[NoMo50]

The development model here in The Villages works extremely well. That is, no doubt, why we continue to be a popular and sought after place to retire. Some have mentioned Stonecrest and Del Webb as having better security. But...have you been to Stonecrest? We played golf there a few weeks ago, and I will not go back. It was painfully obvious that place has run out of money. The lack of maintenance on their golf course was glaring...bordering on ridiculous. Stonecrest and Del Webb communities share one important trait: Once the development is completed, the developer exits and turns everything over to an HOA. Sometimes that works out, and sometimes it does not. Here, with the developer having a vested interest in the overall quality of life, things simply work out better.

Yes, there is no shortage of people here whose main "activity" seems to be complaining about anything and everything. Not me...I'm a happy guy. The Villages will continue to grow, until it doesn't. I doubt that most of us will be around to witness that end date, so just enjoy life and dig the ride while you're able.

[prendymom]

Originally Posted by Chitown

I do love living here in The Villages, but I want all Villagers to stop and think for a minute. The Villages currently has a population of approximately 140,000 people. Considering the amount of land The Villages still owns that has not been developed, by the time the future villages are developed our population will be well over 200,000 people. Remember, The Villages is not a gated community but a community with gates. On any given day at any time of the day anyone from outside the villages has full access to every road every street every business and all the town squares. If for some reason a person or persons with Less than honorable intentions approach a gate at 3 AM in one of our villages and you do not live in the villages you simply press the red button the gate goes up and you enter. The 20% of the villages that have gate attendants are not allowed to ask you what your businesses is and are not allowed to stop you from entering any village at any time of the day or night. Also keep in mind that many of our seniors who live here in the villages are allowing their grand children and children to live with them. Everything I mentioned above including a community future population with over 200,000 people is bound to see a significant increase in crime and traffic. Go to On Top of the World, Dell Web, Margaritaville, or Stone Crest. Try entering the property without authorization and see what happens. You will not only be stopped but you will be asked to leave. I’m just saying.

What about all the Apartments that are being built surrounding TV?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by MidWestIA

In 2019 one of their employees at Sarasota told me a Villages official told them their plan was to have 300,000 people - they just got started on round 2.

Was that statement verified by your wife's hairdresser's cousin's babysitter????

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by prendymom

What about all the Apartments that are being built surrounding TV?

What about them?
People that serve you need a place to live………..

[KYtoTV2021]

Originally Posted by Chitown

I do love living here in The Villages, but I want all Villagers to stop and think for a minute. The Villages currently has a population of approximately 140,000 people. Considering the amount of land The Villages still owns that has not been developed, by the time the future villages are developed our population will be well over 200,000 people. Remember, The Villages is not a gated community but a community with gates. On any given day at any time of the day anyone from outside the villages has full access to every road every street every business and all the town squares. If for some reason a person or persons with Less than honorable intentions approach a gate at 3 AM in one of our villages and you do not live in the villages you simply press the red button the gate goes up and you enter. The 20% of the villages that have gate attendants are not allowed to ask you what your businesses is and are not allowed to stop you from entering any village at any time of the day or night. Also keep in mind that many of our seniors who live here in the villages are allowing their grand children and children to live with them. Everything I mentioned above including a community future population with over 200,000 people is bound to see a significant increase in crime and traffic. Go to On Top of the World, Dell Web, Margaritaville, or Stone Crest. Try entering the property without authorization and see what happens. You will not only be stopped but you will be asked to leave. I’m just saying.

As a new resident, I consistently hear from people who have lived in TV for 10 years or so that until about 2010, they could go to a restaurant or schedule a tee time without hassle. TV management is so intent on selling more and more houses (ie revenue) that investing in infrastructure such as exec golf courses (ie expenses) is not profitable.

The question to me is not the size of TV, but whether the owners are willing to build the exec golf course, town squares, etc to accommodate this growth. Apparently it is "profit, profit profit" as the motivator. Just look at the tiny town square in the southern district or the lack of exec golf courses constructed in the past 10 years and the answer is obvious

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by NoMo50

The development model here in The Villages works extremely well. That is, no doubt, why we continue to be a popular and sought after place to retire. Some have mentioned Stonecrest and Del Webb as having better security. But...have you been to Stonecrest? We played golf there a few weeks ago, and I will not go back. It was painfully obvious that place has run out of money. The lack of maintenance on their golf course was glaring...bordering on ridiculous. Stonecrest and Del Webb communities share one important trait: Once the development is completed, the developer exits and turns everything over to an HOA. Sometimes that works out, and sometimes it does not. Here, with the developer having a vested interest in the overall quality of life, things simply work out better.

Yes, there is no shortage of people here whose main "activity" seems to be complaining about anything and everything. Not me...I'm a happy guy. The Villages will continue to grow, until it doesn't. I doubt that most of us will be around to witness that end date, so just enjoy life and dig the ride while you're able.

Which reminds me of the old joke----What do you call a group of 10 "Karens"?-----A HOA! Just imagine the "clipboard" ladies on every block all the time

[Laker14]

I doubt that the quality of life in Chatham changes much as the Villages grows towards Orlando. I live in Poinciana, and I doubt that the quality of life here will change much as the Villages grows towards Orlando. The ratio of people to executive golf courses may change, and not for the better, but I feel that is offset by the addition of other usable amenities, such as more biking, and hiking trails. In fact, before we started wintering in TV, and were checking the place out, 5 years ago or so, I was disappointed at the lack of good nature trails to hike. That has changed for the better with the development of the new areas.

[biker1]

The current plans call for another 60K houses which would bring the total to about 120K houses or about 240K people. So, 300K people is certainly not out of reach and I would not be surprised if they continue to acquire land. It will take about 15-20 years to build the additional 60K homes. I think they will build about 4000 homes this year, which is above the average of about 2400 homes per year for the last 10 years or so.

Originally Posted by MidWestIA

In 2019 one of their employees at Sarasota told me a Villages official told them their plan was to have 300,000 people - they just got started on round 2.

[RPDaly]

Maybe it is time to have Square parking lots gated and only allow in badged residents.

[Ritagoyer]

Originally Posted by Trynforpar

Yes the Villages is growing at a fever pace and that will create problems for owners if the developer doesn’t add sufficient amenities to meet the needs of a growing community. The real concern going forward is the number of apartment complexes that are being built around the villages. The town squares are more crowded than ever before and it’s not snow bird season yet. Navigating local roadways will become a nightmare once all the new apartment complexes are complete. These roadways were never designed to handle the increased traffic that have we will have to endure this coming winter. I’m hoping the powers at be have a plan to address these issues before they become unmanageable.

One problem I see with all the expansions is that people south of 44 are having problems with services like a reliable company mowing your yard, landscaping, and the list goes on. There are not enough people that want to work or even do the work. The lead time to get even material in or a qualified contractor is difficult.

[mikeritz53]

No offense inteaded, but would you have bought here if you had to pay $300-$600/mth for an HOA Fee like the Gated Communities pay??? Everything has a cost.

[biker1]

You could have chosen a better topic for your first post.

Originally Posted by RPDaly

Maybe it is time to have Square parking lots gated and only allow in badged residents.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by RPDaly

Maybe it is time to have Square parking lots gated and only allow in badged residents.

Perhaps. But for that to happen:

1) the land the parking lots are on must be owned by TV or a CDD
2) they would have to modify the lots to have a limited number of entrances/exits which might create traffic back up from the gates
3) They would have to be gates WITH NO RED BUTTON
4) You do realize that the businesses on the squares derive revenue from non-Villagers, and the entertainment is subsidized by those very same businesses, so that solution might obviate the problem, but not the way you think.

[Dond1959]

Okay, time to talk about facts vs fiction. 4th square is in planning stage called Eastport. New hospital and medical campus planned with UF in Lake County near 470 and turnpike. Second bridge over turnpike in process. New 18 hole championship golf course nearing opening and 3 additional 18 hole championship courses planned between turnpike and Marsh Bend and 470 on the south. Not to mention pitch and putts and putt and play courses. Neighborhood and regional recreation centers continue to be developed. Executive courses are not announced yet that I know of at this time. However, the developer know exactly how much each executive course is utilized and when additional courses are needed.

Once all of this development occurs there will be no reason for residents south of 44 to go north of 44 for any amenities. Because of the way the Villages are laid out and the amenities close to residents traffic should remain mostly local and use of golf carts further reduces any traffic issues. I really don’t see any traffic back ups here unless a wreck has occurred. And waiting one or two minutes for a light or to get through a roundabout, is that really a traffic issue?

Growth will occur here as you are living in a pro growth state, and you have choices. You can either embrace it and enjoy all the new amenities and offerings or just stay and be grumpy about the growth. I would rather enjoy what time I have left and be happy.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Chitown

I do love living here in The Villages, but I want all Villagers to stop and think for a minute. The Villages currently has a population of approximately 140,000 people. Considering the amount of land The Villages still owns that has not been developed, by the time the future villages are developed our population will be well over 200,000 people. Remember, The Villages is not a gated community but a community with gates. On any given day at any time of the day anyone from outside the villages has full access to every road every street every business and all the town squares. If for some reason a person or persons with Less than honorable intentions approach a gate at 3 AM in one of our villages and you do not live in the villages you simply press the red button the gate goes up and you enter. The 20% of the villages that have gate attendants are not allowed to ask you what your businesses is and are not allowed to stop you from entering any village at any time of the day or night. Also keep in mind that many of our seniors who live here in the villages are allowing their grand children and children to live with them. Everything I mentioned above including a community future population with over 200,000 people is bound to see a significant increase in crime and traffic. Go to On Top of the World, Dell Web, Margaritaville, or Stone Crest. Try entering the property without authorization and see what happens. You will not only be stopped but you will be asked to leave. I’m just saying.

Too big? Maybe too crowded, but that's not the same as too big.