Sunday, March 29, 2009

The Villages (Tom and Mary Ellen - Connie and Linda - Mel and Judy)

3/23/2009 - 3/27/2009

On Monday 3/23 we left St Augustine and drove southwest to Wildwood, Florida. We took a campground right off of I75 which was about 15 minutes from The Villages. This community is one of the most unique places we have ever been. It is a 55 and older community (so we barely qualify) that has been designed to provide everything you will ever need for your retirement. It is a planned community that is currently building 300 to 350 homes per month (down from over 500 per month). The homes are different sizes and prices levels providing something for every economic level. We saw homes from $ 130k to $ 1.1 million.

The land area is about 10 square miles and the homes are build in connected individual communities. Each community has golf courses, activity centers, Tennis courts, bacchi courts, basketball, etc. etc. etc. Basically anything you can think of is there except maybe a ski slope.

Their are over 1000 clubs that you can join, and if you have an interest the doesn't have a club all yo need is 5 people and the villages will support you to form your own club. There is entertainment every night of the year with a happy hour that starts at 5:00 pm. The golf is free on the executive courses and a small fee on the championship courses. Each of the town centers has all the shopping you will ever need.

This is really and amazing concept that interests us. I played golf while Eileen and Mary Ellen looked at houses. We attended a 50's - 60's show one night and had a great deal of time to catch up with Tom and Mary Ellen Quinn who own a very nice home here.

They are from NH and many of their friends rent places during the Snowbird season. We had dinner at the Quinn's with Mel and Judy, and we were able to visit Connie and Linda other friends from the Granite State.

It was great to catch up with everyone and the hospitality and tour guiding by the Quinn's was marvelous. We are very intrigued by this entire concept and it appears the value here is very good. We have already decided that we need to explore this further.

Life just keeps getting Better. Enjoy!!

Bill and Eileen

No comments: