[shaw8700@outlook.com]

We have never had a Lifestyle visit. We just rented a house for two weeks last summer and we did the same when we decided to go for two months starting April. (Yea!!)

[MrFlorida]

Rent for the month of July or August, then you'll know if you want to live here.

[spd2918]

They got snooty with us when we asked for a 2nd lifestyle visit. We found it was cheaper to rent a PV for a week.

I agree a long visit in August will help you determine if Florida is right for you.

[ColtsFan]

We did two life style visits. I am sure you can get it done. Also, the summer time might seem hot to you, but you do develop what they call "Florida Blood". The heat of the summer does not bother us---and plenty of pools to go to. We enjoy the weather year around. Moving here was the best decision we have made.

[Rwirish]

One time.

Summer is the best time of year.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

We have never had a Lifestyle visit. We just rented a house for two weeks last summer and we did the same when we decided to go for two months starting April. (Yea!!)

By far the best way to get a true feel of TV. The reason is that you get a real feel of living in a neighborhood, learn a location, and learn to travel in a golf cart. Also gives you a feel for living expenses for food, versus a 1 week "vacation".

Living in a house also gives you a sense of a typical house set up, and what you might want or not. Helps to get a baseline for looking at a type of house to buy, given certain characteristics of the different models. Since most houses are very, very similar, what will make you decide on your purchase some added difference, whether storage, or lanai design, or outdoor kitchen, or location / view.

We have a rental available for one more year: there are two types of renters, winter asylum seekers, and those looking for their TV/FL retirement home. summer rates are less per day than life style visits, look at the different types and rates as a sample with loads of pictures.

Also, when looking for a house we went through lots of sales and rental pictures to get a sense of interior decor and setups. . so much information available before you even get here!

The Villages, FL United States - 2351 Bayberry Ct | Down Home Properties

The Villages, FL United States - 525 Inner Circle | Down Home Properties

The Villages, FL United States - 1352 Kilgore Way | Down Home Properties

[CoachKandSportsguy]

BTW, you don't have to suffer through summer, until you get used to the heat. . you can get boiled like a frog or
you can take a summer vacation north, by car, RV or visit family left behind!

[LonnyP]

The easy way to do it is to rent for a month or two from a landlord in an area that you like. I prefer Osceola Hills. The landlord will get you lifestyle passes and you can check it out all you want. The lifestyle visit you likely did was scheduled with the villages and I have no idea if they limit those.

[FloridaLady]

If you were happy with the agent they assigned last time call them about getting a 2nd visit and see what they say

[Miboater]

We also had four lifestyle visits. The sales department called us for the middle two and we initiated the last one when we knew we were ready to buy. While we got the usual golf cart and bikes we didn't get any other perks like the golf passes or show tickets.

[NotGolfer]

One life-style visit for us----that was in late 2008. Even back then the "perks" had changed from reports of others who'd come earlier. Availability was fairly easy but the market was quite open here then as well.
We're "from" MN so know the difference in climates so here, it's semi-tropical. You will become accostomed to the weather. We'd rather live here then struggle through winters there....which seem (in other years at least) to keep getting longer. Our family situations have changed too---it's difficult to pull folks together and to travel that far for just a day, afternoon or whatever get-together seems out of the question------and expensive! They can come here if they want to see us!! We're so thankful to live in The Villages----the Life-style is good on all levels! Hope you find your solution!!

[Idahodale]

Originally Posted by Tustin714

We did a one-week lifestyle stay in the Fall of 2022, and then a full-month rental last October, and it made a huge difference. We went to a lot of open houses, and my wife even started to notice the flora differences between areas (lots of Magnolia trees versus other flora). Plus we got a sense of where we would spent a lot of our activity time, and are closing this Friday.

Good luck.

The first two years of retirement, we spent in Mexico. The expats (Americans) suggested renting the first year. There are many houses for rent in TV for cheap, in the summer, some with golf carts. Try it out first. I loved Mexico, but left due to the crime. And saved thousands because we rented.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by MplsPete

We had a pleasant Lifestyle Visit in mid-December (the weekend of the big rain.) Wife says, better check it out in summer, see if you like the heat. I called to request a Lifestyle Visit in July. I have read many accounts of people mentioning they had more than one visit. Schedulers told me, No no, it was a one-time opportunity . . . ?

Brother came 1-2 days after Hurricane Ian. They allowed him a 2nd visit citing the storm. Did not include the golf costs.

[skiclub]

I agree with what most are saying, rent for a month in the summer. We bought our home a few years ago and rent it out occasionally (per month) and have had three couples purchase homes after renting from us. One of the couples rented last June because they wanted to see what it would be like to be here in the summer and ended up buying a home. There is so much to see and do during a month versus trying to make a big decision off of a one-week visit.

[Nell57]

I equate Florida summer vs Ohio winter.
You just have to manage your time. Go out in the mornings…..stay in the air conditioning for a siesta during the heat of the day. Back out in the evenings . They are long with fabulous sunsets.
Be sure and come again in October. SOLD