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Post by henrycpa on May 16, 2023 7:28:26 GMT -5
Guys,
as my Condo Capital fees increse (lots of fear after the Miami Collapse ...) I am considering different retirement options.
I like to golf. I suck. But I like it. I also like entertainment at a local watering hole etc. Being close to Disney and easy drive to a beach is a plus.Another plus is easy drive to Jacksonville for my Grandbabies. And Final plus is easy to pop in Epcot when a band I like it playing.
IT appears The Villages has all that. Anyone on this board live in The Villages?
Anyone done any research? What about college age kids staying for the summer?
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Post by tomandrobin on May 16, 2023 7:39:14 GMT -5
Never been there, a little outside of our "search" area. I know of a few people that live that way, some even further. Prices are certainly a lot better and you get away from the heavy rental/tourist market. It will be about an hour drive to Epcot from that area.
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Post by BWV Dreamin on May 16, 2023 8:27:35 GMT -5
When you purchase resale in the Villages, there are two types of markets. Homes sold through The Villages realtors and those sold through the MLS. Villages realtors can only sell home listed through the Villages, and the other realtors can only sell homes listed through MLS. So when searching, you will need to contact two separate realtors to look at those homes. A really great MLS realtor is Robyn Cavallaro robyncavallaro.com/florida-real-estateHomes are still selling briskly, the ones priced right and in good condition. Also you can take a lifestyle visit through The Villages and get a first hand feel for the area. Best of luck. That area has mega multiplied within the ten years we have researched it. There are currently four squares and many neighborhoods that span four zip codes. Robyn is a wealth of info and will keep it real for you. Forgot to mention you can have guests visit for the summer. They will get their own amenity pass and can enjoy all of the amenities afforded to you. |
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Post by disneyteach on May 16, 2023 8:35:11 GMT -5
My friend's parents live in The Villages and they love it. They moved there about 6 years ago or so. They both have part-time jobs within The Villages community to stay busy. The dad golfs. When my friend & her kids go to visit they love it as well. They're both Disney APs and go often. (I know because we're linked on MDE and I see their pictures!) As for me, it's too far from the beach. My parents have a condo in Clearwater and that's where I would like to go in my retirement.
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Post by captjacksfamily on May 16, 2023 9:29:13 GMT -5
We spent a week there one day when we were looking to move to Florida...
Seriously based on some of your post in other threads it may be perfect for you. It is a special district (like Disney's) with one family running the show and it pretty much seems to be their way or the Highway. They are vey supportive of their residents, lots of golf and if you have other hobbies they probably have a club that supports it. If they don't it only takes something like four people to start a new club and they will provide a meeting place and some level of support. There is a theater that seems to get in pretty good acts and plenty of watering holes. Unless you are at the southern edge I would say you would be hard pressed to get to Epcot and parked in an hour but maybe. It is a community where the prime mode of transportation is the golf cart and there are some pretty pimped out cool carts driving around.
So with all the good why wasn't it for us?
We don't golf (not yet at least) so we didn't want to live in a community where part of your fees go to support the golf courses.
We like the sound of kids playing so we wanted to be the old farts in a young community not the young farts in an old community.
Didn't like the special district with one family in charge (the difference with RC is you don't live inside of RC).
Even at an hour it seemed a little far to be able to just pop into EPCOT or DS for dinner or the band, seems like you would want to make at least a half day trip out of it.
Even though politically we are either conservative liberals or liberal conservatives we would have been too far left for the area and the realtor let us know it. (please this is a statement not an intention to start a political discussion).
Once again most of my information is based on a single morning spent there and I will readily admit my info is only slightly better than a Disney bus driver or as Dennis Miller use to end his show "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on May 16, 2023 11:06:18 GMT -5
You miss the worst part of our drive which is where the Turnpike hits I-75. Some of the construction on the Turnpike in that area is pretty brutal right now but they are adding additional exits. 429 which is what we take to the back door of Coronado has added a lane and spots are sort of ugly right now too but improving. Clermont/Minneola isn’t too shabby and a little closer to Disney. There are some 55+ communities going in there that are not with the Villages too. North Winter Garden isn’t too bad either where the Hangry Bison is. Golf? Nah! The Villages and Minneola have a Donut King.  Houses here are not moving as fast now and the prices are dropping a tad. We are in Ocala. We don’t golf so our HOA fees don’t include golf course fees which is good. |
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Post by HifromRI on May 16, 2023 13:18:22 GMT -5
We went to visit there a few years ago and did the lifestyle preview. We went in August because of our schedules, so it was very cheap but, yes hot. I recommend doing the preview. We had a realtor there from the villages show us some homes, and he was extremely low-pressure. We had a very nice three-bedroom for the 2 of us and a golf cart. They give you a couple of golf passes; theater passes and a golf cart for your visit. I see the allure for sure. We drove around to the other squares to check out all the areas. There are a ton of activities as someone said to keep you busy and you can use all the resources. For guests there are some restrictions on what they can use though. We knew one couple when we visited (now 3 couples) who live there. Only 85% need to be over 55 and they were in the 15% being only 53 at the time- loophole. Children under 18 can visit, but there are restrictions on how long they can stay can't recall maybe 28 days? There are pools for adults only and pools for families with kiddos visiting. It was fun using the golf cart to go to the pool and publix from the house. We have a 17-year-old still and my issue is I want to be closer to the water. Prices have gone up there for sure but are still somewhat reasonable for what you get compared to NE at least. Again, I get it for sure if you want to be active and have a lot of choices and things to do. Check out the preview...
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Post by a1000monkeys on May 16, 2023 13:38:15 GMT -5
From my uncle that visited there it sounds a bit like high school but with golf carts and even more alcohol. Can you rent before you buy to make sure it's for you? I imagine there would be a honeymoon phase where everything seems great but then begins to tire after awhile - like high school.
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Post by thecrusher on May 16, 2023 14:57:20 GMT -5
We are in 32095. About an hour and 45 minutes ride to WDW. Right down the road from your family. Lots of golfers here that suck. And there’s golf everywhere. As you undoubtedly know. Good area.
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Post by eandjmom on May 16, 2023 15:18:07 GMT -5
I have a few friends whose parents are now snowbirds in The Villages. They absolutely love it. It is massive and continues to grow. It will be interesting to see how it continues to develop.
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Post by Joeli on May 16, 2023 17:04:44 GMT -5
I have read that it’s important to understand certain things, like upside down pineapples that are on golf carts…someone said…looking for swingers…. Who knows. Lol
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Post by kzrooster on May 16, 2023 20:33:51 GMT -5
I have read that it’s important to understand certain things, like upside down pineapples that are on golf carts…someone said…looking for swingers…. Who knows. Lol I read it has to do with the color of your loofa that you hang on your golf cart. Different colors relate to different types of swinging activities you enjoy. I’ve heard that the pineapple thing is on cruise ships and in grocery shopping carts. |
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Post by disney54us on May 17, 2023 8:01:03 GMT -5
The Villages has had a notorious reputation for years as far as extra circular activities. I’m not talking basket weaving or guitar lessons…..
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Lamima
Waiting on ROFR
Posts: 58
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Post by Lamima on May 17, 2023 8:10:06 GMT -5
Del Webb and Crystal Lagoon are some good ones too. To check out. We have friends about to close on a Del Webb Bayview over by Tampa (Parrish). It is a nice community. No golf though, I don't think. And not a lot around them. But there are a few Del Webbs in FL. One near Disney called Oasis.
Crystal Lagoon looks pretty cool too. We have seen 2 being built, one by Tampa too, Epperson in Wesley Chapel area.
We are in Four Seasons by Khov. We are 55+ and on Mystic Dunes golf course. We have 2 pools, hot tub, tennis and pickle ball courts and huge clubhouse with all kinds of activities and folks ride around in golf carts. We are 12 mins drive to AK. In Kissimmee. They just closed Mystic Dunes to totally redo the golf course. It was in bad shape. The resort there got bought out by Hilton. It's a timeshare resort. They have a bar restaurant, Kenzies, we love to hang at as do all the neighbors. We can walk, golf cart, bike or drive to it. There is a gate inside our neighborhood to get there. The neighbors golf at Mystic Dunes. We dont so I am not sure if they get a package or membership or just pay like a public course. They have single family homes and 2 bedroom villas in the neighborhood, we bought a SFH all one floor living and love it. They are almost done building. Think there are other Four Seasons too.
And there is Margartiaville. We are right by one. They have all kinds of stuff, activities, pools, bars and restaurants. Not sure on the golf.
We have other friends in a gated golf community near Tampa that's not 55+. It's on lake Jovita in Dade City. They love it. We visited and it's a nice area but not a lot around. We like having lots of action around us. Lots of places to eat and drink.
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Post by BWV Dreamin on May 17, 2023 13:35:09 GMT -5
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