[katezbox]

Hi Betty,

We live on Heath Springs - and it is in Bonita -in a Designer that backs up to a CYV wall and a bit of the golf course. I wanted a CYV and my hubs wanted a home - so it is the perfect compromise for us and our Maltipoo.

You are right that in some villages - including Hadley - there are established homes as well as new construction going on. This makes it easier for TV to built at the pace they are going.

I would not restrict yourself to the three homes you found. There are a lot of homes for sale here - and no "bad" villages - just some you might like better than others, For example - if you like Sabal Chase, you would most likely also like Mallory, Virgina Trace and Caroline as they are all nearby.

Two really good things you can do - that may save you from buying a home and then selling it and buying another as many folks do...

1. Read this forum - use the search to kind previous threads on members thoughts on homes. Of course, different people like different things - that's why they make Fords and Chevys - but you should get some ideas. Factors to think of are gas vs. electric, stucco vs siding, lanai exposure, what it in back of you, are you OK backing up to a main road, pool, spa or none, etc.

2. If possible - come down and rent for a bit. If you can't do that, come down for a lifestyles preview and stay in a CYV - try for 7 days if you can. This is the type of home most different from the others - you may love or hate the courtyard walls. While you are visiting - look at cottages, ranches and designers with different floor plans and backing up to a neighbor, a road, a rec center, etc.

k

[Opulence]

Originally Posted by katezbox

Hi Betty,

We live on Heath Springs - and it is in Bonita -in a Designer that backs up to a CYV wall and a bit of the golf course. I wanted a CYV and my hubs wanted a home - so it is the perfect compromise for us and our Maltipoo.

You are right that in some villages - including Hadley - there are established homes as well as new construction going on. This makes it easier for TV to built at the pace they are going.

I would not restrict yourself to the three homes you found. There are a lot of homes for sale here - and no "bad" villages - just some you might like better than others, For example - if you like Sabal Chase, you would most likely also like Mallory, Virgina Trace and Caroline as they are all nearby.

Two really good things you can do - that may save you from buying a home and then selling it and buying another as many folks do...

1. Read this forum - use the search to kind previous threads on members thoughts on homes. Of course, different people like different things - that's why they make Fords and Chevys - but you should get some ideas. Factors to think of are gas vs. electric, stucco vs siding, lanai exposure, what it in back of you, are you OK backing up to a main road, pool, spa or none, etc.

2. If possible - come down and rent for a bit. If you can't do that, come down for a lifestyles preview and stay in a CYV - try for 7 days if you can. This is the type of home most different from the others - you may love or hate the courtyard walls. While you are visiting - look at cottages, ranches and designers with different floor plans and backing up to a neighbor, a road, a rec center, etc.

k

Thanks k - all good advise. In fact, I just returned from a 7 day stay in TV. I was on the preview life plan and they assigned us to a 3 br CYV. I loved it! I have been on TOTV list for over a year - reading everyone comments, suggestions etc. I learned a great deal here and it has been very helpful. I would love to come down and rent until I found exactly what I am looking for. It is next to impossible to find a home to rent with a pet (I am getting a chihuahua puppy very soon) and I have a cat too. I will be closing on my house here in VA much sooner than I ever imagined and time is running short for me. I have a good agent, so I am not all that worried. If worse comes to worse, I will rent here in the town I am presently living in and fly back down to TV again. I can do a lot online and have my agent check things out for me. She knows what I like and want. Privacy is very important to me and so far the only home that offers that is the CYV. While visiting on the LPP, I saw designers, cottages, CYV, patio villas etc Thanks for all of your suggestions - they certainly are appreciated.

Betty

[Army Guy]

If I was to pick a Village from what you mentioned I would pick Sabel Chase. Being along Canal is GREAT! Although it is a North/South road like Morse and Buena Vista, it does not have the traffic since it has a lot of gates and lights. BUT it makes it very easy to get to LSL.
Heath Springs is a beautiful area and is actually Bonita, we have some very close friends that live there. We live in Bonita and love it cause it is central to everthing and does not have the traffic as noted already in Bonnybrook area.
We have a CYV, and yes a lot of of us bought them cause we have dogs, but also buy because they are maintence free if you landscape them right, also cheaper to heat/cool and insurance. Also the small size is very easy to maintain inside. At TV, at least for us, we wanted the smallest amount of work to do at our residense so we could be out with friends enjoying life! That may be another reason to why you didn't see many people out in the CYVs they are gone having fun!

Army Guy

[katezbox]

Hi Betty,

As you can see from my avatar, we have pets as well.... I now understand why you need to move quickly. We were in the same situation - a quick sale and closing up north. We were lucky to be able to stay in Myrtle Beach for a few months until this house was ready.

Good luck - I think you will find something you LOVE....

[YodaMom]

Do the walls in the courtyard villas cut down on much noise? I would think not but thought I would ask people who live in them.

[Opulence]

Originally Posted by Army Guy

If I was to pick a Village from what you mentioned I would pick Sabel Chase. Being along Canal is GREAT! Although it is a North/South road like Morse and Buena Vista, it does not have the traffic since it has a lot of gates and lights. BUT it makes it very easy to get to LSL.
Heath Springs is a beautiful area and is actually Bonita, we have some very close friends that live there. We live in Bonita and love it cause it is central to everthing and does not have the traffic as noted already in Bonnybrook area.
We have a CYV, and yes a lot of of us bought them cause we have dogs, but also buy because they are maintence free if you landscape them right, also cheaper to heat/cool and insurance. Also the small size is very easy to maintain inside. At TV, at least for us, we wanted the smallest amount of work to do at our residense so we could be out with friends enjoying life! That may be another reason to why you didn't see many people out in the CYVs they are gone having fun!

Army Guy

Hi Army guy - you made some very good points - The CYV is in Hadley and it is landscaped perfectly for low maintence - just the right amount of greenry and red/white stonte the balance. It has a fab birdcage to go along with it.

Now, the designer is in Sabal Chase - & it has no privacy at all.

Bummer!

Betty

[Opulence]

I'm not sure about the noise in all of the CYV's. I was careful to note how close the homes on the other side of the wall were though. In some CYV's, some homes are a lot closer than others. We stayed in a CYV at Creekside while on the LPP. Early one morning I was having coffee out on the lanai and I could hear the guests behind the wall - no one was talking mind you - but you could definitely hear the sound of the spoon hitting the cereal bowl . . I'm serious!

Now that house was in very close proximity to the wall. . . .

Betty

[katezbox]

Betty,

I saw in another post that Jeanie Beanie is coming down to rent for awhile and she has doggies. Now maybe they are camping out with family, but it might be worth a pm to her to see if she knows of pet-friendly rentals.

[JeanneBeannie]

My ears were ringing lol
I found a beautiful CYV to rent thanks to Nonie posting the question for me , and the woman is extremely nice and is allowing me to stay with my babies while I search for a home. I was very very lucky!!

There is a hotel that a friend told me is very pet friendly also, I will try to find out the name. I also noticed that it seems more and more rentals are willing to consider pets. (I think some go by the size of the pet).

Thanks to Nonie and this very nice couple and perfect timing...I will be on my way in three weeks!!

Jeanne

[imbrennan]

Originally Posted by Opulence

I'm not sure about the noise in all of the CYV's. I was careful to note how close the homes on the other side of the wall were though. In some CYV's, some homes are a lot closer than others. We stayed in a CYV at Creekside while on the LPP. Early one morning I was having coffee out on the lanai and I could hear the guests behind the wall - no one was talking mind you - but you could definitely hear the sound of the spoon hitting the cereal bowl . . I'm serious!

Now that house was in very close proximity to the wall. . . .

Betty

Hi, also note that some walls are a lot higher than others. In Sabal Chase we have a very high concrete wall at the back of our home - probably 6-8 ft. Can't quite remember but much taller than me at 5 ft. 2!!!

I think I was told sometime that these were the last of the tall walls that were built - I guess they always cut costs somewhere like nowadays they have only put down pine straw in some homes instead of grass!

We had a friend over from the UK who was looking at a CYV further south where they were building about 2 years ago(can't remember exactly where unfortunately but it was down Canal Street from Sabal Chase, out of the gate quite a way down and off to the right). The walls there were much lower and you could see a lot more of the house behind you. We can only see a roof.

[Halle]

Jeanne,

I can feel your excitement all the way up here!!!

See you in December.

[JeanneBeannie]

Originally Posted by Halle

Jeanne,
I can feel your excitement all the way up here!!!
See you in December.

Yes indeedy Halle...I am soooooo very excited!!!!
Cant wait to see you in December

[Bettiboop]

Jeanne, three weeks?!! WOW! You're in the final stretch now! I'm so happy for you that you've worked everything out and will soon be living it up in The Villages!

Originally Posted by JeanneBeannie

...I will be on my way in three weeks!!

Jeanne

[katezbox]

Jeanne,

I knew you would help out. Three weeks is just a glimmer away. Hooray!!!!

We have a villa wall behind us in Bonita and all I can see are the roofs of the villas. Way taller than me - and I'm a lot taller than 5'2".

[JeanneBeannie]

Thank you very much Miss Boop and Kate .

Okiedokie....the hotel I was mentioning is La Hacienda in SS, where SSchuler stayed and told me it is very pet friendly...hope this helps. And also writes more about it in her posts "We're Finally Here" (I think that is what is was). Its very good to know in case someone cant find a home to rent or want to stay in a hotel. .