[Minnesotalyn]

We're coming in Nov. for our first preview and I have been reading all the posts. With all the rain you get in the summer, does anyone have trouble with water problems in their homes. It's our first time in Florida. Also how big are the bugs. Thanks

[pooh]

Welcome! This particular part of Florida isn't too buggy....except when the love bugs are around, in May and in Sept, October. They're annoying little beasts, but they don't bite or sting. What they can do is pit the paint on your car if they are hit while you are driving. They should be washed off within 24 or so hours. Google LoveBugs and find out a bit more about these creatures. When you arrive, they should be gone. There are dragonflies around throughout the year, but they cause no problems. If you're thinking mosquitos, well in the three years, I think I've encountered three.

We have had a wet summer, without a doubt. We have had only one problem with the rain and it was at an area where two windows come together. There is an arched window that sits atop two regular windows in the room at the front of my house. I own a Lantana. The rain and wind were pretty strong one afternoon...winds at or over 40mph. The wind was pushing the rain downpour towards those windows and we had water coming in through that joint. The caulking there was missing. It probably dried out and fell out. A quick repair rectified the problem. Not aware of water difficulties others might have.

November is a beautiful time of the year here, you'll enjoy the sun and the weather. The community is beautiful, the people are friendly and there are lots of things to do. ENJOY!

[Minnesotalyn]

What about the ground, it must get pretty saturated. I know you don't have basements. It looks like some of the houses are on ponds, does the water get pretty close to the houses. Is it smart to stay away from the ponds when you by a lot? Thanks

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by Minnesotalyn

What about the ground, it must get pretty saturated. I know you don't have basements. It looks like some of the houses are on ponds, does the water get pretty close to the houses. Is it smart to stay away from the ponds when you by a lot? Thanks

Water intrusion is NOT a problem. Especially since we do not have basements. Most homes sit 4 inches or so higher than the ground at the foundation. The sandy soil sucks in the water well. The villages has great drainage in the majority of their residential areas. Homes around ponds are WELL above water level. In most homes, gutters are not even needed.

In short I would say that worrying about water intrusion would be about 50th in my list of concerns of things living here. Things like lightening, sink holes, lack of rain, death of yard grasses, moss in trees, are much higher on my personal list.

jeffy

[katezbox]

The ponds are all interconnected through a subterranean series of valves and connectors. TV can raise and lower levels after a rainfall. Sometimes there can be a heavy rain in the north and nearly none in the south (or vice versa). This summer was one of the wettest on record and I don't know of any ponds that threatened a home.

Whether to live on one is personal preference. Some folks love the beauty of the view - others worry about gators and the water being too low (scummy) or too high.

[swrinfla]

Minnesotalyn:

You asked "how big are the bugs?"

I've never seen any as big as your Minnesota mosquitoes!

SWR

[rshoffer]

Bugs are not an issue/problem.

[nONIE]

From my experience there are fewer bugs in The Villages then there are in upstate n.y. in the summer. I was shocked too! I had this crazy idea that the bugs in Florida were the size of basketballs. Not true thank Goodness!

[deano_hoosier]

Some of the homes, for example those around/adjacent to the wildlife preserves (the ones that Morse blvd crosses over) are in a 100 year flood plain area according to the Sumter County geographic information web site (http://sumtergis.com/gis/). So that is something to consider.

[dfn8tly]

I've been in Minnesota and YOU have a bug problem. Remember that TV is a bubble and only certain creatures are allowed to visit. Actually, if we have some overly friendly bugs they arrive twice a year and stay for a few weeks. These are called "love bugs" and as you can surmise from the name they are much too friendly with each other to bother us mere mortals.

Understand that when you hear about heavy rains in Orlando or Daytona Beach it is NOT TV. The rain has been welcome. All the lawns and golf courses are green and the flowers are blooming.

We'll keep the lights on for 'ya.

[18togo]

It's good to know we won't be inundated with bugs when we make the move.