[kofficer]

My husband and I are just wondering what everyone plans to do when they are in their 80s, and should probably no longer drive, how are you going to get to doctors and shopping, etc. Do you plan to just slow down and putt putt in your golf cart where you want to go, or like some of the other communities we are looking at which offer regular, scheduled buses or van service to the various shopping centers and grocery stores, is there any thing like that in the Villages?

How about cab service, is that readily available?

LeeoTampa

[Tbugs]

What the heck do you mean, "slow down and putt putt in your golf cart?" Are you going to be retired and speed everywhere? Most of the streets here are 35 mph and strictly enforced. Sidestreets are 25 mph and enforced. Speeding fines are very expensive. Golf carts go 20 mph (legally - and enforced on the streets). Speeding fine on a golf cart is just as expensive as in a car.

I am way far south of being 80. I know how to drive my car just fine - BUT I prefer to drive my golf cart to places in The Villages. I live up by the Glenview Country Club and am 15 minutes by golf cart to Spanish Springs and to Lake Sumter Landing. I go to the grocery store,bank, church, restaurants, Walmart, Beall's, Belk, rec. centers, down to 466A and Colony Square, and all the golf course including over to Orange Blossom in the historic section - all by golf cart. It is so much more enjoyable than by car and so much cheaper.

I do have to use my car when I go to a doctor appt up on 466 or in Leesburg, of course. I use my car to drive to restaurants outside The Villages or to Orlando or my beach days with friends.

Yes, there is a Village taxi service. Only shuttle bus I know of is from Freedom Pointe for their residents - the independent and assisted living facility.

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by Tbugs

What the heck do you mean, "slow down and putt putt in your golf cart?" Are you going to be retired and speed everywhere? Most of the streets here are 35 mph and strictly enforced. Sidestreets are 25 mph and enforced. Speeding fines are very expensive. Golf carts go 20 mph (legally - and enforced on the streets). Speeding fine on a golf cart is just as expensive

I don't know about the northern areas but in our 'hood in St. Charles the speed limit is 15mph. It's not enforced very well but that's what the signs say. Even the enforcement in the 35 mph zones is spotty. Just try to cruise down Buena Vista at 35 mph and see how often you're passed. I think they blitz an area from time to time but most often I see no enforcement at all.
I don't think golf carts are often cited for speeding higher than 20 mph. I'm pretty sure those who get tickets are cited for driving an unregistered motor vehicle since vehicles capable of speeds in excess of 20 mph are required to be registered.

[kofficer]

It was an honest question. A lot of people as they get older can't drive anymore, I have no idea what shape we will be in, hopefully not among that group. (It think my husband is worried he won't be able to drive and will have to ride with his wife, me). Just because a person can still get around in a golf cart, doesn't always mean you should, and my question was to see if they was any kind of "service" provided for those people who needed it. Apparently, the answer is NO. It won't change our minds about what we want to do, which is join you all as soon as we can get our house sold here in Tampa in the next year, but personally I think it is a service that is probably overlooked.

We're about to make our 4th trip to the villages, so I already know what the traffic is like, both summer and winter and how fast I see the golf carts on the paths and crossing the streets without looking, and our experience has been on the streets, if we do the speed limit, the people behind us are having fits with us, not to mention just deciding to cross over you in the turnabouts to get in a different lane without signalling. Driving in the Villages is not one of the "friendliest" parts of the Villages. This will be the first time we will be trying the "golf cart" life, so it should be an interesting trip. We have a rental in August for two weeks and we're very much looking forward to getting a chance to try out some of the facilities while we are there.

Thanks for your answers.

[ilovetv]

"Just putt putt in your golf cart"????? The privately-owned golf carts we all have hardly "putt putt" around. We hop in and GO. It's far easier to go by golf cart and park than with a car.

[billybye]

There is no reason to stop driving a car until you are unable. My mother in law (who lives with us) is 90 and still drives when needed - not at night though. You can drive at whatever age you are still ok, you will know when or some one will tell you when you should think about it.
As far as golf cards speeding around. I thought my cart was too slow because everyone was passing me. Had it checked and it does 22 mph, faster than limit.
Like was said - almost everyhing is accessible my golf cart here in TV.
Also you probably shouldn't drive a golf cart if sight and sound are a problem, or your reflexes are bad. See some of those also

[skip0358]

Most everything you need is right here in TV. There's a shuttle to the airport, buses to the casinos,buses to the cruise ports. You can go to the doctors,hospitals, movies and most stores and resteraunts, church etc via
golf cart. I have seen a taxi or two but don't need them so I don't call. I'm not there yet but I don't feel 80 is to old to be driving my golf cart.I sure hope to find out as I'm sure most other people here feel the same way. As for those that pass you oh well let them they're in a hurry for some reason. don't let it bother you. I haven't seen any old people yet

[memason]

I believe your question is perfectly legit. As we age, we all wonder how we will get around...to the shops, grocery store, doctors, etc. In most US cities this is a huge issue for older Americans. I this country, if you do not or cannot drive, you're in real trouble.

I personally believe living in TV could extend your driving abilities by a few years, albeit in a golf cart. Certainly, it would depend upon your health and eyesight, but could drive well into your 90's...my opinion.

As for traffic...it's no worse here than in Tampa. In Tampa, people run stop signs and turn right on red lights, right in front of you; same as anywhere else, including TV. Roundabouts are something that most people have never had the pleasure of navigating, before moving to TV. But the speed limit is 20 in the roundabouts, so it's unlikely anyone is going to get terribly injured in a crash, should it happen.

Hope you have fun driving around in the golf cart...that's what makes TV so much fun...

[kentucky blue]

Originally Posted by skip0358

. I'm not there yet but I don't feel 80 is to old to be driving my golf cart.I sure hope to find out as I'm sure most other people here feel the same way. As for those that pass you oh well let them they're in a hurry for some reason. don't let it bother you. I haven't seen any old people yet

Having a home in TV and meeting new friends daily, the only thing i know about old age is what i read.I know,growing old is mandatory, but luckliy, growing up is totally optional.But i do realize most of the numbers in my "black book" have M.D. after them, and "getting lucky," now means finding my golf cart in the TV parking lot.

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by kofficer

My husband and I are just wondering what everyone plans to do when they are in their 80s, and should probably no longer drive, how are you going to get to doctors and shopping, etc. Do you plan to just slow down and putt putt in your golf cart where you want to go, or like some of the other communities we are looking at which offer regular, scheduled buses or van service to the various shopping centers and grocery stores, is there any thing like that in the Villages?

How about cab service, is that readily available?

LeeoTampa

This is a good question. The basic question is as you get older or your health changes for the worst what services can you find. Do grocery stores deliver, can you find household help, caregiver etc.? Rather important question if you do not plan on moving to an assisted residence.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by kofficer

It was an honest question. A lot of people as they get older can't drive anymore, I have no idea what shape we will be in, hopefully not among that group. (It think my husband is worried he won't be able to drive and will have to ride with his wife, me). Just because a person can still get around in a golf cart, doesn't always mean you should, and my question was to see if they was any kind of "service" provided for those people who needed it. Apparently, the answer is NO. It won't change our minds about what we want to do, which is join you all as soon as we can get our house sold here in Tampa in the next year, but personally I think it is a service that is probably overlooked.

We're about to make our 4th trip to the villages, so I already know what the traffic is like, both summer and winter and how fast I see the golf carts on the paths and crossing the streets without looking, and our experience has been on the streets, if we do the speed limit, the people behind us are having fits with us, not to mention just deciding to cross over you in the turnabouts to get in a different lane without signalling. Driving in the Villages is not one of the "friendliest" parts of the Villages. This will be the first time we will be trying the "golf cart" life, so it should be an interesting trip. We have a rental in August for two weeks and we're very much looking forward to getting a chance to try out some of the facilities while we are there.

Thanks for your answers.

It was an honest question nd the answer begins with depends. It depends on how healthy you are at 80. I played golf with two 81 year old guys that shot in the low 70's and I have played golf with guys 60 or younger who huffed and puffed around the course.

Some folks who are not driving cars should also not be allowed to drive a golf cart. I have lived in big cities and I am as defensive a driver here as I did there.

I have heard some folks say that one of the benefits of moving here is that when they can't drive their cars they still have their carts.

Good luck with your move here. My brother had two friends who just moved up from the Tampa area.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by kofficer

My husband and I are just wondering what everyone plans to do when they are in their 80s, and should probably no longer drive, how are you going to get to doctors and shopping, etc. Do you plan to just slow down and putt putt in your golf cart where you want to go, or like some of the other communities we are looking at which offer regular, scheduled buses or van service to the various shopping centers and grocery stores, is there any thing like that in the Villages?

How about cab service, is that readily available?

LeeoTampa

Kofficer, you raise a good question. It seems that this is not an easy thing to plan for in advance. None of us really knows at what age we will lose our mobility, or whether when we do, we will have more extensive personal care needs.

Some people no doubt move back to be near family or move to assisted living when mobility becomes an issue, but TVers do have other options. Cab service is certainly available; and I suspect it would be relatively easy to hire a part-time driver. There are plenty of medical professionals in the area for those who might need to hire a personal nurse or caregiver. Shopping, dining and medical care are all close by in TV.

There are probably other communities with more formal mobility arrangements, but they might not offer as many opportunities as TV does to keep seniors active, mobile and healthy.

It is something to think about, but for me it would not be something to worry about. Options are available.

[kofficer]

Thanks. I tend to be the over-thinker in the family, and when my husband brought this up, I just figured I'd pose the question, and I'm the first to agree with TV's other options. Believe me, we keep trying to find something that even begins to compare to TV. We just can't find the activities and ability to do those things you have been wanting to do all your life and never had the time. We can't wait until we can actually make the move. Finally getting the house up for sale in the next few months. Probably will buy whenever we find the right house after we sell, and use for weekends till we can actually come up full time. We rented a place for the month of August, will spend our vacation week 8/6-14, and then the weekends so we can really enjoy the lifestyle. We did our lifestyle in the Winter, and we want to try out pools, etc. this time. Meet more people, etc.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Originally Posted by kofficer

My husband and I are just wondering what everyone plans to do when they are in their 80s, and should probably no longer drive, how are you going to get to doctors and shopping, etc. Do you plan to just slow down and putt putt in your golf cart where you want to go, or like some of the other communities we are looking at which offer regular, scheduled buses or van service to the various shopping centers and grocery stores, is there any thing like that in the Villages?

How about cab service, is that readily available?

I, too, like to plan way ahead. Good for you! When we moved here 4 yrs ago I was 54 and my mother was 81. She preferred to let me drive because of the roundabouts; would occasionally drive to Wal-Mart or the beauty school until 2 yrs ago when she turned in front of a STREET-LEGAL coming across 466 on Morse Blvd (she had been waiting to turn west on 466, several cars passed, she started to finish her turn and suddenly there the cart was & T-boned the passenger side..luckily no one was hurt). She turned in her keys. Now she just drives the cart to the pool. I believe there is a bus service because my neighbor down the street has Parkinson's and I saw a special bus go by every week for awhile. We have several new assisted-living places, one on 466 & one on 301 but like another poster said if you are healthy then staying here, where there are more activities, is a better idea. So I would start here and go from there. P.S. I lived in Tampa on Hillsborough Ave just north of St Joe's, where I worked from 1983-85.

[CMANN]

I'll get around in my golf cart. If I need to be in a hurry, I'll call 911.

C