The Villages Isn’t Easy to Search for Your New Home!
Homes in The Villages are covered by 6 Zip Codes, 3 counties, 51 square miles and a 30-minute drive from the northern most home to the southern most home. Using a home search site with either a map, zip codes or using the name The Villages you will either get you way too many homes outside of The Villages or leave many desirable homes off the list. To take full advantage of all the amenities offered by living in The Villages you need to live in The Villages not a community nearby.
Dick Betts will set you up a search area based on where you want to be and the price range you are considering. We can start with entire area of The Villages so you get a feel or we can narrow it down closer to where you want to call home.
Areas of The Villages
Over the years, I have had friends interested in moving to The Villages and very early on in the conversation they realize for the first time The Villages is huge! With about 130,000 people and 51 square miles and a good 30-minute drive from end to end we need to dig a little deeper into what is important to them.
Normally when you begin your search for a new home you meet with your REALTOR® and explain what you need, for example a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, open concept, quiet neighborhood and outdoor living space. That is easy I can find about 300 of them for you! But here is how we should start our search, WHERE?
I have divided The Villages into 5 areas to help you decide where to start our search for your Home in The Villages. Each area has advantages depending on what is on your list of important things you desire in the area you live. Golf courses? Not to worry! Quiet neighborhood? Not to worry! Close to retail and dining? We have that, some areas more than others! I have even been asked about mature trees and landscaping, yes, we have that!
Please remember prices in The Villages range from the low $100,000’s to over a million and not all areas have such a wide range of prices. So, what’s on your list?
The Villages 5 Geographic Areas
Area 1 – Original Area
This was the original mobile home park area which eventually became The Villages when bought in the mid 1970’s. Today there are still some mobile homes in this area but many have been removed to make way for onsite built homes in the area. This area is located in Lake County, Florida. Excellent area for shopping, entertainment and access to hospital and medical faculties.
Area 2 - Spanish Springs Area
This is the first expansion crossing from the east side of US Route 441 to the west side which includes the first home built in Sumter and Marion Counties of Florida. Construction of shopping, entertainment centers with home building starting in the mid 1990’s. Shopping and dining lining US 441 to the east and State Route 42 to the north offers many choices for area residents. The Village Hospital is located in this section, the three major entertainment venues, The Sharon, The Savannah Center and The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol all located in this Section. The first Town Square Spanish Springs is located in this area offering nightly entertainment, retail shopping and dining.
Area 3 – County Road 466 to County Road 466a
Built in early 2000 The Villages expand across County Road 466 and began building homes and a second Town Square Lake Sumter Landing. Dining, shopping and entertainment all located around the square. The two county roads bordering this area offer many choices for shopping and dining.
Area 4 – County Road 466a to State Route 44
The Villages expand south of County Road 466a in the early 2010’s. The third Town Square was opened, Brownwood Paddock Square which offers dining, shopping and entertainment. Currently expansion of dining, shopping and medical facilities are opening almost daily in this section to support the growth in the area.
Area 5 – South of State Route 44
The last few years has seen The Villages moving south and crossing the Florida Turnpike. Many new homes are built and expansion is planned to build many more. Shopping and dining is planned in commercial areas and will soon be opening to serve the fast-growing community. Bridges over the turnpike and State Route 44 are being constructed to connect this area to current dining, shopping and entertainment located north of State Road 44.
The Executive Golf Courses in The Villages have been rated
from 1 the easiest to 4 the most challenging. Click on the PDF to view the ratings.
