Questions for the central Forida members.

Robin and I are planning on retiring in the Leesburg area, and are looking for any info and opinions on the area. We are both pushing 60 and plan on heading down there when we hit 62. We have our sights set on Hawthorne at Leesburg retirement community. It has a lot to offer in our price range, which isn't much. We presently live in the frozen north, in the Finger lakes region of NY. Great place in the summer, Sux in the winter. we are hoping to get down that way this spring to look around and get a feel for the area. Not sure if we will trailer the trike or cage it down. Thanks for your input.

I live way south of there, but go to that area a couple of times a year. It's one of the fastest growing retirement areas in the state. People love it there. Taxes are reasonable and the whole area is setup for retired people. The summer can be very hot though. Mid to high 90s and little breeze. High humidity to go along with it. Check to see if sink holes are an issue in that area. Also get to like golf carts they appear to be the primary mode to transport in the community. Good luck

I live 15 minutes from there in The Villages and love it. Moved here from S. Florida and enjoy the cooler winters and much better riding with some curves and hills. The summers are hot but not as humid as S. Florida but more so than probably what you are used to. In the summer we do breakfast rides and get home by noon. In the winter it's great and in the 4 years I've been up here it only hit the high 20's twice but warmed to the low 60's by noon. Usually this time of year it will be in the mid to low 50's when you wake up but will get into the 70's in the afternoon. Winter brings a lot of traffic from snow birds visiting but summer is much better. Temp now at 5:15 PM is 81 degs.

I'm a snowbird in The Villages and love it. The Villages is a big target to bash and many people do but those that check it out usually change their minds fast.
We also have friends north of The Villages, just south of Belleview, in a Del Webb community called Spruce Creek. Very good value and a nice community.
You'll find many options in this area. Friendly people, lots to do, reasonable prices and close to events in other areas like Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Gainsville, etc.

[QUOTE=steamer;268960]Robin and I are planning on retiring in the Leesburg area, and are looking for any info and opinions on the area. We are both pushing 60 and plan on heading down there when we hit 62. We have our sights set on Hawthorne at Leesburg retirement community. It has a lot to offer in our price range, which isn't much. We presently live in the frozen north, in the Finger lakes region of NY. Great place in the summer, Sux in the winter. we are hoping to get down that way this spring to look around and get a feel for the area. Not sure if we will trailer the trike or cage it down. Thanks for your input.[/QUOTE]

WE lived in The Villages for 14 years. We saw the population go from 20,000 to present 110,000. We moved back to Wisconsin in June. The Villages just got too big for us and our town of 600 up here is great. Course we can not ride in the winter. The Villages also has maxed out on people from NY and NJ :):D:):)

I've enjoyed reading these comments since I will be visiting The Villages for the first time. I'm looking for acquaint myself with the general area in hopes of getting a place for the winter. I have friends who live there and really love the place.............It sounds like it might be crowded, especially in the winter, but I don't know it I'd dislike it enough for move back to Wisconsin and put up with those brutal winters. I'm looking forward to hauling my Trike down and check the place out.

[SIZE=3]Here's another option for you: Ocala's southwest quadrant. Supposed to be the horse capital of the world and it may well be judging by the number of beautiful horse farms in the area.

Ma and I live in a 600 home community called Marion Landing that's about as friendly as I've ever seen, about 20 miles north of the Villages with no congestion, no crime, very low amenities (which include our own bowling alley), free water and sewer, twice a week garbage pick-up and more. About the only time anybody leave this community is if they die or they absolutely have to move closer to their children. Ma and I have been here 5 years and don't have any plans on leaving unless something drastic changes. The other nice thing about Marion Landing is that there was an establishede motorcycle club when me moved in and its grow in that time. New riders just keep moving in!

If you are interested in this part of the country please don't worry about PM ing me and I'd be happy answer any questions you may have or to show you this nifty community we live in. It's inexpensive to live here, unlike the Villages, and I can't remember the last time there was any crime here either.

Phu Cat
[email]tdhdnme@aol.com[/email][/SIZE]

Hi everyone , wife and I are snowbirding from Maine , here in Orange City ,Fl. I have a house in Deland not far from Rt 44 to Leesburg and surrounding areas , we just needed a bigger house as we have 5 dogs , Deland house is on the market now , 2 br , 2 bath , big area room move in condition , just thought I would put this out there . Its ok to contact me if any more info is needed,Thanks