[Cincinnatus]

Detroit
Cleveland

[Villager Dude]

We were headed to Kiawah and had a house there until we discovered TV. No comparison.

I have played golf here with many people that did their homework. One visited 20 different places around the country and chose TV hands down. Many others visited up to 10 places and picked TV.

We visited TV for 8 years trying to decide location of house and finally purchased in 2010 and moved here permanently in 2012.

I am amazed at the number of people that have purchased here on the 1st visit. I have not heard of anyone purchasing sight unseen but would not be surprised if it has happened.

You will like TV but if by chance you don't there will be a number of people that would be interested in you house.

Take Care and Good Luck

[RErmer]

Some friends bought at Top of the World and also had a conversation with a friend yesterday who just closed on her home here in TV after considering Top of The World. Consensus is, Top of the World is less expensive, but just doesn't have the entire Villages lifestyle. IMHO, it's not just hype that you buy into TV for the lifestyle - just today I signed up for 2 classes at the Lifelong Learning College, something not available at Top of the World.

[rayschic]

Originally Posted by Beechie

I agree that it's all about the lifestyle. Just curious if the OP is feeling any sort of buyers remorse as I find it somewhat difficult to reminisce about those places that were deemed to be, at best, in second place. The Villages is not for everyone but it's perfect for us.

Can't be buyers remorse. The OP doesn't live here.

We visited Solivita but it was too small and quiet for us. Saw TV and knew it was right for us.

[helen lovely]

I highly recommend that you rent in the Villages or any other such community for at least a year before you make than BIG move. The grass is not always greener on the other side for many. I know that people are coming & going from The Villages all the time. The ones that leave are not as vocal as the folks that live there & love it. Some discover The Villages & thing they have died & gone to Heaven others view it as Hell. You decide by trying before you spend lots of money & energy.

[justjim]

We visited several retirement communities and even purchased a home in one before TV. We are "shoppers" and value hunters. Arizona had too much "brown tones" and Hot Spring Villages, Arkansas was too cold and too many pine trees. The place in Florida where we purchased a home was only 20 miles south of TV but you had to drive six miles for a loaf of bread.

Stonewood we looked at very seriously and We probably could be "happy" in Stonewood. Very close to TV and more house for the money.

Bottom line there is no place like TV. Unless, you want to be a "beach bum"! But if you just want to visit the beach occasionly, the beach is just one and half hours away.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I lied in the Philippines for a year before coming here. I wouldn't recommend it.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I lied in the Philippines for a year before coming here. I wouldn't recommend it.

LIVED. I am sure you meant lived.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I lied in the Philippines for a year before coming here. I wouldn't recommend it.

I put in a few years near Saratoga, IMO a real pit, I think I'd prefer the Philippines.

I looked around the Naples area and a builder was whining that everyone was going to the villages, so..... I went too.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by helen lovely

I highly recommend that you rent in the Villages or any other such community for at least a year before you make that BIG move. The grass is not always greener on the other side for many. I know that people are coming & going from The Villages all the time. The ones that leave are not as vocal as the folks that live there & love it. Some discover The Villages & thing they have died & gone to Heaven others view it as Hell. You decide by trying before you spend lots of money & energy.

Why is it such a "BIG" move?? If you don't buy a BIG house here and don't put all your eggs in one basket by buying a BIG home in TV, there is little to lose and you can sell and move away if you don't like TV.

I don't understand why people are spending what sounds like their "life savings" on a huge, expensive home here (or anywhere at retirement age).

Try it out by renting for a couple of months and then if you buy, get something sensible and nice like a courtyard villa or ranch home to start with. Many people move within TV to a bigger or smaller place, as priorities change once they have downsized.

After having big, luxury family homes up north, it is refreshing and liberating to live smaller and to not have to serve a big house that always needs more maintenance, HVAC, landscaping renovations, insurance, bigger taxes, and other constant spending (that "giant sucking sound").

The ideal I think would be to downsize up north (get a smaller place like a condo) and get a nice villa or ranch home here in TV to Snowbird with. Then you have time to decide about whether to go full-time with TV as the only home. And all your eggs aren't in one basket.

[CFrance]

As to what Helen Lovely is talking about, I think it is a "big move" from an emotional standpoint. You are leaving family and a life you've had for a good amount of time. Doesn't mater so much what size house, just that it is such a change in location.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by CFrance

As to what Helen Lovely is talking about, I think it is a "big move" from an emotional standpoint. You are leaving family and a life you've had for a good amount of time. Doesn't mater so much what size house, just that it is such a change in location.

I see. That's a good reason to make it a snowbird type of move, too.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I see. That's a good reason to make it a snowbird type of move, too.

That's true. Especially if you're not used to relocating, have been in one place most of your life.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Villager Dude

I am amazed at the number of people that have purchased here on the 1st visit. I have not heard of anyone purchasing sight unseen but would not be surprised if has happened.

Now you know someone who purchased "sight unseen". We knew we wanted a CYV south of CR 466, with a golf course view. So when we saw one on the Internet, we grabbed it. It was over listed, so we paid $20,000 less than the list price.

We bought it in May 2007, and we didn't actually get to see it until October. Imagine the anticipation! It was just a happy bonus that it is five minutes from the private dog park!

My philosophy is "a long life isn't promised to anyone". So make hay while the sun shines!

[Beechie]

Originally Posted by rayschic

Can't be buyers remorse. The OP doesn't live here.

We visited Solivita but it was too small and quiet for us. Saw TV and knew it was right for us.

Thanks for the correction RAYSCHIC. Dumb assumption on my part that just because someone has over 4,000 posts does not necessarily equate to being a resident here in TV.