[pinda]

cre8ivdeb,

I just sent you a PM.

There are various non bundled golf community options in the Bonita Springs and Estero area. I particularly love Cascades and Pelican Landing for different reasons. I agree with many of the people who like gated communities. Non gated community fees are typically less money with less rules but you do get some real value for your fees.

As I mentioned, I just love this area and feel very grateful to the Lord for leading us here. This winter was incredible too.

Feel free to send me a PM for more details.

[HarryWho?]

Originally Posted by Mr.Kurtz

Attention: All Single Reitired Males

Why retire in the US when you could live in South America, if you speak some Spanish. The Villages is an over 65 community. Why date women your own age, when you could be with amazingly beautiful women half your age ... ? Living in Panama or Costa Rica, a mature man over 60 could meet hundreds of attractive women under 30 years of age, no problem.

I say don't conform to the U.S. mindset that says people over 50 have no life left.

If you're a single, viable mature man over 50 - leave the U.S. now.

You'll never regret it.

Is this Mr. Kurtz or Capt. Kurtz? Live in the jungle like a god? Nahhhh....

[Ga Jerk]

Originally Posted by Mr.Kurtz

The Villages is a SCAM.

They target blue collar 9-5 factory types in NE U.S. and Midwest. Union workers, working 30 years for large factory plants like Remington and GM. The tricked worked and a lot of Northerners moved down here to Central Florida thinking it was Bora Bora or Hawaii. What they got was filled in swamp land, bugs, over-priced real estate, sweltering 100% humidity, no culture, etc. Some people will believe anything. The Villages made a lot of people behind the scenes very, very wealthy. From what I udnderstand, the original land owners and developers now live in Hawaii. If you really look at the area around The Villages, there's not much there. Throw up cheap cookie cutter housing, add fake ponds, few waterfalls, fancy clubhouse and entrance gate and BAM! You have a the fantasy. I'm a native of the area. Way before The Villages were here, I was here. A lot of people behind the scenes made ungodly amounts of money from the development of The Villages. For example, the chosen garage door company contracted made bank. The majority of people don't want to accept the fact that money is the motivating factor behind everything, and the selling of The Village Life is a fantasy. Nothing more. Nothing less. I'm not saying you can't be happy at The Villages. You may love living there. If so, more power to you. However, the investment you make at The Villages could buy you a privilaged life in Panama or Costa Rica, or any designated safe Expat community in Mexico. Healthier food, natural juices and cheap labor, and the freedom of less rules and more relaxed lifestyle, not to mention a high abundance of beautiful, slim & feminine women not readily found in the U.S. Sadly, most Midwest and NE retirees simply don't know this.

If people did a little more research and began thinking outside the box ....

Don't hate the playa Mr Kurtz, hate the game.

[CoventryDude]

I hope this isn't an inappropriate place to post this, but I've always wanted to ask someone who lived in the Villages- "Who is Number 2?" ;-)

not everyone will get the reference, though....

[beachmouse]

“Questions are a burden to others; answers a prison for oneself."

You are Number 6.

[Weatherguy]

So how much ARE the fees at The Villages?

I've visited a friend there a dozen times and liked the layout and appearance of the place. In so many U.S. neighborhoods, you end up with slobs living on your block; in The Villages, everyone must keep their properties up. I like that.

I hate the one-dimensional politics of The Villages, but as the residents change through attrition, more progressive or at least moderate people will move in (I understand that it's already starting to happen).

I like that most everyone you meet in The Villages are friendly, regardless of politics. The exception was a newly arrived couple from Madison who we unfortunately were seated with at a musical at some place called the Hacienda (or something like that). This couple immediately insulted everyone at the table (insulted our home towns, insulted our attire, etc.), to the point that we asked to be moved. But that was an exception. With any luck, that couple has left since there's no way they were going to have any friends.

My observation is that most people are happy there, and as long as that's the case, it's not going to matter to the developers that there are a few unhappy people. That is reality.

[marc515]

So, what are the HOA fees for the Villages?

[Bella403]

They are $135 a month. One gets a lot of bang for their buck for these fees though with all that is offered in The Villages. There are so many activities offered, special interest clubs, and facilities to use not to mention the beautiful landscapes, preserves, golf courses and town squares. While this may not be for everyone, it is hard to quibble with the nice lifestyle. You find what you seek here.

[bigtone]

Originally Posted by Bella403

They are $135 a month. One gets a lot of bang for their buck for these fees though with all that is offered in The Villages. There are so many activities offered, special interest clubs, and facilities to use not to mention the beautiful landscapes, preserves, golf courses and town squares. While this may not be for everyone, it is hard to quibble with the nice lifestyle. You find what you seek here.

A few years ago I talked to someone who owned a few houses in the Villages. She mentioned the fees were much more than that.

[Bella403]

Well, I can't speak to that. I live here now and we pay $135 per month.