[USOTR]

Originally Posted by HappyTraveler

Yes, I think this. ^^^ Economies are cyclical - that has always been the case.

An anecdotal example I can offer is that I was visiting TV for three week last year at exactly this time and stayed in the SS area. I now live here. I see a noticeable difference in the lesser traffic on 441 and lower attendance at SS Town Square in the evenings. If someone were to measure it, that effect is likely true all over TV.

The last several years of inflationary pressures have caught up with peoples wallets. They have less savings to use for discretionary activities.

There was also that unique "pandemic" event in 2020-2022 that caused plenty of people from states helmed by Governors with draconian policies to begin looking elsewhere for a possible/actual move. That pressure has eased which is likely resulting in lower visitation to TV.

There is substantial population both north and south of SS (50,000+?) to support it. So, it'll come back when personal and national economics improve.

I will have to totally agree.. The last several years of outrageous inflation has hit all middle class families. Especially us retired senior citizens. As such our "fun" funds has lowered and going out for food is part of that. Add to that the great infrastructure of business on 441 or 466 offer a large amount of competition for those remaining "fun" funds.

All we can do is keep shopping at Spanish Springs and hopefully the developers will lower rent prices to help support the business.

[Ptmcbriz]

Sawgrass is packed every night. You have to arrive early to get a seat or bring your own. I haven’t been over to Brownwood lately, but I assume it’s still packed like Sawgrass. South of 44 is still hoppin.

[Federspiel]

Is it more related to the average age of the population. Are more younger people buying South? I am 80 living in Spanish Springs. I am not as active as I was 55-75.

[DarrenandKathy]

I wonder if there is any published information or statistics regarding the age demographics of the various town squares?
I’ll bet that the Spanish Springs area is an older population then the others.

[Lisas61]

We live near Sawgrass. We have no issue traveling over to Spanish Springs, I love the drive in the cart on a nice night. We went last Sunday for lunch at our favorite Italian. Place was packed in the afternoon on a Sunday. We see great shows there at the Sharon. Two of the best restaurants are over there. I love it there, it makes me remember the first time I saw it and why we chose to live here. Nothing is that far away really. It's all perspective. I lived in CT and upstate NY prior to here. Had to drive far to do anything. Had to take a train to the City to do a Show and dinner! I can do a Show and dinner on my golf cart! Nothing is perfect. Change happens. They just made some nice changes to Spanish Springs. I think each Town Square has a little something different. Try to find the good in things...excited for Eastport. I love it here and I work full time so I don't even get to do all the things!

[jmaccallum]

Originally Posted by derrickgoobie

Spanish Springs is slowly dieing, most of the shops, bars, restaurants are closed. Is anything happening to revitalized it ?

Just to look at numbers, there are 10 open eateries in Spanish Springs Square and if you include La Plaza Grand (which is basically connected) that number goes up to 19 eateries.

Counting all the same type of eateries, Sumter Landing has 15.

So, I wouldn’t say Spanish Springs is dying.

[ChicagoNative]

On the contrary, I see Spanish Springs square going through a rebirth.

The new Genesis gym that took over the old movie house has been a shot in the arm. The old gym across the street is being redeveloped. ( some say it will become apartments, but I have not seen anything authoritative). Restaurants come and go, but they have a good selection of decent options there.

The layout of the residential areas is nice and there are a lot of mature trees. You can call it the “historic section” all you want, but the downside to me is that a whole lot of the housing in that area is comprised of mobile homes. After living in a mobile home in St. Pete for a few years, I will never again live in one. YMMV.

The old timers lament the loss of Katie Belle’s and the movie theatre, but if either were profitable, I’m sure they’d still be there. Times and tastes change.

[Battlebasset]

Living in the Fenny area, I would only go to SS square if there were really a band I wanted to see. Otherwise, I can get everything in the way of entertainment/dining Lake Sumter landing south.

We drove our golf cart up there once just to say we did it. Never again. I generally won't take my golf cart north of Brownwood. Who wants to do a two hour+ round trip in a golf cart? I like my kidneys more than that.

[pgettinger01]

I think Spanish Springs is in transition from mobile homes and older residents to younger residents. It takes time. There are some selling points to Spanish Springs. For example:

Bigger lots
Less expensive homes
Lower bonds
Mature growth

[vemetz57]

They are revitalizing the ‘Spanish Springs Town Center” hoping to bring in residents from all the apartments they are building outside of The Villages. Not Villagers. You are correct about the manufactured homes, they have stopped buying them and building site built. The new ‘Rec’ center was to have been started and finished by now but ground hasn’t even been broken! The bridge over 441 is atrociously filthy. Do you see any signs advertising ‘The Historic Side’, absolutely not because it needs updating and new homes to appeal to new residents.

[tophcfa]

Everything and everyone begins to start slowly dying immediately after inception.

[coleprice]

Rents are too expensive given the limited traffic that Spanish Springs attracts.

[johnblackwell]

Originally Posted by derrickgoobie

Spanish Springs is slowly dying, most of the shops, bars, restaurants are closed. Is anything happening to revitalized it ?

As the average age of residents near Spanish Springs increases, they go out less and spend less money in stores and restaurants. Businesses close.

It's not clear what "the developer" can do about this, other than reduce rents which I assume they have already done in their own self-interest - low rent is better than no rent.

Eventually the older residents will move or die, and younger residents will move in, revitalizing SS.

[BPRICE1234]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

Personally, I live south of 44 and barely even go to Lake Sumter Landing. I’d never go to Spanish Springs. Too far. Brownwood and Sawgrass Grove are packed all the time. I’d go to Sawgrass more often but it’s always so crowded.

I wish they would get rid of the putt putt at Sawgrass and put another actual restaurant or strictly golf cart parking. I love the putt putt but maybe relocate it.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

recession coming vs dead?

Inflationary effects vs lagging income effects?
(inflation happens during the year, and the annual adjustment comes after the inflation has already hit your spending)

Age transition from the original TV concept to the current age, does take time, a good 10 years. Our friends bought near SS from a seller who moved into assisted living. . . great outdoor living versus today's models, more spacious land area with pool, spa, outdoor kitchen. .

I'm not sure the point. How to budget is actually something you dealt with all your life and continue to do in retirement. Some spend more than the can or should. Others spend less than they can. Old saying man plans and god laughs.

Recession coming. The ?EXPERTS? have been saying this for YEARS. Sooner of later they will be right. Far as a seller who moved into assisted living. One thing you can be sure of. Tomorrow you will either be one day older or on your way to be planted-that you can be sure of..