[jakers]

It’s never too late to enjoy the Villages Lifestyle!
After 9 years living north of 466a, I moved south of 44. Beautiful parks and walking paths - lots of green and safe to ride a bike as you don’t have to ride with cars on the street or carts on the paths.
Don’t let the sour grapers discourage you - lots of fun folks 70+ down here!
Check out the older, middle and newer areas and decide what’s right for you! Welcome!

[jbrown132]

Originally Posted by kcwhel

We are a 74yrs healthy married couple wondering whether it is too late to move to TV.
Our friends have passed or moved and we need a new circle of friends. Is it too late at 74 to find a new group of friends. Are most of TV residents going to be much younger?
Advice please---

In another year you will be seventy five. You will be seventy five regardless of whether you move to The Villages or not. So you might as come if you are looking for an active and social life style. Age has nothing to do with it.

[mlmarr1]

Never too late..your just getting started..come and rent for a month to decide which area of TV you want to be..best move ever.

[Ruggiero56]

Yes, definitely come down for a Lifestyle Visit. The Villages is a great place to make new friends and be very active; tons of things to do here. Don’t get hung up on the whole “south of 44” issue - there are many places throughout all of The Villages and after you come for a visit you’ll have a better idea of where YOU want to live. Don’t be steered by anyone. And ... as for making friends; remember, when you move here take the the initiative to host a lanai or driveway part and invite your neighbors; that’s the best way to make friends. And join some clubs or groups and you’ll make even more friends. But yes, come to The Villages - it’s a great place and it’s definitely NOT too late!

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Rwirish

Avoid the southern section and you will be fine.

The southern sections have all the newest amenities, newest style homes, no crowded streets, lots of family pools for when the grandkids come to visit, miles and miles of walking trails surrounded by mother nature, it's a great area to live in and meet new friends. Only those who do not live south of 44 are critical of it, those thousands of new home buyers down here are as happy as can be.

[thelegges]

OP try not to read post that are anti north, south, east, west. Sadly it is an on going war with some, it gets old especially when someone like you is asking for advice.

Pack essential items, pick a furnished home to rent for a month. Then find a different area, rent for a month. Repeat. You have no commitment and can leave at any time, there are many home to rent by the month, you don’t need a long term commitment to any home.

You will understand how TV works, you will find things to do, places to shop, and people to meet, some younger than you some older.

You will also realize no one on this site is correct on where to live. Only you and your spouse can find a neighborhood right for you.

By renting for awhile you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

[NoMo50]

You have received some good advice, and some bad advice here. The only reason realtors "steer" folks to homes south of SR44 is because that is the only area where you can buy a newly constructed home. Realtors are in the business of selling homes. If you tell them you are interested in both new and pre-owned homes, they will show you properties all over The Villages. The best advice given is to do the Lifestyle Visit. Come on down, get a feel for the area, enjoy the amenities, meet some people, and you will start to focus in on what is important to YOU. Most of all, talk to people you encounter (yes...folks are friendly here!). Keep in mind, though, that everyone thinks their village is the best village! You simply cannot get a feel for The Villages by reading about it, or asking questions in absentia. You must physically be here to take it all it to savor the experience. Some call it "drinking the Kool Aid."

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Ndomines

I have a 3 br, 2bath Wisteria Designer home with 2 car garage.1 year old and available for long term lease beginning may 1 This would be a perfect fit.

Why not include location, photos, and cost if you're going to advertise on this non-related topic?

[TOMCAT]

I believe it is never too late to do anything. Go for it! Do not let age get in the way for anything.

[merrymini]

New houses are only south of 44 with the exception of a knock down in the historic section.
Plenty of resales all over.
The developer makes more money when selling a new house versus getting a commiss on a resale.
Must visit and look EVERYWHERE.
No one here knows ALL of the Villages. Don’t believe the horse manure.
New area with new people can be very social at first but then you gravitate to the activities you like the most.
Different pros and cons but this depends on what you prefer.
Only you can decide what is best for you.
Visit and have a good time.

[donfey]

Originally Posted by kcwhel

We are a 74yrs healthy married couple wondering whether it is too late to move to TV.
Our friends have passed or moved and we need a new circle of friends. Is it too late at 74 to find a new group of friends. Are most of TV residents going to be much younger?
Advice please---

Wife and I moved to TV last July after four winters of looking and wishing. I'm 77 and wife just turned 76. We couldn't be happier. Get a good Villages realtor AND and MLS realtor. We bought through a Villages realtor who had showed us home before. PM me for his name. I recommend him strongly.

So, COME ON DOWN! Folks live longer down here.

[sallyg]

You are definitely not too old! Whoever wrote the nonsense about the southern Villages doesn't know what they are talking about. We have lived in a northern Village and moved about a year ago to Marsh Bend. Each Village has it's own advantages and disadvantages, but age isn't one if them. Visit a few times or rent first to get an idea of what area appeals to you. The place is so huge and offers so much it is hard to take in in one visit.

[easydog]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

Don't buy in the new sections south of 44. The TV sales people are steering all people younger than 60 down there (I know because I have several friends who only used TV and they were specifically told they would be out of place north of 466A (they now wish they'd done their homework). I also have 3 friends who were steered to the new sections (Villages realtors get paid much more for selling new than preowned) and waited the year they were forced not to sell for a profit, then moved more north.
If you are over 70, you won't find many in your age group down there.

Living south of 44 is in my opinion ideal. There are many, many people of various ages that are enjoying this area. I have been here 3 years and I find this area exceptional.
Everyone who lives elsewhere is always biased about living south of 44.... don't listen to those who are steering you elsewhere. Look around and make your own decisions.

[jimkerr]

We just purchased a resale on the south side. We used a great agent with The Villages realty. He listened to what we wanted and gave us lots of options. Also, he didn’t try to steer us to a new home only like some others have mentioned. We did look at the street that had all mode new homes and in the end bought a resale.

Honestly, all the areas of The Villages are nice. Your best bet is to do a lifestyle visit and see for yourself.

Best of luck!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

This is why you come here rent for a month or more and decide if this place is for you and if so where you want to be.

Lifestyle visit is nice but not nearly long enough to decide.

It's also wise to work with two kinds of realtors--TV salespeople and a MLS realtor. TV sales associates will only show you homes listed with TV sales company, and the other can show you both but cannot show new TV homes or get you into model homes.