[DaleDivine]

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.

You might want to check out NextDoor website for TV. There are usually several people trying to rent out their homes for a month at a time...

[mike1946]

Bear in mind that lots of people on this site do not a clue what they are talking about - the longer mileage north to south is correct the other is not. You can buy a new house in the northern parts and the older side ...there is a new CYV development going in up north and lots of older properties were torn down in the older section and new ones built ...as I recall more than 200 in the last couple of years. You can tour the entire villages in a golf cart (and indeed a few areas off the Villages) but also bear in mind that they (carts) are not that comfortable for longs trips and fairly slow - using a cart to tour the entire villages would require you to rent a gas cart ...if all you are doing is touring then I think an electric is not viable. Watch out for Bond costs when buying ...lack of a bond is one of the advantages of buying preowned or a new built on a preowned lot. I've lived in the Villages for more than 20 years and you will not find anywhere better.

[westernrider75]

Where are there new courtyard villas being built in the northern area? Also, I believe the mileage would be further than stated earlier as there is all the new building further south than Monarch Grove.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by westernrider75

Where are there new courtyard villas being built in the northern area? Also, I believe the mileage would be further than stated earlier as there is all the new building further south than Monarch Grove.

I have to agree with that. Once they build all the land south of 470 including new golf courses, charter schools and the new UF hospital, it will be quite a hike from just north of Center Hill to Mulberry.

[La lamy]

I concur with staying between 466 and 466A if available. Gives you easier access to the older north part and newer southern ones. I wouldn't buy until visiting for at least a month, but others have done it fast and are happy with their choice. Good luck!

[Malsua]

Originally Posted by westernrider75

Where are there new courtyard villas being built in the northern area? Also, I believe the mileage would be further than stated earlier as there is all the new building further south than Monarch Grove.

They are building new CYVs in the same place they tore down the Hacienda Hills country club.

As far as mileage goes, I live up near Spanish Springs and we've done the full tour down Morse over Chitty Chatty bridge to Meggison, around to Brownwood, up Buena Vista back to Sumter an then home. When we're back it's roughly 32 miles on the odometer. We have only been over the turnpike bridge a few times on the cart, so it's possible to probably add another 5-10 miles to that trip depending on how much you cruise around that area to the putt-n-play and whatnot. Not to mention, if you went all the way to the northern extreme of BV, that's another 5-10 miles round trip.

[jedalton]

planning on staying, it's really fun. Try Duval

[nancyre]

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.

Try 4 locations areas: Spanish Springs/North end, middle between 466 & 466A and 466A to 44 and below 44 that would give you a flavor - but doing it between Nov-Apr is hard. If you come after April staying a week in each area would be great.

ALSO think about what you NEED to access.

ie. If you go to the VA at home below 466A is a LONG ride, below 44 is a 45 minute ride the base hospital is in Gainsville and it might be worth looking at the distance to other VA such as 441 across from Waterman or Clermont that base hospital is Orlando

[Nporchtime]

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.

We have a house in Liberty Park (between the 6s, near Seabreeze rec center) that may be available to rent for part of December. Check out White Pelican vacation rentals.

[thevillages2013]

If Stiffler is still associated with White Pelican you may want to not just walk away but RUN

[Jdburns11]

It definitely IS too enjoyable to leave in terms of weather and everything to do depending on your interests - and I agree with many of the other replies in this thread — however, I do not think 10 days is really sufficient to fully explore, enjoy, learn and experience much of what The Villages has to offer. This place is huge and there is way too much to do to consume in only that period of time.

We became fans ultimately deciding to move after retirement following several visits to friends and family over a period of years.

The Lifestyle visit is definitely a good way to go through Villages Sales & Marketing (Real Estate) department - but may be tough this time of year as others have mentioned.

Respectfully, DB

[mkjelenbaas]

You may want to hook up with a sales person?!

[lpkruege1]

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.

I like the Sumter landing area. Its' 20 minutes by golf cart to Spanish Springs and 23 minutes to Brownwood. I have all the golf courses in between in easy driving distance by golf cart. If being close to just 2 town centers I would pick a location between Brownwood and Sumter landing.

[giorgio1948]

Taking the trolley tours first? You can talk with other people and learn.

[Villages Kahuna]

The Villages is longer from north to south than the City of Chicago. Best place to stay would be “downtown”—somewhere near CR466.

Some touring with a golf cart might be OK, but going to the more distant locations—almost certainly not unless you have a gas cart and the tolerance for multiple hours a day sitting in a cart seat.