[jayerose]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

So, looks like you have been looking at TV for six years now. You have asked some great questions. Did you visit in 2014? Either way, you really need to come down and see the new areas for yourself.

Yes, I did visit and now I am actually retiring and ready to move!

I was looking at new homes but they seem a little close to the turnpike and just started looking at older homes yesterday...so excited!

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by John_W

Essentially the new areas lack the shopping, championship golf and the nearness to the squares, and the connection via golf cart trails.

That is the one reason hubby and I would not ever consider living south of 44. It is a personal decision. We would not even consider living south of 466A actually but, as I said, that is a personal decision.

Once there is connectivity from the new areas to the established areas, if you plan to golf cart to Lake Sumter Landing or especially Spanish Springs, pack a lunch.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Or who want's to be near to it? I go there once, maybe twice a year if Belk's has a good sale otherwise I have no need to fight the traffic on 441/27, I don't like driving on that road at all. I would rather take the back roads to Ocala.

Seriously???????

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by jayerose

Yes, I did visit and now I am actually retiring and ready to move!

I was looking at new homes but they seem a little close to the turnpike and just started looking at older homes yesterday...so excited!

Good luck in your search and have fun with it.

[tophcfa]

Another big difference is golf cart accessibility. Our home is in the established area and for the first three years we owned our home we never had a car. Easy to get from the airport to our front door and vise versa via shuttle. There really is no need to own a car in the Northern parts of the Villages. We are able to shop for anything we need, dine out, enjoy all the amenities, go to shows at the Sharon, Savana Center and the Studio at Tierra Del Sol, and play 12 different Championship golf courses, all via golf cart. The only time we wished we had a car would be to take a day trip to the beach or to play golf outside the bubble during the busy winter season. You kind of have to have a car in the new area. We did finally buy a used Florida car, from a listing in the classified section of TOV, but we barley use it. No need.

[thelegges]

Younger ages as you travel south. Sometimes established areas have neighbors that were there from day one. Not all the time but sometimes neighbors are not a fan you moved there

[John_W]

Originally Posted by jayerose

Yes, I did visit and now I am actually retiring and ready to move!

I was looking at new homes but they seem a little close to the turnpike and just started looking at older homes yesterday...so excited!

What are your desires in the resale, single home, or CYV or Patio Villa? A large garage with golf cart garage, a swimming pool, 2 bedroom or 3, no carpet anywhere, all the upgrades already done or a basic home and you'll upgrade to your desire? Location near a square, a golf course, north end, middle, south area? So many choices.

The reason I ask, is I'm always looking at resales and I live in a CYV and really like it. However, I wish I has a swimming pool, and we've doing upgrades gradually. This year we'll redo the master shower and bath and granite countertops in the kitchen.

I saw a CYV for sale right now for $479K that has it all, except one thing, it doesn't have a 2 car garage, but what it has more than makes up for that, and it's in a great location in Fernandina.

Homefinder - The Villages(R) Homes and Villas for Sale

[ChicagoNative]

Take a deep dive inside yourself and determine what’s important to you.

When we came down for our Lifestyle Preview (almost 3 years ago) we stayed in a CYV across from Brownwood and really enjoyed it. If one wanted new, Fenney was basically your only option within the Villages, and it was being pushed hard by the tours and guides.

I mentioned to the tour guide that Fenney seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere, and she said it would all be built out with stores, restaurants, medical offices, other amenities, and golf cart connectivity within a year or two. Well, that didn’t happen. Now there’s talk of a 4th square coming in Coleman, and I’m sure that whole area will be spectacular in another 10-15 years, but we were not willing to be pioneers and wait that long.

We like the Villages, but even as beautiful as the nature areas are down there, in addition to new construction, we wanted more restaurant choices than the Fenney Grille and a couple food trucks in Marsh Bend. We also didn’t like that it’s a 15-20 minute drive for basic needs like groceries, and even longer drives for any entertainment.

We resumed our search of the area and ended up between 466 and 466A about a mile west of Buena Vista on Rainey Trail in Lakeside Landings. We are not in the villages proper, but we got a beautiful new construction home with no bond or CDD. We don’t golf (btw, golf is supposedly losing its popularity big time.....will golf be as important to buyers in 10 or even 5 more years?). The money we saved on the bond and cdd was put into a street legal golf cart, and we connect to the trails about 2 blocks away.

What works for us may not work for you, so, back to my opening line, take a deep dive inside yourself and determine what’s important to you and yours. Good luck.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Seriously???????

yep, it's a nice drive through farm land.

[mike1946]

Originally Posted by jayerose

What is the difference in living in a new area of TV than in a already established one?

You can get new builds on the Historic side east of 27/441 'cos they are tearing out the old manufactured homes and building ranches and block and stucco - fantastic location a few minutes from all the stuff on 27/441 very quiet if you choose a plot away from the road and all the huge mature trees you could want - all bond paid !! Terrific !!!

[Rwirish]

Primary difference is one is established and one is not.

[Shadia328]

I agree with your insights. Live in Caroline, love the mature landscaping by Spanish Springs.

[TomPerry]

Originally Posted by jayerose

Yes, I did visit and now I am actually retiring and ready to move!

I was looking at new homes but they seem a little close to the turnpike and just started looking at older homes yesterday...so excited!

One thing you should really consider is the orientation of the house. We have a 3/2 designer which backs to a villa wall. The wall is fully landscaped, our lanai is glassed-in, and our oversized patio has a pergola. Our lanai faces north/northeast and is shaded and comfortable almost all day. We love our lanai/patio and spend most of the time there. If fact, we eat most of our meals in the lanai which has a mini split, a/c heater.

Good luck with your search.

[tvbound]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

That is the one reason hubby and I would not ever consider living south of 44. It is a personal decision. We would not even consider living south of 466A actually but, as I said, that is a personal decision.

Once there is connectivity from the new areas to the established areas, if you plan to golf cart to Lake Sumter Landing or especially Spanish Springs, pack a lunch.

That's the same conclusion we've come to.

We want to be able to immerse ourselves in the entire lifestyle the day the moving van leaves and are not interested in waiting years, for other areas to get to where the heart of TV already is.

The villages has purchased 6 miles of land running south along the turnpike and in approximately 15 years they'll be more homes below 44 than above it.

I live in the new section and I'm 53. From what I've been told younger people are moving into the new sections.

After nearly a year living here I can say if I had to buy all over again I would have bought closer to 466 if the money was not a factor. I paid 202k and I got the home I really liked. Buying a resale obviously means less choices and more updating cost.

I hope this helps you.