The Villages, FL Lifestyle Preview Visit: Your Ultimate Guide
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During our full-time RV adventures, we visited active adult communities in Florida trying to decide where we wanted to settle down and buy a home. We were looking on both coasts as well as Central Florida. We were familiar with The Villages, but we had not visited thinking it wasn’t really for us. Then, we saw a YouTube video on The Villages with Peter Santenello that changed our mind. Check out that video HERE. We decided we needed to visit.
The Villages, Florida is the largest active adult retirement community in the world, with over 140,000 residents. It's a popular destination for retirees who are looking for a warm, sunny climate, a variety of activities to enjoy, and a sense of community.
If you're considering moving to The Villages, there are a variety of ways to visit to get a feel for the place. You could stay at one of the hotels near the town squares, such as The Waterfront Inn or Brownwood Hotel and Spa. There are also some chain hotels in the area as well as AirBnB or VRBO homes. We did rent for one week while our son was visiting just to see if we liked the area enough to investigate further.
But, the best way to get a feel for this community is to schedule a Lifestyle Preview Visit. For a few days or a week, you'll stay in a fully furnished home and have access to all of the amenities that The Villages has to offer.
This article will give you a comprehensive guide to The Villages Lifestyle Preview Visit, including how to schedule a visit, what to expect, how to prepare, and the cost.
Lake Sumter Landing in The Villages, Fl
How do I schedule a visit to The Villages, FL?
To schedule a Lifestyle Preview Visit, you can call The Villages Welcome Center at 800-346-4556 or visit their website at https://www.thevillages.com/lifestyle-preview-plan. If you are already working with a Villages sales agent, they will also be glad to put you in touch with someone who can help. These Lifestyle Visits are very popular (and for good reason!) and fill up quickly during busy seasons. TIP: If they do not have any of your dates available, they will put you on a waitlist. Our tip is to call back in a few weeks and check again. They do get cancellations and you might get lucky!
When you call, you'll be asked to provide your name, contact information, and desired dates of visit. You'll also have the opportunity to speak with a Village Welcome Coordinator who can answer any questions you have about the visit. You will not know which Village you are staying in until closer to your visit date. Once you are booked, your Welcome Coordinator will touch base with you a couple of times and call you to make sure you have all the information you need and ask you about some of the activities you might enjoy. If you have one, your Villages sales agent will also be a part of this process. If you really want to participate in a specific activity, such as playing a round of golf, this is the time to let them know since activities can fill up.
What can you expect during your Lifestyle Preview Visit?
Your Welcome Coordinator will call you and email you ahead of time to let you know where to arrive. They can also help you with shuttle information if you are arriving from the airport. We were assigned to pick up our materials and keys at the Sawgrass Sales Center. It is best to arrive during work hours. There are options after hours, but they are limited.
When you arrive at the sales center for your Lifestyle Preview Visit, you'll be greeted by a Village Welcome Coordinator who will give you the information about your home, all the keys and remotes, and review the itinerary for your stay. You'll also receive a welcome packet with information about The Villages, including maps, amenity guides, and restaurant recommendations. If you don’t already have one, you will also be assigned a Villages sales agent.
Your home will be located in one of the many villages within The Villages. Each village has its own unique character and amenities. For example, some villages have golf courses, while others are near town squares with shops and restaurants. The Lifestyle preview homes tend to be in the newer neighborhoods close to the new builds.
You'll also have access to a golf cart during your stay. Ours was a gas E-Z Go. It is labeled with the name of your villa so you can find it in the crowded parking lots! Golf carts are the primary mode of transportation in The Villages, so it's important to know how to drive one. If you don't know how to drive a golf cart, you can take a free lesson from a Village Welcome Coordinator.
Watch the check-in process, a villa tour, and Day 1 of our Lifestyle Preview Visit below!
What happens during a Lifestyle Preview Visit?
Take a tour of homes and the surrounding area. Your assigned Villages sales agent will show you as many or as few homes as you like. You can also choose not to tour any homes while you are on your visit, or just visit the Open Houses that happen every day in The Villages. There is low pressure and this visit is truly about you and what you want to get out of your visit. Be honest
Have dinner at one of the many restaurants in The Villages. We suggest somewhere close for your first evening.
Play a round of golf at one of the many golf courses in The Villages. Your sales agent or Welcome Coordinator will help you get a tee time if possible.
Go for a swim in one of the many pools. When it is busy season (January-March), the sports pools often get very busy and you may have to wait in line to get in.
Visit one of the many recreation centers in The Villages. Take a class or participate in an activity. We had so much fun learning how to play Bocce and we met some other Lifestyle Visit folks.
Visit the Town Squares and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The Villages App will let you know which band is playing each night!
Here are a few tips on how to prepare for your Lifestyle Preview Visit:
Be sure to download The Villages App before your visit. There is a lot of information on the app including all the Villages homes for sale as well as a Directions section with a golf cart GPS. Very helpful! We found our Waze and Google Maps don’t always have the new streets in them yet and kept wanting to take us miles out of the way to get somewhere. (Waze is definitely better than Google Maps!)
Bring comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking and driving a golf cart, so it's important to have comfortable shoes.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat (that won’t fly off in the golf cart). The sun can be strong in Florida, even in the winter.
Pack light. You won't need a lot of clothes for your visit. The weather is typically warm and sunny, and you'll be spending most of your time outdoors.
Bring your camera. You'll want to capture all of the memories you make during your visit.
Be prepared to have fun! The Villages is a great place
Live music at Spanish Springs Town Square in The Villages, FL
How much does a Lifestyle Preview Visit cost at The Villages?
The cost of a Lifestyle Preview Visit varies depending on the time of year and the length of your stay. However, you can expect to pay between $99 and $199 per night. The rate is lower during the hotter weather, but it is also less crowded. The rates go up slightly in what is considered “shoulder season” here in Florida-the months on either side of in season. The highest rates will be in season, which is January-March.
The cost of your visit includes the following:
Accommodations in a fully furnished home
The home has your typical hotel supplies such as soap, shampoo, lotion, towels and pool towels. The kitchen is well-stocked with plates, silverware, mugs, pots, pans and blender. Most importantly-a Keurig coffee maker and coffee pods are waiting for you.
Access to all of the amenities in The Villages, including golf courses, pickleball courts, swimming pools, fitness centers, and recreation centers
A golf cart
A welcome packet with information about The Villages
Conclusion
The Lifestyle Preview Visit is a great way to experience The Villages and see if it's the right place for you to live in Central, FL. If you're considering moving to The Villages, we highly recommend scheduling a visit.
Beware, this fun, affordable lifestyle visit preview could end up costing you the price of a house!
Related Links:
The Villages Lifestyle Visit Day 2