[dolcevita09]

Hello all. I am moving to the villages as soon as my home in Texas sells. I have always lived in a single family home. That is what I think I'd prefer in TV. However, I am interested to know of some of the pros and cons of living in a Villa. Seems like a courtyard villa might be a nice option for privacy, etc. Your thoughts please. Thank you. Garnet

[lightworker888]

We have always lived in a single family home and the CYV is ideal for us as it is low maintenance, private and can be designed with stone beds so that it is maintenance free outside too. From our perspective we have no cons at the moment. We are in TV for 6 months so maybe if we were frogs it might be different, but I don't think so. Suits us to a T.


LW888

[ilovetv]

CYV owners here....exceedingly happy with no Cons. Only Pros. The wall is perfect for privacy and not seeing neighbors living behind us. We love the no-maintenance yard, with river rock and hardy palms of various sizes. The dog loves it too, to be able to roam around free in the back and side courtyard patios.

[jimbo2012]

We looked at them, we both felt closed in looking at a white fence or brick wall felt like living in a city.




You still hear your neighbors I've read here, just don't see them.

We opted for an open lot where strategic plantings can do much the same.

As far as having one for a couple of dogs it has advantages. But to spend 175K to make a dog(s) happy doesn't justify it IMO.

Others love it and they sell well

All about choices.

[John_W]

The pros are with a masonry CYV they are very soundproof. Just last night I was blasting my surround system while watching a movie and you can't hear a thing outside. Yet when you step outside it's almost like your younger days of living in an apartment, the neighborhood is like one big family and everyone knew one another within a couple of weeks. Plus you can't beat the your own private world when you step out into your backyard. The insulation on a masonry unit is fantastic, especially when combined with the high energy efficent A/C's. Our electric bills average about $95 a month, a long way from the $400 bills we had back in Maryland.

The cons would be maybe two. The 1-1/2 car garage will put limits on what type of car you can have and on your storage. One of the first improvements will be to put in attic steps and plywood flooring in the attic area for storage. The other is since our neighborhood is only a year old many of the residents are younger, like about 60. For example on our street we have 13 villas and only 7 are occupied during the summer, makes it very quiet when compared to the winter. That has both good and bad benefits.

Our neighbors on one side won't move in for 7 more years since they are both about 55, they are planning way ahead, however we see them every 3 months for a one week. Every visit I see them buying or making improvements to their home so when retirement comes they'll have everything done. They have already done a fantastic landscaping job to their front yard.

[hotrodgirl]

The CYV's were the first homes I checked out when I came down for my LSV. I have 2 smaller dogs who have always had a fenced yard to roam in. I still walk them several times per day, but in the morning and just before bed, I prefer to let them out! However, that being said, I disliked the cement/block wall in the back, and the yard was not particularly large. I also felt a bit cramped on the inside. If I were buying with the intention of only using the home during the winter months, it would be a no brainer. The CYV's are well thought out for comfort and low maintenence. But I expect to become a frog within 2 years of my build. So for the short term I will be down only during the cold months, but eventually I will be staying for the long haul. I felt the space would just not be quite what I wanted. So instead I opted for a golf coarse lot and will put the dogs on tie outs for just a few minutes in the early AM and late PM. Just my opinion, but I did definitely consider the villas! No matter where you end up in TV, I think you will enjoy it!

[ijusluvit]

We are sooo lucky to have the ultimate CYV. 1600 sq.ft., corner lot with lovely side yard, golf front with cart path on opposite side, expanded garage, privacy, privacy privacy, quiet, quiet, quiet. Nearby shopping and regional rec center.

....heaven!

(Have not seen a million dollar premier I'd prefer).

[JLHart]

Their is something about having my next door neighbor's outside gate entrance into their back yard off of "my" driveway and about 10' off "my" front door that would just bug the heck outta me. I realize that in reality that gate would be used very little as said neighbor would be using their interior entrance(s) most of the time .... still something about the fact that it is there.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by hotrodgirl

...So instead I opted for a golf coarse lot and will put the dogs on tie outs for just a few minutes in the early AM and late PM. Just my opinion, but I did definitely consider the villas! No matter where you end up in TV, I think you will enjoy it!

I would never want you to have to learn the hard way, but when living in Florida they're different considerations. This is not an unusual sight. We live just off Southern Star executive course and gators are always around the neighborhood going from pond to pond. If you're on a golf course lot, that is not good for tying a dog outside by itself, even for just a few minutes.

50% of our decision to buy a CYV was because of owning a dog, the other was the privacy, the costs and ease of maintenance.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by John_W

I would never want you to have to learn the hard way, but when living in Florida they're different considerations. This is not an unusual sight. We live just off Southern Star executive course and gators are always around the neighborhood going from pond to pond. If you're on a golf course lot, that is not good for tying a dog outside by itself, even for just a few minutes.

50% of our decision to buy a CYV was because of owning a dog, the other was the privacy, the costs and ease of maintenance.

A picture is worth a thousand words!

[hotrodgirl]

Wow, thanks for the heads-up John! Especially since I have a berm where they could hide! No problem for me to take the dogs out so I will do that instead since you posted this. I may be in my jammies though if it is 5 AM! Just sayin...... Thanks again for the warning. My pups are very important to me!

[jimbo2012]

Can't that little reptile just crash thru (under or around) a vinyl fence and have a snack?

[Sable99]

We have rented three times in TV -- once in a cottage home and twice in a CYV near Lake Sumter Landing. I must say I didn't notice the neighbors when we were on the lanai at the cottage home.

The CYV was a different story. When you were on the lanai you could hear neighbors all the time and barking dogs. I don't mind barking but I don't like it when the barking doesn't stop!! But what I really didn't like in the villa was the garage. It was really awkward getting either my van or the golf cart out of the garage without moving the other vehicle. The curved drive didn't help. The brick wall didn't bother me as I felt if I owned a villa I would put in plantings that would hide most of the wall.

But there were a few reasons why I decided against a CYV when I chose the model that I had built. Most of the CYV had a much smaller lanai than what I wanted. I also wanted the washer and dryer inside my house and at least a two car garage (Mom wanted a 2 car plus a golf cart). But, the main reason is my two cats. I wanted a place for their litter box that wasn't in a bathroom!

I eventually chose an Iris. We have neighbors behind us but there is a very large offset. I also have a HUGE lanai which I extended 4 feet. Unfortunately, Mom doesn't want to go to TV full time so I am renting out my home now.

So yes Jimbo, I bought a house with my cats in mind!! But, that little niche is great storage too! Eventually I will put cupboards in the niche and have saved some ideas for the niche off this website!

[jimbo2012]

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[jane032657]

I am the ultimate salesperson for the Haciendas of Mission Hills (no I am not really a salesperson!).
We looked at every type of home, stayed in a Life Style preview home right behind the sales center in Lake Sumter Landing the first time and stayed in a premier home on the second visit. We looked at dozens of homes in various areas.
The last place we looked was at Mission Hills Haciendas (villas). I was not going to look there because I did not think I would like a villa. Wow, I was blown away with the area and the first place we looked at, we were very lucky! The villas were just being built and we found one with a view of both the Lake to the South and the Live Oaks Park to the West at the end of the dead end of the street. Only one white fence wall between us and our neighbor, picket style fence throughout both other sides of the yard with huge views on each side. We closed in the Lanai to add another room for more interior year round space, added a birdcage along with a myriad of other things. We still have lots of grass area for our Irish and English Setter. All the villas at the Haciendas seem to have really big yards and the villas themselves are spacious. And the people I have met are wonderful!
I think they are worth a look if it is something you are interested in. Not for everyone, but we were sold as soon as we walked into the backyard. Cannot wait to live there year round in October.
Also our garage is a very large garage, about a two car garage I think but definintely more than 1 1/2.