[Veracity]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Hi Villagers!!

What's the nearest good quality gym for my husband.

I like the pool, husband does not.

Thank you in advance for any advice and comments.

Pam

Hi Pam...FYI...The Brownwood Hotel and Spa has a gym and a spa for their guests....Enjoy your visit....I'm glad that your dog is doing better! Amenities | Brownwood Hotel and Spa

[Heytubes]

I’d suggest paying 8 bucks for The Villages GPS. It has car and cart directions to the rec centers as well as about every facility in TV. The free app is ok but isn’t as good as the one you pay for. Enjoy your visit and welcome.

[DrHitch]

Welcome to your first lifestyle trip to The Villages.

You might want to check out the various pages on The Villages 101 The Villages 101

There's a lot of information there and a lot of references and links to other official websites... There's so much information on The Villages it's almost overwhelming.

[DrHitch]

Welcome to your first lifestyle trip to The Villages.

You might want to check out the various pages on The Villages 101 The Villages 101

There's a lot of information there and a lot of references and links to other official websites... There's so much information on The Villages it's almost overwhelming.

[vinnytalk]

Aren't you coming down to look at properties, if so you will not have time to play sports.

[Papa_lecki]

I strongly suggest getting your hands on a golf cart. Stop by Village Golf Carts in Brownwood your first morning (they dont take reservations anymore).
Part of the allure of TV is driving around in the golf cart - and you will be mad at yourself seeing all the golf carts and missing out.

You will get lost and be confused the first 2 days, but you will figure it out - just be patient.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Pamela1130

Hi!! My husband isn't an introvert, but just the opposite. He is hesitant because he's the type who hates change and likes where we live. It's nice of course with the best hospital care and schools in the country but the winters are really awful and I would like to have a place there to come and go when I want and we or me could go back and forth depending on how I feel. I wouldn't want to retire there permanently, at least that isn't the plan right now. I do like Florida but really haven't spent that much time there. I would have to see. Thanks so much for taking the time to get back to me. I really appreciate it.

once you are here, neither of you will regret it; you'd need to come down & take a look. all the things you spoke of needing are readily available, & if it's not, theVillages can help you get it. i still kept my car, some of the routes would take a longer time by cart, but it can be done. Welcome!!

[stevecmo]

If it's not too late you might look into an Air BnB or (hmm....can't think of the other one) that has a golf cart included. That's what we did our first trip here and it worked out great. There are lots of short term (even nightly) rentals here. Pricing per night is usually cheaper than a hotel and you have a furnished Villa (usually) with a kitchen.

Just a suggestion. Enjoy your trip!

[Marathon Man]

I believe that a lifestyle visit includes a pickleball lesson for those who ask. I have seen them being given at one of the rec centers by rec center staff.

[asiebel]

I am not sure you can take a golf cart to the Brownwood Hotel. You should call to find out! It may be difficult to find a rental at this time of year!

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Heytubes

I’d suggest paying 8 bucks for The Villages GPS. It has car and cart directions to the rec centers as well as about every facility in TV. The free app is ok but isn’t as good as the one you pay for. Enjoy your visit and welcome.

OP - The commercial app is buggy, especially in the new areas or when cell signal is sketchy. Some of this is due to the time it takes to release new map data publically.

The free navigation in the Villages app has been more reliable and up to date for me.

[Pamela1130]

Originally Posted by Veracity

Hi Pam...FYI...The Brownwood Hotel and Spa has a gym and a spa for their guests....Enjoy your visit....I'm glad that your dog is doing better! Amenities | Brownwood Hotel and Spa

Thank you very much for the link! Yes he is doing better but getting very old so we don't like to leave him too long and there is no way we could drive him down to Florida. We need to keep him as comfortable as possible. Thank you for asking.

[MrChip72]

Honestly, your stay would be 10x less complicated and stressful if you could find a lifestyle visit at a later date. Much more straightforward and less stressful than staying at an offsite hotel and having to rent things.

[Pamela1130]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

I think you really need to have a car and a golf cart to get the full feel for things. You'll want the car to check out what's available in the other parts not in Brownwood like LSL, Spanish Springs/Lady Lake, and you may also want to check out the vast amount of newer areas South of 44 which would take a LONG time to explore just by golf cart.

Before my first visit less than a year ago I thought I totally understood the layout of the Villages as I'm usually great with studying maps. The reality is that Lady Lake (Spanish Springs) looks like it's 10 mins away from Brownwood on a map but it's much further apart. Similarly, some places that seemed like a reasonable golf cart trip on a map were closer to 30-60 mins. The Villages is just massive and the size in incomprehensible until you've seen it in person. Having been here for awhile, I now know which trips are for the golf cart and which ones are car trips. We almost always prefer the golf cart for the most part.

Thank you. Yes I am seeing from people that the place is huge and I am starting to see that in the videos I watch.

[Pamela1130]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

Only addressing your concern for golf cart and or Car. Others may have different views but at least consider the following.

At this time of year and short amount of time, I would strongly recommend a car. On your first visit, you might want to see as much as possible including possible living areas, shopping, dining, entertainment.

The Villages is huge, over 20 miles from north to south, and more by golf cart. Brownwood to Lake Sumter about 7 miles and another 5 or 6 to Spanish Springs and then you have to return. Sunset at your time of visit around 6PM and temperatures average high 70 and low 50. Rental carts normally have no weather enclosures. Golf carts can't go everywhere so you would eliminate options for exploring shopping and dining. Many rental golf carts are speed limited.

If your goal was to just experience the lifestyle and golf, exercise, dance at one square, explore a limited area perhaps OK.

Otherwise, do yourself a favor and have access to auto transport. It might be quaint to think golf cart only, but it is not practical unless you are staying with friends or relatives.

This makes sense. The car is now the first priority because I can go everywhere with a car in the Villages but not with the golf club unless I want to drive for a long time. If I get a golf cart, fine, but the car has to come first.