[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by sschuler1

As to wood frame/siding vs. block and stucco: each has it's own benefits and downfalls, so look at all the plus and minuses and make a decision that is right for you.

Plus-
-Block and stucco looks more expensive.
-Block and stucco is more secure in hurricane strength winds

Minus-
-Block and stucco IS more expensive
-Block and stucco requires painting every 7 or 8 years.

Plus
-Frame/siding is less expensive.
-Frame/siding requires less maintainance.

Minus
-Frame/siding looks less expensive.
-Frame/siding is less secure in hurricane strength winds.

Now there is a writing style after my heart!!!

[golfnut]

bluedog, where would you put a propane tank in TV....gn

[Army Guy]

golfnut, most bury them. That is what we are going to do. When we are full time here we are putting in a spa and summer kitchen so we will need gas. So going to put our tank underground.

Army Guy

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by bluedog103

It's all a matter of personal preference and there really isn't a right or a wrong. My mother and grandmother could prepare incredible meals on a wood stove. It doesn't get too much more difficult to regulate the heat than that.
In TV the propane tanks are underground. The only thing visible is a small dome. The tanks are something like 120 or 150 gallons. Pretty good size.
We've lived in parts of the country where most everyone, including us, used electric stoves and in other places where most everyone used gas. Our present home in New York has oil heat and propane for the stove and dryer. The propane works fine for us here. The first appliances were converted and installed by the builders guy. Since then in the 33 years we've owned this home, I've converted and installed several dryers and stoves myself. It isn't difficult. You just have to know what you're doing.
Propane isn't for everyone but the option is there for someone who really wants gas.

BD - we have propane. Right now we are using it only to cook with and the tank should last us one year. Many Villagers use propane for their summer kitchens and pools/spas also. We have it buried in the back yard.

If you are buying a new stove, you don't need a converter kit. You just buy and LP version of the stave. My hubs and I love to cook - and greatly prefer gas. We have a Wolf dual fuel range (gas on top - electric with convection in the oven).

Taj - your comments on location (the original thread topic) are spot on. If you can rent for a bit - or like some of us who couldn't - you research as much as you can - you will find the place that suits your needs. In our case we wanted to be near friends in Largo, we wanted a lot of privacy but didn't want to spend the $$ for a golf course lot and wanted a cul de sac if possible. We found a home on a cul-de-sac in Bonita - just one village down from Largo off Canal St - with a villa wall in back, a side view to Kenya and room for the buried propane tank.

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by bluedog103

My mother and grandmother could prepare incredible meals on a wood stove.

I can't count the number of wonderful meals I've had cooked on a woodstove by my grandparents and my parents. Some of the best Thanksgiving turkeys came out of the old Clarion cook stove. Other uses for the kitchen wood stove were drying mittens and boots behind the stove, and extending the life of DC batteries on the warming shelf. The temperature on the top of a wood cook stove is not uniform, so you just slide the pot/pan to where the temp is right for the item you are cooking. Some of the best biscuits I ever ate came from the ovene of a wood cookstove.

[kwachowski]

My husband and I have been in the Villages for 7 years. We have moved twice and both times stayed in the north end of the Villages. We live in Springdale. We enjoy the privacy and quietness of this area. It does take us 20 minutes to get to the squares but who cares, we are retired. I would rather be away from the hustle and bustle of the traffic. And now we will be close to the new VA center when it opens. Hopefully some restaurants will see an opportunity to build on the out parcels by Publix.

[BeeGee]

Originally Posted by Taj44

BeeGee - you are right to be concerned about location. The best advice I can offer is to suggest you take a look at what activities you will be pursuing. Will hubby play softball - be near the sofball complex. Do you play a lot of golf on championship courses? Will you be taking classes at the Villages Learning Center - how about grocery shopping - do you plan on going to the square a lot? And so on - to give you a feel of the best locations for you . If you look at a map of full build-out, you will see that just south of Lake Sumter is pretty close to being the center of the Villages at full buildout, so villages of Virginia Trace, Mallory, Caroline, Amelia, Saball Chase, and Sunset Point etc., are the most central. But, say your interest is tennis, and you plan on playing the clay courts over at Glenview. You may wish to consider the Glenview area instead. In my view it really depends on your interests. And many activities are very location specific i.e. you can only do them in certain areas. For example, if you are on the swim team, the practices are 3 times a week up at Mulberry (way up north by Nancy Lopez). Now you can commute there, at least a 30 minute car ride I think from Heminway, but it would be a lot more convenient if you lived closer. It is all a matter of personal choice. As far as gas/electric, many people prefer gas - its up to you. Having had both, I like the gas better. Good luck.

Taj - thank you for making some very good points - and thanks to everyone else regarding stucco/siding - gas/electric - all good points to consider - didn't think of propane - in my growing up days, the huge white tanks in the yards were very ugly - didn't know burying w/be option - i, too would probably put in an outdoor kitchen - all good tips -i love this forum, so glad i found it - my brother & sister-in-law have also been "bitten" or have drank the kool-aid - love the idea of my big brother living in TV too!!! We have always been close and that would really make living here perfect!! Thanks again everyone!!!

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by katezbox

BD - we have propane. Right now we are using it only to cook with and the tank should last us one year. Many Villagers use propane for their summer kitchens and pools/spas also. We have it buried in the back yard.

If you are buying a new stove, you don't need a converter kit. You just buy and LP version of the stave. My hubs and I love to cook - and greatly prefer gas. We have a Wolf dual fuel range (gas on top - electric with convection in the oven).

Taj - your comments on location (the original thread topic) are spot on. If you can rent for a bit - or like some of us who couldn't - you research as much as you can - you will find the place that suits your needs. In our case we wanted to be near friends in Largo, we wanted a lot of privacy but didn't want to spend the $$ for a golf course lot and wanted a cul de sac if possible. We found a home on a cul-de-sac in Bonita - just one village down from Largo off Canal St - with a villa wall in back, a side view to Kenya and room for the buried propane tank.

Sounds like you found a nice spot. We wanted to back to a villa wall, but couldn't find one at the time, but we do like being by a cul-de-sac and the lack of traffic.

[Happy2B]

Hi everyone, am a virgin poster..

am thinking of buying a home in TV also. Dad has lived here awhile and I love to visit.. Does anyone know if one can put solar panels on the roof in order to get solar electricity for the home?? Am thinking of buying a cyv possibly..
Thanks!
Bonnie G

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by Happy2B

Hi everyone, am a virgin poster..

am thinking of buying a home in TV also. Dad has lived here awhile and I love to visit.. Does anyone know if one can put solar panels on the roof in order to get solar electricity for the home?? Am thinking of buying a cyv possibly..
Thanks!
Bonnie G

Bonnie
Since 1976 up in Md we have had Solar Domestic Hot Water, and installed PV in 2002, added another hot water system in 2008, and a ground water loop in 2007.
We take heat out of constant 55 degree water instead of sub freezing air.
We sell electricity to the power company when the meter runs backwards - this is just fascinating to say the least!

Florida is the place for solar for many reasons. The laws are friendly and until the end of June 2010 between the tax breaks and rebates from the State and the Fed, you're going to realize savings sooner than ever.

Under a very progressive Florida LAW, you're allowed to have solar panels, solar tubes, clotheslines (mmm.....sunbathed fresh fragrant garments and no gas or 'lectric") no matter what deeds and covenants say.Why, there's even a federal FCC law that says you can install a sattelite dish or ol-fashioned TV antenna on your property no matter what your covenant says.

Why don't more people want to saver money and natural resources?
Solar, wind, and other renewable energy has been misconstrued by some as a treehugger move and then the knee-jerking and even climate change politics take over.

Tsk Tsk

While we are not planning on the satellite dish nor huge aerial in the yard or rooftop, we are contracting for systems in our home and our guest home in TV, and our farmette in Wildwood.

We're also planning on using our brand new solar and wind powered clothes dryer (made in USA, available at ACE hardware in TV on sale for $7.95)someplace out of sight in the yard. We do want to be good neighbors
and not cause an offensive neighborhgoodpscape.

Friends of ours in TV are also negotiating with our contractor and nthey've already starting working on plans with the Architectural review officials.

Have a Sunny Day and many to follow

L&L

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Happy2B

Hi everyone, am a virgin poster..Bonnie G

Oh, I bet you just said that cause you're dad's here.

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by Happy2B

Hi everyone, am a virgin poster..

am thinking of buying a home in TV also. Dad has lived here awhile and I love to visit.. Does anyone know if one can put solar panels on the roof in order to get solar electricity for the home?? Am thinking of buying a cyv possibly..
Thanks!
Bonnie G

Sorry Bonnie and others, we forgot to post the link to the Florida Law

http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/...d_a/rights.htm


L&L

[Hawkwind]

Originally Posted by Larryandlinda

Why, there's even a federal FCC law that says you can install a satellite dish or ol-fashioned TV antenna on your property no matter what your covenant says.

L&L

I am well aware of the federal law regarding satellite dishes but not the one regarding the over the air tv antennas. Care to post a link or reference. Oh and by the way your covenants trump PBR-1.

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by Hawkwind

I am well aware of the federal law regarding satellite dishes but not the one regarding the over the air tv antennas. Care to post a link or reference. Oh and by the way your covenants trump PBR-1.

Hawkwind
Here's one of several:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html


by the way, we tried to find what PBR-1 was, and found everything from rock bands to peanut butter and raisin sandwiches.

(we title this off-topic because covenants and laws are more or less uniform throughout TV, and it;'s not a question of the forum topic/thread "which community to choose"

Hopefully someone will move it soon.

L&L

[graciegirl]

Many a nice chat happened in my grandmothers day over the backyard clothesline, and I was sent to gather the clothes when rain threatened.

But...I do so love my dryer. The clothes come out of it soft and germ free and not covered with a light dusting of pollen.