[Bonnevie]

a lot depends on what's important to you. I wanted more of a yard in back of my cyv than the new ones have. I bought a resale that backs to one of the major streets--but the wall is much higher because of it. When I look out toward my back yard there is nothing but sky--not the roofs of several other villas. I love the privacy (in fact the former owner who moved into a larger house said she'll miss being able to run around naked in the house and lanai) I may hear some swishing when the cars go by but it's almost pleasant if you have tinnitus like I do. Mine is north of 466A almost equidistant to all areas.

[Polar Bear]

There are some homes that back to streets like O'dell Circle that have a great view of a pond and/or a golf course directly on the other side of the street. Cons outweigh the pros?

[l2ridehd]

There are issues with a busy street. First and foremost it does have a negative impact on value. Same house that backs to a busy street vs not will sell for less per square foot. I have over 4 years and 4000 sales that support that. It's not the time on the market but the price per square foot that is the problem. The other thing you will notice is many of the homes that back to a busy street will have the lanai enclosed. For me I want the outdoors that the lanai provides without having to close it in to be comfortable with the street noise. You can't have your windows open as often because of the early AM golf traffic zipping down the street.

I define a busy street as any that are on the Villages street map and the street name is in bold. Ask anyone who has owned one (past tense) and they will all say never again. Ask anyone who has rented one and they will avoid it when buying. For some I am sure it is not a problem, for many it is not the best solution. The reason people buy them is the assumed privacy, but they usually forfeit more then they gain.

[rubicon]

Location location location. Yes. However residents come from around the world and so making friends is important too. Distance to--------is something that can be managed as we are talking The Villages and not NYC, etc.

How much square footage one needs is also a factor , as well as price range. At this time in life one probably does not want to be house poor, nor maintain more than is essential. Important too is staus fulltime or seasonal resident.

I found my selection in Bonnybrook. I'll bet you already figured out that I am partial to Bonnybrook because it seems that those who live in Largo are partial to Largo and those in Polo Ridge Polo Ridge, etc etc etc.

N o actually Bonnybrook is the best

[jbdlfan]

We live in Chatham and absolutely love it here. 15 minutes to Spanish Springs and 22 minutes to LSL by way of golf cart. We have no use to go much farther than that. Personal preference. But......I will say it is much nicer this way between December and May. 1/3 the traffic and hassles. We have access to all the stores and can be in Belleview in 15 minutes and Ocala in 25. Trust me, the traffic south of 466 is horrible,in my opinion, most of the Fall and Winter. My wife used to work at Colony and she added 5-15 minutes to her drive that time of year.

[Bonnevie]

resale will be my son's problem....and anything he sells it for will be pure profit for him...and I agree, I wouldn't buy a regular house with a yard that backs to major road, a cyv with the high wall is ok for me.... to me the new cyvs with all the cement in the back and other villas all around was too clausterphobic for me and I was able to get it for a good price

[Bill-n-Brillo]

As long as you're in TV, it'll wind up being a good location!

Assess what things you feel are important to you then go from there - ex. some people want to be close to shopping, yet to others that's not real important.

You'll enjoy whatever you choose!

Bill

[janeg]

Fernandina is our home away from home. We specifically bought there because everyone is in the same starting place....all new and so happy to be here. We will spend our first 3 months starting in Sept. We spend a week in April and Brownwood was building very quickly.

Hope it helps and good luck! such happy times))

Jane and Jim Garrison

[NJblue]

One area that intrigues me is La Zamora. I think it's entrance off 466 is one of the prettiest, with all the mature oak trees. The entire village is unique from anywhere else that I have seen in TV with the shade trees and rolling hills. It is also convenient to both Spanish Springs and Sumter Landing as well as the shopping centers along 466 and 441. And no, we don't live there so there's no "my neighborhood is better than yours" in my opinion. There's probably a downside as well once you look at other issues, but if I were looking to buy and didn't care if it was an established neighborhood, I would check it out.

[fb32162]

We bought our first home new. Second house is in an established neighborhood. We found it easy to make friends in both. We chose a place centrally located the second time so no square, golf course or shopping is too far from us.

[fudgelady]

Hi, My husband and I are coming to live at TV soon, as we think we have sold our house in Ohio. thanks for posting all the different opinions about the different areas to choose from. I look everyday to see if there are any new resale properties on the market, but there are so many "pending". Do you know if these homes are sold, or can you still look at them and possibly buy? Can't wait to get to TV, hopefully we will be there in Aug or Sept. thanks again for the posts

[LvmyPug2]

Originally Posted by fudgelady

Hi, My husband and I are coming to live at TV soon, as we think we have sold our house in Ohio. thanks for posting all the different opinions about the different areas to choose from. I look everyday to see if there are any new resale properties on the market, but there are so many "pending". Do you know if these homes are sold, or can you still look at them and possibly buy? Can't wait to get to TV, hopefully we will be there in Aug or Sept. thanks again for the posts

Pending means they have an accepted offer but the sale hasn't been finalized. Financing may fall through etc so they may still show you a home...it really is up to the buyer if they want to continue to show it.

[LynnDeb]

We loved the look and feel of the North side here. We live in Woodbury which is in Springdale. We have VA and Mulberry Shopping area just 5 mins away. We take cart its less than 30 mins to get to Lake Sumter and less for SS.

[TrudyM]

Didn't some of you say that in the summer some of the areas have a smell from the waste treatment plant? Isn't it off Buena vista and Bonita Blvd by the traffic circle? I have been keeping a comments list of pluses and minuses from you guys and I have that area of liberty Park and Largo marked as smelly. Am I wrong? Comments from people playing key largo Bacall course in that area.

[Golfingnut]

After moving in your square visits will slow down and we find a cart ride to the square enjoyable. Make the home priority one over anything else. You will spend more time in your home sitting outside than you will at the square.