[Sgroemm]

The trolley tours each have their specific focus: Tours leaving from Brownwood emphasize that area and the new area called Fenney. Tours leaving from Lake Sumter emphasize "the lifestyle" and Tours leaving from Spanish Springs emphasize the history. I wouldn't do all three unless you have too much time on your hands....they are each a couple hours and occupy a half day in getting there, parking, waiting to load, touring, breaks at the Rec. centers, etc. Prioritize...if you think you might buy new construction in Fenney take that tour. If you think you might buy a resale in the Spanish Springs or Lake Sumter area take that tour.

House hunting....it can occupy your whole time here...try to research 5 or 6 houses you want to see ahead of time (ERA Grizzard has an easy to use website for MLS listings and The Villages site is great for their own listings....note that all homes for sale are not listed in one convenient place) Narrow your focus....it can be overwhelming if you don't.

Go to all three squares....note the crowds (that is exciting for some people...bothersome for others) Take note of the different architecture and "feeling" each square projects....one may be a better fit...Spanish Springs happens to be my favorite.
I believe you will get a daily paper on the lifestyle visit...look at all of the special happenings...steak night at certain country clubs, holiday craft shows and music, market nights at the squares, club meetings you are interested in sitting in on, etc.
Talk to the people at the pool! Most lifestyle visitors are in the same area so they will have experiences to share. My parents were just on a lifestyle visit at Alden Bungalows....many others were too and we met them at the pool.

Evan's Prairie Country Club was one of our favorites....great food, little wait time, lovely atmosphere....less crowded than the restaurants at the squares. Enjoy a little R & R by the pool during your visit!!!!!!

[Sgroemm]

Google maps works well on your phone in the villages....by cart or by car.

[REDCART]

The Sharon Performing Arts Center in Spanish Springs opened one year ago, and if possible try to see a show there. If not Google the Sharon and take their virtual tour. It’s a very impressive theatre and the entertainment options have been very impressive. I just learned from the virtual tour that with the exception of four, The Sharon is larger than NY’s Broadway theaters.

[Sgroemm]

One more thing...lifestyle visit golf carts are limited to 12 mph for "safety" (which I can understand, but it makes them much less fun to drive around!!)

[lafoto]

Finding a house is secondary. Finding out if you love the lifestyle is primary.
If you love the lifestyle, find the spots that you love the best. For instance, I love golf,
I loved the Hacienda Hill CC, My wife loves the trails for running, we love mature green
and lush surroundings. We bought a house that was central to all the areas we love.
You are not buying a house in the villages because it has a certain layout, its not about layouts,
its about having fun and feeling young!
Buy the lifestyle in an area that you love with the things you enjoy doing. MHO

[jswintberg]

Look in the recreational guide for a beginner's pickleball location at 10 a.m. and give it a try. Ask at the desk of the rec center if they have a standard paddle as opposed to the wooden paddles in the equipment building. An advance knowledge of the rules on line and/or YouTube would be helpful. This is a very addicting game.

[ditka41]

Try to play at least one each of our Championship and Executive golf courses. If you aren't into golf, check out other surrounding developments also, even though they offer more limited amenities. Be aware that The Villages "entry gates" are all on county owned roads, and as such, anybody driving up to the gate will be allowed entrance. The main purpose our gates serve is to allow golf carts to cross roads more safely. There is some comfort in knowing that every vehicle entering the gate is automatically photographed. That is better than no gates here, but there are neighboring developments offering actual "security" if that is important to you. I was disappointed, but golfing and other benefits of living here make it tolerable. All three squares with the nightly entertainment / dancing are open to non-residents and property owners alike.
This is a friendly place and I would suggest simply asking some of the people on the street or wherever, what they like or dislike about living in The Villages. You will get lots of opinions and then decide if it's for you. The Villages Real Estate sales people are truly very low pressure and know the market and areas very well. However, they do not sell pre-owned MLS listings. So, if you're looking for a pre-owned, make an appointment with any MLS agent in addition to one from the Villages Sales organization. By all means, I'd suggest you take the trolley tours as quickly as possible upon your arrival.

[Transplant]

Wow. You people are great ! Thank you for the pointers. The Village rep called and told me they will schedule a tee time for me. They are also looking for a show for us to attend. They sent a paper in the mail that comes out every Thursday with all the activities. There are soooo many ! I heard a lot about pickle ball and we will try that out. I was also interested in lawn bowling and the putting course at the Putt and Play at Fenney. We will definitely take the trolley tour(s) and drive around in the golf cart (with caution going around the roundabouts). Some of you suggested RR at the pool. Will it be hot enough in December for that? Looking forward to checking out the country clubs and some restaurants. Thanks for the tip about going a little early because of the crowds. We will of course check out all the town centers for the nightly entertainment. We plan on talking to people to see how they adjusted / like the Villages. Again thank you to everyone. If you think of anything else, let us know. We are very excited.

[MarkGoldberg]

Absolutely. First of all, enjoy yourselves and welcome. We’ve been here a year.
2nd- don’t worry about finding the perfect house. Take your time and learn about and enjoy the lifestyle. If you like the lifestyle, you’ll find the house. If you don’t, then it won’t matter how much you love the house.
3rd- Talk to everyone you meet. We are all friendly and have bee. Through the same thing. We’d love to tell you all about The Villages.
4th/ one of the new villages that they are pushing is Fenney. It is beautiful, but about 6 miles away and not connected by golf cart yet. Ask to see houses for sale in other Villages. There are still new homes in Pine Hills (where we live), Pine Ridge and Osceola Hills, as well as some others.
Good luck and always feel free to ask any questions.

[BRN_RI_FL]

Originally Posted by MarkGoldberg

Absolutely. First of all, enjoy yourselves and welcome. We’ve been here a year.
2nd- don’t worry about finding the perfect house. Take your time and learn about and enjoy the lifestyle. If you like the lifestyle, you’ll find the house. If you don’t, then it won’t matter how much you love the house.
3rd- Talk to everyone you meet. We are all friendly and have bee. Through the same thing. We’d love to tell you all about The Villages.
4th/ one of the new villages that they are pushing is Fenney. It is beautiful, but about 6 miles away and not connected by golf cart yet. Ask to see houses for sale in other Villages. There are still new homes in Pine Hills (where we live), Pine Ridge and Osceola Hills, as well as some others.
Good luck and always feel free to ask any questions.

There are still about 22 new courtyard villas for sale at Phillips Villas in the extreme northern section of the villages. We have a brand new Cody’s Roadhouse going in here. Also we have the Mulberry Rec center with a brand new one being planned a short drive away (where the Church was purchased). From what I understand this section of The Villages is a lot less crowded than other sections during the busy winter season. You might want to give it a look.

[kaseydog]

Just remember what is true today may be gone tomorrow in the villages. on my lifestyle visit:

-villages health centers accepted my health insurance(part of my retirement package)now centers only take medicare advantage.
my plan covers more than medicare advantage so can no longer use centers. Great inconvenience to me.
-Lifelong Living College is gone. I feel the replacement does not compare.
-Buildout is coming soon. Well enough said.
-Due to personal reasons.can't move now. Wish I could.
-My personal experiences with The Villages.

[skip0358]

Take your time there's a lot to see. Look at the different communities North of 466, South of 466, South pf 466A, South of the Turnpike. See where you might like to live, visit the different squares at night and see what crowd you'd like to fit in with. Talk to different people in one of the many establishments and see what they have to say. Check out a few resales versus new builds to see which way you might like to go. If you know your budget see what you can get for it. Coming from the Northeast I think you'll find living easier I know we did. Good luck & have fun !