[fflmaster]

Originally Posted by Lottoguy

DO NOT base your home location on the proximity to a town square. The squares pand 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.

Interesting, I get the music part. However, I would think being closer to the restaurants, shopping, and grocery would be more advantageous. I know we want to be very close to a recreation pool/center.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by fflmaster

Interesting, I get the music part. However, I would think being closer to the restaurants, shopping, and grocery would be more advantageous. I know we want to be very close to a recreation pool/center.

It is, to 99% of the people in The Villages.

Proximity to a Town Square is a significant factor in pricing. (Unless of course, if we're talking about Spanish Springs or Sawgrass, in which case, no one cares.)

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by fflmaster

Interesting, I get the music part. However, I would think being closer to the restaurants, shopping, and grocery would be more advantageous. I know we want to be very close to a recreation pool/center.

For some, going to the squares grows old and the music is no longer a draw. But as you point out, the music is in the squares and the squares host the restaurants.

Two thoughts on the matter, both of them valid: One, find a location close to the squares, restaurants, and rec centers you like so you don't have to travel far; and two, buy in the new section understanding that the squares will come and you will be closest to the newest entertainment areas.

I like living between Brownwood and Sumter because they were the two newest squares when I purchased my home. Now that Sawgrass exists, Middleton is beginning to open, and Eastport is on the horizon, the areas around Central Parkway look interesting.

[Pat2015]

If I was your age and just coming here, I’d be buying in Eastport. Younger people and it’s going to be great there. I bought around Brownwood when I came here as it was new and the place to be st that time. Still love it here with the proximity to sports pools, shopping, golf courses, etc, which will all be in The Eastport area over time. Good luck in your search!

[thevillager1988]

We were in the same situation 7 years ago. We rented for a month (March) to see if we liked it. And visited for a week in summer (we planned to be full time). We bought in the newest section available, moving in with all the neighbors, as opposed to moving into an established neighborhood. Moving in together is a good way to connect with people who are looking for the same things you are. Our neighbors were our first network and have become good friends. The rest of our network has developed from our activities.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

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.

our renters rented in our neighborhood and bought in our neighborhood after we stopped renting to move down. They closed this week

[darkim]

My opinion … Eastport is overhyped. It’ll have all the amenities. Everything is new … including the landscaping. There’s ZERO mature trees, and everything is flat. It lacks the charm that attracted everyone to The Villages.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by darkim

My opinion … Eastport is overhyped. It’ll have all the amenities. Everything is new … including the landscaping. There’s ZERO mature trees, and everything is flat. It lacks the charm that attracted everyone to The Villages.

Well, ya know what they say about opinions. I'm sure when they built Brownwood Paddock, LSL, and SS they were equally "overhyped" yet you bought anyway. Over hyping is the nature of sales.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by darkim

My opinion … Eastport is overhyped. It’ll have all the amenities. Everything is new … including the landscaping. There’s ZERO mature trees, and everything is flat. It lacks the charm that attracted everyone to The Villages.

No one goes to squares, restaurants, retail because of mature trees. They want shade of the new sail’s being installed. New and shiny has drawn residents in TV since 2004.
However if you spent 2 minutes in near Magnolia shopping, Middleton and Eastport, they lost more giant Live Oaks from Milton than any other area of TV.
It took 5 days to remove all the trees from roads, and paths, and 16 days to finally clear the last of Giant live oaks.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by fflmaster

Renting before buying has seemed to be the advice here.

I did look at the usual suspects to see and found many rentals.

Does having so many rentals affect the social aspect of an area?

It seems social is high on your list of wants. Write down how you would like to spend your days once in the Villages. Then browse the 2000 + clubs. Pay close attention to WHERE THEY MEET. Hopefully, you will find several you believe you would enjoy within a few miles of each other. Voila! If social is important, you just located the best area for you. You will meet lots of people with your same interests. Your social calendar will be full quickly.

Note: all of the rec centers have identical floor plans.(except oldest sections) Only the decor is different. Do not spend any time trying to find which is best. The executive golf courses are pretty much the same throughout the Villages. Some of the bands in the squares have been entertaining for MANY years. If you are like most, you will quickly tire of hearing the same sets over and over. I now cringe when I hear the music in the distance while dining. I've heard the same songs hundreds of times. Getting the gist? Each village is much more the same than different. Spend the majority of your time locating an area where most of your personal needs are in close proximity. Do this, and your retirement will always be enjoyable.

Do not worry about age differences. Like anywhere, you will find some in their 80's who act and move like they are 20. You will also find some in their 60's who act and move like they are 80. When I moved, a friend gave me great advice. You can not choose your neighbors, but you can select friends. Locate those of similar interests and you have found bliss.

If a pool is high on your list, be aware that most can get crowded. Swimming laps in some is prohibited. However, there are a few boutique neighborhoods that have private pools. Only the residents of the neighborhood frequent them. My hubby loves to do laps. He has had no problem doing this on a daily basis or whenever the mood strikes. There is no waiting or strict rules in our neck of the woods.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

It seems social is high on your list of wants. Write down how you would like to spend your days once in the Villages. Then browse the 2000 + clubs. Pay close attention to WHERE THEY MEET. Hopefully, you will find several you believe you would enjoy within a few miles of each other. Voila! If social is important, you just located the best area for you. You will meet lots of people with your same interests. Your social calendar will be full quickly.

Note: all of the rec centers have identical floor plans.(except oldest sections) Only the decor is different. Do not spend any time trying to find which is best. The executive golf courses are pretty much the same throughout the Villages. Some of the bands in the squares have been entertaining for MANY years. If you are like most, you will quickly tire of hearing the same sets over and over. I now cringe when I hear the music in the distance while dining. I've heard the same songs hundreds of times. Getting the gist? Each village is much more the same than different. Spend the majority of your time locating an area where most of your personal needs are in close proximity. Do this, and your retirement will always be enjoyable.

Do not worry about age differences. Like anywhere, you will find some in their 80's who act and move like they are 20. You will also find some in their 60's who act and move like they are 80. When I moved, a friend gave me great advice. You can not choose your neighbors, but you can select friends. Locate those of similar interests and you have found bliss.

If a pool is high on your list, be aware that most can get crowded. Swimming laps in some is prohibited. However, there are a few boutique neighborhoods that have private pools. Only the residents of the neighborhood frequent them. My hubby loves to do laps. He has had no problem doing this on a daily basis or whenever the mood strikes. There is no waiting or strict rules in our neck of the woods.

Excellent advice to all who are trying to decide where to live.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

It seems social is high on your list of wants. Write down how you would like to spend your days once in the Villages. Then browse the 2000 + clubs. Pay close attention to WHERE THEY MEET. Hopefully, you will find several you believe you would enjoy within a few miles of each other. Voila! If social is important, you just located the best area for you. You will meet lots of people with your same interests. Your social calendar will be full quickly.

Note: all of the rec centers have identical floor plans.(except oldest sections) Only the decor is different. Do not spend any time trying to find which is best. The executive golf courses are pretty much the same throughout the Villages. Some of the bands in the squares have been entertaining for MANY years. If you are like most, you will quickly tire of hearing the same sets over and over. I now cringe when I hear the music in the distance while dining. I've heard the same songs hundreds of times. Getting the gist? Each village is much more the same than different. Spend the majority of your time locating an area where most of your personal needs are in close proximity. Do this, and your retirement will always be enjoyable.

Do not worry about age differences. Like anywhere, you will find some in their 80's who act and move like they are 20. You will also find some in their 60's who act and move like they are 80. When I moved, a friend gave me great advice. You can not choose your neighbors, but you can select friends. Locate those of similar interests and you have found bliss.

If a pool is high on your list, be aware that most can get crowded. Swimming laps in some is prohibited. However, there are a few boutique neighborhoods that have private pools. Only the residents of the neighborhood frequent them. My hubby loves to do laps. He has had no problem doing this on a daily basis or whenever the mood strikes. There is no waiting or strict rules in our neck of the woods.

As an aside, I appreciate your posts and the information you are able to share with this forum. Thank you for contributing.