[BeeGee]

I know there may be a lot of different opinions on this, but when we stayed in the mulberry grove area in a CYV - great location as far as privacy - backed up to a lake? pond? and golf course, but was so far away from Sumter and Springs that it took a while to get to each - loved mulberry grove, but was wondering if the hubs and I could get some input. Also, we were told by our "AGENT" that newly built homes are not going to be equipped with gas - kind of disappointing. Does anyone else share this opinion. Should we consider buying resale in order to get gas? - We love TV and are working to make this happen. This forum is great for valuable tips and just plain fun. Thanks in advance for your help!!!! Bonnie

[mak44070]

We lived in an all electric home in Ohio for over 30 years (heat pump). I loved it. I felt it was much cleaner than gas. Our bills were comparable to homes that heated with gas.

[l2ridehd]

I want gas for cooking. I have had both and much prefer gas. As for new or resale. Their are pro's and con's for both. My preference is resale for many reasons, but that is a personal choice. I would look at both and buy what you like in a location you like. As for which Village, there all great. I would visit both town squares several times, decide which one you prefer and buy somewhere within a 5 minute golf cart ride from it.

[logdog]

We looked at some resales in the Glenview area (just south of Mulberry). Nicely landscaped areas close to nature preserves. These were somewhat older homes with somewhat older neighbors. Also a long drive by cart to the town squares.

We wound up buying in Amelia which is one of the newer areas. We can get to LSL and Colonial Plaza in under 10 minutes by cart and will centrally located when TV finishes building out. Lots more executive courses close to our home. Works for us.

As to gas, we've had both and prefer electric. At one time gas was cheaper but no more.

[golfnut]

logdog, just curious where can we find stats on costs of gas vs electric....gn

[Ohiogirl]

I too have had both all electric and gas homes. I highly prefer gas for cooking, but I cook a lot. I prefer gas for heating up north (feels warmer to me than a heat pump - heat pumps recirculate warm air - I think the gas blows out warmer); however, that said, if you don't cook all that much it probably doesn't matter. Most years (I'm hoping this one and last is an exception) I don't think you will have the heat on all that much to really make electric vs gas an issue for heating.

If you really want gas for cooking and want a newer home, the villages closest to LSL I believe have gas - I know Sabal Chase and Largo do, and I think Virginia Trace, Sunset Pointe, Mallory Hill and Caroline may also have gas - check the resale listings on TheVillages.com to make sure. Age of these Villages is probably 3-6 years. Not sure about Poinciana or any others. Bonds, although they may not be paid off, are also less to begin with than new construction.

[graciegirl]

I love to cook and I have now a solid surface cooktop at both homes. It requires you to be a little more observant as the heat doesn't come up and down as quickly but really, I don't think there is a huge difference between gas and electric.

One of the pluses in TV about having electric only is that the gas lines go through the attic and Central Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S.

I have felt more than adequately cool and warm in our Camellia in Hadley and the utility bill is nice and comfortable too.

[BeeGee]

gas is preferred to electric. Also like gas for heat - I agree - feels (and is)warmer - have gas heat now and have had heat pump in previous homes - but hopefully the temps in TV will be much better than up here. Right now, of course being a little bit of exception - we haven't any snow...yet. Thanks for the input on the areas around LSL...I think we'd like to be close to that square, so your input was very helpful. Also, I think we'd like concrete over wood frame w/siding...any thoughts?

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by BeeGee

I know there may be a lot of different opinions on this, but when we stayed in the mulberry grove area in a CYV - great location as far as privacy - backed up to a lake? pond? and golf course, but was so far away from Sumter and Springs that it took a while to get to each - loved mulberry grove, but was wondering if the hubs and I could get some input. Also, we were told by our "AGENT" that newly built homes are not going to be equipped with gas - kind of disappointing. Does anyone else share this opinion. Should we consider buying resale in order to get gas? - We love TV and are working to make this happen. This forum is great for valuable tips and just plain fun. Thanks in advance for your help!!!! Bonnie

You can have propane installed for your cooking, dryer, fireplace, pool heater etc. if that's a show stopper. Most experienced cooks prefer gas to electric. More control over the heat.

[sschuler1]

As to wood frame/siding vs. block and stucco: each has it's own benefits and downfalls, so look at all the plus and minuses and make a decision that is right for you.

Plus-
-Block and stucco looks more expensive.
-Block and stucco is more secure in hurricane strength winds

Minus-
-Block and stucco IS more expensive
-Block and stucco requires painting every 7 or 8 years.

Plus
-Frame/siding is less expensive.
-Frame/siding requires less maintainance.

Minus
-Frame/siding looks less expensive.
-Frame/siding is less secure in hurricane strength winds.

[golfnut]

i don't think propane is an option...gn

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by golfnut

i don't think propane is an option...gn

Propane is definitely an option. Whether you like this option is another story but it's been done in many homes in the southern area. Suburban Propane in Wildwood as well as Heritage in Leesburg work in TV.

[chuckinca]

I believe GG is an experienced cook and just said she doesn't see much difference between gas and electric.

As far as propane - you have to convert a standard gas stove to operate on propane and it doesn't operate like a gas stove as the pressure varies with the decreasing tank pressure. Also, you have to hide the propane tank. We have a propane tank here in Norcal and it only serves the stove (my wife insisted she had to have gas) and we can't get anyone to provide a large tank because of the small amount of usage, so we use a 5 gallon tank and have to watch it closely so it doesn't run out when she is baking or cooking.

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by chuckinca

I believe GG is an experienced cook and just said she doesn't see much difference between gas and electric.

As far as propane - you have to convert a standard gas stove to operate on propane and it doesn't operate like a gas stove as the pressure varies with the decreasing tank pressure. Also, you have to hide the propane tank. We have a propane tank here in Norcal and it only serves the stove (my wife insisted she had to have gas) and we can't get anyone to provide a large tank because of the small amount of usage, so we use a 5 gallon tank and have to watch it closely so it doesn't run out when she is baking or cooking.

It's all a matter of personal preference and there really isn't a right or a wrong. My mother and grandmother could prepare incredible meals on a wood stove. It doesn't get too much more difficult to regulate the heat than that.
In TV the propane tanks are underground. The only thing visible is a small dome. The tanks are something like 120 or 150 gallons. Pretty good size.
We've lived in parts of the country where most everyone, including us, used electric stoves and in other places where most everyone used gas. Our present home in New York has oil heat and propane for the stove and dryer. The propane works fine for us here. The first appliances were converted and installed by the builders guy. Since then in the 33 years we've owned this home, I've converted and installed several dryers and stoves myself. It isn't difficult. You just have to know what you're doing.
Propane isn't for everyone but the option is there for someone who really wants gas.

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by BeeGee

I know there may be a lot of different opinions on this, but when we stayed in the mulberry grove area in a CYV - great location as far as privacy - backed up to a lake? pond? and golf course, but was so far away from Sumter and Springs that it took a while to get to each - loved mulberry grove, but was wondering if the hubs and I could get some input. Also, we were told by our "AGENT" that newly built homes are not going to be equipped with gas - kind of disappointing. Does anyone else share this opinion. Should we consider buying resale in order to get gas? - We love TV and are working to make this happen. This forum is great for valuable tips and just plain fun. Thanks in advance for your help!!!! Bonnie

BeeGee - you are right to be concerned about location. The best advice I can offer is to suggest you take a look at what activities you will be pursuing. Will hubby play softball - be near the sofball complex. Do you play a lot of golf on championship courses? Will you be taking classes at the Villages Learning Center - how about grocery shopping - do you plan on going to the square a lot? And so on - to give you a feel of the best locations for you . If you look at a map of full build-out, you will see that just south of Lake Sumter is pretty close to being the center of the Villages at full buildout, so villages of Virginia Trace, Mallory, Caroline, Amelia, Saball Chase, and Sunset Point etc., are the most central. But, say your interest is tennis, and you plan on playing the clay courts over at Glenview. You may wish to consider the Glenview area instead. In my view it really depends on your interests. And many activities are very location specific i.e. you can only do them in certain areas. For example, if you are on the swim team, the practices are 3 times a week up at Mulberry (way up north by Nancy Lopez). Now you can commute there, at least a 30 minute car ride I think from Heminway, but it would be a lot more convenient if you lived closer. It is all a matter of personal choice. As far as gas/electric, many people prefer gas - its up to you. Having had both, I like the gas better. Good luck.