[awolfe]

I am renting a house this summer so I can make a decision of where I might want to buy. I am drawn to new homes but the attraction to TV for me is driving a golf cart to Squares, grocery stores, shopping etc. I keep hearing the golf cart access will be avaiable in Jan of 2020 to the southern villages. I have seen maps and drone videos so I know things are progressing. For now I am concentrating on rentals in Dunedin, Hillsborough, Hemingway and maybe that’s where my future home is...but I love the layouts, interior colors of cabinets and SS appliances and the idea of being in a brand new home in McClure. Linden, etc. . For those who were in TV when Brownwood was being ‘born’, I think the golf cart access was there before the houses were built. At 72, I am arriving late in my life- what do I do? Settle in an area that I like and rent for a year or go for it, buy a new home and hope the timeline is met? I know no one can answer for me, but I’d like to hear from those who went ahead and bought in the new areas even though they can’t drive their golf cart to the squares.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by awolfe

I am renting a house this summer so I can make a decision of where I might want to buy. I am drawn to new homes but the attraction to TV for me is driving a golf cart to Squares, grocery stores, shopping etc. I keep hearing the golf cart access will be avaiable in Jan of 2020 to the southern villages. I have seen maps and drone videos so I know things are progressing. For now I am concentrating on rentals in Dunedin, Hillsborough, Hemingway and maybe that’s where my future home is...but I love the layouts, interior colors of cabinets and SS appliances and the idea of being in a brand new home in McClure. Linden, etc. . For those who were in TV when Brownwood was being ‘born’, I think the golf cart access was there before the houses were built. At 72, I am arriving late in my life- what do I do? Settle in an area that I like and rent for a year or go for it, buy a new home and hope the timeline is met? I know no one can answer for me, but I’d like to hear from those who went ahead and bought in the new areas even though they can’t drive their golf cart to the squares.

There are well over 3,000 people down here without golf cart access north of 44 and I haven't heard any complaints, we have been here nearly two years. The areas you mentioned are all great villages with residents just as happy as those south of 44. When you get here you will know which will make you happy. As far as the connections they are working at a fast pace and rarely do they miss target dates. We too are 72 and don't feel that it is late in life, for some reason you feel much younger once you get here and settle in. You'll be happy with whichever village you choose.

[Toymeister]

This is hard to communicate this clearly but I will try. The Pinnellas, Collier, Hillsboro areas will have a certain newness feel to them as villages are built across 44 from them and I mean un-named villages and that area will be the center of TV. It may be that the current new areas that you are looking at will be in a more 'isolated' area.

Now, depending upon the next square location, I could be wrong.

[mscocco]

Suggest that you check some of the newer homes i the areas of Osceola Hills, Pine Hills, and all around Moyer loop. Only a year or so older than those in Fenney, they have convenient access to Colony via golf car and you can get to brownwood in about 15-20 minutes on a cart.

You are correct in that Fenney represents a different approach where instead of adding on to existing Villages, the builder went to new area and began building backup to the rest of the community. Southern Oaks does have a lot of natural beauty and I've spoken to quit a few people who live there that do love where they are. There seems a bit more variety in the activities and the "sections" of homes is typically smaller. Streets have a narrower feel down south as homes are pushed forward on lots to allow more rear space and separation off the lanais. there;s also the options of Veranda homes (designers with walls privacy) and the Bungalos (courtyards) can also now have full 2 car front entrance garages. There is certainly some nice new things to consider with southern Oaks. If you do find something in Osceola. there will also be a bridge by Rohan Rec center and path that will run all the way down to the McLure side of Southern Oaks.

I've also seen plans for a new village of "Chitty Chatty" across Rt 44 from Rohan and across 468 from Villages Grown area. Dunedin and Hillsborough will also put you close to brownwood and not far from Fenney once the cart path is in. You'd also be closer to Rt 44 and Rt466A - right now, there's not much around southern Oaks in terms of food stores, shopping, banks, pharmacies, restaurant, etc. but there is a center being built now on 468 that will have a food chain, bank and I believe 2 restaurants so it's all coming...soon.

and, as mentioned above - everyone is just speculating where the new 4th town square will be but it would make sense to be someplace in support of Souther Oaks.
Good luck!

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by awolfe

I am drawn to new homes but the attraction to TV for me is driving a golf cart to Squares, grocery stores, shopping etc.

Since there are no new homes close to the Squares and shopping, you have to decide which is important to you. Simple as that.

[karostay]

Looking to drink the kool aid late in life you may want to explore homes in the Duval area
Why buy and wait for services amenities to be built when they already exist just south of the area your looking in

[Chi-Town]

If you want an abundance of amenities right now any Village that abuts Palmer Legends is ideal. The area is 10 to 15 years old but super nice. Actually, The Villages is super nice in total.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by awolfe

I am renting a house this summer so I can make a decision of where I might want to buy. I am drawn to new homes but the attraction to TV for me is driving a golf cart to Squares, grocery stores, shopping etc. I keep hearing the golf cart access will be avaiable in Jan of 2020 to the southern villages. I have seen maps and drone videos so I know things are progressing. For now I am concentrating on rentals in Dunedin, Hillsborough, Hemingway and maybe that’s where my future home is...but I love the layouts, interior colors of cabinets and SS appliances and the idea of being in a brand new home in McClure. Linden, etc. . For those who were in TV when Brownwood was being ‘born’, I think the golf cart access was there before the houses were built. At 72, I am arriving late in my life- what do I do? Settle in an area that I like and rent for a year or go for it, buy a new home and hope the timeline is met? I know no one can answer for me, but I’d like to hear from those who went ahead and bought in the new areas even though they can’t drive their golf cart to the squares.

It's a matter of personal preference. Some residents visit the squares on a regular basis. A good deal of us don't, so living close to one is not even a concern. When we used to visit before moving here, we would visit the squares each time...the touristy thing to do. Once we actually lived here, we find going to a square once or twice a month is all that's needed.

[Garywt]

We looked at the southern area and my wife loved that those houses had gas. As we got close to buying there were 2 things that concerned us, one was the golf cart path and the other was the changes in the designs, the eliminated 80% of the counter space in the kitchen which we did not like. So we decided to go as far north as we could and bought a new villa that had the full size kitchen and the ability to get anywhere but golf cart.

[charmed59]

Three years ago we did our live style visit and we one of the first visitors to be put near Brownwood at the Alden Bungalows. Around us was nothing but dirt. Brownwood had about the same number of retail and restaurants it has now. Rohan had just opened, and the Publix shopping center near there had started but would not open for another year. There were no health centers or doctors offices. However, it looks like more restaurants, health centers, retail, and hotels are very close on the horizon now.

Though neighborhoods and amenities go up fast, the accompanying businesses and service take a bit longer. For instance, i’m still surprised even three years later the only place south of 466A to get a takeout espresso is Dunkin Donuts. I would have expected by now to see a Starbucks or equivalent at one of the Publix shopping centers on 44 or At least along 466A.

If by golf cart lifestyle you mean taking your cart to the rec center or golfing the southern areas are very nice. If you want to take your cart to the grocery store and pharmacy it it’ll be about 18 months down there. If you want to go to restaurants and buy things for your home or clothes all while in a cart you want to be closer to Spanish Springs or Lake Sumter Landing/Palmer for now.

If you don’t mind using the car for now for those type of thing they will be down there eventually. My friends who are looking here and are in their late 50’s planning on being here part time for a bit with full time looking to be 5 years or more out I tell them those southern areas are a great deal, and we’ll be jealous in 5 years of that location.

[awolfe]

Thanks everyone for all your responses. Hopefully I will be somewhere in TV in the next 60 days.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Another option that doesn't get nearly as much attention as it deserves, is to buy one of the OLD manufactured homes for dirt-cheap across the golf cart bridge from Spanish Springs. Raze the structure, and build new, to your specifications. You could also get in touch with the Villages sales office and see if there are any of those older properties, already leveled and ready to build. Again, with all the cabinetry and flooring and possibly even layout that you love in the newer sections. You might even be able to buy a lot and have a new home built on it in the Orange Blossom/Silver Lake area, for less than you'd have to pay for a new home in the as-of-yet-unfinished southern sections.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by awolfe

Thanks everyone for all your responses. Hopefully I will be somewhere in TV in the next 60 days.

The real question I think someone needs to ask themselves, is whether the overall lifestyle and reaching a plethora of amenities with a golf cart now...is more important than the house itself.

Given that 'tomorrow' is promised no one, I personally couldn't imagine waiting years to hopefully have the ability to access everything...that living within say a 5 mile circumference of Lake Sumter Landing provides right now.

Even when that time comes that the very southern portion of TV is connected by golf cart trails, it will be a pretty long ride (in one direction only)...to the nearest square/shopping.

The area Chi-Town mentioned above, currently offers everything (in multiple directions)...that defines the best of "The Villages Experience" IMHO.

Good luck in being happy...with whatever you choose.

[kcrazorbackfan]

[QUOTE=photo1902;1637035]It's a matter of personal preference. Some residents visit the squares on a regular basis. A good deal of us don't, so living close to one is not even a concern. When we used to visit before moving here, we would visit the squares each time...the touristy thing to do. Once we actually lived here, we find going to a square once or twice a month is all that's needed.[/QUOTEN

Same here. When we came on our LSV, we went every night; woo hoo, couldn't wait to move here and go to them every night. That lasted about a week; now we go about one to two times a month.

[JoMar]

I think you can tell that by everyone's opinions the only right place to live is the one you feel is best for you. We all have our own priorities. We moved here 4.5 years ago and everyone was asking why we would buy so far south (Hillsborough). Now, we will be in the middle (but not for long) and Sumter Landing will be considered the northern section. The amenities will be different and from what I can see, tailored to younger more active lifestyles and remember, your not buying a house here, you are buying into a lifestyle. If shopping and restaurants are how you define lifestyle you may lean north, if 16 miles of walking trails, RC venues, shorter golf experiences, resort style pools, paths for walking and bikes separated from golf carts, more dog friendly venues (for a few) then you might lean farther south. It's really about what you want.