A Realistic Look at Daily Life at The Villages: Our Lifestyle Preview Experience

We spent seven nights in December experiencing a Lifestyle Preview at The Villages, a large, master planned 55 and over community in central Florida. I’m 55 and my husband is 57, and we’re recently retired, which naturally shaped how we experienced the community and thought about whether it feels like the right fit for us right now.

Rather than rushing through a quick visit, staying for a full week allowed us to settle into a daily rhythm. We were able to explore different neighborhoods, try the amenities, experience the social scene, and see what everyday life actually looks like beyond first impressions.

What follows is an honest, informative look at our experience, what stood out most, and what we learned by living there for a week.

Getting Oriented With the Lifestyle Preview

About a week before our trip, our assigned real estate agent called to check in, answer any initial questions, and set up our first meeting. Around the same time, her assistant reached out to gather details in advance, including whether we planned to play golf and which complimentary show we wanted to attend. Having those conversations ahead of time made everything feel organized before we arrived.

They were aware that we would be arriving late in the evening. On the morning of our arrival, our agent texted us the address of the home, and everything was prepared so we could settle in easily on our own.

One of our first impressions when we walked in was how thoughtfully the house had been prepared. The lights were left on, and the keys for the home and golf car, along with the garage door opener, were neatly laid out on the kitchen island. Also displayed were maps, pamphlets, and informational sheets covering everything from navigating The Villages to participating in activities like pickleball. A loaf of blueberry bread had also been left for us, which we happily enjoyed throughout the week. The information provided answered most questions before we even needed to ask and immediately made the arrival feel calm and welcoming.

We met with our agent the following day. She came to the house to review check in and check out details, along with what was included during our stay. From there, she spent a couple hours touring the area with us by golf car, giving us a detailed look at different villages and helping us get oriented.

While we were out, she walked us through how everything worked, including a helpful golf car tutorial that made navigating The Villages feel much more manageable. Throughout the community, golf carts are referred to as golf cars, and there are separate paths, crossings, and navigation rules for them. The Villages app quickly became a go to, allowing us to choose directions by car or golf car. She also provided her cell phone number and encouraged us to reach out with any questions.

What Was Included With the Lifestyle Preview

One of the most helpful aspects of the Lifestyle Preview is that several experiences are included, allowing you to sample daily life rather than just observe it.

Each of us received a Lifestyle Preview Guest ID card outlining what was included during our stay, which our agent reviewed with us in detail.

The preview included two rounds of golf, along with access to one round at a pitch and putt course. A full bucket of balls for the driving range was also included. We rented golf clubs for $45 per person, and each rental came with a complimentary box of TaylorMade golf balls.

Championship courses are played as 18 holes, while executive courses are 9 holes. Residents have access to executive courses as part of their amenity fee, while championship courses have an additional charge. During our Lifestyle Preview, we played championship courses.

One fitness center visit was included. Additional access is available for $10 per day or $25 for the week.

The Lifestyle Preview also included tickets to one show. Prior to arrival, we were given several show options to choose from, and the tickets were provided upon arrival and placed in the house with the other materials.

Use of a golf car was included for the duration of our stay, along with gate access throughout The Villages. We were also provided with two bikes and helmets, which were stored in the garage and available for use during the week.

The preview also included access to the trolley tour, which departs from the Eastport Welcome Center and provides an overview of the area.

First Impressions and the Overall Feel

One of the most immediate impressions of The Villages is how clean and well maintained everything feels. Streets, paths, golf courses, recreation centers, and town squares all appeared thoughtfully cared for.

People were consistently friendly and welcoming, often stopping to ask where we were visiting from and encouraging us to move there. There is a strong sense of pride, and many residents feel deeply connected to their particular village.

When we asked others who live there what they liked most, the responses were consistent. Weather, a strong sense of neighborhood, safety, and cleanliness came up again and again.

We also noticed how comfortable people seemed leaving personal items in their golf cars. Seeing golf clubs sitting openly in the back of golf cars was common, and we were told crime is not something most residents worry about.

We also learned that many streets throughout The Villages are named after long time employees, which reflected how much the community values the people who keep it running. Our real estate agent even showed us a street named after her, which made that tradition feel especially personal.

The weather during our visit was generally very comfortable. There were a couple of cooler evenings where pants and long sleeves were needed, and we were especially thankful for the golf car curtains to help block the wind.

What Daily Life Looks Like

Spending a full week allowed us to see what everyday life actually looks like.

Golf is clearly woven into daily routines, along with walking, swimming, pickleball, tennis, and group fitness. We regularly saw people playing water volleyball at the Ezell pool and gathering early in the morning to start their day.

The weekly Recreation and Parks newspaper was especially helpful. It lists activities by area and includes a section dedicated to clubs, all run by villagers themselves, with meeting times and contact information clearly listed. Seeing how much of the community is self run gave us a better appreciation for how connected and involved residents truly are.

One thing that surprised us as the week went on was the overall scale of the community. From Shallow Creek golf course, we could see a high school stadium large enough to host Friday night lights. We learned it is a charter school, with attendance limited to children of people who work in The Villages, reinforcing how self contained the community truly is.

We also met many people who both live and work in The Villages, from restaurant staff to individuals working in recreation and fitness centers. Our real estate agent also lives there, which added helpful perspective.

Recreation and Fitness

Staying active appears to be a central part of daily life.

We worked out at Ezell Recreation Center, which was closest to our home in Well Point and is one of the recreation centers that includes a fitness center. Not all recreation centers have fitness facilities, so it was helpful to understand which locations did. There are currently 7 recreation complexes throughout The Villages that include fitness centers, with an 8th fitness center scheduled to open in the Eastport area. During our stay, we also visited Rohan, Sea Breeze, and Fenney to see how they compared.

Fenney was the smallest of the fitness centers we saw, but it was also the most scenic, surrounded by Spanish moss trees that gave it a peaceful, almost park like feel.

My husband also visited Everglades Fitness Park, which offers outdoor running paths and activities such as karate, softball, pickleball, tennis, and swimming. By 8:30 in the morning, hundreds of people were already active, which made skipping a workout feel far less tempting.

One thing we learned during the week is that fitness centers are not included in the monthly amenity fee, which is helpful to understand early on.

Recreation Centers and Community Life

One thing that stood out throughout the week was how much thought has gone into the recreation centers. Each one we visited had its own distinct theme and design, making them feel more like community gathering spaces than traditional rec centers.

During our stay, all of the centers were decorated for the holidays, and each had a Christmas tree styled to reflect the theme of that particular location. It was a small detail, but one that made each space feel welcoming and personal.

These recreation centers are where many of the clubs, classes, and daily activities take place, and it was clear how central they are to everyday life in The Villages. We also noticed that people naturally gathered there throughout the day, and we observed religious services taking place as well, reinforcing how these spaces serve many roles within the community.

Social Life, Music, and Town Squares

In the evening, social life centers around the town squares and live music.

We spent time at Brownwood Paddock Square multiple evenings. Live music is held nightly from 5–9, with plenty of seating provided in bleachers and chairs. Many surrounding restaurants offer outdoor bar seating where you can still hear the music, and there is also a bar located near the music area.

Dancing is very much part of the scene. One comment that made us smile was hearing someone refer to watching the “village dancers,” meaning regular people out on the square just enjoying themselves. It was genuinely fun to sit back, listen to the music, and watch everyone dance, laugh, and fully lean into the moment. It was one of those moments where you stop observing and simply enjoy being part of what’s happening around you.

We also visited Edna’s on the Green during the day. They offer live music daily from 3–6 and 4–7 and are surrounded by beautiful Spanish moss trees, creating a relaxed daytime atmosphere that felt very different from the evening crowds.

On one rainy evening, we headed to the St. Tropez Recreation Center, which was just a short drive from our home. It turned out to be a fun and easy alternative to going out, and we spent the evening playing pool, table shuffleboard, darts, and ping pong. It was a great reminder that there are plenty of social options even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Eastport and Newer Areas

Eastport is the newest town square serving the southern end of The Villages and is still very much evolving. Even so, it already feels thoughtfully designed and full of potential.

The area includes a large man made lake with walking paths and a small island called Sunset Island. While neither was fully open during our visit, both were already visually appealing and added to the sense that this will be a beautiful space once completed. Throughout Eastport, we also noticed many statues placed around the area, making it easy to slow down, look around, and take photos as you explore.

When we visited, the bars on either side of the main stage were open and music was being piped in, though live bands had not started yet. The Eastport Olympia recreation center was also offering viewings during our stay, although we were unable to attend. The Eastport Welcome Center is also located here and serves as a helpful starting point for visitors exploring the area.

We spent some time on the terrace at Prime and Ember for afternoon drinks and appetizers. The terrace is located on the 2nd floor and overlooks many of the upcoming stores along with the area where live music will eventually play. The bartender shared that the terrace had only been open for about 2 weeks, and when we arrived around 3:30, it was already very busy. There was one bartender with a manager supporting her, and the bartender was still getting comfortable with the drink menu. Even so, both were friendly and welcoming. We ordered the seafood salad stack and baked meatballs from the bar menu, and both the food and presentation were very good.

An Eastport hotel is also scheduled to open in January, which felt like another sign of how quickly this area is continuing to grow and round out the town square experience.

Our Home Base in Well Point

We stayed in Well Point Village in a two bedroom, two bath villa called Paradise Found. The home included a one car garage along with a separate golf car garage, which made coming and going easy. Eastport Town Square was about 8 minutes away by golf car, while Brownwood Paddock Square was about 22 minutes away by golf car or 15 minutes by car.

The villa was well equipped for a week long stay and felt comfortable and functional. Just inside the entry, there was a small screened in lanai between the exterior entryway and the main door of the house. It was a quiet spot and a nice place to sit, especially in the mornings or evenings. Inside, plenty of towels were provided along with a washer and dryer. While the washer and dryer were a bit loud when running, it was manageable. The kitchen included a Keurig machine, cookware, utensils, glassware, and a refrigerator with an ice maker and water dispenser. A few laundry pods and dishwasher pods were also provided.

Like most homes in The Villages, the villa uses a tankless water heater, so hot water takes a little time to come through. At one point, we thought there might be an issue and called maintenance. Someone came out right away and confirmed everything was working properly. Our real estate agent later shared that this is typical with tankless systems and something she experiences as well, which helped put it into perspective.

Touring Homes and Neighborhoods

The Villages offers an impressive range of home styles and layouts across its many villages, with well over a hundred floor plans available depending on location, build type, and whether homes are new or resale.

We took the trolley tour from the Eastport Welcome Center, which lasted about an hour and provided a helpful, high level overview of the community. During the tour, there was a stop at the Street of Dreams Welcome Center, where a large map of The Villages was reviewed to show how the different neighborhoods are laid out across the area.

After the trolley tour, our assigned agent met us back in Eastport and drove us through several neighborhoods. She showed us a variety of homes currently for sale, including both new construction and resale properties, and pointed out differences such as water views, golf course views, and other location features that can significantly impact a home’s setting. From there, she brought us back to the Street of Dreams and walked us through multiple model homes, helping narrow down the types of homes and layouts that best matched what we would realistically be interested in.

Working With a Real Estate Agent During the Visit

Working with an assigned real estate agent was an important part of the Lifestyle Preview.

Over the course of the week, our agent spent several hours with us, adjusting what she showed based on our feedback and preferences. She explained how property taxes can vary depending on which county a home is located in, since The Villages spans multiple counties. She also explained how bonds associated with homes work and how lot costs for new builds fluctuate depending on location.

Having an agent who lives in The Villages added valuable perspective and helped us better understand both the lifestyle and the long term considerations.

We would recommend Machele Seiver for anyone considering a Lifestyle Preview. She was professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the process, without pressure.

Dining, Errands, and Practical Realities

We ate out most evenings, often choosing Brownwood Paddock Square since it was easy to reach by golf car at night. While there, we dined at Harvest, Blu Fin, and Prima Italian Steakhouse. One dish that truly stood out was the mustard encrusted salmon at Blu Fin. It was so good that I completely forgot to take a photo, which says more than any picture probably could.

We also ate at Harry & The Natives during our stay. Our server, Gianna S, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the restaurant and shared that nothing is frozen or microwaved, which made the food feel especially fresh and was a detail that stood out during our visit.

One evening, we ate at Metro Diner before attending the holiday show. The soup and burger we ordered were both very good and made for an easy, comfortable dinner option.

We found The Market at Sawgrass Grove to be a convenient spot with several dining options under one roof, along with a Provisionals market where you can pick up a few essentials if needed. Located in the southern area of The Villages and very close to our villa, it was easy to stop in for a casual meal. I had a great reuben sandwich from The Butcher Sandwiches shop, which made it a simple and satisfying lunch.

We stopped at Publix early in the week for groceries, which was only about 6 minutes from our villa and quickly became part of our routine. Prices were higher than what we are used to at home in New Jersey, something that stood out during the week, though we did notice some good buy one get one free offers throughout the store. After talking with others who live in The Villages, we learned that Aldi and Walmart are often preferred for saving money, while Publix is popular for convenience.

Located in the same area, we also had breakfast at Reveille Coffeehouse Cafe in Magnolia Square. Over the course of the week, though, we naturally fell into a rhythm of making breakfast at home instead. Mornings felt unhurried, making our coffee, easing into the day, and reading the daily The Villages The Sun, which was delivered right to the driveway each morning. It felt pleasantly old school and added to the feeling of being part of the community.

We also found it helpful to have a rental car in addition to using the golf car. While the golf car worked well for nearby villages and town squares, the car was useful on cooler or rainy days and for trips that would have taken much longer by golf car.

Helpful Tips for a Lifestyle Preview

• Lifestyle Preview dates typically open about 2 months in advance. If you’re interested in visiting during January, February, or March, it’s important to call ahead as soon as those dates open. You can also ask to be placed on a wait list so you’re contacted if availability opens for your preferred timeframe.

• Use your assigned real estate agent to help you understand different neighborhoods, home styles, and views.

• Pick up a few basics if you plan to cook, such as measuring spoons, a sponge for cleaning, and plastic storage bowls. The bowls provided in the villa were quite small.

• Bring an umbrella if rain is in the forecast.

• Consider renting a car in addition to using a golf car, especially for cooler days, rainy weather, or longer distances.

Final Thoughts

Spending a week in The Villages gave us clarity rather than pressure to decide anything right away, and that felt like exactly what a Lifestyle Preview should do. We were able to experience daily routines, explore different neighborhoods, and get a real sense of how life there actually feels, not just how it looks on paper. The setting itself is undeniably beautiful, from the well kept golf courses to the walking paths, water views, and thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces that are woven throughout the community.

One moment that stayed with me happened at the Christmas show we attended, when a gentleman kindly commented that I seemed too young to be in The Villages. It was said in a friendly way and made me smile, but it also reflected something we noticed throughout the week. At this stage of life, we feel a bit younger than many of the current residents. That said, it did not take away from how much we enjoyed our time or how welcoming everyone was.

Overall, we left feeling grateful for the experience. The Villages offers an active, social, and thoughtfully planned lifestyle, and spending a full week allowed us to appreciate both the appeal and the realities. While it may not be the right time for us just yet, we can very easily see ourselves living here in the future, and we are glad we took the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

🌿When you think about your next stage of living, what matters most to you in a retirement community?

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