[TF Hutch]

12/20/11
First visit to The Villages. We arrived at the Waterfront Inn and checked in early afternoon. Wife chose to do laundry and get cleaned up while I went for a walk to the sales office to get the $5 Villages map, failed. I was asked if I wanted to talk to a sales rep, no just wanted too look around, felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Wandered around the busy Lake Sumter Landing market square, stopped at Johnny Rockets for a shake and was amazed by the vibrant feel, colorful golf carts, people generally enjoying themselves, and they all look so damn healthy. After going back to the hotel to pick up my bride we went back to the square for music and Happy Hour, a very delightful time, dinner at the hotel, wander some more, a beautiful day, Adults Disney.

Next day we wanted to take the trolley tour. I met some wonderful employees at the sales office who booked us for the tour. Had some time before the Trolley, I was introduced to a sales person who irritated the hell out of me because he wouldn’t shut up. Kept telling me he wasn’t ever going to try to sell me a house, just the lifestyle.
Took the Trolley tour and got a glimpse of the Villages with a wonderful tour guide who answered everyone’s questions and asked for more, a pleasant experience. Another walk around the square and then we had to depart for family and Christmas.

My impression. What’s not to like? This will require some investigation.

We are currently snowbirds who come and live close to 94 yr old father for 3 months a year. Unfortunately TV is too far away from Dad. The gated community my father lives in is beautifully maintained and always looks terrific, but it has no soul. Just beautiful cookie cutter homes with golf course views. No life, no energy.

I am already sold on the Villages lifestyle, will confirm with a Lifestyle Visit for a week before heading North in April. Current thinking changes hourly, that’s ok because we don’t want to do anything while Dads still with us.

Anyone care to suggest a long-term plan to discover all The Villages has to offer?

[renrod]

Originally Posted by TF Hutch

12/20/11
First visit to The Villages. We arrived at the Waterfront Inn and checked in early afternoon. Wife chose to do laundry and get cleaned up while I went for a walk to the sales office to get the $5 Villages map, failed. I was asked if I wanted to talk to a sales rep, no just wanted too look around, felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Wandered around the busy Lake Sumter Landing market square, stopped at Johnny Rockets for a shake and was amazed by the vibrant feel, colorful golf carts, people generally enjoying themselves, and they all look so damn healthy. After going back to the hotel to pick up my bride we went back to the square for music and Happy Hour, a very delightful time, dinner at the hotel, wander some more, a beautiful day, Adults Disney.

Next day we wanted to take the trolley tour. I met some wonderful employees at the sales office who booked us for the tour. Had some time before the Trolley, I was introduced to a sales person who irritated the hell out of me because he wouldn’t shut up. Kept telling me he wasn’t ever going to try to sell me a house, just the lifestyle.
Took the Trolley tour and got a glimpse of the Villages with a wonderful tour guide who answered everyone’s questions and asked for more, a pleasant experience. Another walk around the square and then we had to depart for family and Christmas.

My impression. What’s not to like? This will require some investigation.

We are currently snowbirds who come and live close to 94 yr old father for 3 months a year. Unfortunately TV is too far away from Dad. The gated community my father lives in is beautifully maintained and always looks terrific, but it has no soul. Just beautiful cookie cutter homes with golf course views. No life, no energy.

I am already sold on the Villages lifestyle, will confirm with a Lifestyle Visit for a week before heading North in April. Current thinking changes hourly, that’s ok because we don’t want to do anything while Dads still with us.

Anyone care to suggest a long-term plan to discover all The Villages has to offer?

Now that you have seen a bit with your own eyes, a lot of the info here will make sense. KEEP READING, but be careful it gets contagious. Renting a place for a week or month is the best way to get a real good feel. Make sure the rental property has a cart available. Check out www.thevillages4rent.com

[TF Hutch]

Originally Posted by renrod

Now that you have seen a bit with your own eyes, a lot of the info here will make sense. KEEP READING, but be careful it gets contagious. Renting a place for a week or month is the best way to get a real good feel. Make sure the rental property has a cart available. Check out www.thevillages4rent.com

Current thinking is rent. For a month first, next "the season", then for a year after retirement 2015. Should be built out by then. Don't care about a new house (now). Again, thinking changes daily.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by renrod

Now that you have seen a bit with your own eyes, a lot of the info here will make sense. KEEP READING, but be careful it gets contagious. Renting a place for a week or month is the best way to get a real good feel. Make sure the rental property has a cart available. Check out www.thevillages4rent.com

I agree with renrod. Rent a few times if you can -- maybe try renting in different areas of The Villages -- Lake County, Marion County and Sumter County. TV is a large place, so you will have a lot of rentals to choose from. To get rental info, try www.thevillages4rent.com, www.****.com and www.thevillagesdailysun.com, classified ad section, furnished homes for rent. Best of luck to you in your search.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by TF Hutch

Current thinking is rent. For a month first, next "the season", then for a year after retirement 2015. Should be built out by then. Don't care about a new house (now). Again, thinking changes daily.

Don't fret, TF. The only substantiated build-out date I've seen documented says '2018'. See top of p.3 in the following:

http://www.districtgov.org/images/IR...of%20Facts.pdf

This document dates back a number of months so there might be something else that's more current..............but I haven't seen anything.

I'd have to think that at the current rate of construction, there'd HAVE to be more land acquisition in the offing if 2018 is indeed a legitimate date. But that's just my opinion!

Bill

[angiefox10]

Keep this "blog" going! I'm enjoying your first impressions of The Villages. I remember mine and it took my breath away.

I can't wait to read more!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by angiefox10

Keep this "blog" going! I'm enjoying your first impressions of The Villages. I remember mine and it took my breath away.

I can't wait to read more!

Me too Angie. It just makes me smile and so warms my heart to hear someone's first impressions. It is SO much fun when people see the scope and beauty of this place and try to put it into words...And everyone thinks...where's the fly in the ointment?????...

To all of you that I have grown to care about, my fellow villages and soon to be villagers....Please be very good today...It is only just a few more hours 'til Santa comes.

The windows and doors are all open...warm and sunny and a "beautiful day in The Villages."

Love and good wishes and your best Christmas ever.
from Grace, Henry and Helene and the kitties.

[thelegges]

Second visit we bought due to the great people and everything TV has to offer. Now looking for second house because we didn't think the garage size was a problem, but now we are here its a problem. Just hate to leave our great neighbors.

[TF Hutch]

Thank you all for your kind and generous thoughts and encouragement. I feel honored to have you all take the time to help out a newbie stranger.

Due Dilligance begins. First stop the internet. TOTV has been the first stop.
Need to get an idea of where else to check. The Villages.com is a no brainer of course, but what other sites can help me determine what I need to know?
I would like to be well informed before going on the Lifestyle Visit, ideally as informed as the sales staff, that way I won't feel like a deer in the headlights. I miss so much if I get information overload.

Any other thoughts for "Due Dilligence"? I was an airline pilot in a previous life and prefer to have every contingency thought out before leaving the ground. (What if ...) Suprises are then easily managed.

Wish this iPad had a spell checker,
A Happy Holiday to all, best wishes for the new Year.

[angiefox10]

Take the trolley ride!

Get in a car with a sales rep, they will be happy to show you around and show you the highlights.

Then....

Get in a golf cart and get lost! We did and it was fun! We saw and learned so much! Check out all the nooks and crannies and talk to the people! The Village people LOVE to talk about their town!

[Oren L Miller]

There are much cheaper houses in Florida. The problem is that this lifestyle isn't available anywhere else at any price. There are 2000 clubs and it is growning. There will be a recreation center not far from any house you buy or rent. There will be pools within blocks of your home heated for you in the winter. You buy a house new or used and you automatically become members at 10 country clubs. We spent a week down there a week ago and was having dinner with folks and then being invited to their homes the same night. I can't promise you that you will meet Gracie and Henry, Dan and Bonnie, Mike and Trix, or Bill and Sandy but you will make friends quickly. You will have entertainment in the two townsquares that is FREE everynight. You will have free golfing. Yes free but two dollars if you use your own cart. We are realizing our dream and moving there in 66 days. Look up Angie and I (Oren) and we would love to meet your for drinks or just just show you around the friendliest villages in the USA.

[2BNTV]

It has been said by many people, "TV has to be seen to be believed".

IMHO - TV build out date keeps moving up. When I first saw TV, the build out date was 2010. As Bill has said, 2018 and possibly later.

Thanks for posting as I also like to hear people's impressions of TV, (aka paradise).

Try the nuts and bolts section for very good info. Keep on posting.

[njbchbum]

since you are using the internet, you should take a look at this website:
http://www.lylesellsfla.com/

there is oodles if info about the villages and there is the listing of all properties NOT sold by villages sales staff - but thru outside sales agents - properties that the villages agents cannot sell.

am not affiliated with lyle - just love his site!

[angiefox10]

Great link!

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by TF Hutch

Thank you all for your kind and generous thoughts and encouragement. I feel honored to have you all take the time to help out a newbie stranger.

Due Dilligance begins. First stop the internet. TOTV has been the first stop.
Need to get an idea of where else to check. The Villages.com is a no brainer of course, but what other sites can help me determine what I need to know?
I would like to be well informed before going on the Lifestyle Visit, ideally as informed as the sales staff, that way I won't feel like a deer in the headlights. I miss so much if I get information overload.

Any other thoughts for "Due Dilligence"? I was an airline pilot in a previous life and prefer to have every contingency thought out before leaving the ground. (What if ...) Suprises are then easily managed.

Wish this iPad had a spell checker,
A Happy Holiday to all, best wishes for the new Year.

Originally Posted by njbchbum

since you are using the internet, you should take a look at this website:
http://www.lylesellsfla.com/

there is oodles if info about the villages and there is the listing of all properties NOT sold by villages sales staff - but thru outside sales agents - properties that the villages agents cannot sell.

am not affiliated with lyle - just love his site!

Lyle is our outside the villages Realtor and he is very thorough. Here is another website that has LOTS of info. http://www.virginiatrace.com/