[crimeslayer]

I and my wife live in NJ, and are IMPATIENTLY waiting for our house to sell and move (that day) to TV! I do not plan on working anymore however my wife is looking at government jobs in Ocala. People I know in TV suggest living in the middle to be close to everything. That makes sense, but I have some questions. We do plan on renting, but we also want to buy as soon as possible. My questions are:

1. Is it easier to commute to Ocala from the Nancy Lopez area?

2. I plan on playing tennis/pickleball, swimming laps and using the woodshop. Is it hard to get to the woodshop by cart from there?

3. Are the recreational facilities more crowded there?

4. Is it less crowded there in general?

Thanks for any replies, and hope to join you SOON!

[Newbeginnings]

I live south of 466A and my sister and her husband live in Chatham, by Nancy Lopez, and loves it. When we go to Ocala, yes it is shorter as we go up 301 to 441, not that far from her house. As far as sports pool they don't go so couldn't answer that question, the woodshop would be a little bit of a hike in a golf cart, by car not that far at all, but I would say less than 45 minutes I'm guessing in golf cart, I'm sure others responding will guide you better on time. My sister and husband wanted established neighborhood, landscaping etc.. they got a much better price on there house as they live on the golf course than south where I live. They have done some remodeling and made it there own, beautiful home. They also like living close to the restaurant at Lopez, they frequent that and very close to home for them, it's one of the best in The Villages. Your smart for renting and test out the waters before you buy, discover it all then decide.

[John_W]

The two best areas for communiting to Ocala are the very northern end and the very southern end, the middle is not as good. From the north, you already know about US 301, however you'll have a lot of traffic in sections of that road but should get there in 30 minutes. The very southern end where I live near, is about 35 minutes for us. Take Hwy 44 west through Wildwood and then get on I-75 and it's 26 miles to the Ocala Rte 200 exit. If you're working on the west side of Ocala around Paddock Mall, the interstate is the best route. For the hospitals and downtown, 301 would be the closest route.

With Tennis you're not far from Glenview in the northern area, which is the base for The Villages Tennis Club. The only times I go to the northern area, which would be convenient for me, is when I visit the VA Medical Facility, that is in the Mulberry Plaza area. Also the Lopez Golf Course is a quality course with a driving range and three tough nine hole layouts. Also, I find the best pizza at Sammy Joe's in Mulberry Plaza. We'll drive up there every other week just to get pizza, it's 11 miles from our place and we're only by 466A, not as far south as some villagers.

When I moved here in 2011 my village did not yet have a softball team, so I played for Calumet Grove, which about as far north as you can get. I found most of the players on the team in their 70's, I was the youngest. The next year the team disbanded because the coach retired and no one wanted to take over. I believe they still have a level 3 team, but it is an older area compared to where I live, so the original residents moved in about 15 years ago.

[Sandtrap328]

One word of caution regarding the Chatham community. TRAINS.

The railroad track runs right in back of Chathan and does have a lot of freight trains day and night. The train whistle is loud. I hear it when playing golf at Amberwood. Personally, I would not want to live very close to train tracks.

[ureout]

Originally Posted by crimeslayer

I and my wife live in NJ, and are IMPATIENTLY waiting for our house to sell and move (that day) to TV! I do not plan on working anymore however my wife is looking at government jobs in Ocala. People I know in TV suggest living in the middle to be close to everything. That makes sense, but I have some questions. We do plan on renting, but we also want to buy as soon as possible. My questions are:

1. Is it easier to commute to Ocala from the Nancy Lopez area?

2. I plan on playing tennis/pickleball, swimming laps and using the woodshop. Is it hard to get to the woodshop by cart from there?

3. Are the recreational facilities more crowded there?

4. Is it less crowded there in general?

Thanks for any replies, and hope to join you SOON!

1) yes, definitely 2) wood shop is hard to get to by golf cart from just about anywhere except El Santiago area 3)no 4) about the same at rec centers but car traffic is much better... as far as trains I live in Springdale and barely hear them but closer toward Chatham pool it is definitely louder...over all I enjoy it here I would not want to be south....a lot busier

[debow]

I live in he Chatham area. Convenient to everything you need, 4 executive courses, Lopez Legacy Club, Mulberry Rec Centers. Best part, not near the traffic as you'll find I other parts of TV.

[Rango]

I rented for 3 winters before I bought. I rented north middle and south. For me that was the only way to know where I wanted to live. If you just guess, you maybe unhappy. Of course if you are buying new, you have a more limited area to choose from.

[crimeslayer]

To all that responded, thanks for the great info! The people on the TOTV are the best!

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I live in Springdale, near Nancy Lopez, and will probably be leaving within the next year. They are building 300 new Villas up here, but aren't building any new golf courses, and that will harsh my mellow.

[New York Transplant]

Hello, we just bought there and find it's the perfect area! Not only are you away from the traffic and the congestion during snowbird season, you will be near some very good clubs and recreation centers such as savannah

[fl boomer]

I've lived in 2 different locations (Calumet Grove) and now Briar Meadow in the North end of TV. We love it up here, and I haven't heard anyone mention the convenience of Publix, Walgreens, and a GAS station close by. Traffic is much lighter during Snow Bird months, and easy access to the different pools, Lopez, Glenview, etc. Yes, it's closer to Ocala, and it would take some time to get to the woodworking facility on Rolling Acres.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by fl boomer

I've lived in 2 different locations (Calumet Grove) and now Briar Meadow in the North end of TV. We love it up here, and I haven't heard anyone mention the convenience of Publix, Walgreens, and a GAS station close by. Traffic is much lighter during Snow Bird months, and easy access to the different pools, Lopez, Glenview, etc. Yes, it's closer to Ocala, and it would take some time to get to the woodworking facility on Rolling Acres.

Those pools require a priority membership.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix

They are building 300 new Villas up here, but aren't building any new golf courses, and that will harsh my mellow.

[Bryant]

I would stay south of Belle Aire (first community in Sumter County). North of that is Marion County which has higher taxes than Sumter. JMHO.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by crimeslayer

I and my wife live in NJ, and are IMPATIENTLY waiting for our house to sell and move (that day) to TV! I do not plan on working anymore however my wife is looking at government jobs in Ocala. People I know in TV suggest living in the middle to be close to everything. That makes sense, but I have some questions. We do plan on renting, but we also want to buy as soon as possible. My questions are:

1. Is it easier to commute to Ocala from the Nancy Lopez area?

2. I plan on playing tennis/pickleball, swimming laps and using the woodshop. Is it hard to get to the woodshop by cart from there?

3. Are the recreational facilities more crowded there?

4. Is it less crowded there in general?

Thanks for any replies, and hope to join you SOON!

1. yes
2. woodshop a looong way from NL area
3. no
4. yes