Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2302715)

Thanks for the heads up. I would not like being so isolated from amenities that I had to party in a driveway.

Originally Posted by onfire (Post 2302732)

You can see bond amounts and amortization schedules on the districtgov website.

e.g. Lake Denham - Unit 69V; bond $40,525 @ 5.47% interest. Payment is ~$2,918 per year for total payment of $88,685 over 30 years.

You can also look up houses on the CAD sites to see their taxes, almost all newer homes have city taxes (Wildwood or Leesburg). Keep in mind the taxes will likely increase significantly on pre-owned homes as the assessed value will increase after purchase (you lose the cap that the previous owners enjoyed).

Originally Posted by BigDawgInLakeDenham (Post 2302745)

:BigApplause::BigApplause:

Soooo Horrible down here. My new friend Dan E is despondent after hosting that driveway party with a fun live band because so many new residents came to share food, fun, and fellowship. Everyone was so unhappy with their decisions to buy into Lake Denham that they were spending the last few dollars they had left on AED donations and contributions to the NEXT neighborhood party....kinda like we like our new community???:shrug::shrug::shrug:

Originally Posted by Altavia (Post 2302676)

It is a confusing market considering they continue to sell within their average of 70-100 homes a week.

I wouldn't be surprised to see prices go back up once Danby is sold out and Richmond/Eastport homes becomes available.

Good luck to your daughter in her search.

Originally Posted by Altavia (Post 2302707)

Unless you are keeping your money under a mattress, $80K invested 30 years @ 5% it will grow to $345,755.

You will have earned $345,000 in interest.

It's unlikely you will fully recover the full amount of a bond early payment in the sale price of a home.

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2302748)

But do you know how to find the address of the various units? For example, where is unit 40 for Lake and where is unit 202V in District 15? What does the V mean??

Originally Posted by onfire (Post 2302775)

On the left menu there's a street listing, you can find unit 202 in CDD15

e.g. Katie Keith Loop VOSO - Unit 202 Moultrie Creek 15

(VOSO = Village of Southern Oaks, a designated area, part of which is now The Village of Moultrie Creek).

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2302763)

Yes those driveway parties are novel and fun in the beginning until the cliques begin. Now you start noticing the noise and commotion as the newness wears off. The neighborhoods were designed to be quiet and the rec centers party central You are paying for that amenity why do you party in a driveway where you maybe infringing on others privacy if they wish not be part of the gang ? Maybe the rec center is too far away ?

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2302785)

Don’t be a Debbie Downer. The newer younger folks have different interests and fun. Driveway parties are fun and it was just about all packed up by 8:30. Rec centers don’t allow drinks (unless you probably get a bartender and insurance).

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2302778)

the only "amenity" that I can see the new, most southern villages are isolated from is golf. And there is no denying that one. If golf isn't a big deal in one's plans, then it might be grand down there.
However, if you want a lot of golf courses within a few minutes golf cart ride from your home, then you need to be looking at a pre-owned somewhere.

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2302763)

Yes those driveway parties are novel and fun in the beginning until the cliques begin. Now you start noticing the noise and commotion as the newness wears off. The neighborhoods were designed to be quiet and the rec centers party central You are paying for that amenity why do you party in a driveway where you maybe infringing on others privacy if they wish not be part of the gang ? Maybe the rec center is too far away ?

Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2302717)

Even though I’m just a 5 minute cart ride to Brownwood, I find myself in the far southern villages multiple times per week. The vast majority of my friends I’ve met since moving to TV live in the Sawgrass and Magnolia Plaza areas. This area has a different “vibe”, and I relate more to the new residents in these areas. I’m at Sawgrass once or twice a week attending the wonderful show kitchen classes, which in my opinion, is the best “restaurant” in TV, and so entertaining. I’m at boozey bingo at Sawgrass with a great group of friends most Monday nights. I’m in a shuffleboard league that rotates between various rec centers south of 44. I play pickleball every week at the new Dabney Rec Center. I’m at Fenney at least once a week for lunch and walking the nature trails. Most of my indoor activities center around Ezell and Everglades Rec Centers. I’ll go a few weeks without even going to Brownwood. The south for me is a vibrant area where people are super-active and very friendly. I enjoy not being near all the brick-and mortar retail.

Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 2302798)

This is fair. Too many people talk about the lack of amenities in the south when they are really only talking about golf.

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2302721)

What amenities are we isolated from? Driveway parties happen in most all villages. By your reasoning they are all isolated because they have parties?

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2302742)

This only strengthens my point that we aren’t at all isolated down here.

Based on all the comments and threads on this subject I can only assume people up north are too old to drive and need shopping centers within 5 minutes. Otherwise there is nothing we don’t have down here.

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2302778)

However, if you want a lot of golf courses within a few minutes golf cart ride from your home, then you need to be looking at a pre-owned somewhere.

Originally Posted by BigDawgInLakeDenham (Post 2302745)

:BigApplause::BigApplause:

Soooo Horrible down here. My new friend Dan E is despondent after hosting that driveway party with a fun live band because so many new residents came to share food, fun, and fellowship. Everyone was so unhappy with their decisions to buy into Lake Denham that they were spending the last few dollars they had left on AED donations and contributions to the NEXT neighborhood party....kinda like we like our new community???:shrug::shrug::shrug:

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2302785)

Don’t be a Debbie Downer. The newer younger folks have different interests and fun. Driveway parties are fun and it was just about all packed up by 8:30. Rec centers don’t allow drinks (unless you probably get a bartender and insurance).

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2302812)

Nonsense...

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2302796)

On the serious side I don't want to steer newbies wrong. I believe (but can't find or totally recall) you are allowed to BYOB to a rec center. I do remember getting an alcohol permit for some big shindig we had in the past. I believe it had to do with having alcohol that was provided by the group and set up as a bar Vs BYOB. I think it was $25 to get the permit which was part of signing up for the room.

If anyone knows for sure please post so we don't send people down the rabbit hole.

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2302817)

Which part? Do elaborate? The people being too old to drive is nonsense but was a point more toward the arguments they make on southern area being so horrible.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2302806)

There have been many people living "in the south" who are the one's complaining the loudest about the lack of golf. There have been many threads on that topic...

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2302817)

Which part? Do elaborate? The people being too old to drive is nonsense but was a point more toward the arguments they make on southern area being so horrible.

Originally Posted by pokeefe45@aol.com (Post 2302617)

it's almost assured for there to be an even easier access to Eastport via golf cart eventually. (as in another Multi Modal over the turnpike on 470).

Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2302646)

Every day, there are YOUNG retirees who choose to buy in the Northern section.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2302822)

Your "too old" comment...

And do note, I have never once stated nor implied that the villages south of 44 are bad, let alone "horrible"...

Originally Posted by Tustin714 (Post 2302852)

In a few weeks we close on a home a mile south of Lake Sumter landing, and we're approaching our mid-60s, sellers are nearing 80 -- are we "YOUNG"?

Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2302836)

Suffice it to say those who have been living here for quite sometime see things differently than fresh faces. Once you settle in and new villages become available for sales, you will be giving those newbies the same advice you are now receiving.Until then, enjoy your new home and all the Villages has to offer.

Originally Posted by MrChip72 (Post 2302845)

Extremely unlikely. The developer isn't going to spend a few 100 million dollars on a bridge just to create a shortcut for a few thousand people that bought in an isolated area.

Eastport is beside Bexley trail which you already have access to by golf cart.

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2302878)

The developer is already planning to expand 470 to 4 lanes so it wouldn’t be that much to add a golf cart lane. I’m not saying they will but it’s not impossible.

Originally Posted by Tustin714 (Post 2302852)

In a few weeks we close on a home a mile south of Lake Sumter landing, and we're approaching our mid-60s, sellers are nearing 80 -- are we "YOUNG"?

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2302881)

Does anyone know who pays for expanding and rerouting County Road 470? A year ago, it was a straight road. Now it curves and twists and there are a number of roundabouts. Is it the developer, the county, the state?? Or a combination?

Expanding 470 to four lanes would be very expensive!

"Officials object to residents’ buying bridges to pay for Villages’ advertising" - Citizens for a Scenic Florida

Originally Posted by JohnN (Post 2302889)

My definition - anyone younger than me is young, anyone older than me is old.

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2302813)

Pre-owned or Eastport.

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2302915)

How many golf courses are there within a few minutes of Eastport?

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2302919)

virtual or real ?

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe (Post 2302771)

I'm no expert or financial whiz, but this makes sense to me. Set up an investment account, like a low-cost S&P 500 matching fund, and put the money for your bond payment in there. Then set it up to auto-deduct/auto-pay the bond payment.

Now you keep the balance earning returns while the bond is automatically paid without a thought from you.

Once the bond is paid off, you keep whatever returns remain.

Sounds like a plan to my novice ears.

Originally Posted by Tustin714 (Post 2302852)

In a few weeks we close on a home a mile south of Lake Sumter landing, and we're approaching our mid-60s, sellers are nearing 80 -- are we "YOUNG"?