The Villages, Florida has countless offerings for excellent meals, from fine dining establishments to more casual eateries. The national chain Bonefish Grill has a location at 3580 Wedgewood Lane in The Villages. While operating just one restaurant that features excellent food and consistent service is tough, managing a successful chain that appeals to demanding tastes is truly a daunting challenge.
Bonefish Grill originated in Florida to give fresh, fabulous seafood a new modern vibe and fusion of spices. From the Bang Bang Shrimp and Chimichurri Fish, to a hip and contemporary bar scene with chef-worthy cocktails, Bonefish delivers. All fish and ingredients are fresh and tasty, and the dishes are unique blends of cuisines from all over the world.
Another spot that’s popular with locals is Toojay’s Villages II, located at 1129 Canal Street in The Villages. Visitors come back over and over again for the excellent food and attentive service, which is friendly even during the busy lunchtime crowds. Vegetarians will love the Veggie Rueben, and a favorite side is the Creamed Spinach. Toojay’s also has excellent pastrami and other deli sandwiches, as well as bagels and pastries.
The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grill, at 925 Lakeshore Drive in The Villages, is a great place for fantastic seafood and pub grub. The prices are reasonable, the burgers are fabulous, and the view overlooking the lake is amazing. With a focus on southern hospitality and cuisine, there are many deep fried, crispy specialties, but the Lighthouse manages to throw a unique spin on each dish. The Onion Straws are excellent and even the French Fries are exceptional. However, because seafood and Southern fare are the focus at The Lighthouse, don’t miss the house specialties on the regular menu and daily specials.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Fun Activities and Historic Landmarks of The Villages, Florida
The Villages, Florida is an exciting destination location which is popular due to its many fun attractions and outdoor activities. One great location for fun in the sunny Florida weather is Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost and Resort. The spot has excellent canoeing on the tranquil Ocklawaha River, and the experience levels start from the basic beginner to experts who enjoy longer and more exciting paddles. As far as camping facilities, there are amazing luxury log cabins that offer all the comforts of home. For the more adventurous and rustic adventure, campers can pitch a tent anywhere on the grounds. No matter which spot you stay, all visitors will find a courteous, professional staff that is committed to meeting every need. The Outpost provides you, your family or your group everything you could want to have a vacation of fun, adventure and relaxation. It is located in the heart of the wilderness and there are secluded tent camping sites on the fringe of the Ocala National Forest. For the children, there is a fishing pond, playground, recreation room and a private boat ramp, as well as facilities for bingo, ping pong, volleyball and a host of other fun-filled activities.
A water-filled adventure awaits visitors to Wild Waters waterpark, located right next to the lush grounds and natural beauty of Silver Springs, near Ocala, Florida. This water attraction an exciting place where the whole family can chill out on a warm summer day. Visitors can soak up the sun on our man-made beach, or keep cool out of the sun in the shade of our giant oaks and palm trees. The adventurous can ride the surf or relax on a tube in the park’s 450,000 gallon wave pool. There is also the twists and turns of the exciting waterslides, such as Osceola's Revenge, Bunyan's Bend and the Mini Monster. For those seeking a true thrill, dare to tackle the three-story-high Hurricane or 220-foot-long Silver Bullet speed flumes.
There is plenty for the smaller children at Wild Waters, as well. Younger kids will enjoy the Cool Kids Cove, which is a multi-level fun zone. Also, the park has the shallow pools of the Tad Pool. Wild Waters offers cabanas for rental for families who want some privacy and a little shelter from The Villages hot sun. Each Cabana will accommodate up to 10 people. Cabanas can be located along side the Wavepool, where guests can easily stroll over to the Surfs Up Snack Bar or the Pizza Palace.
A water-filled adventure awaits visitors to Wild Waters waterpark, located right next to the lush grounds and natural beauty of Silver Springs, near Ocala, Florida. This water attraction an exciting place where the whole family can chill out on a warm summer day. Visitors can soak up the sun on our man-made beach, or keep cool out of the sun in the shade of our giant oaks and palm trees. The adventurous can ride the surf or relax on a tube in the park’s 450,000 gallon wave pool. There is also the twists and turns of the exciting waterslides, such as Osceola's Revenge, Bunyan's Bend and the Mini Monster. For those seeking a true thrill, dare to tackle the three-story-high Hurricane or 220-foot-long Silver Bullet speed flumes.
There is plenty for the smaller children at Wild Waters, as well. Younger kids will enjoy the Cool Kids Cove, which is a multi-level fun zone. Also, the park has the shallow pools of the Tad Pool. Wild Waters offers cabanas for rental for families who want some privacy and a little shelter from The Villages hot sun. Each Cabana will accommodate up to 10 people. Cabanas can be located along side the Wavepool, where guests can easily stroll over to the Surfs Up Snack Bar or the Pizza Palace.
The Villages, Florida Real Estate Market
The real estate market in The Villages, Florida is starting to show signs of movement, and there are many great properties available at good prices. There are also numerous distressed priced properties that are ideal for investment in the current economy. As a result of the market heavily favoring buyers, there is a significant amount of inventory available at great prices that will start to rise in coming months. The Villages is a fantastic and exciting place to live, and it is one of the fastest growing cities in Florida and the world. The region is a center for digital media and bio medicine industries. The Villages is in close proximity to the 9th busiest airport in the U.S. and is warm & sunny all year round.
The Villages real estate market is experiencing declining housing inventory at a level that compares to the red hot housing market in 2005. With the existing inventory level at approximately just under five months, the median price for existing homes has risen for the third month. The area real estate market has seen a significant improvement in sales during 2009. However, despite steady growth in 2010 and continuing in the first quarter of 2011, home prices and the current economic market show that there is still progress to be made. Reputable market indicators have forecasted a 9.8% price drop for 2011, which forecast is derived as the percentage ratio between the average sold property and the actual listed property. In other words, the average listed property in 2009 was $201,143 and the average sold property was $136,066, showing a 36% difference. The true issue is when these numbers will be closer together and approach equilibrium, and the answer is anyone’s guess. However, most real estate and market experts agree that The Villages is looking at least another year before bottoming out.
Currently, there is an average of 10.5 months of unsold housing inventory in place, which is considered a significant amount as compared to the normal six months. There are a huge amount of upper scale properties in The Villages where prices continue to come down. In fact, some of the lower price areas have already seen a bottoming out, though the luxury properties are still far behind. There are currently a large number of properties over $500,000 for sale in The Villages area, with the average price at $1,155,930 and the days on the market being 301 days.
The Villages real estate market is experiencing declining housing inventory at a level that compares to the red hot housing market in 2005. With the existing inventory level at approximately just under five months, the median price for existing homes has risen for the third month. The area real estate market has seen a significant improvement in sales during 2009. However, despite steady growth in 2010 and continuing in the first quarter of 2011, home prices and the current economic market show that there is still progress to be made. Reputable market indicators have forecasted a 9.8% price drop for 2011, which forecast is derived as the percentage ratio between the average sold property and the actual listed property. In other words, the average listed property in 2009 was $201,143 and the average sold property was $136,066, showing a 36% difference. The true issue is when these numbers will be closer together and approach equilibrium, and the answer is anyone’s guess. However, most real estate and market experts agree that The Villages is looking at least another year before bottoming out.
Currently, there is an average of 10.5 months of unsold housing inventory in place, which is considered a significant amount as compared to the normal six months. There are a huge amount of upper scale properties in The Villages where prices continue to come down. In fact, some of the lower price areas have already seen a bottoming out, though the luxury properties are still far behind. There are currently a large number of properties over $500,000 for sale in The Villages area, with the average price at $1,155,930 and the days on the market being 301 days.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Climate and Storm History of The Villages, Florida
The climate in The Villages, Florida is transitional, maintaining many characteristics of a tropical climate despite being located on the southern fringe of the humid subtropical climate zone. There are two major seasons each year. From June until late September, The Villages experiences hot, humid and rainy weather, and this period roughly coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season. The second is the dry, warm season which last through October through May and is characterized by less frequent rainfall. Still, there are considerably warm temperatures during the dry season.
During the height of the humid summer months in The Villages, temperatures rarely fall below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and daytime highs are mostly in the 90s. The region’s humidity actually provides a buffer which prevents actual temperatures from exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the effect also pushes the heat index to over 110 degrees on a frequent basis. The Villages highest recorded temperature is 101 degrees and it was set July 2, 1998. During the wet season in The Villages, strong afternoon thunderstorms occur in the afternoon almost daily. Mainly caused by air masses from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean colliding over Central Florida, they include spectacular lightning and can also bring heavy rain, powerful winds, and occasional damaging hail.
In the cooler months in The Villages, humidity is considerably lower and temperatures are more moderate. Average nighttime lows in January are around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and average daytime highs are in the mid-70s. Temperatures rarely dip below freezing in the winter, and snow is exceptionally rare. The only measurable accumulation ever to occur in region around The Villages was in 1948, though some surrounding areas did accumulate six inches in a snow event in 1977.
The Villages has a some hurricane risk, although it is not as high as in South Florida’s urban corridor or other coastal regions. Since the city is located inland from the Atlantic and far from the Gulf of Mexico; as such, hurricanes usually weaken before arriving. During the notorious 2004 hurricane season, The Villages was affected by three hurricanes that caused significant damage in surrounding areas, with Hurricane Charley the worst of these. Tornadoes are not usually connected with the strong thunderstorms of the summer, but are more common during the infrequent storms of winter, as well as in passing hurricanes.
During the height of the humid summer months in The Villages, temperatures rarely fall below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and daytime highs are mostly in the 90s. The region’s humidity actually provides a buffer which prevents actual temperatures from exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the effect also pushes the heat index to over 110 degrees on a frequent basis. The Villages highest recorded temperature is 101 degrees and it was set July 2, 1998. During the wet season in The Villages, strong afternoon thunderstorms occur in the afternoon almost daily. Mainly caused by air masses from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean colliding over Central Florida, they include spectacular lightning and can also bring heavy rain, powerful winds, and occasional damaging hail.
In the cooler months in The Villages, humidity is considerably lower and temperatures are more moderate. Average nighttime lows in January are around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and average daytime highs are in the mid-70s. Temperatures rarely dip below freezing in the winter, and snow is exceptionally rare. The only measurable accumulation ever to occur in region around The Villages was in 1948, though some surrounding areas did accumulate six inches in a snow event in 1977.
The Villages has a some hurricane risk, although it is not as high as in South Florida’s urban corridor or other coastal regions. Since the city is located inland from the Atlantic and far from the Gulf of Mexico; as such, hurricanes usually weaken before arriving. During the notorious 2004 hurricane season, The Villages was affected by three hurricanes that caused significant damage in surrounding areas, with Hurricane Charley the worst of these. Tornadoes are not usually connected with the strong thunderstorms of the summer, but are more common during the infrequent storms of winter, as well as in passing hurricanes.
City of The Villages, Florida: General Information
The Villages, Florida is a city located in Sumter County, and includes portions of Lake and Marion counties. As of the 2000 census, there were 8,333 people, 4,392 households, and 3,583 families residing in the Census Designated Place. A mid-census survey indicates an enormous population boom, with The Villages reaching 75,000 population in December 2007. The same survey shows that growth trends will likely continue from 1990 forward, meaning that The Villages will double in population in the next 5 years.
According to the 2000 census, the population density was 1,605 people per square mile and average housing density of 975 units per square mile. The Villages boasts 400,393 households, with only 0.3% having children under the age of 18 living with them, as a typical retirement community would, Married couples were the vast majority at 80.1%, and 1.2% had a female householder with no husband present. Non-families lived in 18.4% of households, 15.6% were made up of individuals and 11.1% were individuals who was 65 years of age or older.
The distribution of age ranges in The Villages population are also typical of a retirement community. Children under 18 were 0.3% of the population, residents age 18 to 24 were 0.3%, 1.5% of residents were aged from 25 to 44. However, 40.4% of the population was 45 to 64 years old, and 57.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. In fact, the median age was 66 years, as The Villages is an age-restricted community with only three neighborhoods designated for residences by persons under age 19.
The median income for a household The Villages was $42,542, and the median income for a family was $45,078. Males earned a median income of $58,173 and females earned $26,176 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,343.
According to the 2000 census, the population density was 1,605 people per square mile and average housing density of 975 units per square mile. The Villages boasts 400,393 households, with only 0.3% having children under the age of 18 living with them, as a typical retirement community would, Married couples were the vast majority at 80.1%, and 1.2% had a female householder with no husband present. Non-families lived in 18.4% of households, 15.6% were made up of individuals and 11.1% were individuals who was 65 years of age or older.
The distribution of age ranges in The Villages population are also typical of a retirement community. Children under 18 were 0.3% of the population, residents age 18 to 24 were 0.3%, 1.5% of residents were aged from 25 to 44. However, 40.4% of the population was 45 to 64 years old, and 57.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. In fact, the median age was 66 years, as The Villages is an age-restricted community with only three neighborhoods designated for residences by persons under age 19.
The median income for a household The Villages was $42,542, and the median income for a family was $45,078. Males earned a median income of $58,173 and females earned $26,176 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,343.
History of the City of The Villages, Florida
The city of The Villages, Florida is a master-planned age-restricted retirement community located mainly in Sumter County, and includes portions of Lake and Marion counties. The history of the city originated when Harold Schwartz, a businessman from Michigan, began selling tracts of land tracts through mail order in the 1960s. Schwartz and his business partner Al Tarrson soon suffered financial setback from this business plan when a Federal law passed in 1968 banned all mail order sales of real estate by this method. The result was that the pair were burdened with considerable portions of Florida land in the area that is now The Villages.
In the early 1970s, Schwartz and Tarrson took a new direction, beginning development on a mobile home park that they named “Orange Blossom Gardens.” The part occupied the northwestern corner of Lake County in Florida. However, a decade later, the pair had only sold only 400 units within the community. In an attempt to improve the business and turn a profit, Schwartz decided to buy out his partner’s interest and bring his son, H. Gary Morse, on as partner in 1983.
Morse’s participation brought new ideas for developing the property. He was aware that the overwhelmingly successful retirement communities throughout the state of Florida were thriving because they offered considerable numbers of well-maintained amenities. These community’s residents also found themselves surrounded by diverse amounts of nearby commercial development and cultural attractions. Morse began to significantly upgrade the development, and by the mid-1980s there was a considerable improvement in sales. His father Schwartz reacted by purchasing large tracts of land in nearby Sumter and Marion counties to plan for future expansion.
The development was named The Villages in 1992, and is controlled in all major aspects by heirs of Schwartz and Morse. The ruling organizations are several Community Development Districts, most of which are controlled by Morse. The Villages earned the No. 1 ranking as the fastest growing micropolitan area in the United States according to a 2008 Census Bureau report.
In the early 1970s, Schwartz and Tarrson took a new direction, beginning development on a mobile home park that they named “Orange Blossom Gardens.” The part occupied the northwestern corner of Lake County in Florida. However, a decade later, the pair had only sold only 400 units within the community. In an attempt to improve the business and turn a profit, Schwartz decided to buy out his partner’s interest and bring his son, H. Gary Morse, on as partner in 1983.
Morse’s participation brought new ideas for developing the property. He was aware that the overwhelmingly successful retirement communities throughout the state of Florida were thriving because they offered considerable numbers of well-maintained amenities. These community’s residents also found themselves surrounded by diverse amounts of nearby commercial development and cultural attractions. Morse began to significantly upgrade the development, and by the mid-1980s there was a considerable improvement in sales. His father Schwartz reacted by purchasing large tracts of land in nearby Sumter and Marion counties to plan for future expansion.
The development was named The Villages in 1992, and is controlled in all major aspects by heirs of Schwartz and Morse. The ruling organizations are several Community Development Districts, most of which are controlled by Morse. The Villages earned the No. 1 ranking as the fastest growing micropolitan area in the United States according to a 2008 Census Bureau report.
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