[Nancy@Pinellas]

Another consideration… If you live near a Pickleball court, the noise can drive you crazy.

[Sandabern]

I am late 50s and wife is in her 40s. We’ve been here less than two years and love it. We are looking to change houses (maybe).and if I could do it again, I would have bought a small villa and then would have upgraded after we got to know “the ways of TV”. I don’t think anyone else can tell you what to settle on for your house, but I wish I would have been more aware of the lifestyle and how we fit into that lifestyle before buying a “forever” house.i think flipping in/out of a villa is easier and therefore, we would have been better off buying “small” and upgrading later. But that’s just us. Your decisions may be different.

[Angelhug52]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

#1 get a view lot, water, marsh, golf course, etc.. #2 if you now live in a large house get into a mid-sized designer. #3 this you can't choose but your neighbors are very, very important.

24 years same house. Neighbors have changed...not necessarily for better. Now in our 70s. Lack of privacy on Lani not enjoyable. If medical circumstances were different we would move.

[asianthree]

Multiple moves isn’t always about bad choices in house. Sometimes your life changes, death, divorce, in home care. Neighbors drives you crazy (yes that really happens)
Or you realize your only storage is the garage, the deal on that vintage corvette isn’t going to fit in your 1.5 garage.

With each move it was about starter vaca homes we were never going to live full time. So glad we didn’t buy what was thought as a forever home, that would have been 15+ years old before we retired

[HappyTraveler]

Originally Posted by Sandabern

I am late 50s and wife is in her 40s. We’ve been here less than two years and love it. We are looking to change houses (maybe).and if I could do it again, I would have bought a small villa and then would have upgraded after we got to know “the ways of TV”. I don’t think anyone else can tell you what to settle on for your house, but I wish I would have been more aware of the lifestyle and how we fit into that lifestyle before buying a “forever” house.i think flipping in/out of a villa is easier and therefore, we would have been better off buying “small” and upgrading later. But that’s just us. Your decisions may be different.

In my view, the bolded above is important. People want different things but, I've always been a location buyer. I want to be near-enough to the things I like to regularly do. Then, I find a house in that general area. Have bought 5 homes, over decades, in various states of the Eastern USA and that approach has always succeeded for me. A super great house in a location that doesn't work well for me will never be appealing.

It would be very helpful for any prospective buyer to give real thought to how they are likely to spend their time. That could have a big impact on where you decide to buy. As a friend of mine says, "You can always change the house but, you can't change where it's located." (Note: In TV, you will have some limitations on how you can change the house. Such as keeping additions within lots lines, exteriors colors and various other things.)

[jimjamuser]

If you are planning to live here year-around then you need to visit in August to see if you can stand the heat and how to deal with hurricanes. Florida gets hotter every year and people get older every year - so it is harder to handle the heat.

[BMill]

Originally Posted by asianthree

We started with a PV, then purchased as a vaca home, with both set of parents to use.
One house not enough so 3/2 cottage, that eventually was a long term rental.
Next house preowned 3/2 2car/golf cart garage. We did not fit in with 95% of the residents older than our parents. Sidewalks were rolled up 6pm.

This house due to unforeseen circumstances, we needed a 4/3 to accommodate aging dementia parents.

In 15+ years here are a few reasons residents multi move.
Garage/SF too small
Spouse dies selling larger SF downsize smaller.
Golf course/road view becomes no longer desirable.
Wife can’t live without grandkids, move, then return when no longer useful.
There are some who buy/sell every 2-3 years and pocket the profit

I noticed you mentioned "sidewalks rolled up at 6 pm" - which neighborhood in TV have sidewalks? I have a realtor sending me listings and I've never seen sidewalks. (We have a small dog).

[HappyTraveler]

Originally Posted by BMill

I noticed you mentioned "sidewalks rolled up at 6 pm" - which neighborhood in TV have sidewalks? I have a realtor sending me listings and I've never seen sidewalks. (We have a small dog).

He or she was likely referring to the Squares and Rec Centers. Just using a "turn of phrase".

Correct, I have seen no sidewalks outside those areas ^^^ either. But, you can walk on the multi-modal paths (with black asphalt) as well as visit a variety of parks to walk your dog.

[Just jimmy]

Originally Posted by BackintheVillage

Howdy,

First time post. Been to TV 1x and plan on buying a house in the next year or so. Possibly resale, possible spec or build.

The question I have is a broad one but based on a reference to something I have heard repeated many times.
“The average villager moves ‘x’ number of times”.

Just wondering if it’s upgrading, downgrading, area, etc.

My wife and I are in our late 50’s and are ‘struggling’ with shopping for the right sized house.

Do most newbies upsize from a courtyard or patio or do they do a lateral? Do ppl regret the large designer purchase and are happy in a modest home?

I known this is an absurdly open ended question but perhaps I’m looking to spark a convo with others who changed their minds after living there a while.
Thanks

We bought here eight years ago. We took our time knew what we wanted and we are never moving again if you take your time and do your research there is no reason to move and waste the money for a realtor,closing costs, etc..

[merrymini]

No one here can answer your question. You have to be honest with yourself and do the numbers. People who brag about constant moves and making a fortune probably do not do the proper math taking into account sales costs, moving fees, etc. There may be many reasons for selling a house, hopefully you can find something that works for you and age in place. I have found that one thing realtors say is always true, location, location, location. You can change the house but not where it is.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by BMill

I noticed you mentioned "sidewalks rolled up at 6 pm" - which neighborhood in TV have sidewalks? I have a realtor sending me listings and I've never seen sidewalks. (We have a small dog).

We had sidewalks along Odell, between Morse and BV and beyond, between the 6’s. We had sidewalks in Pennacamp, Fernandina, Duval. Major roads have sidewalks, between the 6’s, prior to walking paths south of 44.
There are sidewalks south of 44 along main road in our village to mailboxes then to walking paths that don’t allow carts, bikes.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by merrymini

No one here can answer your question. You have to be honest with yourself and do the numbers. People who brag about constant moves and making a fortune probably do not do the proper math taking into account sales costs, moving fees, etc. There may be many reasons for selling a house, hopefully you can find something that works for you and age in place. I have found that one thing realtors say is always true, location, location, location. You can change the house but not where it is.

You really think people buy/sell to loose money? If one has never bought/sold house, more than one house, there is definitely lack of expertise.
I give residents credit where it’s due. We have many residents that retired from finance, education, Tax accountants, Attorneys and Physicians. Our parents with their own business could calculate profit/loss.
My grandparents knew how to calculate end profit, with little education, but wealth of knowledge running large dairy farms.

Residents today are savvy investors, if not better than those who first bought in the 70’s.

[JohnN]

We bought a patio villa as snowbirds to see how we liked The Villages and Florida. We loved it. When the kids graduated college and moved away, we sold our other home and bought a courtyard villa - we like the low maintenance and privacy. It worked out just right for us, but everyone is different.