[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by Lottoguy

Being close to a square is nice but don't put that at number one. Closer to where you will shop, golf, eat and your doctor visits are more important. Remember location is the great equalizer.

The Palmer area checks all the boxes.

[Bwanajim]

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.

Do the lifestyle stay! They give you a 2/2 villa with a golf cart for about 100 or 150 a night cheaper than a hotel!!

[Irishfxm]

There is a very useful and user-friendly APP for all things important to Villagers and how to get to these places by Car or Golf Cart:
Rec Centers, Golf courses, Pools, Restaurants, Entertainment Centers, etc.

It is VillagesGPS and it is free.

[Villagesgal]

Take a trolley ride at Brownwood. Rent a golf cart for a day and stop and talk with as many people as you can. Check out all of the Villages area including North of 466 which is well established and beautiful. Rent next time for a few months before you decide what you want. Remember that areas incorporated into local towns pay county and city property tax which can double what you owe. Also, many homes north if 466a and 466 have their bond already paid off saving you up to $45,000. There are excellent hospitals in Ocala which if you live north of 466 unless you are bleeding to death an ambulance will take you too, we have done it twice with 2 heart attacks.
The Villages Hospital is fine for elective surgeries and care, but their emergency care has a lot to be desired. I've lived here 22 years and totally love it. I'll bet you will too. Take your time checking it all out, there is no rush.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by NYBob

Yes, thank you. We will definitely be looking in the northern section as well. However The Villages Hospital is of concern to us as we have read/heard many negative comments as to the quality of care there. We've heard a few positive comments as well though. We're trying to figure this all out.
As far as the others are concerned, as I wrote earlier in the case of a critical life threatening situation you will be brought to the closest 911 receiving hospital. The other hospitals will not come into play. Distance is not a problem until it is I suppose.

i'd say many of the complaints arise from the er, & too many using it when an urgent care would be appropriate. not for nothing, but my daughter works Villages Health & believes many in the er could cut their wait time & receive quicker care if only they looked into an urgent facility. either way, WELCOME!! how exciting for you in this new chapter of your life. there's no better place to celebrate

[Veiragirl]

Originally Posted by Al2014

TV is a LARGE area. There are 3 Welcome Centers i.e.Town Squares each having Trolley Tours. You may want to try the trolley from Brownwood and see the new hospital on 44? New villages are south of Brownwood.

The only thing I would add is not to buy a place in the "new" section south of 44. It is totally different then the Villages North of 44

[Cliff Fr]

Why not just make a lot of phone calls from home to doctors offices? That will free up time to scope out the area and see what you like.

[bshuler]

Just a little up to date info.
.
Last Friday (02/09/24) I booked a 5 day Lifestyle visit. I was advised by the TV reservation person to stay over a Friday and Saturday to see the best of the entertainment. Sounds wonderful.

So.. they are booking way out into early to Mid May for $99 per night. $495 for five nights for a 2 bedroom house, Golf Car, two bikes, and a free PickleBall game?

Cant wait.

[Rwirish]

There is no new hospital on 44.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Veiragirl

The only thing I would add is not to buy a place in the "new" section south of 44. It is totally different then the Villages North of 44

we live in the 'new' area, no problems here that i can tell. is a matter of opinion

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Veiragirl

The only thing I would add is not to buy a place in the "new" section south of 44. It is totally different then the Villages North of 44

You are correct. The south area is totally different. It is why we moved here from the north. It is the differences that make it better. We love it here and will never go back to the 'old' Villages.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by crash

The hospital south of 44 project was cancelled due to the difficulty of getting enough doctors.

It's not cancelled...

[jimjamuser]

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.

Medical care wait time, traffic and most everything depends somewhat on if you are here for 9 months or 12. The 9 month crowd do NOT bring additional Doctors and Nurses with them in their back seats when they come down here. There should be more bus service in the Winter months, but there is NOT. So, the vehicle density over powers the roads for 9 months.
........The only way to answer ALL of those questions PROPERLY is to rent here for 6 months or a year - with some time here in the summer months, which are HOT and getting hotter. People have different tolerances for HEAT.

[Keninches]

Plus The Villages Hospital has a Helicopter that will fly you out.

[Keninches]

The Villages has been talking about a new hospital for at least 10 years. We have been here 20 years and nothing has been done.