[rshoffer]

Originally Posted by 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!

As the sayin goes.."be careful what you wish for"... If you came for a visit now you'd find the streets are far from empty. Jan-April are really hoppin!

[dalecrenshaw]

Another idea would be to rent a manufactured home on the Historic side for a month or so, if you have the time. Then you would be able to explore all that the Villages has to offer and you would also see if you like the Historic side and like the idea of living in a manufactured home (some of which are very nice if they have been maintained and updated over the years). You can rent a home during the off season for less than $1000 a month. Be sure to get one that includes a golf cart, since it is a great way to get around the Villages and to get to know the area. You can drive the golf cart (day & night) to town square, restaurants, grocery stores, churches, the hospital, doctor's offices, most stores, rec centers, pool, etc. The Historic side is very quiet, unless you are located on a main artery road.

[BaylorBear]

Originally Posted by 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/

Our home is on the historic side as well!! Where are you??

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Lynne Bigelow

Our home is on the historic side as well!! Where are you??

We are in the Village of Silver Lake - close to the Webb Way pool - we use the Shay gate. Can't wait to get there - two more weeks!!!

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by 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.

We feel it is quieter because to get to our gates you only have to use the golf cart bridge or with a car we can turn into one from the highway. We don't have to travel the "main drags" like Morse Blvd to get to an entry gate. And because there are no shopping plazas on the historic side we don't have a lot of traffic travelling to same. I agree that once you enter a village from one of the main roads that the neighborhoods are nice and quiet...but getting to that village gate can be trying at times...especially since the travelling public and our residents can all use the roadway.