[ugotme]

Coming up for a lifestyle preview in Oct. Probably looking to buy new but very seriously considering a resale. IF you had a choice of communities which would you pick? Also, are the newer communities "younger?"
Thanks for your input.

[coach]

Mine is the best.

[Bogie Shooter]

There are no bad ones.
Yes, the newer ones tend to be younger or young at heart.
You cannot go wrong.

[Ohiogirl]

on the street where you find a house you are considering buying. You can at least ask questions like how many snowbirds (if you care), where people are from (if you care), how many dogs (if you care) whether or not there are any regularly scheduled get togethers, etc. Try to engage in conversation and see what else pops out.

If you are uncomfortable with knocking, try to walk around or take a golf cart ride and talk to anyone you find out in their garage, yard, etc.

If nothing else, you will probably get a sense as to how friendly the immediate neighbors are.

I moved a lot as an adult with young children. After 1 move to a neighborhood with very few kids, I started knocking. Felt like I at least got a feel for the neighborhood.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

There are no bad ones.
Yes, the newer ones tend to be younger or young at heart.
You cannot go wrong.

True, but if I were going to buy used I would favor Virginia Trace, Largo, Sabal Chase, Bonita, Hemingway and Duval. They are South of 466 between Buena Vista and Morse. Here is a link to a map of all the villages. Maps of The Villages, Copyright Tee Up Realty, LLC

[jojo]

I would add Mallory, Amelia, and Hadley. Beautiful terrain and conveniently located between LSL and Colony Plaza. We are about a 7 minute cart ride to Publix or to Sweetbay.

[buggyone]

Mallory Hill, Caroline, Virginia Trace are all beautiful communities south of 466.

I live in Glenbrook which is north of 466 and it is an area built around 2002-04
and is very nice.

Harmswood is a great place, too, which is north of 466.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If I had a choice I find something in the vicinity of Lake Sumter Landing. It's centrally located and there's always something going on in the square.

People are people are people and I haven't met anyone here who isn't nice.

[PJOHNS2654]

Spanish Springs, walk to everything or golf cart it.

[janmcn]

If I hit the lottery, I would buy a pool home in Bridgeport at Lake Miona. It is centrally located, has beautiful big oak trees, and has it's own rec center for when company arrives.

[jimbo2012]

We bought new.

We saw a few things in our search, resales are fine to a build date of 2005, that when the building code changed mandating many(long list) improvements.

Resales may have an established click on the street that can be an issue.

Many new homes R less than resales, that is a fact.

It appears to us the seller wants to be compensated 100% for their upgrades, which you may not like. You're buying what they personalized not what your own ideas were.

I know others will disagree on that point.

New has a 5 year termite and 1 year complete home warrantee.

New everyone is on the same playing field sharing the excitement of setting up the home and everyone is seeking to meet each other.

This same camaraderie of all new owners should allow for their community center to reflect the new owners wishes rather than dealing with centers that are set in their ways.

I think all the communities are great, that IMO should not be the criteria, but in all fairness have not moved yet.

Anyone living here please correct me if I'm off point on my opinions.


.

[dkrhardy]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

We bought new.

We saw a few things in our search, resales are fine to a build date of 2005, that when the building code changed mandating many(long list) improvements.

Resales may have an established click on the street that can be an issue.

Many new homes R less than resales, that is a fact.

It appears to us the seller wants to be compensated 100% for their upgrades, which you may not like. You're buying what they personalized not what your own ideas were.

I know others will disagree on that point.



New has a 5 year termite and 1 year complete home warrantee.

New everyone is on the same playing field sharing the excitement of setting up the home and everyone is seeking to meet each other.

This same camaraderie of all new owners should allow for their community center to reflect the new owners wishes rather than dealing with centers that are set in their ways.

I think all the communities are great, that IMO should not be the criteria, but in all fairness have not moved yet.

Anyone living here please correct me if I'm off point on my opinions.


.

You have pretty much hit all of the points WE thought about when we bought! You are right when you say others have differing opinions. There are some really good buys on the resale market, but so many have things we don't care for. Just gotta find that one that rings your personal bell.
Don & Kaz

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by janmcn

If I hit the lottery, I would buy a pool home in Bridgeport at Lake Miona. It is centrally located, has beautiful big oak trees, and has it's own rec center for when company arrives.

Probably more like a rec center near by rather than having its own rec center.

[wendyquat]

We were lucky enough to find pretty much what we wanted in a cyv in Largo last year Two minute walk to rec center, PO, and 2 pools. We like being off Canal St. True the area is 6 years old and most of the owners are originals and more "settled" but that suits us. In contrast we have friends that bought new and they are busier than we are with weekly driveway parties, etc. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. Largo will be about the center of TV when Brownwood is completed! You will meet your wonderful, happy neighbors and be happy either way!

[justjim]

The Village you pick can depend on a lot of variables including what you like to do. For example, if you plan to golf a lot at the executive courses, you might want to pick a village near a number of executive golf courses. If you want championship golf, then perhaps near the championship courses. Maybe your "thing" is the town square. Some Villages are closer to the square than others. However, for most of us, after a few months we found that we went to the grocery more times per week than the square. Most likely you won't be far from a recreation center no matter where you choose. Of course, if its a "new" house you want, you will buy where they are currently building. Good luck----hope you find what suits your needs.