Should You Move to The Villages in Florida?
Located at the 1000-block of Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages in Florida offers endless opportunities to build a retirement lifestyle that keeps on giving. It’s one of the most sought-after retirement locations in the country and for hundreds of good reasons. Fortunately, The Villages offers comfortable living styles for every residential palate.
Newcomers have three options available for their new home. They can:
- Build their own dream home.
- Finding an already-built and newly-constructed home that’s move-in ready.
- Or snag a pre-owned home that represents some of the most popular home styles available on the market today!
The Villages offers a warm, inviting community that fosters a hometown environment suited for every need and desire a person is longing for in their retirement years. To explore the series of homes and villas available to would-be Villagers, click HERE!
Entertainment Options at the Villages Florida
Within the heart of the community, you’ll find TWO old-fashioned town squares. However, don’t let the facade of the shop fronts fool you! Here in the town square, modern-day fun, live entertainment, and a colorful array of shopping, dining, and movie-going venues await. The Villages Florida was founded and designed by Harold Schwartz, who felt that every hometown needed a common place for residents of the community to gather and socialize. To this day, friends and neighbors can gather together in the town square and take advantage of the fun, inviting activities available only in the Villages.
If watching movies is your passion, you’ll fall in love with the two modern and multi-screen entertainment venues. The Rialto Theatre is an award-winning cinema found in the Spanish Springs Town Square. Meanwhile, the Old Mill Playhouse can be found at Lake Sumter Landing’s Market Square. Whether you’re looking for a fun activity to complement date night or want to find solace from the Florida sun on a hot and humid afternoon, the town square movie theaters provide an inviting refuge. Don’t forget to take your grandchildren for some hot-buttered popcorn to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster, day or night!
Live entertainment is also available year-round. Unique entertainers offer shows and concerts every evening from 5-9 in the gazebos found within both town squares. Additionally, many of The Villages’ restaurants and country clubs offer lively entertainment throughout the year, as well! There’s a reason why The Villages is truly one of the best and most lively active adult communities!
Health and Wellness Possibilities at The Villages
Health and wellness are important, especially as the aging process continues. The Villages recognizes how important health is to its residents. As such, it provides convenient access to top-notch wellness facilities and high-quality medical care. Just a short golf cart ride away residents of the Villages can meet with their doctor or specialist at the Villages Regional Hospital or VA outpatient clinic.
The Villages also recognizes the importance of preventative health care and wellness programs! Through a wide number of health workshops, exercise classes, and fitness programs, Villagers will be sure to keep in great shape. Keeping healthy is easy at the Villages Florida with fitness centers and medical care centers situated conveniently throughout the town. The sports clubs offer personalized training, one-on-one workouts with an expert, spa services, and more!
Of course, spiritual health is important, too! The Villagers boasts several houses of worship, including Protestant churches of every faith, a Catholic church, and a temple for synagogue services. For those who are more into spirituality than organized religion, there are group yoga events and more.
Special Events and Learning Opportunities at The Villages
From golfing exhibitions to book signings to parades to festivals and an annual chili cook-off, The Villages offers a large array of special events and activities for residents. The yearly calendar is chock-full of events for every person. In the fall. residents may participate in Oktoberfest events, with Mardi Gras celebrations early in the year. Monthly newsletters and postings keep residents up to speed on the activities going on in The Villages community!
Not only is it important to keep the body active later in life, but The Villages also recognizes the critical need to keep the mind just as active! The Lifelong Learning College at the Villages offers invigorating courses geared to keep the brain active and the mind sharp. Residents can take part in learning a foreign language or honing their computer and iPad skills.
Cost Breakdown of The Villages
I’m sure your next question is: How much is it going to cost me to live in such a great place? I’m so glad you asked! Fortunately, The Villages is upfront about the cost of living within the community! The information is readily available on their website, with a detailed cost breakdown of the various amenities. For those of you who want the answer NOW, check out the table below to get a little more insight about the cost of living in The Villages!
| Home Series | Total Sq. Ft. Range | Sales Price Range | Monthly Total | Monthly Amenity Fee | Trash Collection | Avg. Sewer | Avg. Water | Avg. Gas/Electric | Avg. Insurance | Avg. Taxes | Avg. Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patio Villas | 1,225 – 1,870 | $242,000 | $1,676 | $858 | $195 | $22 | $40 | $30 | $90 | $120 | $232 |
| Cottage Homes | 1,702 – 2,254 | $285,000 | $1,867 | $1,085 | $195 | $22 | $40 | $40 | $110 | $135 | $283 |
| Courtyard Villas | 1,935 – 2,695 | $349,000 | $2,022 | $1,121 | $195 | $22 | $40 | $30 | $100 | $145 | $359 |
| The Verandas | 2,319 – 3,555 | $448,000 | $2,830 | $1,390 | $195 | $22 | $40 | $50 | $150 | $155 | $478 |
| Designer Homes | 2,030 – 3,560 | $439,000 | $2,865 | $1,379 | $195 | $22 | $40 | $50 | $150 | $155 | $467 |
Should I Move to The Villages?
The Villages, Florida is a unique 55+ retirement community that offers a full-service town filled with everything you could ever want during your retirement. From superb health and wellness facilities to continuing education opportunities, the Villages Florida is a one-of-a-kind living space that you and your family will fall in love with from the moment you arrive! However, it might not be for everyone.
An article on Inside the Bubble entitled “50 Things to Think About Before Moving to The Villages” notes that the following phrases are often used to describe The Villages:
- Age-restricted
- “Gateway to Disney World”
- “Buy the lifestyle, not the house”
- “The Truman Show”
- Golf cart community
- Adult playground
It should be noted that The Villages is a large community. As of 2024, over 150,000+ residents call it home—and more are buying houses there every day! While some people might like the fact that The Villages is age-restricted, others may miss hearing children’s laughter or seeing younger faces around. Additionally, some feel that the community is reminiscent of the 1998 film The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey. If you’ve never seen The Truman Show, that comparison might not raise any eyebrows. To put it simply, detractors feel that the community is glossy to the point of fakeness—a bubble that exists on a square of land even bigger than Manhattan. Below is a clip from The Truman Show to demonstrate that point a little more effectively.
Takeaway
Ultimately, the choice is yours! If you like the thought of living in a retirement bubble packed to the brim with friendly faces, live entertainment, and a wide range of housing options, then The Villages might be the right option for you. Always do your research! Watch videos, read articles, and hear the opinions of residents, both current and former. If you’re seriously considering a move, make sure you visit The Villages first to get a good feel for the environment. Above all else, make sure you can answer this one question: Would a move to The Villages make your retirement better…or more stressful?
Read Next: Boomer Review of the Villages, Florida
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Originally published June 24, 2024
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