Originally Posted by sharonl7340 (Post 2249732)

No hiking opportunities, houses will cost close to a million dollars by 2030, so property tax will be through the roof. If you are on Medicare, the Villages Health does not take it, you have to go outside the villages to find care. Friendliest hometown? Not so much; people can file complaints about your property anonymously and you never understand why someone was bothered by whatever it was. The Villages Properties will sell you property that is out of compliance, but you are expected to spend money to bring it back into compliance. People are rude, entitled, and believe they are privileged. You are charged for water or electricity you didn't use and there is nothing you can do.

Yes you need to rent for at keast a year before buying. If we had done that, I don't think we would have bought and moved here.

Originally Posted by Andyhope (Post 2249733)

If it takes you more than 3-5 years to move here, any information you requested will be Obsolete. Growth is near outta control

Originally Posted by Moonrunner (Post 2249734)

There’s no way to assess the “vibe” of various areas without being in it. Nobody can be YOU in making these decisions.

Originally Posted by deborahcme (Post 2249738)

Between now and your planned retirement, you've got plenty of time to come for a lifestyle visit but also a "tour on your own" visit. As I'm sure you are aware, there are many nice rental properties you can stay in. Renting a home here for your vacation is a great way to experience actually living here -- all the fun stuff to do, but the practical stuff as well--grocery shopping, traffic, navigating traffic circles, getting lost in your golf cart and so on. We visited at least three times before deciding that getting vacation/retirement home was what we wanted. And the first home we chose, once we lived in it for a vacation, was actually not the home we really wanted! So use the time you have pre-retirement as other posters have said to get your own feel for this place. And I think your gonna like what you find :)

Originally Posted by deborahcme (Post 2249738)

Between now and your planned retirement...

Originally Posted by lindaelane (Post 2249741)

I recommend renting for a year. So many of the things I thought I would enjoy are not the things I do enjoy here. I found different things to enjoy, of course. My regrets: I enjoy travel and Orlando airport to North Villages is quite a slog not to mention expensive (or a slow or crowded shuttle). I liked "art film" but they closed the North Villages theater, and it will never re-open. I thought I would enjoy the squares, but I found them hot, weatherwise, most of the year, and I can hear good recorded music. I like volunteer work but the main volunteer luncheon for the group I like is in the far south villages. - - So, rent for a year, find the special things you like. Commuting here is unpleasant due to very slow speed limits, avoiding problem drivers and lots of traffic circles. I don't like 15 minute drives, let along the common 30 minute drives in these conditions.

Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2249780)

The current wind mitigation standards include homes that were built from 3/01/2002 to the present. New roofs on older homes are required by insurance companies because roofs deteriorate over time. Knowing this, most resales have newly replaced roofs. No one wants to see their home sit on the market because a buyer cannot get insurance.

Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2249794)

You have to pay realtor commission and closing costs when you sell your home. Those fees can add up. An easy sell is up for debate. Most homes on the market today are sitting and are not selling at the higher prices demanded by the post-Covid craze. Companies are demanding workers return to the office, interest rates are high, people are choosing to rent because it is cheaper than buying, inflation is high, and there is an overabundance of short term rentals. If you purchase a home with the intent of flipping it quickly, you may find it is not as easy as it once was.

Originally Posted by Darield (Post 2249812)

The best hiking is down South and living near Wiechens would give you access to a nice boardwalk as well as Hogeye (wonderful 2.5 mile path) as well as at least 4 more very nice hiking areas in the newer areas. Okahumpka Recreation Center has a beautiful 1/2 mile trail and soon the boardwalk will be open. Although I live on the North end, I belong to the birding groups and often am down South. The VIllages also just built a new "soft" walking trail at Lake Miona that is 2/3 of a mile one way. I heard they are building a new town square down South but don't know when it will open. Brownwood Square is closest to Wiechens and the area you are looking at and Lake Sumter is not that far away. And yes, they have music 7 nights a week.There are a number of neighborhoods that might fit your needs including La Belle. There are other things to consider also. An example; we are dog people. We would never consider living near one of the ponds or a large natural area. Unfortunately, there have, on occasion, been dogs killed by alligators. We also have other wildlife. Another thing to consider is will you want to drive your car or do you want to use a golf cart? I go to a number of the recreation centers/hiking trails and because I live up North, I drive my car. Just about everything is accessible by golf cart if you don't mind the extra time it takes. So I agree, spending some time here is the best way to move forward. I will say, there is no perfect place but I really enjoy living in The Villages. With over 2000 clubs (including hiking clubs), there are a lot of things to explore. Clubs are listed in an insert on the Thursday paper.

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 2249820)

Hope you can afford it by 2030, Florida is probably the most wanted state to move to, hope there’s some land left. If I were you I would buy some property in TV now & even if you don’t decide now to build you’ll make money on it if TV let you buy it now or let you buy land without building now. I take it you’re not old enough now!

Originally Posted by RalphTheElder (Post 2249505)

Hi Everyone.

I am a retiree and am considering moving to The Villages sometime prior 2030.

I am starting to educate myself about the geography and amenities there.

My hobbies are hiking, listening and dancing to live music, and attending theater.

So, I would like to find an area in The Villages that is both close to good hiking and also a town square. When I say 'hiking' I mean walking off pavement; that is, on wood boardwalk, decomposed granite, dirt, etc.

My impression is that a lot of the live music takes place on the town squares. Is that right?

The Sharon Rose Wiechens Preserve seems like the premium place for my hiking needs. I believe that it is in or adjacent to the neighborhood of LaBelle.

The nearest town squares to the Preserve appear to be Brownwood Paddock Square and Sumter Landing, which are about 4.5 and 6 miles from the Preserve respectively.

So, I was thinking that the neighborhood of LaBelle might best fit my needs.

Please educate me regarding any wrong assumptions that I am making .

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2249929)

Don't think about the geography other than the fact that Florida is closer to the equator than say, North Carolina. Think about the HEAT, record heat this summer in Fl. and ALL over the globe. Next year will be MORE record HEAT on top of this year's record HEAT. It will continue for about 8 years or until people understand that Internal Combustion Engines are causing excess CO2 which goes up to the upper atmosphere and reflects solar heat back to earth. The oceans are also overHEATED too and are storing too much CO2 which is killing Fl. coral reefs. .......Do yourself a favor and forget about Florida for about 8 years and if global warming is under control, then re-evaluate the idea of moving to Florida. I suggest writing to Crossville, Tn. and asking about retirement areas - they are cheaper and have most of the same activities as The Villages, just smaller, cheaper situations. Also, look at North and South Carolina.
........I have lived in the Villages for 12 years and, believe me, if I could move, I would in a heartbeat. Summers here are obscenely HOT.

Originally Posted by Pat2015 (Post 2249932)

Things change here quickly with TV building about 5000 new homes a year and adding new rec centers and activities along with a 4th new square in Eastport which is under construction. All the villages are wonderful in their own way, and upon visiting you can decide what’s the best location/fit for you! There’s miles of walking trails with preserves in the southern areas, but no hiking trails within TV. Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by sharonl7340 (Post 2249732)

No hiking opportunities, houses will cost close to a million dollars by 2030, so property tax will be through the roof. If you are on Medicare, the Villages Health does not take it, you have to go outside the villages to find care. Friendliest hometown? Not so much; people can file complaints about your property anonymously and you never understand why someone was bothered by whatever it was. The Villages Properties will sell you property that is out of compliance, but you are expected to spend money to bring it back into compliance. People are rude, entitled, and believe they are privileged. You are charged for water or electricity you didn't use and there is nothing you can do.

Yes you need to rent for at keast a year before buying. If we had done that, I don't think we would have bought and moved here.