[Laker14]

Originally Posted by MrFitness

Yeah, we are different. My time is precious but hardly valuable. Gone are the days of a full time job and young kids. I have plenty of time in a day, just running short on days. I want the golf cart life. I want to be out in the open air. I want to drive my car as little as possible. Having said that, I'd prefer most destinations within a 20 minute or so cart drive.

From what I'm reading it sounds like your desires for a golf cart life, and "new build" could be at odds. Good reason to get down to those areas with a cart and see if the two goals are compatible. If they are, you are all set. If they aren't you'll have some decisions to make.
Best of luck.
Reading descriptions of the social life schedule in the new areas makes me realize there is something for everyone, and that I chose well, for me, being in an older 'hood. I love it that when we have card night I'm in bed by 9:30. I'm often at the PB courts or driving to a golf course before the sun is over the yardarm. What works for me doesn't work for everyone.

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by MrFitness

Can you explain the last line in your note. Why do parties start at 4 if you are younger ? That also reminds me of my shocking revelation during my lifestyle visit; everything closes at 9pm lol. Just gonna have to get used to it (or age into it). Up here I get disappointed when the bands end at midnight. Do neighborhood parties end at 9 as well in TV ?

Not everything closes at 9pm. In my area (south of the turnpike) they usually don't go as late as 9, but mosquitoes can be a big factor in that as they tend to be the worst just after dusk.

I sometimes like going to the bars/restaurants to watch primetime football games that usually end around 11-11:30pm and I haven't really had a problem finding places in the squares that are open that late to see the whole game.

[MrFitness]

Originally Posted by Laker14

From what I'm reading it sounds like your desires for a golf cart life, and "new build" could be at odds. Good reason to get down to those areas with a cart and see if the two goals are compatible. If they are, you are all set. If they aren't you'll have some decisions to make.
Best of luck.
Reading descriptions of the social life schedule in the new areas makes me realize there is something for everyone, and that I chose well, for me, being in an older 'hood. I love it that when we have card night I'm in bed by 9:30. I'm often at the PB courts or driving to a golf course before the sun is over the yardarm. What works for me doesn't work for everyone.

Yes, I can see where weekly parties til midnight in neighborhoods could be problematic as everyone is different. It'd be nice if maybe the newer town squares could stay open late on weekends.

Unfortunately I won't have access to a cart when I'm down here next week, but I feel I can estimate based on car times. I also watched the great drone videos from that guy (GoldWing something). Eastport has a long way to go. But I was here in summer of 22 and Richmond was just starting. And now there are a whole bunch of newer villages completed. It moves fast. And I kinda like the idea of being right there as that progress unfolds. The people selling me on the north have not convinced me. I want to be close to my daily and weekly activities. I can drive further for my monthly or annual activities if need be. And I do believe an age gradient exists from north to south. And we all know that once TV gets a reputation (STDs, Loofa's, lol) it's hard to shake.

I think I know what I'm going to do, and these responses have assisted my reflection on the situation. Of course it could all change once I'm down here next week. I want this to be my last winter in Wisconsin. But the only urgency now is the discounts in Dabney (which are rapidly going away, but I assume more are coming). I will spend time there but I feel it will always be isolated (my original question on this post lol) as there seems to be little benefit to adding another bridge in the future. I guess I knew that already.

I will likely wait and see what becomes available near Eastport over the next 8-10 months. I've figured out what type of housing I want as well as the orientation (I think). Once something becomes available I'll have my agent pounce and then 30 days later I'll be here.

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by MrFitness

Unfortunately I won't have access to a cart when I'm down here next week, but I feel I can estimate based on car times.

I would strongly advise to rent a cart for at least a couple of days. We almost made a terrible mistake when we bought in 2022. We were almost about to put an offer on a pre-owned home but then decided to take a golf cart from Brownwood area to check the distance. Based on the car ride we thought it would be like a 15 min cart ride but was over 30 mins. That was a dealbreaker for us, but we never would've known that if we didn't spend an hour doing that cart ride. The subsequent home that we ended up purchasing we felt good about as it passed our golf cart test with flying colors. 9 mins to Brownwood and was about the same price as the other place.

[MrFitness]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

Not everything closes at 9pm. In my area (south of the turnpike) they usually don't go as late as 9, but mosquitoes can be a big factor in that as they tend to be the worst just after dusk.

I sometimes like going to the bars/restaurants to watch primetime football games that usually end around 11-11:30pm and I haven't really had a problem finding places in the squares that are open that late to see the whole game.

Outstanding. Thanks. Any places show Packer games ?

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by MrFitness

...

I will likely wait and see what becomes available near Eastport over the next 8-10 months. I've figured out what type of housing I want as well as the orientation (I think). Once something becomes available I'll have my agent pounce and then 30 days later I'll be here.

Wise strategy.

To help you forecast:

My observations - Historically, the Villages has roughly 3-4 new Villages under construction simultaneously.

Starting from first home construction, they complete each Villages in about six to nine months.

They start a new Village every 2-3 months.

Others opinions will vary.

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

In my Village (south of turnpike) I've never heard of people voting on when to have driveway parties. People just have them, they usually let everyone know ahead of time in the Facebook group specific to my Village and sometimes put a few flyers on people's doors. They happen about ever 1-2 weeks in my area. Usually starting at 4pm since it's a younger crowd.

That whole 2pm = close knit theory is pretty hilarious.

To each their own. I am young (61) and prefer to accommodate my neighbors' wants and needs. To me, CLOSE KNIT means doing just that. Maybe some young people still work in your area. In my neighborhood, we are all retired. We spend the mornings participating in group activities, (golf, hikes, biking, local trips, beach volleyball, etc) then have lunch either at a restaurant, in each others homes, or a large driveway party. The night is ours to enjoy. There is no one more important to me than my wife. I look forward to dinner with her, watching the sunset, and taking our evening stroll. It is my favorite part of the day. Wouldn't miss it for the world! Every couple in my neighborhood feels the same. I am confused as to why an after 4 party means better????? If you enjoy who you are with, TIME ON A CLOCK is not a factor.

[Justputt]

Originally Posted by MrFitness

I will be visiting in 2 weeks and will likely purchase a Patio in either Dabney or Moultrie Creek. I can save about $30k in Dabney when considering bond. Maybe more when considering future costs of building materials if I wait even longer.

For those who purchased in the newer sections (Lake Denham, Dabney); does the drive north get old ? Are you worried that you will feel cut off as new development goes south on the other side of the turnpike ?

I've seen some people state they think another cart connection will be built (maybe CR470) in the future. Aside from Lake Denham and Dabney residents, who would that really benefit (so why would they bother building it) ? Is more development going to happen south of Dabney north/east of the turnpike ?

I live in Dabney. Sawgrass is an easy run by cart (4-miles). Brownwood is a haul by cart, so we use the car. 470 is the on/off ramp to the TP and >35mph road, so will never have a cart path along it. Maybe they could get a TP underpass along 48 to the south, but there's nothing there yet and that's no shorter than running up to Sawgrass and using that bridge to go to Eastport. Eastport is a simple fast run across 470 by car (maybe 4-miles), which I'm fine with. We're just a 3-miles (no cart) from Winn Dixie, Publix, etc., 2 miles to the Post Office, TV purchased a couple thousand acres to the South, so there will be more town squares (someone told me they aim for around every 5 miles). The other issue will be bonds the developer uses for infrastructure, around ~32k for us, the Enclave ~72k, and what they'll be around Eastport idk, but there's a lot of infrastructure to pay for. I always traveled by car before moving to TV and it didn't bother me, so consider whether you want to live life based on golf cart access or just access.

[Calisport]

I am near Sawgrass Grove so the drive to the 466A areas are somewhat far. Living in Lake Denham or Dabney you will be going to Leesburg and Okahumpka by car more often. It will take years for stores to come to the area. It happens very slowly in the villages.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Justputt

I live in Dabney.

We're just a 3-miles (no cart) from Winn Dixie, Publix, etc., 2 miles to the Post Office

To get to those places, you have to turn left on 470. We drove along 470 last week and the east bound traffic was very heavy. At that time, it must have been very difficult to come out of Dabney and turn left on 470

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by MrFitness

Outstanding. Thanks. Any places show Packer games ?

Gators in Brownwood.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by VApeople

To get to those places, you have to turn left on 470. We drove along 470 last week and the east bound traffic was very heavy. At that time, it must have been very difficult to come out of Dabney and turn left on 470

They could use a traffic light there. It is busy and the cars are going very fast. There are lights at Morse and 44, 466a and 466. Same with buena vista. There is even a light at Meggison and 44.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Dabney will be very near to the new hospital, lots of retail space down there that will be built in the near future, medical facilities are being built all over the place south of 44, 3 new championship courses near Dabney, and you are near to Leesburg for all of their shopping and restaurants, also much, much closer to Orlando and Tampa via the Turnpike and I-75 than areas up north.

I'm not so sure about all of that. The nearest "new" golf course is Southern Oaks, and can be 10-12 minutes depending on where in Dabney you start from. The two courses under construction on the other side of the Bexley bridge will be about 15-17 minutes. Shallow Creek which will open in April would be about 25 minutes. Between 15 and 25 minutes will be up to 6 new exec courses. Along that Newell/Lake Denham/Dabney corridor I'm not aware of any plans for new golf courses, and I doubt there is room. As far as the hospital goes, that project is on hold indefinitely and is unlikely to be built in our lifetimes, if at all. Commercial development---who knows, again availability of land in that area is a factor (currently). Lastly, if looking at CYVs, be aware many of them built south of 44 have been purchased by investors and turned into Airbnb's----and it doesn't look like any STR restrictions are coming soon.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by VApeople

To get to those places, you have to turn left on 470. We drove along 470 last week and the east bound traffic was very heavy. At that time, it must have been very difficult to come out of Dabney and turn left on 470

Originally Posted by Rainger99

They could use a traffic light there. It is busy and the cars are going very fast. There are lights at Morse and 44, 466a and 466. Same with Buena Vista. There is even a light at Meggison and 44.

You are correct. A traffic light at the 470-Meggison intersection would be very helpful, as would a traffic light to help people in Chitty Chatty pull out and turn left onto Morse Road.

Don't hold your breath waiting for the county officials to make those decisions. They are too busy building a much needed sidewalk along Route 44.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by VApeople

You are correct. A traffic light at the 470-Meggison intersection would be very helpful, as would a traffic light to help people in Chitty Chatty pull out and turn left onto Morse Road.

Don't hold your breath waiting for the county officials to make those decisions. They are too busy building a much needed sidewalk along Route 44.

I agree. I can't wait for that sidewalk along 44 to be completed so everyone can admire how nobody is walking on it.