[kitkat1]

Visited The Villages last weekend for the first time and really loved the area. We particularly loved the areas around Spanish Springs, Brownwood and Sumter Landing. We can't quite remember which Villages were near those areas. We are looking for probably a pre-owned home. Can anyone help with this?

[chuckinca]

This website has just about everything you would want to know about TV:

VIRGINIA TRACE, THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA

[New York Transplant]

Stay away from Pine Ridge and closer to the squares as the taxes are a lot higher as well as the home prices. Few miles off the cuff you will be saving about 50k-100k on your home as well as lower taxes. Love it here however the closer you are to the squares the more you'll pay. If you are all about location, and don't mind being taken to the cleaners then that is for you. If you want a beautiful home, and a few miles from the squares you can find a real good buy. Courtyard villas are popular and good resale value!

[kitkat1]

Thanks so much for the info! Really appreciate it!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by kitkat1

Visited The Villages last weekend for the first time and really loved the area. We particularly loved the areas around Spanish Springs, Brownwood and Sumter Landing. We can't quite remember which Villages were near those areas. We are looking for probably a pre-owned home. Can anyone help with this?

When we first visited The Villages, we thought it was essential to buy near one of the three squares as we thought we'd practically live there.

Unless we have company or go to a movie or someone "special" is playing, (like Rocky and the Rollers), we very rarely visit the Squares.

I know Mr. & Mrs. Trap go to the Squares frequently, but I think that is unusual. Just one opinion!

[Cisco Kid]

Originally Posted by New York Transplant

Stay away from Pine Ridge and closer to the squares as the taxes are a lot higher as well as the home prices. Few miles off the cuff you will be saving about 50k-100k on your home as well as lower taxes. Love it here however the closer you are to the squares the more you'll pay. If you are all about location, and don't mind being taken to the cleaners then that is for you. If you want a beautiful home, and a few miles from the squares you can find a real good buy. Courtyard villas are popular and good resale value!

Pine Ridge ? Do tell.

[kitkat1]

Thanks so much! This place is so big I don't know which way to go!!

[pooh]

Welcome to The Villages! I love it here and was fortunate to purchase a new home in Caroline 10 years ago. Lake Sumter Landing was fairly new at that time.

When people first move to TV, they tend to frequent the squares a bit more than they might after being here a while. Do you think proximity to the squares is very important on your list of things you want? If so, I'm sure there are many fine homes you could consider for purchase. Home prices are based on square footage, upgrades, lot size, throughout The Villages. I'm not certain that homes located closer to the squares cost more just because of location.

Previously owned homes may offer upgrades and mature landscaping giving you more time to get right into your retirement fun, though setting up a new home can be fun, too. After you've been here for a while, you'll notice that all Villages are nice and some things you thought were important about house location, aren't as important as they first were. I'm assuming a golf cart purchase is being considered....and getting anyplace in a golf cart is fun...and the time seems fairly quick.

Have fun in your search...you'll have so many home styles to choose from.....enjoy!

[John_W]

An easy way to look up properties for sale without needing to know the village name is with a map, Zillow can show properties this way.

Real Estate - 224 Homes For Sale | Zillow

The map can be adjusted to larger or smaller using the + and - signs on the right. The link above is set up for The Villages, just hover your mouse over the red dots and you'll get a small photo of the home. Click on the dot and information and photos will pop up on the screen. Hit close in the upper right to get rid of the information. You can change the search along the buttons at the top by limiting the price, number of BR's, etc. To bring in a satellite view of actual buildings and landmarks, on the right click on map and then select aerial. To move the map around, when your mouse pointer is a 'hand', you can drag the map to where you like to see.

Zillow homepage Zillow: Real Estate, Apartments, Mortgages & Home Values

[kitkat1]

Thanks for the information! We drove through Caroline actually and really liked it! All these replies are very helpful!

[kitkat1]

Thanks ! Very helpful!!

[2BNTV]

I don't agree if a home is closer to a square, it is more expensive. You will pay more for a view, corner lot, upgrades in home, etc.

I agree it's more important to be closer to shopping, doctors and an activity that you might do on a daily basis, After awhile, most people don't go to the squares as often.

You might want to consider something like Bonnybrook, Summerhill, area. Caroline and Virginia Trace are also beautiful. Close to doctors and shopping and a short ride to the squares. TV is very big so don't get overwhelmed.

Best to send for a map and study it, as there are many choices.

[kitkat1]

Thanks so much for your input. Really looking forward to moving there!!

[njbchbum]

Here's another important website for future residents: Village Community Development Districts

Once there scroll down and click on the menu tab for MAPS You will most likely want to review the District maps first and then either the exec golf course map or the recreation map. Tolls are located on each map allowing you to decrease the viewing size and eliminating a lot of scrolling.

Another item of note when folks start 'shopping' around is the need for the cost of the houses' bond payment - a charge for infrastructure of the district and a cost not often included in the sale price of the home. Info re that cost starts here: Residential Bond Assessment Information

[Opmoochler]

We wanted a house with a view - that was it. Now that we've lived here (Hadley) a year and enjoyed the view, I am grateful that we are also near both of our rec centers (Odell & Colony), our neighborhood pool & mail station, a shopping plaza (Colony), 466a and Morse Blvd. Getting to two of the squares (Brownwood & Lake Sumter Landing) is a bit of a trek by golf cart, but definitely doable. We've been to LSL for musical entertainment five times in a year, though I go more frequently for shopping or movies. I use our car a lot; hubby uses the cart for golf. I find I can get to all Drs, Sams Club, and most places all over TV and even in Leesburg in under 15-25minutes (maybe a little longer when the Snowbirds are here - how quickly I forget). I have a good friend in the far reaches of Tamarind Grove who is near her mail station but far from main roads, rec centers, shopping centers etc. Come and rent for a month or two unless you decide exactly what you want relative to your location.