[JohnN]

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776

Then why aren't you looking for comments in the Lakewood neighborhood forums? Seems like getting it straight from their residents would be the smart thing to do. I find it amusing you're in a Villages forum asking about someplace else.

Why be snarky? Let the poster post however they want. Not everyone does everything like you see is proper. This isn't a big deal to be asking motives.

[PugMom]

my bro-in-law & sis-in-law live there. it's beautiful beyond words, but pretty expensive by my standards. their hoa is so much more than our amenity fee, and we have twice as much to do. Sis-in-law LOVED the amount of pools here, & knowing she had access to all when they came to visit. over in Lakewood, there is 1 pool for the entire complex. stores & restaurants are VERY good, but far away from the homes, -you will need a car to get there. all homes can have fences to keep the gators out of your yard, and they must be iron & not chain link as stated in another thread. go over a take a drive! it's a beautiful area, and word has it one of Mick Jagger's girlfriends has a house in the truly gated part.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by lstevenson1470

My sister and brother-in-law live at Del Web. It is very nice. One advantage is that Lakewood Ranch does all the lawn work. This means you listen to mowers and blowers once instead of a steady stream of landscapers working on everyone's lawn every day. It is close to beaches, but it may take you a long time to get there because of traffic. The biggest drawback for us that you can't get to much on your golf cart. The different communities are not connected like The Villages, so you can't cruise to restaurants and shopping or friends living in another Lakewood Ranch community in your golf cart.

The biggest detriment, IMHO, is Lakewood is too close to the coast. We like it here because hurricanes usually peter out by the time they get to the center of the state.

[keithwand]

Typically Sarasota/ Lakewood Ranch are spared.
2 tiles did come off my roof and the post lamp globe snapped off.
Trees did need straightening.

[daniel200]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

Anyone with experience living at Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota with pros or cons to share?

I would recommend that you understand the cost of flood and homeowners insurance for property there before you purchase. This area is marginally higher than the gulf coast. If you have a home mortgage on the purchase, you will be required to have flood insurance … and those rates are rising fastest on the coast

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Wow, the post I responded to got axed by the mod.

Were U being naughty again??

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

Anyone with experience living at Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota with pros or cons to share?

Apples and Oranges comparing to TV.

Lakewood is a development with limited everything, TV is a lifestyle.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

The biggest detriment, IMHO, is Lakewood is too close to the coast. We like it here because hurricanes usually peter out by the time they get to the center of the state.

yes, you are correct. & you should know the homes come with these very heavy metal shutters that go over the windows to keep from breaking. (if possible, residents often install windows for heavy storms @ their cost.) it was'nt easy to get those shutters in, btw, they needed to hire help, and are not pleased with having to do it for every major wind storm. these are some of the factors to think about if planning to move there, ...personally,
i'd stay here!

[Vladimir]

Originally Posted by Lisanp@aol.com

I was convinced we were buying in Lakewood Ranch during my pre-purchase analysis phase. Then we visited, and I hated it! Each community is very separated from the next. You cant even really walk or bike between them easily, so your social life ends up being just your gated community. The main golf course/country club is nice but an additional membership and had many families (not an issue for us). The traffic around the mall area was unbearable and their “town square” is very small with only a few restaurants and shops. Nicer homes, closer to the beach but it ended there with the pros for us.

Absolutely agree with your comments. We went on a sales tour and except for some nicer houses and closer to the beach it was way more expensive and we had the feeling of being isolated and no activity - traffic was horrible

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Laker14

I've been there. I have friends there. They like it there. I like it here.
They like different things than I like.
Go check it out. It's very nice. You might like it better than here, or like TV better than there. Only way to know for sure is to check it out.

Exactly, it's like asking "which is the BEST steakhouse in the area"...LOL ! But I think there is great value when people READ the question accurately, and actually replay with the "pros" and "cons" as they have experienced them. The post that listed advantages like proximity to great beaches, unlimited shopping, etc. are so accurate, and the cons of HEAVY traffic, and so on are also very accurate. Personally I believe that area has access to higher quality medical care than this part of central Florida, but again, many would certainly argue that medical care if of much higher quality here... so there you go !

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776

Sounds like you're running an advertisement for them. Why would you ask about another development when you're on this site? Very strange. Why wouldn't you ask people on their neighborhood site? Hmmmmm?

Definitely NOT trying to argue, though I think many really enjoy that on this site, more like "entertainment" diversion. But honestly, I don't find it odd at all to ask about another community. We are always "looking around" too. I guess a "grass MIGHT be greener mentality", but certainly not running an "advertisement" ! ! Does Lake Wood Ranch even NEED much advertising ? They have always seemed to be very successful. Different model, not exclusive 55 and over, but then neither is The Villages.. just the perception that we have no more than 10% under 55. Who, in the government even checks such things ?? The LR area is, like everywhere else, it is THE place for some, and not for others. But a positive post being interpreted as an "ad" ... all that does is caution people NOT to post their true perceptions and experiences !

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776

Sounds like you're running an advertisement for them. Why would you ask about another development when you're on this site? Very strange. Why wouldn't you ask people on their neighborhood site? Hmmmmm?

Don't understand that at all. Why NOT ask, if you live in the V's and are curious about the perceptions of others who have knowledge of both. Also what "neighborhood" site ? Do they have their own site for only that community ? Would what is posted on such a sight have any bias ? That's the frustrating thing about "social" media sites and community "bulletin boards" !

WHY (?) don't people simply answer a poster's question IF they have an answer, perception, or experience ? Why feel compelled to enter some judgmental, even nefarious, comments ?

[Babubhat]

Recently you could have bought a house in LR on the block of Judy Landers and her baseball player husband. Price wasn’t unreasonable

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by PugMom

yes, you are correct. & you should know the homes come with these very heavy metal shutters that go over the windows to keep from breaking. (if possible, residents often install windows for heavy storms @ their cost.) it was'nt easy to get those shutters in, btw, they needed to hire help, and are not pleased with having to do it for every major wind storm. these are some of the factors to think about if planning to move there, ...personally,
i'd stay here!

No plans to leave The Villages. I LOVE it here.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Recently you could have bought a house in LR on the block of Judy Landers and her baseball player husband. Price wasn’t unreasonable

Is that "Love Boat" Judy Landers?