55+ Communities in Florida

[webprinter]

DH and I have decided to purchase a house in Florida. We have narrowed it down to two communities and are wondering if anyone has experience living or knowing anyone who lives in these two communities: On Top of the World and Oak Run, (both in Ocala)? We have to keep our price as low as possible since we don't want a mortgage, which rules out a lot of the ones we like (Solivita, Del Webb and Pringle). We plan to move as soon as we can find jobs. Being a nurse, I am hoping it won't be too hard for me. My part time dream job when I retire in a few years is working at Disney. Are there any cast members who live this far away and work at Disney? Thanks in advance.

 

[DVC-Don]

That's a hike for a Disney job in my opinion. Google maps has it 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes one way depending on the route taken.

 

[Luvchefmic]

That's a hike for a Disney job in my opinion. Google maps has it 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes one way depending on the route taken.

oh boy totally agree way too far away for a job at Disney You'll use more in gas back & forth than you'll ever get paid PT at Disney

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I live in Solivita. We have about 70 members in the Solivita Disney Cast Members Club.

 

[dyna]

I agree way to far to drive for any job at Disney.

DH an I lived in a 55 plus community for over a year while it was not the ones you are looking at they are all similar in a lot of ways.

1. DH felt he was living in a holding tank of old peeps just waiting to die.

2.The drama never stopped....Way to many ppl living to close together.

3.In our community we owned house but not lot yet tree maintence came out of our pocket not the parks.

4. DH an I wanted to own house and land...our house payment is with in 25.00 of what we was paying in lot rent.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I live in Solivita. We have about 70 members in the Solivita Disney Cast Members Club.

That has to be sweet. Their floorplans are on my vision board in pinterest.

OP, you have to buck it up and pay if you have dreams of working part time at WDW. Where you are looking now, it is not going to happen.

 

[phorsenuf]

I live in Solivita. We have about 70 members in the Solivita Disney Cast Members Club.

How long does it take you to get to the parks? I drove down that way once and it seemed kinda far out. Maybe there's another way, I don't know. I went down Ponciana off 92.

 

[Luvchefmic]

How long does it take you to get to the parks? I drove down that way once and it seemed kinda far out. Maybe there's another way, I don't know. I went down Ponciana off 92.

just noticed the change to your location in your user ID that was SOME poster opinion on Polk County wasn't it ?? LOVE your sense of humor !

back to the OP they did mention the place Cheshire Figment lives was out of the running for them due to not wanting a mortgage ? There are many communities that would fit the bill for what they are looking
for a CM friend lives in Kissimmee near Medieval Times area seems pretty nice & takes her minutes to get to work at POP There's also Lakeland ( BIG area so some of it is near I-4) , Auburndale, etc in the other direction about 30 minutes out

 

[Cheshire Figment]

My house is 13 miles from Disney property as the crow flies. However, the roads have been laid out by drunken crows. I do allow about an hour to work in case of traffic problems (so I will not be late), but actual travel time tends to be about 40 minutes. And there is a new road under construction that will easily cut 10-15 minutes off that once it is open.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Not sure what your price range is? But Del Webb Orlando is a fast easy 15-20 min (10 miles) from WDW in Davenport, Polk County. There are many there still working full-time & many Cast Members too! They have smaller homes that aren't too much...worth a look-see. They bill themselves as 'closest Del Webb to WDW.' which is only one reason we will probably choose it.

Solivita has tons of resales & many are very reasonable (but for me, after a lifetime of commuting) it is just too far away.

In Lake County, about 20-25 min away in Clermont, Kings Ridge offers reasonable resales (& other CMs) as well.

I agree with others that the Ocala area is just too darn far!!!

Good luck in your search...WDW seems to be a hot destination for us Boomers!!
PS...There is a huge Central FLA hospital across the street & up about a mile from DWO!

 

[sam_gordon]

My house is 13 miles from Disney property as the crow flies. However, the roads have been laid out by drunken crows. I do allow about an hour to work in case of traffic problems (so I will not be late), but actual travel time tends to be about 40 minutes. And there is a new road under construction that will easily cut 10-15 minutes off that once it is open.

Of course he didnt say it takes 10 minutes just to get out of Solivita. Lol


(My parents live there and we've been there to visit)

 

[phorsenuf]

Not sure what your price range is? But Del Webb Orlando is a fast easy 15-20 min (10 miles) from WDW in Davenport, Polk County. There are many there still working full-time & many Cast Members too! They have smaller homes that aren't too much...worth a look-see. They bill themselves as 'closest Del Webb to WDW.' which is only one reason we will probably choose it.

Solivita has tons of resales & many are very reasonable (but for me, after a lifetime of commuting) it is just too far away.

In Lake County, about 20-25 min away in Clermont, Kings Ridge offers reasonable resales (& other CMs) as well.

I agree with others that the Ocala area is just too darn far!!!

Good luck in your search...WDW seems to be a hot destination for us Boomers!!
PS...There is a huge Central FLA hospital across the street & up about a mile from DWO!

Is that the one down on 27? Ridgewood or something like that? Across from lighthouse storage?

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Is that the one down on 27? Ridgewood or something like that? Across from lighthouse storage?

Yep! That is it...DWO is part of the Ridgewood Lakes Master Planned Community which reminds me....


For the OP.....Ridgewood Lakes also has a 55+ neighborhood with gorgeous amenities, golf course AND REALLY great prices on resales!!!

Both on 27...Publix 1/2 mile, Posner Mall 1/2 mile, 4 minutes to I-4 & 10 to WDW!!!!! (also some back roads to avoid I-4 but we don't know them yet)

We LOVE the location!

HAHA! JUST REALIZED you are IN DAVENPORT, phorsenuf! Guess you know all this already.

 

[phorsenuf]

Yep! That is it...DWO is part of the Ridgewood Lakes Master Planned Community which reminds me....


For the OP.....Ridgewood Lakes also has a 55+ neighborhood with gorgeous amenities, golf course AND REALLY great prices on resales!!!

Both on 27...Publix 1/2 mile, Posner Mall 1/2 mile, 4 minutes to I-4 & 10 to WDW!!!!! (also some back roads to avoid I-4 but we don't know them yet)

We LOVE the location!

HAHA! JUST REALIZED you are IN DAVENPORT, phorsenuf! Guess you know all this already.

We use that storage center and just yesterday when leaving I said to my husband that we should check that place out sometime.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

We use that storage center and just yesterday when leaving I said to my husband that we should check that place out sometime.

OH!!! We are going to be looking into that storage place...Don't wanna hijack OPs thread here...can I pm a few questions to you???

 

[phorsenuf]

OH!!! We are going to be looking into that storage place...Don't wanna hijack OPs thread here...can I pm a few questions to you???

Sure can.