Talk of The Villages Florida - Village Front Porch

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Quote:

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 698156)

Sweetie and I grew up in Bungalows with front porches. We have one here in TV. Neighbors stop by and we watch the moon and the airplanes as we drink our cold drinks and enjoy each other's company.

Gracie, looks really inviting!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dotti105 (Post 698140)

We currently live in the fantastic planned community of "Daybreak"(all ages) in Utah. Lots of trails a lake and playground on every other corner. Very community feel. What makes it unique is that every home, condo, townhouse has a front porch. It is where everyone spends the summer evenings. Watching the kids play, visiting with neighbors. etc. All the homes have alley driveways with 2-3 car garages behind the house. It makes for a beautiful community and yes, very, very friendly and everyone knows their neighbors. The builder did it right. Now, if it didn't snow 5 months of the year and we had more golf.....we might have decided to retire in place. But as beautiful as it is in the summer....it is horrible in the winter. We are ready for the villages, but will miss the front porch socializing!

This sounds really wonderful. Is there any way you can keep this place, or buy a smaller one there if they have them and perhaps a smaller home or villa in TV? We have discovered there is a lot to be said for doing the snowbird thing, at least for as long as you are able. We feel like we are getting the best of both worlds.

If you become a Florida resident (6 months and a day, I believe), you have no state or local income tax which in our case significantly increases our retirement income. We also get the Florida homestead exemption on our property taxes, which is significantly more than an owner-occupied property tax break on our Ohio condo. But - each situation is unique, so you have to decide. I certainly wouldn't want to drive back and forth to Utah, but maybe you could leave a car there and fly back? A lot also depends on an individual or couple's family situation as well as financial situation. Just throwing this out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by justjim (Post 698255)

Jimbo you are right. There are several Premier models that have real front porches. That makes for even a greater neighborhood.

We were so impressed with idea, I built one in the front of our home.

Grew up in Queens
We had a STOOP not a porch, always hanging out on it or playing stoop ball!

There is a designer/ranch with front porch...is it the Alamanda?

Also the hammock cottage has a front porch.

The front of the Bridgeport can be a front porch

Jimbo,do you have any pictures of your front porch? Sounds great.

We purchased a Designer Home Allamanda model that has a front concrete area measuring approximately 16' by 6' which would serve as a front porch area for sitting and greeting neighbors. We are considering screening the area as a front lanai.

http://www.thevillages.com/homes/new...lamanda-FP.pdf

One of my wife's requirements when we decided to move to the Villages was to have a home built with a front porch. We choose the Bougainvillea model which has a real nice front porch. We placed a couple of all weather rocking chairs on the porch and now spend a lot of relaxing time there.

I know the type of porch you want, but you won't find that exact example here at TV. The style here is called Bermuda style. BUT there are many homes with a larger entry that people have adapted to a "front porch". I think they are so pretty. We use our garage and driveway as our front porch.....

YA'LL COME ON OVER

Are screened garages used as extra space

I have seen many screened garages in the resale market. Are they used in the Spring and Fall or are they 4 season extensions to the living space. I think I saw some mention that a portion of the garage has been separated off into a TV room.

How are people using the garage spaces?

...About the porches, are they useable at dusk due to bugs???

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpkshop (Post 698309)

Grew up in Queens
We had a STOOP not a porch, always hanging out on it or playing stoop ball!

NICE :)

Stoop ball
Ah, great stuff, great memories
Thanks

Gracie, I love your porch!!!
It is so inviting and looks like a spot to truly enjoy your evenings! You did a beautiful job on it!