I agree with you. I would have been interested moving into a more “exclusive” area. I don’t know if it will be different. Hopefully better cause even though people live in these homes, not all are great. We have a neighbor that does not tend to their yard. Weeds, long grass. Not nice to look at. And I didn’t realize that so many people rent. I wanted more exclusive 55+, if you have snowbirds living by you. You won’t know if they rent. So you never know who really is a resident or not. And these people rent out for a month or so. I just don’t like that. I want to know who my neighbors are, not someone different every month. We just moved in March 2020. I like it here, but being only 57, I might not make this my forever home. Will have to wait and see. But check out all areas. Maybe if you are in a more exclusive area, you won’t have renters or people who don’t take care of the outside of their home. This place is so huge, thought I would like it, but smaller community might be better! Good Luck

The former Morse Compound on Hickory Head & Hammock would be my 1 st. choice, but no water frontage, then Village of Bridgeport at Lake Sumter, then Harmswood, but again no water frontage. My forever house is now on Aloha Way in the Historic Side, on the water. No need to go south of 466.

Tour
 

So where is th Morse family compound?

Check out Village of Lake Sumter Landing right by Bravo Pizza and Winn Dixie. Those enclave of luxury homes has one pending for $1,299,000. Just received notice in mail which is isted by The Villages. In my opinion that area is the best location in the villages. Walking distance to square, shopping, restaurants, banking, medical offices etc.and very unique homes.

Go down Morse boulevard at the rock that looks like a bear turn right, go about 1 mile and when you see the bear that looks like a rock make a U turn and you are there.

The Developer said too many mistakes were made in this area.......Houses too close, not enough garage space and not any frontage. Initially they were difficult to sell. Good news is some are happy with the area.

I have looked at several open houses in that area and all seemed way overpriced to me. I love the area but wouldn’t pay the premium for the homes there. JMHO

We have a courtyard villa in Sanibel, where for three to five months out of the year we live like billionaires. (Without the servants or chauffeur). We belong to 12 country clubs, have 42 executive courses for our use for free, gardeners who take care of the flowers near our home and change them out four times a year, entertainment options too many to mention, membership in dozens of state of the art recreation centers, and on and on. Check out Sanibel, or any of another seventy or eighty villages.

On 466 on the North side, about halfway between Morse and Buena Vista there is an entranceway, a gate, the entrance looks a little "western" I think.....and a street sign that has "Hammock" in it but not Hickory Hammock, I can't think of what it is exactly. That is where Mark Morse lives. Other family members may live there too or in the other entry ways that are west of the one that says "Hammock". He has planted a lot of trees so you can no longer see the lovely rather rustic looking home in very nice taste.

Gary Morse moved there with his wife Sharon in her days when cancer made them need a one storey home. Very near the Lighthouse Restaurant that used to be run so well by The Morses. Gary Morse later remarried and lived in a lovely home that was not in sight of 466 but north of it between Morse and Buena Vista.

I wish that was true, but unfortunately I know from reading many posts here that some people frown upon Snowbirds and even where you come from. But similarly as you, I love to think most of us are not that close minded or judgmental.

I bought a premier home and I'll tell you that some designers were even more $$$$. There is no "other half" Just your choice of how big or small you need or want. Many people have gone from big to small or vica versa. The only "other half" to me is the grouchy half. But it's not even half. Id say an 1/8 or 1/16th !!! LOL

& that is a happy retired prospective.


:bigbow:

HAHA Well said.

Another plus....forgot to mention. I just love the wrap around front, side & back porches and well constructed hardie board material. If these were a "mistake" all is forgiven! LOL! Again, just my opinion. 😊

Laughing. It’s not really “the other half”. It’s actually “the one percent.” But The Villages is not really about the one percent. It’s just that there is a smallish number of very expensive homes for people who can afford it yet really want to be part of The Villages lifestyle.

I have friends who live in Golden Ocala, which is primarily an elite development of only very expensive homes. I have friends who moved there six years ago. They plopped down $1 million cash for it. (Their other home is several time more and is in fox hunting country near Gordonsville, Virginia. And if you wonder where they got that money, the man opened a tire store in New Jersey and built it into a chain. And yes, he has changed a LOT of tires himself.) Anyway, they often come to The Villages to visit because “It’s so much fun,” as they say. I think they would move here, except that the wife loves horses and wants access to all the riding trails and stables.

I recommend going onto Zillow, looking up houses in The Villages, and looking at the most expensive houses for sale. They have photos of the inside. And that is something you don’t see driving past. For my money, some are beautiful and some pretty tacky, same as the rest of the homes here. There’s no accounting for taste.