[cwmmfink]

The Trolley tour out of Brownwood; on line medical research and proximity to shopping and your favorite activities are excellent suggestions.

[TomPerry]

From the list of your priorities it appears you have many health related issues and time constraints. Are you sure you want to make a move at this stage in your life?

[MidWestIA]

hotel you are missing the boat rent a house and get a temp village id

[TomPerry]

I had concerns about TV Advantage Healthcare, but after much research we decided to join and have had excellent healthcare in TV Healthcare System. Doctors, labs, x-rays within 1.5 miles from home. Had a few issues and after a call, was seen by the doctor within one hour. In 2018 I had a little heartburn. Went to my PC doctor at the Colony Center and after EKG, Stress Test, and Catheization, my widow maker was 95% blocked and 2 other arteries were 60%+! Initial office visit to triple bypass in 17 days! No heart damage and all is good since (knock on wood)! In 2021 my wife had a back injury and in about 2 months had back surgery, fusion, 2 rods & screws. No issues since (knock on wood)! Many people complain about the healthcare, but they probably entered the facility complaining about the staff and service. Some people “would bitch if you hung them with a new rope”!

[virtualcynthia]

The only things I can add are: the fire department response to 911 calls in extremely short time I’ve heard five minutes. they will stabilize you on site. getting the EMS trucks to transport You was taking a long time but there have been some changes so they are also getting more efficient. There are freestanding ERs that they can take you to that will stabilize you and then transport you to a hospital. The second thing is if you’re looking for specialty doctors, you should be aware that at a doctor told me because of the ratio of Medicare to private insurance. Many doctors cannot make money here so they leave for the bigger cities. Also if they are raising a family, there not many amenities for children, if speaking to doctors, ask how long they’ve been at their location. I’ve moved to a couple of doctors outside of the villages, in the local community because of stability. My chiropractor is a sole practioner in his location over 30 years. I would ask a sales person many of your questions. They may give you rose colored answers, but they will give you important information that you can follow up on. We worked with Mitzi Terry for seven years before we purchased. She’s been with the villages a long time so she’s not high-pressure. And she also grew up in the community.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by NYBob

We'll be heading to TV this coming week and spending a few days in a hotel to look things over. Just wanted to ask for suggestions as to what we should do to make the best of our time there.

We did the same thing in November 2015.

We were coming to Florida to visit St. Augustine, where we had our first date in 1970, and we decided to stop in the Villages for three days.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn near Spanish Springs. We walked around Spanish Springs, drove down to Lake Sumter Landing, and took a trolley tour of the new area south of 466A. We drove thru one village - Palo Alto - got lost, found our way out, and have never gone back.

Everywhere we went - Starbucks, Panera, Red Sauce (where my wife got really sick from the food) - we saw people like us having a good time. We though we could fit in here.

At the visitor center, we got some brochures with pictures and prices of the homes, and realized we could afford a house here. We went back to Northern Virginia, got our house ready for sale, sold it in May 2016, and moved to The Villages the next day. We moved into a new house in October and that is where I am sitting as I write this.

[NotGolfer]

First off...you're over-thinking. I read a few responses and I agree with the ones that said to make this a scoping out visit. There's way too much on your list to check out. Make this trip one where you just look around and get the "feel" of whether it's the place for you. Someone said "we're in 'high season and it will be crowded with lots of traffic"......this is true and not indicative of what the all-year-round is. BUT we're growing and it's just a fact of life that it isn't quiet and sleepy anymore. DO visit one of the sales offices on the squares. The ONLY trolley I know of is in Brownwood. They run those mostly in the newest areas now. They used to have them in all three squares but don't think that's happening now. I agree with another who suggested booking a "Life-style" visit!! You do that at one of the sale's offices. Now, safe travels, take a deep breath and enjoy visiting here. OH---you won't get a "flavor" of doctors at all. WAIT til you move here as circumstances change all the time.

[GATORBILL66]

[QUOTE=NYBob;2299765]We'll be heading to TV this coming week and spending a few days in a hotel to look things over. Just wanted to ask for suggestions as to what we should do to make the best of our time.

Wait! Don't come now, wait untill at least May when most of the dirty snowbirds start to get out of here.

[RICH1]

please please Do your Research ! The Medical is truly terrible.. traffic sux, long lines, AirBnbs, crime on the rise, home Insurance costs off the chain and Taxes will consume your savings.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by TomPerry

I had concerns about TV Advantage Healthcare, but after much research we decided to join and have had excellent healthcare in TV Healthcare System. Doctors, labs, x-rays within 1.5 miles from home. Had a few issues and after a call, was seen by the doctor within one hour. In 2018 I had a little heartburn. Went to my PC doctor at the Colony Center and after EKG, Stress Test, and Catheization, my widow maker was 95% blocked and 2 other arteries were 60%+! Initial office visit to triple bypass in 17 days! No heart damage and all is good since (knock on wood)! In 2021 my wife had a back injury and in about 2 months had back surgery, fusion, 2 rods & screws. No issues since (knock on wood)! Many people complain about the healthcare, but they probably entered the facility complaining about the staff and service. Some people “would bitch if you hung them with a new rope”!

Many people complain because it is true. You and your wife were lucky. May it continue. A very large geriatric population in TV out of 150,000 - who can blame them?

[sallyg]

Holy cow! That is a LOT to pack in three days. I would drive thru the areas that interest you most. Go to the nearest sales office and ask for some maps. Take a trolley ride. Go to the town square for the area - Spanish Springs in the north, Lake Sumter Landing in the middle, Sawgrass Grove in the south. Go into a couple of the recreation centers to see what they are like. Check out the pools, golf courses, pickleball courts or whatever interests you. Go to a couple of open-houses to see what the houses are like. Lots of models to choose from. Wander around the shops, restaurants and start talking to people. Every resident will tell you their experience. Do not waste time visiting medical offices. In eight years we have not found one worth a hoot. The staff are uninterested and untrained and will not be of much help. Sorry, but the medical scene is a serious drawback. We went to U of F in Gainesville for our care. Bit of a drive but worth it.
If you like what you see, come back for a week's lifestyle stay, ask at the sales office. Or rent for a longer period of time. The Villages is too huge to try and see in one short trip. Best of luck.

[coconutmama]

As the previous posters have indicated, your list is too long. You will need to come back.

But I would say to pls remember that this is NOT a gated community. If that is important to you, forget living here. The gates are for traffic control.

Also the squares are open to the public. As more and more apartments are built around The Villages it will be increasingly difficult to take advantage of the entertainment & restaurants there, year round.

But there is lots to do and taxes & insurance so far are reasonable as compared to other areas in Florida.

Enjoy your visit

[SHIBUMI]

Take one day and rent a golf car from the Villages Golf Car and ride around all day in the golf car. This is the best way to experience each of the areas.

Originally Posted by NYBob

We'll be heading to TV this coming week and spending a few days in a hotel to look things over. Just wanted to ask for suggestions as to what we should do to make the best of our time there. We'll be making stops at hospitals, doctors offices to discuss availability to new patients and acceptance of insurance. Visiting Assisted Living Facilities for elderly family members. Viewing various villages of interest, and the distance to and from stores, amenities, medical. The general layout as far as roads, traffic, construction. Speaking to villagers about likes and concerns. Hitting the outer areas, if time allows. Grabbing pamphlets, maps, info. Checking out the Squares, and basically trying to take in as much as possible.

We'll only be there for three days, as we regretted in the past booking longer stays in areas we left after spending a day or so and realizing it was not at all what we had expected. Of course if all checks out, our next visit will be longer.

What would you suggest a must see on a first visit ? And is there a 'Welcome Center' of sorts were we can inquire and find all or most necessary info in one place. We'll be there from Mon - Thurs.

One last thing, we watched a UTube video ( I believe it was by 'Gold Wingnut' though I could be wrong) whereas he mentioned a second hospital that was in the works. This video was about two years old, more or less. What has happened to this ? Was it scrapped ? Delayed ? This is a sticking point for us, as we have read/heard there is a distinct lack of medical care in the area. If anyone could elaborate on this we would appreciate it, as this is our primary concern.

[Velvet]

I would recommend to make a list first. Of what is important to you. And weigh each item on how significant it is. It’s like going to the grocery store for bananas and you get lost in the cereal aisle with 200 types of cereals offered to you. Then you are in a position to first check what is important to you and then find out about all those goodies you may not have thought of next.

[Nana2Teddy]

There is only one trolley tour now. It starts at Brownwood and goes south to the newest areas. All other trolley tours did not return after Covid.

There is only an emergency urgent care center on 44. It’s not a hospital.