Our 1st visit

j&dsilva · 08:54 AM

In August my husband and I are visiting TV for the 1st time.
We have been checking out the cd and was wondering how does one chooses "a Village"-Is one location better than another? We are from Maine and want to sell and retire-there are so many selections-Any suggestions?

l2ridehd · 06-10-2009, 09:10 AM

You need to visit the historic side and the newer side of The Villages. You need to spend a couple evenings at Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing. Something will let you know which one appeals to you more. Then you can look at the Villages closer to the town square and life style and housing style you prefer. I did that and ended up in Sunset Pointe village. And I love it there. But everyone will swear that they live in the "best village" and that "their" town square is the best. So it is really something you need to see, touch, feel, then decide for yourself.

KathieI · 06-10-2009, 09:24 AM

I hope your spending the whole month of August, cause there's so much to see and decide upon. I agree with l2ride, you need to be here to see it all and decide for yourself. Try to come to the Crispers TOTV lunch in August so we can meet and greet you. It will be on August 21 at 3pm.

Kathie

graciegirl · 06-10-2009, 11:55 AM

You will not make a bad decision no matter what you decide. The "flavor" of the villages permeate the new and the older, the Premiers and the cottages, all of them are just places where you climb into bed each night and sleep....but most of us find that our days are filled with being "out and about" and being really busy. I was told that people frequently lose ten pounds in a year just from increased activity.

Be sure to call the Mercantile store and buy a map before you get here. Read one of the threads on here about navigating a traffic circle and be sure to use the free meals and coupons because they take you everywhere in The Villages. Don't hesitate to talk to people. They will like answering your questions, most of us are so willing to help and very proud to be a Villager.

I would ask you to our home but we aren't going to be there when you come in August.

Welcome to you. It is all so unbelievable and so wonderful....I feel happy just thinking of your discoveries!

allairenjadea · 06-10-2009, 12:14 PM

You don't really say if you are looking for a new or pre-owned house. We are from Maine and visited The Villages once in 07 then spent the next year and a half researching houses on the web site before we decided to buy a new house in Bonita.Just wish we could spend more time there. Either way you won't be diasappointed,all the villages seemed nice to us. As far as getting a map if you are working with a sales rep they will give you one free. GOOD LUCK

LELANDJANE · 12:29 PM

Kathie, when is the luncheon this month? I'm coming down next Monday for about 10 days and would love to go if it worked out.

katezbox · 06-10-2009, 02:07 PM

My husband is from Port Clyde and we are also in Bonita. PM me if you want to chat while you are visiting.

Kate

j&dsilva · 06-11-2009, 12:47 PM

Thanks all for your responses. We will be sure to check out the "old" as well as the new. We will be arriving the 26th of August. Sounds like all "Happy Campers" there. Can't wait !

tpop1 · 09:01 PM

Hi,

Here's how we ended up with a contract on a house in Bonita!

After 10 months on the market, we recently received and accepted an offer on our house in Sarasota.

We had been to The Villages the last 2 May's & have been working with a sales agent .... got serious last month& then really serious with the offer!!!.

We gave our parameters to the agent; New Villa or Designer house, 3 BR or 2+ den. On our drive north to CT for the summer we planned a stop in TV to probably buy. The agent showed us 4 or 5 properties that were spot on our desires.

We got it down to 1 villa and 1 house and really liked the layout of the house best. Price was right, & the lot was nice( at top of elevated street) . That is how we ended up in Bonita.

We have 2 different friends who live in TV but above CR 466, but our desire for new construction kept us away from their neighborhoods.

Closing Sarasota on 7/9 & TV on 7/10....fingers crossed that all goes as planned!

rshoffer · 06-12-2009, 08:58 PM

Fight your impulse to buy something immediately. It takes 6 months to become familiar with all this place has to offer. If, after your visit, you decide this is where you want to retire, RENT a place for 3-6 months... play, have fun, attend open houses, and make a non-rushed decision where to live in TV.

tpop1 · 06-12-2009, 08:58 PM

Sorry for the confusing edits..in error. thought I corrected them.

Line 2 - ...offer on our house in Sarasota.(end of sentance)

Line 3 should read: We had been to The Villages the last 2 May's & have been working with a sales agent .... got serious last month & then really serious with the offer!!!.

tankdvr1950 · 06-15-2009, 04:28 AM

J&D......we did 3 lifestyle visits before deciding that TV was right for us...we just moved into our CYV in the Village of St Charles.

A lot of good advice in some other posts...when you do visit...recommend you rent a golf cart...it is THE MODE of transportation in TV.....for us...it was the best way to really see TV like a resident does.....and getting lost, and you will, is great fun as well...don't worry...there are plenty of TV'ers on the paths to offer help to get you to your destination

do go historic side and S of 466 and take a good look....we chose way S because everything is/will be new...and we hope to enjoy the newest town Square (Bronville) when it is build just S of where we are

enjoy your visit...and trust me.....this is the best place to have your questions answered about TV

welcome

TrudyM · 06-15-2009, 11:57 AM

I asked this question last month. We are now planning more visits before we decide as it seems to be the recomendation of most on this site and they are
a pretty savy bunch. We may even rent the first year, I looked at the for rents and on an annual basis alot seem reasonable price wise some with carts included. The one thing my husband put on the like to have list that I hadn't thought of was not to far from a tunnel crossing as having to cart the wrong way alot to get to one he thought might get to be irritating. This is only and issue if you have little time and wer'e going to be retired right??

Russ_Boston · 06-15-2009, 12:27 PM

It can be circuitous route if you live between the main tunnels. (i.e. If you live on lower canal and need to get across 466A to Brownwood).

Question: Can a street legal cart cross 466A at Canal? If so that may be the answer.

garsha · 06-30-2009, 03:21 PM

Have the realtor show you the plans so you become familiar with them and learn which one you want. I agree, take advantage of the movie tickets and the meals, the bowling and the golf. It will get you to a few places. Be sure to rent a golf car for the week. New or resale? New neighborhoods seem to have more going on initially but we bought resale and if you golf, you will soon get to know neighbors. Check out Thursdays newspaper with the recreation schedule. Even if you don't have time to participate in any of the activities, it will help you become familiar with all that does go on here. Many of the activities, like the exercise classes, volleyball at the sports pools and line dancing, you just show up.

Have fun!!!!

Our 1st visit

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