[Ron1Z]

We are coming down in April staying at the Villages,but going to look at Spruce Run. Friends of ours bought there and want us to see the community?

[mickey100]

Thanks to all from The Plantation that weighed in. I think that retirement requires at least some compromise on one's part. Some retirees compromise on home lot size and go with The Villages and the greater availability of activities; some compromise on golf cart accessible and go with the Plantation and the beautiful home lots and less congestion. There is something for everyone out there. Of course, this being a Villages blog, the sentiment here will be pro-Villages. The ideal thing if one was interested in The Plantation, would be to rent there for a period of time, then rent in The Villages, and see which one you preferred.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by mickey100

Thanks to all from The Plantation that weighed in. I think that retirement requires at least some compromise on one's part. Some retirees compromise on home lot size and go with The Villages and the greater availability of activities; some compromise on golf cart accessible and go with the Plantation and the beautiful home lots and less congestion. There is something for everyone out there. Of course, this being a Villages blog, the sentiment here will be pro-Villages. The ideal thing if one was interested in The Plantation, would be to rent there for a period of time, then rent in The Villages, and see which one you preferred.

Only you and hubby can decide what is right for you.

A compromised might be to buy a home in TV that allows your hubby the privacy he needs, and fills your desire to be out and about, in a golf cart. Some people are homebodies and therefore can live anywhere.

Reasonal posts by Plantation owners, to the preference for a larger home with less activities, and relatively little congestion in the complex. TV is 42 miles square and that, is big. I don't find the traffic that bad, and we are in the middle of snowbird sason. It's a matter of perception and patience. Does anybody really need to be somewhere, that you must get there in ten minutes? Just plan accordingly.

BTW - The Leesburg Hosital is excellent. At least, that's what I read about it as I have not had any occasion to visit it.

When I saw TV back seven years ago, I knew this was the place for me and never looked at another retirement community. I didn't think another place could possibly been any better, but that's me, as I love to be in the middle of the action, just like any former New Yorker.

Somehow, I would always have a nagging feeling, if I settled on a home, instead of getting what I really wanted, but that's just me. I have worked many years and bought my condo in CT, and felt like I settled for that place, due to price. It the end, it wasn't right for me. I spend many years with recriminations, because I hate to move.

Wish you and hubby the best in making a decision.

[DeanFL]

Moved to FL from MA in 2005 - newly "single" and was to sell the MA house - she gets 50% me same. 3 adult kids living across the country - My liking was to move to either San Diego, Vegas, AZ, or Central FL. After lots of research decided on what I knew and been to a lot - Cent FL. Wanted a 55+ comm not too close to Orl but not too far away from it or the Airport. Retired months before and I was on my own.

Knew there was a large strip of 55+ comms from Ocala to Disney - and checked them all out online and phone. Decided to fly down for 10 days - and selected the top 8 communities to visit. Of Course TV was on the list.

After the 10 days - TV came out 3, Spruce Creek (DW) 2, and Legacy of Leesburg 1. Lots of reasons - but I felt TV was pricey for the quality of the home in my pricerange. the CDD was a negative, potential traffic - and I wasn't sure if the Lifestyle would be my cup o' tea = must say... the TV videos of "old folks" line dancing in the Squares was not appealing.

I moved in 2005 and lived in Legacy (1,000 homes) for 8 years - nice Comm, but rural and not much to do without a drive to Clermont, Leesburg 441/27 - or TV. BTW - Plantation is a mile from Legacy on Rt 27.

After dating for a few years, met a nice lady from Lake Mary 5 years ago. Fast forward to now - every weekend when she came to Leesburg - we went to TV for fun and food. TV called to us... We decided to buy a lot in Nov '13 - we were the last ones to be able to design our house and not need to go Spec. I sold my house in Dec (BTW - a 30% loss from the 2005 buy...) Phyllis is to retire next week, and selling her home soon. Our TV home in Gilchrist Closed in Feb - and I moved my stuff in. Hopefully in a couple months we will both be here (TV) and completely settled.

Bottom line for me = 8 years later and ...HOME. LOVE TV and we will be Frogs - our last home. BTW the quality of our TV newly built home - A+.
and... you may even see us dancing in the Squares... Another BTW - ToTV was a wonderful resource for a few years before we bought our TV home.

[DangeloInspections]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

Moved to FL from MA in 2005 - newly "single" and was to sell the MA house - she gets 50% me same. 3 adult kids living across the country - My liking was to move to either San Diego, Vegas, AZ, or Central FL. After lots of research decided on what I knew and been to a lot - Cent FL. Wanted a 55+ comm not too close to Orl but not too far away from it or the Airport. Retired months before and I was on my own.

Knew there was a large strip of 55+ comms from Ocala to Disney - and checked them all out online and phone. Decided to fly down for 10 days - and selected the top 8 communities to visit. Of Course TV was on the list.

After the 10 days - TV came out 3, Spruce Creek (DW) 2, and Legacy of Leesburg 1. Lots of reasons - but I felt TV was pricey for the quality of the home in my pricerange. the CDD was a negative, potential traffic - and I wasn't sure if the Lifestyle would be my cup o' tea = must say... the TV videos of "old folks" line dancing in the Squares was not appealing.

I moved in 2005 and lived in Legacy (1,000 homes) for 8 years - nice Comm, but rural and not much to do without a drive to Clermont, Leesburg 441/27 - or TV. BTW - Plantation is a mile from Legacy on Rt 27.

After dating for a few years, met a nice lady from Lake Mary 5 years ago. Fast forward to now - every weekend when she came to Leesburg - we went to TV for fun and food. TV called to us... We decided to buy a lot in Nov '13 - we were the last ones to be able to design our house and not need to go Spec. I sold my house in Dec (BTW - a 30% loss from the 2005 buy...) Phyllis is to retire next week, and selling her home soon. Our TV home in Gilchrist Closed in Feb - and I moved my stuff in. Hopefully in a couple months we will both be here (TV) and completely settled.

Bottom line for me = 8 years later and ...HOME. LOVE TV and we will be Frogs - our last home. BTW the quality of our TV newly built home - A+.
and... you may even see us dancing in the Squares... Another BTW - ToTV was a wonderful resource for a few years before we bought our TV home.

Congratulations Dean! I wish you the best in your new home.

The lessons learned here in your post is that life has a way of changing. This thread always troubled me a bit....kind of like going on a Corvette forum and asking folks "How do you like a Viper?" Or going on an Apple forum and asking, "How do you like Windows 8?".....I'm sure the intent was above board, but of course the chance is there to get biased responses.

I am a person who researches everything. It drives my wife nuts sometimes. Buying in The Plantation was the only spontaneous thing I think I have ever done. I'm happy here. I know I would also be happy in The Villages.

With my business I am now in The Villages every day. I love what I do, and have met some of the nicest and most interesting folks in The Villages. I think the point to remember is that we are not any different. I have always invested well, and could now live most anywhere, including The Villages. Who knows....as Dean's story shows, life changes....I might find myself owning there someday. As of now, I enjoy owning a business and getting to meet many of you good folks. When that no longer is fun, or when I tire of climbing all over roofs and attics, I will stop and perhaps start to master golf and pickleball.

We are all just folks who have lived a interesting life, planned well, and have decided to stop shoveling snow and move to a great place. Many of us love golf, love the Florida lifestyle, etc. We are all very blessed.

Frank