But Nina Hollander, Broker the lizard type of creature eats bugs, I hate bugs more than cute little geckos! The rest of the year makes up for it. If your a Democrat who cares about people n the planet n your childrens futures! A good car choice is a small economical SUV. Make friends and visit their homes. Make sure youve written down a full range of alternatives, of which The Villages is one. Now, the community is being featured in a newly released documentary called Some Kind of Heaven. But there have been prior allegations of a wild swingers scene loaded with booze and drugs. About the Author:Kris Lippi is the owner of ISoldMyHouse.com, the broker of Get LISTED Realty and an official member of the Forbes Real Estate Council. Its all about priorities. Dining expense depends on the individual and frequency. The Camp program encourages bonds with grandchildren that are visiting, so residents arent as lonely. Your email address will not be published. Lake Miona and other lakes shorelines allow residents to fish via a public boat accessing the lake. 27. We are not limited by the amount we put out, within reason; we have the ability to call for free pickup of large appliances and furniture when needed; we have a yard waste day (generally requires the paper bags sold at the hardware/grocery/home improvement stores); and we have the recyclables option. This last point may not be causing people to regret moving to Florida just yet, but it can be added to the list of reasons not to move to Florida for the long-term. They also get confused about the bond payoff process. The only thing my community has in common with the Villages is that we are an active 55-plus community. This is also aggravated by those with collector cars, extra golf carts, motorcycles, etc. The Villages is 32-square-miles of unbridled growth. On my block there are very diverse political opinions, but our first priority is to be good neighbors to each other. Its strange, but it seems like every individual construction project you get bids on comes back with a price of $30,000. Dont get caught neglecting this potential impact on home enjoyment and then either have to live with the consequences for years to come, or move. You will come to realize that outside light in most floor plans is at a premium. One of the best ways to make a good decision is to evaluate a full range of other Florida retirement community options in a way that is meaningful to you. Some may plan to spend a lot of quiet peaceful time at home and need to create a relaxing home environment. Everyone can understand the traffic noise if you decide to buy next to a busy road (dont forget the substantial traffic pick-up during the peak winter months). Social clubs present the opportunity for residents with like-minded interests to gather and participate in group activities. Overall, our waste collection system in The Villages is a good one. They may not be retirement age and may have outdated ideas and opinions about what is important to potential retirees. Yelled at to go home while peacefully marching (newsflash, this is my home). Paint anytime, but obviously a good way to go is after the closing but before you move in. This review will go in-depth, covering every detail of what its like living in the Villages Florida. Landscaping upgrades surely this one is simple, right? A pool does offer an aesthetic benefit, especially with an integral water feature. Over 115,000 residents live in The Villages. Many people have these set to run a few minutes every other day, or every third day. Those of you wanting to do a thorough job of recycling need to ask questions, study the charts, and try to be diligent in sorting. Some ignore it and dont even mention it to the homeowners. Campaign sign on a car taken off and torn. Florida's "friendliest hometown," in the words of real estate agents, The Villages features extremely popular 55+ residential offerings and was the subject of the award-winning 2020 film, "Some . I would like to know about the camp for our grandchildren, community garden, wood working/tool shop and church activities.i wrote the home office ..received no response. For example, one way to think about it is if you have a bond interest rate of say 4 or 5% (check the rates, theyre all different depending on timing) could you earn that much elsewhere on your savings? Most contractors never seem to complete a project when they say they will. Just an idea here; lots of folks take one of the bedrooms and turn it into a multi-function room and/or office. Run as far away from this geriatric mini maralago. Odors can be a problem if you purchase downwind from one of the sewage treatment facilities interior to The Villages. If you are considering a move to the Villages or selling your current home here our team of experts is waiting to help you with any of your real estate needs. What are the odds? In Florida the homes are slab-on-grade and as long as the yard/plant beds are graded to carry water away from the house you should be fine. In some ways you actually need to find ways to manage what can be a friend overload situation. The lake provides challenging areas as it shapes the hole, forming a peninsula. I believe that you will all concede . While some may feel that moving to The Villages is all about the weather, the golf, the softball, the bowling, the town squares, or whatever, the reality that many find it is all about the people. Others just cant understand what the big deal is with storage buildings, lawn ornaments, house paint colors, etc. The median home price for listings in the Villages in 2021 is $364,200 according to Realtor.com, well above the national average. I have been looking forward to your updated book, but now that you have it, I cannot download it. With its golf courses, recreation, leisure activities, and more to keep seniors active all year round, the Villages makes its way as a must-see destination for those considering retirement. Further Reading: Looking For More Moving To Florida Resources? So, go ahead and make your choice for one or the other based on your feelings about the differences. We actually prefer this Lifestyle to remain physically and mentally active as we age. The easiest way to think about these traffic circles is to just think of a normal intersection on a four lane road. The Villages is unique, especially in its scale. Be patient when change doesnt happen overnight. Theres also a tip line to let folks tattle on their neighbors. The first phase has the retiree(s) staying close to family and friends, with a lot of emphasis on generational family (parents/ children/grandkids). 15. Yes, the Villages is known for pickleball, with over 100 courts for guests and residents year-round. A better way to go is to have a dedicated drip system. Its not that you need big sets of drawings and specifications for your project, but it would be helpful for you to write out what you want in some detail and provide this to your bidders maybe no more than one or two pages would be required. The suggestion here is to consider a range of options. just moved into the villages about 1 month ago. These kids are unbelievably well behaved, academically excellent and unlike any students my wife and I every taught. I bet in many two-person households both people seldom watch the same TV shows at the same time anyway, so maybe two actual family room settings are required? Yes, some of these people just dont make the transition and ultimately move on. As you know, there are plenty of articles published in magazines covering the topic of where to retire, including relevant decision-making criteria and data. We all will have to do our part though after the Developers presence is reduced so as to not become too frugal with our decision-making authority. The complex has a softball complex, multi-purpose athletic field, car track, boat track, pickleball courts, tennis courts, shuffleboard, and bocceaccess to multiple walking trails. If you buy a home with a neighbor backing directly up to you you may have considered the potential noise and privacy consequences of this arrangement. There are people everywhere, most willing to strike up a conversation any time. Premier Homes are large and expensive, while Patio Villas are smaller, more affordable. It will require a filtered supply, but this is an easy conversion, especially if you combine it with a landscaping project. For instance, the average house at The Villages is $250,000, and additional monthly and yearly fees may add up to a few thousand a month, not counting the mortgage if the house is not paid in cash. It should also be mentioned that a portion of this write-up may strike some as a bit negative. It seemed odd to me that so many people in the Villages would have an interest in birds. You can then bid this plan out to multiple contractors, often at substantial savings. Many of us baby boomers grew up in a social climate that valued volunteerism and public service. The contractor may have finished the work for the price quoted, generally on time, and may have been courteous. Special purpose hobby rooms, exercise rooms, etc., may be another matter. Unfortunately, there are only a few totally perfect days from a temperature/humidity/wind perspective, at least at all times of the day. Its important to create a list of maybe three to six alternatives. A large number of accidents seem to involve a passenger being ejected, with or without the cart actually turning over, strictly due to a sharp high speed turn or avoidance maneuver. On demand tankless hot water system. Some stories are told about little side deals between buyers and subs on the jobsite, but often the subs are chastised by The Villages/general contractor builder if they find out this is occurring. Some contractors are better than others about forcing this procedure to be followed. This may be philosophical on some level, but in other ways is a friends-and-family mechanism to reward family, long term employees, and friends by being given an inside track to business purchases but ultimately we shouldnt necessarily fear what is unfolding. If you sell down the road youre selling against other resales and new homes, and if you are pricing your home above the market to recoup your bond pay-off investment you have to count on the buyer giving you full credit for the bond payoff amount. Still, you may want accent walls, borders, multiple color choices for different rooms, faux wall paint choices, etc. There are three types of recreational centers: Other activities include theater, air guns, archery ranges, RC cars, and boats, pickleball, and more. It might be traffic noise or even the HVAC equipment on the rooftop or adjacent to a building. There is also a Community Improvement Council (CIC). Even though all neighborhoods may have conveniently located recreation centers, pools, and mail stations, you may find it quite a trek to drive your golf cart to the grocery store, drugstore, favorite town square, restaurant, etc. Browse photos, see new properties, get open house info, and research neighborhoods on Trulia. Golf cart insurance is available at reasonable rates. Sometimes people self-limit almost to the point of being rude - they feel theyve reached their maximum number of friends and want no more. Inside The Bubble is not affiliated with, or sponsored by, Holding Company of The Villages, Inc. or its affiliated entities. Some people prefer to group up with their neighbors. Take for example the situation where our golf cart lanes are striped off on the side of the main thoroughfares throughout The Villages. Over time the dirty burning propane or charcoal, plus the greasy smoke, will coat your birdcage structure and screens. Excellent for seniors who may feel lonely or want to enjoy retirement, as there is always something to do. However, when lifecycle costs are considered the formula may change. Golf carts stream over a bridge on SR44 on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 near Brownwood Paddock Square in The Villages community in Sumter County, FL. You can easily add more plants at a later date. Make sure that before you buy your decision is well thought out. I really appreciated being notified to think of light pollution. There is even a chance internal surges are generated when large appliance motors are switched on and off inside of your home. If it works out you may have one of the most attractive streets in The Villages. Just realize that for every perfect lot there are many others that are compromised in one way or the other, so chose carefully. Having pointed out a number of concerns, on a positive note this is one of the best ways in The Villages to get a little additional privacy from your neighbors. OK, it may be neat, but be sure to fully weigh all of the operating, utility, and maintenance factors first. Other residents subscribe to the Orlando Sentinel, which can be more expensive. Seasonal members tend to get house watch services to keep their home safe when they are not on-site, which may be $35 to $50 a month depending on the service. People considering The Villages must also accept the demographics of The Villages. We will be seeking out other nurses & police officers to interview when we get down there, I bought a house at the villages last September beautiful live 6 months in Florida 6 months in Connecticut. Heres one final test of your interest and resolve. Maybe you should consider going back to where you came from and you might be happier. Some people choose not to pay the premium, like the looks of siding (a couple of choices other than vinyl are being offered), feel the frame home may be better insulated, or dont worry about whether storm damage could be greater with a frame home (note building codes are strong, we are in Florida after all, so this might not be a significant consideration) or simply dont care since the home is insured in the event of a loss. Would you ever come up to an intersection on a four lane road in the left lane and then turn right? He could have just left him alone. A Saturday farmers market draws residents and visitors to Brownwood Paddock, one of three town centers. Everyone is motivated at this stage to meet new people and make friends. A Village of Santiago resident takes on critics of Villages-News.com who are upset that a Tesla was identified as a vehicle involved in a crash with a motorcyclist. Confederate flags on cars, carts and homes, and worse, nazi flags in stores around The Villages. I lived there 2 years and agree with underground utilities very nice. Affordability is one of the Villages prominent advertisements, but that may not be the case depending on the real estate you encounter. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats . Shop wisely! The areas for a pool are generally too small for diving and lap swimming, so it really turns out to be a place to jump in, splash around, maybe float around, and cool off in the summer. Floridas weather may also be a deciding factor if someone wants to live in The Villages, as it can be unbearably hot and humid. Or, if you are able to actually ferret out the actual incremental cost of the offered contract upgrades you may find that you can actually remove/replace the carpet, tile, flooring, cabinets, appliances, countertops, etc. Say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza or nothing. Its really best if newcomers think this through carefully. This doesnt mean that cars should push aside the golf carts or force them to stop abruptly. Currently on the north side we have a resident member AAC board overseeing the administration of the amenity fee funds. So, install gutters if you like; they are very reasonable and there are a number of competent contractors. We need something better, but for now, definitely check out Seniors vs. Crime, get multiple references, check out other jobs performed by the same contractor, etc. Many people moved to The Villages from some other initial retirement location, often right here in Florida. You need to be aware of this severe weather reality as contrasted with where you last lived. There could be a strong jobs match based on the younger generations skillset. Herrell Plumbing, Angies List Super Service Award recipient for 14 straight years, is a local plumbing contractor servicing all of Orange and Seminole Counties. Unfortunately, visitors have mentioned the immense sales pressure to purchase newly built homes, which are expensive and more than the average home established in the Villages. I dont live in the Villages, but I think that many communities have a preponderance of a certain political slant, and so what? You dont want water moving towards the foundation and/or overloading the perimeter drainage system surrounding your homes footings and basement. Coming in later and making friends can work, but not quite to the extent of forming up the neighborhood while everything, and everyone is new. Accept. Created by the Clifton, Ezell, and Clifton Design Group, this 27-hole facility with Destin-none and Ft. Walton-nine provides rolling terrain, changes in elevation, and the best view of green complexes in the Villages. It defies logic; you paid maybe $125 to $150 a square foot for your home new so why does a simple building addition price out at multiples of this new home unit cost. Ill keep it to give to friends visiting to help them in their decision making process without hearing only my opinions. Cars should continue at a normal rate of speed and golf carts need to wait until the street is clear before crossing. So, where does The Villages fit? Maybe you feel it necessary to simply hang some blinds for privacy and light control. Im a Democrat, have lived in Florida for almost 36 years, and I love Florida. Over 18 of the 27-hole course provides elevated scenery at the highest points of Sumter County. An estimated monthly cost for those with a $250,000 home includes a monthly $162 amenity fee and additional expenses, equaling $1,010.17. If you decide to buy a new (rather than resale) home you shouldnt underestimate the value and need to invest time and energy into leveraging the short neighborhood build-out phase as an opportunity to grow friendships. It is limited to speeds of less than 20 mph. 7. OK, maybe the high end is reserved for substantial building additions, major pool projects, etc., but believe it or not, it can add up. The Villages Florida reviews like this guide will highlight the pros and cons to exhibit an honest review. 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