[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by geobar

We moved to "The Villages} back in 2009 after visiting for 4 to 5 years to learn about the communities as far as where we wanted to live. Our decisions were made as Gary Morse at that time said he would not build South of466A for our first home then a few yrs. later only down to CR-44 only for our 2nd home.

In our 11 years there. We actually moved out of TV due to overcrowds as the Morse Clan is not providing any more town squares, major shopping, and restaurants as their predecessors had to attract buyers. The originator was "Harold Schwartz" and "Gary Morse".
.
2009 is definitely not what "The Villages" is today. Many things were taken away that enticed our move to TV like "Kattie Bells Night Club,/Cattle Baron Restaurant", "The Church on the Square", and 2 rec centers each with restaurants. Plus more are gone forever. They first wanted The Communities to buy one of the Rec Centers with no deal. Then, the building was too old to remodel so the "Morse Clan" decided to knock it down to build more residents.
.
It is hard for people to enjoy their retirement years if living south of CR-44 until if ever the Morse Clan builds. Actually, they are way better off today as it took about 3 years to get their only one Publix store to buy groceries for just how many thousands of people?
.
Today is a totally different story as the 3rd generation of the Morse family is building too many miles south to actually still call it "The Villages" as far as I'm concerned. They are only concerned with building new homes to make even more money that they actually do not need. Perhaps only a money pit for them.
.
When we moved in we had all we needed close by not needing to drive north for our enjoyment as the newbies south of CR-44 needed to do.
.
If we ever decide to move back to The Villages" we would purchase (a resale, only available) between 466 and 466A, nearer 466A.
.
Reading that within the next 3 months, you will see the prices of used homes drop considerably nationwide thanks to the Feds and present high inflation both driving prices down.
.
Read that recently Multiple Listing in TV had no sales for about 6 days showing the beginning of lacking sales in "The Villages". MLS is not affiliated with the Morse Clan. Contact an MLS Broker for their perspective.
.
Sales will continue to grow in TV as the cost to live up North as the costs to reside continues to get out of control bringing thousands of people to Florida.
.
Wish you well in your endeavors.
.

How hard does one have to work to have so many things wrong in one post?

Please show, in writing, where Gary Morse ever definitively stated he would not build south of 466A and then 44. Good luck.

No more town squares??? How about Eastport, under construction, and the mini-venue of Sawgrass Grove??

Katie Belle's failed because cheapskates sat there drinking water with lemon all night for the entertainment---we all know restaurants and night clubs make their money on drinks.
The church on the square was replaced with the Sharon. Hacienda Hills is being rebuilt, just without a restaurant, no residential units. And as far as the rest, the Morse family rents out commercial space, they don't own restaurants or stores, it is up to those businesses to be successful

Prices here might drop a bit, but not "considerably". Despite your bleak view, this is one of the most desirable retirement communities in the country and the demographics of retiring baby boomers will drive sales. Not much different than the housing crisis of 2008--The Villages emerged just better than ever.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by geobar

We moved to "The Villages} back in 2009 after visiting for 4 to 5 years to learn about the communities as far as where we wanted to live. Our decisions were made as Gary Morse at that time said he would not build South of466A for our first home then a few yrs. later only down to CR-44 only for our 2nd home.

In our 11 years there. We actually moved out of TV due to overcrowds as the Morse Clan is not providing any more town squares, major shopping, and restaurants as their predecessors had to attract buyers. The originator was "Harold Schwartz" and "Gary Morse".
.
2009 is definitely not what "The Villages" is today. Many things were taken away that enticed our move to TV like "Kattie Bells Night Club,/Cattle Baron Restaurant", "The Church on the Square", and 2 rec centers each with restaurants. Plus more are gone forever. They first wanted The Communities to buy one of the Rec Centers with no deal. Then, the building was too old to remodel so the "Morse Clan" decided to knock it down to build more residents.
.
It is hard for people to enjoy their retirement years if living south of CR-44 until if ever the Morse Clan builds. Actually, they are way better off today as it took about 3 years to get their only one Publix store to buy groceries for just how many thousands of people?
.
Today is a totally different story as the 3rd generation of the Morse family is building too many miles south to actually still call it "The Villages" as far as I'm concerned. They are only concerned with building new homes to make even more money that they actually do not need. Perhaps only a money pit for them.
.
When we moved in we had all we needed close by not needing to drive north for our enjoyment as the newbies south of CR-44 needed to do.
.
If we ever decide to move back to The Villages" we would purchase (a resale, only available) between 466 and 466A, nearer 466A.
.
Reading that within the next 3 months, you will see the prices of used homes drop considerably nationwide thanks to the Feds and present high inflation both driving prices down.
.
Read that recently Multiple Listing in TV had no sales for about 6 days showing the beginning of lacking sales in "The Villages". MLS is not affiliated with the Morse Clan. Contact an MLS Broker for their perspective.
.
Sales will continue to grow in TV as the cost to live up North as the costs to reside continues to get out of control bringing thousands of people to Florida.
.
Wish you well in your endeavors.
.

Why would you ever consider to return to The Villages? Your hate of so many things is most obvious. The ashes from you burnt bridges is still smoldering.

[Flyers999]

Everybody's always asking "Which village is the best?"

Of course it's Tall Trees!

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by geobar

...

In our 11 years there. We actually moved out of TV due ...

And yet, here you are. Staying connected to a community that you claim made you unhappy. Tell me you miss TV without saying you miss TV.

[Babubhat]

100 thousand plus others say otherwise. Thank goodness for the ignore list

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by geobar

we moved to "the villages} back in 2009 after visiting for 4 to 5 years to learn about the communities as far as where we wanted to live. Our decisions were made as gary morse at that time said he would not build south of466a for our first home then a few yrs. Later only down to cr-44 only for our 2nd home.

In our 11 years there. We actually moved out of tv due to overcrowds as the morse clan is not providing any more town squares, major shopping, and restaurants as their predecessors had to attract buyers. The originator was "harold schwartz" and "gary morse".
.
2009 is definitely not what "the villages" is today. Many things were taken away that enticed our move to tv like "kattie bells night club,/cattle baron restaurant", "the church on the square", and 2 rec centers each with restaurants. Plus more are gone forever. They first wanted the communities to buy one of the rec centers with no deal. Then, the building was too old to remodel so the "morse clan" decided to knock it down to build more residents.
.
It is hard for people to enjoy their retirement years if living south of cr-44 until if ever the morse clan builds. Actually, they are way better off today as it took about 3 years to get their only one publix store to buy groceries for just how many thousands of people?
.
Today is a totally different story as the 3rd generation of the morse family is building too many miles south to actually still call it "the villages" as far as i'm concerned. They are only concerned with building new homes to make even more money that they actually do not need. Perhaps only a money pit for them.
.
When we moved in we had all we needed close by not needing to drive north for our enjoyment as the newbies south of cr-44 needed to do.
.
If we ever decide to move back to the villages" we would purchase (a resale, only available) between 466 and 466a, nearer 466a.
.
Reading that within the next 3 months, you will see the prices of used homes drop considerably nationwide thanks to the feds and present high inflation both driving prices down.
.
Read that recently multiple listing in tv had no sales for about 6 days showing the beginning of lacking sales in "the villages". Mls is not affiliated with the morse clan. Contact an mls broker for their perspective.
.
Sales will continue to grow in tv as the cost to live up north as the costs to reside continues to get out of control bringing thousands of people to florida.
.
Wish you well in your endeavors.
.

going to the gulf and beyond

[Garywt]

Everyone likes something different. New or old, busy or quiet, close to thinks or away from the world.

We love our Villas as the are very quiet and away from everything. This leads to many long golf cart rides which is perfect for us.

[Margterrymcg]

The only way to determine the best fit for you is to visit. A few times.

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

How hard does one have to work to have so many things wrong in one post?

Please show, in writing, where Gary Morse ever definitively stated he would not build south of 466A and then 44. Good luck.

No more town squares??? How about Eastport, under construction, and the mini-venue of Sawgrass Grove??

Katie Belle's failed because cheapskates sat there drinking water with lemon all night for the entertainment---we all know restaurants and night clubs make their money on drinks.
The church on the square was replaced with the Sharon. Hacienda Hills is being rebuilt, just without a restaurant, no residential units. And as far as the rest, the Morse family rents out commercial space, they don't own restaurants or stores, it is up to those businesses to be successful

Prices here might drop a bit, but not "considerably". Despite your bleak view, this is one of the most desirable retirement communities in the country and the demographics of retiring baby boomers will drive sales. Not much different than the housing crisis of 2008--The Villages emerged just better than ever.

Well said!

[PersonOfInterest]

Originally Posted by Sonoftuntavern

I have never visited the Villages but have been looking at homes there. I am trying to find a method to identify the best house within my parameters, all of which havent been set yet. I imagine certain villages might be considered preferable to others, so a good starting point might be to rank various villages, and then search from there. I have only been able to find one article on the internet where villages are ranked. It would be greatly appreciated if those of you who live there could provide some opinions as to what the top 5 or 10 villages to live in are, and even more appreciated if you provide brief reasons why you rank them that way. Alternatively, if you have opinions about other better methods to identify a suitable home, please let me know.

The NEXT village they will be building will be the BEST village, but don't worry about it. Statistics show that you'll move within the Villages, two more times after the initial house.

[ndf888]

Do some window shopping by attending open houses. This will give you a good idea about your parameters, acceptable trade offs, and budget limitations. You don’t need a realtor to do that. In fact, it may be beneficial to do so before you engage a realtor because they may inadvertently put pressure on you.

If you want to live in a pretty box go south, if landscaping or shopping is important to you consider looking at villages located north of 44. Also check out distances to gyms, golf driving ranges, etc.

[karenzeee]

The best village is where you find your happy place. All of them are wonderful. Take the time to look around. After our Lifestyle visit, we rented for a month at a time in different areas to see which area would best suit our needs. It's all about finding what works for you. Have fun checking out TV!

[Carlsondm]

What are your hobbies. Do you golf, fish, bike, dance, run, party at the squares, etc. The Villages is growing so the center is moving south. Are you concerned about hurricanes/wind .. buy newer with upgraded building specs or see if you can upgrade. Sinkhole and flooding .. look at maps. Lake Sumter Landing is very popular and busy. Has medical facilities as does Spanish Springs to the north. Shopping is in north or Leesburg.
We are south of 44 in a quiet area with lots of biking, and not too far from Leesburg medical facilities. They are preferred to TV facilities.

I recommend staying a distance from heavily traveled roads, pickle ball courts, and utility transfer stations or other views that may affect resale and your view of the sunset or space launches. Yes, we see the launches easily when the clouds cooperate.

Good luck. Renting is highly recommended so you can become your own relocation expert.

[RCMill531@comcast.net]

It depends on what you are looking for. The new villages tend to have a younger, more active group of people (50’s, 60’s and 70’s). We bought in a new village and we have a very active community with monthly couples dinners, ladies luncheons, corn hole tournaments, driveway parties, Halloween party, Christmas party, etc. We are late 60’s and we are having more fun and being more active than we ever have. Love, love, love it here!

[golfing eagles]

The best village is wherever my wife is at the moment. (at least 50 brownie points for that one)