[John_W]

Originally Posted by dhdallas

Navarre Beach is near Pensacola and is absolutely gorgeous. Sugar white sand with the turquoise water of the Gulf on one side of Santa Rosa Island and the sound on the other. It is in the Central Time Zone. No bugs or alligators (at least on the island).

There is 20 miles of protected seashore with wind swept dunes and sparsely populated beaches with a bike/hike trail almost the entire length of the island. At one end of the island is a historic fort dating back to the civil war and toward the eastern end is a Marine Science Station. Golf carts are used by some residents but not so much as to become crowded. Overall traffic is extremely light on the island. The 4-lane on the mainland can be busy but there are no roundabouts and traffic moves right along. There are many fresh seafood, authentic southern BBQ restaurants and markets. It is NOT a tourist trap.

Beautiful homes and condos (some <$300k) on the waterfront at reasonable prices. The condo amenities/fees are next to nothing compared to TV. From our rental condo's bedroom window, we could watch porpoises playing in the water. I wanted to buy there but my wife insisted on TV.

My best friend lives in Navarre, we were in the Army together and then later worked for the government together in Pensacola. Housing is very cheap in that area. Navarre Beach I did post about in another thread when I posted about the making Jaws 2 the movie and I visited the set a few times in 1977. Unfortunately the Holiday Inn at Navarre Beach where the movie was set was destroyed in 2004 by a hurricane.

I lived in Pensacola from 1977 to 1982. In fact, if not for TV, I would maybe have retired either there or Spring Hill. The problem with Pensacola and Gulf Breeze (Santa Rosa Island) is hurricanes. In fact right now the 3 mile bridge was knocked last September by Hurricane Sally and at best, not expected to reopen until March. So you can't get to Pensacola from Gulf Breeze without going about 30 miles around and crossing two other bridges and Pensacola residents can't go to Gulf Breeze or Pensacola Beach without a going over the I-10 Bridge to Garcon Point and then taking Garcon Point Toll Bridge.



The 3 Mile Bridge was not actually damaged by Hurricane Sally but by 3 barges that broke free during the storm.

[Cranford61]

Originally Posted by skippy05

Plantation located in Leesburg FL. Low HOA fees, No CDD fees, No Bonds, Gated. Does not have the number or quality of The Villages facilities or activities, nevertheless has them. It all depends on "what' you want for your money and what you feel is acceptable in fees and taxes in exchange for what you get. The answer to this question is specific to each person looking.

Cheaper yet is the Holiday Resorts in nearby Okahumpya.

[Sherry8bal]

Originally Posted by Boston-Sean

If you had to choose a retirement community other than TV, what would it be?

I would recommend On Top Of The World, in Ocala FL. They are a much smaller and REALLY GATED community with used homes and new homes, in many styles and prices. Some have a higher HOA fee and includes your lawn maintenance and other things and then there are other sections with a smaller HOA fee but you get less.

They have added lots of new amenities and new recreation buildings and pools in the last few years too.

Even though you don't own the land your home is built on, you get a 99 year lease so what difference does that make!!!

The fact that it really is GATED unlike the Villages who lie about this being a gated community is a real plus. They have also added a new frontage road so you now have access to a bank, a new Publix and a few restaurants accessible by golf cart.

[macawlaw]

Pelican Preserve in Ft Myers.

[B-flat]

Originally Posted by Bitsee

We moved to Ocala OTOW 3 yrs. ago this week from The Villages.
OTOW has outstanding amenities; state of the art " new " recreation center (s), indoor/ outdoor pools, hot tubs "new" pickleball courts, wood hobby shop, clubs, R/C flying field, RV storage, free Gym membership, Lifelong Learning Center, miniature golf, several new dog friendly parks, beautiful walking trails, weekend entertainment at the square, farmers market , and golf courses just to name a few.
The homes here a better quality, less expensive with no bonds. They actually have green space behind each home for privacy...amazing.
A person has to rent at least 6 months in OTOW so there is no constant revolving renters in here.
You can actually ride a bike here without fear of being mowed down by a drunk driver.
The 3 gates have a 24 hr. attendant every single day.
Ocala shopping, restaurants, and medical facilities are way above what the The Villages offers.
People here in OTOW seem very relaxed and down to earth...they don't feel the need to impress anyone else.
The one thing we absolutely love here is the fact that there is a build-out plan in here after Longleaf and Weybourne. The next project will be Calesa across the way which does not affect our lifestyle what so ever.
Anyone from The Villages would quite impressed if they took a tour of OTOW today, I would bet money on that !
Oh, and if this is prison..sign me up !!

Very well stated bitsee and as a resident of OTOW I second everything you wrote!

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Sherry8bal

I would recommend On Top Of The World, in Ocala FL. They are a much smaller and REALLY GATED community with used homes and new homes, in many styles and prices. Some have a higher HOA fee and includes your lawn maintenance and other things and then there are other sections with a smaller HOA fee but you get less.

They have added lots of new amenities and new recreation buildings and pools in the last few years too.

Even though you don't own the land your home is built on, you get a 99 year lease so what difference does that make!!!

The fact that it really is GATED unlike the Villages who lie about this being a gated community is a real plus. They have also added a new frontage road so you now have access to a bank, a new Publix and a few restaurants accessible by golf cart.

I would prefer a deed over a lease any time. I don't believe I was ever told TV was a gated community by any one associated with TV. A gated community doesn't keep criminals out, I have lived in true gated communities and just about anyone who would like to commit a crime can easily get through in a number of different ways, I don't see it as being a plus. Most of the crime in TV is not within the gates but in public areas within and around TV. I haven't heard or read of a residential burglary in the nearly 4 years I have been full time so there must not be many if any of them. 130,000 people in a gated community would be a nightmare, there would be a line of non-residents a mile long at every entry point waiting to gain permission to get in for whatever reason. And more long lines with residents waiting their turn to get through the gates.

[manaboutown]

Just a thought and I do not know of any other 55 and over communities enjoying boards like TOTV, but the OP could find one or more, maybe a Sun City somewhere (FL, AZ...) site, and post the same inquiry.

[Rosebud2020]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Stuart is a very high crime area, we stayed there a couple times when we were traveling in a Class A motorhome. We were warned to stay out of a lot of areas. As of today only 17% of all US cities have a higher crime rate per capita and in florida 70% of all cities and towns have a lower crime rate than Stuart. It may look nice but there are better places to go over there that are much safer such as Vero Beach.

Speaking of crime, being a sister community next to Wildwood ain't no bargain! In addition, TV isn't a gated community -- it's a community with gates giving residents a false sense of security. Anyone can gain access to anywhere in TV.

The OP asked for other communities. Spruce Creek is a nce but older community offering larger lots where you aren't on top of one another. You can also have a fenced yard. Prices are less there, also. There are many differences but Spruce Creek is a nice, well-maintained place to live.

Port St.L ucie is another growing area. There is a multitude of 55+ communities in that general area.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by John_W

Do you want to be on the coast, Atlantic or Gulf or it doesn't matter, if you prefer the center of the state? That's the first question, location, location, location. Then what's your budget, if you say $250K, there are many communities where homes start at $300K or $400K or higher.

The 55+ website is a great place to get an idea. Start with an area, such as Tampa/St. Pete, or St. Augustine/Daytona or Naples / Fort Myers. You can get an idea of what's available in that area, prices, amenities, sights and entertainment. There also reviews and homes for sale at most locations.

When you have a general idea of where, then come here and ask "How is On Top the World" Condos in Clearwater, chances are someone has been there and looked at it already, or even lived there and then moved here. About half of the residents of TV have moved from other parts of Florida.

Here's the site, pick a city, when the results come up, click on the city name and the results will be displayed on a map which you can move around.

55+ Places to Retire Website

Very good advice, so much available, inland, coast. For us is not golfers.... probably build or buy at Margaritaville near Daytona since cruising and beach days would be our next choice. Figure hobbies and interests should be on the high priority list for retirement living, while that would not be a high priority item in the career years when other things move to the top of the priorities.

[Bilyclub]

I would probably give a hard look at Margaritaville in Daytona. Is the beach and bus up and running there?
Funny that people in OTOW are lurking here.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Boston-Sean

I checked out a piece on the "25 best value active adult communities 2020" from that 55+ website.

TV did not make the cut.

One that did had this listed among the amenities: A tennis court and a golf course. A. As in one. Hard to compare that to TV.

Possibly ? But, also could be much smaller and that is sufficient ? Not incredibly unhappy here at all, but really not like a smaller community. We're so tired of spending so much time in "line" out on 466 just to get to turn into the villages and get in 'line" again to go to our home when the lines are actually caused by the wish to give the illusion of a private gated community so folks back home are impressed... just our opinion, not worth it just to be able to impress friends who come to visit. When they see we are able to afford live "guards" in little "guard houses" they assume we must have inherited some real wealth...LOL... they are really impressed, LOL ! Traffic was not a major thing when we first built on a lot we bought in the "new" lake sumter area, kind of rethinking at this point. Love the idea of communities where there are some restrictions on rentals, that too seems to be very different and pretty much unregulated, a night, a week, whatever. If doing it again probably would consider a bit less "in and out" community, but probably not at all of concern to others, such a mixed bag. "Free music" was quite nice, still enjoy, but again, would move down the list now. The number of door bell ringing "sales" people is getting to us a bit. Unbelievable how this has become ! Have never lived anywhere in any state with what it is here now...was not that bad in the beginning ! That is getting tiresome, but of course to others, it's of no concern, don't go to the door is an easy solution. Family members just moved out of V's after some years, to Spring Hill area. They didn't know either if it was the right decision, knew they may miss it here an move back. So far, you could not bribe them enough to come back here, so that's why we've at least opened our mind to other possibilities !

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by B-flat

Another vote here for On top of the World. We owned a court yard villa in The Villages for 2 years then 6 months ago we moved to OTOW for a number of reasons. One was we had long time friends who live in OTOW that was a factor. We were able to purchase a home the same size as the court yard villa we sold for less money than we sold the CYV for. Our home is on a corner lot with grass and a view of the 17th tee of one of the golf courses. We're far enough away from the tee box so we don't hear golfers who hit a lousy shot complain. Our HOA fees here include all landscaping services and internet. There's 24/7 guarded gates so it's very secure. Our new home is better constructed too than the villa we owned in The Villages.

Some will say it's too quiet for their lifestyle. I was a hell raiser until age 32. Today I don't need all the action some are looking for. I can still golf or play pickle ball if I want.

What we do find interesting is that as we drive our golf cart thru new homes under construction or about to be occupied we find quite a few people who are moving from The Villages to OTOW.

We are definitely in the "thinking stage" about OTOTW & a few others. Now have friends and relatives relate exactly what you have found. Our one unknown is how paying annual membership dues to play golf compares to a high amenity fee in the villages; to non golfers of course it is of no concern, but as the years march on, nice to be able to just play a 9 hole exec, not have to get in the car to drive to a golf course, and not always wanting to pay game by game at a place like OTOTW.... but.... looking into it.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by beckylou152

We looked over a lot of Florida looking for a place. I think it is such a personal decision. If you are the type of person who wants activities, groups, and variety, I don't think you can beat The Villages. If you are a person who savors quiet time on the beach, then move somewhere on the beach. If you have a limited budget, try a nice park model resort - they are literally everywhere. If you don't want exterior home maintenance, choose a condo resort. My husband and I are extremely active, like many activities, and want to have a variety of things to do, and we don't mind the exterior maintenance, so that is why we chose The Villages. But I don't think it is for everyone. I don't think that central Florida, outside of the manicured beauty of The Villages, is really that pretty; there is limited nearby good shopping, you are at least an hour from the beach, etc. So there are plusses and minuses to everything.

Such a good, valuable, honest reply ! It is true you can have a lively party/nightlife in the villages, pretty unusual in that most retirement communities you would have to get in an auto and drive a small distance while here you need no car and can go to a variety of bars for dancing, drinking, etc.
A small community may have A country club with a dinning room and a bar, but the model here is quite different, 3 "towns" with many bars and other businesses of course, and many dues "free" country clubs which actually are public restaurants, very public restaurants any one can go to, but it provides a "vibe" you are not going to find in (most) other retirement communities for sure. The one country club in a smaller community would be more like the country club you knew if you belonged to one before retirement. It is perfectly possible to live a very relaxed life here too, with a few activities and a few "clubs", but the choice here from scuba clubs to beach clubs to baseball fan, railroad, cycling, figurine collecting... name it they have a club. So you can have active night life (singles also) here probably not available at smaller communities.

[B-flat]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

We are definitely in the "thinking stage" about OTOTW & a few others. Now have friends and relatives relate exactly what you have found. Our one unknown is how paying annual membership dues to play golf compares to a high amenity fee in the villages; to non golfers of course it is of no concern, but as the years march on, nice to be able to just play a 9 hole exec, not have to get in the car to drive to a golf course, and not always wanting to pay game by game at a place like OTOTW.... but.... looking into it.

Good luck with your search, here's hoping you'll find something you'll like.

[fmeans]

Save yourself a lot of time, trouble and expense. It doesn't get any better than The Villages. It just doesn't.