[RICH1]

i believe you forgot to mention where you are From? are you going to snowbird or permanently park it ?

[RICH1]

i believe you forgot to mention where you are From? are you going to snowbird or permanently park it ? The Northside is Deadsville ...no action , casseroles are cold

[Rsenholzi]

If you can afford a month , I would recommend that you do it. It will be much cheaper by the month. It will be almost impossible to get a 10 day rental and you get more of the flavor of the villages if you stay longer. Regarding where to stay- stay in the Lake Sumter area . If you can get Creekside Landing , Mallory area , it’s a short golf cart ride to Lake Sumter and you are centrally located between Spanish Springs and Brownwood areas. Both are a distance by golf cart but still very doable. Do not stay in the newer area south of 44. Golf cart rides to even go to brownwood are about an hour and much easier by car. The setup of the bridges make the areas by Morse an hour ride by golf cart - easier to go to brownwood and across that the Chitty Chatty Bridge so far. Hopefully they will find an easier way as more areas are built , but right now it took me 2 hours to do the loop from that area. Best square with the best bands is still Lake Sumter also - also the square with the most restaurants. Right now , very few restaurants down in the new area south of 44. Old area across from Spanish Spring , makes you need to use the bridge across 441 to get to any of the squares. Quite a trip to go even to lake Sumter from there and at least an hour each way to Brownwood by golf cart. Hope this is all understandable to you. So start with the Lake Sumter area for your rental . Get a feel for the area before you even considering buying , stay for a month so you can get the flavor of each of the areas, and what is available so that it meets your needs. Good Luck

[Luggage]

It really depends on what you are seeking here. If you play golf, the older sections are better as there are more golf courses. If you like going to a pool try to get any place near the, if you like eating out all the time let me know any of the Town centers. That's really the best advice I can give you

[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by frose

i'd get a place in Naples.. This place is not very good regardless of what people say.

Do you LIVE HERE? If so, WHY?? No one is forcing anyone to live here.
If you're not happy here, you won't be in Naples or any other place.

[mikemalloy]

Originally Posted by mulligan

As far as a golf cart is concerned, keep in mind from the Northern limit to the Southern limit , it's 14 miles. Long ride in a cart.

We took a cart ride down past Feeney to the southernmost section and I checked my Villages app to see how far it was from Lopez. It was 28 miles!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by frose

i'd get a place in Naples.. This place is not very good regardless of what people say.

Yet you're still here... How odd...

[sullys]

Originally Posted by DIRTYSECRET

Planning to visit the Villages in December. I'll stay for 10 days, maybe even a month if it's too enjoyable to leave. Which neighborhood should I start out with for the first 10 days? Are others worth staying in or should a golf cart be sufficient to cover the entire area? I could see buying a place there. Thanks.

Find a home within 466 and 466A - near Lake Sumter would be best - that way you are in the middle of the "main part" of the villages and can drive north or south where most activity is being held. IMHO Lake Sumter area is the prettiest. See if the place you stay has a golf cart - if not don't fret, use your car, as you can cover more ground quickly. Get the weekly newspaper once you arrive from the rec center.

Download the villages app on your I-phone it can show you all the activities hour by hour.

Download the villages GPS app (its a few dollars) and it will help you find anything in the villages using a car or golf cart.

I looked for several months staying in different homes all over the villages. I decided to purchase a new home in Citrus Grove next to the Ezell Rec Center. Its in the southern part of the villages. I'm willing to wait for all the entertainment and events to follow.

There will be people renting in Dec on a weekly basis - but things are not "normal" here now - many people coming down. There are several sites you can find a place to stay - it will be costly.

Try the villages web site and sign up for the "life style visit" - it comes with a golf cart, bicycles, movie tickets, golf tickets, etc. very nicely done - very reasonably. If they have have openings. You will be located in the southern parts of the villages, but can drive north to get to learn the many different villages.

I know numerous people who come here for a week and buy! It took me two years.

[Rachclermont]

Hi, give

[tombpot]

The traffic in Naples is like the East coast now

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by DIRTYSECRET

Planning to visit the Villages in December. I'll stay for 10 days, maybe even a month if it's too enjoyable to leave. Which neighborhood should I start out with for the first 10 days? Are others worth staying in or should a golf cart be sufficient to cover the entire area? I could see buying a place there. Thanks.

Another vote for the Sumter Landing area.

As a side note, be sure to realize that golf carts are not allowed on all roads in The Villages. Educate yourself on where the golf cart paths & tunnels are under Morse Blvd, Buena Vista, etc. It is extremely dangerous to be out there on the county roads & expensive if you get a ticket.

Enjoy your visit!

[DIver0258]

Originally Posted by DIRTYSECRET

Planning to visit the Villages in December. I'll stay for 10 days, maybe even a month if it's too enjoyable to leave. Which neighborhood should I start out with for the first 10 days? Are others worth staying in or should a golf cart be sufficient to cover the entire area? I could see buying a place there. Thanks.

Rentals for less than a month in December become hard to reserve as the peak season begins. Somewhere between 466 and 466a is fairly centrally located to the 3 squares, shopping, and many golf courses. With a gas cart you will be able to venture to anywhere in The Villages. It's about an hour ride from the historic side to the southern new areas.

Some will say the new southern areas are lacking but there are venues available like Edna's and the Fenny Grill. Sawgrass should be opening soon. There are 5 executive courses, one championship course, a putt & play, and the pitch and put below 44 currently. The area is worth a day if you become interested in purchasing a new home.

[Tom M]

Often new people tend to enjoy the squares so something equal distance (golf cart range) of all three squares would be good. That includes many of the villages within Odell Circle (Bonita, Largo, Sable Chase, etc). Between 466 and 466A also have a lot of exec golf courses.

If you're considering buying, it's helpful to experience more locations including north and south. And of course when you narrow down on an area it's helpful to stay in that village for a while to experience it. There are many things that may be more important to you that you may not recognize until you stay there (vicinity to grocery store, neighborhood pool, golf courses, entertainment, dining, noise of rec center, train, highway, etc).

You may also want to try different types of homes. Perhaps a Villa, Designer Home, etc.

But I expect you will enjoy anywhere you stay. It's truly a wonderful place!

[wndrlng]

Ashland, Ashland, Ashland. Close to everything and a special drive in near the park and under beautiful overhanging trees. Well maintained and great group of friendly folks

[jimkerr]

I recommend anywhere near Lake Sumter or Brownwood. I’d stay away from Spanish Springs area.