Re: Backyard privacy
 

We visited The Villages twice before buying (not because it wasn't love at first sight, because it was). The lack of privacy did bother me though. On our second try we finally decided on new construction and an upgraded or extended lot that backs onto a highway. Beautiful palms and trees are already in place to give us privacy from the traffic. Being from the city, the traffic behind our lanai is next to none and I actually love the occasional car going by. We then added more of our own landscapping. Yes, it was a little pricey. Since our houses are staggered in a cul-de-sac, we cannot see the neighbor to our left at all. So, during the landscapping we added more to the right and now we have complete privacy. And I know our neighbors appreciate it too. I love to sit on the lanai without anyone staring at me. We rarely hear anyone. (Guess we just lucked out with quiet neighbors. But, just wanted to say, privacy issues can be solved without a fence. You just have to look around. We see the sunrise and the sunset with no one staring at us. I can't say enough about how much I love living in TV. It's simply the best and I appreciate that they have restrictions to keep up property values. You may have good taste in fences, but believe me, there are plenty of people our there that would have this place looking like a dump in no time. And, sorry, but I don't think I'd like a huge boat looming in the driveway next to me all the time. That would be a pain in the Bass! ;D

Re: Backyard privacy
 

My issues are not with privacy, but rather a place for my beagles to go outside and be safe. That's why we will buy a CYV.

I would never advocate fences that were unregulated.

I'm really surprised to hear some people say that people might not take care of their properties without regulations.

Re: Backyard privacy
 

Oh yes, I agree, for the safety of dogs, the villas are the best! I'm a huge animal lover so I really believe in safety first. The thing about fences is that I've lived both in and out of an association before. And no matter how nice or even expensive the neighborhood can be, someone will enviably move in and put up a goofy fence that they don't keep up, 4 troll dolls and a frog and it just diminishes the look immediately. I'm not big on rules, as some of my TOTV friends can attest to, but I do appreciate that this particular rule is to help keep up our property value.

Re: Backyard privacy
 

Jan, some people absolutely would NOT keep up their properties without regulation. One only has to drive around areas with lax zoning to see the chaos that can ensue. Being a neat freak, I'm thrilled that we have certain restrictions here in TV. As a rule, I hate being told what I can do with my property, but this keeps everything beautiful here in TV. With the density of the housing, this is critical.

Re: Backyard privacy
 

We have thoroughly investigated The Villages. I'm not that uptight about the fence issue. I just find it a tad unfriendly to have people tell other people that they might be better off somewhere else - just because they have a different idea.

Just because someone has a different opinion, doesn't mean they would be unhappy there, or break the rules.

Re: dog barking - This winter we rented a place on a canal. The people renting directly across from us acquired a dog while they were there. Talk about barking! Whenever his parents went out, he barked ALL THE TIME - sometimes for hours until his bark would get hoarse. But, guess what - when he didn't do it one time, I missed it. It was like something was missing. ha, ha

Re: Backyard privacy
 

Sometimes we will even miss a toothache if its been with us long enough! ;)

Re: Backyard privacy
 

Njgranny, I hope your my neighbor when my wife and I finally get to the TV. You sound like a nice person.

Re: Backyard privacy
 

I might get flak on this, but there is no problem if you store the boat in your garage where it is out of sight. I have two neighbors in this area of the Villages that keep their boats in the garage and take them out when they go fishing. One finally sold his boat because he was not fishing that much (too many gators in the lakes he picked) and he wanted the room for a second golf cart.

So that the topic cop won't get me, I purposely bought a ranch that backs onto a Villa village. I have my 6 foot wall so I am not bothered by the neighbor in back and the neighbor on the sides are recluses. I put the vinyl windows on my lanai for privacy and have a patio for my grill and a couple of rosin lawn chairs where I grill, drink my Buds or other beverages and watch the sunset.

Re: Backyard privacy
 

I'm all FOR restrictions.

I lived in a community with strict regulations for 40+ years, "The City Beautiful"..... CORAL GABLES, Florida.... with the pink sidewalks! People griped and complained about their code enforcement but the restrictions, and its excellent service to its residents, was what made the city of Coral Gables the most desirable and BEST in Miami-Dade County and it has sustained a high property value to this day!

Re: Backyard privacy
 

Halle,

Well put. We moved to The Villages to live in a clutter free community. I live in a rancher, no problem using our lani at any time.

Re: Backyard privacy
 

BUC my understanding is that if it fits in the garage you can put it there. The issue about parking on the street and in your driveway pertains to recreational vehicles which are limited to 72 hours. We used to have a bass boat and I believe it would have fit in our gaage but we sold it before moving here. We didn't think we would use it much and it turns out we were right.

We had a 30 ft recreational vehicle which we planned to use for mini vacations. Howeve, once we settled in, we felt that everything we want is here so we sold that as well.

We live in a CYV and you can get one for a reasonable price today. So if it is a full fence you need, you should be able to find an affordable place.

The best solution if you want a ranch or designer home is landscaping. I have seen some wonderful landscaping that actually is better than any fence you could build. It is something to consider.

Truthfully, sometimes all the covenants get my goat but then I walk around and see how wonderful everything looks and I am delighted that we are limited in what we can do outdoors. I come from Virginia and in our lovely neighborhood you would likely see two cards, a boat and an RV parked in the driveway and in front of the house.

Give me the Villages any day.

Unfortunately, everyone does not feel comfortable being told what they can or can't do. If you ever lived on a Military installation such as a Marine Corps Base, this would be mild. Back in the "day" we were told how low to cut our grass and someone came to base housing regularly to measure it!!!!! :bigthumbsup:

Re: Backyard privacy
 

Thank you, It'll work out things always do somehow. I undestand restrictions I'm retired Navy Seabees, Builder Chief.