[galady]

We are planning to move to TV as soon as our home sells, one quick question if I may.
With the homes being so close together, do you have any privacy in your backyard, lanai, etc. I like quiet mornings with tea and newspaper. Do you hear other's TV, loud voices, etc.
thanks for you input

[Villages Kahuna]

As fa as I'm concerned, backyard privacy--or rather closeness to neighbors behind you--is the single disadvantage to TV. It is somewhat avoidable though it'll probably cost you a bit more for privacy. There are a few options.

A house or villa with a wall behind you provides pretty good privacy, even though there may be a street on the other side of the wall. Traffic is not what it's like "up north" and almost totally non-existent after about 8 PM.

Of course, there are the golf course or "view" lots. They tend to be pretty pricey.

We lived on 1-1/2 acres in the woods in north suburban Chicago, so we couldn't "get our arms around" the closeness of some of the houses we looked at. When our very cooperative and knowledgeable Villages sales rep showed us a newly-released house on a cul de sac with the back overlooking a tree farm, we jumped at it. Our lot is unique and could possibly be built on sometime in the future, but by then the several trees we've planted along the back of our lot line will be mature.

The key to your desire is to tell the sales rep up front that privacy is important to you. Then "steer" the sales rep into the price range you're willing to pay. Your choices will be fewer for sure, but if you shop long and hard enough you can find some privacy in The Villages.

[BUC]

Good Fences make for Good Neighbors!

[JohnN]

galady, yep I understand,
I like to sit in my pj's and sip coffee and read the paper, and the neighbors might not like the view of me. LOLOL

good advice from kahuna, make it known to the sales rep.

[islandgal]

You might want to consider a Courtyard Villa. I have total privacy with a high stone wall in the back and high fences on both side yards. There are houses behind me but I seldom hear anything except the yard maintenance people.

What I love best is I never close the blinds until I go to bed and that is just so the sun won't shine in in the AM.

[njgranny]

The only thing that I liked about one of the other retirement communities we looked at was that they did allow backyard fences. They had to be of a certain type and could only extend from the sides of the house back to insure a uniformity.

I wish something like this was allowed at the Villages.

[SteveZ]

For all of these reasons - and to give my dog some safety as well - the Courtyard Villa became our choice. While I really like my neighbors, I also like the privacy the CV provides.

[Rokinronda]

I have a big corner lot and the privacy in my lanaii is very good! Have beautiful hibiscus and bird feeder out side of the lanaii and a huge Oak tree for shade. Neighbors are across the streets, Their lanaii's are out of view. If they use binoculars my pajamas may be seen, but I think a lot more is seen at the pools! I think a lot of us fetch our newspapers in our PJ's. Who cares!!?? I can understand why fences and sheds are not allowed, they would surely fly in storms! I have a 30 foot lead that my dogs (my blind girl sniffs her way) use from lanaii to the yard and they love to watch the golf carts and go for cart rides. Having a view would have been our first choice, but our place is perfect for us! I'm sure you will find your perfect home also!

[SteveFromNY]

We definitely considered the issue of no fences and very nearly purchased a CYV as a result. In the end, though, we decided not to. Yeah, a view would be nice, but 2 things persuaded me away form it. First, I considered just how much time I'd actually be looking at the view. I figured almost never. If I'm home, I'll either be eating, sleeping, at the computer or watching TV. Even having a lot large enough for a pool didn't attract me. I'm in a sort of "been there, done that" frame of mind about a pool, and the idea of a community pool sounded great (no maintenance cost or effort). The beautiful vista, and or the pool just didn't seem a priority. And second, the cost was seemingly way out of line. The sales folks spoke of $100,000 to get that view! I'm the type that would prefer to have that $100K in my pocket, or in a bigger house.
So in the end we opted for a pretty large designer with some decent options on a larger than "normal" lot (it's a little wide) called an "interior site" on the descriptions. Our lanai faces the back of a house with no lanai - they have a finished room instead. I can also see between the two homes back there. When I am there permanantly, I will add some shrubs to provide complete privacy. But even when I visit now, I feel perfectly comfortable having coffee, a drink, a cigar, on the lanai without fear of being intruded upon.
So while I don't have a golf course behind me (I didn't want folks playing from my lawn anyway!), or a lake (oooh, no, gators), and I don't have a fence (that would have been OK, I guess), I'm content with what I have and I'll stop rambling now.

[golfnut]

Muncle, come on give us a break, there has to be some advantages to being a couple. Steve, don't wait until you're here full time to plant those shrubs, do it now for 1/3 the cost and by the time you're here full time they will be all grown up and filled in.

[SteveFromNY]

golfnut - I am hoping to be there before the plants have a chance to mature!!!!
I am (maybe) going to extend the lanai the few feet I think I can out the side and into the back before I plant anything, and I will not be doing that until I get there.
I'll compensate by buying big ones or fast growers.

[Frangyomory]

For us the courtyard villa solved all our concerns. We like our privacy.

Many people who purchase ranch, designer and premier homes just have landscaping done around the property line to "hide" their lanai from public view. Landscaping of this nature is costly but will solve your problems.

If you want to see a few homes that have done the privacy landscaping, drive over to Tall Trees Lane, not far from the pool, and you will see a few homes whose lanai's were right on Tall Trees Lane have planted very high trees, I would say very mature trees or bushes that give them visual privacy.

As for hearing others, even in the CYV if you are on your lanai and your neighbors are on theirs, you will definitely hear each other. No sound barriers and I am sure that trees and bushes don't provide any either.

[BUC]

Not everyone wants or can afford a courtyard villia, just allow fences, approved designs,

[galady]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have put a few of the suggestions on the "Wish List".
Bye for now.

[Halle]

BUC

I have read several of your post reference fences and more recently your bass boat. It doesn't really sound like you would be happy in The Villages. We bought there because we like the restrictions we feel they help to keep The Villages beautiful and property values up. We know it is not for everyone but luckily there are many communities to choose from and I sure you will find one that suits your lifestyle.