Talk of The Villages Florida - Cars parked in the driveway

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDave (Post 608026)

Yes, the cottage is the other thing we're considering. However, my wife likes the idea of the privacy of the tall walls in the CYV. We rented a pretty large house this summer, much bigger than we could ever afford, yet it had no privacy at all. I cannot imagine really even opening windows and we felt we were sharing the pool with the neighbors. (We've since given up on the idea of a pool.)

I'm also thinking with the walls all around the villa units, it would be harder for gators, snakes, lions, tigers, and bears to get to your house.

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the privacy in our CYV w/tall walls. Tall neighbors could still see over the vinyl side walls, however. They don't unless you invite conversation. Kind of like the TV show "Home Improvement" with conversations between Wilson and what's his name (Tim Allen)? I can't, but probably if you are over 6 feet you could. So I wouldn't go naked for TOO long. I do go out into the yard all the time from the lanai in my pj's when I see a weed or want to water my pots or want to fill the birdfeeder sometimes.

I would look for one with an extra deep lot - they are around, even if not a corner unit. You pay a small premium but it's worth it. And measure the garage sizes as they do differ. We also get a car and 2 golf carts in ours, but many neighbors park their car in their driveway. Off season they often ask permission from a snowbird neighbor to park a 2nd car, if they have one, in a neighbor's drive. Most have 1 car and 1 golf cart.

I would say that in our neighborhood we have many very friendly neighbors - we all socialize - but also several scattered around who may have bought CYVs because they didn't want to socialize. That's fine too.

I would venture that the reason some people in TV move a 2nd or 3rd time is because of intrusive or irritating neighbors - doesn't seem to be as much of a problem in CYV neighborhoods - at least that's my take on it. You can just wave and disappear into your house or lanai or backyard if you don't want to chit-chat. If you do want to chit-chat, just hang out in front pulling weeds or washing your golf cart or walk your dog. Yes, there are plenty of dogs, but I think there are many in other neighborhoods also. Probably more dog lovers in the CYV neighborhoods, but not everyone. If you get irritated by an occasional bark, you probably shouldn't live in TV AT ALL. Most houses are close together.

Critters can get in at the corners - we put mesh pieces of gutter guard to keep rabbits out - and they can still get in under the gate. Mice and rats can climb walls. I'm hoping snakes can't and are reading my "no snakes" sign at the gate.

We lock our gate and sleep with lanai doors and bedroom window open frequently - would not feel comfortable doing that without the locked gate.