[patfla06]

Originally Posted by drdoug59

i really liked lakewood ranch, your close to world class beaches, culture, and high end, better quality restaurants. A mixed aged community. it is more high end than the villages with a median income approximately $50,000 higher than TV.
Check it out, median income there is $130K, a truly lovely place

Horrible traffic, high taxes and crime. No thanks.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by bob47

I can imagine that there are lots of folks there living very happy lives and enjoying their friends. Is it necessary to disparage the place?

Yes (Only because of a post by a resident there disparaging The Villages)

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

2023 was the HOTTEST year ever on RECORD! And climate scientists PREDICT increasing WARMING tor at least the next 8 years. Anywhere in Florida is going to be "brutally HOT" in the summer. That why we have so many snow birds, who descend on Florida AFTER the BRUTAL summer. Note: the chamber of commerce will NOT tell you that!

We all know you support the false narrative of anthropogenic climate change, but this thread is about activities in TV vs elsewhere, try to stay on topic.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

We all know you support the false narrative of anthropogenic climate change, but this thread is about activities in TV vs elsewhere, try to stay on topic.

"Shirley" you jest...

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by patfla06

Horrible traffic, high taxes and crime. No thanks.

The Village of Lynn Haven had 2 house break ins last week, that I know of.

But I agree that Lakewood Ranch has higher taxes.

[Bilyclub]

Lakewood Ranch only had one section by Del Webb that is 55 and over. Lots of traffic to get to the beach too.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Salty Dog

Royal Highlands south of Leesburg about midway between Leesburg and Clermont. I've bought two homes there. One new and one preowned. There isn't anymore new builds there. There are 1500 homes. It's certainly no Villages, but it's much more laidback.

We lived in Royal Highlands prior to The Villages. Great memories but we found ourselves going to the Villages to eat and play as guests of friends. In 2006 decided to purchase in The Villages. No regrets.

[PurePeach]

[QUOTE=npwalters;2280914]Margaritaville in Daytona[/QUOTE

It will also come with an activity called hurricane evacuation . . . !

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by wsachs

Not very golf cart friendly, golf can cost a lot and you have to drive your car most places, restuarants, golf, Dr's, shopping, etc.

Lakewood Ranch is nice, but very expensive if you want a lot of activity. Totally a different animal than TV, so not really comparable.
From what we saw doing our research, nothing else is close to what TV has to offer if you want to be active. There are other options to be sure.

But again, it's not everyone's cup of tea.

[Escape Artist]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I researched and travelled to many 55+ communities throughout the US from coast-to-coast prior to retiring. Although there are many beautiful retirement communities, none can hold a candle to The Villages, which is in category all by itself. If one wants a very active retirement with a high emphasis on social, athletic, and recreational activities, then The Villages is the #1 choice. If one wants a more quiet, serene, subdued, smaller retirement community, then there are many great options for those in that category. Isn’t it great to have options of where we choose to retire? It’s important to do your homework and research a few years before retirement, so you’re ready to make an informed decision when the time comes to relocate.

Well put, Michael. By the way, your home is lovely and I enjoyed your latest appearance on The Newcomers with Jerry and Linda. I don’t know if anyone has told you this but you are a natural in front of a camera!

I was wondering if you considered Arizona at all since you were nearby in Colorado. I love Arizona and the desert, and if I could have afforded it I would have moved to a retirement community there.

[alexthompson]

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughtful responses. We are so excited for our visit to The Villages!

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by Escape Artist

Well put, Michael. By the way, your home is lovely and I enjoyed your latest appearance on The Newcomers with Jerry and Linda. I don’t know if anyone has told you this but you are a natural in front of a camera!

I was wondering if you considered Arizona at all since you were nearby in Colorado. I love Arizona and the desert, and if I could have afforded it I would have moved to a retirement community there.

Thank you Escape!

Yes, I had made quite a few trips to Arizona at all times of the year, and was really leaning that direction to retire, since that is where the majority of folks from Colorado and the West go to retire. Arizona has a more west-coast vibe, which is comfortable and familiar to me, while Florida is a combo of Mid-Atlantic/New York/New England and Mid-West, which is new for me.

The lifestyle of The Villages, more than “Florida”, is what sold this community for me.

On a balance sheet these were the pluses of The Villages over the Sun City communities of Arizona:
- Most everything is golf cart accessible, I barely drive my car, and looking ahead when I get in my 80s and maybe no longer driving, I can still get around by golf cart.
-I’m super active, and thrive with lots of activities, I need to be booked each day with stuff to do, The Villages wins in this category hands down.
-I like the greenery and lush vegetation here
-Close proximity to beaches
-Able to drive same day to cruise ports, rather than flying in the night before
-Way cheaper to buy a new house here than Arizona
-No state income tax
-Nightly entertainment (though like most, I don’t go as often as I did when I first arrived)
-Way more golfing options
-More and diverse clubs
-More “younger retirees”, especially south of 44
-More warmer days to swim and wear shorts in winter
-More rainfall (I enjoy rain)
-Neighborhoods more “social”
-Great entertainment options at The Sharon and Savannah Center
-More bearable to be out and about in hot summer weather than Arizona

There were however some areas where Arizona held the advantage for me:
-No real severe weather concerns
-Closer to my family in California
-Way better/diverse restaurant options than The Villages
-Better and closer medical facilities
-Communities have full-service gyms included in their amenities fees, and conveniently located in the rec centers.
-No bonds (but most have a one-time “buy in” fee at closing)
-Lower property taxes (some Sun City communities are not in any school districts, so no taxes to pay for schools)

No retirement community is going to check every single box, you need to decide in which areas are you willing to compromise without being “miserable” or “disgruntle” about. I refuse to turn into the stereotype of the old retired curmudgeon, that no one wants to be around.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

Perhaps you are asking the wrong group as most here have already decided. I do not play pickleball and did not move here for golf. We love it. Obviously, others have other choices. Perhaps an indicator might be the growth rate of the various communities.

I move here just for billiards, nowhere else in world has as many billiard rooms and pool tables. Actually IMO nowhere else in world has as many Rec facilities and activities as villages.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by villageuser

Del Webb Spruce Creek a little bit north of The Villages is a great 55+ community with a lot of activities, and less traffic than the Villages. Harbor Hills in Lady Lake is another favorite of mine. Great walking trails, near the Harris Chain of Lakes and the Villages, and a lot to do. A little more north, in Ocala, is Summerglen, which has a great golf course, if you’re into that, and a great restaurant on site, besides other activities. If you don’t mind going South, I’d check out the Country Club of Mount Dora. It’s an older community, but I love going to visit there. Plus it’s near downtown Mount Dora, with all it has to offer. If you want more information, do not hesitate to reach out.

Fine if like playing few holes of golf over and over. Where they want entertainment the come to villages.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by drdoug59

i really liked lakewood ranch, your close to world class beaches, culture, and high end, better quality restaurants. A mixed aged community. it is more high end than the villages with a median income approximately $50,000 higher than TV.
Check it out, median income there is $130K, a truly lovely place

And closer to hurricanes.