[Villages Kahuna]

I found myself driving out on Route 44 yesterday afternoon. Even though I've lived here for eight years, I thought I had a sense for how much bigger The Villages was going to get. Wrong!

As I was driving west on 44 from Leesburg, maybe 2-3 miles before getting to the Brownwood entrances on the north side of 44, I came upon a huge "Welcome to The Villages" sign and all kinds of earth-moving equipment. In looking at a map, this point was a good 2-3 miles south of the easternmost end of the new Villages of Fruitland Park construction on 466A. That's a really long way from what I had thought the southern border of TV was going to be.

As I continued to drive west on 44, another 3-4 miles, after passing the Brownwood entrances, there were huge clouds of dust being blown across the highway. As I got closer, there continued to be lots and lots of construction activity. When I got to the corner marked as the new intersection, there was a huge unmarked development on the corner. That intersection looks like it might be the southern extension of Powell Road, although at that point it curves quite a ways to the west. I assumed the construction was another shopping center. The intersection had inoperable stoplights already installed and 'no trespassing' signs at the entrance. Again, there were major roads, traffic circles and construction as far as you could see. That intersection was only about a mile east of the intersection of 44 with 301.

It's been awhile since I've looked at the updated plat for The Villages, but all that construction was a whole lot further south than I had thought the southern border of our community would be. Let's just say this--when all that work gets done, this is no longer a golf cart community. Knowing how quickly you can move around The Villages in a golf cart, I'd estimate that it would take a good hour to get from Spanish Springs to whatever they're going to call the new, southernmost villages.

I sure hope there will be more grocery stores and golf courses out that way. Actually, the whole area under development looked large enough to even justify a fourth town square, although I haven't read or heard a thing about that prospect. I must admit that it's unlikely that I would ever attempt to schedule a tee time that far away from my centrally-located Mallory Square home.

This place is no little village anymore. Amazing!

[MikeV]

No town square planned as far as I know. Too bad because it will be like snow bird season year round now.

[rubicon]

Yea you got to just love that growth

[Madelaine Amee]

Just MHO, but this could be the death knell for TV! I believe there is a point at which TV will no longer be enjoyable. I hope I am wrong because I have made an investment here, but I do get concerned when I see growth upon growth with no where for all those people to go for entertainment. Brownwood is not big enough to house everyone, and SL certainly is not.

[gomoho]

All that growth was part of the reason we left The Villages after only 2 years. Saw the writing on the wall.

[joldnol]

three new executive courses and the Belle Glade CC will open up south of 466A

[DougB]

Originally Posted by gomoho

All that growth was part of the reason we left The Villages after only 2 years. Saw the writing on the wall.

Graffiti is against deed restrictions.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

...after passing the Brownwood entrances, there were huge clouds of dust being blown across the highway. As I got closer, there continued to be lots and lots of construction activity. When I got to the corner marked as the new intersection, there was a huge unmarked development on the corner. That intersection looks like it might be the southern extension of Powell Road, although at that point it curves quite a ways to the west. I assumed the construction was another shopping center. The intersection had inoperable stoplights already installed and 'no trespassing' signs at the entrance. Again, there were major roads, traffic circles and construction as far as you could see. That intersection was only about a mile east of the intersection of 44 with 301...

At the corner of 44 and Powell Rd. is the new Grand Traverse Shopping Center and the Publix that opened Oct 2nd. There is a red light at the intersection and Nehaus Chevrolet would be across the street on your left. Behind the shopping center is a new village of all CYV's, I think about 300 units. I go to the MVP Gym several days a week, which is just east of the new villas.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by DougB

Graffiti is against deed restrictions.

Good one Doug - love a sense of humor.

[Shimpy]

Did you noticed while on 44, that Morris Blvd. is all the way through but not opened yet? Today I went south on Morris from 466a to see how far I could go in my golf cart but it's closed before getting to 44.
Homes were being built as far as the eye could see and I could only think of the future traffic we will have to endure.

[tommy steam]

I read that the villages is 40 sq miles

[billethkid]

the growth was, has been and will be managed with adequate shopping, golf, swimming pools, mail stations, recreation centers, etc, etc, etc.

Just like it has been for the last 10 years. When we built our home there was NOTHING south of 466 (not 466A!). Also no shopping center at Rolling Acres, no Home Depot, no Sam's Club, no Best Buy, no Kohls and on and on and on. The population was 35,000.

Now at more almost 3 times the population od 10 years ago we enjoy all that has come with the GROWTH!!!!

Everything is 15 from where ever you are or live. Yes there is a little more traffic and it takes an extra minute or so....WOW!!!!....we are retired so what is the hurry.

The growth has more positives than negatives. And for those who like small(er) there are many other choices.....WITHOUT the amenities and lifestyle of TV.

Growth also has equaled property here is a good investment. After the build out prices will continue to rise as supply does not meet the demand.

Hats off to Gary Morse and family for making sure growth, properly managed is an asset.

[tedquick]

I second all that you said, . . . kid.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by billethkid

the growth was, has been and will be managed with adequate shopping, golf, swimming pools, mail stations, recreation centers, etc, etc, etc.

Just like it has been for the last 10 years. When we built our home there was NOTHING south of 466 (not 466A!). Also no shopping center at Rolling Acres, no Home Depot, no Sam's Club, no Best Buy, no Kohls and on and on and on. The population was 35,000.


Now at more almost 3 times the population od 10 years ago we enjoy all that has come with the GROWTH!!!!

Everything is 15 from where ever you are or live. Yes there is a little more traffic and it takes an extra minute or so....WOW!!!!....we are retired so what is the hurry.

The growth has more positives than negatives. And for those who like small(er) there are many other choices.....WITHOUT the amenities and lifestyle of TV.

Growth also has equaled property here is a good investment. After the build out prices will continue to rise as supply does not meet the demand.

Hats off to Gary Morse and family for making sure growth, properly managed is an asset.

I love it here !! We bought a lot in 1999 and moved here in 2000. Santiago was the last Village being built. They were just starting to grade Polo Ridge. Buena Vista was just a little road. 22,000 people here. We knew it was going to be big & we were excited. I think it's awesome here. Thank you Harold and a great big thank you to Gary Morse and all of the family for giving us such a wonderful place to live in our golden years !!

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by billethkid

the growth was, has been and will be managed with adequate shopping, golf, swimming pools, mail stations, recreation centers, etc, etc, etc.

Just like it has been for the last 10 years. When we built our home there was NOTHING south of 466 (not 466A!). Also no shopping center at Rolling Acres, no Home Depot, no Sam's Club, no Best Buy, no Kohls and on and on and on. The population was 35,000.

Now at more almost 3 times the population od 10 years ago we enjoy all that has come with the GROWTH!!!!

Everything is 15 from where ever you are or live. Yes there is a little more traffic and it takes an extra minute or so....WOW!!!!....we are retired so what is the hurry.

The growth has more positives than negatives. And for those who like small(er) there are many other choices.....WITHOUT the amenities and lifestyle of TV.

Growth also has equaled property here is a good investment. After the build out prices will continue to rise as supply does not meet the demand.

Hats off to Gary Morse and family for making sure growth, properly managed is an asset.