps rain on us. Others have it worse though. I think we would move to TV tomorrow if we had some loose ends tied up here in Indiana. We know we want to retire to TV. It just the timing and mechanics.

[samhass]

bump

[travelstiles]

We would buy the same house, same location - love it!
However, I have over 10 years experience in real estate, which I believed helped us narrow down our search. We also ended up paying more than we intended, but again, worth it.
If you're not sure, but all means rent first and talk to as many people in the community from different villages as possible.
I know a couple who, like many others, purchased during their first visit. It's a lovely home, but they are too far away from the amenities they like, and the golf carts whizzing by their bedroom window early every morning wakes them - they're not morning people, either.
If you can rent during the off season, which of course is cheaper, try that and work with more than one realtor - you'd be surprised at how much more you learn about The Villages. Some of us learned that lesson the hard way, but we're still thrilled to be here at last.