[trapperjohn]

My wife and I are coming down for the Lifestyle Visit June 26-30th. We'll be staying in Creekside Landing. Karen, the person I spoke with to set up the visit, says that Creekside Landing is in the western side of Lake Sumpter Landing.

Does anyone have any suggestions of things to do or see while we're there.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by trapperjohn

My wife and I are coming down for the Lifestyle Visit June 26-30th. We'll be staying in Creekside Landing. Karen, the person I spoke with to set up the visit, says that Creekside Landing is in the western side of Lake Sumpter Landing.

Does anyone have any suggestions of things to do or see while we're there.

Welcome. You have to...

First take a trolley ride.
Go to the square at Lake Sumter for dinner and dancing.
Ride around in your golf cart.
Swim.
Shop.
Watch the sunset from Morse Bridge.
Talk to anyone and everyone. This IS a friendly place.
Drive up to Spanish Springs square for dinner and listening to the music.
Drive down Buena Vista to the end and see how they are building the third square, Brownwood.
Look at some houses.
Look at some people.
Look at the flowers.
and the bushes and the palm trees and see how people walk around holding hands?
Look for any trash laying around. I dee double dare you to find any throughout the village part.
Go to Bealls outlet and buy a shirt with The Villages on it.
and last...drink any cool drink you can get your hands on....

But..please remember, there is no Pee in Lake Sumter.

Just kidding you on the last one. Have a wonderful time. I feel in my heart you will be back.

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by trapperjohn

My wife and I are coming down for the Lifestyle Visit June 26-30th. We'll be staying in Creekside Landing. Karen, the person I spoke with to set up the visit, says that Creekside Landing is in the western side of Lake Sumpter Landing.

Does anyone have any suggestions of things to do or see while we're there.

I can remember coming here in 2007 and not sure what to expect - never never expecting to find anything like this. I tried to google and mapquest The Villages and back then all I could get was Lady Lake and aerial views just showed acres and acres of dirt. I'm thinkin' what the heck did I get into????? But once you are here, have no fear. You will fit in and love it to death and not have a minute to rest.

Too bad you missed the buffalo already, that was so neat to see...

[John_W]

You'll be very close to Cody's Roadhouse. On Friday we usually go there around 4:30 and the early bird menu is until 6pm. I get a nice sirloin with mashed potatoes and it comes with a salad they mix at the table, it's only about $10.98 and happy hour I get a 32 oz Coors Light draft for like $3.75. They usually have a fellow playing keyboards, music like Billy Joel or Journey, outside on the patio. You can't quite hear it inside because it usually too noisy. Now since the snowbirds have left it might be different.

After eating we'll head outside and listen for a while and then since your only two blocks from LSL, we head there and then check out that music scene as well and then stay wherever we liked best.

[Mudder]

Get a copy of the Rec News which comes in the paper every Thursday(they are available in the Rec Centers also), pick out a few classes or clubs, etc... that you might be interested in and take them. No need to sign up, just show up. It's fun to try pickleball so ask if they will set you up with someone so you can learn...at least watch it,everyday at all Rec Centers from 7 AM to about 10 or 11. Play golf, play tennis, hang at the pools, just ride around in a golf cart. Be sure to explore north of 466, lots of good stuff over there.

[trapperjohn]

Graciegirl, When you say "drive" to someplace.....do you mean by golf cart or by car?

That brings up a related question....just how large is TV? Is it possible to drive a golf cart from the northmost area to the southmost area (for example)? How long would that take?

Is *everything* available by a golfcart ride, or is it simply easier to drive a car?

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by trapperjohn

Graciegirl, When you say "drive" to someplace.....do you mean by golf cart or by car?

That brings up a related question....just how large is TV? Is it possible to drive a golf cart from the northmost area to the southmost area (for example)? How long would that take?

Is *everything* available by a golfcart ride, or is it simply easier to drive a car?

There are SOOOOO many things accessible in TV by golf cart and/or car. By car might be quicker..........but by cart, it's more fun!!

TV covers in the neighborhood of 30 some square miles - someone else can jump in with a more specific quote. BIG PLACE!! And yes, you can drive a golf cart from one end to the other. It's a bit of a drive but it's FUN!

Something to remember to bring along on your trip to TV: your checkbook! You're liable to fall in love with a place you'll want to buy!

Bill

[Finallyfree]

Take your golf car south on Buena Vista and just look at the trees, beautiful! Try butterfish at the lighthouse, platform tennis, water volleyball, a polo match, the square; free music from 5:00-9:00 daily, 2 for 1 drinks from 5:00-6:00 on the square, pineapple or orange lactose free soft serve cones, line dancing class, walk off the pounds class, billiards, boccie ball, shuffle board, etc. are you tired yet? We have lived here a month now, reserved a lot after our lifestyle visit and are now waiting for our house to be built. Love it more every day, just be ready to ENJOY Life!

[buggyone]

I imagine you will look at some houses for sale, too. I really recommend a re-sale home over a new home for several reasons. First and formost is the bond. In a new home, the bond will be at least $20,000 and up to $50,000. The bond on a re-sale home is lots less and may be entirely paid off. That is a big saving right there. Resales will be fully landscaped with mature plants and trees. No construction going on around you for the next several months. Upgrades may be in place that you do not have to buy extra.

The Villages Properties has listing of resales as well as new homes. You probably want to have a Multiple Listing Services agent, too, as neither can show each other's listings. ReMax is a good company and is located just outside The Villages.

The agents work together all the time so you do not have to sneak around with either.

Anyhow, I bought a resale 2.5 years ago in Glenbrook on the Fox Run golf course. Great views, no balls come in the yard, beautiful home with extras already built in and NO BOND.

You will love The Villages no matter where you buy. Check out Glenbrook, Polo Ridge, Caroline, and Virginia Trace for designer resale homes. Ask an agent to show you designer homes in those neighborhoods.

[Ebsmom]

Sorry we will miss you late June, we've booked a return LSV for the 2-6 June. You will have plenty to do, just choosing what to do will be the hardest part.
Have a great time!!
Ebsmom

[JimPete]

Originally Posted by trapperjohn

Graciegirl, When you say "drive" to someplace.....do you mean by golf cart or by car?

That brings up a related question....just how large is TV? Is it possible to drive a golf cart from the northmost area to the southmost area (for example)? How long would that take?

Is *everything* available by a golfcart ride, or is it simply easier to drive a car?

This is a golf cart community so most things are golf cart accessible. You can go by car but riding in your cart in the Florida sunshine is far more enjoyable and fun. But carry a brush with you. It can help with golf cart hair.

You are going to love it. You will find more things to do than you have time to do them. Enjoy

Jim

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I really recommend a re-sale home over a new home for several reasons. First and formost is the bond. In a new home, the bond will be at least $20,000 and up to $50,000.

The bonds start at 10,000 not 20 at least on the patio villas

I'm leaning more to new because all the neighbors are moving in together with the same issues to share and all want to meet each other all starting out on their new adventures.

In an established neighborhood it may be more difficult to fit in as quickly and your neighbors may be older than you.

This is just a distant assumption at this time not having spent but a few days.

I will look at both.

I plan on going there in fall to make a purchase.

[Indy-Guy]

Below are some things that I have posted before when this subject has come up.

1. The best nights at Lake Sumter Landing are Tuesday and Thursday. These are the nights of the best entertainment and the Vendors are there those nights that is why they have the best entertainment.

2. The best nights at Spanish Springs are Monday and Wednesday. These are the nights of the best entertainment and the Vendors are there those nights that is why they have the best entertainment.

3. To me the best night at Katie Belles is Monday night. You need to make reservations so check with your host to find out how to do this. By far one of the best shows in The Villages and is a must. Also there is a good show on Wednesday night as well. Won't hurt to catch both.

4. If you have not been here before first thing is take a trolley ride to get a feel for the place. Then get a good map that shows the golf cart paths. Use your golf cart that is what this place is all about.

5. As you use your golf cart remember do not cross or drive on a 4 lane road it is against the law and you could get a ticket not to mention the danger. If you find yourself in this situation stop and go back where you came from and look at all of the other carts and see where they are going and adjust you route. When in doubt pull out a map and look lost within 30 seconds you will be offered help. The Villages sales offices have a great free map for the asking. Just ask for the General Area Map. It shows the Golf Cart Transportation Trails and all of the main roads as well as retail store locations.

6. If you are playing golf have your host schedule you on Palmer and be sure you play Riley Grove. When you see the videos you can say I was right there.

7. See what shows are at the Savannah Center and ask your host to make reservations for you if it is not sold out The Villages may comp you great seats. You have to ask!

8. City Fire at Sumter Landing has entertainment & dancing inside most nights The Light House also at Sumter Landing has entertainment many nights a week.

9. If you want to play golf in The villages offer simply call the courses after 6:45 AM on the day of play and ask about open tee times. They will set you up and you will pay the rate of a Villages Resident. Drop by any Pro Shop and they can supply you with phone numbers or check out The Villages Phone Book. Same for the Executive courses but don't waste your voucher on an Executive Course if you play both use the voucher on the Championship Course and pay for the Executive course.

10. Happy Hours at Cane Garden and Arnold Palmer start at 3:00 PM and are great prices. Cane Garden happy hour is done at 5:00 PM I think Palmer runs a little later but someone else may help us out there. Mallory Hill also has a good happy hour that runs till 6:00PM. Mallory has good Pizza. The Country Clubs are great to eat and drink at and are not expensive.

11. Be sure and look for the open houses in the daily paper and get in your golf cart and go out and see them. Be sure and notice the times as some are open in the AM then some in the PM.

Hope this helps and enjoy your visit.

[mjdollard]

Our first visit was only a day and a half. My wife was dead set against the Villages, it had to be all hype because we had looked at several developments and they were all similar. As we drove away we were discussing the plans we had for the next few days. She mentioned playing a particular golf course the following Saturday and I reminded her that we had an appointment in Apollo Beach with a realtor. She wanted to cancel that, The Villages was too good to pass up. I think I drove over a few road signs from the shock.

Gracie covered a lot of the highlights but do spend some time at a pool relaxing, you'll feel right at home quickly.

Make a date with your sales person to go see houses, but don't plan on seeing or hearing much from a high pressure sales force, they don't have one.

Catch at least one town square concert, especially a night with the vendors. Go to TheVillages.com, click on the yellow temperature in the upper right corner, especially about 5:30-6 PM. You will get a webcam view of the squares.

Walk around the squares, drive around the streets, there is a lot to see

Stop at a few country clubs. Head up to the bar and talk with the person next to you, it's like they are all on commission.

[Villageshooter]

Spanish springs will not have music during the month of June,, they are trying to save a sinking ship,, as the new brownwood square will open in the fall, and we all will be heading down south to enjoy that all NEW square,,, Gotta keep those north of 466 happy or at least throw a dog a bone now and then... you will have a great time,,, it will be HOT,, get out early in the morning,, enjoy the coolness of the morn,, try to do things inside in the afternoon,,,, and head to square at Lake Sumpter Landing after the sun goes down. arouind 7 in the summer is nice,,, you can always find a chair.. and a cool adult beverage if you swing that way... spend $5 for a map at the village sales office ,, Hop in the golf cart and ride! YOU WILL GET LOST,, but enjoy the view, pull over get the map out, you will make friends some one will pull over to help you.... just enjoy the magic of this place! also if you dont like the (SLOW-SMELLY) gas cart they give you,, ask for an electric one... they will be more than willing to keep you happy,, YOUR FRESH MEAT!,, enjoy you will love it