[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

I've watched this thread off and on since it's start, but declined to comment. But since I was asked specifically I'll be glad to share our experience/perspective.

I'm a retired firefighter from western NY, and my former Captain bought a place in Hawthorne in Leesburg. He loves it there. Another firefighter I worked with visited him and bought a place in The Plantation. He returned to work and spoke about it daily.....My wife and I needed a vacation and we visited them down here, and we looked around a bit at some other communities and ended up buying the house across the street.

That was 5 years ago, and this last year I retired from the Fire Dept and brought my Home Inspector skills down here and started my business as a licensed Florida Home Inspector. My business has grown, and I now actually advertise here on TOTV, and have done many home inspections in The Villages as well as surrounding communities. D'Angelo Inspections LLC | Serving The Villages, Leesburg, Clermont, and Surrounding Areas 352-250-7818

When I bought here in The Plantation I did not even know about The Villages. I really like The Villages and are there very often doing inspections. It is an amazing one of a kind place and I've assisted many folks in buying there.

That being said, I also like The Plantation. I have a huge lot that backs up to a beautiful full time spring fed pond. I can fish in my backyard. No one can build next to me, and I do not feel "squished" between neighbors. Across the pond I can watch golfers put on a green.

My neighbors are wonderful, active, and many play golf and tennis daily. We have 2 nice full size golf courses, three large activity centers, fitness centers, pools, hot tubs, a great restaurant, etc,etc,etc.

Of course, this pales in comparison to The Villages. I would not even attempt to try to compare. We have about 3,000 homes here in about 21 little villages that are already fully built out, so no new homes are being built. The developer has turned the place over completely to the homeowners. There is no one time bond fee or anything. Our HOA fees are only $85.00 a month. My taxes this year were just over $1,000.00 (just paid them yesterday...lol)

Our HOA seems balanced, common sense and not too restrictive. They have a very good amount of money in the bank, and are continually improving the grounds, adding nice new stuff.

I like that WE own the place. I like the low HOA fees and the size of The Plantation is not huge. I love my big lot. I like that we have real security guards at the gates 24/7/365. From my driveway I am two miles from most all the shopping I need. I am 2 miles from the Turnpike.

I like the lack of traffic, especially during snowbird season. I do not feel like I need to lock our doors. I keep my garage door open much of the day when I'm home, as I'm always working on projects. I can walk our neighborhood in the middle of the night and not fear.

I've seen Bobcats and coyotes in the neighborhood, and have more often then not gators in my pond. I like them. (and no, I do not feed them!)

I drive my golf cart all over the place here, but of course not for shopping.

Folks are all different....if we were all the same life would be boring. I am happy here, and I think I'd be happy in The Villages. I have neighbors just up the street who did live in The Villages, did not like it at all and moved here.

The Villages is bigger, which is either good or bad dependent on our views. The Villages has much more to do....but we have a lot to do here also on a smaller scale. We too have many clubs, concerts, plays, etc.....not as much as The Villages of course, but remember, we are only 3000 homes. I go to the closest pool many times and find it all to myself. I like that. I do not like crowds and traffic that much.

Well, I hope that helps. Remember, I like both places and am not trying to compare or put one over the other. I only posted because I was asked.

Both places have free snow removal . Up in NY I paid over $6k in taxes, had potholes and rust everywhere and tons of snow, ice and cold. Both The Villages and The Plantation has none of that.

We are all blessed.....only 10 miles separate us and I consider many of you good friends and "just down the road" neighbors.

Frank

P.S....It is true that I once was a Moderator here, but had to give it up to devote more time to the business. I just did not want anyone to think I was still serving in that capacity. Thank you!

Thanks Frank, that is very fair reporting. I thought you were still a Moderator on TOTV. I didn't realize you had started a Home Inspection Business. My husband, Fireboy, just retired in January. I hope he doesn't hear about what you're doing or he'll be wanting to do the same thing!

Your home sounds wonderful, fishing in the back yard, great. I think a lot of people are finding the size of The Villages has become a bit daunting, so it's nice to know that homes in smaller communities are for sale close by. But the shopping by golf cart is a perk that most of us enjoy a lot.

[ydnar9]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Just curious as to how many of you looked at The Plantation in Leesburg prior to buying in The Villages? I do know that quite a few posters on TOTV actually live in The Plantation or elsewhere.

The chain of lakes would be a nice "plus". Unfortunately, we just drove past Leesburg but never had time to explore it as we did Mount Dora and Tavares.

In looking at the homes for sale, it seems that all building has stopped, although the homes appear to be fairly new and quite spacious at lower prices with, of course, less ammenities than TV offers.

Just wondering how close in actuality is Leesburg as far as being "their town"; population 18,000.

On our flight back north, we met a nice widowed lady enroute to visit her family in the farmlands above Albany, New York. I told her I'd save her a seat on the plane as we had the early boarding pass.......and I did.
She held my hand the entire time as she wasn't sure if we'd be landing back in snow or not............anyway, she really liked the Plantation, which she and her hubby found after touring the entire state of Florida when he retired from the police force.........

I've looked at the site, but although the golf course frontage pool homes are only $245,000 approx. with 2 and a half bathrooms, 3 bedrooms and large greenspaces around..........I'm wondering if someone would feel "stranded" out in the middle of nowhere..............or is it close to Leesburg ?????? Thanks in advance. It looks very "country" and green.

The reasons I bought in the Plantation. We stayed in the Villages 3 different times for a month at a time and loved it. We are on a fixed income with only certain amount of money we could afford for a home. The home we have in the Plantation would cost 60% more in the Villages as we had been to many open houses there when we stayed there. There is no one behind us, very large lot. For what we paid for the home here we would have had to bought a older manufactured home in The Villages, and not sure what kind of investment that would be and also how long will insurers insure a manufactured home. Plantation is resident owned and in very good financial shape, one of the best in the area many tell me that, both in and outside of the Plantation. Very secure with the manned gates, you don't get in here unless someone calls the gatehouse and tells them you are expecting them. The fitness centers are included in the very low $85 a month fee. The pools here are huge and very beautiful, especially at the Manor. Leesburg is only maybe 6 miles away, the mall and shopping 12 miles and Clermont which has many new shopping areas 14 miles or so. The drive to Clermont has very few stoplights and easy to get to. No, we can't drive or golf carts to Walmart (which I do miss) but had to weigh all options. Also with the villages and all the bond issues still up in the air, who knows what could happen to the amenity fee? One last item, you can live anywhere and still enjoy the music and entertainment at the 3 town squares, shop there, use the restaurants and go the the movies. Just can't do it with a golf cart.

[duffysmom]

Sounds like you made a very wise financial decision and get to enjoy the wonderful climate and area as well. Thanks for your feedback.

[3puttharry]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Just curious as to how many of you looked at The Plantation in Leesburg prior to buying in The Villages? I do know that quite a few posters on TOTV actually live in The Plantation or elsewhere.

The chain of lakes would be a nice "plus". Unfortunately, we just drove past Leesburg but never had time to explore it as we did Mount Dora and Tavares.

In looking at the homes for sale, it seems that all building has stopped, although the homes appear to be fairly new and quite spacious at lower prices with, of course, less ammenities than TV offers.

Just wondering how close in actuality is Leesburg as far as being "their town"; population 18,000.

On our flight back north, we met a nice widowed lady enroute to visit her family in the farmlands above Albany, New York. I told her I'd save her a seat on the plane as we had the early boarding pass.......and I did.
She held my hand the entire time as she wasn't sure if we'd be landing back in snow or not............anyway, she really liked the Plantation, which she and her hubby found after touring the entire state of Florida when he retired from the police force.........

I've looked at the site, but although the golf course frontage pool homes are only $245,000 approx. with 2 and a half bathrooms, 3 bedrooms and large greenspaces around..........I'm wondering if someone would feel "stranded" out in the middle of nowhere..............or is it close to Leesburg ?????? Thanks in advance. It looks very "country" and green.

Do you have Pickelball? If so, how may courts?

[Lbmb24101]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Excellent response and very important consideration. Thankyou.

Originally Posted by mikeod

I previously lived in an area without much public transportation and saw personally what happened to seniors when they lose their license to drive. They become dependent on friends or neighbors to accomplish simple tasks, such as grocery shopping, banking, doctor's visits, etc or they become reclusive. The way TV is organized with access to all these things by golf cart, and the proximity of neighbors who understand your limitations makes the possibility of losing driving privileges less stressful. That is a quality of life benefit that is well worth the extra cost of homes here.

My mother is approaching 90 and lives here in the same village as we do. When we were planning a trip overseas, we worried how she would do without us nearby. We shouldn't have been concerned. Our neighbors, unasked,
constantly checked on her to see if she needed anything. We all watch out for each other.

Excellent reply and post! golf cart transport is THE REASON we bought here.

And like another poster said:
Us too, we never expected FL to be our retirement home We are here because of THE VILLAGES

[faithfulfrank]

Originally Posted by 3puttharry

Do you have Pickelball? If so, how may courts?

Yes, we have pickleball at all three of our activity centers, and they are also lit for nighttime play. I'm sorry, I do not know how many courts we have. I do know we have an active Pickleball club with different leagues and different skill levels......same with tennis.

We have a lot of activities here and many clubs.....not nearly as many of course as The Villages due to size. One of the main differences of course is not being able to do much shopping, etc by golf cart. I do like the lack of traffic congestion and being close to the turnpike and close to Orlando, Clermont, etc....just as The Villages is close to Ocala, etc. Where I cannot go to as many places on my golf cart, I own a Prius that gets 55 mpg....almost as good......lol.

Frank

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Thanks Frank, that is very fair reporting. I thought you were still a Moderator on TOTV. I didn't realize you had started a Home Inspection Business. My husband, Fireboy, just retired in January. I hope he doesn't hear about what you're doing or he'll be wanting to do the same thing!

Your home sounds wonderful, fishing in the back yard, great. I think a lot of people are finding the size of The Villages has become a bit daunting, so it's nice to know that homes in smaller communities are for sale close by. But the shopping by golf cart is a perk that most of us enjoy a lot.

.........

[gocubsgo]

Interesting...we'll have to check The Plantation out. Less crowded sounds good to me!

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

I've watched this thread off and on since it's start, but declined to comment. But since I was asked specifically I'll be glad to share our experience/perspective.

I'm a retired firefighter from western NY, and my former Captain bought a place in Hawthorne in Leesburg. He loves it there. Another firefighter I worked with visited him and bought a place in The Plantation. He returned to work and spoke about it daily.....My wife and I needed a vacation and we visited them down here, and we looked around a bit at some other communities and ended up buying the house across the street.

That was 5 years ago, and this last year I retired from the Fire Dept and brought my Home Inspector skills down here and started my business as a licensed Florida Home Inspector. My business has grown, and I now actually advertise here on TOTV, and have done many home inspections in The Villages as well as surrounding communities. D'Angelo Inspections LLC | Serving The Villages, Leesburg, Clermont, and Surrounding Areas 352-250-7818

When I bought here in The Plantation I did not even know about The Villages. I really like The Villages and are there very often doing inspections. It is an amazing one of a kind place and I've assisted many folks in buying there.

That being said, I also like The Plantation. I have a huge lot that backs up to a beautiful full time spring fed pond. I can fish in my backyard. No one can build next to me, and I do not feel "squished" between neighbors. Across the pond I can watch golfers put on a green.

My neighbors are wonderful, active, and many play golf and tennis daily. We have 2 nice full size golf courses, three large activity centers, fitness centers, pools, hot tubs, a great restaurant, etc,etc,etc.

Of course, this pales in comparison to The Villages. I would not even attempt to try to compare. We have about 3,000 homes here in about 21 little villages that are already fully built out, so no new homes are being built. The developer has turned the place over completely to the homeowners. There is no one time bond fee or anything. Our HOA fees are only $85.00 a month. My taxes this year were just over $1,000.00 (just paid them yesterday...lol)

Our HOA seems balanced, common sense and not too restrictive. They have a very good amount of money in the bank, and are continually improving the grounds, adding nice new stuff.

I like that WE own the place. I like the low HOA fees and the size of The Plantation is not huge. I love my big lot. I like that we have real security guards at the gates 24/7/365. From my driveway I am two miles from most all the shopping I need. I am 2 miles from the Turnpike.

I like the lack of traffic, especially during snowbird season. I do not feel like I need to lock our doors. I keep my garage door open much of the day when I'm home, as I'm always working on projects. I can walk our neighborhood in the middle of the night and not fear.

I've seen Bobcats and coyotes in the neighborhood, and have more often then not gators in my pond. I like them. (and no, I do not feed them!)

I drive my golf cart all over the place here, but of course not for shopping.

Folks are all different....if we were all the same life would be boring. I am happy here, and I think I'd be happy in The Villages. I have neighbors just up the street who did live in The Villages, did not like it at all and moved here.

The Villages is bigger, which is either good or bad dependent on our views. The Villages has much more to do....but we have a lot to do here also on a smaller scale. We too have many clubs, concerts, plays, etc.....not as much as The Villages of course, but remember, we are only 3000 homes. I go to the closest pool many times and find it all to myself. I like that. I do not like crowds and traffic that much.

Well, I hope that helps. Remember, I like both places and am not trying to compare or put one over the other. I only posted because I was asked.

Both places have free snow removal . Up in NY I paid over $6k in taxes, had potholes and rust everywhere and tons of snow, ice and cold. Both The Villages and The Plantation has none of that.

We are all blessed.....only 10 miles separate us and I consider many of you good friends and "just down the road" neighbors.

Frank

P.S....It is true that I once was a Moderator here, but had to give it up to devote more time to the business. I just did not want anyone to think I was still serving in that capacity. Thank you!

How close would your closest shopping be (for groceries, etc.)?

Hubby admired a pool home on a golf course in THE PLANTATION AT LEESBURG ; beautiful interior.......very very spacious; large lot as you mention.........mid $200,000's to $300,000's. Truly gorgeous homes.........all of them.

As you "age in place" do you think you might feel isolated from medical services or grocery shopping???? Pharmacists, etc.??? Just wondering.

We met a lovely woman on our airplane from Orlando back to Albany New York International Airport........she and I chatted the entire trip. Her husband had been a policeman for the governor? Her kids still lived in the Albany, N.Y. suburbs .......thus her visit. SHE LOVED THE PLANTATION.
They had looked all over and her hubby decided that was "home" to him.
She is now widowed.

I was just wondering how "isolated" from needed everyday services it might be? Thanks in advance. Your spot sounds like any Vermonter's dream retirement place..........being used to more "space" around a home and not so densely populated. Love the Villages for sure, but hubby thought the bigger pool home was a better buy; as he feels you spend more time in your home than you do otherwise......(meaning him).

We've lived in a small self sufficient town of 16,000 since 1970, rarely ever go to Albany, N.Y. except to the airport or to get on the Northway for a trip out west.......most people in our town rarely leave it as it has all the services. How close is Leesburg to the PLANTATION???? What type of highway to get to Leesburg for shopping? Population???? So, that would be the closest shopping????? Do they have a good hospital? How is the crime rate?
THANK YOU KINDLY.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I believe that Frank, one of the Moderators of TOTV, lives in The Plantation. I'd love to hear his input.

Yes, I just noticed his post........like 8 months after my original post.
Guess we got busy and somehow that conversation just slipped away.....

I re read everyone's advice and I've come to the same conclusion myself with regard to The Villages.......but hubby recently said he likes the bigger homes in The Plantation.

As I said, we had met a very nice woman on the airplane going back north who did seem content in The Plantation home her husband had chosen, even though she was now widowed.

I just wouldn't want to be isolated in the middle of nowhere.......so I'm asking Faithful Frank about the proximity to various services needed as one ages. I know TV has it all.

p.s.
Also, over the past year I've had some private contacts tell me how huge and crowded TV is. It was not crowded when we were there in October and November.........yes, bigger than what we are accustomed to....but very well planned and very well laid out.......with everything anyone could wish for. Attractive as well. We didn't get to see The Plantation at that time as we were not aware of it until the flight home. Did pass the sign on the highway.....

[NotGolfer]

Depends on your wishes and activity level. T.P. sounds nice (having not visited there) but larger lots..something to have to take care of if you don't hire it done. I have a friend who once lived in Spruce Creek and moved due to the upkeep etc.

We live in T.V.---love it too btw!!! As for services---all are within our community as far as we're concerned. Medical---we're a part of the new USF care and once the specialists clinic is in place probably won't "have" to leave for those neither. I do have a specialist in Ocala I go to since there isn't one here but that's not far. My thoughts are as we age (and we all are doing that)...distance "will be" a factor. I wouldn't care for the "isolation" but then that's just me! My S.O. loves T.V. for the many golfing opportunities!!

[gocubsgo]

We went to the website and REALLY like what we see. larger lots, not so many snowbirds and privacy. You get a lot more house for the money, too. We are heading there this week to check it out. Thanks to OP for steering us there!

[Mikitv]

We looked there too and other places all over Florida. Nothing compared to what we found here in TV and we made many visits here before we bought to make sure this is what we wanted. No other place can compare with the life style here. Bigger lots and more house for you $$ is true at other places but usually all you get is one golf course and a Country Club. Good luck with what ever decision you make.

[nicole9177]

I live in the Plantation...I actually love it...I WORK in TV.. and HATE driving in your traffic...what a mess...it is sooo congested...spanish springs is horrible. sorry... I enjoy being here, we don't have the ammenities that you have, but we don't have the major traffice jams that you have either.. like you say you get what you pay for! we have 3 pools, and a beautiful golf couse, which you can ALWAYS get on...pickelball courts, tennis courts, softball, and plenty more... we have plenty of people here FULL time...don't always judge a book by its cover!! just saying!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by nicole9177

I live in the Plantation...I actually love it...I WORK in TV.. and HATE driving in your traffic...what a mess...it is sooo congested...spanish springs is horrible. sorry... I enjoy being here, we don't have the ammenities that you have, but we don't have the major traffice jams that you have either.. like you say you get what you pay for! we have 3 pools, and a beautiful golf couse, which you can ALWAYS get on...pickelball courts, tennis courts, softball, and plenty more... we have plenty of people here FULL time...don't always judge a book by its cover!! just saying!

Hate, Horrible. But, like to work in TV...............................