[Battlebasset]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

There are MANY residents in the 50-65 yr old bracket in the north. The squares in the south are crowded because everyone is new. Stores and businesses close throughout the Villages REGULARLY. Have you been to Sawgrass? Not the same as when it opened, is it? Ednas on the green? Not the same!

Sorry, not my experience. Again, just my observations after living here since 2020. Your mileage may vary.

I've been to Sawgrass numerous times. It's great to see so many folks using it. Edna's on the Green? Never my favorite, but nice to go there after a round of golf.

[georgefloto]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Advantage? Less traffic, close to VA, lake Sumter and Spanish springs about same 5 miles or so. Closer to Ocala area. Shopping close to include the Proposed Costco’s at Southern Trace. Disadvantages? If buy Marion county little higher taxes than other counties. Things you may like to do maybe below lake Sumter 7 plus miles. So, basically you have to decide what you want. IMO anything below 466 traffic gets real bad. If that don’t bother you have at it.

Totally agree.
From the farthest point at Rt42 Lake Sumter is about 20 minutes, Spanish Springs is about 15 minutes.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by johnblackwell

Before we bought further South, we rented in the 'historic section' where we made friends very quickly. It took rather longer where we bought. I think the difference lay in the carports in the historic section. From time to time when entering or leaving home, I would see a neighbor struggling with groceries, and help. Soon we were friends. Here, if our neighbors struggle, they have already electronically shut their garage door, cutting themselves off from help.

Just a thought.

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.

[pgettinger01]

Advantages
Bond is paid down or off
Lots are bigger
Mature growth
No construction
Traffic is what it is and going to be

Cons
Construction is Tilt Wall, Stucco and is strong versus mobile homes and wood frame
People are younger
Probably have twelve (12) years before replacing HVAC and Roof
The facilities, houses, and infrastructure are older
The Villages is different in the South (More walking trails...)

[DonH57]

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!

We've been in Santo Domingo village about 11 years now. We've been really happy. Most houses here have the bond paid off. Traffic in this area is generally not bad even in the busy season compared to southern areas of the villages. We do have the occasional daily speeders driving 30 miles an hour on some side streets, but that's everywhere now. A lot of restaurants and bars have closed up in Spanish Springs but hopefully they will be replaced by others. The way the villages are slapping up new houses with fewer features I personally would not buy down south. Just my opinion.

[PJOHNS2654]

GOLF CARTS NOT ALLOWED ON MORSE????

I drive my golf cart in the multimodal lane on Morse several times a week.

[BruceWay]

i bought in Duval area as it is 3 miles south of LSL and 4 miles north of Brownwood.

But i have noticed that people tend to like where they live. Partially they get used to the area.

[Pat#79Luv]

We live in the village of Chatham, on Legacy Lane, not far from Nancy Lopez CC. We love our neighborhood. Our area has all stucco homes, no vinyl sided homes. Trees are large providing shade and other landscaping is mature. We are close to a grocery store, a gas station, a number of restaurants etc. We drive our cart to Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter and Brownwood all of the time. We have also taken a few trips waaaaay south, in the golf cart, just for the fun of it. We don’t golf a lot, but are near 3 Championship golf courses, Lopez, Palmer and Glenview, plus a good number of executive courses. We are off of County 42 and not far from 301, 466, 441 etc. Just our opinion, but we think the northern area is great. Lots of homes no longer have bonds and have been updated to some point, at least. If I were you, I wouldn’t discount the northern area without at least taking a good look at it. We have been here 9 years and LOVE it. Happy home shopping!

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by PilotAlan

Thanks for that. We have a lifestyle visit planned, I know the lifestyle homes are all wayyy down south, but it didn't occur to me yet how that plays into getting to know the various parts of town.
We were looking at a 7 day lifestyle. Maybe a 4 day and spend a few 3-4 day trips in rental homes.

Do the Lifestyle visit, then rent hotel room at Lake Sumter or Spanish Springs for 3 or 4 days. You will never get a true feeling for what you're looking for if you only try out the South end, as it's really far out from the North.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by jimmy o

Do the Lifestyle visit, then rent hotel room at Lake Sumter or Spanish Springs for 3 or 4 days. You will never get a true feeling for what you're looking for if you only try out the South end, as it's really far out from the North.

Better than less time but IMHO not nearly enough. We were here a few times for long weekends but before we bought rented for 30 days. Place is too big to decide to become a villager and than figure out where you want to live

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by Battlebasset

Living in Fenny area. My observations:

Younger demographic as you go further south. Not a deal breaker, but if you are 65 and all of your neighbors are 85, how much will they want to do with you and what will you have in common? They may also start looking at you as the "young people" that can help them out with the things they can't do anymore, or transportation to their Dr. appointment.

More shopping up north. But if Amazon and Walmart deliver, what do you care? Drive up there once a month if you need that fix.

More square activity. Brownwood and Sawgrass are generally packed. Spanish Springs? Not as much, and look at all of the closed stores.

If down south, you have all of the new things, not to mention Middleton. And Eastport is coming. There is something about looking at young people walking around, and just experiencing a feeling of vibrancy. I don't get that around Spanish Springs.

Closer to Orlando and Clermont. Airport, shopping, and unique restaurants. And personally, I have an antenna in my attic that pulls in all of the Orlando stations for free. Not sure that would work as well up north.

Just my thoughts. Your mileage may vary. Good luck!

And Fenney is gorgeous! We live in DeLuna and cart to Fenney regularly. Love living down south. 😊

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy

And Fenney is gorgeous! We live in DeLuna and cart to Fenney regularly. Love living down south. 😊

When I got here the sales pitch was no more development so better not wait? There was nothing south of 44 or southeast of 466a and Morse blvd. Other than dump site.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by PJOHNS2654

I drive my golf cart in the multimodal lane on Morse several times a week.

Yeah, I forgot that the old fashioned area of Morse is only 2-lane with a golf cart path along the side. We have lived here for 9 years and we have only driven on that part of Morse three times.

[asianthree]

OP what you will find Everyone thinks their neighborhood is the best. They all have driveway parties, golf groups, nice neighbors, and the best house one can find. At one time currently have a bond or paid it off (with the exception of Historical sections)

One thing to consider, when homes in certain areas are far less money, than other areas, do you think is just a bargain, or is the lower price, because it’s maybe harder to sell?

Then if your life changes 6 months from now, you need to sell the home, will you have difficulty selling?

Because no matter how much you plan, things can change in a heartbeat, or lack of one

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

I did not think they did lifestyle visits for as long as 7 days but maybe that changed? If your wanting to check out the north not sure why you would spend time with the lifestyle visits in an area your not interested in (and what would you be gaining?). Check out the rentals and airbrb’s in the areas you’re interested in first, IMO. Your coming in the off season so rates and availability will be good.

You can rent a house for how many days you want. I did it recently for some family members were are trying to talk into moving here.