The Ultimate 72 Hour Adventure: Exploring The Villages! 

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I made three separate visits there, a week, three weeks and then a month from 2009 through 2011 and found the humidity just too much for me as I am from New Mexico. My allergies were terrible there, too. It gets quite cold in the winter and is hotter than South Florida in the summer. It was easy to meet and get to know people and is overall a friendly place. Most of the residents are solid citizens, very nice and welcoming. A significant percentage are snowbirds. Most folks there do come from the northeast and midwest; just a few come from the west so I found the culture a little different than that to which I am accustomed. The homes are expensive considering they are cheaply built and go up very fast. When I was there the developer was selling a new house every 2-1/2 hours 24/7. Also there is a "bond" for infrastructure on top of the price of a new home. The amenity fees are very reasonable and the community kept clean and beautiful; some of the surrounding areas can be rough, though. Also finding good medical is tough all over Florida due to it being God's Waiting Room.

I understand this is the largest 55+ community in the country with a population of 100K. As a lover of WW2 history, I loved the military displays! And of course, Eat, Sleep Pickleball!

Southwest!good morning. Bravo,very superb trip. =))

Great video! It's hard to do comparisons and I think you did a wonderful job (mostly right). I grew up in Tempe, ASU grad, parents retired in Sun Lakes, and my wife and I have planned to retire in Sun Lakes or Leisure World. We recently visited The Villages and we completely changed our mind. It's the lifestyle, the activities, the town squares, the fishing, the golf, proximity to amazing beaches and cruise ports, close to Orlando and Tampa (but not in them), and, of course, going everywhere (even the grocery stores if we want) in a golf cart. An active lifestyle may not be for everyone and, like you said, may be overwhelming. But the AZ retirement communities just don't seem to have all the activities like The Villages. How come a large developer can't "copy" the recipe of The Villages and build a similar environment in Arizona? By the way, I'm not sure how I'll like the humidity either.

Enjoyed your visit to The Villages. My good friend, who bought her patio villa about 1.5 miles from Lake Sumter Landing in 2012, has seen a lot of growth in the past almost 12 years. At one time the developer said build out would be about 2016. That has all gone by the wayside. There are so many new Villages planned for the southern end of The Villages near Eastport, the 4th town square, which is under construction. I believe I read somewhere that Eastport may be opening sometime in 2025. There was a report a few days ago that the population of The Villages is now 150,000. I have visited my friend numerous times since she moved there. I have done several 7, 10 & 14 day rentals, mostly in the summer to test the central Florida heat & humidity. If I do end up buying in The Villages, it would be a resale home, probably in the Spanish Springs area. Some people want homes in the newer areas as those areas tend to have a younger age group. Both Florida & Arizona are still on my short list. Fingers crossed retirement is now 15 months away. As you said, it's great we have choices about where we can spend our golden years.

Groovy video. They seem to be over building, to the point where it stopped being a quaint little town/village. New homes so far away from town squares that golf cars are almost not useable. Unless they have improve it, The Village only has a very small law enforcement station to service the whole Village. And since The Village is open to outsiders, that's not good for safety.

I would have moved to the Villages in a heartbeat but I cannot do humidity. I feel as though a wet towel is on my face.

Just clicked on 1st time! Maybe quick introduction at beginning of your videos! Who you are , from Where , ( I did get AZ!😃) Nice tour of the Villages. Thank you!!!

Pretty good video, but I wish you’d been more informed about The Villages. It would have been nice if you’d reported on and shown the third square, Brownwood. Also they are currently building the fourth square, Eastport. I suggest a return trip where you meet with someone who is well-informed …. Reach out to Jerry & Linda or watch their videos! THE VILLAGES FLORIDA NEWCOMERS

Sawgrass Grove isn’t a full square but it’s great and less than 10 minute cart ride from Newell. Eastport is a new square being built within about a year and is close. Brownwood is about 30 minute cart ride and shorter car ride. The new areas are great. There are regional rec centers and smaller neighborhood rec centers. Lots more for you to learn.

Wow, 55+ over-caffeinated, on steroids and Hulk-ified! Looks like they take their 55+ living seriously out there! I enjoyed the town/square views, the car show stuff, and the golf cart scene. Surprised to see that they have their own radio stations and a weekly publication that lists all the activities. What are their association fees like out there?? Also enjoyed seeing the Villages through the eyes of a regular AZ gal. Would love to see more of your experiences from there. Thanks and welcome back to the comfortable, dry air of the desert!

Enjoyed today’s show. Would love for you to do a show comparing The Villages to your favorite 55+ Community in Arizona. I spent the last year watching Jerry and Linda on You Tube to learn about the Villages and watching your videos on Arizona communities. I’ll be driving thru the Villages in March and spending a day. Then I plan to get out to Arizona. For me it’s about affordability and which heat I feel is better…humid vs dry.

You missed a lot in The Villages that make it great. Visit again.

Amazing video. How did you like the humidity? Would you ever move to the Villages?

It sounds like hell on earth. I am 60 and I couldn't stand being around nothing but geezers.

My sister lives there. I live near it and take part in the areas. So much cheaper than buying there..

I’ve thought of the villages but the possibility of hurricanes terrifies me. Then there’s that bond and high property taxes. And insurance premiums pretty high as well. I think Arizona is cheaper but then there’s that water issue.

Would you mind sharing approximately how much they charge for a three day lifestyle visit? Thank you!

Save your money as we’ve been there, done that and don’t need more videos on The Villages