[thelegges]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

That area is one of the most mature areas of TV. Has well established large trees and closest to 3 of the best golf courses in TV, Nancy Lopez, Glenview and Arnold Palmer.

Easier to get tee times on the exec courses there. People from the south will not or do not drive that far.

Houses there are mostly in Marion County which does have higher property taxes

Residents from the south golf rarely leave out championship due to location, but degree of conditions. Our S44 group of 20 travels to Glenview twice a month, Palmer, Lopez once a month, unless course is have issues. Play usually twice a week, because of enhanced membership

[justjim]

We live between 466A and State Route 44. We are close to Brownwood and Sumter Landing by a 15 minute golf cart ride. 2 Publix, a neighborhood WalMart, 12 executive golf courses, 4 championship courses, Colony strip mall, Lake Deaton strip mall all within about a 15 minute or less golf cart ride. Adult and family pools, recreation facilities too many to count. We don’t freeze much as we travel for fresh produce and meat as needed because grocery is so close. It doesn’t get much better than this!

That said, we have good friends that live up north near near Nancy Lopez, northwest near where the new Costco is being built and Historical area of The Villages and all think they live in the “best” area of The Villages. To each their own.

[Will.S]

We bought in this northern area for several reasons. More house for our money, mature trees, no bond, cheaper taxes, more shopping, and upgrades already done by prior owner. Spanish Springs is 10 minutes by golf cart, Sumter Landing is 25 minutes by golf cart.
That just works out for us.

Originally Posted by PilotAlan

What's the advantage of living way up north? What are the cons?
We're looking at TV for retirement soon. There's some nice houses and nice neighborhoods up north of St Simons, in the Nancy Lopez/Hwy 42 area.
It seems it's a long way to Spanish Springs, even longer to Lake Sumpter. The Morse compound seems like it cuts off that area from rest of the Villages.

Please, educate me so I don't write off an area from lack of knowledge. Your pros and cons are appreciated!

[JoelJohnson]

We moved into a manufactured home in Country Club Hills in 2015, great neighbors! We spent a lot of money upgrading the house, but after a while we didn't want to put any more money into a manufactured home. We moved over to a 3 bed room house in Rio Ponderosa in 2020. Where we are now makes it easy to get to Spanish Springs or Lake Sumter. For the 5th time, we are in our forever home.

[npwalters]

Originally Posted by PilotAlan

Thanks for all of that. I don't think I'm interested in way down south. The bonds are insane, and the amenities are a ways off.
I'm thinking about the 466A area due to density of golf courses and amenities/retail. Although anywhere between Spanish Springs and Brownwood is under consideration.

But there's lots of houses for very good prices up above St Simons. It just looks like it's inconveniently far from many things.

The prettiest and most convenient areas in TV are between 466 and SR44 in my opinion. I live between 466 and 441 (a little further north) and am very happy here but IF I were to move it would be in that area.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by JoelJohnson

We moved into a manufactured home in Country Club Hills in 2015, great neighbors! We spent a lot of money upgrading the house, but after a while we didn't want to put any more money into a manufactured home. We moved over to a 3 bed room house in Rio Ponderosa in 2020. Where we are now makes it easy to get to Spanish Springs or Lake Sumter. For the 5th time, we are in our forever home.

I think the only downside to Rio Ponderosa is not having any option other than driving your golf cart on Morse, in order to get -anywhere- outside Rio Ponderosa.

On the historic side, I have lots of places I can go, shop, eat at, get medical care from, without ever having to drive my cart onto Morse.

But that isn't really a deal-breaker for me since I don't mind driving my cart on the Morse cart/bicycle lane. I'm not phased by it at all. Perhaps that's because I consider the golf cart bridge over 441 to be sort of like a roller coaster hill and consider it FUN to drive over rather than scary.

The entire experience of golf cart driving is adventurous to me. It's a mini-thrill that lends to the OTHER reputation of the Villages as a Disneyland for seniors.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

So let's start you off with a new "good" habit: Sumter is spelled Sumter, not Sumpter. Okay that's out of the way. ...

One of many Villagers' biggest pet peeves. I have heard the saying, "There's no pee in Lake Sumter" as a reminder of the proper spelling.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Your newest rec center, First Responders, has free video games. ...

While we agree on very little, we can agree on this. I know Eisenhower, Everglades and many others are amazingly decorated and beautiful Rec Centers, my personal favorite is the new First Responders' Recreation Center. Mostly because of the decor and private, personal feeling of the place. Not overly used and can always get to the activity there I want without wait or issue.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I visit other parts of the Villages often, including residential areas. It's been my experience that the Historic Section (where I live) tends to be much more of an old-fashioned "neighborhood." Lanais are either directly in front of the house or along the side, accessed through the carport (which is often ALSO converted to a lanai). So people who enjoy sitting on their lanais in nice weather are much more likely to interact with folks taking their dogs for a walk or just getting exercise. Plus neighbors can see that you're home and might come over to share a snack or a few minutes of chit-chat. Or ask for that ubiquitous cup of sugar that every old fashioned neighborhood knows about.

Other neighborhoods in The Villages can easily end up with similar experiences, however the Historic Section seems to be built for the purpose.

Thank makes a lot of sense and I wish TV still used that concept with their home plans. Nothing like a nice veranda facing the street and the opportunity to watch the world go by from a comfy chair. Even screening it in wouldn't keep one from interacting with the neighbors. But then the kissing lanais would be gone.

[MplsPete]

CON: Florida Building Codes.
In July 2024 a State Farm agency (think it was on 466) told me they won't insure older homes. I can't remember the exact cut off, but it was about 20-25 years old, and I believe this is due to upgraded building codes of the early 21st century.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by PilotAlan

What's the advantage of living way up north? What are the cons?

One of the advantages is that I live up there.

Of course, that appears under "cons", too.

Glad to be of help.

[PilotAlan]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Glad to be of help.

Everyone's comments are much appreciated.

We're doing a lifestyle visit this year, I know that will be way down south.
We've already decided to make at least two more trips. One to rent for a couple weeks, probably between the 6s, and another couple weeks up by Spanish Springs and around Hwy 42.

Thanks everyone! Keep any comments coming!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by MplsPete

CON: Florida Building Codes.
In July 2024 a State Farm agency (think it was on 466) told me they won't insure older homes. I can't remember the exact cut off, but it was about 20-25 years old, and I believe this is due to upgraded building codes of the early 21st century.

END 0F 2002 roof hurricane ties in attic. My house was built in November 2003 and it has upgrade when I got estimates from State Farm. Like Allstate way too high then.

IMO insurance shouldn’t be able to dictate who they will insure in state either all or none.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by westernrider75

You must not have been “south” in awhile. Our area south of 44 is now 6 years old, landscaping is beautiful and not overgrown and old looking. There are plenty of medical facilities including the emergency room at 44, all the facilities at Brownwood, as well as many independent offices constantly opening. We have 3 new golf courses opening shortly in addition to what we already have, as well as all the new businesses that will be at Eastport. Are there bonds, yes. Some have been paid off but most have not. But you are getting new/newer homes with updated floor plans, new roofs, new heating and cooling, etc. There are many benefits to the more southern areas.

Due to insurance scams nearly 98% of all houses in villages have new roof. There one left in my neighborhood. I’m still wondering how they are able to get insurance. It’s rental so they probably have different rules like tax deduction for new roof, where a home owner don’t get squat.

[Dotneko]

I drive to MCO or Tampa 6 times a month on average. Being in St Cats (Sawgrass) saves me over an hour each round trip.
Our village has grown up nicely. Lovely walking and biking trails. Easy golf cart rides on dedicated paths to Middleton, Eastport, Brownwood or LSL. We rarely go to Spanish Springs - there is little we require up there. Maybe a long cart ride to BJs every other month or a yearly craving for Texas Roadhouse.
We have over 40 restaurants within a 35 minute golf cart ride.
My doctor is down here. Any services we need are down here.
To me, driving up Morse to the north is a sea of similarly colored houses, many have visible mold on roofs and siding.
I laugh when someone brags about upgrades. Personally, I want to pick the tile I want. Not what someone else has chosen.
Im glad some like to be in the north, but give me the southern end!

[npwalters]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Due to insurance scams nearly 98% of all houses in villages have new roof. There one left in my neighborhood. I’m still wondering how they are able to get insurance. It’s rental so they probably have different rules like tax deduction for new roof, where a home owner don’t get squat.

Just curious why you refer to it as insurance scams. I know when I had my roof replaced the insurance company had a person come out and verify it need to be done as a result of the previous hurricane. in other words - the insurance company was completely involved in the process. That is/was pretty common.