Help with choosing a community [Archive] - Orlando Villas

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Twiglet

28-07-2005, 08:10

As I am a Florida 'virgin' [msntongue] how do I even begin to choose a community, as I don't have a clue??!

I know people are saying choose a house, then a community, I guess I need a little guidance from those who have been thru a similar dilema, I would like to know what helped them choose the community they did.

With three kids I don't want to be too long on the road, but more importantly it would be nice to be near restaurants/shops for all the 'popping in and out' that inevitably happens for bits and pieces.

Do some communites have a club within the community, so you can walk to get something to eat?

LiesaAnna

28-07-2005, 11:49

Terra Verde has a clubhouse, (not sure what happens there) also a games room for the kids (or adults) also a commnuity pool with tiki bar,i have read it does a snack service.

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_12670.asp

found lots of bits and pieces , put in on search at the top, you may find lots of info for a specific place?
Terra Verde is also close to everything!!
i am staying there in september this year and sooooooooo looking forward to it!!!

Kissyme

28-07-2005, 11:50

when we were deciding for the first time we spoke to as many people as possible to get their opinion on different communities, it was a little different for us as we had been to Florida ourselves (in hotels) so knew the area we wanted to stay in, but choosing the community and then the house took some time.

I`m sure there are places that have a club house but i`m not sure which ones they are as for being near to shops virtually everywhere you stay you are near a supermarket, and the cars are so lovely and the roads fairly easy to use that driving should`nt be a problem, In fact I`m going to give driving a go this time Keith`s already getting jittery, as you know only men can really drive !!!!!

KevinT

28-07-2005, 13:45

Hi Twiglet,

Most of the communities featured on these sites will have at least small shopping malls within
easy driving distance and the supermarket chains quickly move into areas being developed where they see an expanding market. I think that the first thing that strikes newbies (certainly from the UK ) is how spread out the landscape is there. They are used to having shops within easy walking distance, whereas Floridians think nothing of driving for ten or fifteen minutes to go to the supermarket. I would say that wherever you rent you should be within five or ten minutes of essentials, and some of the very big chains like Walmart, SuperTarget, Publix and Wynn Dixie
have not only groceries but also housewares, electricals, pharmacy and clothing items. Walmart
have the lot! all under one roof - car tyres, hardware,sporting goods, photographic - everything! [:O]
If you venture out a little further, 20 to 40 minutes will bring you to some of the bigger malls
mentioned regularly in these forums, like the Florida Mall, Premium Outlets Mall, Mall of the Millenia, Beltz Outlets and many others, which are all well worth a visit.
I am sure that you will have a great time wherever you stay. Happy shopping. [msnsmile2]

Lesley and John

28-07-2005, 16:00

Try here to read about communities

http://www.villasflorida.com/florida-villas/all/all-communities.aspx

Regards
John

ctgirlscout

28-07-2005, 16:24

Some communities, such as ours, have clubhouses, but they will be limited the food they sell. I think ours only now sells snacks and sodas. Maybe some of the others sell more. But, as Kevin said, shopping is always a short drive away, or sometimes even within walking distance.

Shirley G

28-07-2005, 17:04

Southern Dunes has a cluhouse with a restaurant and bar. There is a Walmart, Wynn Dixie just outside the community gates. Just acroos the road is Blockbuster video and some smaller outlets.

chrizzy100

28-07-2005, 17:53

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Twiglet
As I am a Florida 'virgin' [msntongue] how do I even begin to choose a community, as I don't have a clue??!

I know people are saying choose a house, then a community, I guess I need a little guidance from those who have been thru a similar dilema, I would like to know what helped them choose the community they did.

With three kids I don't want to be too long on the road, but more importantly it would be nice to be near restaurants/shops for all the 'popping in and out' that inevitably happens for bits and pieces.

Do some communites have a club within the community, so you can walk to get something to eat?

[/quote]

The house is the biggest thing.....its the place you'll be in the longest..me I'd look at how different the villa was from the other homes ....because you want that wow when people back home see the pictures of where you stayed......
If you go for a club house.....then that may in the end not give you what you were looking for...it may not be open the times you want it.....etc.....
Have you made a list of the things you want.....?

LiesaAnna

28-07-2005, 18:37

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by pearlvilla
Southern Dunes has a cluhouse with a restaurant and bar. There is a Walmart, Wynn Dixie just outside the community gates. Just acroos the road is Blockbuster video and some smaller outlets.
[/quote]

i didnt realize that Southern Dunes had a restaurant and bar!!
see we all learn something new everyday!!
i assume (may be a silly question)is it open to non owners?

chrizzy100

28-07-2005, 19:21

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by LiesaAnna
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by pearlvilla
Southern Dunes has a cluhouse with a restaurant and bar. There is a Walmart, Wynn Dixie just outside the community gates. Just acroos the road is Blockbuster video and some smaller outlets.
[/quote]

i didnt realize that Southern Dunes had a restaurant and bar!!
see we all learn something new everyday!!
i assume (may be a silly question)is it open to non owners?
[/quote]

I think it says its open to everyone....

Ray&Sarah

28-07-2005, 20:44

I am sure whichever community you choose you will have a great time, it may be easier to list what facilities you want in a villa and then whittle down the replies you get to nearest to your perfect one and then choose the location from your shortlist.[msnsmile2]

steph_goodrum

29-07-2005, 01:27

"because you want that wow when people back home see the pictures of where you stayed"

I'd have to say Chrizzy that woudl be my LEAST most important reason for choosng one villa over another, it's my families vacation, my family money etc. they are the ones I want to have the WOW factor. I have never believed in doing things to impress other people, I couldn't care less what friends/neighbours think of where we stayed, as long as we are happy that's what's important to me/us.

chrizzy100

29-07-2005, 02:49

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steph_goodrum
"because you want that wow when people back home see the pictures of where you stayed"

I'd have to say Chrizzy that woudl be my LEAST most important reason for choosng one villa over another, it's my families vacation, my family money etc. they are the ones I want to have the WOW factor. I have never believed in doing things to impress other people, I couldn't care less what friends/neighbours think of where we stayed, as long as we are happy that's what's important to me/us.
[/quote]

I think the wow ..is important.....not only to the people staying in the house.....but also to the owner who may get more bookings because of it......I don't want a place that looks like any old motel room.......I could get that paying $39 on 192.......I want a home someones put time and love into...a house with wow.....I think its nice to get home and show friends what a beauiful home you've stayed in.....its not a case of doing it for others .....its a case of being happy with your holiday and wanting to share that fact with others......[msnsmile]

chrisflowers

29-07-2005, 09:54

Most communities will be great to stay in.
What a difference to staying in a hotel or motel with small rooms and limited areas for relaxation.

Either way, a villa stay is the best thing since sliced bread, and once visitors have experienced the joy of staying in a home that someone loves and has put a lot of effort into looking after it, they want to come back time after time.

We have a number of guests who stay sometimes twice a year in our home.

orlandodaze

02-08-2005, 22:00

Choosing the villa is a very important part of our holiday , with different age groups we have different needs , for example a nice big lanai is important to me ,internet access is essential to my sports mad husband , and my 17 year old to keep in contact with the friends back home, a well equipped kitchen too because we like to eat in quite a bit. Multiple tvs to prevent rows and a play station is great too. dvd players and radios for the different music tastes. I do sound like an old fusspot but on holiday when the chicks and the cockeral are happy old mother hen is happy too.

Paula D-S

08-08-2005, 10:04

On our first visit to Florida we stayed in a beautiful villa on Lake Berkley. When I booked that I looked at the villa and that was it. It has a clubhouse but whats important to some people isn't to others. We didn't use the clubhouse at all, we found even if we'd just chilled around the pool all day the kids were shattered so they would go to bed and the adults would relax around the pool or the men, still being boy's would hang out in the games room.

Paula

rebekah.g

29-08-2005, 23:24

Hi just returned this morning from staying in the sanctuary community part of west haven. Brilliant and beautiful. Now planning for two years but would like to be by poinician boulevard. Does anyone know if there are any villa on that road or nearby.

thanks rebekah

chris c

30-08-2005, 01:52

blott

30-08-2005, 02:42

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by rebekah.g
Hi just returned this morning from staying in the sanctuary community part of west haven. Brilliant and beautiful. Now planning for two years but would like to be by poinician boulevard. Does anyone know if there are any villa on that road or nearby.

thanks rebekah[/quote]There are lots of communities on Poinciana Boulevard. If you have a look at the OV map, you can see which ones. http://www.orlandovillas.com/Map.aspx