[MNViking]

I quietly came down with my wife at end of May/June, to experience the record heat that you were having at the time. Again, for a reminder... I was sold based on researching the area for quite a while, but it is my younger wife (43) that needed to be convinced that is someplace she would like to live. (I am more extroverted, she more introverted) so lots to work through. That being said, I wanted to share that The Villages was IMHO way more fabulous than I expected it to be, and much more beautiful and cared for than expected. Keep in mind I have seen the video's but so much better in person.

Stayed at Well Point, which was expected to be in the south. Loved Brownwood and the people I met, loved Sawgrass Tavern and the people there, and my breakfast sandwich at The Market back getting a coffee! Delicious start to that morning.

Now we are earnestly looking to find our place, and I refuse to get a place that has a Bond even though the prices are dropping, and I am looking to be centralized (a bit) from the Newer Areas to the older areas. We believe the best location for all of that action and getting to many areas is the location around the Liberty Park Eagle Preserve. Wish us luck, as I plan to be tight and frugal!

From Well Point we did take an evening to drive up by golf cart to Lake Sumter Landing, quite the drive and not sure I would go much further than that from there lol! That being said, it was hot, but tolerable, and the The Villages GPS was fabulous! Thanks to those people. Loved the Recreation Centers, most of them anyways, and numerous pools were frequented. My son came up from his place in Miami, for couple days and was almost booted from one of the Adult pools. Keep in mind he is a 6' 5" 270# former football player that looks older, but was not quite 23 yet, and a polite lady asked for his card or what have you. He did not have it, she mentioned if you're under 30 you would have to go to the family pool not the adult pool next time. I thought a tad interesting since he was just sitting in the chair enjoying the sun with my wife. It was funny, 23 owns a few businesses, and is well off... but he didn't quite understand the principle. I told him wait to your 50 then you will understand.

But, The Villages lived up to my lofty expectations, and exceeded the beauty that my wife was looking for. She did like the older section for some of the mature trees as mentioned on here, but then again liked a bit of the younger "vibe" in the south. Keep in mind, she talked to maybe 4 people, 2 of them being the VLS reps... but I had conversations on couches in rec centers, glass melting glass, BUNCO people setting up, Clay/Pottery Group, couple of work out sections, and was even told to get changed and jump in for some water volleyball at the Savannah Athletic pool. Even hit a Ruby Tuesday for the salad bar by/in Spanish Springs!

Now to just find a great deal, as I can wait! That being said, why is it so hard to find info on Bonds if it is on the VLS, not to many call it out or what is left on it when I think it should be just part of the listing? Also to get a call out on Laundry In House vs Garage. These things should be a little easier. But, that is me learning the listings and how it goes on down here!

Hope you are all doing well, great place you all enjoy! I loved it! That being said, it's almost football season so time is focused on the Vikings, and searching for a place! Also did the Farmers Market, absolutely loved that and all the people! I will be in Heaven on Earth, just help me pray for my wife as she believes she may lose me to the activities!

[asianthree]

Search threads on older treatment plants, and summer odors. Some residents have zero issues with smells, others are effected.

Many homes between the 6’s will have bonds close to paid. Then again some newer areas have bonds paid.

Tell your agent you want a bond of 0- to say $12,000 (near Seabreeze Regional)

Lots of homes for sale with low bond. Older homes with new roofs, HVAC, Hot water tank.

One of our homes was preowned, 6 years old, with low bond. Sad part, within 23 months we had to replace because they died,. HVAC, Hot Water Tank, Irrigation System, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave, Washer Dryer. Roof 4 years later. Low bond for us wasn’t a bonus

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Search threads on older treatment plants, and summer odors. Some residents have zero issues with smells, others are effected.

Many homes between the 6’s will have bonds close to paid. Then again some newer areas have bonds paid.

Tell your agent you want a bond of 0- to say $12,000 (near Seabreeze Regional)

Lots of homes for sale with low bond. Older homes with new roofs, HVAC, Hot water tank.

One of our homes was preowned, 6 years old, with low bond. Sad part, within 23 months we had to replace because they died,. HVAC, Hot Water Tank, Irrigation System, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave, Washer Dryer. Roof 4 years later. Low bond for us wasn’t a bonus

Within eight years of being a new build, you had to replace HVAC, hot water tank, irrigation system, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, washer and dryer and a new roof within 12 years? Wow, what rotten luck as it must have been struck by lightning at some point or was a real pig in a poke. OP, I've never heard of all those issues in a preowned home in that time frame. I'm not saying it didn't happen just that it is far from the norm. Good luck with your search and the Liberty Park, Duval and Hemingway villages are fine areas to look for your requirements. Enjoy The Villages when you get here.

[shut the front door]

Don't pay attention to the "younger people move south" thing. As older folks die, who do you think buys those homes? My neighborhood has completely turned over since I moved in at 50. Never phased me being around older people.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Lots of restaurants, country clubs, golf, trees, and Recreation Centers up in the areas further north. One perhaps odd thing is that most of the houses between LSL and Brownwood are all electric. (There was a lady on here a couple of months ago wondering if she could install a propane tank down there). So you’ve got to think about all these things. Maybe writing all the things down and scoring them would help you make up your mind. And you shouldn’t use age as one of them.

[Kurtho]

Just bought in Liberty Park last year. Great location and central to everything! You will love it!

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by Kurtho

Just bought in Liberty Park last year. Great location and central to everything! You will love it!

Do you ever get the stink from the sewage treatment facility? Drove by there headed to Cane Garden for golf Sunday and the smell was overwhelming.

[USOTR]

Bond: just make your offer to include the seller paying it off
Location: That is the beauty of The Villages. So much to choose from and the different vibes of each location.
Golf Kart: We have now been here about 9 months in the upper Villages. We use the Village Kart for most trips to the grocery store, and meals out, and shopping on 466. After making some longer trips to Brownwood Paddack we now stay within a 30 minute ride.
Heat: Being native Floridian's we know to do outside activities by noon or 1pm at the latest. Then return outside activities after 5 pm.

God bless your purchase

[Annie66]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

Lots of restaurants, country clubs, golf, trees, and Recreation Centers up in the areas further north. One perhaps odd thing is that most of the houses between LSL and Brownwood are all electric. (There was a lady on here a couple of months ago wondering if she could install a propane tank down there). So you’ve got to think about all these things. Maybe writing all the things down and scoring them would help you make up your mind. And you shouldn’t use age as one of them.

Not entirely accurate. TECO (gas provider) has extensive coverage in the area between LSL and BW. We live in that area, and have enjoyed having a gas furnace, water heater and stove.

[donfey]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

Don't pay attention to the "younger people move south" thing. As older folks die, who do you think buys those homes? My neighborhood has completely turned over since I moved in at 50. Never phased me being around older people.

As a matter of fact, and activities, "older" people here don't seem to be that "old."

[bowlingal]

May/June was nothing compared to the heat/humidity that is here now. Walking to the end of my driveway at 6:30AM to get the paper and I am sweating. By the way, bonds, taxes are way higher in the southern/new areas. Plus, if you look in the classified section of the Daily Sun, you will see MANY resales from south of 44 for sale already. WHY? You gotta ask yourself that question.

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by MNViking

I quietly came down with my wife at end of May/June, to experience the record heat that you were having at the time. Again, for a reminder... I was sold based on researching the area for quite a while, but it is my younger wife (43) that needed to be convinced that is someplace she would like to live. (I am more extroverted, she more introverted) so lots to work through. That being said, I wanted to share that The Villages was IMHO way more fabulous than I expected it to be, and much more beautiful and cared for than expected. Keep in mind I have seen the video's but so much better in person.

Stayed at Well Point, which was expected to be in the south. Loved Brownwood and the people I met, loved Sawgrass Tavern and the people there, and my breakfast sandwich at The Market back getting a coffee! Delicious start to that morning.

Now we are earnestly looking to find our place, and I refuse to get a place that has a Bond even though the prices are dropping, and I am looking to be centralized (a bit) from the Newer Areas to the older areas. We believe the best location for all of that action and getting to many areas is the location around the Liberty Park Eagle Preserve. Wish us luck, as I plan to be tight and frugal!

From Well Point we did take an evening to drive up by golf cart to Lake Sumter Landing, quite the drive and not sure I would go much further than that from there lol! That being said, it was hot, but tolerable, and the The Villages GPS was fabulous! Thanks to those people. Loved the Recreation Centers, most of them anyways, and numerous pools were frequented. My son came up from his place in Miami, for couple days and was almost booted from one of the Adult pools. Keep in mind he is a 6' 5" 270# former football player that looks older, but was not quite 23 yet, and a polite lady asked for his card or what have you. He did not have it, she mentioned if you're under 30 you would have to go to the family pool not the adult pool next time. I thought a tad interesting since he was just sitting in the chair enjoying the sun with my wife. It was funny, 23 owns a few businesses, and is well off... but he didn't quite understand the principle. I told him wait to your 50 then you will understand.

But, The Villages lived up to my lofty expectations, and exceeded the beauty that my wife was looking for. She did like the older section for some of the mature trees as mentioned on here, but then again liked a bit of the younger "vibe" in the south. Keep in mind, she talked to maybe 4 people, 2 of them being the VLS reps... but I had conversations on couches in rec centers, glass melting glass, BUNCO people setting up, Clay/Pottery Group, couple of work out sections, and was even told to get changed and jump in for some water volleyball at the Savannah Athletic pool. Even hit a Ruby Tuesday for the salad bar by/in Spanish Springs!

Now to just find a great deal, as I can wait! That being said, why is it so hard to find info on Bonds if it is on the VLS, not to many call it out or what is left on it when I think it should be just part of the listing? Also to get a call out on Laundry In House vs Garage. These things should be a little easier. But, that is me learning the listings and how it goes on down here!

Hope you are all doing well, great place you all enjoy! I loved it! That being said, it's almost football season so time is focused on the Vikings, and searching for a place! Also did the Farmers Market, absolutely loved that and all the people! I will be in Heaven on Earth, just help me pray for my wife as she believes she may lose me to the activities!

Welcome! Just so you know, when you are looking on the Villages app at available homes, click the “flyer” button and you will see lots of additional info listed including remaining bond amount. Good luck.

[ColtsFan]

Don't overlook The Village of Poinciana right next to Liberty. We are so close to many pools, Regional Rec Centers, close to Sumter and Brownwood. We also have a lot of younger people that have moved into our area. Don't go by thinking the older areas are all older residents. We can get to Colony Plaza and Pinellas Plaza less than 10 minutes. You will love living in The Villages.

[NotGolfer]

To the OP....we moved here from the upper-midwest and the weather up there has been nearly the same as ours here, this year. ONE bonus being we don't shovel the sun and have to worry about scraping our cars before going out. The other stuff you mentioned depends on what's important to you. There are plenty of "younger" folks here but age (as others said) don't seem to make a difference. Best wishes in making your plans.

[cwmmfink]

Welcome almost home!