[mermaid72]

Hi, from snowy & frigid MI

My partner & I are thinking of coming down to your community for a look-see, perhaps next summer.
The video and the website look great, but we are a bit hesitant as prices of the homes seem a bit pricey, and the general ambiance seems like a country club atmosphere.
However I did remember seeing some less expensive modular homes (I am being politically correct here, folks!) that would fit in our budget quite nicely.
Is housing available for under $100,000? We do not need fancy. We need a modest, dwelling in a friendly environment. We were very impressed by all the available educational classes, the activities, and the varied sports facilities.
Would appreciate some very candid opinions about your community before we decide to visit.
Thanks so much.

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by mermaid72

Hi, from snowy & frigid MI

My partner & I are thinking of coming down to your community for a look-see, perhaps next summer.
The video and the website look great, but we are a bit hesitant as prices of the homes seem a bit pricey, and the general ambiance seems like a country club atmosphere.
However I did remember seeing some less expensive modular homes (I am being politically correct here, folks!) that would fit in our budget quite nicely.
Is housing available for under $100,000? We do not need fancy. We need a modest, dwelling in a friendly environment. We were very impressed by all the available educational classes, the activities, and the varied sports facilities.
Would appreciate some very candid opinions about your community before we decide to visit.
Thanks so much.

PC would be 'MANUFACTURED" homes

check with the Real Estate agencies that advertise on this medium
just click a banner ad

prices will not be at this level long

just do it.

L&L.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by mermaid72

Hi, from snowy & frigid MI

My partner & I are thinking of coming down to your community for a look-see, perhaps next summer.
The video and the website look great, but we are a bit hesitant as prices of the homes seem a bit pricey, and the general ambiance seems like a country club atmosphere.
However I did remember seeing some less expensive modular homes (I am being politically correct here, folks!) that would fit in our budget quite nicely.
Is housing available for under $100,000? We do not need fancy. We need a modest, dwelling in a friendly environment. We were very impressed by all the available educational classes, the activities, and the varied sports facilities.
Would appreciate some very candid opinions about your community before we decide to visit.
Thanks so much.

You can start here http://thevillages.com/homes/homes.asp there are 22 homes under $100,000.

[ijusluvit]

That's right. This place has so much to offer it will make you forget how much you paid for your house faster than you can say "sunny and warm"!! (well, not this week).

There is a whole section of The Villages, called the 'Historic Area" consisting largely of manufactured homes. Many are priced very close to the 100k figure and compared to what you find elsewhere with the incomparable perks of The Villages, make them one of the best home values in America.

I'm sorry that this sounds like a sales pitch, but every word is true. You will believe it when you see it. Come visit!

[rshoffer]

There are very nice properties on the Historic side in your price range.

[graciegirl]

The only times in my life that I have felt that people don't believe me is when I launch on my spiel about The Villages. I don't like Florida particularly, but I LOVE it in TV. I have lived in Country Club communities for the last three decades and this is much less ...formal...and certainly not cliquey. (pronounced clicky..don't know if it is spelled right.)

You will love it here. There is a home for you.

I don't work for the developer either. I just SOUND like it.

Come on down...but wait until it's warmer.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by mermaid72

Hi, from snowy & frigid MI

My partner & I are thinking of coming down to your community for a look-see, perhaps next summer.
The video and the website look great, but we are a bit hesitant as prices of the homes seem a bit pricey, and the general ambiance seems like a country club atmosphere.
However I did remember seeing some less expensive modular homes (I am being politically correct here, folks!) that would fit in our budget quite nicely.
Is housing available for under $100,000? We do not need fancy. We need a modest, dwelling in a friendly environment. We were very impressed by all the available educational classes, the activities, and the varied sports facilities.
Would appreciate some very candid opinions about your community before we decide to visit.
Thanks so much.

Others have provided good links to check on home prices. Remember to consider the cost of the bond, if any, on the home, the monthly amenities fee and other lifestyle costs.

As for a "country club atmosphere" it would help to know what you mean. Stuffy, it is not. I suppose the ways in which it has "country club" character are in the golf courses, the beauty, and the gates. I would describe the ambiance more as friendly, lively, lovely and casual.

The best way to see for yourself is a Lifestyles tour. The last time I did one before buying in TV, it cost $75 a night, which included almost all of our meals (free meals at different restaurants), a movie or two, a golf cart and two bicycles. Summer is a good time to come to make sure the heat is not too much for you. If access to golf, movies and other popular amenities is more of a concern, Feb. and March are the peak crowd times.

If you come down for a visit, I'm betting you'll have a great time. Fair warning... it's almost impossible to not drink the Kool-aid.

[Ohiogirl]

I don't think there is a bond on the historic side, believe that's in Lake County. Also, I think the cost of the Lifestyle Preview Visit depends on the time of year. Right now (high season - thru March) I think it's $175/night for 2 people, but there's a good link on thevillages.com and to be sure, you should also just call the toll-free number.

Gracie is absolutely right - you have to see it to believe it. It still amazes me that there are people who buy elsewhere, but I guess the "different strokes for different folks" adage is really true.

[LELANDJANE]

The price of the Lifestyle visits is according to the time of year. In the Spring and Summer it's relatively inexpensive, especially for the perks included. I enjoyed mine in April of 2008. This Summer I moved here fulltime. Right now, I'm in the historic area and there are lots of homes for sale here, from single-wide mobile homes starting at about 70,000 to manufactured homes at 90-100,000. There are no "bonds" on this side of 441 and taxes/insurance are extremely reasonable. If I can answer any other questions, PM me.
Good luck. You'll love it if you do it!!

[billethkid]

manufactured home for under $100,000 in the Orange Blossom Hill area.
The maturity of the landscaping and how the homes are organized are very, very nice.

The beauty and enjoyment of what TV has to offer is not designated by how much one pays for their home. We all are entitled to the same benefits and amenities.

Anyway come on down you will find something that will satisfy and surprise you.
btk

[mermaid72]

Wow,
Thanks to all of you who answered my questions so promptly.
The Villages sounds like a perfect place, I was a bit concerned about prices and the fact that this is a country club type setting. We are country folks, and enjoy a simple lifestyle. However I realize that someday that "simple" way of life will be too hard for us to manage--- chopping wood, etc.
The educational classes in the "College" are a big plus, as are all the swimming pools and the activities. All the stores, & health facilities are all accessible by golf cart or bike, now that's really a plus!
My parents retired in Sun City Center south of Tampa, facilities there were nice, but I never saw many people take advantage of them except for the golf. The streets were always empty like a ghost town, and I visited at many different times of the year. I would not like to live in a place like that at all...... It was very sad.
I think the Lifestyle visit would be the way to go, the fee includes meals also? I think we might check you out in the future.
Thanks again!

[njbchbum]

My husband and I purchased this past Spring on the historic side and we love, love, love it there - especially because we don't have to face the "traffic" on the other side of the hiway! And the golf cart bridge over that hiway to get us to the "other side" is always a hoot!

Here are some websites to peruse while you consider making your lifestyle visit:
lyle gant website:
http://www.lylesellsfla.com/index.shtml

online version of the villages daily newspaper:
http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/

website for recreation activities schedule:
http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/sections/#secD

website put up by the neighbors of virginia trace neighborhood with oodles of info:
http://www.virginiatrace.com/

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Hi mermaid72
We have friends that have lived in Sun City Center for many years and we checked the area out as well.
It is now an older community and the fees are very high in order to cover the cost of repairs and upgrades.
There is really no comparison between them and TV's.
I found nice homes at Sun City priced lower then here at TV'S, but it is much more geriatric there.
TV has so much more to offer and the only way to see that is to come and visit and compare.
If I was 20 years older (now 60) I might consider Sun City,but I am very happy here and think we made the best choice.

[mermaid72]

Thanks for the links, I will bookmark them for the future.
The activities are pretty mind-boggling, there are millions! LOL
And traffic was mentioned, is there a lot of traffic on the streets? We live in the country & are not used to too much of that. I am assuming that the "Historic" (older) side is quieter?

And otherbruddaDarell, thanks for reconfirming my thoughts about Sun City Center.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

With all the seasonal residents here at this time of year the main streets and town squares get a lot of traffic.
Around April things start getting a bit less hectic, but it all depends where you live.
I live off a main road with lots of traffic (Rio Grand & Morse) but there is very little traffic in our Villas.
Most streets are somewhat quiet with a lot having keyholes and such.
All areas in TV have streets with not much traffic, others more........it all depends on what you call quiet.