{"id":1758,"date":"2020-01-08T02:10:53","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T02:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/?page_id=1758"},"modified":"2025-03-18T15:14:32","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T19:14:32","slug":"moving-to-the-villages-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/moving-company\/the-villages\/moving-to-the-villages-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Villages Moving Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<section id=\"\" class=\"c-hero-banner-level-three not-prose wp-block-genesis-custom-blocks-hero-banner-level-three\" style=\"\">    <div class=\"c-hero-banner c-hero-banner-level-three hero-banner-level-three min-h-[179px] bg-primary bg-[bottom_right_-92px] bg-no-repeat m-[0_auto_48px] px-[70px] max-lg:px-[20px] max-lg:bg-[bottom_right_-142px] max-md:m-[0_auto_64px] max-md:w-full max-md:min-h-[148px]   \"   style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/moving-to-city-guide.jpg);\" >\n\t    <div class=\" max-w-full px-[15px] mx-auto\">\n            <div class=\" flex flex-wrap mx-[-15px]\">\n                <div class=\" relative p-0 lg:px-[5px] flex-1 max-w-none min-h-[179px] max-md:min-h-[148px]\">\n                    <div class=\" h-full w-full max-w-[900px]\">\n                                                    <p \n                                class=\"max-md:text-[38px] max-lg:text-[44px] max-lg:bottom-[38%] max-md:w-full max-md:bottom-[36%] text-white absolute bottom-[34%] text-[60px] leading-none font-condensed font-semibold uppercase drop-shadow-[0_2px_4px_rgba(0,0,0,0.5)] mb-0 w-full max-w-[900px]\"\n                            >\n                                The Villages Moving Guide                            <\/p>\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t    <\/div>\n\t    <div class=\"relative after:bg-[url('\/wp-content\/themes\/oyova-blocks\/dist\/images\/dashes.png')] after:absolute after:bg-cover after:bg-bottom after:w-[830px] after:h-[10px] after:bottom-[-6px] after:left-[-70px] after:max-md:bg-no-repeat after:max-md:w-full after:max-md:h-[11px] after:max-md:left-[-20px] after:max-md:bg-contain after:max-md:bg-left after:max-md:bg-[url('\/wp-content\/themes\/oyova-blocks\/dist\/images\/dashes-mob.png')]\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n<section id=\"\" class=\"c-breadcrumbs not-prose wp-block-genesis-custom-blocks-breadcrumbs\" style=\"\"><nav> <ol class='c-breadcrumbs_list-items'> <li class='c-breadcrumbs-item'><a href=\/moving-company>Home Moving<\/a><\/li><li class='c-breadcrumbs-item'> <a href=\/moving-company\/the-villages>The Villages<\/a><li class='c-breadcrumbs-item active'>The Villages Moving Guide<\/li><\/ol><\/nav>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Moving to The Villages, FL? Read Our Ultimate Moving Guide<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Florida has long been a haven\nfor retirees and they&#8217;ve had plenty of options to choose from throughout the\nstate. One destination, however, stands above the rest: The Villages, the\nlargest active adult community in the nation. Its 20,000 acres spreads across\nthree zip codes and three counties, and additional growth is always being\nplanned. A few years ago, The Villages was the fastest-growing metro area in\nthe U.S., with an estimated 128,700 residents, including all of Sumter County. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what do these numbers mean to you if you&#8217;re planning to move to The Villages? In a word: choices! Read on for a preview of what awaits you, then get in touch with Suddath<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> for a free estimate on <a href=\"\/moving-company\/the-villages\/\">The Villages<\/a> moving services. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">&#8220;Florida&#8217;s Friendliest Hometown&#8221;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Villages is billed as &#8220;Florida&#8217;s Friendliest Hometown&#8221; and, based on the reviews, thousands of people agree. Maybe that&#8217;s due to all of the fun activities that give everyone several chances a day to gather or maybe it&#8217;s just a population that&#8217;s happy to live without snow shovels. Either way, the community is frequently ranked as one of the nation&#8217;s most popular places to retire. (Forbes included The Villages on its <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/williampbarrett\/2018\/04\/23\/the-best-places-to-retire-in-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\">2018 list of 25 Best Places to Retire<\/a>.) If a full social calendar that lets you mingle with neighbors in your age group sounds like the perfect way to spend your retirement years, a <a href=\"\/moving-company\/the-villages\/\">residential move to The Villages<\/a> may be just right for you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">Getting Around The Villages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you don&#8217;t plan to\never step on the golf course after you move, you may want a golf cart. By\nunofficial estimates, there are more than 60,000 golf carts in The Villages,\nand for good reason: The community has so many amenities and conveniences that\nyou may not crank up your car very often, and cart-friendly paths and bridges\nare everywhere. When the golf cart won&#8217;t do, you can hop on The Villages shuttle,\nwhich loops throughout the community every weekday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, The Villages was chosen in 2018 as a testing ground for autonomous vehicles. The driverless car program is run by <a href=\"https:\/\/voyage.auto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Voyage Auto<\/a>, and plans are in place to expand it to larger areas in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For more traditional transportation, your\nchoices include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sumtercountyfl.gov\/95\/Transit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sumter County Transit<\/a> for transportation to medical appointments, employment, shopping and more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\"Workman Transportation (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/workmantransportation.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Workman Transportation<\/a> for service to and from the airport, point-to-point pickups, and corporate luxury service rides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">The Villages Neighborhoods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An important thing to know\nabout The Villages is that it&#8217;s comprised of three communities centered around\ntown squares and that it has dozens of individual neighborhoods. Each\nneighborhood offers housing in a range of prices and styles, from\nlow-maintenance patio villas starting in the $160,000s to large, luxurious\nsingle-family homes starting in the $600,000s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s a list of the communities and the neighborhoods within each:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lake Sumter Landing (31 neighborhoods):<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Amelia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ashland<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Belvedere<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bonita<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bonnybrook<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bridgeport<br>at Creekside Landing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bridgeport<br>at Lake Miona<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bridgeport<br>at Lakeshore Cottages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bridgeport<br>at Lake Sumter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bridgeport<br>at Laurel Valley<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bridgeport<br>at Miona Shores<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Buttonwood<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Caroline<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duval<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Haciendas<br>of Mission Hills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hadley<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hemingway<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Largo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Liberty<br>Park<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lynnhaven<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mallory<br>Square<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pennecamp<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Poinciana<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sabal<br>Chase<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>St.<br>Charles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>St.<br>James<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sunset<br>Pointe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tall<br>Trees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tamarind<br>Grove<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Virginia<br>Trace<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winifred<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Spanish Springs (31 neighborhoods):<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alhambra<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Belle<br>Aire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Briar<br>Meadow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Calumet<br>Grove<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chatham<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Country<br>Club Hills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>De<br>Allende<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>De La<br>Vista<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Del Mar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>El<br>Cortez<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Glenbrook<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hacienda<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harmeswood<br>of Belle Aire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>La<br>Reynalda<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>La<br>Zamora<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mira<br>Mesa<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orange<br>Blossom Gardens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Palo<br>Alto<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Piedmont<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Palo<br>Ridge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rio<br>Ridge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rio<br>Ponderosa<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rio<br>Ranchero<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Santiago<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sano<br>Domingo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Silver<br>Lake<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Springdale<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Summerhill<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tierra<br>Del Sol<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Valle<br>Verde<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Woodbury<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brownwood (14 neighborhoods):<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alden<br>Bungalows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Antrim<br>Dells<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Charlotte<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collier<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DeSoto<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dunedin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fenney<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fernandina<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gilchrist<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hillsborough<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>La Belle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lake<br>Deaton<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Osceola<br>Hills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Osceola<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">When the Grandkids Visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Villages&#8217; population gets\na little larger and a lot more lively during spring, summer and holiday school\nbreaks. If you have grandchildren or other young relatives coming to spend some\nfree time with you at your new home, here are a few things you can do to keep\nthem entertained:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stay up to date on shows, events and festivals at <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thevillagesentertainment.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TheVillagesEntertainment.com<\/a> and The Villages News Network channel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take advantage of the many town square events and movie theaters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it&#8217;s summer, every age group will find fun things to do, see and learn at <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/campvillages.com\/#discover\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Camp Villages<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swimming pools are located throughout The Villages\u2014some are adults-only, so check before heading out with the floats and water wings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Play pickleball at the Sea Breeze Recreational Center.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fish in the stocked lake at the Sharon Rose Weichens Preserve.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Head to Ocala for a cruise at Silver Springs or a day at the Petting Zoo Ocala.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">Weather in The Villages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Florida&#8217;s summers and early\nfall weeks can be even hotter and more humid than you may expect if you&#8217;re\nmoving here from a place with mild summer weather. The good news? The rest of\nthe year is great, so you can get out and enjoy all of the outdoor activities\nthat The Villages has to offer. Plus, you&#8217;ll get a kick out of sending photos\nof yourself enjoying a round of golf in January! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is another weather-related downside other than uncomfortable summers: hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. While the central part of the state is threatened much less frequently than coastal areas, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.villages-news.com\/2019\/08\/26\/hurricane-irma-scarred-villagers-keeping-close-eye-on-tropical-storm-dorian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Hurricane Irma<\/a> did some damage in 2017 as it cut across the state from its landfall on the Gulf Coast. The Villages saw gusts near 100 miles per hour and sustained winds of 70, and had nearly 15 inches of rain. The result was flooding, damage to homes and businesses, and downed powerlines and trees. With the possibility of more such storms, every Florida resident should maintain a hurricane kit and take other safety measures if a storm is approaching. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">Education in The Villages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Schools aren&#8217;t the first\nthing that comes to mind when you&#8217;re researching retirement communities with no\nfull-time residents under the age of 19, but there are educational\nopportunities in The Villages. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A charter school that&#8217;s mostly attended by children who have a parent who works for The Villages itself or one of its businesses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High schools that are available in the handful of family-unit neighborhoods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Enrichment Academy, which offers diverse extra-curriculum courses in technology, foreign languages, crafts, the culinary arts and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">Things to Do in and Near The Villages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You will never have to go\nvery far from your own front door to find fun and interesting things to do:\nEach town square within The Villages offers shopping, dining, movie theaters,\nand free live entertainment every night of the week from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.\nAnytime you&#8217;re looking for something to do, The Villages News Network on\nComcast will keep you up to date on all of your options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also the 1,000-seat <a href=\"https:\/\/thesharon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center<\/a> where you can see Broadway offerings, concerts and more, and the more intimate <a href=\"https:\/\/thesharonstudio.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Studio Tierra Del Sol<\/a> 100-seat theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More entertainment choices to\nkeep you busy include dancing, happy hours and more at one of area&#8217;s bars,\nrestaurants or country clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Popular and well-attended annual events are\nscheduled throughout the year, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>February:<\/strong> Art and Craft Festival in the Spanish Springs Town Square<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>March &#8211; May:<\/strong> Weekend polo matches at The Villages Polo Club<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>April:<\/strong> Art and Craft Festival at the Brownwood Paddock Square<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>May:<\/strong> The Villages Balloon Festival at The Villages Polo Club; The Villages Cruise-In; the Villages Shrine Club Charity Golf Tournament<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>July:<\/strong> Independence Day celebration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>September:<\/strong> Pinellas Plaza Craft Festival<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>December &#8211; January:<\/strong> Several holiday events on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year&#8217;s Eve<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you&#8217;re up for a day trip, you have some\ngreat options:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ocala is<br>an easy 40-minute drive from The Villages. Ocala and Marion County is Florida&#8217;s<br>undisputed horse country, with more than 600 farms where thoroughbreds are<br>raised and trained. It&#8217;s also home to the 500-acre Florida Agriculture Center<br>and Horse Park, where you can attend international and Olympic-level<br>competitions and see the U.S. Equestrian Team train. Another Ocala-area<br>don&#8217;t-miss is the 350-acre Silver Springs theme park and national landmark.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orlando<br>is an hour and 15 minutes away. It&#8217;s best known, of course, for being home to<br>some of the world&#8217;s best theme parks, but there&#8217;s more to do than Disney.<br>Orlando offers great shopping, dining in restaurants run by some of the<br>nation&#8217;s top chefs, and cultural options everywhere. Visit the Orlando Museum<br>of Art and make a day of browsing your way through the art galleries and<br>artists&#8217; studios found throughout the city. Good to know: If the theme parks<br>are your destination, Florida residents can get several special discounts on<br>passes and tickets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Because<br>The Villages is nearly centered in the state, you can choose a day at the beach<br>on either the west or east coast. Head east for 70 miles to reach the beaches<br>of the Atlantic Ocean or go west for 40 miles to get to the beaches of the Gulf<br>of Mexico.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you love nothing more than\nto compete, you&#8217;ll find fun competition at The Villages. There are more than\n100 men&#8217;s softball teams, dozens of ladies&#8217; teams, and even co-ed teams\ncompeting in several leagues. There&#8217;s also the Senior Games, which include\nevents in archery, volleyball, basketball, and a dozen more. Prefer tennis or\npickleball? There are more than 100 courts for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more outdoor fun, you&#8217;ll be just minutes away from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/ocala\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Ocala National Forest<\/a>, one of the state&#8217;s true natural treasures. This southernmost forest in the continental U.S. has more than 600 bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, first-magnitude springs and more. There are hiking trails, wilderness areas, a scenic bi-way, camping, horseback riding, bicycling, birding, fishing, picnicking, canoeing and kayaking, and more throughout its 387,000 acres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, there&#8217;s always <a href=\"https:\/\/thevillagesflorida.com\/golf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">golf<\/a>, 648 holes of it! Retirees come to live in all parts of Florida for its year-round golfing opportunities, but The Villages and surrounding areas is a golfer&#8217;s paradise. Championship courses, executive courses, golf school, and driving ranges\u2014it&#8217;s all here.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">Medical Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The community has been served\nby The Villages Regional Hospital since 2002. Expansion plans are in the works,\nand it&#8217;s one of the nation&#8217;s fastest-growing acute care hospitals, currently\nwith 307 patient beds. The hospital is part of the Central Florida Health\nhealthcare system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The facility has earned a long list of awards\nand recognition, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gold<br>Seal of Approval Core Certification for hip replacement and knee replacement<br>from The Joint Commission<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Jean<br>Byers Award for Excellence in Cancer Registry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The<br>Center of Excellence Award and President&#8217;s Circle of Honor from Healogics, Inc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best<br>Practices for Supporting Workers 50+ from the Alliance for Workplace Excellence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High<br>Performing Hospital in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure<br>from U.S. News &amp; World Report<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advanced<br>Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also specialists and primary care physicians conveniently located throughout The Villages. Keep in mind that some physicians are in great demand and there can be long waits to get an appointment with them. If you can, select a primary care doctor before you move to The Villages, and also check to see which insurance plans they accept.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">Dining, Shopping, Arts and Entertainment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The community&#8217;s town squares\nare the centers of activities, with shopping, free entertainment every night,\nrestaurants and more. Here&#8217;s just some of what awaits you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shopping in The Villages: <\/strong>You&#8217;ll find all of the retail therapy you&#8217;ll\never need without ever leaving the community. Shops include boutiques and\nclothing stores, and national brands such as Tommy Bahama, Pier 1 Imports and\nChico&#8217;s. Multiple salons, jewelers and bicycle shops are nearby, as are food standbys\nsuch as Dunkin\u2019 for donuts and Five Guys for burgers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Grocery stores: <\/strong>Groceries are always just around the corner.\nStart up the golf cart and choose from The Fresh Market, Walmart Neighborhood\nMarket, Target, a Walmart Supercenter, seven Publix stores, and three\nWinn-Dixie stores. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Villages Restaurants: <\/strong>Need a pizza fix or would you rather relax over\nan elegant dinner? You&#8217;ll have those options and more, including 200\nrestaurants in and near The Villages that offer everything from sushi, seafood\nand steak, to Asian, Thai and barbecue. Favorites such as Olive Garden, Panera\nBread and Outback Steakhouse are also here. Be sure to check out The Rose\nPlantation&#8217;s upscale offerings (and mind the dress code) and a new choice at\nthe Wolfgang Puck Restaurant. Lastly, don&#8217;t forget the dozen country club\ndining rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arts: <\/strong>The\nVillages&#8217; three performing arts center make it easy to take in award-winning\nBroadway shows, both local and national performers, concerts, comedy shows,\ndance troupes and more. If you prefer your arts hands-on, there&#8217;s almost no art\nform you can&#8217;t learn in one of The Villages many classes. For some big-city\noptions, head to Orlando for hundreds of galleries, museums, theaters and\ncultural events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">The Villages Important Links <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving to The Villages? Make\nnote of these helpful links:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Driver&#8217;s licenses:<\/strong> There is a <a href=\"https:\/\/local.dmv.org\/florida\/branch\/driver-license-office-motor-vehicle-services-the-villages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Florida Department of Motor Vehicles<\/a> office within The Villages where you can get a driver&#8217;s license or identification card, register your vehicle, get your plates, and more. There are also several services available online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Voting:<\/strong> Depending upon your address in The Villages, you will need to\ncontact one of these offices for information on registration, polling\nlocations, voting by mail, and more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lakevotes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lake County Supervisor of Elections<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sumterelections.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sumter County Supervisor of Elections<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.votemarion.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marion County Supervisor of Elections<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water and trash services: <\/strong>The Villages are comprised of official Community Development Districts that provide utility and other services. Because The Villages communities span more than one Florida county, utilities are provided by different service areas. Check the CDD website for specific <a href=\"https:\/\/www.districtgov.org\/departments\/Utilities\/utilities.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">utility service<\/a> information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Electric and natural gas service: <\/strong>Electric service is provided by <a href=\"https:\/\/secoenergy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Sumter Electric Co-Op<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.duke-energy.com\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Duke Energy<\/a>, and natural gas by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tecoenergy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">TECO Energy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cable TV and internet providers:<\/strong> Choices include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spectrum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Spectrum<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xfinity.com\/locations\/florida\/the-villages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Comcast<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centurylink.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">CenturyLink<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">Good to Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Here are some interesting facts about The Villages:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are eight fire stations with medics and EMTs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than 25,000 members run The Villages Homeowners Association.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Villages has four dog parks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s estimated that there are more golf carts in The Villages than there are taxi cabs in New York.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All businesses in The Villages can be reached by golf cart.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Villages has three libraries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With more than 90-plus miles of golf cart paths throughout The Villages, there are a <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/thevillagesflorida.com\/golf-cart-requirements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">number of rules<\/a> governing the use of golf carts. Cart drivers must be more than 14 years old, and carts cannot be modified to exceed the 20-mph speed limit. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Villages has a half-dozen animal hospitals and veterinary clinics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are more than 2,500 social clubs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People under the age of 19 may visit for a total maximum of 30 days in any calendar year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading font-size-24\">Moving to The Villages? Call the Pros.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Suddath has been serving customers in Florida for nearly a century and residents of The Villages for a decade. If you&#8217;re making a <a href=\"\/moving-company\/the-villages\/\">residential move to The Villages<\/a>, we have everything you need to get there. Our comprehensive services including packing and transportation, and even storage services that can make moving simpler. Whether your move will be local, cross-country, or international, we make sure that your household goods are safe and secure. Get in touch today with our Ocala and The Villages moving team for a <a href=\"\/moving-company\/the-villages\/contact-us\/\">free, no-obligation quote<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill primary-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"\/moving-company\/the-villages\/contact-us\/\" style=\"border-radius:6px;color:#000000;background-color:#faaf40\" rel=\"#\">Free Estimate<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text_bullets_white is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div style=\"height:48px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Moving to The Villages, FL: FAQ<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1581356760238\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is it expensive to live in The Villages?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">In some areas, you get a lot for your money, such as the monthly amenity fee of less than $160. It includes free golf, tennis and swimming; waterfront parks and fishing lakes; fitness trails; thousands of weekly organized activities; and a 24-hour community watch service. The average monthly costs total a little more than $1,000 according to this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevillages.com\/cost-of-living-in-the-villages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cost of living breakdown<\/a>.<br\/><br\/>Note that if you&#8217;re new to living in Florida, there are no local or state income taxes. Another plus are the various homestead exemptions, which can help keep your property taxes under control if you are a full-time resident. (The exemption is not available if your home in The Villages isn&#8217;t your full-time home.) When you file for homestead exemptions for the first time, you&#8217;ll need proof of residency, such as a Florida driver&#8217;s license, voter registration card, or Florida state identification card. Homestead exemption automatically renews each year.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1581535464351\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What other cities are near The Villages?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>With its central location, The Villages puts you within easy driving distance of several great Florida destinations:<br\/><\/strong><br\/><strong>Ocala<\/strong> &#8211; 24 miles<br\/><strong>Silver Springs<\/strong> &#8211; 24 miles<br\/><strong>Universal Studios<\/strong> &#8211; 55 miles<br\/><strong>Sea World<\/strong> &#8211; 59 miles<br\/><strong>Disney World<\/strong> &#8211; 64 miles<br\/><strong>Tampa<\/strong> &#8211; 93<br\/><strong>Cape Canaveral<\/strong> &#8211; 107<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1581535495139\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What kind of jobs are there in The Villages?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The Villages residents are mostly retired, but if you choose to work you&#8217;ll find some good opportunities. Within the community, there are a lot of opportunities for teaching and coaching one of the hundreds of classes offered, and a few opportunities to have your own business, such as a restaurant or entertainment service provider. Commercial space is at a premium, though, and it stays almost fully occupied.<br\/><br\/>Outside of The Villages, there are jobs in the retail and health care sectors that serve the burgeoning population.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1581535516516\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How can I prove Florida residency for homestead exemptions on my property taxes?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Since financial advantages such as homestead exemptions on property taxes depend on proving legal residency, here&#8217;s what you need to know:<br\/><\/strong><br\/> \u2022  You must show that you spend more than 183 days (half the year) in the state. <br\/><br\/> \u2022  Actions that can help you prove residency are opening a bank account and renting a safe deposit box at a local bank, getting a library card, get your car registered in the state, getting your Florida&#8217;s driver&#8217;s license, and registering to vote.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  Make sure you don&#8217;t claim homestead exemptions in more than one state. <br\/><br\/> \u2022  Use your Florida address for your credit cards, passport, insurance company and Medicare.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1581535562157\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are the pros and cons of moving to The Villages?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Every place has its good side and bad, particularly when you&#8217;re weighing your options on retirement destinations. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you&#8217;re considering moving to The Villages: <br\/><\/strong><br\/><strong>Pros:<\/strong><br\/> \u2022  The network of golf cart paths throughout The Villages will help you save gas money, particularly if you have an electric model.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  Restaurants, grocery stores, drug stores and more are all within cart-riding distance.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  Community centers are located in every neighborhood, giving you access to swimming pools (including separate pools for visiting grandkids).<br\/><br\/> \u2022  You&#8217;ll have a very broad range of home types and prices from which to choose.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  The crime rate in The Villages is lower than most other locations in Florida.<br\/><br\/><strong>Cons:<\/strong><br\/> \u2022  Because getting around by golf cart is so popular, you&#8217;ll probably experience some cart traffic jams. And, although carts capable of exceeding 20 miles an hour are officially prohibited, not everyone follows that rule or the speed limit. <br\/><br\/> \u2022  Florida recorded 32 sinkholes in 2017, and the central Florida area is a particular hotspot for them. All insurance companies licensed in the state to do business must include Catastrophic Ground Cover Collapse coverage, so make sure you obtain your homeowners insurance from a licensed company.<br\/> <br\/> \u2022  The Villages is a deed-restricted community, so you&#8217;ll have to follow a long list of rules about what you can and cannot have and do, and consult the Architectural Review Committee before you make any changes to your home. You&#8217;ll also need to pay an HOA fee. <br\/><br\/> \u2022  The Villages is a conservative stronghold, so if you lean left, you may not enjoy the local political atmosphere, especially around election time.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  There are bugs of all shapes and sizes (particularly large sizes). Because of the mild climate, pest populations thrive.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:104px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer spacer_one\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Moving to The Villages, FL? Read Our Ultimate Moving Guide Florida has long been a haven for retirees and they&#8217;ve had plenty of options to choose from throughout the state. One destination, however, stands above the rest: The Villages, the largest active adult community in the nation. Its 20,000 acres spreads across three zip codes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":3752,"parent":1751,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1758","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Villages Moving Guide: Local &amp; Long Distance Moving Advice<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Villages in Florida is one of the premier active adult communities in the U.S. and this moving guide has all the info you need to move there.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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It includes free golf, tennis and swimming; waterfront parks and fishing lakes; fitness trails; thousands of weekly organized activities; and a 24-hour community watch service. The average monthly costs total a little more than $1,000 according to this <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thevillages.com\\\/cost-of-living-in-the-villages\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">cost of living breakdown<\\\/a>.<br\\\/><br\\\/>Note that if you're new to living in Florida, there are no local or state income taxes. Another plus are the various homestead exemptions, which can help keep your property taxes under control if you are a full-time resident. (The exemption is not available if your home in The Villages isn't your full-time home.) When you file for homestead exemptions for the first time, you'll need proof of residency, such as a Florida driver's license, voter registration card, or Florida state identification card. 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Within the community, there are a lot of opportunities for teaching and coaching one of the hundreds of classes offered, and a few opportunities to have your own business, such as a restaurant or entertainment service provider. 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Here are a few things to keep in mind if you're considering moving to The Villages: <br\\\/><\\\/strong><br\\\/><strong>Pros:<\\\/strong><br\\\/> \u2022  The network of golf cart paths throughout The Villages will help you save gas money, particularly if you have an electric model.<br\\\/><br\\\/> \u2022  Restaurants, grocery stores, drug stores and more are all within cart-riding distance.<br\\\/><br\\\/> \u2022  Community centers are located in every neighborhood, giving you access to swimming pools (including separate pools for visiting grandkids).<br\\\/><br\\\/> \u2022  You'll have a very broad range of home types and prices from which to choose.<br\\\/><br\\\/> \u2022  The crime rate in The Villages is lower than most other locations in Florida.<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>Cons:<\\\/strong><br\\\/> \u2022  Because getting around by golf cart is so popular, you'll probably experience some cart traffic jams. And, although carts capable of exceeding 20 miles an hour are officially prohibited, not everyone follows that rule or the speed limit. <br\\\/><br\\\/> \u2022  Florida recorded 32 sinkholes in 2017, and the central Florida area is a particular hotspot for them. All insurance companies licensed in the state to do business must include Catastrophic Ground Cover Collapse coverage, so make sure you obtain your homeowners insurance from a licensed company.<br\\\/> <br\\\/> \u2022  The Villages is a deed-restricted community, so you'll have to follow a long list of rules about what you can and cannot have and do, and consult the Architectural Review Committee before you make any changes to your home. You'll also need to pay an HOA fee. <br\\\/><br\\\/> \u2022  The Villages is a conservative stronghold, so if you lean left, you may not enjoy the local political atmosphere, especially around election time.<br\\\/><br\\\/> \u2022  There are bugs of all shapes and sizes (particularly large sizes). 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it expensive to live in The Villages?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"In some areas, you get a lot for your money, such as the monthly amenity fee of less than $160. It includes free golf, tennis and swimming; waterfront parks and fishing lakes; fitness trails; thousands of weekly organized activities; and a 24-hour community watch service. The average monthly costs total a little more than $1,000 according to this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevillages.com\/cost-of-living-in-the-villages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cost of living breakdown<\/a>.<br\/><br\/>Note that if you're new to living in Florida, there are no local or state income taxes. Another plus are the various homestead exemptions, which can help keep your property taxes under control if you are a full-time resident. (The exemption is not available if your home in The Villages isn't your full-time home.) When you file for homestead exemptions for the first time, you'll need proof of residency, such as a Florida driver's license, voter registration card, or Florida state identification card. Homestead exemption automatically renews each year.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/moving-company\/the-villages\/moving-to-the-villages-guide\/#faq-question-1581535464351","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/moving-company\/the-villages\/moving-to-the-villages-guide\/#faq-question-1581535464351","name":"What other cities are near The Villages?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<strong>With its central location, The Villages puts you within easy driving distance of several great Florida destinations:<br\/><\/strong><br\/><strong>Ocala<\/strong> - 24 miles<br\/><strong>Silver Springs<\/strong> - 24 miles<br\/><strong>Universal Studios<\/strong> - 55 miles<br\/><strong>Sea World<\/strong> - 59 miles<br\/><strong>Disney World<\/strong> - 64 miles<br\/><strong>Tampa<\/strong> - 93<br\/><strong>Cape Canaveral<\/strong> - 107","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/moving-company\/the-villages\/moving-to-the-villages-guide\/#faq-question-1581535495139","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/moving-company\/the-villages\/moving-to-the-villages-guide\/#faq-question-1581535495139","name":"What kind of jobs are there in The Villages?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Villages residents are mostly retired, but if you choose to work you'll find some good opportunities. Within the community, there are a lot of opportunities for teaching and coaching one of the hundreds of classes offered, and a few opportunities to have your own business, such as a restaurant or entertainment service provider. Commercial space is at a premium, though, and it stays almost fully occupied.<br\/><br\/>Outside of The Villages, there are jobs in the retail and health care sectors that serve the burgeoning population.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/moving-company\/the-villages\/moving-to-the-villages-guide\/#faq-question-1581535516516","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/moving-company\/the-villages\/moving-to-the-villages-guide\/#faq-question-1581535516516","name":"How can I prove Florida residency for homestead exemptions on my property taxes?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<strong>Since financial advantages such as homestead exemptions on property taxes depend on proving legal residency, here's what you need to know:<br\/><\/strong><br\/> \u2022  You must show that you spend more than 183 days (half the year) in the state. <br\/><br\/> \u2022  Actions that can help you prove residency are opening a bank account and renting a safe deposit box at a local bank, getting a library card, get your car registered in the state, getting your Florida's driver's license, and registering to vote.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  Make sure you don't claim homestead exemptions in more than one state. <br\/><br\/> \u2022  Use your Florida address for your credit cards, passport, insurance company and Medicare.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/moving-company\/the-villages\/moving-to-the-villages-guide\/#faq-question-1581535562157","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/moving-company\/the-villages\/moving-to-the-villages-guide\/#faq-question-1581535562157","name":"What are the pros and cons of moving to The Villages?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<strong>Every place has its good side and bad, particularly when you're weighing your options on retirement destinations. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you're considering moving to The Villages: <br\/><\/strong><br\/><strong>Pros:<\/strong><br\/> \u2022  The network of golf cart paths throughout The Villages will help you save gas money, particularly if you have an electric model.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  Restaurants, grocery stores, drug stores and more are all within cart-riding distance.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  Community centers are located in every neighborhood, giving you access to swimming pools (including separate pools for visiting grandkids).<br\/><br\/> \u2022  You'll have a very broad range of home types and prices from which to choose.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  The crime rate in The Villages is lower than most other locations in Florida.<br\/><br\/><strong>Cons:<\/strong><br\/> \u2022  Because getting around by golf cart is so popular, you'll probably experience some cart traffic jams. And, although carts capable of exceeding 20 miles an hour are officially prohibited, not everyone follows that rule or the speed limit. <br\/><br\/> \u2022  Florida recorded 32 sinkholes in 2017, and the central Florida area is a particular hotspot for them. All insurance companies licensed in the state to do business must include Catastrophic Ground Cover Collapse coverage, so make sure you obtain your homeowners insurance from a licensed company.<br\/> <br\/> \u2022  The Villages is a deed-restricted community, so you'll have to follow a long list of rules about what you can and cannot have and do, and consult the Architectural Review Committee before you make any changes to your home. You'll also need to pay an HOA fee. <br\/><br\/> \u2022  The Villages is a conservative stronghold, so if you lean left, you may not enjoy the local political atmosphere, especially around election time.<br\/><br\/> \u2022  There are bugs of all shapes and sizes (particularly large sizes). Because of the mild climate, pest populations thrive.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/author\/zlatko-papic\/","display_name":"Zlatko Papic"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 6 years ago","modified":"Updated 1 year ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on January 8, 2020","modified":"Updated on March 18, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on January 8, 2020 2:10 am","modified":"Updated on March 18, 2025 3:14 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/moving-to-city-guide.svg","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1758","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1758"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1758\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1751"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/suddath.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1758"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}