[Two Bills]

This question is a no brainer.
The new southern developments have the best walking areas.

[PensacolaBob]

Originally Posted by JoMar

South of 44 will have close to 12 miles (maybe more) of trails, they don't share the trails with golf carts, bikes or cars and has been designed for those that like walking with nature. Suggest your next visit is via a multi-month rental so you can invest the time in exploring before you make a buying decision.

Bikes are allowed on these walking trails!

[RealJudy]

There is a walking trail in Springdale. Several people walk El Camino Real from Savannah Center to Morse Blvd. there are walking trails in Marsh Bend and Fenney. Many people just walk their neighborhoods after determining the distance they desire.

[michtofla]

Just stay away from anything south of 44. After your walk you will hear the dynamite blasting at the nearby stone quarry, the loud speaker announcements at the Coleman Prison, the deafening noise from the turnpike and the lovely Train whistle. When you get tired of listening to that you can get in your golf cart and drive 25 miles to the nearest “anything”. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

[andercat]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

LMB, I'm your man. I recently moved to Country Club Hills specifically for the walkability factor. I can walk to Spanish Springs town square, two regional rec centers, my pickleball and tennis courts, the country club with the Villages' best pool and hot tub, and a myriad of restaurants and stores. All kinds of medical facilities are a stone's throw, too, if you need them, as are many parks and a lake with a gazebo pier.

By that I mean all those places are less than a mile away! Take a look at a map with Spanish Springs in the center. I'd vote for anywhere around that area. We're all biased and think our own village is the best, but if you want walkability, that vicinity wins hands down.

I live in Country Club Hills and walk between 2 and 3 miles a day. I love the trees and we have a few hills, so it is not all flat. The one thing I do not like it that there are no sidewalks. (I think this is a problem for most areas.) I feel like I am constantly pushing to my left into the curb or grass to avoid both large and small vehicles. That is the biggest problem for me.

[kansasr]

Originally Posted by michtofla

Just stay away from anything south of 44. After your walk you will hear the dynamite blasting at the nearby stone quarry, the loud speaker announcements at the Coleman Prison, the deafening noise from the turnpike and the lovely Train whistle. When you get tired of listening to that you can get in your golf cart and drive 25 miles to the nearest “anything”. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

Wow! You must have the most sensitive hearing in the world if you can hear the train whistles over by 301 and the noise from the Turnpike!

Seriously, ignore this. Moved to Monarch Grove this summer and have never heard blasting from the quarry down off CR 470 (and my understanding is they only do this once a month anyway.) Unless you buy a house visible to the turnpike you won't be bothered by the noise either.

And I am 3.5 miles from shopping center next to Rohan Rec and 5.5 miles from all the new shopping across from Pinellas Plaza.

And this is the area if you want walking trails!

[Fanfaron2020]

You'll get a gazillion responses, but I always enjoyed walking around the lake at Lake Sumter Landing... and enough shops to get you spending moolah!

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by andercat

I live in Country Club Hills and walk between 2 and 3 miles a day. I love the trees and we have a few hills, so it is not all flat. The one thing I do not like it that there are no sidewalks. (I think this is a problem for most areas.) I feel like I am constantly pushing to my left into the curb or grass to avoid both large and small vehicles. That is the biggest problem for me.

I agree that the lack of sidewalks is a problem in most of the neighborhoods. The multi-modal paths are supposed to include walkers but walkers have to dodge golf cart traffic on them. The developer must have had negative input from buyers about this and is trying to increase walkability by building paths off limit to golf carts in areas south of Hwy. 44.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Originally Posted by mike1946

I agree with the poster who said County Club Hills !! We have had a home there since 2002 and absolutely love it !! It's quiet with no through traffic (Morse Blvd nightmare) big old live oaks and full sized lots ...the historic section is there for a reason ...it was built first because it's in the best place !!!

This reminds me of how "historic districts" of so many cities and towns have been revitalized all over the country and become the cool place to live and hang out. I see this happening in the Villages with our historic district, too. OBB, it's destined to become the Villages' bohemian area! You saw it here first.

[Jackie Hogan]

Our place a 2 bedroom patio villa is recently for sale in the Village of Belvedere. Location is ideal not only for beautiful neighborhood walks but also because we are walking distance to shopping and the Library. please call if you would like more information... 716 510 4916.

[RealtorKaren]

Hi! I’m moving to TVs in January, near Spanish Springs area. I want to find a Pickleball group to play with. Where do you play? Thanks for any info you can give me. I love that area! Karen

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by michtofla

Just stay away from anything south of 44. After your walk you will hear the dynamite blasting at the nearby stone quarry, the loud speaker announcements at the Coleman Prison, the deafening noise from the turnpike and the lovely Train whistle. When you get tired of listening to that you can get in your golf cart and drive 25 miles to the nearest “anything”. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

lmao. been here 3 years & haven't heard it yet.

[kenoc7]

Originally Posted by JohnN

I think the north end (north of 466A) doesn't have much neighborhood walking.
The golf cart paths are mostly out in the street, etc. and there are fewer sidewalks.

Heading south around Lake Sumter, the developer started more open areas for walking.

Far south, the new area near the turnpike, there are indeed more walking trails and new homes. The downside is that services haven't kept pace. They'll get there in a few years but not there yet.

Enjoy The VIllages, great place.

Wrong. The north end is great for walking - very little traffic and the 1 1/4 mile Springdale multi-modal trail wit real differences in elevation.

[kenoc7]

Originally Posted by RealtorKaren

Hi! I’m moving to TVs in January, near Spanish Springs area. I want to find a Pickleball group to play with. Where do you play? Thanks for any info you can give me. I love that area! Karen

Join the Villages Pickleball Club. Membership usually opens up once a year in January/February.

[Pandan]

Originally Posted by michtofla

Just stay away from anything south of 44. After your walk you will hear the dynamite blasting at the nearby stone quarry, the loud speaker announcements at the Coleman Prison, the deafening noise from the turnpike and the lovely Train whistle. When you get tired of listening to that you can get in your golf cart and drive 25 miles to the nearest “anything”. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

We live South of SR-44 and we could not be happier with out decision to buy a home in Monarch Grove. Lived here for the last 6 months and have not experienced the issues michtofl is talking about. The new areas South of 44 have very nice pathways that go around the ponds and lots of green spaces. The only difficulty, we experienced so far, is wiping the smiles off our faces every time we take a walk.

My guesstimate is that in 2-3 months, the Water Lily Bridge will open and the rest of The Villages will be accessible by golf car. Brownwood Square will be only 6mile away, for us. The Magnolia Plaza is 1.5 miles away (from Monarch Grove) and will provide some of the amenities we’ve been waiting for. There are other exciting developments for our area, however, the are 1-3+ years down the road.

As other posters mentioned, already, the best thing to do is to come and see for yourself. Good luck.