[Allen]

Many of us who have yet to build (or buy) in TV would very much appreciate any reports, information, photos, news, updates, stories, gossip, intelligence, rumors, hearsay or even spy satellite reconnaissance that you (the lucky ones who are already there) can provide for us in this thread.

Please tell us about any changes you see in (and around) The Bubble ‘cause us wannabes are as blind as bats! We’ll take any info you care to offer regarding new roads, villages, models, recreation areas, businesses, churches, golf courses, driving ranges, medical facilities, zoos, massage parlors, ski slopes or even waste water treatment plants!

This could be a lot of fun! Thanks in advance for your stellar reportage!

[swrinfla]

that this could be fun.

I suppose it doesn't count, but I had a conversation with a representative of the Saint Louis Zoo a couple days ago - on a fund-raising campaign, of course. No zoo worth calling a zoo near to TV, so far as I know!

SWR

[Rag Bagger]

A retirement Zoo! Perfect.

[jblum8156]

Well, there is a first-class zoo in Tampa

[skip0358]

There is a new Championship Golf course going up S/O 466A, The new town center is under construction neat Rt 44, Sweet Bays is going to be building a new super near 466A & Rt139 , the new tax center is being built on 466A 7 Rt 139, the build out to the west towards 462 is well under way, many new stores are entering Lake Sumter Landing, a new Medical center is under construction in Lake sumter more gust cottages are being built next to the water front in in lake sumter. Much is going on I'm sure I forgot something.

[zcaveman]

There is supposed to be a great zoo in Sanford also. We have plans to visit it this Spring.

[BlueHeronFan]

This might help.

http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/

[Allen]

Originally Posted by skip0358

...the build out to the west towards 462 is well under way...

Thanks to all for the helpful info so far… even the fine points regarding zoo! I should note that I was just “monkeying around” with that part of the question …ditto the massage parlors and ski slopes. Although, I would not be surprised to see a ski slope go in if TV continues to expand toward Disney.

For the hear and now, however:

1. Does anyone have any estimates on how long they will continue to sell new homes in this area before they start below 466A?

2. Or, know where they will begin building the homes South of 466A?

3. Finally... I thought I saw, or heard of a driving range going in somewhere or did I just dream this?

Thanks!

[bike42]

Originally Posted by Allen

3. Finally... I thought I saw, or heard of a driving range going in somewhere or did I just dream this?

Thanks!

There's a new driving range behind Walmart (off 466) -- not Villages property as far as I can tell.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Allen

3. Finally... I thought I saw, or heard of a driving range going in somewhere or did I just dream this?

After reading all the posts this winter about the accidents and the roundabouts, I thought the streets of TV were a driving range-- you know, where you go to practice driving.

[Russ_Boston]

The area south of 466A will begin to be sold towards the tail end of 2011. At least that is what my agent told me a few weeks ago.

Final build out at the current rate will take about 6 years. (15K more homes / current sales rate of 2500 homes per year) These are guesstimates based on some facts.

[spk7951]

Originally Posted by Allen

Thanks to all for the helpful info so far… even the fine points regarding zoo! I should note that I was just “monkeying around” with that part of the question …ditto the massage parlors and ski slopes. Although, I would not be surprised to see a ski slope go in if TV continues to expand toward Disney.

For the hear and now, however:

1. Does anyone have any estimates on how long they will continue to sell new homes in this area before they start below 466A?

2. Or, know where they will begin building the homes South of 466A?

3. Finally... I thought I saw, or heard of a driving range going in somewhere or did I just dream this?

Thanks!

There is some work going on south of 466A but exactly what I do not know. I have seen truck loads of cement blocks going down the dirt road past where Morse Blvd ends just after the Sarasota driving range.
I have heard estimates of 2,000 or so homes left to be built north of 466A and west of Buena Vista. Not from any good sources but even if that was true I would tend to think that could mean a couple of years or so before sales of houses south of 466A starts.

[GypsySooners]

If you, or anyone reading this, are wanting a bargain? There are some real steals right now on brand new homes near, but not in, The Villages. The banks that own them are really not wanting to own them!

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by GypsySooners

If you, or anyone reading this, are wanting a bargain? There are some real steals right now on brand new homes near, but not in, The Villages. The banks that own them are really not wanting to own them!

We had seriously considered that before we bought in TV. Logically and financialy it was the best choice. We do not golf nor are we fully retired or are people who join things or participate in activities. We had visited TV during every trip to visit family near and in TV the last few years and always liked the feeling. Hard to describe. We want to be isolated as much as possible from the outside world after living in it for many years. It was not the physical things that drew us to TV obvioulsy as we would not use much of them. It was the people, the sense of community and the shared desire to carve out a good and happy life in the middle of a crazy and increasingly dangerous world. I lived many years outside the "bubble" and wanted in so much that I was willing to downsize both my home and income to do so. I think they are all witches who cast spells on us mortals.

in the end, as sometimes happens when logic and emotions collide, we ended up buying in TV because we knew from long experience that if we did not, we would wake up each day thinking that we should have bought a home in the Villages. Much like you feel when you buy the sensible sedan car instead of the overpriced impractable sexy red sports car you drooled over. It surprised us too. We were down there in June looking at homes next to TV. Bought our new home in TV sight unseen via email and phone last week. What kind of spell did The Villages cast that reached us up north?