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Post by disnydad on May 26, 2023 7:37:06 GMT -5
Does anyone have experience with Solivita? It seems to be like the Villages "lite". It appears to be very pretty in the videos online and I like the Tuscan theme. Also, the area is more politically diverse which I appreciate. We have lived in Solivita for 13+ years. (9 years as snow birds and 3+ full time). We call it a mini Villages as there are approx 5,000 people here compared to 100,000 in The Villages. Got a drug store, golf grill, pizza place and a part time sorta fancy restaurant. Two 18 hole golf courses, two rec centers with gyms (one has both outside and indoor pools, the other outside). We drive about in the "bubble" in carts. Also have a "ball room" building where various activities take place. Different times of year there are street parties, car shows and parades in our village. There is also a full service hospital just outside the main gate. Gated access with 24 hour security officers. There are also 11 satellite pools in some neighborhoods. EPCOT is approx 45 min most days, but depends on time of day and traffic. |
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Post by BWV Dreamin on May 26, 2023 8:18:08 GMT -5
Does anyone have experience with Solivita? It seems to be like the Villages "lite". It appears to be very pretty in the videos online and I like the Tuscan theme. Also, the area is more politically diverse which I appreciate. We have lived in Solivita for 13+ years. (9 years as snow birds and 3+ full time). We call it a mini Villages as there are approx 5,000 people here compared to 100,000 in The Villages. Got a drug store, golf grill, pizza place and a part time sorta fancy restaurant. Two 18 hole golf courses, two rec centers with gyms (one has both outside and indoor pools, the other outside). We drive about in the "bubble" in carts. Also have a "ball room" building where various activities take place. Different times of year there are street parties, car shows and parades in our village. There is also a full service hospital just outside the main gate. Gated access with 24 hour security officers. There are also 11 satellite pools in some neighborhoods. EPCOT is approx 45 min most days, but depends on time of day and traffic. So glad to read this! Looked briefly online, the community looks beautiful! Thanks for posting. |
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Post by SuzanneSLO on May 26, 2023 8:22:24 GMT -5
Interesting discussion. I had no idea that The Villages was that large. Not to derail the discussion, but I wonder about whether plans for long term care play into a choice to move? Is it generally available in The Villages and Solivita or is the plan to move again — to be closer to children, or to a continuing care retirement center or similar — as the golden years start fading?
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Post by BWV Dreamin on May 26, 2023 9:19:44 GMT -5
Interesting discussion. I had no idea that The Villages was that large. Not to derail the discussion, but I wonder about whether plans for long term care play into a choice to move? Is it generally available in The Villages and Solivita or is the plan to move again — to be closer to children, or to a continuing care retirement center or similar — as the golden years start fading? As far as the Villages go, it appears people move about three times within the Villages once they relocate there. There are so many neighborhoods, home styles and price ranges. I guess it takes an awhile to know exactly where you fit in there. I do hear about many people not finding “friends” to socialize with and health concerns that have some selling and moving back closer to family. So I am not sure it’s a “ last move” for some. It must be very expensive to keep moving and then ultimately move back “home”. |
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Post by SuzanneSLO on May 26, 2023 11:30:55 GMT -5
Interesting discussion. I had no idea that The Villages was that large. Not to derail the discussion, but I wonder about whether plans for long term care play into a choice to move? Is it generally available in The Villages and Solivita or is the plan to move again — to be closer to children, or to a continuing care retirement center or similar — as the golden years start fading? As far as the Villages go, it appears people move about three times within the Villages once they relocate there. There are so many neighborhoods, home styles and price ranges. I guess it takes an awhile to know exactly where you fit in there. I do hear about many people not finding “friends” to socialize with and health concerns that have some selling and moving back closer to family. So I am not sure it’s a “ last move” for some. It must be very expensive to keep moving and then ultimately move back “home”. No just expensive, but also stressful to keep moving. I’m looking at possibly relocating within the next 5 years, although not to The Villages or anywhere in Florida as my current state has both excellent weather and I will pay low taxes there in retirement. Been in the current home for 30+ years, so not looking forward to decluttering. My dilemma is whether to wait until a CCRC is right for me or move sooner? |
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Post by BWV Dreamin on May 27, 2023 10:47:49 GMT -5
What is CCRC?
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Post by SuzanneSLO on May 27, 2023 11:18:45 GMT -5
Sorry for using an acronym. A CCRC is a Continuing Care Retirement Center. While the financial structure varies, they all have various levels of living arrangements for seniors from independent living to assisted living to nursing home. People who move in must qualify to live independently when they arrive but can later move to different levels of care if their health deteriorates. It can be ideal for couples because the independent spouse can continue to live in the same space while a sicker spouse is moved to appropriate facilities which are close enough for regular visits. As a recent childless widow, I’m thinking it might be ideal in lessening the future burden on my siblings. The typical newcomer in a CCRC is usually older than those in a 55+ independent living only community, although one well-known finance guru said he moved into a CCRC in his late 50’s because of its vibrant pickleball scene. |
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ceetee
Waiting on ROFR
Posts: 9
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Post by ceetee on May 27, 2023 12:15:17 GMT -5
You might be interested in listening to the recent episode of the Flightless Bird podcast where they visit The Villages. The podcast is an offshoot of Armchair Expert and is hosted by a journalist from New Zealand who was "stranded" here during the pandemic and has been exploring "uniquely American" things. According to this episode, it's hanging a certain color loofah scrub from your golf cart that can signal your interest in swinging. And I forget the statistic, but they said while it's not the STD capital of the world it does "top the charts" in some STD-related regard. Someone they talked to described living there as going back to college but with nice things and a gold card.  The social atmosphere, multitude of restaurants, live entertainment in the "town squares" nightly, and various hobby-focused clubs sound really fun. Note that he was NOT officially hosted by The Villages, did his own research, and talked to one resident on one afternoon ... so it's just one anecdotal view. But I still found it interesting. |
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Post by BWV Dreamin on May 27, 2023 12:39:27 GMT -5
Sorry for using an acronym. A CCRC is a Continuing Care Retirement Center. While the financial structure varies, they all have various levels of living arrangements for seniors from independent living to assisted living to nursing home. People who move in must qualify to live independently when they arrive but can later move to different levels of care if their health deteriorates. It can be ideal for couples because the independent spouse can continue to live in the same space while a sicker spouse is moved to appropriate facilities which are close enough for regular visits. As a recent childless widow, I’m thinking it might be ideal in lessening the future burden on my siblings. The typical newcomer in a CCRC is usually older than those in a 55+ independent living only community, although one well-known finance guru said he moved into a CCRC in his late 50’s because of its vibrant pickleball scene. My brother worked for one of these continuing care facilities. They were very popular in early 2000’s for about 15 years. Then then once the 2008-2009 recession hit, people started losing value in their homes. This is when the CCRC started to lose business as the elderly lost much of their home values thus money they would have used for much of the entrance fees. I think they have made a resurgence in the last 5 years , especially since the home prices have surged since Covid. And then yes with the inclusion of Pickleball . I think it would be a great option for your situation. |
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Post by ItsMe on May 28, 2023 14:55:41 GMT -5
This is an interesting documentary about the Villages. It’s long but worth a watch if you are considering moving there.
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Post by bakerworld on May 29, 2023 7:13:58 GMT -5
We were once approached by a couple from the Villages while sitting in Epcot eating ice cream in the WS. Interesting experience. He was retired military and seemed young to be retired - 50's. He left his card for future reference. At the time we thought we were about 10 years from retirement. Turned out we were closer than we thought but at the time, and currently, retirement communities were not on our radar.
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Post by BWV Dreamin on May 29, 2023 11:32:30 GMT -5
We were once approached by a couple from the Villages while sitting in Epcot eating ice cream in the WS. Interesting experience. He was retired military and seemed young to be retired - 50's. He left his card for future reference. At the time we thought we were about 10 years from retirement. Turned out we were closer than we thought but at the time, and currently, retirement communities were not on our radar. We are trying to see if we can make our current neighborhood “ retirement friendly “ for us. A new medical outpatient center is about 1.5 miles from my house. I plan on riding my electric bike to my next appt. We just joined a country club, not for the golf, but for the pool and social activities. I am joining a Mah Jongg game club that meets every Wednesday in my neighborhood. ( I have been watching You Tubes on it for a week now  ). We will see how all of this goes. If it all works, we be staying! |
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The social atmosphere, multitude of restaurants, live entertainment in the "town squares" nightly, and various hobby-focused clubs sound really fun. Note that he was NOT officially hosted by The Villages, did his own research, and talked to one resident on one afternoon ... so it's just one anecdotal view. But I still found it interesting. 
). We will see how all of this goes. If it all works, we be staying!