[Lone Traveller]

I’m starting to book my first Lifestyle visit and I’m starting to feel a little creepy. How did you feel about staying a home that belonged to somebody you didn’t know? Can I bring food into the house or do I have to eat out every meal? Am I going to be responsible for cleaning the house? Do I need to pack all my own linen, dishes etc. or do I just bring what I would a regular vacation? Also how do you get around if you don’t have a car? Can you just walk everywhere?

[Donna]

..First I'd like to say welcome to TV, you are going to love it!

No need to panic..When we did our lifestyle preview, we brought ourselves and our luggage, and some snacks..It's just like being at your own home, you need nothing..You can cook,or go out to eat, your choice!

Every thing you need is there, linens, pots & pans, cleaning supplies, etc..
You are not obligated to clean, except for the mess you might make..LOL

After every persons stay, a cleaning crew comes in and gets it ready for the next people..

We rented a golf cart to get around, and also had a rental car..I would advise you to either rent a car or golf cart, since the stores and the squares are a bit too far to walk..

Kick your heels up, relax, have fun and enjoy the beautiful Villages!

[tankdvr1950]

Donna has pretty much said it all....would like to emphasize the need for some kind of transportation....u should probably look into a rental car to get to TV and for sure...u need to have your TV rep arrange for a golf cart rental....tooling around in a golf cart is the BEST way to get the feel of what its really like to be a "Villager".....even getting lost in you cart is fun....just pull over and in minutes u have a crowd around you giving you directions

wife and i are on our way next week for our second lifestyle visit....cant wait....6 nights this time instead of the 4 the first time

also..if u r a golfer....take advantage of the lifestyle free golf...if not...relax....there is more to do than you can possibly imagine

relax and enjoy

[Donna]

I forgot to mention, the newspaper is delivered every day, if I remember correctly it has the entertainment listed for the both town squares for that night!

If you are at a loss at any time, we are all here to help you and answer any questions you might have!

Have fun!

[Russ_Boston]

No need to feel creepy. The homes are beautiful and well kept. We just tried to leave it as we found it, which was clean. You can buy your own food and cook if you wish but with all the free meals on the preview card we only did that for snacks. The homes have everything you need EXCEPT a hair dryer. Most homes have a laundry (w/ soap provided) so you can pack light and just wash your things after a couple of days if you wish.

A rental car from the airport for the week is good since you will want that to do major exploring (TV is BIG!). But also rent a golf cart for at least a couple of days to experience the real feeling of TV. $18 per day if you get the crappy plain ones from the TV cart store in either LSL or SS.

Just enjoy!
Russ

[Lone Traveller]

I'll have to use the Villages shuttle to get to and from the airport. With my disability I can't drive a car. That is what attracts me to the Villages, I can get to everything I'll ever need in a golf cart.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Lone Traveller

I'll have to use the Villages shuttle to get to and from the airport. With my disability I can't drive a car. That is what attracts me to the Villages, I can get to everything I'll ever need in a golf cart.

If you are coming for your Lifestyle Preview after November 1, Fireboy and I will be back in The Villages. We'll drive you around and give you a tour.
If you're interested, please PM me.

[nONIE]

Bare, what a special person you are to offer to drive Lonetraveler around TV.

You are even kinder then I thought, and I didnt think you could get much sweeter then you are.

Also Lone traveler, dont forget to check out the Recreation News in Thursdays papers, There are many clubs, activities and support groups in TV. Wishing you a wonderful time in Paradise.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

. . . The homes have everything you need EXCEPT a hair dryer. . . Russ

AND a beach towel for the pool. That's what they told us for our lifestyle visit. Bring a hair dryer and a beach towel. They provide everything else. These houses are new and fully stocked with everything except food, and they even have coffee to get you going in the morning if you arrive late at night.

From my own personal experience the most important thing you need to bring (aside from your toothbrush) is a $5 map of the villages. You can call up and order one from the Mercantile store. They'll send it to you ahead of time. That way you can see how to get to the squares, the restaurants, the pools, the golf courses, and the free movies from your lifestyle house. Even more importantly, you'll know how to get back to the house when you're ready to relax from all the fun! Don't let the name "Villages" fool you into thinking this is some quaint little village with 4 streets.

[Prsm]

The home was large and beautifully furnished, washer/dryer, room for our grown children and grandchildren to stay for two of our days with the blessing of the developer's agent. We found a sitter and played golf one morning. So the entire family agreed TV passes muster as a family getaway. Now we know for sure when we buy, we'll love it. Just use the lovely home as if it is yours, do a little cleanup before you leave- to make it easy on the cleaning crew, leave a nice tip, and just relax and enjoy TV ! We called and stopped by the office frequently while there, and our agent contacted us frequently, so all questions about the house/home are easily answered.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Prsm

our agent contacted us frequently, so all questions about the house/home are easily answered.

There was ZERO sales pressure though. In fact the calls we received were to make sure that our accommodations were fine.

Our sales agent supplied us with a map. You are going to love it. The homes are super clean. I even saw the cleaning crew dry mopping the outside of the houses.

[Niels]

As others have already stated, there is no need to feel creepy about the fact that you are renting someone else's house. However, if this really bothers you, you might want to request one of the cottages that are located in Lake Sumter Landing when you make your reservation.

My wife and I stayed in one of the cottages when we visited the Villages on our lifestyle preview visit. The cottages are owned by the developer so they are not someone's house. The one we had was right on the lake. They are located right near the sales center and the town square in Lake Sumter Landing so they are a convienient location.

[Donna]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

If you are coming for your Lifestyle Preview after November 1, Fireboy and I will be back in The Villages. We'll drive you around and give you a tour.
If you're interested, please PM me.

Barefoot..That is so nice of you..I always knew the kind of person you are!

[colleenj]

I agree with all that was said here. Come, look around, take it all in! The houses they put you up in are clean (as in spotless!) and fully stocked (except for the hair dryer and beach towel). All you need is food but they give you plently of food on the lifestyle preview- I stayed for 5 days and ended up cooking very little.
I agree with renting a golf cart- it is truly the best way to see TV. One of the best things to do is just ride around and "get lost"- explore where different streets take you- it is a great way to see the different neighborhoods. Explore both north and south of 466- there are beautiful areas in both spots. Try new things- when I cam for my visit in May my villages agent gave me a free ticket to the polo match- I had never seen polo and ended up loving it.
There is no sales pressure. I chose to look at houses (and ended up buying my dream home) but certainly didn't feel I was under any obligation to.
Most of all -ENJOY!!!!