Great information. Thank you!

So many choices!! Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you! I'm wondering if I should even bring a car to the visit? Just use the golf cart. I don't plan on leaving the Villages for the week.

Yes, I need to find out about the bond. I'll put that in my notes. It would be great to find something where some of the bond is paid.

I will be surprised if I don't love it because I already do, lol.

Yes, seems like many are suggest two lifestyle visits. I really didn't know you could do that, but it sounds like a good idea. Thanks!

Golf, pickleball or softball are big here. Numerous club which probably would not be meeting when you come. Have your contact get you the full activity book and if you lived here what would you want to do? Do that. I got blown away by all the activities but what would you really do?

And just because there is so much golf play a par 3 course you probably will with neighbors social golf

Live like a Villager when you are here

I have a feeling he will love it there because he likes the same things I do basically. I like doing the things that are offered there at the Villages and just having fun. I want to enjoy my senior years!!

Good plan. You really don’t need a car for a week. You can pretty much get around to everything in golf cart but it may take a while.

Yes, I agree, but want to do more than try to find places. Not too much, just get a feel for the place!

Great advice, thank you so. much!

Looks like a lot of great places to ride a bike. Thanks!

Yes, I see that now. I didn't really know that as I thought the rep would just show me the house and try to sell me a another house, lol. Thanks!

Yes, for sure.

Great information. Thank you!

I thought there might be some Christmas events happening. Don't want to go too close to Christmas but plan the beginning of December because that will be the best for our schedule so maybe we will be there for that. Thank you!

Good to know! Thank you!

Yes, don't want to buy on first instinct and then regret it later. I have an area already in mind, but I have to remember I haven't even been there yet! Thank you!

Oh, yes some warm clothes just in case. Thanks for that link. I will want to rent first yes. That's the reason for the LS visit to see if we want to rent for a month. I know I do for three months and hope DH will too!

I don't know what CYV is?

Yeah, I realize that about the high season but we have things we planned over a year ago and December is the only time. I'm hoping to be able to rent in the high months but probably won't be able to.

Thank you. I have been watching You Tube actually, lol. I will check out the ones you mentioned and some I have watched. You tube videos have been the inspiration for me actually. Thanks for your uplifting reply. I could buy sight unseen too I bet and love it but DH wouldn't do that.

Thanks yes because I think they would be pushing the new construction and that area isn't what I think I would be interested in, so thanks for that advice.

Do visit new construction. We felt the same as you. We bought new. Great walking/biking paths south of 44- you may be surprised. Check out all areas. Do your homework!!!

Court Yard Villa

How will they recoup every dollar in high season when she said they’d be buying it for their winter home? High season is winter.

Unless you prefer a brand new home, which can only be found closer to the turnpike than the older villages. We want new, so we are okay with a little bit of turnpike noise. It’s no different than our home here in SoCal. What we won’t do is buy where power lines are visible. Thankfully there are many areas south of 44 with no visible power lines.

We have all experienced the time share and other gimmicks. When your village’s sales agent says call me for whatever. They are not going to call and harass you.
We had friends doing the life styles visit and after three days of not being contacted, they called. Wanting the sales agent to come and answer questions.[/QUOTE]

This wasn’t our experience in June. Ours was much more hands on, and contacted us frequently. She was new though, so obviously eager to please. We liked her a lot, and spent a full day down south with her, plus a few hours in the morning on the day we left. When we arrived very late the first night we found our fridge stocked with all kinds of foods we needed for a late dinner we hadn’t had yet, plus breakfast foods for the whole week (she had asked us about our food preferences before we arrived). She really impressed us, and we’re still in close contact with her while we’re here in SoCal selling our home.

You can do more than one, but only the first one will they give you free tickets to a concert, free golf, etc. No perks the 2nd time and beyond, but you still get the golf cart, bikes, guest pass, etc.

The golf cart Christmas parade at the polo fields is Dec 10th. There’s a four day model railroad show at one of the regional Rec centers in early December too. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, and trains of varying sizes (gauges) will be running in different rooms. It’s amazing! Every regional Rec center decorates for Christmas according to their theme with a gorgeous Christmas tree at each one, plus big Christmas trees at every square. Villagers really decorate their homes beautifully too.

Just a tip… if you tap reply and not quick reply it’ll quote the comment you’re replying to above your reply. That way we can tell what comment you’re replying to. 🙃😄

Statement is Could rent out high season… it’s an option…OP doesn’t say if they are fully retired

Okay, good point. 👍🏻

Newbies beware. The lifestyle is reasonable and yes you get a brand new house. However, the goal of the Village Realtors is to sell you a new home. Right now they are pushing DeLuna but they will show you resale homes if you ask. I did this when I first arrived for my initial visit but ended up buying a for sale by owner property. My first visit I was put in the Atrium right next to Brownwood. It took 2 minutes to get to the square with shopping about the same distance. I have biked DeLuna it is far from all of the main activities. South of 44 is nice but you certainly do not have the amenities we have North of 44. For instance I have 5 pools, two Rec Centers in the Village of Gilchrist West within 2 miles. If I want to swim laps I have three sports pools within a mile. There is only one at Ezel for all of the homes in the southern area. Next you have one shopping center Magnolia for all of the South. I have 4 Publix's within 2 miles and most of my other shopping within 5 miles. You will have quite a distance to go to get to a Sam's Club or BJ's where most of the Shopping Centers are located. Same with Golf the mass of courses are in the Northern areas. Another caveat is to really see homes realize the Village Realtors will not show you any MLS listed homes (homes for sale by other Realtors) and Realtors cannot show you Village Owned listings. Many do not realize this when they come to buy. I now own 2 homes. My second I bought from the Villages in Duval. I use it as a rental. It is beautiful and is located where all of the action is complete with bikes, chairs for the square, golf cart etc. A week is really not enough time to even touch the surface of the homes available for sale here. Do your homework and you will find what is perfect for you. I enjoy the activities too much to want to be in the South. Good luck.

FYI, I heard a rumor about some construction going on south of the turnpike.

This has been debunked sooo many times. A sale, any sale, makes money for the salespeople...

The only reason you're hearing about DeLuna is because that's where all the new homes are. You can't buy a new home in most other villages. Soon, it'll be Richmond...

Plus, you've now started, yet another, my neighborhood is better than your neighborhood, north is better than the South war...

Thank you!!!!