[Golf-Tinker]

About to start our search for a home in The Villages. Wondered if people would comment on whether they enjoy or do not enjoy their village choice. Would you stay where you are located or move to another village if you had the opportunity? Are there best or better villages, and are there villages that we should avoid? Difficult question perhaps, but we certainly would appreciate your help. The number of choices are overwhelming.

Thank You

Originally Posted by Golf-Tinker

About to start our search for a home in The Villages. Wondered if people would comment on whether they enjoy or do not enjoy their village choice. Would you stay where you are located or move to another village if you had the opportunity? Are there best or better villages, and are there villages that we should avoid? Difficult question perhaps, but we certainly would appreciate your help. The number of choices are overwhelming.

Thank You

Unless you really like the sound of trains at night, best to avoid certain Villages on the northwest end. Talk Host has posted a lot about this.

Try to look for something central in the Villages so that you can easily get to Spanish Springs Square as well as Lake Sumter Landing. The new square will enter into the picture too but probably not until 2009 or 2010.

Houses near the schools especially the Villages High School can be a bit noisy from sporting events, kids playing, etc.

[Donna]

Taltarzac hit the nail on the head...

Try to stay centrally located...We are in Lynnhaven and about 10 minutes to all the new stores, restaurants and very close to LSL..

Never had a problem with our villages, the neighbors are a mix between younger and older..All wonderful people..

[Donna]

Barb..

Your pic looks so familiar to me..I know I have seen your pic some place before... :dontknow:

[chuckinca]

Looks like someone from the Ivory Soap Box

[villager99]

not so much that any one village is better than another but some have nicer golf cart trails are closer to grocery stores etc.
the number of local pools and closeness to sports pools or wellness center might also be factors to consider.
what do you picture your regular activities and errands being?
i can get everywhere in tv on my golf cart but for things i do several times a week it's nice to keep the travel time under 15 minutes.
so for me if i relocated i'd have to stay within a few miles of the wellness center and near a sports pool.

[REDCART]

I never thought about it but property may be both valuable and\or desirable. You might fall in love with a location because of the terrain or it's overall character and it's personally desirable to you but doesn't command any special value?

When people are selling, realtors have been known to say, "you're in the golden mile, you'll have no problem selling." They're referring to the fact that re-sales within a mile of either town square tend to sell faster--and consequently are more valuable. Now, if you're in Duval, you're more than a mile from LSL but you're closer to 466A and who knows how development there may dwarf LSL some day? Only time will tell which locations in TV actually prove to be the most valuable. Looking at re-sales over time, there seem to be a lot fewer in Virginia Trace than Mallory. Why, are people in VT so ecstatic, they're not moving?

But how do you put a price on being on the top-of-the hill where you've got a panoramic view of things and an unobstructed sunset, as they do in Duval?

Good luck, having written these few lines, the odds are with you that you'll find a beautiful home in any village--just stay away from the trains as Talk Host mentioned

[another Linda]

We looked at new homes, resales, etc, and finally bought a resale within a mile of Spanish Springs. We fell in love with the courtyard, beautiful mature plantings, an inground spa,a ton of upgrades, great price, and a great location. So far we have only spent 5 days in June, 1 week in August, and 4 days in October. Will we still love it and the location after we spend more time? I think so, but who knows. From this board I've heard that places south of 466 cater to a younger crowd, and our area is made up of older people. However, we met another couple about 4 doors away that are about our age (early 60s) that we like very much, and I heard that a "young" couple bought another villa near us.

Long story short (oops, too late!) we are still excited, we can't wait to spend more time there, but in the meantime have had no trouble renting.

[redwitch]

Linda -- Inground spa? And you're coming back when??? And the party is when????????

[another Linda]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Linda -- Inground spa? And you're coming back when??? And the party is when????????

Party is in March!!! But we'll be quiet, right? Good neighbors, right? Or maybe just invite all the neighbors and say the :edit: with it!

I'm looking out my window now at about 4 inches of snow that fell overnight. Sigh. March seems forever away.

[chelsea24]

We live in the Village of Duval and couldn't be happier. You're right about the view. We see the sunrise in the morning and sunset at night. It's beautiful. I feel confident with the building that's going to go on in the next 2 years that everything we need will be right near us. This happend to us at our home in Illinois and within a couple of years we had a prime location. Lots of bulding up this way. But I have to say that I think all the villages are beautiful and I think everything is accessable right now. Maybe the drive is a bit longer, but just take in the luscious scenery. And hey, what's the hurry, this is a great time of our lives. 8)

[Barefoot]

Best Village is so different for every single individual. Trite but true. I've heard the statistic that most Villagers move 3 times .. don't know if that is true .. but it wouldn't be surprising. I think you have to live in a Village for a couple of years and get the "lay of the land" before you can even start to figure out what you want to be close to.

I've seen people happy about being near the Town Squares and others that complain about the noise and traffic. Many people back on major roads and don't seem to mind; for others it would be way too busy. Some people back on wildlife preserves and water, others (like me) have a morbid fear of gators. Some people want a mature established area with big trees (think north of 466). Others like us wanted a resale, but less than 5 years old so we wouldn't have to think about replacing the roof or furnace. Some want new so everyone in the neighbourhood is a newbie, for better social interaction. Others don't want the "bald" look and the hassle of starting from scratch.

We just lucked out on a few things .. 2 minutes from an adult pool, 5 minutes from the Library, I can even take my golf cart to Walmart and be there in 10 minutes .. great for all that shopping you have to do after you arrive. Even though our Villages is "established", everyone is very friendly and we've been invited to neighbourhood parties.

Tal mentioned noise from the schools in his post. We are south of the Elementary School, backing on a bit of golf course, in the Village of Belvedere; we don't notice any school noise at all. We love the privacy in our back yard. We are in the southwest portion of TV and sometimes notice the sound of trains in the distance, but it is not a problem at all. We are so close to 466, Southern Trace, Buffalo Ridge and there are a lot of new restaurants and shops under construction. For us, the location is perfect.

Yes, the number of choices is overwhelming. However I think you'll look at new homes, VLS resales, MLS resales, and as you look, you'll make decisions about your criteria and location. Suddenly you'll find it ... the perfect house .. and you'll join the thousands and thousands of happy Villagers. ;D

Good luck and happy hunting.

[MSNPA]

My husband and I must have been very naive. We only discovered The Villages by chance; took the trolley tour, met with a realtor and gave her a partial wish list and price range. She did the rest and found us our home. In other words I don't know if I would have wanted the opportunity to select the "perfect village" or "perfect house". It would have been almost impossible. The choices are overwhelming. The only thing we did not consider was a golf cart garage. I never thought we would want a golf cart so soon. Fortunately we were able to cram everything in our garage; albeit there is not an inch of extra space! My point is I think all the Villages have something to offer. There are highpoints in all the areas.

[kar guy]

Every village has its good and bad points. Every village is great to be in. Every village is is desired by the people that do not live here. No matter which one you pick, it will be the right one. TAKE CARE... KAR GUY