[floridaorbust]

are there any homes with lots over 1/2 acre? we are looking for a home with some land. Is it true that the weather is more humid near Ocala and the Villages area than near Melbourne area? Some are telling us not to move inland due to the more humid weather.

[villager967]

florida or bust - the new houses here are on very small lots or are very, very expensive. It's all in what you can afford. I'd be surprised if you find a newer home with even a 1/4 acre lot. We have 10 foot of backyard in our brand new house. I don't know if the humidity is better or worse, I'm from Missouri and it's ungodly humid there in the summer also. We looked around Pensacola first and it was pretty humid there too.

I'm sorry if I gave the impression that there aren't nice things about living here, I just listed the things that no one tells you when you are moving here. There are a lot of advantages to living with a group of people your age that you have things in common with. Most of the new residents have no social group to interact with so it's easy to make friends. They call this America's friendliest home town and for 99.5% of the time, you will find that's true. The people in the million dollar homes have their social clubs as do we, just like anywhere USA. Lots of charities, lots of activities and lots of exercise and freshair. You can probably live here as cheap as anywhere, I just don't know how much fun you'd have. My husband absolutely loves, loves, love it here. I am just okay with it all.

[crystal153]

The whole concept sounds a little too Stepford for me. Does anyone have anything NEGATIVE to say about the Villages? I mean everyone riding around in golf carts sounds weird to me. I'd just like to hear some other thoughts.

[2ndfiddle]

Originally Posted by faithfulFrank

That being said, I choose to buy our retirement home about 13 miles south of The Villages. There are Dozens, probably hundreds of nice 55+ gated communities in the central Florida area. It is just a short drive up to The Villages for us, so we can still enjoy many of the nice things about it. In contrast, our 55+ gated golf community has only 2800 homes divided into about 30 smaller neighborhoods. We have two full length PGA golf courses, and there is no CDD bond, (saving me thousands), and our HOA fee is only $85.00 a month, and we have MANY nice amenities.

To those interested in the area, there are many good choices to choose from, all just a bit different....best to check them out.....one will just feel right. Good luck!

Frank D.

Would you feel comfortable sharing names of these other communities?

My husband and I are considering The Villages in the next year or two, but in one of the less expensive areas/neighborhoods. I'd rather get out of the cold where we live now and get a cheaper place in FL, than wait to save up more money for a more expensive place ;-)

Also, are there a lot of foreclosures in The Villages?

[The Floridian]

The Villages in Central Florida is considered the best retirement community in the world. I hope to be there once I hit 55!!!!

[faithfulFrank]

Well, I am not the expert, but I have followed some stats on the subject.

55+ communities around my place in The Plantation are Legacy, Lakes of Mt. Dora, Royal Highlands, Cascades of Groveland, Arlington ridge, Royal Harbor, Oak Run, Stone Creek, etc,etc.

I have a friend who lives in a wonderful community that has all double-wides instead of homes....but they are nice with a ton of things to do called Hawthorne....that would be a less expensive option...they have a website, as do many of the others.

As to forclosures in The Villages, I recently read that of course there are some, but the rate is very low.....much lower then other parts of florida. The Villages have almost 40,000 homes.......I was told that the percentage is about .0008%.......that would be about 32 homes. Even if it is 100 homes, that percentage would be quite low. Over 50% of those buying there pay cash for their home.

Frank D.

[sbill1910]

My wife and I plan to move/retire to a warmer climate soon. Have been
looking at numerous locations and are looking for communities in Florida,
Mississippi, or Alabama.

Finally, looking for info from current "The Villages" residents as to
whether or not this place is for real??/

[sbill1910]

Originally Posted by faithfulFrank

While the above two posts are true, there are nice things about living in The Villages also. When you speak to those living there, they almost all seem to LOVE it......

Many do not own a car, preferring to go everywhere, (and you can!) by golf cart. It's pretty amazing. One really has to visit there to see what I mean. The Villages is BIG.....covering parts of 3 counties.

That being said, I choose to buy our retirement home about 13 miles south of The Villages. There are Dozens, probably hundreds of nice 55+ gated communities in the central Florida area. It is just a short drive up to The Villages for us, so we can still enjoy many of the nice things about it. In contrast, our 55+ gated golf community has only 2800 homes divided into about 30 smaller neighborhoods. We have two full length PGA golf courses, and there is no CDD bond, (saving me thousands), and our HOA fee is only $85.00 a month, and we have MANY nice amenities.

To those interested in the area, there are many good choices to choose from, all just a bit different....best to check them out.....one will just feel right. Good luck!

Frank D.

You indicated that you were living in a community south of the Villages. Please share the name
of your community and others worth considering.

Do you have to be a resident of the Villages to shop/dine there??

[faithfulFrank]

No, one does not need to live in The Villages to shop or dine there. When we are at our Florida home, we go up there often to do just that. It is cool to see all of the fancy golf carts, bands, etc.

We live about 13 miles south of The Villages in a 55+ community called The Plantation. They have a website. There are many nice 55+ communities in the area.

I'll send you a D.M.

Frank D.

[pittsteelerfan]

Originally Posted by crystal153

The whole concept sounds a little too Stepford for me. Does anyone have anything NEGATIVE to say about the Villages? I mean everyone riding around in golf carts sounds weird to me. I'd just like to hear some other thoughts.

Ya I do. I'm much younger than 55 years old (just thought I'd throw than in). But that doesn't mean I don't have a good perception on this. The Villages is the best of it's kind, 55-plus retirement communities.

That "Stepford" comment is pretty much dead on. I spent some time at a friends place that was located right outside the Villages, and spent a lot of time there. People run around there and say, "It's another beautiful day in the Villages". You'll see women in their 70's (the Red Hotties they're called), twirling their batons, and dressed like 'cheer leaders'......... Corny is being kind.......

'If' the Villages was located just outside Orlando, it'd be much nicer. All those old people makes it very depressing looking. I've talked to plenty of old people who don't like those type of communities cause this reason alone. Not to mention that the Villages was built out in the middle of nowhere. Ocala is like 20 miles or so north, but Ocala is really nothing either. Especially if you're looking for high-end clothing or something. Being around that many old people, all the time, even if you're old, can be very depressing. It just feels un-natural or something.

There's a lot of hidden fees there also. Like having to pay for "priority golf memberships". Or get hit with higher golf fees (especially during the winter). The restaurants during the winter, you'll wait an hr sometimes to be seated. The weather can get down right cold in the winter there. Not to mention, the summers there are more hot and humid compared to Miami. The bands they have up at the two 'town centers', play the same music over and over. It's like listening to a juke-box really.


The WHOLE concept of the Villages, is live like a 'millionaire' on a modest' pension. It's FAR from the reality. EVERYTHING you'll do there, cost money (except maybe for swimming and the par 3's). The restaurant selection will get old pretty fast, not to mention how busy they get. The houses there, for the most part, are just 'shells'. People stick tens of thousands in upgrades and landscaping. So even the houses, ain't as cheap as they might appear at first glance. Sure you don't 'have' to do that, but there's a lot of keeping up with the Jone's there.

That's my opinon. There's a lot more options in Florida now because of all the forclosures. I'd look somewhere else if I was you......