florida retirement communities near orlando?

[dis2cruise]

Mom seems interested in moving down to florida for a few months a year to get away from the cold, but she wants to buy into a community. I have heard about "the villages" which is about 1 hr away from dw.

If anyone knows some info...good, bad any info would be appreciated also
she is also interested in other parts of florida as well but would only like to stay in a retirement community.

[safetymom]

There are lots of 55 and over communities here in the Orlando area. None are as large as the Villages.

[HawkeyeThad]

My mom has lived in The Villages for about 1 1/2 years, and absolutely loves it there. The people are friendly, and there's always something to do. It doesn't hurt that it's around an hour to WDW. I love that I can parlay a visit to see mom and a trip to WDW into one trip.

[dis2cruise]

My mom has lived in The Villages for about 1 1/2 years, and absolutely loves it there. The people are friendly, and there's always something to do. It doesn't hurt that it's around an hour to WDW. I love that I can parlay a visit to see mom and a trip to WDW into one trip.

Thanks for you input...Mom might go down for a week or two (check out the villages and some others) soon just to look and get an idea of what they are actually like:thumbsup2

[DisneyKevin]

As Kathy said earlier...

There are a great many "55 plus" communities near Disney.

There are several just west of Disney off Hgwy 27.

The Villages is a massive community with with restaurants, shopping, movie theaters, doctors etc. The community is a small town unto itself.

Most of the other "55 plus" places are smaller individual, communities. They would not have the massive infrastructure that the Villages has.

I hope that makes sense.

[3DisneyKids]

You kind of have to see it to believe it. It is wonderful for the right person. I could never do it, though. The houses are very cookie-cutter and the whole thing is a planned community (which has pros and cons). Well maintained and clean. But totally devoid of personality, diversity, and so on. I spent just a couple of days there visiting my aunt and was literally flipping out after a few hours of driving and walking around. I felt like I was in some weird movie where everyone had been replaced by pod people! :lmao:

[MM32830]

Mom seems interested in moving down to florida for a few months a year to get away from the cold, but she wants to buy into a community. I have heard about "the villages" which is about 1 hr away from dw.

If anyone knows some info...good, bad any info would be appreciated also
she is also interested in other parts of florida as well but would only like to stay in a retirement community.

In some communities you don't own the land the house sits on. You pay a montly fee to lease the land. This isn't as bad as it sounds since you don't pay real estate taxes on the land which can be a substantial savings.

Other communities are more traditional where you own the land.

All communities have HOA (Home Owners Association) fees. Some are more expensive than others but you have to compare apples to apples. Some HOA fees include water, some will include cable TV. Most include outside maintenance (lawn mowing).

In my community the fees include all outdoor maintenance (lawn mowing, edging, trimming), use of the clubhouse (a multi-million dollar club house), discount for the golf course, and they even paint the house every 4 years!

Like Kevin mentioned, most of these communities are west of Disney on 27. Most are within 10 miles north (in Lake Country) or south (in Polk County) of US 192 on US 27. There are a few on US 192 (these are MUCH closer to Disney).

I would suggest calling a real estate broker when you are ready to look. You will pay nothing for the service (the fees are paid by the seller).

Feel free to PM me if you need more info.




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Armand