[Andrea3051]

I know some Villagers move around a few times, the variety of locations makes this a great option. I'm new and on the younger side of retirement (57).

My impression is the North (Spanish Springs & Lake Sumter) is closer to established stores & services, more scenic. Long-timers & more mature

South (Brownwood & Fenny) is newer, younger retirees & still building out all new services & town squares. Also seems more buggy in the miles of cleared flat farm land being developed. Close to the future expansion.

Pros & Cons ?
(took all the great advice & renting in different areas before buying)

[billethkid]

I always think comparing "younger" to "older"......whether people or neighborhoods or homes to be an inaccurate measure here in TV.

There are 50 year olds who act and live older than they are with just as many 75++ who are more active than 50 year olds.

Homes 15-20 years old? Most having had only a couple of 55+ people in them most all those years......the homes tend to be like new.

We think our 18 year old home (that we had built) is better than new........probably true for most resale homes in TV.

Forget the old vs new measurement and look for the right home.....everything else will fall into place.

In my opinion!

[La lamy]

I agree with coming to check out everything for a month or so before making a purchase. You should make your own mind as to what the pros and cons are IMO.

[MrFlorida]

The south end has the turnpike, take that into consideration, it does produce noise.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by La lamy

I agree with coming to check out everything for a month or so before making a purchase. You should make your own mind as to what the pros and cons are IMO.

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

The south end has the turnpike, take that into consideration, it does produce noise.

The OP list Citrus Grove on her information, so she lives in TV.

[Andrea3051]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

The OP list Citrus Grove on her information, so she lives in TV.

Correct! Took all the good advice & renting in different locations before buying.

[dewilson58]

North vs. South is more about the age of the homes than the owners.

Yes, North has a little older owners...........but you ain't buying them (not directly).

More established stores up North, but that is a "short-term" difference.

Good Luck.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by billethkid

I always think comparing "younger" to "older"......whether people or neighborhoods or homes to be an inaccurate measure here in TV.

There are 50 year olds who act and live older than they are with just as many 75++ who are more active than 50 year olds.

Homes 15-20 years old? Most having had only a couple of 55+ people in them most all those years......the homes tend to be like new.

We think our 18 year old home (that we had built) is better than new........probably true for most resale homes in TV.

Forget the old vs new measurement and look for the right home.....everything else will fall into place.

In my opinion!

Very good points. I would add, consider what recreational activities fit your desired lifestyle. The newer areas have an emphasis on different things than the northern areas. The most obvious difference is that the north has much more golf, especially Championship, while the South has several dedicated walking/ biking trails. Both areas offer each activity, but the emphasis is clearly different. There is clearly a demand for the varied activities and lifestyles of each area, just be sure to select the area that best fits your needs.

[GpaVader]

No owner, just turning 60 and will be working for the foreseeable future. We live in the Hammocks at Fenney. For us, the first issue was that my wife had to have Gas appliances, so that pretty much meant South of 44. I think their are a couple of areas North that had Gas but when we looked, nothing.

Live in Hammocks at Fenney, work in Spanish Springs, so I get to drive Morse Blvd everyday. Most of the established stores are North so we plan our trips carefully. They are starting to build out more of the infrastructure. And with more coming in the future in the way of homes, you have to believe the businesses will to.

Love our area, more importantly we Love our neighbors. Most are new to TV, but we do have an established (lived in Fenney for 5 years) couple that helps guide the rest of the neighborhood when we have questions.

We did have an offer on a house North of 466A and Buena Vista, which would have been closer to most things but it feel through. It didn't have Gas and the way the neighborhood was cut it might not have been as easy to meet neighbors and make friends.

As already suggested, take your time and figure out what you like and the rest should fall into place.

[HIgolfers]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Very good points. I would add, consider what recreational activities fit your desired lifestyle. The newer areas have an emphasis on different things than the northern areas. The most obvious difference is that the north has much more golf, especially Championship, while the South has several dedicated walking/ biking trails. Both areas offer each activity, but the emphasis is clearly different. There is clearly a demand for the varied activities and lifestyles of each area, just be sure to select the area that best fits your needs.

Good explanation of key difference.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

North vs. South is more about the age of the homes than the owners. Yes, North has a little older owners...........but you ain't buying them (not directly).

Agreed. We moved into "just north of 466" twelve years ago when we were in our early 50's. Most residents were the original owners so were in their 70's (but that made no difference as to how well we all got along together). Since then, a number of homes have sold and the average age of residents has dropped accordingly.

Find a location that ticks all of your boxes, and the age of your neighbors will take care of itself.

[njbchbum]

What are your needs, must haves and your wants? Which are likely to change in the near/distant future? Is traffic an issue for you? Do you think you would travel more by car or cart? Have you read the property covenants and deed restrictions for the areas you would consider? Village Community Development Districts Is it important to have full-time resident neighbors than having neighbors not yet full-time and renting their properties or snowbirding? Think harder about what is important to you rather than what was important to others.

[JMintzer]

We bought just a year ago. A resale in Osceola Hills. Pretty much the most Southern most par of the middle section of TV.

We looked as far North as 466A, and down in Chitty Chatty, Bradford and over in Marsh Bend (which I really liked).

The Boss refused to buy a house with a view of power lines. It was a line in the sand she would not cross. That knocked out a lot of the homes south of 44... We're close to Brownwood Paddock, Lake Sumter, Lake Deaton Plaza, and if we need the "Big Box" stores, just 15 minutes away...

Also, our 5 yo neighborhood just seemed more "finished". We talked and realized that the Southern Villages would be the same in another 5 years or so, but when we found our home, we were hooked. Who knows what the future will bring. If we find we like the newer areas better, down the road, I doubt we'll have any trouble selling and relocating...

[HoosierPa]

Originally Posted by Andrea3051

I know some Villagers move around a few times, the variety of locations makes this a great option. I'm new and on the younger side of retirement (57).

My impression is the North (Spanish Springs & Lake Sumter) is closer to established stores & services, more scenic. Long-timers & more mature

South (Brownwood & Fenny) is newer, younger retirees & still building out all new services & town squares. Also seems more buggy in the miles of cleared flat farm land being developed. Close to the future expansion.



Pros & Cons ?
(took all the great advice & renting in different areas before buying)

We bought near Brownwood 7 years ago when we were 55. People told me prior to buying…”Don’t go near Wildwood- It’s too unsafe an area”. We bought near the newly built Brownwood anyway and absolutely loved it. That was 2 houses ago. We then moved to Marsh Bend and loved it even more. More nature trails, safer to walk / ride bikes etc then the bridges were installed and it has gotten even better. Now we are moving very close to Sawgrass Grove area and we love it there too and it will only get better when Sawgrass actually opens and then in a year or 2 when the Southern Oaks bridge opens, new town square called Eastport is built along with the 45 new holes of golf right by it and many other amenities are built, I think we will be so glad we are near all the new stuff.
We tend to always gravitate to the new homes and amenities. This developer really does learn from past experience and tends to improve and change things based on resident feedback as they move forward. I know we would not be happy in an older home if anything were “dated”. That is just us.
Many of our friends think we are crazy and they are probably right. We have made a lot of money doing what we do and are very happy.
All I can say is do what feels right. The different areas really all do have a totally different feel. If we had moved to the current center or north Villages area, we might be a cheerleader for those areas too. Who knows.
Good luck.

[Rwirish]

North