[Velvet]

Originally Posted by GoRedSox!

I am 63, my wife is turning 59 this week. We were looking at new and pre-owned simultaneously. We were consistently told that when buying new, folks are closer to our age and all moving in at the same time, so it is easier to meet people.

We eventually opted for pre-owned near Brownwood. Familiarity with the area, proximity to the town square, and other stores and amenities guided our choice. But we didn't know what to expect regarding meeting people.

The day we closed on our house, neighbors appeared on the Welcome Wagon with a basket of cookies and other goodies. We were given a list of everyone who lived in our village with their emails and phone numbers, at least the folks who consented to be on a distribution list. We were given a handout with the address for the website for our village, the Facebook page, and the groups available on Whats App. We were happy to donate to the fund to buy another AED for the village and will get training in the future to know how to use one. We could not have been more warmly welcomed to The Villages and are very appreciative of our neighbors for having such a community spirit.

Good luck, I am one of the glass 7/8ths full people who think you pretty much can't go wrong no matter what choice you make in The Villages.

I bet, with your attitude, you’d be welcome just about anywhere.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by GoRedSox!

I am 63, my wife is turning 59 this week. We were looking at new and pre-owned simultaneously. We were consistently told that when buying new, folks are closer to our age and all moving in at the same time, so it is easier to meet people.

We eventually opted for pre-owned near Brownwood. Familiarity with the area, proximity to the town square, and other stores and amenities guided our choice. But we didn't know what to expect regarding meeting people.

The day we closed on our house, neighbors appeared on the Welcome Wagon with a basket of cookies and other goodies. We were given a list of everyone who lived in our village with their emails and phone numbers, at least the folks who consented to be on a distribution list. We were given a handout with the address for the website for our village, the Facebook page, and the groups available on Whats App. We were happy to donate to the fund to buy another AED for the village and will get training in the future to know how to use one. We could not have been more warmly welcomed to The Villages and are very appreciative of our neighbors for having such a community spirit.

Good luck, I am one of the glass 7/8ths full people who think you pretty much can't go wrong no matter what choice you make in The Villages.

Wow you got lucky, folks here are nice but after 7 pm done for the day for the most part. Luckily for us we are in some great clubs

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by GoRedSox!

I am 63, my wife is turning 59 this week. We were looking at new and pre-owned simultaneously. We were consistently told that when buying new, folks are closer to our age and all moving in at the same time, so it is easier to meet people.

We eventually opted for pre-owned near Brownwood. Familiarity with the area, proximity to the town square, and other stores and amenities guided our choice. But we didn't know what to expect regarding meeting people.

The day we closed on our house, neighbors appeared on the Welcome Wagon with a basket of cookies and other goodies. We were given a list of everyone who lived in our village with their emails and phone numbers, at least the folks who consented to be on a distribution list. We were given a handout with the address for the website for our village, the Facebook page, and the groups available on Whats App. We were happy to donate to the fund to buy another AED for the village and will get training in the future to know how to use one. We could not have been more warmly welcomed to The Villages and are very appreciative of our neighbors for having such a community spirit.

Good luck, I am one of the glass 7/8ths full people who think you pretty much can't go wrong no matter what choice you make in The Villages.

Sounds like you had a similar experience to what we had. We have some great neighbors, as well...

[Normal]

New may seem optimal because of fiber optic internet and brand new infrastructure, these are things that won’t ever be available in the older villages. In addition, neighbor connections are new for everyone and cliques are seldom. On the flip side though, with a new home you have to undergo all those home improvement projects like landscaping, light tubes and painted floors. For me it’s a no brainer if I was new to the Villages. I would go new.

[MightyDog]

Originally Posted by Velvet

But you can see people all the time and if your values and interests are different it’s never going to work.

That is an almost 100% true statement , right there. Shared values and interests are what a person needs to focus on when looking for friends or sweethearts.

[SoCalGal]

<< But, if you look on VLS and do a drive-by through that area, you will see hundreds of spec homes are sitting. >>

What does "VLS" stand for in this context?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by SoCalGal

<< But, if you look on VLS and do a drive-by through that area, you will see hundreds of spec homes are sitting. >>

What does "VLS" stand for in this context?

VLS = Villages Listing Service

as opposed to

MLS = Multiple Listing Service.


VLS is exclusive - it means the Villages own real estate group is doing the selling on behalf of the owner. On new construction, that means you won't see Re/MAX selling those homes, because the Developer owns its own real estate company and isn't interested in farming out or sharing the sales, or profits, to outside companies.

MLS is inclusive. Those are only resales, and only those resales that the seller hasn't contracted with VLS agents. So you might see a Re/MAX agent bringing a buyer to look at a house being sold through a Coldwell-Banker agency.

VLS agents are not allowed to show MLS homes to potential buyers.

[SoCalGal]

Originally Posted by Velvet

You know that I disagree. The person who will give you a ride if you need it to the bus depot is not going to be the guy you played water volleyball with. It’s going to be the lady next door. The person who lends you a part to your AC in an emergency is not going to be your pickle ball buddy, but the guy across the street. The person who brings you the AED should something happen, my husband needed it at age 62 when he had never had any health issues to that day, is going to be the closest neighbor who has one. And so on. A few neighbors may change but not your whole street in your life time.

<< The person who brings you the AED should something happen >>

What does "AED" mean in this context?

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

Be aware of high bonds ,taxes, the prison in the newer areas. Also check out the Daily Sun and see how many resales there are in the southern section . Must be a reason why??

There is a reason. Owners are selling for big profits and buying in the latest village. I know several friends who move every two years.

But you already knew this. You were told this the other nine times you said 'must be a rwason why'.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by craarmy

You can meet people anywhere you live. After joining a few activities you will probably be running around the Villages. Does it have a bond payment with the house? Inferstructure down south is alot higher. Have heard sometimes the bond is almost as much as the morgauge. Add in insurance and amedities. Some people moving south are moving again because they can't afford it.

Living south of 44, you have to travel north for most of your shopping and eating. Living up by the historical side or around 466 or 466A you have more shopping and eating places closer by to choose from. South of 44 it seems more like the houses are rubber stamped, track housing, no varity. North off 44 more vegatation around the houses, more space between the house in certain areas. Broaden your horizon in what your looking for, for now and the future.

I really don't understand how some people come up with the things they say.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by SoCalGal

<< The person who brings you the AED should something happen >>

What does "AED" mean in this context?

The unit a neighbor brings to start your heart. You may think you won’t need it. We didn’t either. My husband had a perfect annual medical checkup as needed by his job. At age 62 one morning, just as we were about to go to the golf course, he laid back on the couch and closed his eyes. He never opened them again. The AED came too late.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by SoCalGal

<< The person who brings you the AED should something happen >>

What does "AED" mean in this context?

"Automated external defibrillator"...

Many Villages have several scattered around the neighborhood and have a system set up to act as first responders, hopefully getting there before the paramedics arrive...