We lived just south of 466A for two years. When we first moved in, TV announced Fenney was going to be built south of 44. When we left two years later, 7 new “villages” existed south of 44. I remember calling for take-out food – took two hours because of all the orders. Had to reschedule a dental appointment and first available was in six months. Going to the mailbox was like entering a demo derby and we had to start timing it for “off hours.” Make your hair appointments all at once for the entire winter, or you’ll never get in. And if you have a pet and need to kennel it while you go “home” for Christmas, make a reservation a year in advance. The homes and neighborhoods are beautiful, but there are not enough support services. For that, and a few other reasons, we moved out of TV a year ago.

I agree with you. We've found alternative golf courses, restaurants and shops around the area (within 60 miles) that we enjoy. For the most part, better restaurants are found in Ocala, Orlando Homosassa, and many other surrounding communities. Mission Inn is a great golf course with good restaurants and accommodations if you want to stay over and it's only a 20 mile trip. Let's face it, most restaurant chains would love to operate in the villages, but the developers model (charging high rents and a piece of the company's gross profit) make that less than likely. The Villages will continue to get new nail salons, donut shops, and one off restaurants until the developer changes the model. I do see that BJs has bought property adjacent to TV and plans to build a warehouse store and they are a great store to shop in. We've seen some restaurants open just outside TV that serve excellent food and are doing quite well. Texas Road House, Longhorn Steaks, Mission BBQ, Napolinos to mention a few. Marks Prime in Ocala serves some of the best steaks you'll ever find. And we do have some fine restaurants in TV with Chop House, Blue Fin, Red Sauce and Piesanos.

Capitol Grill probably won't be in our future. PF Changs was coming but the developer wouldn't work with them on space and a year later, the space sits empty.

In short, we have some really fine places to eat, golf and have fun all around us. Some are in TV; many are not.

I fear you are seeing what you want to see. I recall one apartment overlooking a busy highway and then a beautiful lake. Which one should be look at?

The Villages in a Pandemic is very busy ... and the number of shops and restaurants will reflect the demand by the population. We play golf as a foursome every single day and never have a problem with scheduling it.

Step Back. See the positives.

I agree with you. We've found alternative golf courses, restaurants and shops around the area (within 60 miles) that we enjoy. For the most part, better restaurants are found in Ocala, Orlando Homosassa, and many other surrounding communities. Mission Inn is a great golf course with good restaurants and accommodations if you want to stay over and it's only a 20 mile trip. Let's face it, most restaurant chains would love to operate in the villages, but the developers model (charging high rents and a piece of the company's gross profit) make that less than likely. The Villages will continue to get new nail salons, donut shops, and one off restaurants until the developer changes the model. I do see that BJs has bought property adjacent to TV and plans to build a warehouse store and they are a great store to shop in. We've seen some restaurants open just outside TV that serve excellent food and are doing quite well. Texas Road House, Longhorn Steaks, Mission BBQ, Napolinos to mention a few. Marks Prime in Ocala serves some of the best steaks you'll ever find. And we do have some fine restaurants in TV with Chop House, Blue Fin, Red Sauce and Piesanos.

Capitol Grill probably won't be in our future. PF Changs was coming but the developer wouldn't work with them on space and a year later, the space sits empty.

In short, we have some really fine places to eat, golf and have fun all around us. Some are in TV; many are not.

Thank goodness covid is here or it would be worse. Usually much worse than what's going on this Snowbird season.

Good to hear BJ's is coming. Any word on Costco coming to the area, somewhere on 44 would be great. closest one is over an hour away.

Eleven years
 

Been here 11 winters for 6 months most years, always busy during winter months but only a few times have we not gotten a tee time with our groups. If you think our traffic is bad here, try Ft. Lauderdale on for size of crowded roads...

Add to the mix all of the non-village apartments, townhouses, condo's and single family homes that are in the works all around the outskirts of TV and see what that does to traffic, shopping, etc. Of course it will have minimal affect on the amenities such as golf but it might keep the championship courses busy. The 320 units approved on 44A near Brownwood should really help the Paddock Square businesses.

When I first came here in 2008, I came on the preview plan. One of their selling points was that The Villages was to be capped at around 100,000 people. I was happy about this because I was concerned about unabated growth. The thought was never to reach the turnpike. It was busy in the winter but really pleasant in the summer and you could always get tee times. The restaurants were busy in winter and there was a wait but not like it is today where wait times can be up to two hours. Most snow birds left at the end of March not April. This all changed after the death of the original founders. Unfortunately, and I hate this saying, it is what it is. So you either put up with it or you move. There are a lot of nice communities in other areas of Florida that are suited to a quieter life style.

Well said.

Traffic so much worse in other areas of Fl.

Fort lauderdale is a nightmare of traffic to go around the corner.
I selected TV because far less traffic here vs. Other areas.

Love Lynnhaven location as it on the edge of Tv so easily use outlying country road to travel south. Scenery on county roads beautiful with trees lining both sides of the streets.

Where did you relocate

And the Canadians aren't here this year due to COVID, they need to get the championship course in Southern Oaks and restaurants south of 44 open sooner rather than later.

Name alternative communities please

Yes TV is growing, but remember they are not the only ones building. If it isn't TV it will be someone...