[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by huge-pigeons

I had a choice of moving anywhere in the villages when we moved here and after looking at most of the areas, south of 44 is the best for many reasons. Here are a couple but I can go on for pages:

The Best you say? Interesting... I thought it was those north doing the bashing, not those in the south...

) we have gas for heat and cooking

Plenty of area north have natural gas. Many people bury a propane tank for cooking gas, or to heat their pools...

) Spanish springs homes are very dated

There are just a few neighborhoods besides Spanish Springs north of 44. Some even have "updated" designs...

) average age is 20 years younger down south

So, you're saying the average age down there is 52? I kinda' doubt it, since the average age in TV is 72...

) mp paths are so much better designed in the south. We don’t share the streets with golf carts as much as you do in the north

Odd, I've read many posts complaining of the MMPs south of 44. Too many sharp turns, limited sight views when coming to intersections...

And you must have missed that stretch of Meggison, south of St Catherine's that people are complaining about having to share the road with regular traffic...

) separate bike/walking paths from golf cart path

Many of those paths are across fields, with ZERO shade. I don't get the design at all. Although I DO like the Hog Eye path...

) no traffic. Who wants to go to 441?

Have you traveled down 301 or across 470? PLENTY of traffic... Which will only get worse...

And the only time I'm on 441 up north is if I'm going up towards Ocala. Or to The Markets @ Marion...

) new homes, new infrastructure, new golf courses, quiet, worth more
) in a couple of years, we will be the center of the villages

People are complaining of the lack of golf courses, the decrease in quality of the new homes.

Quiet? Many of those homes are right on top of the Turnpike. "Quiet" is not the descriptor I'd use for them...

Worth more? Resales of the same models are going for significantly more than a brand new home...

That's not me just speculation. That's "sold homes" on Zillow and TV Homefinder saying that...

That’s not to say we like both Sumter and Brownwood squares, Spanish springs not so much.

Good to know...

And lest I repeat myself. BE HAPPY WHEREVER YOU LIVE! Just stop it with the "holier than thou, only they do it" BS...

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I am sure there are many people who love their home south of hwy 44. There are more and more amenities available in those areas and some, if not most, of the area is quite beautiful. I have been coming to TV since 2010 and have owned a Villa in Sanibel from 2018-2021 and a designer home in LaBelle North since then. Who knows how long we will continue to be snowflakes, spending Five months in TV and seven months in Kansas City, but for now that works well for us. The point of this post is that, as far as I’m concerned, south of 44 doesn’t exist. I see no reason to go down there, not that there aren’t good things there, but because everything I need or want exists above hwy 44. I am certainly not bashing that area, I realize there are great reasons that people choose to live there and many, if not most, love it. I think I represent a lot of people who would never consider moving south of 44, not out of a dislike or hate for that area, but just because we find nothing about that area that offers anything that appeals to us that we can’t access north. Please know, I’m not a hater of the new areas, just someone who is very fond of the areas north and with zero interest in the areas south. I presume there are some who feel the same as us, just as I am sure there are others who strongly disagree. Let’s hear it.

I have absolutely nothing against the northern areas other than there are no NEW homes there and we much preferred new. In many ways I think the northern villages with the more mature landscaping is prettier, some of it needs pulled out and updated but I do the love bigger trees.

Unless they tear down some of the old and build new, south of 44 will control grow like wildfire.

[HoosierPa]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I am sure there are many people who love their home south of hwy 44. There are more and more amenities available in those areas and some, if not most, of the area is quite beautiful. I have been coming to TV since 2010 and have owned a Villa in Sanibel from 2018-2021 and a designer home in LaBelle North since then. Who knows how long we will continue to be snowflakes, spending Five months in TV and seven months in Kansas City, but for now that works well for us. The point of this post is that, as far as I’m concerned, south of 44 doesn’t exist. I see no reason to go down there, not that there aren’t good things there, but because everything I need or want exists above hwy 44. I am certainly not bashing that area, I realize there are great reasons that people choose to live there and many, if not most, love it. I think I represent a lot of people who would never consider moving south of 44, not out of a dislike or hate for that area, but just because we find nothing about that area that offers anything that appeals to us that we can’t access north. Please know, I’m not a hater of the new areas, just someone who is very fond of the areas north and with zero interest in the areas south. I presume there are some who feel the same as us, just as I am sure there are others who strongly disagree. Let’s hear it.

If you like nature, are a walker or bicyclist, South of
44 offers so much more (and safer)
When we started coming here, Sanibel was still a pile of sand and a people told us….”whatever you do, don’t go south of 466A”
We did anyway and glad we did!

[HoosierPa]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I am sure there are many people who love their home south of hwy 44. There are more and more amenities available in those areas and some, if not most, of the area is quite beautiful. I have been coming to TV since 2010 and have owned a Villa in Sanibel from 2018-2021 and a designer home in LaBelle North since then. Who knows how long we will continue to be snowflakes, spending Five months in TV and seven months in Kansas City, but for now that works well for us. The point of this post is that, as far as I’m concerned, south of 44 doesn’t exist. I see no reason to go down there, not that there aren’t good things there, but because everything I need or want exists above hwy 44. I am certainly not bashing that area, I realize there are great reasons that people choose to live there and many, if not most, love it. I think I represent a lot of people who would never consider moving south of 44, not out of a dislike or hate for that area, but just because we find nothing about that area that offers anything that appeals to us that we can’t access north. Please know, I’m not a hater of the new areas, just someone who is very fond of the areas north and with zero interest in the areas south. I presume there are some who feel the same as us, just as I am sure there are others who strongly disagree. Let’s hear it.

If you like nature, are a walker or bicyclist, South of 44 offers so much more (and safer)
When we started coming here, Sanibel was still a pile of sand and a people told us….”whatever you do, don’t go south of 466A”
We did anyway and glad we did!

[ithos]

Originally Posted by HoosierPa

If you like nature, are a walker or bicyclist, South of 44 offers so much more (and safer)
When we started coming here, Sanibel was still a pile of sand and a people told us….”whatever you do, don’t go south of 466A”
We did anyway and glad we did!

You can say that again.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by laboutj

We're just north of 44 and travel up to the four executive courses around Lopez. If those aren't in your regular rotation you are really missing out.....

As far as south of 44, I have no use for Sawgrass but Edna's and Fenney Grill are very nice. There just isn't a lot of infrastructure right now (businesses, restaurants and gas stations) to support the number of homes.

I've played Lopez twice and Glenview twice. Great courses. Just a bit of a shlep to get there... But I'll try them all... Eventually...

And I agree. Fenney Grill is one of our favorites. I like Edna's, but the wife's not a big fan of waiting for food at food trucks...

We've been to Sawgrass a few times. McGrady's was fine, but the food court? Again, I'f I'm going out to eat, I want table service...

[Battlebasset]

Live down in Fenney. I like the less crowded/newer feel, but we are lacking in shopping options vs further north. However, more is getting built, and once the new Costco goes in in Clermont, Goggle says I'll be able to get to it in 35 minutes. Believe that once I make the run. Betting closer to 45 minutes.

We do have good access to the Super Walmart in Leesburg, about 20 minutes, but it's a bit dumpy and crowded. Bottom line, I do most of my shopping via Amazon. It's my spouse that insists on doing most of her shopping in person. To each their own.

One thing I do like is my attic antenna gets 60 stations from the Orlando market, being a bit closer and more open down here. Not sure how that would work further north. Also love our NG hookup and tankless water heater on the outside of the house vs a full sized one in the garage. And if you haven't seen the new area of Middleton, you have got to. The football stadium is nicer that what some colleges have.

I do wonder what the Villages is going to do with the oldest housing by Spanish Springs. It seems that this is getting a bit long in the tooth and doesn't fit their image anymore. I suppose they could just stay the course, but I wonder at some point would they work out a deal to move it under another management company/set up? Don't know if that's even an option under their contracts with those home owners, but it seems, and just my observation, that they really want to concentrate on development further south.

Not to worry. By the time I die, we will be in the middle of the Villages.

[HandyGrandpap]

The area S of 44 still appears to be highly desirable. Out of curiosity I did a check on Zillow search of the area. Show 20+ homes for sale, which appears low, also a $1M property for sale. Link below

Access to this page has been denied

[Battlebasset]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

I've played Lopez twice and Glenview twice. Great courses. Just a bit of a shlep to get there... But I'll try them all... Eventually...

And I agree. Fenney Grill is one of our favorites. I like Edna's, but the wife's not a big fan of waiting for food at food trucks...

We've been to Sawgrass a few times. McGrady's was fine, but the food court? Again, I'f I'm going out to eat, I want table service...

I'm a guy who lived 12 years in Chicagoland and 15 in NJ, so I'm a bit of a pizza snob. Frenchy's Wood Fired Pizza at Sawgrass (get the meat/meat lovers style) is one of the best I've had around here. To level set, the other places I prefer are Gio's up 301 and Piesano's.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Do you know what a Villages SNOW FLAKE is? Not the "political definition"...

It's someone, who's not yet a Frog, but not a "Snow Bird either. Someone who comes and goes as their schedule allows...

And I agree with the OP. Nothing wrong with the areas south of St Catherines, but I have no reason to go down there. Does it mean I'm "bashing" that area? How could you come to that conclusion? Why should I drive there if there nothing there for me? A dog park? I have one close to me, off Moyer Loop. A pitch & putt? I rarely play them, and if I did, I'd go to the one by Edna's. Closer, and I can have lunch afterwards...

And you support the HS in Middleton? You mean the one that just opened last week? The one that hasn't had a single event for you to "support"?

When Middleton opens, I'll check it out. If we like it, we'll add it to the rotation of places we visit. If not, we won't. Isn't that easy?

Just like Spanish Springs. We go up the for shows at The Sharon and an occasional dinner. There's one or two stores there we like but it's a shlep to take the cart there on a regular basis. LSL and Brownwood serve our needs quite nicely... I would think that those down by you rarely go up to Spanish Springs, due to the distance. Does that mean you're "bashing" the area?

I've been over the bridge that crosses 441 ONCE. It was on a sight seeing ride, a couple of years back, when we first moved in to our home. I doubt I'll ever do it again. Not bashing the area. It's just that I have no reason to go there. Why does this always turn into a "my area is better than your area" battle?

I agree with your post completely. As for going over the bridge on 441, we did that once too. It was like a little roller coaster (which I love). I went weeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!! and then went weeeeeeeeeee on the way back.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Rwirish

No enjoyment is actually seeing and listening to the turnpike.

Few go south for the walking paths.

Uh oh. This discussion is heading south. Catch what I did there? LOL.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Battlebasset

I do wonder what the Villages is going to do with the oldest housing by Spanish Springs. It seems that this is getting a bit long in the tooth and doesn't fit their image anymore. I suppose they could just stay the course, but I wonder at some point would they work out a deal to move it under another management company/set up? Don't know if that's even an option under their contracts with those home owners, but it seems, and just my observation, that they really want to concentrate on development further south.

Not to worry. By the time I die, we will be in the middle of the Villages.

I can never understand what some people see when looking at the older sections of the villages. Most of the floor plans are identical to the ones in the newest areas. The only difference is that some floor plans have been discontinued. Other than that, All I see is same! same! same! Some owners placed up wallpaper or whatever, so what? Doesn't change the fact that the homes are identical. I wish the developer would change things up a bit. Tired of looking at the same cookie-cutter homes over and over.

Took a drive through Middleton and finally saw homes that are different than the same ol', same ol'. But, By the time the 8000 homes planned are built, they too, will probably be identical to the first ones built. Voila! Another cookie-cutter development.

You feel comfort in knowing that someday you will be located in the middle of the Villages? Do you really believe you are going to love living in a community that is going to be twice the size it is now? A population of nearly half a million? (counting developments like Beaumont, the high-rise apartments, etc. etc.) Yikes! I'm not looking forward to that, at all!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

I I have been here since the Villages was only the historic section and Spanish Springs. Not going to lie, I miss those days. Very few people knew of the Villages and it was quaint and private. And, extremely inexpensive!

Along came Legacy and Mulberry area, and we thought our world was ending. We now had to share our "private oasis" with thousands more people. We made that adjustment and happily coexisted.

Wake up one morning, read the Daily Sun and WHAAAAAT? The family is going to build another community on the other side of 466! It was a hard pill to swallow, but we knew nothing could be done. The rest is history. Smile and make the best of it. Development happens!

Like you, I am not interested in the southern area. To me, it is just more of the developer's "same ol" planning and design. But, I am happy for those who have found their little piece of heaven. Welcome everyone and enjoy! Pretty soon, you too, will be complaining about the continual growth like the 8000 homes planned south of your present south. It doesn't seem there will ever be an end.

A very interesting post. Personally, I have not traveled south of 466 since before the Pandemic (BP). At least, not within The Villages. I may have gone further south on 27 / 441. This brings up a larger question.....is population increase and the associated real estate development Good or Bad? Florida had 9 million people when I got here in 1972. Now it is about double. Scientific and medical development is obviously good. But, is there some ideal / optimal population density for any area (like Florida)? Has the quality of life increased for Floridians with ALL population increases or did it top out at 12 Million or some other number?
......For comparison, the world population in 1950 was 2.5 Billion people. It started rapidly increasing after that until today it is 8.1 Billion people.

[Debfrommaine]

Originally Posted by Sandy and Ed

I’m just trying to fathom the rational for the original post. Am I supposed to rate where residents decided to live?? I’m at a loss to understand why this post even started

Well said, why start it......makes no sense to me either. Live and let live.

[LuvNH]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

OP

you close your post by saying, “Let’s hear it.”
You have been on here long enough to know(or should have) that you were inviting just another bashing conversation. Most of what has been posted already is a rehash of many previous threads.
Hard to determine what your point of starting this thread?

I have to agree, and this is so unlike the OP to post like this. He has always been a perfect gentleman in his writings. This time he got people really stirred up, and I wonder how many pages of replies this will cause.