For the person asking about the Lifestyle visit we just did it in June this year. We stayed in Atwood Villas and they do them in Deluna at the Christopher Villas as well. We got the water view on Essex Street and it was fabulous. You can do 2 rounds of golf and go v to Orange Blossom pool is the best. They don't do any shows with the lifestyle anymore. In the summer is $99 a night and in the winter months it's $199 a night. We traveled all the way up north to the very bottom of the south and did 380: miles on the golf cart. We use the golf cart and the 2 bikes at the house we don't ever get a car. We love it!
Our over 55 community north of Tampa has 3500 homes. We have 63 holes of golf. In season, our courses have 17000 rounds per month. Out of season, our courses have 7000 rounds per month. So you be the judge what is the snowbird/sun bird ration.
Yes, a big big difference! We have found as The Villages has grown, it seems more people have moved down and stay full time. Enjoy Tampa! Beautiful area! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for another informative show. I always wondered what is the difference between a cottage villa/ cottage home and courtyard villas / other homes. Thanks.
A realtor friend of mine has explained to me that what in the “olden” days 😄 was called a ranch home is now a cottage home. The roof pitch and size tend to be the biggest difference between a ranch and designer home. The villas have a fence. The patio villas have a cute white picket fence in the front, but nothing between the villas. A courtyard villa will be completely fenced in, typically by stucco walls on all sides. Hope that helps! If you happen to want more information, email us at 365villages@gmail.com and I can forward the costs of living estimated for each of the property types. This is a document provided by The Villages. Thanks for watching and have a great weekend!
When I visited The Villages in May, I went to open houses for 2 new patio villas in Newell. The bond on each was $23K. Agree that people on lifestyle visits should check out preowned homes north of Lake Sumter Landing, just to see what you can get for your $ and how you like the area.
Thank you so much. I learn so much good info that I started writing it down in my Villages research notebook. I have a huge list of things that we can do on our lifestyle visit. Way more than we can do in 7 days, but that's OK. Hopefully eventually we'll get to them all.
We really enjoy your show! We had a question about pets. I’ve read there is a limit of 2. But I’ve also read if you have more when you move in that’s fine, just don’t replace them when they pass away. We’ve got 3 indoor cats and 1 dog. Have you heard of anyone being fined for too many pets? What do you find to be the case? Thanks!
It is true that different areas have pet restrictions. The rules are all in the bi laws of each neighborhood. I have not heard or read of anything about having more when you move in and not replacing them, however it is impossible to read the decs and bi laws for all of the neighborhoods here! I would imagine since your cats are indoors people probably wouldn’t even know you have them??? We don’t want to tell you it is Ok to break the rules 🤣😊, but we have never heard of anyone being fined for too many pets. Sorry, hope that helps a little! If you have an area you are focused on, best thing would be to have the realtor pull the bi laws and see what they say. At least you know what is permitted and can make your decision from there. Thank you for watching!
I did my lifestyle visit in June. Stayed south of the turnpike. CAN NOT ride the cart to sumter area, would take an hour. Also, couldnt find a way to drive north of the turnpike without going onto 301. I loved the area though and an to move there. Just saying, the south is nice but very different.
Haha! Yes! It is a LONNNNGGG way! There is a bridge to go over the turnpike, but it can be hard if you don’t know where to go. If you come again, you can download The Villages app. It will give you golf car directions which would be a big help. Thank you for watching!!
In 2013 the population of Wildwood was 5,700. In 2021 it was 16,500. Probably another 1,000 people have moved in since 2021 as aren't a lot of the new Villages within the city limits of Wildwood?
Last March 2023, they put us very near to the Water Lily Recreation Center. Just one small circling road…not really a neighborhood. Very nice updated interior but tall fenced back yard.
Interesting! They may have been cottage homes. There are a few neighborhoods they experimented with fences. Hope it was a good visit. Thanks for watching!
Perfect answer to my question. The only real reason I think would be to see the % who are homesteading. Other then that your visual description on who’s out and about was perfect. Thanks again.
How have your retirement costs been since you moved into the Villages? I would love to hear from actual residence people, full time in the Villages to tell me the truth of their life since moving to the Villages! Thank you all if you share your truth with your fans!
For me (Debbie), overall, not too bad. Our taxes are generally capped to a maximum increase each year. When we became full time in 2015 we paid around $1400/yr and now it is around $1800/yr. The insurance has been the biggest jump. We were paying about $1200 for fire/sinkhole/hurricane and we just got a bill for $4600. That said we had Progressive and I think that was their way of getting out of our area. We were able to secure a premium of $2200. Still high, but obviously better. Utilities are pretty much the same. Our amenity fee was $155 and now is $170. The biggest jump (for us) has been the prices for championship golf and for the priority (now enhanced) membership. Both are obviously optional, but are a part of our world. A friend of mine bought in the 80s. He was promised he would never pay more than $1 per hole for golf. Hmmmm $18 a round…not even close now! I will check with Jan to see if she has anything different to add. Overall, it is still very reasonable for what we get (in my opinion)! Hope that helps! Thanks for watching!
Debbie, if you are paying $1,800 in property taxes, that is a bargain. I pay $2,850 for my 2 bedroom townhouse in suburban Chicago, although my homeowners insurance is a lot less being in a townhouse. So if I move to The Villages, I can budget for maybe lower property taxes, but definitely higher homeowners insurance. I have heard so many stories about the increase in homeowners insurance rates in Florida this year.
@@lauralampe1664 Hi Laura! Yes, the $1800 per year sounds great…which it is! Remember though, I bought my home in 2001, so my taxes have been assessed at that rate. So you are planning properly, I would estimate paying 1.25-1.5% of your purchase price in taxes, plus any bond. My bond is paid. Any buyer that would purchase my home would then have taxes based on the new price! Just want you to be prepared!
@@thevillages365thank you for reminding me that property taxes for the new owner are based on the sales price of the home. Property tax increases in Florida are capped at 3% correct? Here in Illinois, in the past 25 years, I have had my property taxes increase anywhere from 1% to 50%. A couple of years after the 2009 recession, my property taxes went down for 2 years. It's like a surprise from the Illinois government as to which it will be...small increase or large increase.
For our first lifestyle visit in 2021 we stayed in the Atwood Bungalows near Brownwood. In 2022 we stayed at the Christopher Villas near the Water Lily Rec Center, in Deluna. And I understand that the Harper Villas in Newell will be used for lifestyle visits in the near future.
We would both say the ones we live in. Jan loves hers and I love mine 😃. So many villages and many have different benefit’s depending on your lifestyle. Thanks for the question and for watching!
The Villages Recreation Centers do not participate. There is a local gym which used to be called MVP and is now Genesis. Unless things have changed recently, they have silver sneakers there. Thanks for the question and for watching!
Is there a requirement that your husbands must be able to press 200 pounds in their 70's! (I think not, I laugh) If you are active in your 70's, just do what you can, and want to do, and enjoy your friends and the area you live in!!
For the person asking about the Lifestyle visit we just did it in June this year. We stayed in Atwood Villas and they do them in Deluna at the Christopher Villas as well. We got the water view on Essex Street and it was fabulous. You can do 2 rounds of golf and go v to Orange Blossom pool is the best. They don't do any shows with the lifestyle anymore. In the summer is $99 a night and in the winter months it's $199 a night. We traveled all the way up north to the very bottom of the south and did 380: miles on the golf cart. We use the golf cart and the 2 bikes at the house we don't ever get a car. We love it!
Thanks for sharing Teresa! Thank you for watching too!
@@thevillages365 sorry we missed you this year. Maybe we can meet next year.
Yes will try to message you ahead of time.
I appreciate the time and effort you ladies put into making these videos. They are very informative. Thank you both!
Thank you for watching Carol!
Our over 55 community north of Tampa has 3500 homes. We have 63 holes of golf. In season, our courses have 17000 rounds per month. Out of season, our courses have 7000 rounds per month. So you be the judge what is the snowbird/sun bird ration.
Yes, a big big difference! We have found as The Villages has grown, it seems more people have moved down and stay full time. Enjoy Tampa! Beautiful area! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for another informative show. I always wondered what is the difference between a cottage villa/ cottage home and courtyard villas / other homes. Thanks.
A realtor friend of mine has explained to me that what in the “olden” days 😄 was called a ranch home is now a cottage home. The roof pitch and size tend to be the biggest difference between a ranch and designer home.
The villas have a fence. The patio villas have a cute white picket fence in the front, but nothing between the villas.
A courtyard villa will be completely fenced in, typically by stucco walls on all sides.
Hope that helps! If you happen to want more information, email us at 365villages@gmail.com and I can forward the costs of living estimated for each of the property types. This is a document provided by The Villages.
Thanks for watching and have a great weekend!
@@thevillages365 Thank you for the information. 😘
When I visited The Villages in May, I went to open houses for 2 new patio villas in Newell. The bond on each was $23K. Agree that people on lifestyle visits should check out preowned homes north of Lake Sumter Landing, just to see what you can get for your $ and how you like the area.
Thanks for watching Laura!
Love the questions & answers. Thanks Debbie & Jan.
💕
Thank you so much. I learn so much good info that I started writing it down in my Villages research notebook. I have a huge list of things that we can do on our lifestyle visit. Way more than we can do in 7 days, but that's OK. Hopefully eventually we'll get to them all.
Haha! Yes! It is a LOT! You will enjoy no matter what. Try to remember to just take it all in and enjoy!
We really enjoy your show! We had a question about pets. I’ve read there is a limit of 2. But I’ve also read if you have more when you move in that’s fine, just don’t replace them when they pass away. We’ve got 3 indoor cats and 1 dog. Have you heard of anyone being fined for too many pets? What do you find to be the case? Thanks!
It is true that different areas have pet restrictions. The rules are all in the bi laws of each neighborhood. I have not heard or read of anything about having more when you move in and not replacing them, however it is impossible to read the decs and bi laws for all of the neighborhoods here! I would imagine since your cats are indoors people probably wouldn’t even know you have them??? We don’t want to tell you it is Ok to break the rules 🤣😊, but we have never heard of anyone being fined for too many pets. Sorry, hope that helps a little! If you have an area you are focused on, best thing would be to have the realtor pull the bi laws and see what they say. At least you know what is permitted and can make your decision from there. Thank you for watching!
@@thevillages365Thank you!
I did my lifestyle visit in June. Stayed south of the turnpike. CAN NOT ride the cart to sumter area, would take an hour. Also, couldnt find a way to drive north of the turnpike without going onto 301. I loved the area though and an to move there. Just saying, the south is nice but very different.
Haha! Yes! It is a LONNNNGGG way! There is a bridge to go over the turnpike, but it can be hard if you don’t know where to go. If you come again, you can download The Villages app. It will give you golf car directions which would be a big help. Thank you for watching!!
I went to Sanibel Island several years ago on vacation...beautiful. The rebuilding process will probably take a while.😢
Yes, it was devastating for them.
In 2013 the population of Wildwood was 5,700. In 2021 it was 16,500. Probably another 1,000 people have moved in since 2021 as aren't a lot of the new Villages within the city limits of Wildwood?
Yes! They are doing a lot of expanding there.
Last March 2023, they put us very near to the Water Lily Recreation Center. Just one small circling road…not really a neighborhood. Very nice updated interior but tall fenced back yard.
Interesting! They may have been cottage homes. There are a few neighborhoods they experimented with fences. Hope it was a good visit. Thanks for watching!
Perfect answer to my question. The only real reason I think would be to see the % who are homesteading. Other then that your visual description on who’s out and about was perfect. Thanks again.
Thank you for watching!
Once again, Great video lots of information. And Great team. thank You both.
Thanks so much for watching!
How have your retirement costs been since you moved into the Villages? I would love to hear from actual residence people, full time in the Villages to tell me the truth of their life since moving to the Villages! Thank you all if you share your truth with your fans!
For me (Debbie), overall, not too bad. Our taxes are generally capped to a maximum increase each year. When we became full time in 2015 we paid around $1400/yr and now it is around $1800/yr. The insurance has been the biggest jump. We were paying about $1200 for fire/sinkhole/hurricane and we just got a bill for $4600. That said we had Progressive and I think that was their way of getting out of our area. We were able to secure a premium of $2200. Still high, but obviously better. Utilities are pretty much the same. Our amenity fee was $155 and now is $170. The biggest jump (for us) has been the prices for championship golf and for the priority (now enhanced) membership. Both are obviously optional, but are a part of our world. A friend of mine bought in the 80s. He was promised he would never pay more than $1 per hole for golf. Hmmmm $18 a round…not even close now!
I will check with Jan to see if she has anything different to add. Overall, it is still very reasonable for what we get (in my opinion)!
Hope that helps! Thanks for watching!
Jan concurs with what I said. She also added that eating out has become more expensive (although that is true everywhere)!
Debbie, if you are paying $1,800 in property taxes, that is a bargain. I pay $2,850 for my 2 bedroom townhouse in suburban Chicago, although my homeowners insurance is a lot less being in a townhouse. So if I move to The Villages, I can budget for maybe lower property taxes, but definitely higher homeowners insurance. I have heard so many stories about the increase in homeowners insurance rates in Florida this year.
@@lauralampe1664 Hi Laura! Yes, the $1800 per year sounds great…which it is! Remember though, I bought my home in 2001, so my taxes have been assessed at that rate. So you are planning properly, I would estimate paying 1.25-1.5% of your purchase price in taxes, plus any bond. My bond is paid. Any buyer that would purchase my home would then have taxes based on the new price! Just want you to be prepared!
@@thevillages365thank you for reminding me that property taxes for the new owner are based on the sales price of the home. Property tax increases in Florida are capped at 3% correct? Here in Illinois, in the past 25 years, I have had my property taxes increase anywhere from
1% to 50%. A couple of years after the 2009 recession, my property taxes went down for 2 years. It's like a surprise from the Illinois government as to which it will be...small increase or large increase.
We are coming the last week of July for our lifestyle visit, there are no shows to see 😞 but I hope to go to a movie and drive everywhere
Aw 👎🏼 You will be able to find so many things to do! Hope it is a good visit!
I have a question ? Does your car need to be in the garage? So if you have two cars and you can’t fit 2nd car in garage can you park in your driveway?
Your car does not need to be in the garage. You can absolutely park in your drive. Thank you for the question and for watching!
Thank you ladies! And by the way...your hair looks great on you both. :-)
Thanks Charles! Enjoy your weekend!
@@thevillages365 Thank you, ladies. I will enjoy it on the golf course. 😊⛳🏌
😌
Thank you for watching!
Thanks for answering my question :) I close on a house in Orange Blossom next week. I can’t wait 😊
Congrats! Thank you for watching!
we just stayed at Alden Bungalows a couple weeks ago. 4 minute GC ride from Brownwood. Included 2 rounds of golf, range balls, Calendar Girls show.
Good! Hope you had a great time! Thank you for watching!
thank you. i enjoyed this episode.
Thank you for watching!
Hi ladies!! Great video and that pretty drink with the lime is calling my name😂😍
Maaaaaagarita! They were good! Enjoy your weekend Mary!
For our first lifestyle visit in 2021 we stayed in the Atwood Bungalows near Brownwood. In 2022 we stayed at the Christopher Villas near the Water Lily Rec Center, in Deluna. And I understand that the Harper Villas in Newell will be used for lifestyle visits in the near future.
Very nice! Hope they were good visits! Thanks for watching!
@@thevillages365. We actually purchased a home in Newell in April, and we love it. And enjoy your channel as well!
This question for both of you. What is your favorite Village ????
We would both say the ones we live in. Jan loves hers and I love mine 😃. So many villages and many have different benefit’s depending on your lifestyle. Thanks for the question and for watching!
Is there silver sneakers available?
The Villages Recreation Centers do not participate. There is a local gym which used to be called MVP and is now Genesis. Unless things have changed recently, they have silver sneakers there. Thanks for the question and for watching!
Love your show, got suggestion, slow down speaking….I know you are trying cram a lot of information in the show but hard to understand you.
Haha! Thanks for watching Deb! That is my “Chicago”! We talk fast! I try to be aware and slow down. 😂😂. Thanks for watching!!!
Good info. So hard to hear though.
Thank you for watching!
Is there a requirement that your husbands must be able to press 200 pounds in their 70's! (I think not, I laugh) If you are active in your 70's, just do what you can, and want to do, and enjoy your friends and the area you live in!!
Truth! 💕💕