Lakewood Ranch, Valencia Lakes, Plantation Golf & CC

[inkitnow]

Hi! Assuming all that oil doesn't wash up on Florida's west coast, we plan to move there next year - IF we can sell our townhouse. Does anyone live in one of these three communities? I'd appreciate hearing from a resident about what you like, what you dislike, what made you select that community etc.
Thanks.

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by inkitnow Hi! Assuming all that oil doesn't wash up on Florida's west coast, we plan to move there next year - IF we can sell our townhouse. Does anyone live in one of these three communities? I'd appreciate hearing from a resident about what you like, what you dislike, what made you select that community etc. Thanks.

I am very familiar with Lakewood Ranch & Plantation Golf & Country Club . I do not live in either one but I live near Lakewood Ranch which I think is great . It is a master planned community that includes everything . It's own hospital ,main street and upscale shopping center . There is lots of building in that area and it is convenient to interstate 75 . Prices have dropped there and there are some great buys . It has lots of activities & clubs . Plantation golf & Country Club ( I assume you mean the one in Venice ,Fl.) is very nice and well kept . It also has easy access to 75 . It is in Venice which I absolutely love . A perfect beach town with a historic main street . Plantation does not have the amenities that Lakewood Ranch does but it is very nice . I used to live very close to it .I have no idea about Valencia Lakes . Lakewood Ranch is great for access to Tampa & Sarasota . Plantation is great for access to sarasota but a further drive to Tampa . It depends on what you are looking for and what activities you want .

[JOHNNIE36]

I don't live in any but we looked at Valencia Lakes and opted for Sun City Center which is just down the road (we're in our 70's). Two entirely different communities. Valencia Laks is geared more toward the "yuppies" although some retired people live in there also. The "lakes" is very nice but a little on the pricey side and it is a CDD communy. Better check out all the costs associated with this type community.

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I know people in Lakewood Ranch and have wandered there from time to time. It is very popular, has a nice "midwestern" feel to it culturally and in fact was developed originally as a ranch by the Wisconsin Uihlein family (think Miller brewery).

Very nice as Moe says.

[inkitnow]

Thanks to all for your input. It sounds like both are nice....we'd better get our butts down there to see for ourselves, I guess.

[inkitnow]

What does CDD stand for?

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by inkitnow Thanks to all for your input. It sounds like both are nice....we'd better get our butts down there to see for ourselves, I guess.

We rented for a year before moving and it was the best thing you can do . It gave me a chance to really check out the area before buying . It is much different living in a place than visiting . You probably don't need a year but at least four months . Lakewood Ranch & Plantation golf & Country Club are very different . Lakewood Ranch is fairly new and encompasses every type of house or townhouse you could imagine and all price ranges . Plantation is older and mostly condos with some houses and the people are older . Are you looking for a golf community or just a gated one ? The golf communities are nice but have added expenses and often the golf course goes belly up and the residents are stuck . There are lots of golf courses so you really do not have to live on one .Venice ,Sarasota and Bradenton all have public golf courses that are very nice .