[Dan =^..^=]

Originally Posted by Vinny

My only advice is to bring your checkbook. You would be surprised how many people come here to enjoy and end up buying.

LOL ... Good advice.

[Sherman931]

FYI...the $5 map was included free in all the folders they gave us when we arrived at our villa

[mac9]

You will so enjoy your stay here! You asked where to ride your bikes. Remember, they are NOT golf cart paths. They are multi-modal paths. People bike on them and walk on them. Just be mindful of the folks with their toys...the ones who go down the paths at 27 mph just because their cart will do it!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

We received a map in the folder when we stayed on our LPP in Dec '09. But it wasn't the same as the $5 map you buy at the sales offices. It was fairly detailed - enough to get around with. The $5 was money well spent for the other map, though - it had more detail, specifically as it relates to the multi-modal paths. Again, this was from nearly a year ago - perhaps they're now including the $5 maps as part of the package. Also, the $5 maps aren't 'forever' maps - for two reasons: 1. The rapid expansion of TV continues and TV updates and reprints the maps on a periodic basis. We bought the $5 map just prior to leaving last Dec. On our next trip down in Feb., it was behind the times - Buttonwood, etc. wasn't on it! 2. As mentioned by others, the map will wear out on the folds pretty quick with any amount of use. After a while, it'll start looking like shredded wheat!!

Enjoy your time while you're there. You'll never be able to take it all in during a single trip. You'll be back!

Bill

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

We received a map in the folder when we stayed on our LPP in Dec '09. But it wasn't the same as the $5 map you buy at the sales offices. It was fairly detailed - enough to get around with. The $5 was money well spent for the other map, though - it had more detail, specifically as it relates to the multi-modal paths. Again, this was from nearly a year ago - perhaps they're now including the $5 maps as part of the package. Also, the $5 maps aren't 'forever' maps - for two reasons: 1. The rapid expansion of TV continues and TV updates and reprints the maps on a periodic basis. We bought the $5 map just prior to leaving last Dec. On our next trip down in Feb., it was behind the times - Buttonwood, etc. wasn't on it! 2. As mentioned by others, the map will wear out on the folds pretty quick with any amount of use. After a while, it'll start looking like shredded wheat!!

Enjoy your time while you're there. You'll never be able to take it all in during a single trip. You'll be back!

Bill

Exactly!! I wish we had two of the five dollar maps. One for the golf cart and one for the car. I wore our map out in one weekend after we bought looking for yard sales. The GPS was, well, frustrating. Our GPS's name changed from Jeeves to something not appropriate to post here.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Exactly!! I wish we had two of the five dollar maps. One for the golf cart and one for the car. I wore our map out in one weekend after we bought looking for yard sales.

I've heard from others that they've taken a new $5 map, cut it into various 'pages' to suit them, then had each laminated. Me? I prefer to wrestle with it when the entire map's unfolded, flapping around in the breeze, shredding itself, wife making fun of me while valiantly trying to help............fun!

Bill

[sands]

Sue&Gene,
My husband and I made our first visit to The Villages last year, also in October. I'd known about it but hadn't been there before; my husband only heard of TV through me before we married 3 years ago. We're in our 50's so we figured we'd go back a number of times over a number of years before eventually retiring there... As others have said, take the check book! We went back again, selected a lot, decided to go on and build and closed in Buttonwood in July. It truly is paradise! Now working on transferring employment to be able to get down there asap. Why wait and let others have all the fun?! I also agree with getting the $5 map, going to open houses listed in the paper each day to see lots of housing options, and making an appointment to get an "overview" tour with a salesperson (they truly are NOT pushy.) As for the trolley tour -- not so much. But maybe that was just me. Definitely check out the evening entertainment and activity at the square. You're going to have a great time!

[Pturner]

Hi again Sue & Gene,

Before lugging your bicycles down, you might want to double check. Unless it's changed, the first LS includes two bicycles and helmets.

As for getting lost, and you will, it's actually a fun experience. That's because someone will immediately hand you a Kool refreshing drink. It's one of my favorite flavors, as a matter of fact.

No kidding. The second you slow down and get a puzzled look on you face, someone is going to stop and ask what you're looking for. Believe me, I got lost enough to know this.

I couldn't wait for the day when I could be the one to serve this particular flavor. It's a rite of passage to being a true Villager (along with owning a home in TV). This summer, it happened. A lady slowed down and got a puzzled look on her face and trust me, I was fast on the draw. As had been done for me twice, I turned around and let her follow me to her turn.

Once she was safely on her way, I was so excited to have achieved this rite of passage that I actually cried.

[Russ_Boston]

Great advice so far.

Also remember to tell hubby not to worry about signing up for golf as a single - they always place you with others - usually other LSV guests.

The bikes are the single speed variety, just OK. Plenty of places to 'park' them around town.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

I've heard from others that they've taken a new $5 map, cut it into various 'pages' to suit them, then had each laminated. Me? I prefer to wrestle with it when the entire map's unfolded, flapping around in the breeze, shredding itself, wife making fun of me while valiantly trying to help............fun!

Bill

You are either my evil twin or my husbands. YOU are gonna fit in just fine.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Hi again Sue & Gene,

Before lugging your bicycles down, you might want to double check. Unless it's changed, the first LS includes two bicycles and helmets.

As for getting lost, and you will, it's actually a fun experience. That's because someone will immediately hand you a Kool refreshing drink. It's one of my favorite flavors, as a matter of fact.

No kidding. The second you slow down and get a puzzled look on you face, someone is going to stop and ask what you're looking for. Believe me, I got lost enough to know this.

I couldn't wait for the day when I could be the one to serve this particular flavor. It's a rite of passage to being a true Villager (along with owning a home in TV). This summer, it happened. A lady slowed down and got a puzzled look on her face and trust me, I was fast on the draw. As had been done for me twice, I turned around and let her follow me to her turn.

Once she was safely on her way, I was so excited to have achieved this rite of passage that I actually cried.

Oh P. I love you.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You are either my evil twin or my husbands.

Answer: Yes, I am.

[Endless Summer]

Wow, you guys are so great! Thanks for the wonderful info. Can't wait to get to TV for that Kool refreshing drink!! -Sue

[dwbevan]

How about bikes? We like to ride. Can we ride on the golf cart paths, or where? Are there bike racks in the squares? graciegirl, you said something about a map in one of your responses to someone else - where can we get one?

Sue, When we went for our LSP in April, bikes were in the garage! They really do think of everything.

Debbie

[pauld315]

i spoke to the realtor when I arrived and convinced him that I really already knew a lot about TV and really wanted to get into the neighborhoods and look around. I asked him if there was a map in the folder. He said yes but it wasn't as detailed as I was looking for and to hold on. he got up and came back a few minutes later with the 5 dollar map for free to give to me.