This community located about 65 miles northwest of Orlando is recognized as the friendliest city in Florida and as the largest active adult community in the world. Residents of The Villages, known as Villagers, enjoy all the features of a small town and the amenities of a luxury resort. Covering an area larger than Manhattan, The Villages encompasses three Florida counties: Sumter, Marion and Lake. Although life in the Villages has its drawbacks and the impact it has on Florida and surrounding communities, it offers a unique lifestyle that attracts many people.
According to The Villages website, north of Florida State Highway 44, there is approximately 37 square miles (96 km) of land. The cost of living in The Villages varies greatly depending on lifestyle, housing options and other factors. The community relations team at Morse and The Villages, notoriously averse to media interviews, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The Villages covers an area of approximately 32 square miles, an area larger than Manhattan, and is expanding primarily toward the south of the current community.
The official website of The Villages describes a “Lifestyle Preview” program that includes temporary visits of 4 to 7 days to experience life in The Villages. One of the biggest selling points of living in The Villages is that residents receive “free golf for life”. Shopping areas in The Villages include urban centers, regional malls and neighborhood shopping malls. The Villages continues to grow and expand its presence today, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida.
Many people are interested in moving to The Villages, but aren't sure if they'll like the community and the lifestyle. Golf cart dealers in The Villages are common, as are golf cart mechanics, gas stations for golf carts, electric charging stations and everything else you can imagine. Residents of The Villages are automatically members of these clubs; however, unlike executive camps, residents must pay fees to play on the fields and clubs charge for priority departure times. The entirety of The Villages is within the boundaries of Florida's Senate District 12 (represented by Republican Dennis Baxley) and is within the boundaries of District 33 of the Florida House of Representatives (represented by Republican Brett Hage).
However, compared to Florida in general, the three counties containing The Villages tended to have significantly lower rates. A Tampa Bay Times investigation into the 38,000-member Facebook group, “The Villages Word of Mouth,” was revealing. An official from the state Department of Health declined to analyze the agency's data at a more detailed level, such as a census-designated place, such as The Villages, for privacy reasons.
