Talk of The Villages Florida

Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   A few questions (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/few-questions-356060/)

jimmy o 01-25-2025 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYBob (Post 2403850)
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 ?

Sounds to me like you’re thinking of moving to The villages. If you think you like The villages lifestyle and you should move within the village boundaries, you will not get the true lifestyle if you don’t live within the villages.

mtdjed 01-25-2025 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USOTR (Post 2404248)
MMP’s (golf cart paths) are owned by villages districts and while you'll never be stopped to show your ID, but if you should get in a wreck you could also be charged with trespassing.

And where is it stated that only Village residents can use golf cart paths? The paths are open to all visitors. Visitors can rent golf carts from the Villages. There are no signs stating there is any restriction.

Dusty_Star 01-25-2025 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYBob (Post 2403850)
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.

Lakeside Landings residents are not allowed to use the Villages amenities. If you are a golfer this is particularly troublesome, because there are special rules for the neighboring counties/areas that forbid golfing on the Executive courses unless you are a close relative of a Villager.

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.

I too have regular Medicare & a Medigap policy, & I had no trouble getting an appointment with a new PCP. In fact they wanted to set up an appointment sooner than I had an open schedule (this was in 2024).

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 ?

re: privacy, as everyone else has beat builder grade into the dust. If you shop carefully, you can get more privacy than average. An offset corner lot will be close to a neighbor on the side, but the back will probably not be a 'kissing lanai'. Other options would be on the retention ponds, or roads, or a road on a retention pond :), or if you back to a cul de sac & the property to back to has a pool with privacy wall, or you have a pool with privacy wall (Or as mentioned earlier, golf courses or swamps). Just for starters, rule out kissing lanais, when talking to your agent. In the northern sections however, people have done great things with enclosing lanais, & landscaping to mitigate 'kissing lanai' issues.

Good luck in your search.

NYBob 01-26-2025 05:04 PM

Thank you all for your very helpful and insightful responses

Just a few additional questions...

As to being inside the boundaries of TV should we move there, it will be my mother and myself. My mother will be in an ALF (yes, an assisted living facility) and I will be purchasing a home within TV. My mother's name will be on the title of the house along with mine. Given that, even though her legal address might be outside the boundaries of TV (as some ALFs are) with her name on the house would she then have full privileges to use all facilities ? If not what can I do to make that happen ?

It was mentioned that one has to go outside of the villages to find an Original Medicare PCP. Does that apply to Specialists as well... Endo, Cardio, Neph, ect.

Also someone wrote The Villages builds about 300 new homes a month (?), which poses a problem for healthcare providers to 'keep up' with the demand. Very understandable. Has this ever been brought up to local officials/politicians as to finding a solution to this situation ?

How strict is the HOA ? (or whoever it is that oversees communities) As to the exterior home and grounds, does one need approval to make all changes ? For example I would prefer to not have palm trees (too much maintenance) or any trees for that matter close to the home. Would I be able to remove them, or do I first need approval ? And is that always granted ?

Someone made a good point about location, whether your backyard view is another's house or a lake or woods. How available are lake/wooded lots and how much would that affect the price ?

There was also a mention about city/county taxes which I suppose vary somewhat ? Do certain villages fall within cities while others are only taxed by their prospective counties ?

Thank you again...

Normal 01-26-2025 05:35 PM

Answers
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by NYBob (Post 2404835)
Thank you all for your very helpful and insightful responses

Just a few additional questions...

As to being inside the boundaries of TV should we move there, it will be my mother and myself. My mother will be in an ALF (yes, an assisted living facility) and I will be purchasing a home within TV. My mother's name will be on the title of the house along with mine. Given that, even though her legal address might be outside the boundaries of TV (as some ALFs are) with her name on the house would she then have full privileges to use all facilities ? If not what can I do to make that happen ?

It was mentioned that one has to go outside of the villages to find an Original Medicare PCP. Does that apply to Specialists as well... Endo, Cardio, Neph, ect.

Also someone wrote The Villages builds about 300 new homes a month (?), which poses a problem for healthcare providers to 'keep up' with the demand. Very understandable. Has this ever been brought up to local officials/politicians as to finding a solution to this situation ?

How strict is the HOA ? (or whoever it is that oversees communities) As to the exterior home and grounds, does one need approval to make all changes ? For example I would prefer to not have palm trees (too much maintenance) or any trees for that matter close to the home. Would I be able to remove them, or do I first need approval ? And is that always granted ?

Someone made a good point about location, whether your backyard view is another's house or a lake or woods. How available are lake/wooded lots and how much would that affect the price ?

There was also a mention about city/county taxes which I suppose vary somewhat ? Do certain villages fall within cities while others are only taxed by their prospective counties ?

Thank you again...

-Yes, she can have a residents pass if she owns the home. Generally, two resident passes are issued per address.

-Home sales have slowed, but healthcare is still an issue. The sooner you get a General Practitioner, the better.

-Landscaping adjustments depend on the deed restrictions and ARC approval. Districts vary on rules. In general, you have control over everything not within three feet of your neighbor and 5 feet from your back line. ARC still needs to approve adjustments though. Not everything is approved. There does seem to be more leniency on landscape verses hard scape changes.

-Lots with pond views or golf course views do command more. The premium adjustment can be as little as 50k additional to 200 k additional. Even though numbers come down to the right time and place.

-You wouldn’t want the newer sections of construction if you are frugal. Anything south of 44 is taxed heavily by Wildwood or Leesburg. Also avoid any villages in Lady Lake or Fruitland Park.

Lastly, take your time and do your research. Inventory just keeps climbing and that drives down prices. Zillow had 676 listings for The Villages as of this response and that doesn’t even include Villages Realty’s listings. We haven’t seen the end of the inventory explosion here either.

OrangeBlossomBaby 01-26-2025 05:54 PM

Many of the answers you seek can be found on The Villages website: The Villages(R) Florida: Active Retirement Living at Its Best

You should check there first.

Also - palms aren't technically trees, they're just plants. So yes you can have them removed without prior approval. Other trees depend on the reason for taking them down, and what kind of tree they are. Oak trees, bald cypress, and Florida pines (among others) are considered protected trees in the state of Florida, so unless you have a dead or diseased one in your yard, you can't remove it. You /can/ prune protected trees if it's light pruning, but any severe or "stripping" pruning of protected trees has to get a sign-off from the county.

If the tree isn't a protected species I believe you just need to make sure an arborist says that removing it is an acceptable course of action. You'd need to double-check the law on that, there was some change regarding non-protected trees and tree removal in the law in the last few years.


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