Be aware that depending on the prevailing winds on any given day you may notice this noise to a greater or lesser extent. Since we have family there. If you have your outdoor lanai or birdcage area very close to a tee box or green youre likely to hear lots of chatter, golf cart noises, and grounds maintenance noises. An estimated monthly cost for those with a $250,000 home includes a monthly $162 amenity fee and additional expenses, equaling $1,010.17. Most people feel that if you sell your home in a few years you wont be able to recoup the payoff amount because most buyers seem to discount the bond debt as part of the buying decision. 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. Windows are minimized with our homes primarily for energy conservation purposes. People considering The Villages must also accept the demographics of The Villages. Ron DeSantis launched a tour to promote his newly published book with a series of speeches around the state on Feb. 28a tour that lets him campaign for a . Regarding the article on the Villages, I was so disturbed by the extent of derision and elitist disdain for a group of older citizens who are trying to enjoy life while harming no one. Get some professional advice first and/or get ideas from lots of your neighbors. Kim Blackmore has seen that need. The neighborhood friend-formation dynamic was discussed in #1. Or, they thought they could tolerate the housing density formula, but later find that they crave more wide open spaces. Lets begin with the three phases of retirement. On the golf course they feel that falling out or being thrown out of a cart in the event the cart were to roll over is safer than the alternative. Those that are so inclined can use a spreadsheet and actually use a weighted number decision-making approach. Click Here. Our country is just now starting to recover from a terrible housing/financial crisis. On early Sunday morning, President Trump retweeted a video of a white man yelling "white power" to protesters in a Florida seniors community called The Villages. Florida is home to the Everglades, and that comes with various national parks which also surround The Villages. Often the best design services from nurseries and contractors also come with the highest price tags for a complete package. You really cant appreciate The Villages lifestyle unless you take advantage of traveling via cart. The Villages/waste contractor pays one tonnage fee for general waste and another fee for the recyclable waste. The largest retirement community in Florida is billed as a playground for seniors, but according to some residents, its not all that meets the eye. I never call anyone names. The Camp program encourages bonds with grandchildren that are visiting, so residents arent as lonely. By not designing the carts for seat belt use they can avoid the liability associated with injuries occurring when carts are used off the golf courses (remember they were designed/tested/manufactured for golf course use). On the negative side though, Sumter County only has one amnesty day a year where you take in hazardous waste. Would you come up to the intersection in the right lane if you planned to turn left? Charlotte, NC. Maybe its the relatively civilized bubble we live in between Boca Raton and Palm Beach, a small patch of blue in an increasingly red state. Short link: . Many people moved to The Villages from some other initial retirement location, often right here in Florida. There are seven types of homes you may purchase: Patio Villas, Cottage Villas, Courtyard Villas, Cottage Homes, The Verandas, Designer Homes, and Premier Homes. Bids for small construction projects around The Villages can vary by as much as 100%!! Retirees zip along in colorful golf carts through the perfectly landscaped grounds on paths that were designed for the vehicles. It may be OK, and in fact may be all that is really required to meet the needs of the homeowner, it would just be better if this level of quality were put into the context of average or mediocre quality so the homeowner understands what they got for their money. Living in the Villages Florida means paying many one-time expenses, such as interior painting, new furniture, home decorations, or paying for a class at a club such as golf lessons. Then, once they maintained this large home for a while, or their health fails, or the kids and grandkids stop visiting as often, they decide to move to something smaller. Some may find where they first bought has started to undergo a bit of a demographic shift. There appear to be two schools of thought relative to the covenants and restrictions in The Villages. Home orientation: face north, south, east, or west? When people retired to diverse locations with lots of younger people they may have initially felt it would help keep them feeling (and acting) young but what some realized is that many of the younger people had kids to raise and friends their own age that dominated their time. Often people think they can live with the homes as-delivered, but ultimately they have to add a wood trim look that is more in keeping with what theyre used to. Note that some people have taken out home equity loans to pay off the bond, and then deduct the home equity interest again talk to your tax advisor. will all help. You shouldnt trust someone who gives you a one sentence bid proposal, runs their jobs without supervision-planning-coordination resources, and acts defensively when asked questions about the bid scope, progress, or work quality. There is also a Community Improvement Council (CIC). Many liberals have told me that Mr. Trump has caused everyone to become nasty and disrespectful of one another. If Ms. Cottle wants to be consumed by problems such as crime, inequality, homelessness, climate change, racial strife, the high cost of child care and college, I wont stand in her way. Note that work can possibly continue on a part-time basis in Phase I with the same employer. The VHA is made up of resident members and volunteers, but often slants towards only pro-Developer positions to the exclusion of contrarian points of view. Like favorite_border. etc. One of the big deficiencies you may run up against is the lack of design capability. Right now Im reading in my backyard awaiting the sunset with a tall cool one in my hand. Also, if there is any chance at all that your dog might nip at others, leave them at home or muzzle them please. When choosing your home location be sure to think about how easy it will be to travel via car or golf cart to your destinations of interest. 503 Homes For Sale in The Villages, FL. If you carry a mortgage on a home in The Villages it will not include the bond payment that is collected as part of the annual property tax collection process. This is a situation that needs to be improved in the future. This is another area where you might think of your old neighborhood association dues each year versus The Villages CDD arrangement. But, what is the proper vehicle mix? thanks for the info! Some are literally amazed at the tremendous job the Developer (this term is an umbrella term used to refer to the various family members, numerous associated companies and relationships, and the staff of The Villages organization) has done in creating our community. Many people pick up on this dynamic and it biases them towards buying a new home rather than a resale. If you actively work this approach it is suggested that you work on a single, double, or even third tier of pricing, quality, and service. Brenda, quoted at the end of the article, says that the Villages feels safe, because anyone here who doesnt belong stands out. Trayvons death is a testament to that chilling statement. Clarifying reason I left The Villages. How can you make suggestions for improvements to The Villages? Residents can watch polo from the stadium pavilion, in the grandstands, or from golf carts. There is a little maintenance required to keep the filter clean, and the small orifices in the drip stakes can become clogged over time. Most seat belt installations will perform some function based on minor accidents, but more substantial mounting systems will be better able to handle more significant accidents and larger frame individuals. A single person or leader doesnt make people display a particular personality or make them act a certain way or do anything out of character. I bet you never considered music to be a detractor? Shirley Schantz is a resident of the Village of Sanibel. Another simple and good option is to work with the utility company. Can you make changes without getting approval? The reality is that we have to deal with mixed traffic, especially at intersections. N Marco Rubio? If you were to move down a checklist that emphasized affordability, low crime rates, good weather, super clean and organized common areas, lots of active adult amenities, and a nearly infinite opportunity to meet people and make new friends, then you would be hard pressed to find a clearer alternative than The Villages. Living in the Villages Florida means more than likely purchasing a golf cart, which can be $2,000 or more. 22. The lanes specifically funnel the golf cart traffic out into the main lane of the street with the licensed vehicular traffic ahead of intersections. 1 / 21. Others plan to entertain a lot and need larger open spaces. It wont be unusual to tie up $30-$50k+ in a pool and birdcage project. See you when you get here! Mailing address: NewcomersP.O.Box 888Fruitland Park, FL 34731All information and opinions in our videos are ours alone and not guaranteed as accurate. Rents are cheap in the summer and you will want to bring a jacket because the air conditioning can be cold in the summer. But, our homes meet normal building codes and are OK based on need. And, there are some that simply have gotten caught up in the emotion and excitement of visiting The Villages and purchase a home before truly assessing their needs. This will only be successful if someone takes the lead and aggressively deals with quality and service issues for the benefit of all. So, where does The Villages fit? Why discuss this simple item? We feel they reviewed numerous other communities before selecting T.V. Our garbage collection is contracted by The Developer to a private company in a sort of open-book negotiated arrangement. Phase I may be a non-issue for certain people without family ties connected to where they currently live. . The home is simply a place to sleep. EVERYTHING is controlled. Love the Villages.I have been there twice for a few days each time.Sadly,I do not have the income to buy the house worth moving to Florida.But,I will wait till the housing market takes a down turn.I presently,live in Northeast Ohio in a very friendly and up scale neighbor.My house cost me under $200,000.The viability score for my neighborhood in Ohio ranked 92.The Villages was ranked 79. This is great. There is an MVP Athletics Club at Spanish Springs Town Square and Brownwood Paddock Square for residents who want more advanced workouts. Landscaping save money and increase the health of foundation shrubs and plants drip/micro irrigation. Still, something must be going right relative to The Villages, and the attractiveness of our community to others will probably continue for some time. Typically if you carried a mortgage on your lot/home, you were simply paying principle and interest over say a 15 or 30 year time period. One final process check are you sure The Villages is for you? When you add people who actually got COVID, we should be well in the range of crowd immunity. For many people, the enjoyment of all The Villages has to offer clearly outweighs the desire to be part of a more diverse and balanced community from a broad societal demographic perspective. There are people everywhere, most willing to strike up a conversation any time. Re The Nihilism of the Golden Years, by Michelle Cottle (Sunday Review, March 6): Ms. Cottle, your opinion piece about the Villages is one-sided and biased. I thought the Villages was like the other retirement places based on my parents living in sun City Center, FL. It really pays to understand what is and isnt acceptable so that if you even do a small project yourself you stay within the rules in the event someone reports you later. THE VILLAGES, Fla. (WCJB) - Governor Ron DeSantis may have taken the first step toward running for the White House Tuesday night in North Central Florida. The regulatory climate compared to the cost equation just doesnt equate. No carpets. The Villages Schools. If you happen to have a birdcage you may assume that you can put the grill inside not a good idea. Annual celebrations include Yoga, Mardi Gras, and the 4th of July. N thank God most of them will be dead n burning in help in 10 years or less. What are other sources of noise? NO BOND. Around 5 to 9 pm every day, there are events and performances, free of charge, with nightly entertainment at each of the three Town Squares. Threatening hand gestures, not just the one finger salute. There are various areas for leisure, such as: Recreation events happen year-round, including: Fishing is popular in the Villages, with clubs dedicated to the sport. buy a basic home and remodel, or upgrade through The Villages at the time of purchase?This one can go either way. New Roof, new Pavers in driveway, freshly painted outside. Friendships and cliques may form up early and breaking into these groups down the road may be more difficult. Global Warming and Rising Sea Levels. So far 1 neighbor has died and others are sick and ALL were vaccinated. What is and isnt recyclable is covered in a guide in The Villages phonebook. The POA has been around since nearly the start of The Villages and has been effective in surfacing and correcting some significant issues. Then, there are some that feel a bit dissatisfied and that even more changes and improvements should be possible given the scale of The Villages surely there should be a way to provide something for absolutely everyone! This is one where you may be happy with the lowest bid and/or the fastest contractor. Most homeowners dont pursue it due to cost, aesthetics, dont want the roofing integrity to be compromised, or feel that if their home were to catch on fire from a lighting strike that their homeowner policy is there to help them with the repair/rebuild cost. Also, larger more explanatory signage well ahead of the point where a lane change can be safety executed needs to be in place. There is always a catch 22 type of argument that really just doesnt hold water. We have been in the villages for two years and we love it. When a pond is fairly stagnant, and plant/bacteria life gets a bit out of control, odors can be a problem. 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. The Villages Developer organization has decided that it doesnt want to manage small changeorders of this type. Obviously controlling the temperature, limiting the amount of hot water used, using energy efficient lighting, turning off appliances when not needed, etc. CNO from a large hospital & I am a Ret. In rare cases I suppose some may have a very difficult health care need that would carry them to the backyard of some major health care facility but this is probably the exception. So, we will need to make a few more concessions. Queen and Robellini Palms for example often end up being damaged by freezing temperatures. Dining expense depends on the individual and frequency. Maybe you even plan to increase the functionality of this room with a TV and/or music system so that it becomes an extra family room? 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. Trust me, your home will look better if you are surrounded by color choices to your (and possibly your decorators) choosing. Did you feel that most of the negative statements were just a bunch of sour grapes? 29. Listen to your music or watch television while working out. Theres also a tip line to let folks tattle on their neighbors. There are many safety services available, such as community watch, gated entries, House check program, Villages Public Safety. Costs can be $200 to $500, maybe more, depending on an individual budget for dining out. Note there is a bit of a difference in the part-time versus full time resident friend dynamic. Some people prefer to group up with their neighbors. Other people may choose some sort of sliding window or door arrangement that allows the space to be opened up as desired (with screens or a birdcage serving this purpose). Flagpole taken off a house and broken. Sometimes the bids are valid, other times they may reflect the ability (or inability) of a given contractor to properly design, engineer and estimate your job. About 115,000 people live in the villages in Central Florida, dubbed The Villagers. With a community of 60,000 households, this active-adult retirement community provides countless activities for retirees, including recreation, shopping, golf, dining, and more. Maybe you feel it is more important to have a space for you and not for your infrequent visitors? Some people may or may not know there is a committee that is chartered with approving any changes to the exterior of your home, including landscaping plans. So far 5 of our many friends who visited have moved here. 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