[coloradotim]

My wife and I were at Disney World for a conference last month and we decided to try Del Webb's Explore Del Webb program for 3 nights at Del Webb Stone Creek. In August we did the Villages Lifestyle Preview which I wrote about in a previous post here:

our villages lifestyle preview report

We could see the benefits of both the Villages and Del Webb Stone Creek in our two stays. In scanning this board for comments about Del Webb Stone Creek most people had negative comments about it compared to the Villages. However in talking to some Del Webb Stone Creek residents they loved their community - and some had moved from the Villages! I learned that one size does not fit all when it comes to age 55+ communities - try out different ones and see what community fits best your lifestyle.

Comments about the Explore Del Webb experience:

1. I liked they assigned us a resident host couple (their "ambassador" program). We had dinner with our hosts on our night of arrival, and played 18 holes of golf with the husband the next day.

2. We didn't have to pay to rent golf clubs for our free 18 holes of golf - Del Webb provided that.

3. Speaking of golf, on another one of our visits to an age 55+ community in Arizona we were scolded for "slow play" on the golf course (we recently took up the game). After that experience when we played the Del Webb course we were careful to keep up the pace, even running at times. A course marshall drove up to us on one hole on the front 9 and we thought "uh oh - here we go again" braced to hear a warning about slow play. "There's no running in golf - take your time!" the marshall said. Whew! He was one of many friendly people we met at Del Webb.

4. You definitely can get more home for the money at Del Webb. Their model park was one of the best I've seen in visiting different age 55+ communities.

We've visited a number of age 55+ communities (including ones in Arizona and Las Vegas). Del Webb Stone Creek and the Villages top our list right now. We are several years away from a possible move but we find it helpful to do these "preview" stays to get a sense of each community.

[JourneyOfLife]

Thanks for the Information.

Did you talk to anyone about the structure of the community.

I found this link on the Del Webb site.

Active Adult Retirement Communities | Del Webb Stone Creek | Ocala, FL | Del Webb New Home Builders


It appears that there is an HOA that is involved in making decisions about the community. The developer is involved, but there is a plan for the developer to step away and be completely controlled by residents.

Do you have any additional insight about the community structure?

Specifically, is there any form of CDD, bond, etc, or is the HOA the extent of how the community is managed?

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by coloradotim

My wife and I were at Disney World for a conference last month and we decided to try Del Webb's Explore Del Webb program for 3 nights at Del Webb Stone Creek. In August we did the Villages Lifestyle Preview which I wrote about in a previous post here:

our villages lifestyle preview report

We could see the benefits of both the Villages and Del Webb Stone Creek in our two stays. In scanning this board for comments about Del Webb Stone Creek most people had negative comments about it compared to the Villages. However in talking to some Del Webb Stone Creek residents they loved their community - and some had moved from the Villages! I learned that one size does not fit all when it comes to age 55+ communities - try out different ones and see what community fits best your lifestyle.

Comments about the Explore Del Webb experience:

1. I liked they assigned us a resident host couple (their "ambassador" program). We had dinner with our hosts on our night of arrival, and played 18 holes of golf with the husband the next day.

2. We didn't have to pay to rent golf clubs for our free 18 holes of golf - Del Webb provided that.

3. Speaking of golf, on another one of our visits to an age 55+ community in Arizona we were scolded for "slow play" on the golf course (we recently took up the game). After that experience when we played the Del Webb course we were careful to keep up the pace, even running at times. A course marshall drove up to us on one hole on the front 9 and we thought "uh oh - here we go again" braced to hear a warning about slow play. "There's no running in golf - take your time!" the marshall said. Whew! He was one of many friendly people we met at Del Webb.

4. You definitely can get more home for the money at Del Webb. Their model park was one of the best I've seen in visiting different age 55+ communities.

We've visited a number of age 55+ communities (including ones in Arizona and Las Vegas). Del Webb Stone Creek and the Villages top our list right now. We are several years away from a possible move but we find it helpful to do these "preview" stays to get a sense of each community.

I am not a golfer but I think it is ok to ask the group behind you to go ahead of you.
I think golf cart access to shopping is a plus. Look at On Top of the World. Two small shopping centers can bet gotten to by golf cart. They share some things with Stone Creek. The cultural center is one. I think you will find the golf courses less crowed than the Villages.
Try and figure out the size of the community you want - small-medium-large or very large. Location to doctors, stores etc might be important. Stone Creek requires a car to go anywhere.

[OBXNana]

It's great that you have explored different options and will know when you make a decision, it is was well thought out and not spur of the moment. We also did our exploration and The Villages better met what we were looking for in community. There is no right or wrong decision, simply personal preference.

We preferred not having a couple assigned to us. We aren't anti social, we wanted to talk to the person in the square, in line at the grocery store, or in Cody's. We wanted a broad cross section to see what people really thought and not a couple that were programmed to give a pitch. You liked having the couple and that's ok. Just a difference of opinion. Neither right or wrong. Just different.

[sgiamp1]

Originally Posted by coloradotim

My wife and I were at Disney World for a conference last month and we decided to try Del Webb's Explore Del Webb program for 3 nights at Del Webb Stone Creek. In August we did the Villages Lifestyle Preview which I wrote about in a previous post here:

our villages lifestyle preview report

We could see the benefits of both the Villages and Del Webb Stone Creek in our two stays. In scanning this board for comments about Del Webb Stone Creek most people had negative comments about it compared to the Villages. However in talking to some Del Webb Stone Creek residents they loved their community - and some had moved from the Villages! I learned that one size does not fit all when it comes to age 55+ communities - try out different ones and see what community fits best your lifestyle.

Comments about the Explore Del Webb experience:

1. I liked they assigned us a resident host couple (their "ambassador" program). We had dinner with our hosts on our night of arrival, and played 18 holes of golf with the husband the next day.

2. We didn't have to pay to rent golf clubs for our free 18 holes of golf - Del Webb provided that.

3. Speaking of golf, on another one of our visits to an age 55+ community in Arizona we were scolded for "slow play" on the golf course (we recently took up the game). After that experience when we played the Del Webb course we were careful to keep up the pace, even running at times. A course marshall drove up to us on one hole on the front 9 and we thought "uh oh - here we go again" braced to hear a warning about slow play. "There's no running in golf - take your time!" the marshall said. Whew! He was one of many friendly people we met at Del Webb.

4. You definitely can get more home for the money at Del Webb. Their model park was one of the best I've seen in visiting different age 55+ communities.

We've visited a number of age 55+ communities (including ones in Arizona and Las Vegas). Del Webb Stone Creek and the Villages top our list right now. We are several years away from a possible move but we find it helpful to do these "preview" stays to get a sense of each community.

Hi there,

You are correct that, "one size doesn't fill all". We lived in Stone Creek for 3 years before moving to The Villages. Bottom line: it all depends on what you are looking for. In our experience, Stone Creek was a bedroom community with very little activity like we have here. Honestly, it would be like comparing up-state New York to New York City. They both have their benefits but in our experience, we needed more action than we had there. You are also correct that ex-Villagers moved there but we also know quite a few people who lived in Stone Creek and either preceded us or followed us down here. Before you decide, you might ask when and if they will be building their second pool. Because of the in-fighting, they've had to limit the hours that adults can visit the pool with children because a number of residents said they, "moved to an adult community to be AWAY from children" So, if your family visits, you'll be able to take the kids during designated hours. If that type of thing doesn't bother you, you'll be fine but things like that made us realize it wasn't for us. I could give you more examples but that isn't necessary. I'm not sure what it is now but the HOA when we were there was $175 per month and increases were not based on the COLA like it is here. (We've been here 3 1/2 years and our assessment(HOA) has risen $7)

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by coloradotim

I learned that one size does not fit all when it comes to age 55+ communities - try out different ones and see what community fits best your lifestyle.

I certainly agree with your statement. The Villages isn't perfect and it's not for everyone.
But for 100,000 of us, it's pretty darn great.
I'd wager to guess that most of us have looked around at different communities before we decided The Villages is unique.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by coloradotim

My wife and I were at Disney World for a conference last month and we decided to try Del Webb's Explore Del Webb program for 3 nights at Del Webb Stone Creek. In August we did the Villages Lifestyle Preview which I wrote about in a previous post here:

our villages lifestyle preview report

We could see the benefits of both the Villages and Del Webb Stone Creek in our two stays. In scanning this board for comments about Del Webb Stone Creek most people had negative comments about it compared to the Villages. However in talking to some Del Webb Stone Creek residents they loved their community - and some had moved from the Villages! I learned that one size does not fit all when it comes to age 55+ communities - try out different ones and see what community fits best your lifestyle.

Comments about the Explore Del Webb experience:

1. I liked they assigned us a resident host couple (their "ambassador" program). We had dinner with our hosts on our night of arrival, and played 18 holes of golf with the husband the next day.

2. We didn't have to pay to rent golf clubs for our free 18 holes of golf - Del Webb provided that.

3. Speaking of golf, on another one of our visits to an age 55+ community in Arizona we were scolded for "slow play" on the golf course (we recently took up the game). After that experience when we played the Del Webb course we were careful to keep up the pace, even running at times. A course marshall drove up to us on one hole on the front 9 and we thought "uh oh - here we go again" braced to hear a warning about slow play. "There's no running in golf - take your time!" the marshall said. Whew! He was one of many friendly people we met at Del Webb.

4. You definitely can get more home for the money at Del Webb. Their model park was one of the best I've seen in visiting different age 55+ communities.

We've visited a number of age 55+ communities (including ones in Arizona and Las Vegas). Del Webb Stone Creek and the Villages top our list right now. We are several years away from a possible move but we find it helpful to do these "preview" stays to get a sense of each community.

It is your choice. But don't wait too long. The prices are going up here.

I LOVE The Villages as much today as I did eight years ago when I first laid eyes on it.

Please don't move here as some do and be unhappy. If you are a happy person you will be happy wherever you go.

[Villages PL]

I had a friend who moved from my neighborhood in The Villages to Del Webb. When I went to visit her I was pleasantly surprised. It was a great house that she said she got at a very affordable price.

One thing I didn't like was the distance to shopping etc and at that time gasoline was more expensive. Although, I suppose if you save enough money on the house, you shouldn't worry about the price of gas.

[2BNTV]

If one was to plan on staying in their home and getting more home for their money, then Del Webb's Stone Creek may be right for you. Another point to consider is how much your home will increase in value over time, as opposed to the real estate values in TV. I tend to think as TV nears build-out, values will be going higher, as the demand will far exceed, the supply.

If one likes to be out and about, TV offers a lifestyle that is unmatched. I for one, would never get tired of the myriad of activities here, and their access by golf cart.

I find it amazing when I meet people who have bought outside TV and like to visit because their development, is not active enough for them.

Different strokes, for different folks!

[perrjojo]

We looked at several Florida communities as well as those in Arizona and Texas.. The Villages was the right choice for us. Everyone has different requirements but I could see nothing comparable to TV for our needs.

[coloradotim]

Thanks for the comments. One person mentioned On Top of the World - we stopped in there for a look see and got an hour and a half tour! I liked the Villages better than TOW.

We also visited the new Trilogy community in Ocala. This one has just been started so there isn't much to see. They have some models open. We stayed in a Trilogy community in phoenix and we like their homes, but the Ocala location didn't impress us that much. They will have an 18 hole par 3 course and 6 longer holes - I'd rather have a regulation 18 like Del Webb or the many courses at the Villages.

So for your area of Florida it's a close call between the Villages and Del Webb Stone Creek for us. Each community has its positives. We'll revisit this in 2 to 3 years when we are ready to move (perhaps renting at both communities for longer stays)

[CFrance]

You might want to keep an eye on sale prices in the two communities over the next couple of years, and also how Stone Creek does--if the second pool gets built, how the HOA is performing, how well the present maintenance level is sustained.

[keithwand]

You get what you pay for!

[jbdlfan]

Originally Posted by coloradotim

My wife and I were at Disney World for a conference last month and we decided to try Del Webb's Explore Del Webb program for 3 nights at Del Webb Stone Creek. In August we did the Villages Lifestyle Preview which I wrote about in a previous post here:

our villages lifestyle preview report

We could see the benefits of both the Villages and Del Webb Stone Creek in our two stays. In scanning this board for comments about Del Webb Stone Creek most people had negative comments about it compared to the Villages. However in talking to some Del Webb Stone Creek residents they loved their community - and some had moved from the Villages! I learned that one size does not fit all when it comes to age 55+ communities - try out different ones and see what community fits best your lifestyle.

Comments about the Explore Del Webb experience:

1. I liked they assigned us a resident host couple (their "ambassador" program). We had dinner with our hosts on our night of arrival, and played 18 holes of golf with the husband the next day.

2. We didn't have to pay to rent golf clubs for our free 18 holes of golf - Del Webb provided that.

3. Speaking of golf, on another one of our visits to an age 55+ community in Arizona we were scolded for "slow play" on the golf course (we recently took up the game). After that experience when we played the Del Webb course we were careful to keep up the pace, even running at times. A course marshall drove up to us on one hole on the front 9 and we thought "uh oh - here we go again" braced to hear a warning about slow play. "There's no running in golf - take your time!" the marshall said. Whew! He was one of many friendly people we met at Del Webb.

4. You definitely can get more home for the money at Del Webb. Their model park was one of the best I've seen in visiting different age 55+ communities.

We've visited a number of age 55+ communities (including ones in Arizona and Las Vegas). Del Webb Stone Creek and the Villages top our list right now. We are several years away from a possible move but we find it helpful to do these "preview" stays to get a sense of each community.

Just played Stone Creek on Sunday and the course was in magnificent shape. The two of us played as visitors for under $55 so it was a great value. Nice Italian restaurant just up the road, Pavarotti's, that we would recommend.