[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Army Guy

But all in all, it boils down to personal choice and what we each want in our lifestyle. No person is wrong, no person right. We each choose what is best for US. And that is why for the past almost 30 years and a few more months I put the uniform on. That is what makes the USA the envy of the world and why some would like to see it go away! Army Guy

Great statement Army Guy - and thanks for your years of service to our country!

[ajdeck]

We also have looked and looked. We, if can still afford with IRS's decreasing loosing pension etc. we like the Villages the best. My mother in law lives in Spruce South and has since 1992 and loves it but it is a very old community (meaning peoples ages).

Stonecrest, as personnally found out as well as mother in law friends there, is not very friendly compared to TV.

Anyway, if you can afford it and the future increases that could occur once built out, it's the place to be (except in the heat of the summer - go north for July, Aug, and couple weeks in Sept).

[Sally Jo]

We looked at many retirement communities. They all were very nice. All had a nice pool, one, maybe two golf courses and a nice clubhouse. Some had a restaurant. None of them had executive courses. Most of them were out in the middle of nowhere. To get anyplace you had to drive a long way. The activities were minimal, compared to TV. TV won hands down, for us.

Thank you for your service "Armyguy."

[rshoffer]

Originally Posted by Taj44

We found the fact that it only had 36 holes of golf to be a negative. There have been years when the golf course was in poor shape, and that was the only option you had for golf there. In addition, there aren't as many rec center activities. For example, I've spoken to people who used to live there who now live here in The Villages, and they talked about playing cards. Here all you do is go to the rec center and you can immediately join in the organized card games. Over there, you have to meet neighbors and hope someone inivites you over to play. She said it took her 2 years before she made enough friends to be able to participate in card games. I guess it depends on what you are looking for in you rFlorida home.

Yep, we chose here for the golf.... although there are a zillion courses outside of TV within 25 miles.

[jinker]

One plus that Kings Point in Sun City Center as well as some of the other communities have that seems to be missing in the Villages is having both indoor and outdoor pools. What is the status of the Well Center pool, I really prefer indoor poolsto avoid the sunburns with my extremely fair skin and for controlled temperatures. Other than that, I think TV beats all the other sites because of the availability of shopping and restaurants.

[Virginians]

Can anyone comment about On Top of the World?

[GoneFishin]

Have been there 2x. Better built houses, larger lots[more privacy], and much lower bonds. They have most of the same amenties but on a much smaller scale. The Town Center has entertaintment on weekends only. Very limited shopping [Publix/Winn Dixie] or Doctors are available by golf cart. Hospital about 10 miles away. Home Depot/Lowes ? miles. If at some point in your life you will be unable to drive a car, will you be able still drive a golf cart ????

[Barefoot]

The Villages is the only retirement community we found in Florida that allows two large dogs. Most have a restriction .. only one dog .. or only dogs under 20 lbs. Of course for most sane people, this is probably not a factor. For us it was very important.

Another plus was the fact that we could have a fenced yard with a golf course view.

The deciding factor was that we could access shopping, entertainment and many restaurants locally, by golf cart, without leaving the community.

[TVWannabe]

I made my initial post on Thursday evening. Now, I log on Saturday morning hoping that someone has replied, and I see 22 replies. You guys are awesome! Thanks so much. In addition to the wonderful responses here, I also got a PM that was a scathing warning of the evils of buying in TV.

I spend way too much time daydreaming of my future life in The Villages. I check the new house listings at least twice a week—and I don’t even plan to move before the summer of 2010 at the earliest! However, my wife and I still have a few apprehensions. Here’s our biggest one, and I’m sure others have probably discussed it here: If the golf courses are crowded with a population of 70,000, how’s it going to be with 100,000? Are there many more courses under construction or planned? Also, we visited in July. Some here have estimated that the community has as many as 40% snowbirds so the population might have been only 42,000 when we visited. I can’t imagine what it would be like with two and a half times as many people.

It’s funny, because the town we live in now, Brentwood, TN, is a very fast-growing town. It has changed so much in the eight years we’ve lived here. All of the rolling pastures and farmland have become new subdivisions. It’s like once we had ours, I wanted them to lock the doors. Now, here I am, wanting them to do the same in The Villages. Of course, people like me and the other TVWannBe’s are the problem, but in spite of that, it seems current Villagers are always friendly and welcoming. Thanks for that.

I do plan to check out Spruce Creek—both of them (Thanks, Bryan.) I’ve been in touch with Sun City Center and asked the lady why their website and DVD are so inadequate compared to the expert marketing at TV. She said she’d never seen TV’s products, and I got the impression she was WCI’s point of contact for all of their communities across Florida. Go figure.

[champion6]

Originally Posted by TVWannabe

In addition to the wonderful responses here, I also got a PM that was a scathing warning of the evils of buying in TV.

I'm another TV Wanna Be looking at the pros and cons of TV. Would you share the highlights of the PM you received?

[Safe Home Watch Mary Edwards]

Originally Posted by TVWannabe

I made my initial post on Thursday evening. Now, I log on Saturday morning hoping that someone has replied, and I see 22 replies. You guys are awesome! Thanks so much. In addition to the wonderful responses here, I also got a PM that was a scathing warning of the evils of buying in TV.

I spend way too much time daydreaming of my future life in The Villages. I check the new house listings at least twice a week—and I don’t even plan to move before the summer of 2010 at the earliest! However, my wife and I still have a few apprehensions. Here’s our biggest one, and I’m sure others have probably discussed it here: If the golf courses are crowded with a population of 70,000, how’s it going to be with 100,000? Are there many more courses under construction or planned? Also, we visited in July. Some here have estimated that the community has as many as 40% snowbirds so the population might have been only 42,000 when we visited. I can’t imagine what it would be like with two and a half times as many people.

It’s funny, because the town we live in now, Brentwood, TN, is a very fast-growing town. It has changed so much in the eight years we’ve lived here. All of the rolling pastures and farmland have become new subdivisions. It’s like once we had ours, I wanted them to lock the doors. Now, here I am, wanting them to do the same in The Villages. Of course, people like me and the other TVWannBe’s are the problem, but in spite of that, it seems current Villagers are always friendly and welcoming. Thanks for that.

I do plan to check out Spruce Creek—both of them (Thanks, Bryan.) I’ve been in touch with Sun City Center and asked the lady why their website and DVD are so inadequate compared to the expert marketing at TV. She said she’d never seen TV’s products, and I got the impression she was WCI’s point of contact for all of their communities across Florida. Go figure.

Hi TVwannabe, We moved here from South Fl. gated community Burnt Store Marina,Punta Gorda.large marina,27 hole golf,much more.But it doesn't have the lifestyle
TV have.Our house is on golf course 8th tee with water and golf cart bridge,pool,3BR.for sale.We couldn't compare we fell in love with Rocky&Rollers and so much to do. Everyone will have an opinion,most will be trying to get to TV. Mary

[shermark]

you might want to read a recent posting this morning " trouble in paradise"

[graciegirl]

Last night we were at a block party with about 30 folks, with a wide range of origins, careers, and even age...well, not THAT wide a range on the age. It was absolutely the best, warmest, most relaxing, entertaining party I have ever attended. We have a lot of experiences to share and have a sense that life doesn't go on forever.

We have traveled a lot, been fortunate to live in some nice homes, but this is the best fit for us that I have ever found.

Come and see for yourself.

[TVWannabe]

Originally Posted by champion6

I'm another TV Wanna Be looking at the pros and cons of TV. Would you share the highlights of the PM you received?

Sure. Here it is in the quotes, followed by my comments. I deleted the last couple of sentences to protect the author’s identity since it was obviously his intention to remain anonymous to the rest of the TOTV community.

"I have researched the villages for the last 4 years and read every word about the place. First you should know about the bond problems they are having with the IRS. Go to orlandosentinel.com. Look over to the left and click on columnists then click on lauren ritchie and read what is going on with the bond problems. another problem is the fees and what they charge you for. free golf for life ?? hardly. they hit you with a golf cart trail fee and basically use smoke and mirrors to hit you with other fees. NOTHING is free in the villages. if you like crowds then the villages is for you. imagine when it is built out 100,000 people will live there. talk about urban sprawl. two town squares for 100,000 people. UGH !! and you must know on this forum talk of the villages, these people are so biased you will never get an honest answer from them. they all drink the kool aid and really believe they live in heaven. do you know about how they way overpaid for their houses. in florida, the property appraisers by law are to be independent from the developers. well gary morse who owns the villages hand picked his property appraisers. so do you think all those people paid a fair price for their homes ?? my wife and I were in stonecrest development today which is just down the road from the villages and we met 3 couples who live in the villages who are selling their homes in the villages and moving to stonecrest. the reason?? the villages is growing way too big for them and they are getting out before this bond problem nails the residents. just remember,you will never get an honest answer from the people on the forum. they are very arrogant when it comes to defending their villages and are extremely biased. hope this helps."

I appreciate the time and effort that went into this response, and everyone is entitled to his own opinion. I am not discounting anything the author states, but he is clearly in the minority with his opinions. Like other posters on this site have said, we are adults; we look before we leap. Most everyone is aware of the bond issues (though few understand them all), most understand that "free golf" can't really be free, and most understand that appraisers don’t determine the sale price of a home. A home is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it—no more, no less. The free market system never breaks. If you can buy a house for less in Stonecrest, then, obviously, people are willing to pay more to live in The Villages. Based upon my three-day visit there, I can see why. I do share the author’s concern about “urban sprawl,” but like I mentioned, I plan to be part of that problem.

[JohnN]

Everyone has an opinion, and their right to it. The "sprawl" really isn't so bad, much better by magnitudes than any large city, and only certain times of the year. We visited a dozen or more 55+ places and TV is unique.

When we visited Del Webb, the sales rep said when asked about TV - "well, they must be doing something right because they sure sell a lot, but ours is better, more value, etc. You either like it or you don't".. so we decided to visit.

We like TV - it's very different, the rep was right, you either like it or don't.
Try it and see. We've a great maintenance free little patio villa for under $150K including bond, the amenity fees are nominal, and we love it. Everything is right there within a short golf cart drive - Squares, bank, grocery , medical churches, etc. and I think it's really a friendly place.