View Full Version : Villa Not on a Community
We'd like to rent a villa but would like to be able to walk to bars & restaurants rather than drive. Are there any villas in a town-like setting instead of being close to retail parks on main highways?
erowlands
09-07-2009, 02:41
HiJim, I am sure some of my fellow owners here will be able to advise you on the facilities near their communities, our area called Formosa Gardens subdivision is made up of four estates;Indian Creek,Rolling Hills,Oak Island cove/Harbour and Formosa Garden estate, they are a 2 minute drive or 10 to 12 minute easy walk to the shops,bars,restaurants and crazy golf complex on the Formosa shopping center
I am sure that there are other villas with similar facilities for you.
I hope this will help you
Eric
Most villas are on communities, not just on roads like our houses in the UK.
Our community, Esprit, has a bar/grill, Italian restaurant, Subway, mini-market and a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, all within a couple of minutes walk.
I am sure that other villa owners will have information about their facilities. Hope this helps.
mfairhurst
09-07-2009, 03:25
We are in a community and near to resturants and shops .
Ask all villa owners were they are situated and they will tell you truthfuly.
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx
sundowner
09-07-2009, 13:20
We walk to our local steakhouse, IHOP, and mexican restaurant and my sister tells me they found a great Irish bar that they walked to (although that may seem a long walk to some).
I am sure most of the villas have places within a 10-20 min walk but it would depend on what time of year you are going as it may be too hot to walk in the summer months.
Make sure you ask the villa owners what facilities and restaurants there are.
Another issue is that in many cases, even though it might be a walkable distance to a restaurant, there are just no pavements (sidewalks!), which means you have to walk on the road.
The US is just not set up for pedestrians (except perhaps in some downtown areas). I have even been stopped by the police in Denver when I was walking to work - at best they thought my car had broken down, at worst they thought I was engaged in some sort of criminal activity:D
Berry Town Centre (not actually a town centre but more of a strip mall) is within walking distance of villas at Highlands Reserve and has a large Publix Supermarket, Applebees restaurant (very popular), Pizza, Chinese & Indian eat in/takeaways, English bar etc. There are pavements (side walks) too.
In summer we tend to walk early in the mornings to get a few groceries and a newspaper, and again in the evenings, though wouldn't want to walk in the heat of the day!!
If it wasn't for us walking there a couple of times a day I would put weight on very easily with the over generous size portions of food at the restaurants!!
We have The Loop shopping Centre a two minute drive or 10 minute walk from Hunters Creek. There are many shops, restaurants and a cinema at The Loop with a pavement from the communities making it a pleasant walk.
IMO Hunters Creek doesn't have any Short Term Rentals... (again... IMO)
isn't emerald lsland in the Formosa Gardens subdivision we stayed here very nice 5*****.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by erowlands
HiJim, I am sure some of my fellow owners here will be able to advise you on the facilities near their communities, our area called Formosa Gardens subdivision is made up of four estates;Indian Creek,Rolling Hills,Oak Island cove/Harbour and Formosa Garden estate, they are a 2 minute drive or 10 to 12 minute easy walk to the shops,bars,restaurants and crazy golf complex on the Formosa shopping center
I am sure that there are other villas with similar facilities for you.
I hope this will help you
Eric
[/quote]
Southern Dunes has, immediately outside the gates, a Walmart, supermarkets, takeaways, the very popular Manny's, Blockbusters, drink store, hairdressers, banks. All these are within easy walking distance of all the villas and there is now a pedestrian crossing, which we use, to safely cross to the other side of the highway.
It also has a clubhouse with a restaurant and bar on site
Sunset LAkes also has restaurants and shops in walking distance- but I have not seen many walk. THe reason apart from the heat could be the nice new car hire to drive, the busy time tables, or the lovely villas to relax in -
or just fitting in with the American way of life- they do not walk, and the roads are not made for walking either.
If you were in a Mediterranean resort, its nice to walk out in the evening to local restuarantd and bars -in Florida you are probably still at a theme park, or if going out for the evening to a restaurant, you would drive, to be truthful. There is so much space, and so many places to visit, that, imo,you would ruin your holiday based on things within walking distance.
However, on a positive note -we have an ace taxi service available on our estate -he is a neighbour and very reliable !!
Hi Cor
I am happy to say that, yes, Hunters Creek most definately does have several strs that have been 'Grandfathered' and are therefore fully licensed.
It is a very sought after area and the villas that are there generally rent out very well.