such good advice.... also stairs to attic, many types, many contractors, look at your neighbor's first, etc. I definitely did NOT want an enclosed lanai, but I did let someone talk me into doing a "knee wall" soon after the house was finished. What a mistake ! Never did drain correctly and FAST after that, only served to hold in moisture and make mold. When it was screen ALL the way down, it drained off rain instantly, dried very quickly since the sun could then show through the screen to the floor. The main reason I was given to do this was: "keeps out the dust and dirt much better". Up to you who read this, but for me, so much harder to hose off after the knee wall, and difficult to get all the water to run off. Another tip, since most things never really stop growing, roots from trees, shrubs, large plants can really get out of hand more than in northern states with longer dormant periods. Think out how many and where you locate them.

I find it really upsetting that so many UNINVITED people leave cards stuck in the door to give a clear message of "on vacation, no one here" to all who see this accumulate at the front door. It's a shame we have to impose on a neighbor to keep removing this when we are gone. Lately, with this virus going around, I have "thought" of printing a sign "VIRUS, do not approach door". But many times I am outside, in the yard, etc. and they begin to approach and I hold up my hand and say " SEE the landlord, I have nothing to do with that. Of course I have no "landlord", LOL, and, no one has EVER asked me for a number they can call....LOL ! Actually over the years it seems to have gone from less than once or twice a MONTH, to several a week. Guess we got a reputation as a good target. I do admire people who are trying to build a business and life for themselves and are willing to face rejection and maybe even abuse and do the hard work of building up a clientele, but it really gets annoying when it is nearly everyday, I agree.

Dont ship your furniture
 

I agree. It may be cheaper to sell your furniture and buy new than ship it here. as stated above, in many cases you'll find it doesn't fit. Take a look at Bargains and Treasures or Almost Perfect and you'll find northern furniture for sale. we sold almost everything except for 4 pieces and were able to get most of our stuff in a 15Ft U haul. Furnishing the new home cost less than we anticipated and we are glad we chose not to keep our old stuff.

Also, if you have a mortgage on your new home you will be inundated with mail from companies offering bi monthly mortgages, etc. Most of these are scams but look legitimate because they'll include info like your mortgage number (from public records). In one case the company used the letterhead from the First Citizens Bank and we reported it.

Take your time with all of your decisions. You are retired after all and time is on your side.

we have used Talk of the Villages, Nextdoor.com, and The Villages Homeowner Advocates for information in addition to our very helpful and friendly neighbors.

When we arrived our neighbors advised us to take it slow with joining clubs and activities. I guess a lot of people overdo and have to cut back later. It was good advice as it is too easy to find things to do here, but there is also nothing wrong with trying things on for size and changing later.

we have had the most difficulty with medical care. It seems it ought to be easy with all the choices but it isn't. If you qualify you should check out The Villages VA clinic. It is one of the best in the VA system.

Hi, Just moved in to Buttonwood on Thursday. Garage door problem. (Sorry can't find directions for posting a new thread.) My neighbor's garage door opener is opening my door. Mine doesn't open hers. Is there a way to reprogram my garage door opener?

Call the warranty dept. They will send Romac out within a day or two to fix it.

Very good advice, I want to add slowly to the house so that I can continue to fall in love with the house with each change and update

Thanks, but this is a resale house, built in 2012. My brother is coming down next week. Maybe he can reprogram it.

Greece..NY

This is a wonderful idea. I just moved in and still don't have the furniture I ordered(until end of NOV). I have a question about the country clubs, besides golf is there a reason to join? I see they have restaurants as well, how much is it to join each & is it worth it?

Once a resident of The Villages, you are automatically a member at all of our country club facilities. Each offers a fully-stocked golf shop, well-maintained and challenging golf courses and a staff that is hometown friendly. There are no dues or minimums to pay. No initiation fees. Just choose the course you would like to play through our tee time reservation system and pay the appropriate greens fee each time you play (there is no additional charge to use your personal golf car on the Championship Courses). It's as easy as that

Couple other web sites with helpful information.

Golf The Villages
Village Community Development Districts

No
 

There is no membership to eat at any of the golf course restaurants. They are open to the public.

For those yet to move. An old formula in the moving industry is that you can get 6.5 pounds of household goods +/- per square foot of "under roof" house. (Not including the garage and Lanai) For example, if you buy a 2,,000 square foot house you can fit no more than 13,500 pounds. When your mover does their estimate, they will tell you how much the items you are moving weigh. Don't move stuff that will not fit. As stated by previous posters, bring less not more. If the budget allows, bring the good stuff and replace the rest when you get here.

Great suggestions. Question, we're coming from WA in 2022 and want a copper landline, any recommendations of which companies have real copper landlines? Thanks :)

I agree to a point, but some of door knockers are legiment low pressure sales people who need new sales to support our families. I'm understanding that you would rather we not work and rely on support from public agencies

We moved from Oregon this past year, to the area south of 44; the village of Marsh Bend.

We kept our cell phone numbers (503 area code) and we have two Google Voice numbers (free, one 503 and one 352). Son and daughter-in-law who live in Georgia are on our plan and have Oregon 503 phone numbers.

Copper land lines (POTS - plain old telephone service) is available, but not necessary.

We have Panasonic cordless telephone handsets spread around the house that have "link to cell" capability, so we can answer either cell phone with the cordless handsets. Don't miss the copper land line at all.

We can program the Google phone numbers to ring thru to any phone number.

There really isn't much need for POTS phone numbers these days. Even the cable/internet companies use different technology to implement phone service these days.

Thumb drive
 

I work in Health Information (Medical Records). Thumb drives are great for getting your records on your personal PC. The problem with thumb drives is that they can spread computer viruses. A lot of facilities have security that will not allow you to use them. A bulkier solution is a CD but again not everyone has a CD drive or the correct software to use them. I am the person in my large multihospital network that downloads all of the CDs. My one suggestion is that you never ever need to request your entire medical record unless you are suing someone. Ask for an abstract or pertinent information including recent labs, radiology reports and dictation from hospitals. Add medication and allergy information from primary care. That should cover everything you need.

We have lived here 23 years. At first you will be told you have hard water, this is usually a lie. Never pay pest control in advance, only quarterly, easy to stop if not performing. Landscaping can be a problem, tree trimming, check with people that have lived here, they may be able to help you. Don't pay ahead until done. Good Luck to you.

How sad - would that half of these people could be Handymen. A good Handyman get $40/hr.
That's good money, isn't it?

Never ever pay in advance !
 

Or even give a small deposit!!!
Always get a lien release !!!

Please be careful. The local services love to overcharge women for the same services they would charge couples. In less than one year I’ve had 4 lawn mowing services and the prices varied by 40%. Do not ever give your credit card number to put on file, as they set it up for auto pay. Best thing to do is contact your major credit card company - MasterCard Visa Amex and tell them one time charge only.

Other big Red Flags are Scott Plumbing, Deans, Sun Kool, Floormasters TD, Nove, Pegasus - TV owns an equity stake therefore their prices are always higher. Be careful of contractors you may not be purchasing a one time function but maintenance where they charge you crazy prices and may not be due. My brother in law bought Nova water system charged him 600- in Sept 2019, they did not move in full time until 2020 and they returned October 2020 to change a filter $132- which is cukoo, excuse was annual filter changing

No longer do any local departments come out and replace fire detector batteries anymore.

Don’t waste 60- on local newspaper, the Sun, it is ads and real estate which has no benefit for you.

Where can I find information that the developer owns an equity stake in any of these companies?

Yes, I'd be interested in that information as well.

You are constantly giving out misinformation. I thought you moved to Atlanta?

Nova does not come automatically. You have to call them a d request them to change filters. They suggest you change filters AFTER using a certain amount of gallons of water, as noted on your water bill. There are 3 filters not 1 that they change.

The only statement that is true is lawn services can vary by 40% in their pricing.

I don’t know where you get your information from but just to clarify

Nova Filtration is a Family owned and operated Company And the owners are Villagers since 2012.
The Villages have no ownership or vested interest in the company.
As far as filter changes are concerned they are recommended to be changed annually regardless if your full time or part time. All of this information is given before the customer buys the systems.

Anyone have a problem drinking the water in the Villages? Does anyone use a company that sells bottled water? Thank you

No problem, so far.....18 years.

Flag Poles.
 

Rich's Home Improvement is a BAD actor. selling flag poles at postal stations and they are crap. he refuses to take care of problems. best to stay clear of him.

Need advice on lawn and pest control services.
 

We are closing next week on a newly built home but not moving until March/April. I contacted one of the companies that does yard maintenance and pest control.
How much of this stuff do we need to have done before we move down?
Obviously mowing but can we wait on everything else?

$85 a week to mow and weed. $75 a week for just mowing
$75 a quarter for pest control
$47 a month for landscaping
$62 bi-monthly for lawn and shrub maintenance
$50 a quarter for irrigation maintenance

Random computer calls don’t care it it new or old number or what area code. But, if you get Florida area code you will get more scam calls cause Florida target rich environment for the elderly.

Not sure how large your yard is or type of home but $85 a week seems high. Granted lawns get mowed every 4-6 weeks in the winter but most charge an equal monthly rate year round. If this is the company that did your termite control you might want to contract with them. The rest can probably wait but weeds grow fast year round. Good luck

How can I get a recommendation for a good veterinarian? Thank you

Bought a pre owned home, so many questions
 

I just bought a pre-owned home near Colony and I have so many questions.

I don't plan on coming back until the end of the year, is they a recommended setting from now until then for the sprinkler system?

Everyone talks about don't pay in advance for lawn care, pest control, and taking care of the landscaping. But if I am not here until Dec, shouldn't I being paying in advance?

How do I get a list of how to pay for all the services, property taxes, and etc?


Thanks in advance.

You can get all those questions answered through the Villages Sales Office. They have a booklet for new homeowners (even new homeowners of pre-owned homes).

Some lawn services will bill you. You might have to pay the first month in advance just to get the ball rolling.

Even though we live here full time, we set things up so all billing is done online.

At or before closing you should get contact info for all utilities so you can arrange online billing.

Further, check with your new neighbors for what is done for lawn maintenance and pest control. Those services too can be taken care of with online billing.

Finally, you can hire a local property management firm to take care if things.

Any or all of this should be available from your real estate agent if you purchased pre-owned, or The Villages if you purchased thru them.

Buying and leaving
 

We are passing the end of April and going back north 2 weeks later so any advice about home watchers that are highly recommended

Buying and leaving
 

We are passing the end of April and going back north 2 weeks later so any advice about home watchers that are highly recommended

Moving books?
 

I have a full library, does the 6.5 pounds formula consider books?

Thank you!

Third time I’ve heard of these solar tubes. What are they and what are they for? Is this different than solar panels?

six to twelve inch holes cut into your ceiling & roof, tube place in with glass top & bottom to let sunlight in.
solar light tubes - Google Search