What do you think about We were sold a bill of goods about Villages? What do you think about We were sold a bill of goods about Villages? - Page 3 - Talk of The Villages Florida

What do you think about We were sold a bill of goods about Villages?

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  #31  
Old 08-19-2025, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by BillyGrown View Post
CDDs can help too. They can ban guest passes for renters. That would go a long way towards preserving the retirement lifestyle and prevent those who don’t pay for amenities from abusing our pools and recreation centers.
The numbered CDDs have ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL over guest passes!

I haven't seen the written policy that governs guest passes. It might be something legal or it might be simply a Recreation Dept. policy. The Recreation Dept. falls under the VCCDD.

Be careful what you wish for when you ask for a ban or to make guest passes more difficult to acquire. Many Villagers enjoy having friends, family, and grandchildren come to visit and would be highly annoyed if they could no longer take their families to the family pools.

Every home pays for the use of the amenities whether it is occupied 12 months of the year, six months of the year, or only one month. Every ID card and guest pass is distributed against a home in the Villages that pays amenity fees year round.

As for "retirement lifestyle," that sounds a lot like "best pizza:" everyone who uses the phrase has a completely different concept of what it means.
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  #32  
Old 08-19-2025, 10:38 AM
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If you see something, say something.... just make a call if you think outsiders are using our facility. They will send someone over to check ID's.... simple
  #33  
Old 08-19-2025, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Chellybean View Post
how do you know i haven't already left? again can i borrow a crystal ball LOL
Is this a veiled confirmation? 👍
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  #34  
Old 08-19-2025, 10:49 AM
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BTW Top Of The World Communities uses the fact that the Villages allows short term rentals as a marketing tool for themselves.
  #35  
Old 08-19-2025, 10:55 AM
justjim justjim is offline
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Originally Posted by golfing eagles View Post
Only 80% of the residents need to be 55+ for it to qualify for the federal designation. I agree that non-residents using amenities and horrible Airbnb renters are probably overblown, but I have a different philosophy---my number that I'm willing to tolerate is ZERO. The pool situation varies by village, but I believe those who frequent the Tamarind Grove pool adjacent to Trailwinds might have more skin in the game. Also , I suspect after hours exec course trespassers are more numerous say, on Sandhill, than Escambia for the same reason. Airbnb's are a blight on our community, in fact most peaceful communities, and we should do everything possible to ban them (and it can be done)
The Airbnb’s are certainly problematic for those next door to them and I believe the CDD’s can do something about this issue. Non-residents using our facilities is just a matter of monitoring and IMHO less than some residents think. Fore.
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  #36  
Old 08-19-2025, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill14564 View Post
The numbered CDDs have ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL over guest passes!

I haven't seen the written policy that governs guest passes. It might be something legal or it might be simply a Recreation Dept. policy. The Recreation Dept. falls under the VCCDD.

Be careful what you wish for when you ask for a ban or to make guest passes more difficult to acquire. Many Villagers enjoy having friends, family, and grandchildren come to visit and would be highly annoyed if they could no longer take their families to the family pools.

Every home pays for the use of the amenities whether it is occupied 12 months of the year, six months of the year, or only one month. Every ID card and guest pass is distributed against a home in the Villages that pays amenity fees year round.

As for "retirement lifestyle," that sounds a lot like "best pizza:" everyone who uses the phrase has a completely different concept of what it means.
There's a huge difference between a family member or friend visiting your home as a guest and someone paying rent to an Airbnb to stay for 2 days
  #37  
Old 08-19-2025, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill14564 View Post
As for "retirement lifestyle," that sounds a lot like "best pizza:" everyone who uses the phrase has a completely different concept of what it means.
Absolutely. When we moved here 15 months ago I thought it is what I could live with (not necessarily what I wanted). But now I cannot leave fast enough even though we plan to stick it out 2 more years. All we can hope for now is houses keep appreciating in value for the next 2 years. Thank goodness we have a "lake lot".

Happily, I kept my land in MN. I can travel back there as much as possible to get out of here and maintain my sanity.

We've started the shopping process for an acreage back in MN (20 - 40 acres ideally).

I can see how for many this is heaven for them. I can also see how for many this is hell. We all have different expectations and preferences.

Last edited by Ruger2506; 08-19-2025 at 11:45 AM.
  #38  
Old 08-19-2025, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Ruger2506 View Post
Absolutely. When we moved here 15 months ago I thought it is what I could live with (not necessarily what I wanted). But now I cannot leave fast enough even though we plan to stick it out 2 more years. All we can hope for now is home keep appreciating in value for the next 2 years. Thank goodness we have a "lake lot".

Happily, I kept my land in MN. I can travel back there as much as possible to get out of here and maintain my sanity.

We've started the shopping process for an acreage back in MN (20 - 40 acres ideally).

I can see how for many this is heaven for them. I can also see how for many this is hell. We all have different expectations and preferences.
If you don't mind, which aspects of The Villages lifestyle have you wanting to run for the exit????
  #39  
Old 08-19-2025, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by golfing eagles View Post
There's a huge difference between a family member or friend visiting your home as a guest and someone paying rent to an Airbnb to stay for 2 days
Not when you're writing regulations for the issuance of guest passes: at that point every non-resident looks the same and every short-duration visit looks the same.
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  #40  
Old 08-19-2025, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill14564 View Post
Not when you're writing regulations for the issuance of guest passes: at that point every non-resident looks the same and every short-duration visit looks the same.
I have to disagree. A person (family or friend) staying in a home FOR FREE is a guest. The person who PAYS RENT is a renter. There should be no problem distinguishing between the two in terms of issuing "guest" passes.
  #41  
Old 08-19-2025, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by golfing eagles View Post
If you don't mind, which aspects of The Villages lifestyle have you wanting to run for the exit????
The Villages specifically. The postage stamp lots. Having such a small garage. The people up in your business. The HOA fees. The HOA rule dictators. The mismanagement of ponds and "wild lands" (specifically the poisoning and toxic chemicals).

I'm not even talking about painting my house pink. But the HOA dictators sending warning letters out about weeds and whatnot. Seems petty. I haven't gotten them, but I know neighbors who have.

And I'm not ****ting on The Villages. Yes the Developers and their rampant destruction of wild lands disgusts me. But the lifestyle. My parents love it here. My brother loves it here. Me, I'm not sure I could dislike it more. I mean all other things being equal, I think I'd be happier living on a 1 acre lot in the town of Sumterville or Floral City or even Bushnell. But we'd still be in FL in that scenario.

Honestly for me it's not just The Villages. I don't like FL in general. But I'm sure tight living in The Villages is compounding my feelings.

Last edited by Ruger2506; 08-19-2025 at 11:30 AM.
  #42  
Old 08-19-2025, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Ruger2506 View Post
The Villages specifically. The postage stamp lots. Having such a small garage. The people up in your business. The HOA fees. The HOA rule dictators. The mismanagement of ponds and "wild lands" (specifically the poisoning and toxic chemicals).

I'm not even talking about painting my house pink. But the HOA dictators sending warning letters out about weeds and whatnot. Seems petty. I haven't gotten them, but I know neighbors who have.

And I'm not ****ting on The Villages. Yes the Developers and their rampant destruction of wild lands disgusts me. But the lifestyle. My parents love it here. My brother loves it here. Me, I'm not sure I could dislike it more. I mean all other things being equal, I think I'd be happier living on a 1 acre lot in the town of Sumterville or Floral City or even Bushnell. But we'd still be in FL in that scenario.

Honestly for me it's not just The Villages. I don't like FL in general. But I'm sure tight living in The Villages is compounding my feelings.
Sounds like zero due diligence.
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  #43  
Old 08-19-2025, 11:49 AM
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Sounds like zero due diligence.
Opinions are like ********. Spent 8 years researching FL and The Villages. Thanks for your useless opinion though.
  #44  
Old 08-19-2025, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by golfing eagles View Post
I think people who are unhappy living here have other options.
Not everybody has other options.
  #45  
Old 08-19-2025, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Ruger2506 View Post
The Villages specifically. The postage stamp lots. Having such a small garage. The people up in your business. The HOA fees. The HOA rule dictators. The mismanagement of ponds and "wild lands" (specifically the poisoning and toxic chemicals).

I'm not even talking about painting my house pink. But the HOA dictators sending warning letters out about weeds and whatnot. Seems petty. I haven't gotten them, but I know neighbors who have.

And I'm not ****ting on The Villages. Yes the Developers and their rampant destruction of wild lands disgusts me. But the lifestyle. My parents love it here. My brother loves it here. Me, I'm not sure I could dislike it more. I mean all other things being equal, I think I'd be happier living on a 1 acre lot in the town of Sumterville or Floral City or even Bushnell. But we'd still be in FL in that scenario.

Honestly for me it's not just The Villages. I don't like FL in general. But I'm sure tight living in The Villages is compounding my feelings.
"The Villages specifically. The postage stamp lots. Having such a small garage. The people up in your business. The HOA fees. The HOA rule dictators. The mismanagement of ponds and "wild lands" (specifically the poisoning and toxic chemicals)."

Thae lots can be small, some aren't. I don't know what a "small garage" is, but I have 2 cars, 2 golf carts and plenty of shelving and storage in mine. My neighbors are great, but not "up in my business". The HOA fees are chump change in comparison to other communities in Florida, and there is no need to worry about "rule dictators" if one follows the rules that they agreed to when the bought. And the developer provided a lot more environmental area than elsewhere. If you have MDSA sheets on the "poison and toxic" chemicals, and how they are different from those used throughout the state, please post them.

"I'm not even talking about painting my house pink. But the HOA dictators sending warning letters out about weeds and whatnot. Seems petty. I haven't gotten them, but I know neighbors who have."

Those "HOA dictators" are enforcing the deed restrictions and community standards that owners agreed to. There is no reason to have a property overgrown with weeds. There is no reason to have a pink house or a pink flamingo on your lawn. And by the way, the only reason you have neighbors that received those letters is because somebody filed a complaint.

And I'm not ****ting on The Villages. Yes the Developers and their rampant destruction of wild lands disgusts me. But the lifestyle. My parents love it here. My brother loves it here. Me, I'm not sure I could dislike it more. I mean all other things being equal, I think I'd be happier living on a 1 acre lot in the town of Sumterville or Floral City or even Bushnell. But we'd still be in FL in that scenario.

And if The Villages didn't develop this land, you don't think another developer wouldn't??? At least here the developer has maintained a presence and is involved. There are plenty of areas of environmental conservation that could have built upon but weren't. Sound like you just don't like Florida, and that's OK. The are also plenty of 1 acre lots in Sumterville, Floral City and Bushnell.
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