[Mishoga]

I recently posted here for first time and have been reading many threads to find as much info as possible. I am most likely coming down for a preview visit either this fall or in january, depending on when my schedule allows as I am a small business owner.
Anyway, I have a few questions/concerns that I hope some of you could answer for me.

#1. I saw snakes were mentioned. Are there a lot of snakes? (not that this would be a deal breaker. Just terrified of snakes)

#2. Landscaping-do you need to check with them prior or can you hire landscapers to design your property?

#3. Do you need permission or are there restrictions for decorating your house (outside) for holidays?

#4. Just how buggy is it there? If I was going to set up a shop space in my garage would I most definitely need to purchase netting/screening?

#5. Have there been any dog attacks in the dog parks that you know of?

#6 is there a noise restriction policy?

#7. My husband and I both enjoy entertaining and partying. Is that common amongst the Villagers?

#8. how common and dangerous are lightening storms?

I know I will have more questions.

I want to know how many of you downsized on your move and had a problem with losing square footage? I'm a little concerned as I presently live in a 10 room home. Don't have trouble losing a bedroom or formal dining room but am having a rough time with losing a formal living room and basement. I use my basement and part of my garage for storage and workspace for my business so need a certain amount of space. I'm hoping I can transform a 2 car garage into a workroom with a slop sink and cabinetry.
I know the taxes are much less than Long Island, NY taxes but as far as pricing and square footage, it seems like the homes down there are much smaller with less rooms. Do they include the garage space in square footage of the homes?

Is it more common to have a private IG pool or not? Is it only the premier homes that have the extra room, like offices, a den, a large outdoor lanai?

Thank you in advance.

Oh yeah, for my business I receive many larges cartons from UPS and Fedex. Do those come to my home or post office?

Thanks again

[Mishoga]

I totally forgot to ask this and it is so dear to me.

I was told there is a lot of yoga classes available. I'm assuming that is offered in the recreation buildings. are there any independent yoga studios located within the Villages?

Are any of you into yoga?

(I'm a yoga teacher)

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Mishoga

I recently posted here for first time and have been reading many threads to find as much info as possible. I am most likely coming down for a preview visit either this fall or in january, depending on when my schedule allows as I am a small business owner.
Anyway, I have a few questions/concerns that I hope some of you could answer for me.

#1. I saw snakes were mentioned. Are there a lot of snakes? (not that this would be a deal breaker. Just terrified of snakes) No more than the state you are coming from, most folks been here a long time and not seen snakes.
#2. Landscaping-do you need to check with them prior or can you hire landscapers to design your property? You pick a landscaper and submit the design to Architectural review Comm.
#3. Do you need permission or are there restrictions for decorating your house (outside) for holidays? Deed restrictions allow holiday decorations and 30 days after.#4. Just how buggy is it there? If I was going to set up a shop space in my garage would I most definitely need to purchase netting/screening? There are bugs, however, spraying is done and one seldom sees mosquitos in the residential areas, they do show up on golf courses. #5. Have there been any dog attacks in the dog parks that you know of?

#6 is there a noise restriction policy? Yes, part of deed restrictions.
#7. My husband and I both enjoy entertaining and partying. Is that common amongst the Villagers? That is what we do best.
#8. how common and dangerous are lightening storms? Central Florida has been called the lightening capital, there is a lot of lightening.
I know I will have more questions.

I want to know how many of you downsized on your move and had a problem with losing square footage? I'm a little concerned as I presently live in a 10 room home. Don't have trouble losing a bedroom or formal dining room but am having a rough time with losing a formal living room and basement. I use my basement and part of my garage for storage and workspace for my business so need a certain amount of space. I'm hoping I can transform a 2 car garage into a workroom with a slop sink and cabinetry. What will you do with your vehicle(s)?I know the taxes are much less than Long Island, NY taxes but as far as pricing and square footage, it seems like the homes down there are much smaller with less rooms. Do they include the garage space in square footage of the homes?
The deed restrictions do not allow for businesses to be run at a village home. That being said there are people that are doing just that.....but not having customers coming and going. I suggest you discuss this with your sales rep and get a good understanding of the restriction.
Is it more common to have a private IG pool or not? Is it only the premier homes that have the extra room, like offices, a den, a large outdoor lanai?
There are a lot of IG pools. On your visit you will have the opportunity to see different style homes and floorplans.Thank you in advance.

Oh yeah, for my business I receive many larges cartons from UPS and Fedex. Do those come to my home or post office? They deliver to our homes. Sounds like you have a rather active businessThanks again

From your description you are in for a major downsizing to go from a 10 room house to the size of most homes in TV.
Enjoy your visit.
Some sites for more information.
Village Community Development Districts
VCDD Community Standards
Sumter County Property Appraiser - Ronnie Hawkins, CFA - Bushnell, Florida - 352-569-6800 -
Golf The Villages
Property Owners, Association of Florida
The Villages Homeowners Association
http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/a...es/recnews.pdf

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Mishoga

I'm actually a wholesaler/consigment business. I design (dye, paint, hand embroider, crystal embellish) in my home and prepare for retail space.
No customers coming in and out. Mostly internet sales from my website too
MishogaWear Custom Tie Dye Yoga Couture Clothing

I'm hoping I could hire a few women to work for me there.

I asked in another post about yoga studios. are their any privately owned yoga studios within the Villages property?

AND..............(drumroll) are there a lot of retired law enforcement there?

Thanks so much for your answer.

There are a lot of Yoga Classes here in every rec center. I don't know of any yoga studios because of all the yoga done in rec centers. You can find all forms of yoga going on all day every day here in The Villages. The instructors are all volunteers and don't get paid.

I agree with Bogieshooter about asking questions about your business. The restrictions do have teeth and they can make you move. I don't think employees coming to your home to work would be allowed. Perhaps you can rent space in one of the business areas.

There are a LOT of every kind of retired person here. The last number I heard as to how many live here is over 90 thousand people. We have retired people from every walk of life. You will be so surprised and delighted with this place.

The homes range is size from about 1200 square feet to about 4000 square feet in size. The cost is from about 70,000 to over a million and a half in price.

Welcome to the forum. Hope you will love The Villages like the rest of us do.

[asianthree]

yoga from basic to intermed at the rec centers....i practice twice a day,i like the classes but have yet to find one that brings me to a meditation state

[WVMtnBoy]

All of the above answers you've received were from much wiser posters on TOTV than I but I agree with the answers...lol. Based on what I've read and heard about home businesses, I would really check into that with your sales rep.

I've not really been here long enough to find out, but I am a retired State Police officer and I'm suspicious that there are more of us here than one might imagine.

Anyway, good luck on your quest!

[784caroline]

If you are comming from a 10 room house on Long Island, you really need to seriously consider what kind of house you want to buy here in the Villages. If a formal living room is SO important to you, you may wnat to look at a premier series home. Not only will a premier home give you the LR you want, but they are also more spacious than most other homes in TV.That said the Designer Series homes are more affordable and still provide alot of comforts.

You may want to rethink working in the garage..TV is not in NY. The garages do (not can) do get very hot especially in the summer. Netting is not the answer and AC is not really a solution ofr nothing above the garage is insulated.

As far as downsizing goes, yes alot of people have downsized when they came to TV, but from my informal poll (of the 10 people I know) buying too small to fit your needs or lifestyle is one of the number ONE reasons why people sell and buy again in TV. One thing to consider is if you think you are going to need space , and you are not going to buy a premier home, buy a lot that can be expanded, meaning you can add an extra room off the garage or master bedroom to provide you the workspace you need. I would MOSt definitely get a golf cart garage from what you are describing as your needs. Alot of good contractors are available here to do the add on work afterwards and at a lesser cost than if built by The Villages (if they could).

BUGS...dont come this month the Love Bugs are all over the place...and they come twice a year. They have been spraying for mosquitos and so far no real problem there.

You can decorate your house to your hearts delight at Xmas time.....but if its not to flashing lights or trees all up and down your street in synch with your neighbors, and all in tune with your favorite Xmas songs you will be out of step.....get the idea!!!!

AS far as entertaining.....as they say, just place a sign at the entrance to your street happy hour at ...........5PM, you will meet more people than you ever imagined

Hey you gonna have fun asking all these questions!!!!!!!!!!!

[philnpat]

The above posts are right on!
You might not want to publicize the fact that you're planning on a home business. That probably won't fly...besides, you'll soon find that you won't have time to work with all that's going on!