When we drove past the area for the Villages at Fruitland Park I did feel that it is pretty isolated from the rest of TV.

The new area that you speak of will not be separated from the existing Villages at all, just an uninterrupted continuation and right smack dab up against Sanibel and Charlotte. It will be the southeasternmost part of TV.

Very close to Colony Publix.

The power lines are a bit disturbing as well.

Live in Dunedin. I know lots of folks here who have moved here from both North of 466A and some from North of 466, not just from outside the Villages. I think it's more of to each--there own. Spend time looking and you'll find what works for you.

?????

Our power lines are underground.

Gracie, there is a line of high voltage, above-ground power lines that run north-south just east of the Sumter-Lake counties border.

Rickey, I don't think they will be disturbing to most people once the layout of the land becomes more obvious. This type of power lines already exists in other parts of TV. Of course, "disturbing" is a matter of personal opinion and choice.

Depends if you like riding in a golf cart. Me, I love the ride and go everywhere in it. Of course the more central you are located the more choices you have. The longest distance I ride is usually about 1/2 hour. My car stays in the garage and only gets a fill up about every other month.
I kind of consider Lake Sumter Landing in the middle, with Spanish Springs to the north and Brownwood to the south. If you pick a place between 466 and 466A then you will in the middle, but further north or south poses no problems since you still have everything near you.

Once The Villages reaches Orlando, we may need to have some kind of tram.

Thanks to all who replied to my original post. Coming back in two weeks to look around some more!
Phil Bailey
(airbear)

Fruitland park looks like a hike to Brownwood or Sumter.
They have 3 execs and 1 championship. Not enough compared to Sumter and south.
I think they have 2 softball fields too but that's about it.
I played Turtle Mound this morning and De La Vista this afternoon and I guess I never realized all the traffic the north end deals with everyday.

Belvedere, and Tall Trees are near Publix, The Fresh Market (unbelievable gourmet /specialty/Fresh items), not to mention IHOP, Perkins, Bonefish, McD's, Taco B, Crispin's, Beef OBrady, and of course Walmart.

I would put a Fresh Market or knockoff near Publix. You would have Sumter heading south, Brownwood and all of Fruitland Park to draw from.
Do you think that is half the villages?

We have lived here for 2 years and like everyone else has said we love our location. We bought in the older section because of the location. I think that is your answer decide what you like to do and then get close enough that you are comfortable driving on a cart to get there. My husband golfs all over and drives his electric cart and has not had a problem, we go to Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs and enjoy both of them, for us Brownwood is too far, I know many people coming in like the new houses and like everyone stated I think everyone living here thinks they are in the best Village, but there is nothing like location, you can make changes to houses but not your location, so decide what you like and get close to it or within a reasonable drive. Good luck with your search.

Which Publix?

I think when you're looking at a home you need to decide what the house needs to be, what will make you happy. As for close to shopping and the squares, do you go to the grocery store every day. I don't...do you go to the squares every day. I don't, but almost every house has a recreation center a family pool and a neighborhood pool within minutes. Find the house you love then everything else will fall into place.

Hillsborough and Pinellas go from east to west to Buena Vista and will connect the new areas to Brownwood.

Morse goes straight north to Lake Sumter Landing. I see no difficulties. What is a hike is from Orange Blossom Garden in the northeast most part, to Brownwood. 17 miles.

Most people after living here a couple of years don't go to the squares like they did at first. They are caught up with other activiites.

466A strip mall
There is
44
44A
466A
466
472
441
and I can't keep them straight. When someone says 301 it's the only time I know exactly where they're talking about. I think the road numbering scheme down here is a cruel joke played on people like me. [of course I'm only kidding]

It's a tribute to the golfers......Fore......:smiley:

It seems your main concern is where can you live and get away with doing all your commuting in a golf cart and not have to drive too much. If you're going to be in the Spanish Springs area a lot, but also the Lake Sumter area as well. Driving your golf cart back and forth over the Morse Bridge would be something I wouldn't want to do a lot. My thinking would be to pick the side of 466 you would spend most of you're time to buy your home.

Personally we live off St. Charles and are 4 miles from Brownwood, 3-1/2 miles from LSL and about 7 miles from Spanish Springs. I like our location and if we are going north to Spanish Springs or Hwy 27/441 we will use the car. Also when going to Walmart and any of the restaurants that way, we'll use the car. However, for LSL and or Brownwood we can take the golf cart and be there in less than 20 minutes. Brownwood is becoming much more important to me, especially since we belong to MVP Club and go 5 days a week.

It all depends on what important to you!!!

After a while, you will find you don't go to the squares, as much. Most people want to be close to shopping, doctors, golf courses or rec centers. Every village has it's own charm and I really believe that some people do find one village more preferable than another, but no village is bad, in terms of location.

Golf cart rides are enjoyable but one must plan accordingly if they are 45 minutes away from a square and or activity. I would take my car. By using a golf cart, one can enjoy the beauty of TV more than by taking a car.

I would make a list of what's important to you, and buy in a village that best suits your wants and desires.

We bought a pre-owned home in Mallory Square. We owned a Villa in Duval for five years before purchasing our current home and I really appreciate the closer proximity to the shops on 441. I can not imagine living south of 466A. Way too far and we don't even own a golf cart as yet.

As an aside....it was very important to me to have gas appliances. There are no natural gas lines south of 466A.

Everyone Thinks That They Live In The Best Location
 

The thing that's amazing about how our Developer has designed the community is that almost everyone believes that they live in the best location in The Villages.

That being said, I don't think you'll find many residents on the south end of TV taking their golf carts to the north end, either to the town squares or for golf. Trips that long simply aren't worth it. I'm guessing that if someone who lived on the south end near Brownwood wanted to play golf at Nancy Lopez, it would be at least an hourlong trip to get there. Between getting there and back home, plus the time it takes to play 18 holes, that would be an all day affair.

I live in Mallory and I don't hesitate to take my golf cart to Spanish Springs. But I've found it's way too far to take it to Brownwood. I can't imagine the 'Brownwood folks' using golf carts to get to Spanish Springs.

But all that's OK, because we all live in the 'best location in The Villages'.

Speaking from a vision of practicality here
 

Exactly the correct answer.

Original poster will have to decide for themselves what is a tolerable driving time (especially in the hotter more humid seasons, or the stormy rainy season) in golf cart vs. airconditioned automobile.

We found ourselves using our car all of the time as it was more comfortable, air conditioned, etc..........vs. the golf cart.

During the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, EVEN October..... an airconditioned car is the way to travel when grocery shopping, especially if you are stocking up for expected company. I can't even imagine "carting" the perishable groceries home. Perhaps for those who enjoy shopping on a daily basis, which we don't.

Another thought that comes to mind is a ferociously high powered thunder storm which sprung up one morning while we were out & about. An automobile is preferable in stormy weather......which can spring up without notice.

Just being practical........as well as comfortable.

The golf cart is fine for closer travels , in your own neighborhood, near your home, to the golf course, to the mailbox, but not from the top of THE VILLAGES to the bottom sections.....

So true! :bowdown:

I know several people who have no problem going from the southern end to Spanish Springs or Lopez or the historical side in their cart.

Its real enjoyable to take a golf cart in the "hotter more humid seasons", it simply is not intolerable 24 hours a day.
The "stormy rainy season" some years can rain nearly every day, then again we had two years where the rainy season didn't happen. In either case checking the weather forecast can avoid getting wet. Rare event for a "ferociously high powered thunder storm" to just happen.
"The golf cart is fine for closer travels .................." this is a matter of personal choice as there are many Villagers that do travel from "top to bottom"

We drove our golf cart from Lake Sumter to Brownwood last summer when it was in the 90's and humid, and we swore we'd never do it again. Just too hot! I personally would never drive my golf cart from Brownwood to Lopez if it took an hour each way. My time is precious. But I'm sure there are people who do - are they in the majority? Probably not. If you have access to a car you'd be taking the car if you could get there in half the time. And you'd stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. And travel an hour each way at night if you want to go watch your favorite band at the square? Nope.

We live in Santiago, just behind Savannah Center. The neighbors are super friendly - we have neighborhood gatherings and go to exercise classes together. We knew the neighbors were friendly before we moved in. We sent some friends over to take a look at the house before we bought and a bunch of them came over and introduced themselves. You could also knock on a few doors near the house you are considering buying and ask about the neighborhood. One of the negatives we heard about the older neighborhoods is that the homeowners would all be very old and not active. We have not found this to be true. In Santiago, there is a mix of ages from 50 something to 80 something, and my 85-year-old next door neighbor can run rings around me. As far as convenience goes, we can bike or cart to Spanish Springs or the shops on 466 in 10-15 minutes. We take the cart or the e-bikes (electric assist) to LSL frequently. We are close to most of the big box stores and Aldi, and can walk to Savannah Center for exercise or entertainment. Santiago was a good choice for us. Price was also a factor. We have a swimming pool. To get the house, the lot and the pool we have in a new section would have cost us $100,000 more.

Tee time was 8:48 AM at Lopez...I live in Hillsborough. Took the cart to Lopez, played 18 then went to Brownwood for lunch before returning home by 2:30...what a great ride. As other's have said, it is a personal preference, There are some that would rather take a car since they don't have the patience to stop and smell the roses or enjoy the social aspect that a cart brings. It's important that they get from point A to B as quickly as possible. But, that's The Villages, a mix of diverse lifestyles and personalities. You will figure it out...but it will take experience......and that is part of the enjoyment.

To each his own.

Is The Villages bigger than this?
I did a print screen from google maps with their inserted borders. I added Spanish Springs [that I spelled incorrectly], Lake Sumter and Brownwood.
I'm not sure the northeast or southwest is correct.
http://i59.tinypic.com/a3m5qe.jpg

Why not just click on Villages maps on the Navigaion list on here?
Shows all of TV.

I took your advice. It looks like district 4 is missing. That is a little further north of the northeast border of the google map.

Some people have a lot of social activities they pack into a day, and would rather spend the time with people, enjoying their activities, rather than riding in a golf cart which would mean they would miss out on certain activities. To each his own.

I agree, but have met many people who don't do that.......but use it as an excuse. If you are involved in multiple daily activities then you are doing it the right way, a cart will slow you down.

I for one would never live under the line. Those high voltage towers have a magnetic field. Now that most use cable that runs underground for Tele and such I guess it doesn't matter as much as it use to but they are ugly. When I lived near some years ago I could hear the crackle and the interfered with broadcast signals, once was once two often never again.

DH and I haven't purchased a golf cart as yet but plan to when hubby retires and we move here full time. We plan to have only one car and one golf cart and without a doubt....the cart will be my means of transportation when we both need a vehicle to go somewhere.

My main concern is how comfortable it is while riding in a golf cart during the hot and humid months. I'm all about air conditioning and worry that I won't enjoy myself in the cart. Also worried I will arrive at my destination all sweaty and feeling grubby.

Bogie....why do you say it is real enjoyable to take the cart in the hot and humid weather? Is there something I'm missing? Is there such a thing as air conditioning for a golf cart? I can brave the cold more than I can stand the heat.

Keep your options open. Rent before you buy. Some people spend 20k on a cart.

I can only tell you what works for me.

I have a leased smart car and an e-bike. I'm happy to walk the execs and rent a cart at the championship courses for $5 a nine. I can cruise at 19 mph using peddle assist on the e-bike, feel the breeze, feel safe, use any road and park it anywhere. Just getting there is another activity. And I have a 25 mile range. I tow a pull cart too.

I'm always comfortable in the car and like to listen to NPR on the way to someplace in the villages.

If I need to go to the airport I take the van pick-up.

If I need to go outside the bubble, I won't drive further than Ocala if I can't carpool.

When people visit me I can't pick them up at the airport.

I'm not Bogie but the best part about taking the cart in the hot summer is after leaving a store. Getting in your automobile after setting there for 15 minutes or more is like opening your oven to check the thanksgiving turkey.
The cart will not overwhelm you with heat from a closed up steel box.

unless you leave your windows open
than its just like a golf cart---except it's harder to steal because the key is unique