[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by fflmaster

Renting before buying has seemed to be the advice here.

In my entire life, I've never heard of a homeowner who "rented a home in a neighborhood", before buying in that neighborhood .... just to make sure they liked it ... except in TV.

[Ptmcbriz]

It’s much easier to establish new friends when you move to a new neighborhood. Everyone is then looking to make friendships. We threw a party at our house the first 2 months and invited every neighbor in our square block. We left flyers on doors if we couldn’t get someone to answer we had about 15 couples show up. We then started a WhatsApp group for our neighborhood ladies to stay in touch and meet monthly at a restaurant for lunch. Usually have 10-14 attend. From there formed interest groups on WhatsApp for a ladies golf group, vegetable garden group, water aerobics group all within our neighborhood. That’s how you get to know your neighbors.

[HappyTraveler]

Originally Posted by TheMosker-Behrs

I just wanted to say, we bought in Lake County and the bond has been paid off for more than a decade. I'm not sure what you mean by that statement.

If you buy in Lake County (south).......

She meant the southern part of Lake county where the pre-owned TV homes are newer and where the new builds are.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

If you buy in Marion County(north), the taxes are higher. If you buy in Lake County (south), the bonds are higher and virtually none has been paid off. Plus, there aren’t that many golf courses, restaurants, or Rec Centers.

The middle area is Sumter County and you’re close enough to visit the other areas. But rent for a month or two to have time to find the right property for you.

Lake County stretches almost the entire length of The Villages, up to the Marion county line. It also extends south of Sumter County. The entire "Historic" side of the Villages is in Lake County, and properties there have NEVER had a bond, ever. Not a bond that's been paid off, not one that was deferred, not any at all. The area south of Spanish Springs, Del Mar and Chula Vista, are in Lake County, and have no bond at all now. No idea if they ever did, but if they did, they would've been paid off in full around 10 years ago.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by HappyTraveler

If you buy in Lake County (south).......

She meant the southern part of Lake county where the pre-owned TV homes are newer and where the new builds are.

I interpreted it to mean that the poster was implying that Marion is the northernmost part of The Villages and Lake was the southernmost part of The Villages.

Since - if you're comparing similar terms - "north" Marion isn't in The Villages at all. Only the most southern portion of Marion county is in The Villages. So that wouldn't make sense to refer to "Marion (north)" as compared to "Lake (south)" in that context.

[main12use]

Remember also check the tax rates in the different counties. That could be a major factor in your finances.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by main12use

Remember also check the tax rates in the different counties. That could be a major factor in your finances.

It won't be a "major" factor in your finances. It's a factor, but it's not major.

Two identical properties in two identical neighborhoods in identically close proximity to main roads, amenities, commercial areas, medical centers, and entertainment venues - in different counties - will differ by comparatively small amounts per year. Obviously if you're buying a 3000+sf 3bd3bath with a 2.5-car garage, birdcage covered pool on a cul de sac with the 6th hole tee in your back yard, your taxes will reflect the county differences more significantly. But the percentage won't be that much of a difference. On a single-wide in Lake County, you might pay $150 more per year, than a single-wide in Sumter County. On a luxury home in Marion County, you might pay $1200/year more than the same luxury home in Sumter County. Unless you live in Wildwood, because then you end up giving that $1200 to the city, in addition to your cheaper county tax.

[Lottoguy]

DO NOT base your home location on the proximity to a town square. The squares and the free music are indeed fun and a great place to go to. However, after you've been here a while you won't be going so much.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

It won't be a "major" factor in your finances. It's a factor, but it's not major.

Two identical properties in two identical neighborhoods in identically close proximity to main roads, amenities, commercial areas, medical centers, and entertainment venues - in different counties - will differ by comparatively small amounts per year. Obviously if you're buying a 3000+sf 3bd3bath with a 2.5-car garage, birdcage covered pool on a cul de sac with the 6th hole tee in your back yard, your taxes will reflect the county differences more significantly. But the percentage won't be that much of a difference. On a single-wide in Lake County, you might pay $150 more per year, than a single-wide in Sumter County. On a luxury home in Marion County, you might pay $1200/year more than the same luxury home in Sumter County. Unless you live in Wildwood, because then you end up giving that $1200 to the city, in addition to your cheaper county tax.

None of the difference are chump change and it's not a one time charge, it's yearly.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Aces4

None of the difference are chump change and it's not a one time charge, it's yearly.

We're paying around $1400 per year in property tax. It's a lot less than we were paying when we lived in Connecticut for a smaller house on a larger piece of land. If that's $100 more than if we lived in Sumter, it's not a big deal. I wouldn't know though, I don't know of any manufactured homes in Sumter County on properties that the homeowner owns, and doesn't lease/rent. I'm sure there are some, but none that I know of in The Villages.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

We're paying around $1400 per year in property tax. It's a lot less than we were paying when we lived in Connecticut for a smaller house on a larger piece of land. If that's $100 more than if we lived in Sumter, it's not a big deal. I wouldn't know though, I don't know of any manufactured homes in Sumter County on properties that the homeowner owns, and doesn't lease/rent. I'm sure there are some, but none that I know of in The Villages.

Here is a thread with a good comparison of property taxes.

It doesn’t matter if you are in a manufactured home or a Villa, if the value is the same then the tax is the same. If the page above is accurate then it looks like you would be paying about the same in both counties for a home with that taxable value. My home has a higher taxable value so I would pay something like $1,000 if it was in unincorporated Lake County.

I’ve been in my house seven years now and it’s nice to know the $7,000 is in my pocket and not the county’s coffers.

[jimmyinvillages]

Originally Posted by fflmaster

My wife and I are looking at purchasing in TV and have a few questions. Background mid 50’s, still working, looking now for our eventual move in 2026-27’

Location:

In looking at different squares, do you find the music is concentrated to age groups? I heard that it’s 40-50’s music in Spanish Springs, and works up in years as you go south.

Wondering if Eastport area will be more likely to be from the 1980s and up with younger people or do you find all age groups throughout? Once the Eastport area is completed in a few years.

Social:

We moved to a new construction area back in the 1990’s fast forward to now and most of our friends and neighbors are retiring and moving. So, looking to start over with like ages. Do you find moving to new builds vs resale has a bigger difference on your social gathering or did you find most social groups within the activities you join?

Some thoughts that may help out:
-Don't worry about which bands play where at all. They all rotate around.

-There's a big 'sales pitch' about Eastport being younger but honestly it doesn't feel like much younger. Yes it may seem to be more 60's vs. 70's and 80's but it still feels like a retirement community.

Pros- you'll be in the newest area when it's built out, newest/arguably nicest town square, closest to Clermont/Orlando etc. for real food.

Cons-it gets tiring having to drive 20-30 mins to go anywhere right now, and likely not changing for 1-2 good years. Rumors are that the fancy rooftop hotel being built in Eastport may still be years away.

Middleton has this sales pitch of an 'all ages' family downtown and when you drive through it, it does look nice, except for one big problem. It's EMPTY. Will take years to fill that out as well with food options, etc.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Here is a thread with a good comparison of property taxes.

It doesn’t matter if you are in a manufactured home or a Villa, if the value is the same then the tax is the same. If the page above is accurate then it looks like you would be paying about the same in both counties for a home with that taxable value. My home has a higher taxable value so I would pay something like $1,000 if it was in unincorporated Lake County.

I’ve been in my house seven years now and it’s nice to know the $7,000 is in my pocket and not the county’s coffers.

I don't mind paying taxes, because my taxes are paying for services that we wouldn't get, if we didn't pay taxes. Our roads, sewers, public water system, schools, fire and emergency services, street lights, police department - none of this is free. Someone has to pay for it. And before anyone complains about us not having kids in the schools - those schools are educating the generation that will become our future lawyers, elected officials, librarians, police officers, corporate CEOs, non-profit board members, doctors, all the people who we HOPE will have a decent education.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I don't mind paying taxes, because my taxes are paying for services that we wouldn't get, if we didn't pay taxes. Our roads, sewers, public water system, schools, fire and emergency services, street lights, police department - none of this is free. Someone has to pay for it. And before anyone complains about us not having kids in the schools - those schools are educating the generation that will become our future lawyers, elected officials, librarians, police officers, corporate CEOs, non-profit board members, doctors, all the people who we HOPE will have a decent education.

I get all of those too but I am getting all of them all for about $1,000 per year less than if I lived in Lake County.

As for schools - that subject could fill an entire thread but I really don’t think I’m getting my money’s worth.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I get all of those too but I am getting all of them all for about $1,000 per year less than if I lived in Lake County.

As for schools - that subject could fill an entire thread but I really don’t think I’m getting my money’s worth.

Heh if I paid $1000/year less just by living in another county, I'd only be paying $400/year for property tax.

It's all relative. If you can afford a $400,000 house, then you can afford to pay $3000/year in property taxes.