[vintageogauge]

If you want to live within walking distance to a grocery store you are giving up living in 90% of TV, that's a lot to give up just so you can walk to the store.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Rlheinz19@yahoo.com

I agree with other posters. Sign up for a lifestyle visit. We would have but we only stayed 2 nights.

My view, how I try to run my life. You can't always, I can make quick decisions BUT, relocating, buying or renting a home, it is an expensive and hopefully long term decision.

You can come back again if you only have/had two nights. The life style visit, it may have changed, we bought 8 years ago. We went to the life style visit three times over three years.
If, I recall, the second time you/we did not get a free movie ticket or a free steak diner. I am happy with what and where we bought.
Making the choice is difficult. In the villages, it is the lifestyle. If, you have an unusual interest, it is likely you will find a club with other, making fun, door knob collectors-there are books on door know collecting. If, there is no club, you can start one.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by cj1040

We have always rented a house for a month...April...with a golf cart included...6 years...now building in Chitty Chatty...we were slow to jump the fence. I want a gas golf cart..I hear newer ones are quieter...husband wants electric...we go all over TV for activities pre covid and will go north for 4 mos on summer. I dont want to worry about batteries in the g c during that time...any thoughts???

We have been here six years, wife is still using her original Par Car and I am on my second Star Cart. Both Electric and we go all over The Villages. My wife uses a trickle charger when we are gone for an extended period of time, mine has one built in so we just leave it plugged in.....in six years, never had a battery issue other than replacing them every three to four years. Range is 40-55 miles and if you ride that far in any cart your butt will let you know lol.

[jklfairwin]

Golf cart is a great way to get around in the Villages and there is a good web site you can download called Villages GPS which shows you how to get where you want by cr or by golf cart.
I am an inveterate walker and I find the Villages to be the least walker-friendly place I have been. The sidewalks end well before intersections. You are then left with a choice of dashing across the car traffic or going down the intermodal path and crossing, often through a tunnel, with the golf carts. Personally, I find dodging car traffic to be safer. The only fatal traffic accident that I am aware of in the Villages was a woman walking on the intermodal who was run down by a golf cart.

[tophcfa]

Can't speak for areas I don't have a lot of knowledge about, but if you live in the greater LSL/SS area, you can easily get by without a car. There is just about nothing you can't easily get to or do in a golf cart. We went without a car for three years without a problem. Ever since we finally got a car at our Villages home, we need to literally find a reason to use it so we actually drive the thing every once and a while. A day trip to the beach or a short drive to the lighthouse seafood market on 466 are about the only time we ever use the car. I love our Villages car, a used BMW convertible that we bought through the classifieds on TOTV, but kind of wish we never got it, the garage had a lot more space with just the two golf carts.

And besides, our border collie, Sallie, absolutely loves golf cart riding. Who need Mustang Sally, when you have Golf Cart Sallie? All she wants to do is ride along Sallie, ride along Sallie Ride, Oh Ya!

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Can't speak for areas I don't have a lot of knowledge about, but if you live in the greater LSL/SS area, you can easily get by without a car. There is just about nothing you can't easily get to or do in a golf cart. We went without a car for three years without a problem. Ever since we finally got a car at our Villages home, we need to literally find a reason to use it so we actually drive the thing every once and a while. A day trip to the beach or a short drive to the lighthouse seafood market on 466 are about the only time we ever use the car. I love our Villages car, a used BMW convertible that we bought through the classifieds on TOTV, but kind of wish we never got it, the garage had a lot more space with just the two golf carts.

And besides, our border collie, Sallie, absolutely loves golf cart riding. Who need Mustang Sally, when you have Golf Cart Sallie? All she wants to do is ride along Sallie, ride along Sallie Ride, Oh Ya!

So true. When I 1st came to TVs I left my nice Mercedes outside, with a cover, so there was enough room for my 3 golf carts ( One for the parents, mine and the Streetrod). I would uncover the car once a month and take it for a ride. It just got in the way. After 2 years the car never came back.
I find TVs a good place to walk, just not on the golf cart paths. Neighborhoods and executive courses are where I do my walking.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by pcacace

I was going to ask the same question about the 441/27 crossing.

There's a golf cart bridge for that purpose.

I believe that Stonecrest residents are allowed to cross at a light near the entrance of their development but I don't know about Villagers crossing there.

Just use the golf cart bridge.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by tbrock555

Can you really get around the entire villages using just a golf cart? What is walking like, my wife actually likes to walk to the supermarkets, is that doable here(she walks a lot).Thinking of coming this year to check place out, can you actually go from hotels there to Villages area with just a golf cart? Are there certain areas in the Villages more active(clubs, activities, etc.) than others? Thanks.

Your wife must be a very healthy & fit lady, good for her. As far as clubs & activities, you can’t think of any activity that TV don’t have. You’ll like it there!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by tbrock555

Wow, thanks for all the answers, did not expect to get so many. Renting for a month does seem to be the best bet and what we are looking at after seeing how many are available. The walking is much more important to my wife than me, she says she does not want to depend on me to always drive her, she does not drive . Tried explaining to her a golf cart is different than a car, maybe when we visit she will get it. I have seen a lot of people mentioning the "Life Styles Visit", is there a particular place I need to find out about that? And yes, actually visiting a place is the surest way to find out about it but just trying to know as much as I could before that. You guys have been very helpful, thanks again.

Everything you need to know is here.

http://https://www.thevillages.com/about-us

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Dennys37Packard

Lake Sumter is more central but being in the North near Savannah center off of El Camino gives you quick access to most every store you can think of along 27/441 and Rt 466. Restaurants Galore, too many to name, Lowe’s, Aldis, Walmart, Target, Staples, and on an on. It is all a matter of personal preference. Best of luck in your search but I too think you need to spend a good week or two at least to get your bearings and learn for yourself. Also get with a realtor that deals with MLS as they can show you far more homes than the Villages realtors will, as they tend to steer you to the new areas South mostly. Sellstate Realtors, Diane Gatelein, did wonders for us, finding a home 3/2 with oversize lot and golf cart garage, walking distance to our pool and Mulberry Plaza. She will also steer you clear of pitfalls on some homes that are less desirable

The Villages just south of Spanish Springs are an easy walk to the La Plaza Grande strip mall with Publix, Winn Dixie, and several other stores and restaurants.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

How do you walk home from a grocery store with things like Milk, eggs, butter, ice cream, etc? This past summer was really hot and sunny.

A cooler on wheels or an insulated bag with an ice pack for smaller orders.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by La lamy

HAHA Believe it or not it makes my right leg ache to have to push it down for 30 minutes straight. Aging sucks!

You're never going to be able to hold your accelerator pedal down for 30 minutes. You're always going to have to slow down and sometimes stop.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by rmd2

Yes it is definitely more than 12 miles from north to south in The Villages. It's more like 20 miles.

It's about 12.75 AS THE CROW FLIES from Rte 42 at Mulberry to Fenney. It is over 20 miles to drive it.

[John_W]

Driving in a car I found from my home off St. Charles which is near Sterling Hgts Rec Center, Southern Star Executive is 11 miles to the VA Clinic at Mulberry. By car to the Rohan Rec Center which is 44 and Morse is 9 miles, and Rohan to Fenney is 5 miles.

Here's a very detailed map, you can zoom in and actually see the lots in the entire Villages.

The Villages(R) Community Map - Explore & Find Your Way Around

[Number 10 GI]

If you never leave the "bubble" you can get by with just a golf cart. If you think you will want to travel around the state you will need a car. If you need medical care not available in this area and may have to go to Orlando, Gainesville, or Ocala you will need a car. There are a number of good restaurants outside of the bubble but you will need a car to get there. Should you want to go shopping in Orlando you will need a car. I participate in sports activities outside TV but I need a car to get there. My advice, keep a car for the first year and then decide if you need it or not. For me a golf cart is useless and uncomfortable, I'm not a golfer and I like to drive in a heated and airconditioned vehicle when I travel.