I like the Historic Area
 

I do not see any deficiencies in the historic area. We built a house here on a vacant lot 2 years ago, are satisfied with our choice, and have no intention of moving.
There are advantages to the area.
1). easy access to grocery stores. Two Publix, a Winn Dixie, Walmart, and Aldi all within easy golf cart access. The publix and winn dixie are less than 2 miles from my house.
2). Other shopping. Lowes, ACE hardware, Belk, Target, and numerous other stores are very close.
3). quieter streets. You don't pass through the historic area to go somewhere else. This makes it easier to drive around in a golf cart as well as run, bike or walk on the roads.
4). Two adult pools and a family pool within 2 miles. (also a premium pool at Orange Blossom Golf Course
5). Plenty of golf. Two executive and one Championship just in the historic area and more nearby.
6). Healthcare is close (even if you don't like the Villages Hospital.

I could go on.

Dave G.

Since you choose to "go there"

There are so many renters outside the Historic Section, because people don't really want to actually live there, they just want to make a lot of money there. So they buy new homes and rent them for ridiculous sums that they know they'll get, or they'll buy foreclosures, renovate, and flip to "investors" who have no intention of ever actually becoming residents.

Also, obligatory Stepford and Sardine Can remark about every single courtyard villa neighborhood in the Villages.

But you do you, boo.

One of the best concepts of The Villages is the villages. The various housing styles and price points allow people to move into an area where they fit in socially and economically. I would not feel comfortable with a $300,000 home in a neighborhood with million dollar homes. I would not fit in nor could I keep up with their life style.

My goal is to move into a neighborhood where I can meet and have many friends that are in basically the same position as I.

That being said, I have driven all through Orange Blossom and though it was quite nice. The trick is to do as much research as you can to find a village that you can afford and where you think you might fit in.

The Bond is not figured into the selling price on the new homes or resale homes.

I moved to newer section, Monarch Grove. I like new stuff. Personally Spanish Square is old and not impressed. They are going to put more money into newer area. We have a lot over here to look forward too! And yes older homes sell for more then newer. We wanted new home with more upgrades and nicer styles and colors and bigger garages. I have met many people that have moved from the other squares to over here for the newer stuff.

Your bond depends on lots of factors. $40,000 is not the average. Live in monarch grove. Ours was $30,000. I know some that are less. But I would rather pay that and be around newer stores and landscaping and new everything. Spanish spring looks run down and old.

All I can say is to spend some time there. It is not like other places in the Villages. Very warm and fuzzy and friendly atmosphere. My wife and I made an offer on a home there but it did not work out. Even though we finally winded up getting a home elsewhere, we go there often and love every visit.

Their IS bond in Pine Hills. lake County

Ooops, no bond for Lady lake, fl., lake county, village of La Zamora.

New homes are still being built here although the building has slowed.

One advantage over here is that you can use any builder that you want. You don't have to use The Villages.

There are a few different ways that new homes are being built. At first, The Villages bought up a bunch of manufactured homes that were on the market, removed them and built new home on those sites. I have one of those.

Secondly, some people that owned manufactured homes had them removed and built new site built homes or replaced them with newer manufactured homes.

Some people bought manufactured homes and had them removed and built new homes.

I believe that The Villages may have bought some and had them removed and are now selling the lots. I think that in those cases you do have to use The Villages builders and have one of their models built.

It may be a Lady Lake ordinance and not all of Lake County.

Mature beauty.

The idea that the price of a home
 

had something to do with a person’s wealth or social status couldn’t be farther from the truth , many people here didn’t want a big house or had one and don’t want one anymore and for those who do want them the million dollar houses are a small part of the villages , and most people are not going to feel out of place socializing and if you do it’s either your fault or there’s, I’m a single man could I have a million dollar house yes would I want one no .

agree.....this place is a great melting pot
met a ton of great people and have never asked about their net worth

Wow. You must be really rich.

I know the folks over in Sarasota will be really impressed when you buy a nice big house over there.

I think that each home here is a castle, a haven, a beautiful place to enjoy life and it really doesn't matter how big it is or how little it is...or how much it costs. We all have the same amenities and the same fun things available. People do not seem to care whether your home is big or small or if you had an impressive career before you arrived here. It is one of the things I love about The Villages.

If you live in any other area of TV, you won't even know the historic section is there. I've never played the golf course, it would take me close to an hour by cart each way and I've got 8 other championship courses with 25 minutes by cart. If I want to eat at country club, I have all those for that as well. I've driven through the historic side a couple of times just to see what it was like. Otherwise I don't even know it's there. If you don't plan on living there, don't even think about it.

The Spanish Springs square I to go to regular for a couple of years if the band playing was one I wanted to see, or go to the movie theater if the film was only playing there. I think the last time I had to do that was for Gone Girl, that was only there and shouldn't have been, the lines were out the door. Now that's been refurbished it should be good when it reopens. I've been to enough Cruise-ins that I don't need to see anymore and I prefer watching the bands at LSL or BW much better. The only time I get over to the area of town is for the shopping on 441. Kohls, Sams Club, Walmart, Target and the restaurants, Outback is my favorite. Maybe once a month, twice at the most, otherwise I hanging out around Colony, Trailwinds, Traverse and BW and LSL.

Indeed! And in addition to all of that good stuff no one I know here is trying to compete with anyone else's lifestyle - there's no keeping up with the Jones' whoever they may be! We're friendly, helpful, accepting, funny and fun loving! Sure we probably have our share of grouches and folks who think they "own" chairs at their favorite pool - but they help us appreciate our other neighbors as well as what we have here! And the best way to meet us is to invite us to a bring your own chair/beverage to a driveway party as soon as you are almost settled - masks required!

I also have a newer home on this side. I agree with everything here although I would rather play some of the other golf courses. But there are plenty within a short golf cart ride.

We also have the best pool tables in The Villages. The good pool players love to come and play on the old tables over here.

There's a great mix of people as well from those living in inexpensive manufactured homes to those who have built large expensive homes and we all get along well.

Another advantage is that if you want to come here and buy a lot, you can put any kind of house that you want on it. You don't have to use The Villages builders, not that I have anything against them, I own a Villages built home. That makes it look much less cookie cutter. Eventually, most of the manufactured homes will be gone and there will be a wide variety of site built homes.

Also there is no bond in the town of Lady Lake.

People have also commented that they like the mature vegetation. Then again, some people like everything new looking.

It's all about what you like and what you can afford.

Puzzles
 

We have one of the best jig saw puzzle exchanges at Silver Lake Rec Center. Huge selection. I haven't been since the Covid shut down. I now have a bunch of puzzles to donate to the supply.

Shhh - It's not a secret if everyone knows.

Spoken like a west coaster where they put the article "the" before their interstates and state roads - which we never do in the east.

Sorry, just have a fascination with language.

Huh? The Clampetts are everywhere in the Villages - and central Florida for that matter. I also have a home in southeast Florida and the difference is striking.

For me, not good or bad, just different.

We purchased a home in the area near Spanish Springs this past spring, and we learned first hand that the roofs are all being pretty much systematically replaced for a couple of reasons: 1) Homeowners insurance goes up considerably if the roof is older than 20 years; and 2) the homes in this area were built about 20 years ago. We have been seeing first hand that many homes in our immediate area are getting new roofs. As the roofs are being replaced, the newer code requirements for storm protection are implemented.

One of the attractive features of the home we bought was that the roof had been recently replaced. Also, the bond was fully paid. Another attractive feature was the gorgeous mature landscaping, and the back yard overlooks a wilderness preserve area for complete privacy. Our house had been meticulously cared for, and has everything we could want; only some cosmetic changes were made to make it our own.

My sister has a custom-built home by Fenney and it is beautiful. She has a pond view in the back yard with amazing birds and critters frequenting it, and a park view from her large screened front porch. We live in very contrasting locations, but we LOVE our previously owned home, and admire my sister's brand new home as well.

If the first three rules of Real Estate are Location! Location! Location!, then the first three rules for buyers must be: Follow your heart! Follow Your heart! Follow your heart! I am sure you will identify a wonderful home in The Villages, in a great location that will touch your heart!

Be sure and figure the total cost of the bond. If you do not pay it off immediately there is interest added so your final pay of will be several times the original cost. Money you could have used to upgrade an older home.

You need to take the cost of the bond in your consideration. If you do not pay it off immediately you will have interest on the bond that adds up to a LOT of $. The bond payment is for bond and INTEREST like any loan. May be cheaper to update an older home and have no bond payment.

Enough already! I just deleted 24 posts that were nothing but people sniping at each other. Knock it off!

Moderator

Here's a satellite image of Route 441 in Leesburg. Would you say that they push pin is north or east of the road?

Where is the image ?

It was in Miami. Led Zeppelin and lots of other greats played there.

Thee Image Club - Wikipedia

Just like the historic side - Stairway To Heaven

Stairway to Heaven with a Whole Lotta Love

Hey hey what can I do? Yes, we're over the hills and far away, but it's nothing to be dazed and confused about. I think this is just a communication breakdown because we're all just bound to ramble on. Your time is gonna come on that stairway, too.

I am just re-quoting what another wise person once said on TOTV. "Why is there a stairway to heaven, but a highway to hell"?

But I regress, the topic of the thread is about the allure of the Historic Section of the Villages. It is the "Stairway to Heaven", lined with beautiful homes that have relaxed deed restrictions, allowing residents more flexibility to display their preferences, and it has beautiful mature landscaping. It even has a couple of roads that have Islands built in the middle of the road around beautiful Live Oak trees. Very cool place.