[Army Guy]

Opus, I have heard that from several people we have met. Thought when they moved to TV wanted a house, then saw the amount of things to do in TV and didn't want to spend the time cleaning & upkeep! That was another reason we also bought a CYV.

Army Guy

[Carla B]

We love having a 3-bedroom house and find that when there is a place for everything and little clutter, it's quite easy to clean. We also like the luxury of a dedicated guest room. My husband is constantly engineering and building things and demands a shop in the garage. He wishes he could have a 3-car garage.

We moved from a 2-bedroom condo primarily because we never adapted to having a tiny 2nd bedroom/office, no garage and little storage. That said, if there were just one of us, I think, like KathieI, I'd be looking at villas.

Yard work is another matter. We have a small lot with a view. Even so, it's a bit of an ordeal, getting the grass to grow and keeping the weeds out.

[graciegirl]

I love to entertain and cook for people. I also want enough room for when family comes. I also like to pull weeds and get all dirty. Everyone is different or they would only sell vanilla ice cream.

P.S. I LOVE to decorate. Don't tell Sweetie but my dream would be to move from house to house with an unlimited budget. A bigger house is a blank canvas.

[kittylecroix]

Originally Posted by Army Guy

Gosh, after reading this post and some others, my Wife and I must be the only ones who do not hang onto things! Makes me feel weird, ok, no cracks from those that know us!! In both the houses we presently own, the garages are empty except for the car & golf cart, clubs and tool box. All we store are our tax records under our bed in a box, which we will store in the attic in TV. Otherwise we have nothing except what you see!

Army Guy

Hi Army Guy,
From having moved around a lot, you probably learned to not accumulate a lot of stuff. It makes life easier. We had to get rid of a lot of things when we moved here, and I'm detemined not to make that mistake again.

[Ohiogirl]

I agree - multiple choices for multiple reasons. I'm with Gracie about liking to redecorate. I've moved so much over the last 30 years (4 years would be the longest in any one house) that I hope I can contain myself and be happy where I am. I figure I'll probably paint a lot - or maybe not, once I get into all the activities. Hard to tell. Also, the older I get, the harder it is to move - am hoping that will also deter me.

A couple of years ago, we started going thru open houses when we were down, seriously thinking we might move to a designer once we retired. Found out we like our CYV just fine. We have a Bonita with an inside laundry, which also gives more storage space possibilities. I do think we'd be looking to move if we had bought a 2 BR, but if we didn't have 4 kids and 2 grandkids (so far - the kids are still in production mode) maybe we wouldn't need a 3 BR (although I would miss the inside laundry anyway). Why doesn't The Villages build a 2 BR model with an inside laundry? Maybe they like all this moving about and it's part of the master plan (good business move on their part maybe).

We also bought a 3 BR CYV so we would have room for family/guests and because we have a dog and will probably always have one. We also think we'll be snowbirds for awhile and like the lower maintenance and lower cost associated with it.

I love to garden, but honestly, there is about a 55 ft x 3 ft stretch along the villa wall on the side, another curvy planting area we added in the back (with hopefully, a live queen palm still when we get back down there), and a 2 foot planting area we added along the long edge of the lanai, plus the front stuff.

I will probably be adding an herb garden and another planting area in the back somewhere, and we also have grass (which we like because of the dog and just because it makes me feel cooler looking at green stuff). I found out when putting down mulch and weed mat that what I have is plenty for me. Everytime we come down I spend time weeding, clipping, etc. I enjoy it, but really don't want more. I was surprised as I thought I would actually like a bigger yard. Found out I don't think I do!

We don't mind the smaller garage - we can get in 2 golf carts and 1 car - going to sell the 2nd car when we move down this fall. It helps that the car we're keeping is a Honda Fit, but have also been able to easily fit in my Honda Accord when we've had that one down. Just have to be more careful getting it in the garage when the cart is in there.

I did play golf with a couple who didn't buy the CYV - only because the wife couldn't back up in a curved driveway. So far, I haven't met anyone who moved from a 3 BR CYV to a designer, but I'm sure sure they are out there. I've met several who moved down to a CYV. One of our neighbors moved from a 2 BR CYV to a designer. Have good friends who moved from a smaller designer into a Lantana (I think that's the largest designer). They have lots of stuff and lots of company too. I had a tenant (a single lady) who rented because she thought she wanted to buy a CYV and she found out it was too private for her - she wanted more contact with neighbors when she was outside. She bought a designer.

I think we kind of lucked out - that we made the right choice for us on the first go-around, but if anyone has the time, I'd say rent different types (in the off season it's pretty reasonable) and really try to figure out what's best for you. Talk to lots of people who are already thereto get their perspective as there are probably rationales that would never occur to you.

I've gone on long enough - back to cleaning out the closets and the basement so we can actually move down on schedule!

[Army Guy]

Kitty, you are so right. It keeps moves easy. We also have a rule, if we don't use/touch something for 6 months, it is gone. Either trash, Yard Sale or Salvation Army. You would be surprised in that you will never miss it. And yes, it makes things so much easier without all that stuff!

Ohio, our car is an Accord also, and we think it fits nicely especially with the cart. And we are fulltime we are downsizing to a Mazda Miata. The wife told me when we got my Harley she was getting her two seater when we retire. I told her, "DEAL!"

Army Guy

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

So far, I haven't met anyone who moved from a 3 BR CYV to a designer, but I'm sure sure they are out there.

I have several friends who moved from three-bedroom courtyard villas to designers. They just felt a little claustrophobic. All are very happy.

I'm a huge fan of CRVs. However The Man wanted a larger house and a bigger garage. So we just moved from a CRV to a designer. It took me about 30 days to recover from the readjustment shock. Now I love our new house. We have a large birdcage, so really, there is very little property to maintain.

[Ohiogirl]

I spend a lot of time on the lanai of our CYV when we are there (which admittedly so far has been in the usually beautiful fall and spring weather, although I've also been there in summer. Even in summer I can spend an hour or so out there (until about 7:30 am when it just gets too hot).

Once we added corner landscaping and a planting area adjacent to the lanai, I found it infinitely more pleasing. Now I'm trying to decide if I'm going to paint the inside of the stucco villa wall in back. I admit I'd like a bigger lanai but am going to wait until we move down this fall to decide for sure whether or not to do a birdcage extension.

What has been everyone's experience with birdcages? Other than a feeling of more space, was it worth it? Because it has no roof, is it really that usable? Would you do it again?

[Army Guy]

We plan on extending our lanai into a birdcage once we are perm. We want to put and inground spa in and a summer kitchen on the lanai.

Army Guy

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by lj410

Someone once told me that the average Villager moves three times within the Villages in his or her lifetime.

I really doubt that. I would put the number of Villagers that moves to other houses within the Villages at less than 20%.

Since no one can give me real numbers on the number of average Villagers that move, I will stick with my 20% - especially when you say three times.

Just my opinion.

Do your research. I checked out the various house designs and prices from the package I ordered. I looked at the ones I wanted and the ones I was curious about. I checked out the various house positions (facing lanais, corner lots, lots with oaks, etc) and settled on the one that I have and that I will croak in. It pays to do your homework. Do not let a sales person upgrade you to something you do not need or downgrade you to something you do not want.

Z

[Pturner]

We bought a 2/2 ranch in TV as a vacation/ rental home. When hubby retires and we sell our home Atlanta and move to TV full-time, we might buy a larger home in TV. We might not though. We like the idea of downsizing, simplifying, and less stuff. We'll see if we'll like the reality as well as we like the idea.

[Army Guy]

Pturner, we loved the idea of downsizing. And with the moving of stuff from our large home to our CYV, it really makes you consider each thing and the importance to you. It makes us feel that our villa is truely home to us cause the things there mean the most.
We have to start waving to ya when we pass through Atlanta going to TV from Anniston!

Army Guy

[Rag Bagger]

In 2001 we sold our house in Kentucky and moved aboard our 38 foot sailboat to cruiise. Now that's down sizing. From 3200 sf to 450 sf. Most of the 450 sf is not there due to hull curveture.

In 2009 we moved into our new ranch 2 bedroom about 1300sf, we feel like we have died and gone to spacious heaven.