The first thing we noticed was all the laughter from the groups sitting outside eating at the restaurants. The "happiness" is addictive. Eat outside at LSL or SS so you can watch others. Go to a couple of open houses. We were there three days before we bought a lot - but I had been researching the area for a year. We closed on Fernandina 208.66 last week and will soon be FROGS!

Take your time buying... we hear many people buy within three days... (and that is okay) but weigh your options! We had a villages realtor, AND a remax realtor... we are closing this Thursday, after 4 months of searching preowned on line... and have found our nest!
There are many links to check out...

virginiatrace.com is great!!!!!!!!!!!

if you email me ( steveanddebir@gmail.com )
we can give you more info...:O)

I coming down for a month next week (with checkbook). It would be nice to make out. Any volunteers?

Cheese!

Making out on first visit? How risqué!

He is confussed....The trolley tour is free and the boat tour is 2 bucks !

The map is five dollars.

A great hamburger, fries and coleslaw at Cane Garden is 8 dollars.

I did read it carefully, and I was disappointed in the content of the message. Shucks.

Making our first visit to The Villages
 

You will TRUELY understand the word "obsessed" once you have visited. My husband, sister-in-law and I did a short Lifestyle Visit. Hubby and I returned eight months later for another brief visit because we became so intrigued. It's killing us that we have to put off purchasing, for various reasons, but it WILL happen. One morning when we were having coffee, we circled activities on the schedule in The Villages Daily Sun, and set off for one of the rec centers. We 'watched' an exercise class and talked to people following their session. We informed people on both visits at the recreation centers that we were visiting, and they took us under their wing and gave us a tour. We walked around both town squares, sat and had an ice cream on a hot day, and a couple asked if they could join us at our table. The conversation took on a life of it's own. We circled pre owned Open Houses in the Village Daily sun, set our GPS and tookoff to look at them, learning that we preferred a Courtyard Villa, and that not all CYV's are exactly the same as the Lifestyle ones. We asked our sales rep to show us new CYV's (our preference because we have two dogs). We walked over to the pool and met more people. We hopped in the golf cart and just drove, drove, drove. One afternoon, we sought out all the dog parks. We sat in the Town Square each night, listened and watched people have fun. There was laughter coming from the restaurants. We explored life long learning, and everything that may be of interest to us, or that's on our bucket list.
I guess, what I'm trying to say is go out, explore, talk, ask questions, and take in the sights. People are friendly,except for the lady that I ticked off because I forgot to turn off the golf cart signal! The information that is offered, ends up informing you of so much more than you bargained for. Most importantly, when you return,continue to learn from TOT. Thanks to all who contribute valuable information and opposing opinions. You have helped my husband and I tremendouly!
Enjoy your trip. I plan on retiring early and catching up with life. Hope to meet someday soon!

:agree: with 2BNTV. If you have time over the weekend, you may want to go to an open house (or two or three open houses). There are open houses every day in The Villages, not just on the weekends. The open houses are listed every day in The Daily Sun and also on The Villages web site. Most people in TV are very happy to answer questions about living in TV. Have fun!

First visit
 

Our first visit was 4yrs ago. We only spent 2days and were instantly hooked. I also recommend the trolley ride (it was free when we took it). Also, make sure you stop at either town square and someone will surely talk to you. Villagers are the best salespeople. I swear when my husband and I go to Cody's (restaurant & bar in Lake Sumter Landing) we always meet couples visiting and asking questions. We are traveling down there right now from our home in upstate NY...should be there today...if you ever want to meet just PM me!!!

Yes, we are from Miami. It is time to "get out of Dodge"!

We definitely want to rent a golf cart this weekend. Any referrals for that? There seem to be several places that rent them...just wondering if one is better than another.
Also, we saw a "pre-owned" home listed on TV website that we thought might be interesting to look at while we are there. Who do you talk to about those? Is it someone in the regular sales office? Anyone on here buy a pre-owned home? We are curious about all options.
I want to go "parking" with my husband again! You do that kind of thing in Miami and I think it would be like asking to get mugged ;-P

Get settled and then absolutely take the trolley ride first! We took it last because we never could quite make the time. I wish we had done it first. It would have saved us time doing things we found were a bit of a waste of our limited time.

Congrats and good luck!

thanks, kbace6! I am soooo excited:-)

I just want to point out something you may not know. We have over 90 thousand residents. Most of the growth has been in the last eight years. We now have a population bigger than Ocala.

We have three Super Walmarts. (My husband always says that because that gives you a better conception.) We have the largest Catholic Parish in Florida and a large hospital...five story? Russ? We have all of the stores: Kohls, Target, Best Buy, MANY, many Publix, Sears, Ace, Home Depot, Lowes, Tuesday Morning, Kirklands, Beals, Belks, Pier One, TjMaxx. etc etc. (somebody HELP me)

Our local newspaper has a different editorial slant than The Miami Herald.

We have pristinely clean streets. 32 executive golf courses and working on the 11th championship course. We have an adult pool(for people over 30) in most new villages and a family pool too. There are literally dozens of pools, all that any of us can use, up 'til dark. We have huge regional rec centers that are each themed with different decor and the finest accessories, if you have nothing else to do, go to any regional rec centers and count the chandeliers. There will be a prize.

I could go on. But I have been a place or two in this old world and this is the absolute "oh my gosh" experience.

If you want to look at resales contact the sales office in Lake Sumter Landing. ( If you prefer a realtor other than TV, Lyle Gant is good)

Oh...and there is no pee in Lake Sumter.