THE VILLAGES FLORIDA TOWN SQUARESSpanish Springs Town Square, Brownwood Paddock Square and Lake Sumter Landing Market Square. Each subdivision within The Villages has its own Statement of Restrictions, which contains the regulations and operational aspects of each community. The Villages is one of Florida's original golf cart communities; the entire community is designed for golf carts instead of traditional vehicles. The Villages isn't always known for its affordability due to the many golf courses and recreational centers.
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. There are more than 50 golf courses in The Villages, including 40 nine-hole “executive golf courses” that are free and open to all residents of Villages. For the past decade, The Villages topped RCLCO Real Estate Advisors' list of best-selling master-planned communities. Sumter County Transit offers shuttle service throughout this neighborhood and the rest of The Villages, with several lines offering service Monday through Friday.
All together, The Villages cover more than 80 square miles, which equates to more than 51,200 acres. The Villages continues to grow and expand its presence today, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida. Most people imagine The Villages as a block of houses on a single block, but in reality it's more of a collection of smaller neighborhoods. New Smyrna Beach has beautiful sandy beaches, approximately 65 miles from The Villages or about an hour's drive from The Villages, depending on traffic.
There are unique living costs in The Villages that may not be considered in other communities. The Villages is a major political force in Florida because it houses more than 130,000 residents in an otherwise rural section of central Florida. The story of The Villages begins with Harold Schwartz, who began developing The Villages by selling land by mail order in the 1960s. The closest beaches to The Villages are in Cedar Key, approximately 40 miles west of The Villages, on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.
Private transportation services and other transportation options also serve residents of The Villages to travel to Orlando, airports and other needs.
