[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by rlcooper70

Lakewood is tiny compared to The Villages ... and they have only two golf courses. They sold a lot of houses last year and so they are up there. See how it grows over the next few years.

According to Wikipedia, the Villages is 33,000 acres and Lakewood Ranch is 31,000 acres. That doesn't seem right to me.

[tklloop]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

While still the number one top seller, the number two, Lakewood Ranch is coming on strong. More information is found here -> The Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities of 2020 | RCLCO Real Estate Advisors

Sales data for The Villages over the past years

Year Homes Sold (Home and Lot) Average Sale Price
1986 511 *
1987 543 *
1988 517 *
1989 542 $ 74,000
1990 502 79,000
1991 430 81,000
1992 562 87,000
1993 567 93,000
1994 686 98,000
1995 700 106,000
1996 753 115,000
1997 1,054 119,000
1998 1,321 129,000
1999 1,544 139,000
2000 1,776 151,000
2001 2,074 156,000
2002 2,260 163,000
2003 3,329 168,000
2004 3,955 204,000
2005 4,263 232,000
2006 3,935 257,000
2007 2,403 251,000
2008 2,236 231,000
2009 2,115 229,000
2010 2,208 231,000
2011 2,307 241,000
2012 2,850 244,000
2013 3,419 271,000
2014 2,601 304,000
2015 2,294 304,000
2016 1,966
2017 2,231
2018 2,134 281,000
2019 2,429 307,000
2020 2,452

Good info, thx for sharing. Always looking at comparable options,,JIC.
Quick summary comparing TV’s & LWR....
In TV’s you can pretty much take your golf cart end to end,,(or soon will be able)
In LWR you are only allowed to use your golf cart in your own village,,cannot take it out of there

TV’s average HOA is $145-$165. (bond is average $20k)
LWR average HOA is $200- $600 (CCA cost is not stated, you have to visit to find out)

real estate taxes are comparable at $4500-$6500 annually
Home insurance is comparable @ $1200-$1600

TV’s has approximately 1400 clubs
LWR has approximately 60 clubs,, (and growing)

TV’s,, you are farther away from the destruction of a hurricane
LWR,, you are closer to the destruction of a hurricane

info used from Zillow.com, realtor.com, and county tax site

As a Villager, IMHO... LWR is very nice area and growing, close to big city living, beaches, young and old mixed together more closely, fewer golf options, nice outdoor living. TV’s is growing as well,, some say too much but that’s relevant to each person. The ability to have 1 vehicle and 1 golf cart is a huge plus when getting access around town in TV’s. The town centers & nightly entertainment is a huge plus for residents and visitors in TV’s.

[Blue Oval]

I wonder how the average selling prices for homes in TV and Lakewood Ranch compare?

[Larchap49]

Originally Posted by JohnN

My good buddy lives at Lakewood Ranch and used to live in The Villages.
He says it's really nice there, but a bit different than here.
Each area (re: village) there has a different builder. Plus it's directly adjacent to Sarasota, so it's got more of a metro area feel.

Getting to the beautiful beach areas in Sarasota in the winter is a horribly long trek time wise. You have to go over one of a few draw bridges which are backed up forever. The snowbird population is unimaginable. I happily sacrifice the better weather for the rural feel. Lived on the coast in Clearwater area and owned a boat for 30 years but now in my 70s this is a much better option. Next stop "ashes"

[jrieker68]

Lived and worked in the Lakewood Ranch area until late 2017 when we moved here. It's an anthill down there. Way too much traffic. When there's an accident on I-75 there are very few alternative roads. Previous poster is correct in that it takes way too long to get to the beach to even bother. Quality of homes not really any better. Both of the FL coasts are way too crowded for me.

[C-Pet]

Originally Posted by Schaumburger

It is my understanding that no one under the age of 19 can be a resident of The Villages. Anyone 19 or over can live in The Villages, so someone in the 30's or 40's could inherit a home in The Villages and live there if they choose to, just their under age 19 kiddos (if they have any) could not live in the home.

I believe your statement of the rules is correct; however, I can tell you that I know of at least three households that had or have under 19's living there. I am sure there are many more. Like everything else, if your neighbors (or wandering trolls) don't complain it goes unchallenged.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

Many of the Lakewood Ranch communities include exterior maintenance. This is a HUGE benefit to me that I really wish The Villages would wake up and pay attention to. I will be buying in 2021 and it is down to The Villages and Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch maintenance inclusive choices are a big plus for us.

Originally Posted by Lisanp@aol.com

Many of the Lakewood Ranch communities include exterior maintenance. This is a HUGE benefit to me that I really wish The Villages would wake up and pay attention to. I will be buying in 2021 and it is down to The Villages and Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch maintenance inclusive choices are a big plus for us.

The Villages is in turmoil here with much higher property taxes coming and downgraded amenities. Contractors took over a resident rec center demanding the Sumter commissioners not roll back a property tax increase. The commissioners, perhaps fearful of escalating tensions tabled the tax rollback. A house of cards IMHO.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by John41

The Villages is in turmoil here with much higher property taxes coming and downgraded amenities. Contractors took over a resident rec center demanding the Sumter commissioners not roll back a property tax increase. The commissioners, perhaps fearful of escalating tensions tabled the tax rollback. A house of cards IMHO.

No turmoil. Amenities are still wonderful. Contractors simply attended a public meeting, and did not "take over" the building. No house of cards.

In fact. improvements continue to come our way. The new formula is better than ever, which includes more smaller gathering areas and luxury apartments. Life is good.

[tvbound]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

That's actually down from the over 600 a month that they were selling when I moved here in 2012.

If the OP's numbers are accurate, I think you are misinformed as to the 600 a month. Maybe they sold that many for a few months, but the OP's statistics show a maximum monthly average for a year of 355.25 in 2005 (and 237.5 a month average in 2012). Do you have a different source of statistics than the OP to show, as I'm sure a lot of us would be interested in seeing it? Regardless, a steady 2,000 to 3,000 new homes a year for 20 years straight - is pretty impressive.

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

No turmoil. Amenities are still wonderful. Contractors simply attended a public meeting, and did not "take over" the building. No house of cards.

In fact. improvements continue to come our way. The new formula is better than ever, which includes more smaller gathering areas and luxury apartments. Life is good.

I love the Villages and am excited that another high school classmate of mine will be living permanently in The Villages. As I am on the NSCUDD board, I have a little insight on the inner workings of things. Now, would I like to see a few things changed? Yes, but for the vast majority of things that I see in The Villages I could not ask for a better place to live.