[BrianL99]

In my 3 years in TV, my exposure to the "South" has been limited to 1 trip to look at some furniture & 1 trip in my golf cart, to play Southern Oaks.

Today, giving my back a rest from daily golf, I took the opportunity to cruise the entire southern area.

The next person who tells me "the South is going to be the "Center of The Villages", I'm going to ask what they're smokin', 'cause I want to buy some.

What the Developer created in the Orange Blossom, Sumter Landing and Brownwood areas, is the envy of residential real estate developers, around the world. What Mr. Morse's heirs have done with the South, is appalling. It is "The Villages" in name only.

I also took the opportunity to visit Sawgrass Grove. It makes OTOTW's "center" look like a thriving place. The "Market" had less than 30 people in the entire building (3 pm). The only restaurant (McGrady's), was about 1/3 full and mostly just drinkers at the bar.

I've heard a lot about "Edna's on the Green". Stupid me, I thought it was a restaurant. It's a ugly food trailer ... and no one was there.

If folks were required to look at Lakewood Ranch, prior to buying in the Villages South, home sales would grind to a screeching halt.

It was like being in a foreign country.

FLAK jacket on.

[Altavia]

Blind man describing an elephant.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

In my 3 years in TV, my exposure to the "South" has been limited to 1 trip to look at some furniture & 1 trip in my golf cart, to play Southern Oaks.

Today, giving my back a rest from daily golf, I took the opportunity to cruise the entire southern area.

The next person who tells me "the South is going to be the "Center of The Villages", I'm going to ask what they're smokin', 'cause I want to buy some.

What the Developer created in the Orange Blossom, Sumter Landing and Brownwood areas, is the envy of residential real estate developers, around the world. What Mr. Morse's heirs have done with the South, is appalling. It is "The Villages" in name only.

I also took the opportunity to visit Sawgrass Grove. It makes OTOTW's "center" look like a thriving place. The "Market" had less than 30 people in the entire building (3 pm). The only restaurant (McGrady's), was about 1/3 full and mostly just drinkers at the bar.

I've heard a lot about "Edna's on the Green". Stupid me, I thought it was a restaurant. It's a ugly food trailer ... and no one was there.

If folks were required to look at Lakewood Ranch, prior to buying in the Villages South, home sales would grind to a screeching halt.

It was like being in a foreign country.

FLAK jacket on.

You may not know this, but when TV first crossed 466 and they started building Lake Sumter Landing, the residents of the time thought "Who would ever want to live way down there?"

I think the area south of 44 will look a whole lot different once Eastport becomes the 4th town square, the 3 (maybe more) championship golf courses are open as well as 6+ execs, and the commercial areas are built. Patience, grasshopper, patience.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

In my 3 years in TV, my exposure to the "South" has been limited to 1 trip to look at some furniture & 1 trip in my golf cart, to play Southern Oaks.

Today, giving my back a rest from daily golf, I took the opportunity to cruise the entire southern area.

The next person who tells me "the South is going to be the "Center of The Villages", I'm going to ask what they're smokin', 'cause I want to buy some.

What the Developer created in the Orange Blossom, Sumter Landing and Brownwood areas, is the envy of residential real estate developers, around the world. What Mr. Morse's heirs have done with the South, is appalling. It is "The Villages" in name only.

I also took the opportunity to visit Sawgrass Grove. It makes OTOTW's "center" look like a thriving place. The "Market" had less than 30 people in the entire building (3 pm). The only restaurant (McGrady's), was about 1/3 full and mostly just drinkers at the bar.

I've heard a lot about "Edna's on the Green". Stupid me, I thought it was a restaurant. It's a ugly food trailer ... and no one was there.

If folks were required to look at Lakewood Ranch, prior to buying in the Villages South, home sales would grind to a screeching halt.

It was like being in a foreign country.

FLAK jacket on.

I will say you have such wisdom on TV, since joining in 2021. You saw the pandemic, hear how we basically stayed open while many parts of the US shut their doors.

So haven’t had a Southern Bashing Post for awhile.

Your visit anywhere at 3pm, is very different that at normal times in south of 44. Sawgrass is a small venue, for Southern Oaks, with ability to have food, small pro shop, and outside entertainment. Every night one has to arrive at 4ish to seat save at Sawgrass, unles it’s a double header, then try to find a seat at 3pm. This is by experience, the place will be packed with McGradys waitlist on the patio, and the bar has special tapas at bar only during happy hours, standing room only around the boxcar. You will find some sitting in their golf cart, for lack of a space. It’s not even Snow birds fully arriving

Edna’s was also a pilot venue to bring food, entertainment and a bar to an area far from a proper square. Most times 2 food trucks, with a special visiting third truck ( think lobster rolls). Bar is covered, entertainment is standing room only most night, with Zero parking available. We bid on a house that was 7 houses backing up to Sawgrass. Due to the constant overload of people we choose not to buy the house. While you were there you should have noticed the makings of a restaurant that is going to be built, because it’s such a popular spot.

It still amazes me when we came to TV in 2007, there wasn’t any issues where one chooses to live in TV. Although the SS area really didn’t know where LSL was, because it was a bunch of empty buildings and a developer own business. Bashing of new areas was very few and far between, usually a very much older resident, that doesn’t do change

After 4 different villages, each time moving farther south, by choice, I still don’t under why you as a poster is so angry about why many of us Chose to live South.if you are in fear and it seems you are to venture south, one might want to make sure your flax jacket is Orange during hunting season. It’s a much younger age in the south, and may be why you seem uncomfortable with those who choose to live here

[frayedends]

The OP is hilarious. Obviously he hasn’t seen the future plans for Eastport and south. By the way I looked at Lakewood Ranch and bought in Lake Denham. Lakewood had nice homes and a rec center with a few people just waiting to die slumped in chairs.

[Keefelane66]

You woke up. Rush to the nearest Urgent Care Center for your Kool-Aid shot

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by asianthree

I still don’t under why you as a poster is so angry about why many of us Chose to live South.

Not angry at all, you just missed the point.

I'm trying to understand why the Developer would change the most successful residential construction business model in the USA and cater to a different demographic.

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Not angry at all, you just missed the point.

I'm trying to understand why the Developer would change the most successful residential construction business model in the USA and cater to a different demographic.

Perhaps because retirees are getting younger? Wait till us southerners bring Slayer cover bands to the squares. You’re gonna love it. 👿

[justjim]

OP, I’m not a huge fan of what has been built south of 44 up to now but I don’t think your assessment is fair and accurate for what potentially will be south of 44 in five to seven years from now. More golf courses, another square with shops and restaurants, Eastport and not to mention the new multi-million dollar school complex and Middleton you never saw or mentioned. After many years in TV, we are currently living happily in our fourth village. We were one of the first to build south of 466A and if we were a bit younger would be pioneering Eastport or one of the other planned villages southeast of Eastport. I believe the best is yet to come to The Villages south of 44. The children and grandchildren of Harold Schwartz and Gary Morse will see that the “dream” will continue.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Not angry at all, you just missed the point.

I'm trying to understand why the Developer would change the most successful residential construction business model in the USA and cater to a different demographic.

I will try to answer your question. Those of us who chose to move to the south from other areas love what I call 'The New Formula'. Sure, more of the same old thing could have been built. But the south shows that evolving a design can be a wonderful thing. Those that like the old style can choose what was built before. Those that prefer the new style can choose what is being built now. I see no reason to be such a downer about that.

BTW, I also thought the original post had an angry tone. Choose what you like, and I will choose what I like. Why is that a problem?

[Debfrommaine]

Live and let live. The end.

[go4fpsb]

I think the OP wants to see if they can beat the previous record for clicks and replies for “ let’s bash everything south of 44”. Here’s where the bar is set.
South of 44 (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 ... Last Page)
Thread Rating: 7 votes, 2.14 average.eweissenbach (26,524 views, 318 replies)
Good luck. You got a long way to go.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

In my 3 years in TV, my exposure to the "South" has been limited to 1 trip to look at some furniture & 1 trip in my golf cart, to play Southern Oaks.

Today, giving my back a rest from daily golf, I took the opportunity to cruise the entire southern area.

The next person who tells me "the South is going to be the "Center of The Villages", I'm going to ask what they're smokin', 'cause I want to buy some.

What the Developer created in the Orange Blossom, Sumter Landing and Brownwood areas, is the envy of residential real estate developers, around the world. What Mr. Morse's heirs have done with the South, is appalling. It is "The Villages" in name only.

I also took the opportunity to visit Sawgrass Grove. It makes OTOTW's "center" look like a thriving place. The "Market" had less than 30 people in the entire building (3 pm). The only restaurant (McGrady's), was about 1/3 full and mostly just drinkers at the bar.

I've heard a lot about "Edna's on the Green". Stupid me, I thought it was a restaurant. It's a ugly food trailer ... and no one was there.

If folks were required to look at Lakewood Ranch, prior to buying in the Villages South, home sales would grind to a screeching halt.

It was like being in a foreign country.

FLAK jacket on.

Dam, we live north of 466 and absolutely love that area and have no desire to relocate, but in my opinion your view of the newer areas of the Villages is extremely harsh. Every time I have ventured down to the southern parts of the Villages it has been an enjoyable experience. Are things down there different, yes. That doesn’t make it bad or undesirable, and certainly not appalling. The newer areas are clearly being designed differently, which gives new homebuyers more options depending on the retirement lifestyle they are seeking. If I could wave a magic wand, I wish the southern areas had more golf, so the northern courses wouldn’t be as crowded. Next, I would wish the northern areas had some of the features of the new areas such as the network of golf cart free walking and bike trails as well as the wider MMP’s with bigger tunnels and less back jarring drainage culverts at road crossings. At the end of the day, all the areas are beautiful and the envy of many, many, many returning baby boomers. Having a variety of lifestyle choices only enhances the place. Let’s not try to start a Village’s north/south civil war and all just enjoy the place.

[thelegges]

Op you chose to go to the south once, and think nothing is the TV you chose to live in.

That’s very true, but I do find your post comes off as the normal bashing of the south, that has plagued TOTV, as soon as the developers built south.
Past experience those who don’t get the allure of south of 44 are of an older age bracket.

We moved from LSL area, then built a home in Richmond. I will say we are in the older age bracket here. Many are in their 50s, some still work, but as a whole this is a very different village than any we have lived in.

There are monthly themed parties at the Rec center, always with a waiting list. There are weekly men’s and women’s groups, and one of the largest golf groups in off season, I have ever been affiliated with. This is a village that embraces all things retirement. We go to Sawgrass, and Edna’s, when there is a parking space to be had.

Rarely do we travel north from where we started, to shop, golf, socialize. Reason we moved was SS visit was maybe every 2 months, LSL once a month. Brownwood weekly. It’s a bonus to have meaningful conversations without the ongoing talk of health issues.

Many enjoy the lack of retail nightmare traffic, and have no issue driving 10 minutes. We don’t shop weekly, and Doctor appointments are 6-12 months apart. So south is the new vision, it’s just not for my parents, that are in their 80s.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

In my 3 years in TV, my exposure to the "South" has been limited to 1 trip to look at some furniture & 1 trip in my golf cart, to play Southern Oaks.

Today, giving my back a rest from daily golf, I took the opportunity to cruise the entire southern area.

The next person who tells me "the South is going to be the "Center of The Villages", I'm going to ask what they're smokin', 'cause I want to buy some.

What the Developer created in the Orange Blossom, Sumter Landing and Brownwood areas, is the envy of residential real estate developers, around the world. What Mr. Morse's heirs have done with the South, is appalling. It is "The Villages" in name only.

I also took the opportunity to visit Sawgrass Grove. It makes OTOTW's "center" look like a thriving place. The "Market" had less than 30 people in the entire building (3 pm). The only restaurant (McGrady's), was about 1/3 full and mostly just drinkers at the bar.

I've heard a lot about "Edna's on the Green". Stupid me, I thought it was a restaurant. It's a ugly food trailer ... and no one was there.

If folks were required to look at Lakewood Ranch, prior to buying in the Villages South, home sales would grind to a screeching halt.

It was like being in a foreign country.

FLAK jacket on.

Feel better now?

I live north of 466A in Poinciana. I like it there. I played pickleball yesterday at Homestead. Want to know what I saw?

I saw people out biking, walking, playing pickleball, swimming, apparently oblivious to the horrible place they decided was right for them.

So nice of you to let them know they live in a bad place. Otherwise, they'd have lived happily ever after, in blissful ignorance.

Good job.