[coffeebean]

The more folks I speak to, the more I'm realizing that others fell into the same mindset hubby and I did when we first came down for our LSV. Hubby had wanted to "snowbird" for several years as the winters in NJ can be miserable. At the time of our LSV, we had no intention of purchasing a home in TV. We were just looking and wanted to get a feel for the area. We were familiar with TV website and many floor plans for the homes. Just looking, mind you.

Well, as everyone has said before me, you've got to see this place to experience the beauty and sheer amazement TV offers. With absolutely no intention to purchase, we purchased a 2/2 Patio Villa in Duval, unfurnished. We spent our first season here furnishing a completely empty house and made a wonderful home for the time we spend here in TV.

Just wondering, how many of you plunked down the cash or got our your check book when you first visited TV, having no intention of purchasing a house?

[Serenoa]

Had current finances allowed, we would not have hesitated. But until we win the lottery or strike oil in the backyard we can't afford to own two homes.

[Rickg]

We had no intention of buying since wwe cant retire for three more years. But after talking to people we bought on the fourth day of our "vacation". Funny how many people must do that.

[getdul981]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

The more folks I speak to, the more I'm realizing that others fell into the same mindset hubby and I did when we first came down for our LSV. Hubby had wanted to "snowbird" for several years as the winters in NJ can be miserable. At the time of our LSV, we had no intention of purchasing a home in TV. We were just looking and wanted to get a feel for the area. We were familiar with TV website and many floor plans for the homes. Just looking, mind you.

Well, as everyone has said before me, you've got to see this place to experience the beauty and sheer amazement TV offers. With absolutely no intention to purchase, we purchased a 2/2 Patio Villa in Duval, unfurnished. We spent our first season here furnishing a completely empty house and made a wonderful home for the time we spend here in TV.

Just wondering, how many of you plunked down the cash or got our your check book when you first visited TV, having no intention of purchasing a house?

We did.

[jojo]

Buying on first visit is all the more amazing given the lack of pressure from The Villages realtors.

[Bizdoc]

We came down in late Nov 2012 to visit a friend who lives here plus (after a few days) head on down to visit The Mouse. We had been looking at Continuing Care Retirement Communities (due to DW's health issues) and visited Freedom Pointe. After our tour of FP, I asked DW what she thought and her response was "let's look at some houses". We did and fell in love with a Seabreeze in Fernandina. Didn't decide to buy until about 5 days later while at WDW - drove back up the next evening and signed the papers.

The big selling point for us was (a) lots of smiling, happy, active seniors and (b) lots of resources if health issues get worse. (and for the curious, most of the health issues resolved in the past 2 months!)

We came back over Christmas/ New Years for closing, furniture shopping, and deliveries. Now we are here for good. Place does grow on you fast!

David

[rubicon]

Visited in 2004 and then again in 2006 and both times I liked TV but had the same reservations about life and economics. I still do. I do not regret deciding to be fulltime and I do not miss the higher taxs and snow but i do miss living in a real city like Minneapolis and all that it had to offer.

[Barefoot]

Careful! If you visit the Sales Office, take a trolley ride, or attend any Open Houses, they painlessly insert a "buy microchip" in the back of your neck. You don't even know it's happening. It leaves you helpless to resist the charm of The Villages.

[asianthree]

Third time was a charm

[bluedog103]

Not us. I had serious questions about the TV micro lots. Still do. We have an oversize lot, oversize for TV that is but it's still small. It's a great lifestyle here and we love it while were in TV but we're part timers. I know in April I'll have some room to stretch out. Some day I know we'll have to make a decision about were to spend the rest of our days and it'll be a tough choice. I came here to escape the NY winters and don't look forward to experiencing them again but on the other hand, it's really beautiful there the other three seasons. Not something I'm going to worry about for awhile. Right now I'm looking forward to the 80 degree days predicted for later this week.

[pooh]

We did!

[Lbmb24101]

We bought on our 1st trip but we semi had intention to buy, because, we knew no other place had the businesses golf cart accessible. THAT was THE main reason we bought. But we did not like any of the new models ( too small) so we bought a beautifully and smartly decorated pre owned designer, and yes, in our first visit!

[NotGolfer]

Yup, pretty much!!

[graciegirl]

Yes. It was the most impulsive thing we have done in fifty years of marriage. Had four bad days of buyers remorse and the rest has been joyful beyond any of our expectations.

We lost our hearts to this place and it hasn't disappointed in five years.

We loved that house for four years and built a new one last year.

[keithwand]

Our timeline.
Jan. 2012- Our first visit to TV to visit friends that were renting for the 2nd year in a row. We lived 1 hour away (Winter Park/ Orlando and in those 8 years never visited TV or wanted to. We came with a pretty negative attitude of what we thought we would see here.
Within 1 hour of arriving in TV we were WOWED!!!
Spent the next 2 nights here with our friends.
Feb. 2012- Did the LSV for 2 or 3 nights and purchased our lot in MacClenny at Fernandina.
March 2012- Came back for 3 nights to pick out model and options.
June 2012- Moved in. Our friends were a little worried that we acted so fast and in fact we had never even seen all of the stores on HWY 441 before moving here.
We just figured everything was already here.
We have never met so many people or done so much in our lives.
Glad our friends came here and like it so much that we finally visited TV.