[Davonu]

Can anybody direct me to a good place(s) to get general information regarding the southern portions of TV? I just want to get a handle on various things the south has to offer...trails, entertainment venues, parks, anything else that might be interesting. How close are various portions of the south to Brownwood, just so I'll know how much travel is required to get to a square in the evenings. And I welcome anything else that might help someone get a handle on what's down there and how 'separated' that area is from the more northern, longer established areas.

I know this is rather general and vague, but thanks for any information or resources you can provide.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Can anybody direct me to a good place(s) to get general information regarding the southern portions of TV? I just want to get a handle on various things the south has to offer...trails, entertainment venues, parks, anything else that might be interesting. How close are various portions of the south to Brownwood, just so I'll know how much travel is required to get to a square in the evenings. And I welcome anything else that might help someone get a handle on what's down there and how 'separated' that area is from the more northern, longer established areas.

I know this is rather general and vague, but thanks for any information or resources you can provide.

Google Brownwood, then click on the map. Zoom in and out as needed. Also check thevillages.com website, for descriptions and a homefinder sales map.

[frayedends]

Lake Denham and Dabney area is a 30 minute golf cart ride to Brownwood and 10 minutes to Sawgrass grove.

[Michael 61]

The developer is in process of readying East Richmond for development - looks like sales should occur later this year - 10 minute walk and 5 minute cart ride to Brownwood - doesn’t get much closer to a square than that.

[VApeople]

Go tp the sales center at Sawgrass and ask your questions.

[Altavia]

The Villages(R) Community Map - Explore & Find Your Way Around

Checkout GoldWingnut videos on YouTube.

[MplsPete]

Just my opinion after a brief 4 day lifestyle visit in Newell: If you're in Dabney, you are much, much closer to a grocery and USPS and Walgreens and Dollar General and Dollar Tree and Ace Hardware and Perkins, etc., etc., outside TV. Of course, you probably wouldn't (couldn't?) use a golf cart.
Okay, Villagers, if you lived in Dabney, would you go to Leesburg Publix or Magnolia Plaza? And don't say Sawgrass Grove. As cute as SG is, I don't view it as a viable option to buy significant amounts of groceries, but more of a boutique experience (and still farther from Dabney than the businesses on 470 / 48.

[thelegges]

OP depends on when you’re planning on moving to TV. The southern areas are starting to build venues for shopping and entertainment. Right now Brownwood would be the closest square to those who live south of 44.

From Brownwood we can get to Sawgrass roughly 20-25 minutes. The new Middleton area will be about 30ish drive although it’s hard to say exactly since it’s under construction as is all the property between can’t drive into the new shopping area, yet.

As others has said, if you watch goldwings, YouTube, you can get a fair idea of the expanse of the southern area.

We moved from LSL area south of 44 and love the area. We can walk trails without being next to roads. Less than 10 minutes we can be on trails that are designated walking trails with no cart traffic.

Yes you will get those who are Anti south of 44, because they seem to think we are deprived of retail, and squares. One usually finds that you can buy anything from amazon, have groceries delivered so easy one wonders why anyone spends hours shopping every week.

As far as entertainment many frequent squares for first year, then eventually taper off due to other things in your life.

Squares are great when company comes, but repeat company usually slide away from the squares after a time

[Davonu]

On a related note, what’s the latest on Eastport? Is it going to be a full square like the northern three? Something different? I’m having a hard time finding any definitive information regarding construction schedule or what is going to be there.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by thelegges

OP depends on when you’re planning on moving to TV. The southern areas are starting to build venues for shopping and entertainment. Right now Brownwood would be the closest square to those who live south of 44.

From Brownwood we can get to Sawgrass roughly 20-25 minutes. The new Middleton area will be about 30ish drive although it’s hard to say exactly since it’s under construction as is all the property between can’t drive into the new shopping area, yet.

As others has said, if you watch goldwings, YouTube, you can get a fair idea of the expanse of the southern area.

We moved from LSL area south of 44 and love the area. We can walk trails without being next to roads. Less than 10 minutes we can be on trails that are designated walking trails with no cart traffic.

Yes you will get those who are Anti south of 44, because they seem to think we are deprived of retail, and squares. One usually finds that you can buy anything from amazon, have groceries delivered so easy one wonders why anyone spends hours shopping every week.

As far as entertainment many frequent squares for first year, then eventually taper off due to other things in your life.

Squares are great when company comes, but repeat company usually slide away from the squares after a time

I second your comment about frequency of “squares” visits. After one year here, and living right next to Brownwood, I now go to the square for nightly entertainment maybe once a month. No longer the “big draw” it was when I first moved here.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Davonu

On a related note, what’s the latest on Eastport? Is it going to be a full square like the northern three? Something different? I’m having a hard time finding any definitive information regarding construction schedule or what is going to be there.

It's a town square adjacent to a regional size recreation complex, golf, entertainment, shopping, and dining and hotel.

Latest available info is via GoldWingnut video. Driving by you can see lots of construction in progress at Eastport, several commercial buildings in progress.

The lake is complete and recreational facilities well under way including the Gymnasium that will include indoor Pickleball/basketball/volleyball, etc.

Executive golf course and driving range are in work.

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community

Middleton is less than 10 min away also has a large commercial area well underway that includes shopping and dining.

https://youtu.be/BYLiAFVKnd0?si=8MKrYU96vnwOr6NU

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community

[Maker]

Some of the new builds in the newest south areas are within villages boundaries, but are separate from villages amenities (rec centers, pools, clubs, etc). Residents do not pay the $200 monthly amenity fee, but also cannot use them either. These are often called "family" areas and are advertised along with all other properties.

Squares are not a restricted area. Anyone from anywhere can go there, anytime.

The new build (south of Fenney, Monarch Grove, Linden, turnpike) do not have anything as far as shopping. It's planned, but few details have been released. No big box style stores have been mentioned (grocery, walmart, lowes, etc).
Magnolia plaza (Warm Springs Ave) would be the closest (to the north) does have a few places.
Further to the south, it is shorter to travel to 441/27 than to go north.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Can anybody direct me to a good place(s) to get general information regarding the southern portions of TV? I just want to get a handle on various things the south has to offer...trails, entertainment venues, parks, anything else that might be interesting. How close are various portions of the south to Brownwood, just so I'll know how much travel is required to get to a square in the evenings. And I welcome anything else that might help someone get a handle on what's down there and how 'separated' that area is from the more northern, longer established areas.

I know this is rather general and vague, but thanks for any information or resources you can provide.

How long have you lived in The Villages?

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Maker

Some of the new builds in the newest south areas are within villages boundaries, but are separate from villages amenities (rec centers, pools, clubs, etc). Residents do not pay the $200 monthly amenity fee, but also cannot use them either. These are often called "family" areas and are advertised along with all other properties.

Squares are not a restricted area. Anyone from anywhere can go there, anytime.

The new build (south of Fenney, Monarch Grove, Linden, turnpike) do not have anything as far as shopping. It's planned, but few details have been released. No big box style stores have been mentioned (grocery, walmart, lowes, etc).
Magnolia plaza (Warm Springs Ave) would be the closest (to the north) does have a few places.
Further to the south, it is shorter to travel to 441/27 than to go north.

There are signs for available retail with 1,800 feet of frontage on 301 south of the turnpike ramps right across from DeLuna. That area will most likely be big box as there are a lot of acres involved, also read that retail is coming to 470 near 301. It will be a year or two before they start as most likely waiting for the 301 improvements.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by MplsPete

Just my opinion after a brief 4 day lifestyle visit in Newell: If you're in Dabney, you are much, much closer to a grocery and USPS and Walgreens and Dollar General and Dollar Tree and Ace Hardware and Perkins, etc., etc., outside TV. Of course, you probably wouldn't (couldn't?) use a golf cart.
Okay, Villagers, if you lived in Dabney, would you go to Leesburg Publix or Magnolia Plaza? And don't say Sawgrass Grove. As cute as SG is, I don't view it as a viable option to buy significant amounts of groceries, but more of a boutique experience (and still farther from Dabney than the businesses on 470 / 48.

i'd go to Leesburg, is less busy & has more options