Originally Posted by Pondboy (Post 2403888)

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.

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 ?

Originally Posted by MandoMan (Post 2404055)

As for yards, in my courtyard villa I have full privacy, which I love. An acre of grass wouldn’t give me more privacy. I mow my postage stamp lawn in the front myself in a few minutes. The gardener comes every three months and prunes the shrubs and small trees. If I had a dog, it could run fifty feet in the fenced courtyard. Why would I need more?

Originally Posted by Bilyclub (Post 2403856)

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

Originally Posted by bark4me (Post 2403992)

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

Originally Posted by RICH1 (Post 2404252)

But they use our amenities all the time.. pools are one of the most used...

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 ?

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.

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.

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...