[The O's]

We will finally be in TV on June 1st. Then the decisions will begin. We are wondering where, in TV, the best location to buy will be? i.e. North of 466, South of 466, South of 466A. We realize this will be our preference, but we are wondering.....if you could do it all over again, where would you buy, now that TV has grown. Thanks in advance. Bob & Janie

[RErmer]

All of the following is just my opinion, and I know others will chime in with equally valid POVs: There are pluses (and very few minuses) for anywhere in TV. We're North of 466 (Glenbrook) & like the fact that we're about equidistant between Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing, though getting to Brownwood is a chore. Big plus for North is that you will get a resale, which saves you $ in that the bond will likely be low if not paid off. Then again, a new home is always nice - no renovations needed.

[Bonnevie]

if I had it to do again, I would look for something in Tall Trees, Winifred, Belvedere....that area. It has great proximity to stores, restaurants...you can really do everything by golf cart (in fact I recently met someone who lives in that area and does not own a car) and it not too far from LSL and Spanish Springs though would be a hike to Brownwood. but the convenience of close by pharmacies, publix, walmart, banks, the high school where the Lifelone Learning college is....lots of pluses.
seems like I'm always driving up there to get something

[buggyone]

I live in Glenbrook which is great. Homes are available with little or no bond. Other great neighborhoods are Virginia Trace, Mallory Hill, Bonneybrook, and even Lake Sumter Landing.

The bonds of $24,000 to $50,000 in the area below 466A really turns me off especially when there is no negotiation in price for a new house.

[JMEZARIC3]

Originally Posted by Bonnevie

if I had it to do again, I would look for something in Tall Trees, Winifred, Belvedere....that area. It has great proximity to stores, restaurants...you can really do everything by golf cart (in fact I recently met someone who lives in that area and does not own a car) and it not too far from LSL and Spanish Springs though would be a hike to Brownwood. but the convenience of close by pharmacies, publix, walmart, banks, the high school where the Lifelone Learning college is....lots of pluses.
seems like I'm always driving up there to get something

I vote for Lynnhaven,Bonnybrook,Ashland and Belvedere.Two rec centers,one with 3 executive courses and the four pools are only five minutes apart by golf cart.Sumter Landing is 12 minutes by golf cart.
My other choices were Va Trace and and Caroline But I settled on Lynnhaven for the shopping.

[Happydaz]

My recommendation is to choose a house in one of the new sections. Everyone is new and you can make friends easily. Don't worry about travel times to places you might not go very often after Brownwood is completed. There are many stores and a new Publix going in soon so you won't have to wait long for convenient shopping, Moving into an established area means you have to try to break into existing social groups. If you have friends elsewhere in The Villages this may not be that critical for you, but then you probably wouldn't have asked this question if that were the case. We moved into a new neighborhood and have been extremely happy with our decision. One neighbor of ours moved down from another Village up north because their neighbors were not very friendly.

[Villageshooter]

well, lets jusy say with the huge sinkhole, i am sure the r some real bargins in buttonwood! just my opinion now: people north of 466 are trying to stay alive, south of 466 are living, south of 466a are still in awe of this place! these are not 100% just my obsevations! when u move in a new place evrybody is in the same boat looking to make new friends,,, established areas others have there lives established sometimes they will include u somtimes they dont, kind a crap shoot, but there are many ways u can carve your own life and live a very wonderful life here in your golden years

[DougB]

My village can beat up your village!

[gomoho]

Oh yeah, well mine is bigger than yours!!! Drive around, talk to people, and decide what feel right. We all think we live in the best place in The Villages 'cause it's where we call home and have made friends. We moved into a 4 year old neighborhood and were welcomed with open arms. I have heard of new places where no one comes out. See what feels right for you and you won't go wrong.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by Villageshooter

well, lets jusy say with the huge sinkhole, i am sure the r some real bargins in buttonwood! just my opinion now: people north of 466 are trying to stay alive, south of 466 are living, south of 466a are still in awe of this place! these are not 100% just my obsevations! when u move in a new place evrybody is in the same boat looking to make new friends,,, established areas others have there lives established sometimes they will include u somtimes they dont, kind a crap shoot, but there are many ways u can carve your own life and live a very wonderful life here in your golden years

I have several friends who all in to a brand new community at the same time. It was like a tight knit community and as soon as one person told another, it was all over the community in one day.

Too nosey and gossipy!

I moved in at the same time to an established village. Friendly neighbors and helpful but not intrusive.

[rockyisle]

We rented for 6 months before purchasing our pre-owned home in Bonnybrook. Living in TV in a rental for that long gave us a good sense shopping, golfing, proximity to the things we like to do. We decided to focus our attention on the Winifred/Bonnybrook area and were very fortunate to find just what we wanted. Beyond our close proximity to all things on 466 and LSL, we lucked out with a fabulous neighborhood. Don't believe people when they say you will not be able to infiltrate an established neighborhood - not true for us.
No matter where you buy, we hope you will be as happy as we are 4 years later.

[ValerieJo]

Subscribing to this thread.

[The O's]

Sold the House - Check
Arranged for TV Rental (June and July) - Check
Closed on House - Check
Moved out of House (things we didn't give away went into storage) - Check
Living in Local Hotel (until medical commitments are completed at end of May) - Check
Looking at a lot of houses on line and dreaming - Ongoing

I guess things are going great, still. Can't wait to head South.

[eweissenbach]

Agree that no place in TV is bad. Personally, I would not care to be in the northwest or northeast, but there are certainly compelling arguments for both. We stayed in Summerhill once for a month and loved the location, proximity to shopping and restaurants, easy to get to Sumter and SS, but not as convenient to executive courses as some locations. We have stayed the last three years in Hemingway, and love the location, close to 15 executive courses, just off Canal, which is the most convenient street in TV, and close to Colony and Pinellas Plaza, with good access to all three squares. If I were ready to buy, I would focus on south of 466 and north of 466A, with my preference being Va. Trace, Sable Chase, Largo, Bonita, Hemingway, and Duval. JMHO

[Villageshooter]

THIS IS JUST MY Opinion. I am sure others will have differing, i understand that,,

North of 466 is much older crowd,,, lots of folks that came here long time ago,, some very unhappy bout all the construction in the south,, this area has become the redheaded step child of the villages,, ,,,, they have real problems at Spanish Spring Square with smokers and alcohol ,, there is a cop EVERY night! they have pumped LOTS $$$ into SS square trying to get the thing rolling again.. the church on the square spent lots of money to get folks to come back north.... they have upgraded the square last summer... whenever there is a any type special event, they really try to make sure SS gets it make folks come back, no bonds on most of the units

South of 466 ,,,, the thing that is said ,, north of 466 folks are trying to stay alive,, south of 466 they are living.... Most of the current activity is in this area,, Most sinkholes are in this area or at least is seems that way,,, if you buy used in this area it is hit an miss as to the neighborhood,, most folks have established friends ,, even tho this i Americas friendliest hometown,, it can be difficult for some to break into some social circles in the established areas. will be some bonds,, most will be paid down somewhat

South of 466a,, this all new within the last 4-5 years,, many are younger and looking for a real party time, are still developing social circles and friends.me and my bride love to roam the area at nite we get pulled over to come to the party many times, we have made some great friends this way. there are many rentals of folks who are planning on retiring here. or have latched on to an investment and will turn them for a tidy profit in the future. Brownwood is a real cross cut of the area, there have been issues with outsiders bring in snakes, and other things that disrupt the atmosphere. There is a police station on the square for a reason, (no there are not any donut shop around). The Morris family will not let the square fail! This is the future , they have just purchased a HUGE area for future development that will DOUBLE the size of the local town, (long term residents of the area are NOT happy bout this!), bonds in this area are out the roof,, most of these buyers have the $$ so they set the prices higher here.
To be honest every area has it plus and minus. all in all it is a great place, no it is not a cult, if you talk bad about be prepared to defend yourself or just wilt away. folks will defend there area, and that is there right, just as i can give you one persons perception You know what they say a bout getting a contest with skunk!
Enjoy.. hope this helps