[Buddha]

Have made friends all over the Villages since day one... Love Spanish Spings area... moved during my mid 40s and made close friends & neighbors with people from all generations & walks of life. Variety is the spice of life! I just love the chill vibe in the North. Don't overlook it.

[Tblue]

Moving into a new area has the real plus of making many new friends. After all others are also moving in, seeking new friendships. Moving into an established area friends are made but not to the degree as everyone in the neighborhood is new at the same time.

[skippy05]

Originally Posted by MidWestIA

They want to sell you below hwy 44 for new houses with not much to go to down there just houses. The original idea is you can drive a golf cart 20 min to lots of golf, stores and restaurants - guess what only if you buy preowned ABOVE HWY 44. If people REALIZE and ONLY buy PREOWNED above HWY 44 presto bango all kinds of stores will be down there. The Villages WENT CHEAP and hoped that noone would notice you have to drive 30-40 min for any store, restaurants or golf courses and it ONLY has HOUSES down there

South of 44 no stores, no shopping, not much of anything but Turnpike noise and high voltage electric lines. Too far to drive anywhere by golf cart. No stores planned. No land set aside for stores. Builder is hoping you will not notice. Only houses, houses, and more houses.

[coleprice]

Originally Posted by Coop63

My wife and I are in the process of making TV our primary residence. I am 60, wife younger, work remotely, retire in next 5 years. Want to be retired day 1 and travel north-west for summers.

Integrating into neighborhood is very important to us. We are fun loving, social, non-drinkers. Not sure that is important for evaluating area (lol)

We have narrowed our choices down to the following areas.

1. 466a-Buena Vista area.
Pro: Vicinity to shopping, golfing, town squares, more established
Con: Is it at peak? Will we be able to integrate into an established neighborhood easily. Roof replacement and remodel costs nearer term. Age compatibility.

2. New home in Moultrie Creek/Shady Brook area.
Pro: Everything new, Equity bump, easier to recoup from picking wrong area. Like the plans for Middleton and Eastport
Con: Living in a proverbial "outpost" for a few years until things build around us. Vicinity to other town squares and shopping. Big Bond.

3. Fenny area.
Pro: Walking trails, nature vibes, between Brownwood and Eastport-Middleton.
Con: Distance to shopping and other amenities

All comments welcome. We have visited the Villages 5 times this winter, looked at street of dreams in Moultrie creek and visited the areas above. Not opposed to other areas, these are the areas that jumped out to us.

Huge fan of the this forum. Thanks in advance to those that reply.

Golfers shopping for homes in The Villages should NOT purchase a New Home in the Southern Areas, which lack enough Executive Golf Courses. Rather, they should buy a pre-owned home in the Middle or Northern areas which have plenty of Executive golf courses nearby. Also, the Bond is usually paid off on homes in the North and Middle areas, plus you are MUCH CLOSER to Shopping & Restaurants.

[coleprice]

Golfers shopping for homes in The Villages should NOT purchase a New Home in the Southern Areas, which lack enough Executive Golf Courses. Rather, they should buy a pre-owned home in the Middle or Northern areas which have plenty of Executive golf courses nearby. Also, the Bond is usually paid off on homes in the North and Middle areas, plus you are MUCH CLOSER to Shopping & Restaurants.

[BigSteph]

Originally Posted by skippy05

South of 44 no stores, no shopping, not much of anything but Turnpike noise and high voltage electric lines. Too far to drive anywhere by golf cart. No stores planned. No land set aside for stores. Builder is hoping you will not notice. Only houses, houses, and more houses.

I disagree.

There is a grocery store south of 44. There is a rumor of one right in front of The Villages Green (Greenhouses). There is documentation that 2 more are coming -- 1 at Eastport and 1 at Middleton. Strip malls are popping up on Warm Springs. There are rumors of all sorts of businesses on 44, Warm Springs, and the buildout along 301.

Honestly, Wildwood is where most everything is coming in the next years. Yeah, a lot in Wildwood downtown, but I would rather it stay there and I come to it.

I look at all the established Villages with apartments and rental homes backing up to them and I feel for those villagers. I don't think that is what they signed up for years ago.

Many of the areas in the south are landlocked -- there is no chance of apartments, rental neighborhoods, etc.

I choose not to hate where you live, I visit there, and I drive home afterwards.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by skippy05

South of 44 no stores, no shopping, not much of anything but Turnpike noise and high voltage electric lines. Too far to drive anywhere by golf cart. No stores planned. No land set aside for stores. Builder is hoping you will not notice. Only houses, houses, and more houses.

This is so incorrect that wrong falls short of describing it.

[Marathon Man]

To the OP. All areas in The Villages have pluses and minuses.

My only advice: Make your decisions based on your own needs and wants and not on what others like. This place is so large that there is something for everyone. You will need to see it all for yourself. Also, ignore anyone who says "don't buy in ______". Fill in the blank with any area. I can assure you that there are many happy homeowners in "______".

[HoosierPa]

Everyone says their neighborhood is the best. We think ours is too. It is our 3rd in 8 years. You will definitely integrate the easiest into a brand new neighborhood where everyone is in the same boat. It is also younger in the newer sections.

[Justputt]

We live in Dabney, and outside of Sawgrass, you're going to be in a car. According the TV nav app, Sawgrass is 5.2 miles and 15 minutes, Brownwood is 13 miles and 43 minutes, Lake Sumter Landing is 18.3 miles and 1hr 4 minutes away, and with the Bexley Trail bridge being the only access bridge across the turnpike, Eastport will be Sawgrass distance plus Sawgrass to Eastport distance, which I'm guessing will be at least 30 mins. On the upside, it is quiet, Rec Center pool is adults only, not as many rentals, everyone is friendly, easy to meet new people, grocery shopping is about 4 miles (Winn Dixie, Publix, etc.), Aldi and Walmart are close to 10 miles (20 minutes) away, but NONE are cart accessible, HOWEVER, there was life before golf carts! I haven't started golfing here yet, but I suspect the courses are not going to let everyone in a foursome drive their own cart, so arriving by car and buddying up is probably a great choice anyway!

One last thing, I think it was Gold Wingnut that said the cleared ground on the south edge of Dabney along 470 is to be commercial, so MAYBE there will be something useful/fun.

[gmdds]

A big factor, to also keep in mind, would be if there are any city taxes (approx $1400-$1800 per year). Wildwood & Fruitland Park have them, and there may be other areas that have them. We chose an area where we just pay county taxes and not county taxes + city taxes.

[schrdr]

In the 466a area you will have a much much lower bond. That's a big financial concern.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Coop63

My wife and I are in the process of making TV our primary residence. I am 60, wife younger, work remotely, retire in next 5 years. Want to be retired day 1 and travel north-west for summers.

Integrating into neighborhood is very important to us. We are fun loving, social, non-drinkers. Not sure that is important for evaluating area (lol)

We have narrowed our choices down to the following areas.

3. Fenny area.
Pro: Walking trails, nature vibes, between Brownwood and Eastport-Middleton.
Con: Distance to shopping and other amenities

All comments welcome. We have visited the Villages 5 times this winter, looked at street of dreams in Moultrie creek and visited the areas above. Not opposed to other areas, these are the areas that jumped out to us.

Huge fan of the this forum. Thanks in advance to those that reply.

4. Marsh Bend
Pros: Shopping, rec center, walking paths all within walking distance, 5 minute golf cart ride otherwise.
Two bridges away from Brownwood, of which you will not visit daily, but within a 15-20 m min golf cart ride.
Cons: . . . . .

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

4. Marsh Bend
Pros: Shopping, rec center, walking paths all within walking distance, 5 minute golf cart ride otherwise.
Two bridges away from Brownwood, of which you will not visit daily, but within a 15-20 m min golf cart ride.
Cons: . . . . .

Con, no adult pool.

[Randall55]

Some people buy a home close to a square(s) because they dance EVERY NIGHT

Some people strategically buy a home close to 10 or more golf courses because they LOVE TO GOLF

Some people buy a home close to neighbors their own age because THEY LOVE TO SOCIALIZE AND ENTERTAIN

Some buy close to several rec centers because PICKLEBALL IS THEIR FAVORITE PAST TIME

Some buy near trails because they LOVE TO WALK OR BIKE

Catching the drift? Buy a home that SUITS YOU. This is the only way you will not end up moving within a year because you took others advice instead of following your idea of the perfect retirement.

Use the same thinking when purchasing the correct type of home. BUY WHAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY FOR MANY YEARS. Want a big home? Buy one! No maintenance? Avoid all others! Privacy? Make certain your home has a fence. Life remains good when you follow your dreams.