[Garywt]

We never did a lifestyle visit. We visited friends and put miles and miles on the golf cart, that is what sold me. We went to the squares, stopped for food etc. we dated and bought a house. Someone said they looked for a place without noise but we have a train nearby. Love the sound of trains so it is perfect for us.

[Andyhope]

Wished I had left my checkbook home.....just kidding. Very happy here

[charmed59]

Originally Posted by kendi

For us it was not about what we did but rather the location. Our lifestyle visit was in Brownwood twice. Stayed in Sumter once. Never had the desire To move here until renting in the South for a month. More laid back and relaxing. Paths for biking and walking are beautiful. Our month long stay also gave us more time to try various activities without feeling rushed.

I wish they would add some lifestyle visit accommodations in the south. There are many folks like yourselves that would prefer that lifestyle. It would make it easier for those looking for brand new homes to see if they like that area of the villages.

[condomom22]

The three trolley tours were excellent and provide different information on The Villages: The Past leaves from Spanish Springs; The Present from Lake Sumter; The Future from Brownwood. As a Villages resident now for 1 1/2 yrs, I still take the trolley tours with our friends when they visit. Unfortunately, I don't believe the trolley tours are back up and running yet due to covid. I would check with the Sales Office; perhaps they are providing an alternative. Visit the town squares with their shops and restaurants, while listening to the music in the late afternoon/evenings. You may also want to drive along Hwy 441 to see all the stores available on that strip.

[eweissenbach]

We took the lifestyle preview a little over ten years ago. The first day we took the trolley tour (only one back then) which instantly gave us a great feel for the community and the layout. As for what we wished we had done, I can’t think of anything. We were housed at Creekside Villas, right by Lake Sumter Landing. We got a map and headed out in the golf cart, back then you could cover the whole development in an afternoon. We golfed twice, went to open houses, went to new homes with our real estate salesperson, went to the squares for nightly entertainment, went to a movie, ate at many local eateries, and were in the CYV that was provided basically only to sleep. I came prepared to be impressed, and was overwhelmed, my wife expected to be unimpressed and came away ready to buy. We went on to rent for several winters before finally buying three years ago. The Villages is not perfect, but it comes closer than anything I have yet seen.

[Smalley]

[QUOTE=John41;1855180]1. checked out shopping
2. checked around the neighborhoods for problems eg train noise
3. checked out squares and amenities
4. ate out a few times
5. did not like the villages on the lifestyle visit. on the third visit found what we liked.[/QUOTE
Did you find a part of the Villages that you liked or did you move elsewhere?

[JFPLYMOUTH]

Best answer ever!!😎👍👍

[RealtorKaren]

I returned from my Lifestyle visit last week. I wish I had remembered to turn the lights off on my golf cart when I came home from partying the first night! I'm used to my headlights turning off by themselves! I'm just sayin'! Other than that, I wanted to meet some single guys and that didn't happen. Oh well, maybe next time! LOL

[RealtorKaren]

The trolley service is not operating currently. I was so sorry to hear that! Maybe next time.....if the virus goes away.

[RealtorKaren]

There are no trolley tours these days, FYI.

[Barborv]

Unfortunately, You won't get the full effect of the Villages. Many clubs, shows , activities , etc. are not running now. (Darn this pandemic)Try to see what is, and go and see and talk to people. Definitely the 3 trolley tours. Use the golf cart and take rides on Buena vista and Morse Blvd. Visit the recreation buildings. Visit the North and south, top to bottom and see what areas appeal to you. I promise you, once things are back to normal(fingers crossed) the atmosphere in the town squares in the evening are great! Especially when it's Market night. Go for ice cream at Kilwins in Spanish Springs. Toasted coconut , yum! Also, not sure if Mystic ice cream(1217 West Miller Street in Fruitland Park) is doing their thing. Also take a drive to Eaton Beach Bar and Grill(15790 SE 134th Ave., Weirsdale) and enjoy a nice dinner looking out to the beach. We were immediatley drawn and in ore of the Villages when we visited 9 years ago. We researched prior to that for 2 years and in the summer time (was off from work) we drove down from NY and visited 55 communities on the east coast , in between and west coast. Nothing really excited me. I would tell the realtors, show me the life style first and then the homes. I must of visited about 25-30 communities. When we arrived in TV , and was shown the life style , that was it. We were also looking at that time also to rent out a property, because we weren't retiring yet. We bought the next day after realizing we can rent it out with no problem. So true. Had a tenant before we even closed on the house. We will be finally retiring in 2 years and decided to keep the first house as a rental and we just bought our home we plan to live in. Over the years, I would come down almost every chance I could when school was not in session . I've been to so many clubs to see what I liked. There is a great bingo game(if you're into Bingo) at Paradise on Friday nights. I'm sure also not running now. I wonder if you could find out if TV has any copies of what the recreation paper looked like before Covid. That would give you a GREAT idea of all the asome clubs and support groups there are.
Enjoy your visit.