Welcome to the world of The Villages, Florida, where an active adult lifestyle and vibrant community intertwine to create a unique living experience. The moment you set foot in this sprawling, master-planned paradise, you’ll quickly understand why it has become one of the fastest-growing and most sought-after retirement destinations in the country. So, what makes The Villages so special? Let’s dive in and explore the history, lifestyle, and amenities that await you in this exceptional community.
The Villages is a 20,000 acre active adult community in Central Florida with age restrictions and diverse amenities.
It has seen tremendous growth recently, offering attainable homeownership opportunities to retirees.
The Villages features an established infrastructure system centered around golf carts for easy transportation and access to local news outlets & educational resources.
Nestled in the heart of Central Florida, The Villages began its journey as Orange Blossom Gardens, a small mobile home park founded by Harold Schwartz and Al Tarrson in the early 1970s. Over time, their vision transformed this quaint park into a sprawling, top-selling active adult community spanning over 20,000 acres and housing more than 125,000 residents. With its prime location near Tampa, Orlando, and the beautiful Atlantic coast beaches, The Villages offers a perfect blend of leisure and excitement for retirees seeking an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
From its humble beginnings, the community now has many villagers. The Villages has experienced exponential growth, expanding across three counties: Sumter, Lake, and Marion. At the heart of this thriving community are its town squares, such as Spanish Springs Town Square, Lake Sumter Landing, and Brownwood Paddock Square, offering residents a myriad of dining, shopping and entertainment options. The ongoing development of new neighborhoods, golf courses and recreation centers continues to attract retirees from across the country, solidifying The Villages’ reputation as a premier retirement destination.
The visionaries behind The Villages, Harold Schwartz and Al Tarrson, saw the potential for a unique retirement community in the beautiful Central Florida landscape. They began with the development of Orange Blossom Gardens, a small mobile home park that laid the foundation for what would eventually become The Villages.
Their dedication to creating a vibrant and active adult community laid the groundwork for the immense growth and success that The Villages enjoys today. Many villagers are very thankful.
The impressive growth of The Villages is a testament to its popularity and appeal. Between 2010 and 2020, the community experienced a remarkable 39% growth rate, making it the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States during that time. In fact, The Villages recently announced plans to acquire 2,600 acres for future development, ensuring the community’s continued expansion.
This thriving community also saw a 63% increase in new home sales in 2021, with 4,004 homes sold, further solidifying its position as a top-selling planned community.
To maintain its unique charm and aesthetic appeal, The Villages adheres to specific community design regulations. A dedicated architectural committee oversees the development and design of the neighborhoods, ensuring that each home complements the overall vision of the community. These guidelines not only contribute to the picturesque streetscapes, but also foster a sense of unity and identity among the residents.
In addition to its architectural guidelines, The Villages enforces age requirements for its residents. Approximately 80% of homes in the community must have at least one resident aged 55 or older. This age restriction helps maintain the active adult lifestyle that The Villages is known for and allows the community to cater to the specific needs and interests of its residents. During happy hour at your favorite location most people should be our age.
The Villages is home to approximately 78 distinct neighborhoods, or villages, each with its unique charm and character. These neighborhoods range in size from 100 to 1,550 homes, with notable communities such as the Village of Duval, Village of Lynnhaven, and Village of Belvedere. The architectural committee plays a crucial role in maintaining the visual harmony and consistency of these neighborhoods, ensuring that each residence adheres to the community’s design standards.
The five-member board of supervisors, elected by the landowners of each district, governs the 17 special purpose community development districts (CDD) of The Villages, including the Brownwood Community Development District. These CDDs are responsible for maintaining the composition and consistency of the exterior of the residential properties within the community, ensuring that each neighborhood retains its unique charm and aesthetic appeal.
While there is no specific age requirement for residing in The Villages, the community enforces certain age-related regulations to maintain its active adult atmosphere. Individuals under the age of 19 are not permitted to reside in The Villages full-time and may only visit for a maximum of 30 days per year. Furthermore, those under the age of 30 are not eligible to use the adult pools provided exclusively for residents.
These age restrictions help preserve the unique character and appeal of The Villages, allowing the community to focus on providing amenities and activities that are provided exclusively to its target demographic.
The Villages spans an impressive 34 square miles, encompassing a vast network of roads, neighborhoods, and amenities in the heart of Villages Florida. The community is bordered by US 27/US 441 to the east, US 301 to the west, County Road 42 to the north, and County Road 468 south of 466A. Its prime location in Central Florida provides residents with convenient access to major cities like Tampa and Orlando, as well as the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast beaches.
One of the community’s most picturesque attractions is Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, a small town themed square situated on the shores of Lake Sumter. This bustling area offers a variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options for residents to enjoy including live acts and nightly events throughout the year provided exclusively to mostly residents. The community’s ongoing development ensures that new attractions and amenities are continuously being added, making The Villages an ever-evolving and exciting place to call home.
The Villages boast a diverse demographic, with residents hailing from various regions of the United States, including the Midwest, Northeast, and Staten Island. The median household income in The Villages is $63,841, and the community is predominantly white, comprising 98% of the population. This unique demographic mix contributes to the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere that permeates the community.
Safety and security are paramount in The Villages, with crime rates significantly lower than the Florida average. The community’s focus on homeownership and high quality of life for its residents ensures a safe and welcoming environment for all who call The Villages home.
From its thriving business and healthcare sectors to its extensive recreational opportunities, The Villages offers an unparalleled lifestyle for its residents.
Homeownership trends in The Villages reflect the community’s focus on providing a high quality of life for its residents. The median home list price in The Villages is currently $366,950, and the ratio of approved mortgages for women to men is 115%.
These trends indicate that The Villages is not only a popular choice for retirees, but also a community where homeownership is attainable and accessible to a diverse demographic. The homes for sale in The Villages FL and non-commercial real estate make up most of the local market in this part of the country. The Villages is a great place to live and has fairly steady home values. There are a wide range of housing options but mostly single family homes.
The Villages is renowned for its safety and security measures, ensuring that residents can enjoy their retirement years with peace of mind. Property crime and crimes of opportunity are approximately one-third lower than the state average, while the statistics for violent crimes in the area are half the state average.
The community, managed by a Villages homeowners association, also offers a range of services such as gated neighborhood entries and The Villages Public Safety’s “Home Away” house check and community watch program, further enhancing the safety and security of its residents.
The Villages is home to a thriving business and healthcare sector, offering a wide range of services and amenities to its residents. The commercial occupancy rate in The Villages is comparatively high, and the area’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew a remarkable 51.4% to $2.1 billion. This robust economic growth has also led to the creation of 13,893 jobs between 2010 and 2018, showcasing the community’s commitment to fostering a prosperous environment for both businesses and residents alike. There are no bad property types here.
In addition to its thriving business sector, The Villages boasts a strong healthcare presence, with numerous hospitals, clinics and medical facilities located in close proximity to the community. These healthcare providers offer a wide array of services, ensuring that residents have access to top-quality medical care whenever they need it. The combination of a thriving business and healthcare sector contributes to the overall high quality of life enjoyed by residents of The Villages.
The Villages is a veritable playground for those seeking an active and fulfilling retirement, offering an incredible array of recreational opportunities provided exclusively for residents to enjoy. From its 100 recreation centers and 11 parks, dog parks, and fitness trails to its numerous sports courts and diverse range of activities, there is truly something for everyone in this dynamic community. Whether you’re an avid golfer, a fitness enthusiast, or a lover of the arts, The Villages offers an unparalleled array of options to fill your days with excitement and leisure.
The community also places a strong emphasis on lifelong learning, with programs such as The Enrichment Academy and Camp Villages providing residents with opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills. The Enrichment Academy is a fee-based program offering noncredit courses in a variety of subjects, while Camp Villages is an eight-week summer program designed for residents and their grandchildren to participate in a wide range of activities, from sports and cooking demos to arts and crafts.
The Villages is a golfer’s paradise, offering an astounding 50 golf courses for residents to enjoy. With 12 championship golf courses and more than 40 executive golf courses, there are no shortage of options for golf enthusiasts to choose from. The golf courses in The Villages are meticulously designed and maintained, providing a challenging and enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. Arnold Palmer was said to have had some influence here.
In addition to the abundance of golf courses, The Villages offers a comprehensive golf instruction academy, providing lessons and clinics for golfers wishing to improve their game. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, the golf academy’s expert instructors can help you hone your skills and elevate your game to new heights. I know of at least one person who could use improvement if he could get out of the woodworking shop.
One of the most unique aspects of golf in The Villages is the golf cart lifestyle that permeates the community. With golf carts being the primary mode of transportation, residents can easily navigate from their homes to the golf courses, recreation centers and town squares.
This golf cart-centric lifestyle not only adds to the charm and appeal of The Villages, but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and connection among residents. It has also influenced the property types as most neighborhoods have homes with spaces for golf carts.
The Villages offers a wide array of fitness and leisure options for residents looking to stay active and healthy during their retirement years. The community’s recreation centers provide access to a variety of fitness classes, such as aerobics, yoga, power walking, and weight training. Additionally, residents can take advantage of the numerous sports courts available, including tennis, bocce ball, shuffleboard, pickleball and basketball.
For those with artistic inclinations. The Villages provides ample opportunities to engage in creative pursuits. Residents can participate in activities such as ceramics, painting, quilting and woodworking, allowing them to explore their passions and develop new skills in a supportive and engaging environment. The combination of fitness, leisure and artistic opportunities ensures that there is never a dull moment in The Villages.
The Villages has a unique government structure and political landscape, characterized by its 17 special purpose districts and strong Republican influence (opinion based but deemed reliable). These districts, established in accordance with Florida State Statutes, are responsible for a range of local government functions, including financing, constructing, operating and maintaining community-wide infrastructure, improvements, and services for the benefit of the properties within their boundaries, including FL real estate. In addition this is a census designated place.
The political landscape in The Villages is heavily influenced by its predominantly Republican-leaning population. Strong representation at the state and county levels, coupled with frequent visits from political figures, has cemented The Villages as a significant player in local and national politics. This unique political atmosphere adds another layer of intrigue and engagement to life in this vibrant community.
Dennis Baxley, a Republican, represents Florida Senate District 12 in The Villages. Likewise, Brett Hage, also a Republican, represents Florida House of Representatives District 33. Additionally, The Villages is located in Sumter County Florida and is represented in the United States Congress by Representative Daniel Webster.
This strong Republican presence at both the state and county levels further emphasizes the conservative political atmosphere that permeates the community unlike much of south Florida.
Community Development Districts (CDDs) play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of The Villages and any FL real estate. These special-purpose districts authorized under Florida law are responsible for financing, constructing, operating and maintaining community-wide infrastructure, improvements and services for the benefit of the properties within their boundaries.
Funded through property taxes and user fees, CDDs ensure that The Villages continues to grow and thrive, providing its residents with a high quality of life and a thriving community for residents. Villages homes for sale will always be a good long term investment. get involved with your property owners association.
The Villages is a popular destination for political visits and has a strong influence on local and national politics, particularly within the Republican party. Its unique position as a rapidly growing, politically engaged community makes it an attractive location for campaigning and its impact on presidential elections is undeniable.
The strong Republican presence and representation at both the state and county levels further solidify its position as a significant player in the political landscape. The Villages developer would be proud of what their community and the local championship courses here as well.
Over the years, that has changed. The Villages has welcomed visits from numerous governors, senators, representatives and presidential candidates. These political visits not only contribute to the community’s reputation as a politically influential area, but also provide residents with the opportunity to engage with and learn from these prominent figures. The combination of political visits and influence adds another layer of excitement and engagement to life in The Villages.
The Villages offers educational opportunities for its residents through The Villages Charter School, which provides instruction for children of employees or residents in designated areas, from kindergarten to 12th grade. The school is renowned as one of the most successful public charter schools in Florida, offering comprehensive education with an emphasis on the arts, sciences, and technology, as well as a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs.
In addition to its educational offerings, The Villages has a strong media presence, including developer-owned media outlets such as The Villages Daily Sun, a newspaper, and WMFV, a public radio station. These media properties not only provide residents with local news and information, but also serve as a platform for the community to engage with and stay informed about the issues that matter most to them.
The Villages Charter School is a state-operated public charter school that offers instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade for children of employees or residents in designated areas. Established in August 2000, the school is renowned for its success and commitment to providing a well-rounded education for its students.
With an emphasis on the arts, sciences, and technology, as well as a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, The Villages Charter School ensures that students receive a comprehensive and engaging educational experience.
The Villages developers own and operate several media properties, including The Villages Daily Sun, a newspaper and WMFV, a public radio station. These developer-owned media outlets provide residents with local news, information and a platform for community engagement.
Through these media properties, residents can stay informed about the latest developments in The Villages and the issues that matter most to them as well as identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in. This making it easier for prospective properties consumers to find their ideal homes.
Transportation and infrastructure in The Villages are designed to accommodate the unique needs and lifestyle of its residents. Golf carts are the primary mode of transportation within the community with a vast network of roads and trails dedicated to their use. This golf cart-centric lifestyle allows residents to easily navigate between their homes, golf courses, recreation centers, and town squares, fostering a sense of community and connection among the residents. The town square is always a popular place.
Ongoing development in The Villages continues to improve its infrastructure and transportation options. We have put together plans to build three extra overpasses. One of these will pass over Florida State Road 44 close to Rohan Recreation Center. The other two bridges will go over Florida’s Turnpike. These improvements, coupled with the community’s commitment to expanding and enhancing its infrastructure, ensure that The Villages remains a vibrant and dynamic place to call home.
The Villages, Florida, offers an unparalleled living experience for those seeking an active adult lifestyle in a vibrant and thriving community. From its humble beginnings as Orange Blossom Gardens to its current status as a top-selling planned community, The Villages has continuously evolved and expanded to meet the needs and desires of its residents.
With its picturesque neighborhoods, robust amenities, diverse recreational opportunities and strong political influence, The Villages truly stands out as a premier retirement destination. We invite you to experience the unique charm and allure of The Villages for yourself, and discover the countless possibilities that await you in this remarkable community.
The Villages in Florida is an amazing retirement community, boasting over 80 recreation centers, 50 golf courses, 2,500 clubs and activities, and three town squares. This vibrant, over 55 active adult golf cart community offers a high quality of life desired by many retirees.
Yes, celebrities such as Nancy Lopez, Megan Boone and Ray Knight have all called The Villages Florida home.
The average household income in The Villages, Florida is $64,933. This figure is derived from the 2020 population of 81.4K people with a median age of 72.2 and a median household income of $67,239.
Home prices in The Villages, FL are trending downwards, with the median listing price for May 2023 being $399.9K, a decrease of -4.8% from the same period last year.
This is a significant drop from the median listing price of $419.9K in May 2022. It is likely that the decrease in home prices is due to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decrease in home prices is a concern for potential buyers.
Golf carts are the primary mode of transportation in The Villages, allowing residents to enjoy the outdoors while getting from place to place.
They are a great way to explore the area, as they are easy to maneuver and can be used to access many of the amenities that The Villages has to offer. Golf carts are also a great option. Contact us today about any of the Villages FL homes for sale.
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Wendy Morris LLC
DBA Wendy Morris Realty
Licensed in the State of Florida
BK 3146762
16797 Broadwater Avenue
Winter Garden, Florida 34787
