[rmd2]

My friend and I are going to visit this place. It sounds very nice.

[Gulfcoast]

Originally Posted by New Englander

It looks very nice. Wondering what it would be like during storms.

Last I heard, there is a Latitude Margaritaville that is newly under construction outside of Panama City. I have not seen a great deal of information about it but, given that we are a couple of years out from making a move anyway, this is definitely an area worth checking out to us. Both the PC location and the Daytona location would be prone to hurricane damage just like any other coastal neighborhood is.

TV is high on the list simply because of the wide variety of activities and the fact that it is more inland but also within a reasonable drive of some nice coastal vacation areas. I have not looked into OTOW, yet, but I've heard it's nice. I just think that you get a lot of bang for the buck at TV.

I will admit that I don't quite get the reasoning behind the apartments that they are putting up in TV. I'm going to be keeping an eye on that.

[Gulfcoast]

Originally Posted by Gigi3000

Sounds like a bunch of drunks roaming around.

Latitude Margaritaville has one large pool, a bar, a restaurant, a rec center, various courts, trails. It has a shuttle over to a private beach area/beach club. There is nearby shopping and, of course, you are close to all of the attractions in Daytona, including the raceway. We haven't visited, yet, but it seems to be attracting a fun crowd. Of course, one person's fun might be another person's obnoxious, so we definitely need to visit all of our options. Things that look fantastic on paper and in theory may not actually be right for you when you visit. From what I understand, Jimmy Buffet, himself, owns a home in the Daytona location which he visits from time to time.

OTOW, on paper, seems nice but maybe a bit...sedate... not enough to do? Not sure.

TV has a ton to do. I am really not worried about fitting in at all simply because there are so many options there that you will find something if you look for it. And you will be happy if you want to be happy. Just my impression.

[mgkw1]

We did the OTOW version of lifestyle before buying here. While I agree the houses are nice the amenities stink. Their town center closes at 4, they don't have the amount of golf or pools we do. Basically I felt like I spent the weekend in a nursing home.

[Dust Bunny]

Originally Posted by kmspla1952

I LOVE the Villages. Honestly I do. The convenience of everything. The variety offered. A lot of friendly people. HOWEVER. I've noticed a change in the 5 years we have lived here. I see that the priority is focused on "south of Brownwood". I also see that our home values will decrease as each "multi family/apartments" is built. Hacienda Hills & Katie Belle's have been identified as apartments. 468 new apartments including section 8 are being built behind the Haciendas of Mission Hills. TooJay's and Demshar's have closed in Spanish Springs and are they next to become apartments?
I consider a move to On Top of the World in Ocala. Husband said he would never move anywhere that you didn't own the land (leasehold). I have recently found out that there are 3 communities in OTOW (Candler Hills, Indigo East & Weybourne Landing) that is fee simple and you DO own the land.
I would like your thoughts please on why or why not you would consider OTOW? Thank you.

The developers are looking for a sustained cash revenue; appartments. wHY, THEY PLAN TO SELL THE PROPERTIES AND NEED TO MAKE IT ATTRACTIVE TO THE POTENTIAL BUYER.

[dzine]

Originally Posted by under55

Have been in The Villages over 13 years. Built 2 new homes here. But some things you just can't put a finger on just a feeling it's time for a change. Went last weekend to check out Latitudes Margaritiville Daytona Beach. Nice small development everything is new. There is now a range of preowned homes to buy so you don't have to wait to build. We purchased a preowned and moving next month. On to our next adventure. We also thought about OTW and Trilogy but the monthly fees seemed high. Our villa fees will be about 270 per month but that includes all outside landscaping upkeep and irrigation and any new exterior painting and roof replacement as needed. They will go up another $20 when the Beach Club opens up. But no Bond and no yearly maintenance fee.
Here is a great article on the place. Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach Retirement Guide

I looked there too and very interested. Not only is it going back near the beaches I so miss (8-10 miles good to be safer from FL storms as area not so prone), but back to the real world of convenience, lots of restaurant choices, and places to explore up and down the coast.
3000 max homes they say. Beach Club. One square with dancing/ music. Perfect. After a while the big numbers trying to get a seat at our squares, in a rec center, etc wears thin. 9 years here and so much has changed. 80,000 to 140,000 and growing beyond what feels like fun.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Gulfcoast

Last I heard, there is a Latitude Margaritaville that is newly under construction outside of Panama City. I have not seen a great deal of information about it but, given that we are a couple of years out from making a move anyway, this is definitely an area worth checking out to us. Both the PC location and the Daytona location would be prone to hurricane damage just like any other coastal neighborhood is.

TV is high on the list simply because of the wide variety of activities and the fact that it is more inland but also within a reasonable drive of some nice coastal vacation areas. I have not looked into OTOW, yet, but I've heard it's nice. I just think that you get a lot of bang for the buck at TV.

I will admit that I don't quite get the reasoning behind the apartments that they are putting up in TV. I'm going to be keeping an eye on that.

There must be a demand for high priced apartments living as it is so much lower to rent a 2 bedroom 1200 sq. ft. villa with a 2 car garage compared to a 2 bedroom apartment, same with a 3 bedroom designer, much lower than a 3 bedroom apartment

[patfla06]

One of the things to consider is the crime rate of anywhere you’re considering.

Daytona Beach is not what I would consider safe.

Just my opinion.

[Gulfcoast]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

There must be a demand for high priced apartments living as it is so much lower to rent a 2 bedroom 1200 sq. ft. villa with a 2 car garage compared to a 2 bedroom apartment, same with a 3 bedroom designer, much lower than a 3 bedroom apartment

I'm going to have to visit TV to understand the reasoning behind that but one reason might be that the apartments tend to be centrally located (within a town square) while a good many of the rental homes are not. It boils down to a convenience/location thing.

[Gulfcoast]

Originally Posted by patfla06

One of the things to consider is the crime rate of anywhere you’re considering.

Daytona Beach is not what I would consider safe.

Just my opinion.

This is a good point and one of the reasons that the Watersound location (outside Panama City) sounds good to us.

But, again, TV is established with amenities already in place which is definitely a plus.

[spk7951]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Here is a link to homes now available. The amenity fee seems to be in the high 300's and is it based on cost of living or can it be raised? Also, I see some mighty bright colors of homes there. Do they have community standards?

9249 Sw 97th Circle, Ocala, 34481

Also. What does "private sewer" mean?

Not sure where that amenity fee is but on our new home we start at $282 month. That includes the internet & trash. All told our monthly expenses for utilities & amenity fees will be around $30 more TV.
Contrary to what some have said here we will own the land our house is on. Yes there are community standards which from my read seems a bit stronger than TV. Example, no overnight parking of rv's in your driveway or street, OTOW provides a lot for that (unsure if cost to use it).
I suspect private sewer may be similar to the TV setup.

[davem4616]

right now my wife and I are very happy and content living in TV...we're really not interested in exploring other places to live

why...because we know what'll happen. It'll be just like stopping into an automobile show room 'just to see the new cars' and then ending up driving away in a new car

[doodles]

If you play golf it’s expensive in OTOW.The activities here outdo just by the number Of things available . Unless your living next door to the apartments there is no reason for your home value to go down.

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by B-flat

My two pennies worth. We have been coming to Central Florida/Ocala since 1994 when my wife's parents moved to Oak Run off SR200 Ocala, a year later an aunt and uncle moved to OTOW. We are a small family so eventually when all the family passed we inherited a home in Oak Run and one in OTOW. We lived in both homes at different times but for a number reasons we sold both. In 2018 we rented in TV drank the kook aid then bought a CYV and enjoyed it. We are now selling the CYV and this week moved to OTOW. We are not golfers so that did not play into any decision, nor were we involved in a lot of clubs or outside activities. If we were golfers may have stayed at TV because golfing here in OTOW is more money. From the years we were coming to Ocala both my wife and I made a number of friends in Ocala so that played into a decision to move to OTOW. Our dollar for dollar purchase of a home went further in OTOW. Lease hold? It's a 100 year lease from the time the home was built in our case 2017 so at our age that would make us 165 years old. We have no children so leaving it to them isn't a factor.

For our monthly HOA we get 30 Mbs internet, lawn maintenance/bush trimming, exterior home painting every 5 years, repairs to roof damage and the exterior of the home being insured ( we have HO6 insurance for our interior ) . We purchased a home the same size as our CYV ( 2 bed/2 bath 2 car garage vs 1.5 on the CYV) on a corner lot with plenty of windows and a view of the 17th tee of one of the golf courses. The same house at TV would have cost many thousands more.

For us it will work. We will miss the long golf cart rides we've taken from the north end of TV near Rt42 to Brownwood or to other town squares and Culvers. We can however still go to Publix, WalMart Food Store, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Taco Bell, Italian, Chinese and an ice cream shop all on our golf cart. As far as SR200 being extremely busy we found that going to stores/restaurants on 27/441 was just a busy. I would still give and edge to TV but for our tastes and lifestyle OTOW will work for us.

I hope you stay in touch and let us know how it works out. I have enjoyed your posts on TOTV'S and wish you luck.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by kmspla1952

I LOVE the Villages. Honestly I do. The convenience of everything. The variety offered. A lot of friendly people. HOWEVER. I've noticed a change in the 5 years we have lived here. I see that the priority is focused on "south of Brownwood". I also see that our home values will decrease as each "multi family/apartments" is built. Hacienda Hills & Katie Belle's have been identified as apartments. 468 new apartments including section 8 are being built behind the Haciendas of Mission Hills. TooJay's and Demshar's have closed in Spanish Springs and are they next to become apartments?
I consider a move to On Top of the World in Ocala. Husband said he would never move anywhere that you didn't own the land (leasehold). I have recently found out that there are 3 communities in OTOW (Candler Hills, Indigo East & Weybourne Landing) that is fee simple and you DO own the land.
I would like your thoughts please on why or why not you would consider OTOW? Thank you.

The apartment on other side is cherry lake not part of villages and not connected other than going down 466 to Morse Blvd. IMO has no impact on villages. But, I am septic that developers apartments complexes might be be popping up everywhere now that they’ve weaseled amenities passes for districts developers sold control over.