[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by Snowbirdtobe

What do you like to do? If you both golf the answer is easy. If one likes to quilt or sew and the other likes to swim or play cards the answer is easy. If either of you have complex medical problems the level of medical care would be an issue.
The "Villages Hospital" now renamed to "Spanish Plains Hospital" is still a one star hospital according to Medicare. Look up the rating on the Medicare hospital rating site and then decide.
PS if you qualify medically you may be able to switch to a standard Medicare insurance plan like plan F or G. That plan will allow you to go to the best hospitals in the US for treatment.

It sounds like they already have Medicare and a supplement, AARP.

[ColtsFan]

My husband and I moved here 20 years ago. We are now 77 and 82 and still very active. There is so much to do here and we think we are healthier than if we would have stayed in Indiana. We also have Medicare and AARP Supplemental. Great insurance --- we never have any co-pays and we have found great doctors. Don't wait --- start living your dream.

[Susan1717]

Your age is not old at all! I’m almost 72, still walk 5 miles almost everyday snd stay active always. There’s a great gym here with a lot of weights, machines and classes in Brownwood. Most of my friends are in their 50s here. I don’t golf but I’m never bored a day! Lots of social fun! .

[Kingsport]

Get here ASAP! You will not find a better place. You will not be old here. Join clubs as soon as you get here. You will never be this young again.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

You should like it here . Two bowling alleys very close together off of 441/27 in the oldest part of the Villages. There were some avid bowlers at Doggie Doo Run Run when I went there. Older Villagers in their 70s. But still very active. Unfortunately they have passed. I have been here since June of 2005. Many of the people whose company I have enjoyed passed away or moved out of the Villages.

yelp.com

One of these bowlers was kind of like Pauline from the Perils of Pauline . She had a new misadventure very often which we would have us at the dog park talking for weeks. She drove a friend in the old section of the Villages in her own golf cart and hit one of those posts on the middle of the golf cart path sending her passenger flying out the side. Her retired DC lawyer boyfriend passed away on the dialysis machine here in the Villages. A leak happened in the pond just behind her house. She drove her golf cart though the screen on her garage forgetting it was down. The last story we had heard was that she had escaped out of her nursing home just in her gown by taking advantage of her attendants being distracted while they tended to another patient. And her two dogs would often be creating huge holes in the ground at Doggie Doo Run Run while hunting for moles. We would fill in these holes for her because there was rarely a dull moment with her around. My first Villages' dog also loved digging holes looking for critters. Doggie Doo Run Run eventually put a stop to dogs digging. Some of the holes that our "Pauline's" dogs would create were rather large.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by mrsstats

We are 75 and 74. Relatively good health. Mostly age-related issues. Arthritis, hip issue (dh will need hip replacement in next 2 years) We are active. Enjoy bowling and travel.

Tired of winter in the north, love warm weather. Been to 2 lifestyle visits. Love the concept of the Villages.

I think of biggest concern is medical care (Medicare and AARP supplemental is our insurance. We have no children or close family so we would not be giving up anything to move.

Thoughts from those living there.

You don’t need to do any outdoor sports or activities to love it here. You don’t need to have a golf cart. You don’t need to like the far-too-loud music at the town squares. It’s a beautiful place to live. You know that. But to get you money’s worth, get involved with some of the huge number of activities available here. That’s where the fun is. That’s what makes us different here. For example, I love to play various musical instruments, and I’ve learned several new ones since moving here. I play or perform at seven jams or performances a week, all in rec centers. About two hundred people come to hear us, and many get to know each other, so you don’t have to play to have fun. For an example of learning new things, there are several hundred people here who get together at least once a week to play ukuleles together and sing. Most of these people learned to play here, and they may not play very well and may not sing very well, but they do it with enthusiasm and have a great time. This applies to all sorts of fun activities, or at least fun for some people.

If you’ve been here for two lifestyle visits, you probably know that if all you have is Social Security income for two, that really isn’t enough to have a relaxed, fun life here. After one spouse dies, it’s much harder. A number of people here in that condition are struggling. Unless you have a substantial pension, too, I’d say aim at a home of about 1200 sq ft. I downsized to a courtyard villa and love it. And if medical care is important, you can try to be close to our hospital and nursing homes and all in the northern parts of The Villages, or you could look for a home near, say, Colony Shopping Plaza, close to 466A and Morse, but in Sumter County for tax reasons. AdventHealth/Waterman in Tavares is the top-rated hospital in the area, and it is building a fancy new ER just past Colony on 466A. Living near there would closer to things as you age,

At your age, I’d say don’t buy new construction. There’s a lot more involved with being a first owner, and the new homes are a long way away from most of the shopping plazas and rec centers and all the bowling, if you’ve want to continue that. Buy a home where you don’t need a mortgage, where the roof was recently replaced, where there is no bond. Not in Fruitland Park because the taxes are much higher. All the money you don’t have to pay every month in mortgage and all is money you can spend having fun.

[Gunny2403]

I’m 75 and spouse is 72. Come on down!

[Rsb23]

We have been living in the village for 20 years and are 77 & 81. There are over 3500 clubs in the villages so you can’t get too bored.
I suggest you buy or rent north of 466A because most of you neighbors will be of a like older age. The village of Winifred is about 1/2 mile from shopping, doctors, some good restaurants, Walmart and by the fall the new Costco that is being built. It’s right by the Laurel Manor Recreation Center which has a gym if you need one. There is a Winifred adult pool. This is just examples of what the choose of which village you pick can offer.
Make The Move… you’ve been living up north way too long….
Good luck. I hope you find what you both are looking for….

[opinionist]

Dealing with ice, snow, and cold is something to avoid. There is no shortage of things to do, even with physical impairments. Make the move.

[Altavia]

Especially if mobility is starting to be challenging, Independent living at a facility inside the Villages is another option.

Some are sort of like a cruise ship on land. ;-)

[Nell57]

For top notch cancer treatment and research we were able to go to Moffitt in Tampa….75 minute drive.
The hospital here in The Villages sometimes gets negative comments. Part of the problem is, their clientele is aged and most have complex medical situations. But they are now affiliated with Shands in Jacksonville. We had excellent care there on numerous occasions, and they will transfer you out if your situation warrants it. You will find good doctors….make that a priority.
A second compounding situation is that medical facilities in ALL OF FLORIDA are overwhelmed Jan-Feb-Mar. With the great influx of snowbirds, hospitals and ER’s are overwhelmed and bogged down. So plan your routine medical ✅ for fall and late spring.
Hang out for a while at the pool. Everyone’s had a new knee, hip, shoulder….heart work done. People are very matter-of-fact about our replacement parts. The difference here is people just roll with it and get back to favorite activities ASAP.
Someone with a joint replacement up north will perseverate on it two years before the surgery….then talk about every detail for two years after. No comparison as to where I’d rather be.
By the way, there are over 3000 clubs here. You will find your people.
This is nobody’s home town. There will be super friendly people wherever you go…if that’s what you want. If it’s not….you can enjoy your own quiet home and the beauty of Florida.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Do yourselves a favor and rent. You'll have the best of all seasons and top medical care since you can flex and go back north for that. You have no roots to pull you one way or the other and you'll avoid all the maintenance work and costs which goes with owning a Florida home. I know all homes have those expenses but you're not chasing mold, bugs invasions, termites, irrigation at all or very little. You also don't have to deal with sinkholes and hurricanes.

You have the same problems and expenses up north to deal with including sinkholes, hurricanes, and to a greater extent tornados plus snow removal, winter driving, winterizing exterior plumbing and irrigation, etc. Upkeep and maintenance is much lower in Florida.

[bonrich]

My wife and I have had Medicare and United Health Care/AARP for years. She is in the "N" plan and I am in the "G" plan since I have different medical issues. The Plan has served us well for years. We still travel back North for a short time and as long the medical providers take Medicare we are covered. The balance left not paid by Medicare AARP picks up. My wife ends up with a small copay and I do not have one. Happy with our choice, no plans to change. We do have to carry a seperate part "D" plan to take care of our meds.

[Ptmcbriz]

Absolutely do it. Your quality of life will go up. My husband has many specialists which 99% are here in The Villages. One heart specialist he has to go to Orlando which is 50 minutes from our house (we live in the new area south of 44). Being so close to Orlando is a huge plus. We’ve had stays in The Villages hospital, Leesburg and Ocala hospitals and all were good. We have an excellent stand alone ER here in the south at the corner of Meggison and Hwy 44. The biggest plus will be your friendships and support system here. We all look out for each other in our neighborhoods. It’s a fabulous place to grow old. We’ve been here 4 years and time flies! Do it.

[Justputt]

Originally Posted by mrsstats

We are 75 and 74. Relatively good health. Mostly age-related issues. Arthritis, hip issue (dh will need hip replacement in next 2 years) We are active. Enjoy bowling and travel.

Tired of winter in the north, love warm weather. Been to 2 lifestyle visits. Love the concept of the Villages.

I think of biggest concern is medical care (Medicare and AARP supplemental is our insurance. We have no children or close family so we would not be giving up anything to move.

Thoughts from those living there.

If you're not leaving anything/anyone behind and you like being warm/hate cold, this is a solid choice. Making new friends is pretty easy. Between social & hobby clubs, community pools and town squares, you'll almost certainly find people you have something in common with. Being so far south, the sun is more intense than I remember when in North Texas (which had much higher daytime temps), so I wear a hat on hot days to keep my head from frying. Property taxes and car insurance are more. While I've heard some complain about medical care, I've not had any issues with local hospitals or doctors, but I would get established with specialists you need ASAP, since new patient visits can be a wait. I have an Advantage Plan that is nationwide, and I kept doctors up north until things settled here. There's ups and downs to new vs older neighborhoods, so shop with that in mind. If buying old, get a REAL agent (TV sales are not licensed agents) so you can get the real scoop on a house, problems, expenses, repairs, insurance risks, etc. Lastly, think 10 years down the road and where you will want to be for getting to shopping, doctors, activities, but don't be overfocused on "golf car accessible", since I'd rather have a car for A/C or heat when doing shopping on bad weather days.