[NYBob]

I thought it best to combine a few questions in one post, than multiple posts.

I came across 'Lakeside Landings' which sits right on the line just outside of TV. On CR472 and Regatta Blvd. Which made us think, would that disallow residents from using TV amenities in similar situations ? There are also a few ALFs in the same location, would they also be disallowed access or do they make arrangements with TV to allow access to amenities, ect.

Having read opinions/reviews of the UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital ER (new name ?) I started to look into the free standing ERs on 466a & 44. Can anyone give any insight into them ? Yourself, family, friends...

On the same theme, I understand it's rather hard to get an appointment with a PCP/specialist as a new patient. Is this true and if not does anyone have recommendations as to where we should start. We have Regular Medicare and secondary Midigap plans.

On our previous trip to TV we toured a few of the models and noticed a) they weren't the best quality and (b) privacy was at a minimum. Not to say the work was shoddy but things like LVP flooring and such don't impress quality. Didn't quite understand why you couldn't get wood or laminate ? And as to privacy is that basically the standard there ?

Lastly, we'd like to tour a few neighborhoods on our next trip there. But as we recall most/all have gates at the entrances(?) Does one need a realtor to gain access to these villages or do some have a visitors entrance ?

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by NYBob

I thought it best to combine a few questions in one post, than multiple posts.

I came across 'Lakeside Landings' which sits right on the line just outside of TV. On CR472 and Regatta Blvd. Which made us think, would that disallow residents from using TV amenities in similar situations ? There are also a few ALFs in the same location, would they also be disallowed access or do they make arrangements with TV to allow access to amenities, ect.

They do not have legal access to TV amenities . They can visit the squares which are not an amenity.

[Topspinmo]

If you don’t get village ID card you can’t use village amenities. But, any commercial property or Squares don’t need Village ID card cause they are open to public. Now I heard of some development not in villages off 472 that use MMP’s (golf cart paths) which again don’t need Village ID, but MMPs are owned by villages districts.

As far as village hospital on 441 I had no negative experiences. But so far I’m pretty healthy. Can’t comment on emergency rooms cause haven’t had need to go yet?

Most villages in districts you can enter by pushing red button being they are public roads, more of traffic control than security. Some high end villas in villages has private entry, to enter them you have call and be invited in. I’m sure get more comments on this?

As far as low quality the villages offer variety of properties at different levels of pricing new I think? Custom built homes to please. Most are standard for price range and some upgrade from range. Resales are up and down the scale. Another thing villages offer lifestyle IMO that can’t be matched for price of amenities fees, IMO why they can get little more for their new housing. Usually higher end homes in prime location go very quickly for IMO outrageous price, but people will pay for what they want if they can afford it.

[shut the front door]

I know a couple of people who live in Lakeside Landing and a friend in TV gave them a gate card. They illegally cross Rainey Trail into Promise Rehab and use the gate behind Promise to get in.
Risky proposition and I don't understand villagers who give outsiders gate cards.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

I know a couple of people who live in Lakeside Landing and a friend in TV gave them a gate card. They illegally cross Rainey Trail into Promise Rehab and use the gate behind Promise to get in.
Risky proposition and I don't understand villagers who give outsiders gate cards.

You can shut the front door, but someone will always sneak around the back.

[Pondboy]

I understand that hardwood floors are not common in FL due to high humidity. Wood would warp.

As far as privacy, most houses close together for a number of reasons….id assume so that more houses can get built on a given plot, more $ for developer….also, most folks don’t want to maintain a big lawn/garden area.

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by Pondboy

I understand that hardwood floors are not common in FL due to high humidity. Wood would warp.

Termites is the more common reason. Lots of places all over the world with comparable or high humidity than here use hardwood floors without issues, unless flooding is a concern.

Treated hardwood flooring is not uncommon in higher end condos on the Gulf coast.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by NYBob

I came across 'Lakeside Landings' which sits right on the line just outside of TV. On CR472 and Regatta Blvd. Which made us think, would that disallow residents from using TV amenities in similar situations ? There are also a few ALFs in the same location...

There are some assisted living facilities that have access to amenities, and there are some that do not. Buffalo Crossing and Watercrest do. Harbor Chase does not. You'd have to check each one to find out which does, which doesn't. Lakeside Landing residents are not eligible for Villages amenities.

Having read opinions/reviews of the UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital ER (new name ?) I started to look into the free standing ERs on 466a & 44. Can anyone give any insight into them ? Yourself, family, friends...

Needed ER across from Brownwood a few years ago. Horrible experience. They wanted 3 chest xrays and 4 heart tests for someone who was simply intoxicated and dehydrated at the same time and passed out for a couple of minutes outside on a busy, VERY hot and humid night at the square. Patient was actually lucid and capable enough to walk himself to the ambulance and climb onto the guerney himself. Had to yell at the nurse and doctor to disconnect the IV or we'd take it out ourselves. Left after 2 hours of being connected to tubes, for no reason at all other than to order more tests. Got stuck with a bill over $2000 that insurance wouldn't cover, because of discharge against the doctor's recommendation.

On the same theme, I understand it's rather hard to get an appointment with a PCP/specialist as a new patient. Is this true and if not does anyone have recommendations as to where we should start. We have Regular Medicare and secondary Midigap plans.

It's hard to find a PCP that's accepting new patients. Once you find one, it isn't difficult to get an appointment with them at all. But The Villages Health doesn't accept regular Medicare, they only accept Advantage plans, and non-Medicare marketplace plans (people who aren't old enough for Medicare yet have those).

On our previous trip to TV we toured a few of the models and noticed a) they weren't the best quality and (b) privacy was at a minimum. Not to say the work was shoddy but things like LVP flooring and such don't impress quality. Didn't quite understand why you couldn't get wood or laminate ? And as to privacy is that basically the standard there ?

LVP flooring is better than wall to wall carpeting throughout, because standard-issue carpeting in The Villages is a pale beige color that will get filthy and disgusting within the first 5 years, even if you clean it regularly. Be grateful to have the vinyl planking. It's also the best for color options and waterproofing. Laminate is great for durability. If you buy something built to your specifications you can pick out the floor you want, but you'll be paying extra for anything that doesn't come "standard" with the home. As for privacy - unless you have a courtyard villa or one of those new villa-esque properties that come with wrap-around fencing, you won't have an abundance of privacy. The further north you look, the more space between houses, and the longer the back yards are. But even in the Historic section, your average lot size is only 1/5 of an acre.

Lastly, we'd like to tour a few neighborhoods on our next trip there. But as we recall most/all have gates at the entrances(?) Does one need a realtor to gain access to these villages or do some have a visitors entrance ?

Individual neighborhoods don't really have gates. But each neighborhood is part of a larger entity, a Village (hence the plural for the name The Villages). Most Villages have a gate. The Village gates are not security gates, they're traffic control gates. The roads are public roads. And so there are red buttons that anyone can press on the gate card reader, to open the gate. The point is to force incoming traffic to STOP before going further. Rolling through a stop sign is not an option, when there's a gate blocking your way. This is to ensure a safer mode of travel for the golf carts that are already on the other side of the gate, who can't go any faster than 20mph to get out of harm's way, and who in many cases have their own designated road (called an MMP), shared with pedestrians and bicycle riders, for travel that crosses those gated entries and exits.

There are a few areas that require a gate pass to enter (such as Hickory Hammock), but there's nothing behind those gates anyone would want to go to, and they're not through-streets. They're just exclusive, expensive (multi-million-dollar) homes within their own little looped road with a shared pool and guest house, and an HOA on top of their amenity fee.

[Papa_lecki]

Do the cheapest build (i.e. materials) you can, then upgrade on your own.
We replaced carpeting with a tile, that resembles hard wood floors.

As stated, i would want hard wood floors in florida.

[mtdjed]

Welcome to Florida and to The Village area. My wife and I have lived in the area since 2006. We live in the Village of Caroline near Lake Sumter landing in the same house we bought in 2006. We bought with the intention of staying . By that I mean, we were not too concerned about buying and selling at a profit. I could probably sell at nearly double the price we originally paid, but would simply have to buy another home and then pay higher taxes

That is one thing you should get an understanding about how property taxes work in Florida.

By your post. it would appear that you like The Villages concept, and you understand that The Villages houses may noy be the same quality that you could get outside of The Villages at the same price.

My advice

1/ Determine your max house price
2/ Determine garage needs (1 Car, 2 Cars, Golf cart, storage) Note very important. Size of cars.
3) House size, layout,
4/ Yard size, Setbacks
5/ Amenity Value to you
6/ County, City taxes (significant difference if you have to pay city and County taxes)

But back to your concern about access to The Villages if not a resident. You are welcome to all areas in the Villages, Stores, restaurants (Including Country Clubs), Event Centers, towns etc. But not recreation centers, pools, or Golf Courses. Golf Cart access not a big issue. i.e. why bother when you can drive.

Notes:

We were from the north. Palms are beautiful in another person's yard but are an expense and pain to owners.

Pools, Why?

Lanais why? better a Sunroom (enclosed Lanai)

Live oaks, magnolias = Work

Huge shrubs= work

Storage a premium. Consider options, good racks

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by NYBob

There are also a few ALFs in the same location, would they also be disallowed access or do they make arrangements with TV to allow access to amenities, ect.

I'm very curious in what context ALF means here?

When someone mentions ALF to me it's a character in a sitcom. Alien Life Form

[Grinchie]

Assisted Living Facility ?

[LizzieBorden]

Lakeside Landings…. People over there who have a car or golf cart come through the back gate of Lynnhaven/Ashland from 472 and drive into the Villages. They push the button and come through the gate, with their golf cart, THEY get to use OUR golf cart paths which is maintained by our amenities. They dont need a gate key to get in. I know people that live there that do this so I know it’s happening. I also assume they may use our pools too… the adult pools in our area are never checked and I am there a lot so I know that. Family pools yes, adult pools, no.

[bark4me]

Originally Posted by NYBob

I thought it best to combine a few questions in one post, than multiple posts.

I came across 'Lakeside Landings' which sits right on the line just outside of TV. On CR472 and Regatta Blvd. Which made us think, would that disallow residents from using TV amenities in similar situations ? There are also a few ALFs in the same location, would they also be disallowed access or do they make arrangements with TV to allow access to amenities, ect.

Having read opinions/reviews of the UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital ER (new name ?) I started to look into the free standing ERs on 466a & 44. Can anyone give any insight into them ? Yourself, family, friends...

On the same theme, I understand it's rather hard to get an appointment with a PCP/specialist as a new patient. Is this true and if not does anyone have recommendations as to where we should start. We have Regular Medicare and secondary Midigap plans.

On our previous trip to TV we toured a few of the models and noticed a) they weren't the best quality and (b) privacy was at a minimum. Not to say the work was shoddy but things like LVP flooring and such don't impress quality. Didn't quite understand why you couldn't get wood or laminate ? And as to privacy is that basically the standard there ?

Lastly, we'd like to tour a few neighborhoods on our next trip there. But as we recall most/all have gates at the entrances(?) Does one need a realtor to gain access to these villages or do some have a visitors entrance ?

New Village homes are called "fixer uppers" because bare minimum is done and all builder grade materials. Pretty sure they use the thinest drywall possible because these homes are not sound proof in any way

[PurePeach]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

Termites is the more common reason. Lots of places all over the world with comparable or high humidity than here use hardwood floors without issues, unless flooding is a concern.

Treated hardwood flooring is not uncommon in higher end condos on the Gulf coast.

Termites aren’t a problem in TV; that’s a thing that Massey scares you with. We lived surrounded by trees in GA until we moved here (my entire life) with all wood studs, bark next to house in flower beds, wooden decking and screened porch and never had a problem AND we never had a termite bond.Houses are built on concrete slab and have metal studs inside. I personally think VP/LVP is used because it will withstand more “abuse” than hardwood; i.e., doesn’t show scratches, more water repellent, etc. Remember this is an aging community with spills, walkers, etc. which could wreak havoc on hardwood with scratching, stains, and possible warping.