Spent 5 days as a guest and prospective home buyer when I could't get a single negative comment from retirees currently living there. I was not disappointed. Amazing array of activities , beautifully maintained, reasonable prices. Planning to move from Virginia later this year.

That was a good overview of The Villages. We have been researching this area for quite a while trying to decide on purchasing a vacation home here and retiring to it later. Your advice about renting for 3 months is spot on. Renting and living in the community is the best way to get a feel for what the Villages has to offer. I'd like to clarify a few points you made on the video. The bond that you pay on the house covers the infrastructure required to build the house. That means things like roads, water, sewer, multi-modal paths, and the like. The pools, golf courses, and rec centers are funded through the $145 a month amenity fee. Also, there is an annual maintenance fee that covers things like landscaping the common areas and infrastructure improvements. You mentioned that everything north of 466 is run by the residents. That is true for the amenities. There is a committee that controls how they are run. However, each district in The Villages is run by a district commission. At first all members of the commission represent the developer. As homes are sold, commissioners are elected by the residents until ultimately the entire board is elected by residents. The commissioners control common areas and infrastructure like a government. So districts south of 466 may be run by the residents but the amenities are controlled by the residents. I recommend folks check out www.districtgov.org to learn how the Community Development Districts (CDDs) work. It really helped me. Again, thanks for the great overview. I think that is one of the better summaries of what The Villages has to offer.

Golf course lot choice tip: If you must have a golf course lot, get a home on the opposite side of the fairway from the cart path. You can enjoy the view without having golf carts riding within a few feet of your home and the noise associated with that. We were fortunate enough to have this and the only sound we could hear was the club striking the ball.

Been here 11 years as a Seasonal resident. There is no place like The Villages. Property values continue to increase. My home is up 35%. Play golf every other day. Pickleball and Tennis the other days. Hardly use our car. Everything U need from shopping to medical is Golf Cart accessible. Villages Health Care Plan is just wonderful, and reasonable. Only if you have visited or lived in The Villages can you really understand this great value it has in your retirement. There is no way to describe The Villages without visiting it. I came on a 4 day vacation package with no intentions of buying a home but we were so impressed at all The Villages had to offer, I purchased a home during this short visit.

I have lived here almost 20 years, saw lots of changes. I am so glad and happy that I live in this wonderful place. No regrets, thanks to someone in Orlando who sent me up here to visit. There is so much to occupy your time, something for everybody. I love it.

I have lived here only a year and a half and love it here. One the best decisions I have ever made. I did the lifestyle preview plan several times before buying and now live near Sumter Landing. Your video is very informative. You did a very good job.

A major concern I have about retiring to Florida is the hurricane season. Haven't heard anything about potential problems whatsoever from these adverts. However, in my state, these hurricanes look horrifying. Similar to retiring in Kansas with tornados. Can't see being 80 and dealing with this recurring issue.

This was extremely helpful! Thank u. Nobody tells the truth really and what to watch out for.

Interesting video. Although I do NOT live in the Villages I am very familiar with the different sections as i know several people who live there. There are some pluses; nightly music/drinking in the Village squares. not on weekends but 7 nights a week, lots of golf, many clubs to join, many restaurants. in short lots to do. Now for the minuses; I personally would not want to live right next somebody else. If you do not have the financial resources of say the Morse family forget about getting an acre of land. We are talking millions to live that way in the Villages. The place is CROWDED !! I mean traffic that rivals mid town Manhattan. Wall to wall people. Long waits at restaurants and crowded stores. As far as golf, yes tons of golf courses but in season forget about waking up ad deciding to just go play 9 or 18 holes. You will need to reserve a T time in advance. So if you are a golfer who likes to decide if they want to play on a given day, in other words " I think i'll play a few holes today, The weather is nice . Forget it. No way you can just walk on. For my money too many rules/regulations. You cannot just decide to make change to your home. You will be required to go through the A.R.B. (architectural review board). Nothing like adding some nice touches like new planting or new expensive front door and a nosey neighbor reports you to the powers that be. Next thing is the letter from the higher ups telling you you are in violation. From there lets just say it can be very ugly. I realize they like to have standards but to live in a cookie cutter community is just not my cup of tea. In short, I for one would rather live in a area that allows me to makes changes to my home as I see fit (it's my home !!). Not have to deal with the crowds, noise, traffic etc. For some this is an ideal situation. For me I'll take the serenity that comes with a nice piece of land.Yes there is upkeep with land but with all the money saved by not buying in the Villages you can easily afford to hire somebody to do the landscaping. Hell you may actually enjoy doing it yourself as I do. Think of the opening song from the old T.V. show, Green Acres and you get the idea of where I am coning from. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q9ODZrt-mN6lgJ8.html I almost did not want to bring it up but do some research into the number of D.U.I.arrests and the massive amount of S.T.D. in the Villages . No, there is no requirement that you drink to excess or sleep around but sadly these are well known "traits" that are associated with the Villages. The 65 plus guys who feel the need to screw as many women as possible before they meet their maker. Couple that with the ever present "ladies of the night". What better place to ply your trade than an area replete with many lonely and well to do older men who lack the self confidence to meet a woman in a normal fashion. l find this aspect of the Villages so disgusting to my mind. For those of you in the know think back to Katie Bells and you will know of what I speak. I dare not mention the current "hot spots" Just saying.

Good advice! Looking into retirement now at 55, hubby from FL and ready to go back. For retirement communities, The Villages are number one the list. We're not golfers but I hear there are so many clubs/groups to join activities that it makes for a great balance. Great video, thanks!

After watching your videos my wife and I want to thank you and we have decided that we will use you and your associates to purchase our home in the Villages.

Just as important as facing the lanai East or North to keep it cool are one or two SHADE TREES. Not what we see @0:47. Some people think it looks tidy like this, but most realtors will agree it decreases resale value to leave a res. property this stark in a semi-tropical community.

Been here 9 years and it isn't what it seems. Over development, traffic, congestion, crime and noise is enough for to make us re-think living here. Buyer beware alert. Bigger is not better, folks. Think hard about moving here.

my father in law and his 2nd wife lived there and they really loved it. He passed away and she married again, and eventually sold the home for double what it cost to build. he loved the golf carts and playing golf. they liked it there anyway.

The information about the Villages is really helpful!

I don't live in the Villages but do have a patio home on a golf course. Mine is about 30 yards behind a tee box on the front side of the course. I don't have to worry about a golf ball hitting my house and never hear any bad language. Someone would have to yell out for me to hear. Ha. Yes I'm a geezer.

I live in a golf community & they play behind my house & we have no problems except, for the occasional stray golf ball hitting the house or in the back yard!!! That’s about it...

This is very well done and valuable info for prospective buyers. I live in a similar type of community in California, but very much smaller. Good job on this video.

Love your honesty. Great sight.

Your thought on renting seems excellent. We just went to Fenny and was shown a Designer for $727K. It was a nice home but I had one concern. My brother bought in closed golf community in Bradenton. His house is a larger with a larger pool for $250K. After doing research it does seem that I can purchase more house for less money in other communities. So now I am trying to rationalize spending the extra money. So, yes renting might be a good idea.

Very helpful video. Thanks for the tips!!!

This sounds like heaven on earth. Cousin and hubby moved there from Texas about 3 yrs ago and they are living their dream.

Thank you for the informing video.sounds enticing for those that don't like snow. Keep the sun shining!

I love this guy. He reminds me of the guy that hates kids on his grass :-) He has some solid points lol.

Great video -- excellent tips. I will be visiting The Villages again in September. . .can't wait. Hope to make The Villages my home someday, so I am glad The Villages will be building for the next several years.

Saw and loved this video. Regarding your cable bill you can get a Roku for any additional televisions and then add the spectrum app which will allow you to watch TV in any other room with a Roku and have The spectrum app with a TV guide.

Hey sonofmabarker I was watching this video and noticed your name!!! Ma Barker started her reign in Ash Grove Missouri where Im from and live now and also I lived down in Inverness Fl for 10 years and while there I worked for CCS Mechanical out of Ocala that did all the HVAC and plumbing in the main building there at Sumter Landing.... I remember the first day on the job there and when we got to that job site all you could see in a 360 view was a field!!! I worked there till the last tree was trucked in... sure was the most unreal experience Id ever been a part of... very very nice place in my opinion!!!

Heres a tip.If you or your parents are considering retireing in The Villages beware of a couple that work or were working in the capacity of EMT's.They befriend elderly people and gather information about them only to rip them off.Their names are Kevin and Melissa Ratzmann.They are a married couple that work The Villages in order to find vulnerable elderly people and either dupe them into signing POA papers or forge their signatures.They even have some Lady Lake detective named Butch Perdue that probably gets a cut of their profits in exchange for protection.I had a run in with them and hired a private investigator who found out they had about 6 other elderly people they had done this to and got their house,car,money and whatever else they could steal.

If this is what retirement is supposed to look like, I'll keep working.

Those villas were nice! I missed where those were.

A very good overview. An advantage of a court-yard villa is that you have a fenced in yard... which you don't get with other homes (great if you have a dog). Almost all of the residents of my c-y-villa complex live here all year. I still consider moving here as one of the best things I've ever done... it's actually gotten even better.

Good video, Thanks for clueing us in on that Bond, interesting to know up front.

Nice friendly advice. It is really expensive to live in the Villages. You gotta be a high roller. $10,000 for a golf cart! Yikes! I hope folks enjoy themselves.

Very nice video. We have been checking out TV for 6 years or so waiting to retire, then got delayed in lovely IL for a few more years. I cannot believe how much it has changed and how the homes have appreciated in that time. It took us quite some time to learn the things you share in this video, nice job. People considering TV can benefit for sure. Great idea to rent. We bought in Continental CC so we have a place to move before finding our home in TV, if the prices stop rising.

Thanks for the information; very helpful. Awesome.

So why are all you people who claim to have no interest in EVER buying in The Villages bothering to watch a video on tips for buying in The Villages?

I, myself, would never buy in an area with sinkholes, just posting what I found on the media

Thanks, good points. I don't care for gas carts, the smell gets to me and messes with my throat. We have electric and like it.

Awesome job! Thank you so much. Very informative.

And what about geological surveys? This area is sinking. Karst. Sinkholes. Its not all golf holes. There are holes in the earth.

Beautiful place Many rules Water shortages Have to keep your lawn green and the up keep Gasoline is higher in Florida A/C is running 7/24/250 Crazy drivers Snow birds goes to eat 3 pm Car insurance is high Sink holes

Good job! Thx.

Good advice. Thanks.

In another video by a resident presenting some of the negatives of living in the Villages, they mentioned the difficulty with getting a spot in the many fitness or other activities. That to try pickleball, for instance, you first need to take a class, which required signing up a week in advance and that you need to go to the facility, getting in line an hour ahead of time. They like to do woodworking but are on a waiting list (#270+) to get time. So many people come to ukelele that after the capacity of 125 is reached people are being turned away. Can you comment on these issues? I am not a golfer so I care more about accessibility to the classes and clubs.

Very informative. Thanks so much!!

What a great video, where would you recommend looking for a monthly rental? VRBO? or are there better places?

Love it. Will be there in June.

some very good intell

Del Boca Vista phase 2?

I have a couple of questions. What exactly are these bonds? From another video (and if I understood correctly) it was like another $30,000 added to the mortgage? What happens if you buy a house and have no mortgage? If we move, we would sell our current home, which is paid for. I would also like to know what the HOA fees are. And, what about visiting children and grandchildren? Thank you!

Very informative. Thank you. I am not a good Villages candidate but have friends who are successful business owners who own in the Villages. Their Families visit all winter long. I am entertained by the negative, ignorant, eunuch, Snowflake criticism however. Be well.

My best tip is very simple - DON'T even think about it !!

1:39 Sounds like my grandparents neighborhood “Eaglebrooke” to me! P.S it’s not in the villages!

These comments are are coming from one of the younger crowd of people that live in the villages a 20 precenter. If you are ever bored in TV you are doing something wrong. I have lived here for a year in a half and I wouldn't change it for the world. What's not to like free executive course golf, pickleball, swimming year round, walking and nature trails, live entertainment every evening on the squares and you can get to all of that using your golf cart.

Thank you... very informative I really appreciate it

No tunnel over the Florida Turnpike or 44. We will have 2 golf cart bridges over 44 and 1 over the Florida Turnpike.

Thanks, I'd rather freeze my butt off up north. This place really looks like a never ending nightmare.

As nice as it looks. I think it's safe to say. This environment is not for all retirees. I know i could not handle living like what i saw here.

Where can we get a good map of the Villages?

If it wasn’t for the terrible high humidity, I would move down there in a heartbeat. I guess I will stay living in miserable Wisconsin.

Electric cars can go at least 30 miles without running out of power...gas cars smell and are very loud. Our cart is 15 years old, used daily and still going strong.

Regardless of your age, I don't get why anyone would want to live in a place where everyone is old.

Passes for renters is $50.00 for visit stay

thanks, going down ,in Jan to see about buying (snowbird) I rented last year, and have been there over yhe years about 3 or 4 times, Im ready to buy. Id like to find a relatively new resale, but ill have 3 full days to look, ive already contacted a salesman, that ive used before, (from the villages), just wanted to thank you again for the info, i need all the help i can get.

I understand a few large sink holes have destroyed homes and property lately.

Thanks for the info.

planning to buy this is great info thank you

How is getting a doctors appointment? Dentist? Etc.. Also , what does the to a include and what's the cost of home insurance? Distance to shopping, airport, hospital?

I was looking at a house on a golf course and noticed something weird on the back windows. They were covered with plexiglass over the glass. Why? Golf balls. Needless to say, we passed on this house. 👍🙂

This helped tremendously! Thank you!

I really appreciate your helpful videos. Are you actually related to Ma Barker? We'll meet and talk about UFO's when we come down. Thanks!

Your voice reminds me of Chef John from food Wishes.

Very helpful video. Thanks for taking the time to create this!

I hate to say it, but neighbors may not be friendly to you if you’re renting. Though my aunt & uncle were friendly themselves, they were pretty much shunned by the neighbors when they rented a house in The Villages prior to building a home there. They guessed the neighbors to the rental just didn’t want to make the effort to get to know them because they were “just renting.” After moving into their new home, however, they quickly made friends with not only their new neighbors but people throughout the larger community because of their involvement in several sports and other groups. So, renting is a good idea prior to buying, but don’t expect the established residents to welcome you with open arms. And don’t judge The Villages too harshly if they don’t.

I agree with everything you say except the gas golf cart. 40 miles on electric golf cart is not enough?

Good video. It covers many good topics. I want to add, my lanai faces the southwest and I don't get the sun beaming into lanai, except in the winter months, which I like.

I enjoy watching your videos on The Villages... which is a bit odd because I'm 36! Maybe one day I'll find myself there...who knows

Sounds like hell on earth

I have lived for 15 years, on a golf course.....never kept awake by lawn mowers, not sure where you got your info but most of it is not true. Every room came with a fan.....all areas have snowbirds, people come and go. Massey May be popular, it trust me not the best. This was a real downer, never had all these so called problems.

thanks for the great video & tips, you should hire yourself out as a buyers guide, lol.

This looks really nice to me and right up my alley! I’m *only* 50, but looking forward to my retirement. Trying to talk my husband into moving to Florida.

Thank you. It is very helpful that you mentioned the difference between north of 466 and south of it. However I'm curious to know if the developer runs that section, what does it mean, as compared to when they do not run it? Do they perhaps provide good things? Or not? Is the other group better at managing things? Less pricey? THANKS.

Your comment about cussing near a golf course is 100% accurate!

Yikes, Big Foot (in the white hat) at 1:00 looks like she would beat the crap out of ya!

One place I wouldn't want to live by ......Water.........gators !!!! It's to bad they don't have , something that warns a gator close by your home.

thank you so much I enjoyed your video. I have a deposit on a house in the Village of Fenney and this is helpful

I would move to Palm Coast Florida.

Sinkholes are a common problem in the Villages. I would pass.

I’m not sure of the future of The Villages, the next crop of retirees aren’t going to have the financial means to support this community.

All that bug control is destroying Florida's waterways.

Love this video! Great job Matt! Look forward to doing business with you soon!

Thank you. That was very informative.

Need about North Port, Fl.

Thanks for sharing your insights.

Another awesome video. Really helpful. Thanks.

thanks for the video. We just spent a week there on the life style tour and loved it. I have talked to the wife about this for a few years and we finally made it down. Wish we could do the 3 month thing but she still works so thats out but we will be back next year to look around now that we have a better idea of the place. Do you mind telling me which community you live in as we stayed in the Wildwood area. We met alot of nice folks that are residences year round and did not find one person that didn't like the place. Thanks again

I don’t know if I care to live there

Thank you for sharing. I was wondering you mentioned a bond, is that like an HOA? You also mention that an older home would have less years on the bond, once the bond is paid off will there be another bond or HOA type fee? Thank you

Check the west cost first.

The best tip for living in villages is to have yourself tested occasionally for STD.