[festusrules]

I like the Bonita, but the layout says the garage is 12'7" wide.

Is it really able to hold a cart and car?

[Ohiogirl]

Yes - it will actually hold 2 carts (parked tandem style) and 1 car. We will be moving in with our Honda Fit, but I have also driven my Honda Accord down and fits fine with the golf cart also, although it is easier with the Fit to get the car inside when the golf cart is already in there. I just pull in slowly.

I am not sure how easy it would be with an SUV or larger car. Lots of people do park their car in the drive, but I would say more than half use their garage in our neighborhood anyway.

[festusrules]

Thanks, any downsides to the Villa vs Cottages?

Is the lanai big enough?

[Ohiogirl]

wish the lanai was bigger, but I think that's true of many models, designer as well. We just moved a smaller table down for the lanai - I think it's a 42 inch table instead of the 48 inch round one we had before, and the chairs also fit under it better. Makes a big difference.

Moved the bigger one outside to the patio. We have our lanai table just outside the bedroom sliders. Found we never use the bedroom sliders except to leave open during nice weather. Can see/hear the palm trees swaying in the breeze.

We also have a comfortable redwood loveseat and side chair, with Sunbrella cushions, and a small wicker lamp table, lamp and a small wicker coffee table out there, works fine. They (all the wicker stuff) are really light to pick up and move when I want to vacuum out there. We have had an outdoor rug for about 3 years. Plan to stain the concrete when we move down in a couple of weeks (finally).

Also just put an antique wicker/oak square table in the protected corner between the sliders. Really handy to set serving dishes, etc. on, especially when we have company for dinner. We practically live on the lanai in nice weather - eat all meals, use at night for reading, etc. Might even put an airbed out there if we have a crowd sometime and the weather is right.

[charlie49]

We have an Anna Maria courtyard villa, it is vinal and is the same as the Stony Brook built in stucco. We have two golf carts and a full size car in the garage. I think the garage is larger than the Bonita.

Charlie

[Pturner]

Hi Festusrules,

Welcome to TOTV. Sounds like you plan to move to TV! Are you moving soon? Have you chosen a home yet? Did you decide on the Bonita?

Best wishes-- and keep us posted.

[Vinny]

I live in an Anna Maria and keep my SUV in the Driveway. Yes you can fit a cart and car in the garage but I find it stressful to do so. Within two weeks of living here I caused $868 worth of damage to a new car pulling into my garage and I have heard similar stories from others. A big part of the problem is the curved driveways that make it impossible to properly line up until you come around the curve. I have had 8 homes with garages and always parked my car in my driveway. Does not seem to harm the finish on the car and provides a ton of storage space plus it is stress free.

[Ohiogirl]

Yeah, but it's hot (to leave the car in the driveway) - at least in Florida. Although, in The Villages, probably days can go by without using your car.

[K9-Lovers]

We found it very hot to park our car in the drive until we had our car windows tinted. We also use one of those foil backed shades for the windshield. Makes a world of difference.