Frequently Asked Questions
Are you new to The Villages? Are you a resident who wants to learn more about your hometown? Take a few minutes to review these FAQs and learn more about all The Villages has to offer.
About The Villages
The Villages is a 55+ community made up of a collection of quaint neighborhoods located in the heart of Central Florida. We’re nestled between two beautiful coastlines, ports of travel, and theme parks. The Villages is a fun, affordable community where everything you can possibly ever want, need, or dream of is only a golf car ride away. The Villages is designated the #1 Master Planned community in the nation.
The Villages was inspired by the vision of the Morse family, with the support of countless individuals and business partners. Today, along with The Villages Community Development District, there are over 3000 resident-led lifestyle groups, a vast array of golf, recreation and entertainment, and a partnership that ensures the community and lifestyle everyone enjoys will continue in perpetuity.
The Villages is located in the heart of central Florida. Our location offers easy access to Florida’s highways and byways, near both of Florida’s two beautiful coastlines, airports, cruise terminals, theme parks and a variety of scenic destinations within just an hour or two!
The Villages spans three counties in Central Florida, including Lake, Sumter and Marion counties. There are currently four individual zip codes in The Villages:
- 32159
- 32162
- 32163
- 34762
The Villages is made up of quaint Villages or neighborhoods where you can access all your daily conveniences just a short golf car ride away. The Villages encompasses approximately 57 square miles.
Over 150,000+ residents call The Villages home. Residents, who refer to themselves as “Villagers,” enjoy a comfortable pace of life from gentle relaxation to all out recreation, fun, and healthy living experiences and amenities 365 days of the year!
Over 150,000+ residents call The Villages home. Residents, who refer to themselves as “Villagers,” enjoy a comfortable pace of life from gentle relaxation to all out recreation, fun, and healthy living experiences and amenities 365 days of the year!
The Villages is made up of quaint Villages or neighborhoods where you can access all your daily conveniences just a short golf car ride away. The Villages encompasses approximately 57 square miles.
Approximately 75% of our residents make The Villages their full-time home, while most Villagers enjoy including travel as a part of their lifestyle.
The Villages lifestyle is surprisingly affordable. The monthly amenity fee provides Villagers with free access to golf on all executive courses*, swimming, tennis, pickleball, bocce, sports pools, fishing lakes, parks, trails, 24-hour community watch and more than 3,000+ resident run sports, activities and social clubs. Learn more about the cost of living based on home type.
*A trail fee applies if you wish to use your golf car on the cart paths of the executive courses.
The Villages offers as much variety in home styles and pricing as it does lifestyle activities and amenities, including Patio Villas, Courtyard Villas, Cottage Homes, Verandas, Designer and Premier homes.
Currently, more than 70,000+ households make up The Villages. The Villages continues to grow and prosper as more and more 55+ active adults embrace a world-class selection of outstanding recreation centers, parks, town squares, golf courses, shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences in addition to our 3,000+ resident organized sports, activities and social clubs.
The Villages offers as much variety in home styles and pricing as it does lifestyle activities and amenities, including Patio Villas, Courtyard Villas, Cottage Homes, Verandas, Designer and Premier homes.
Each home series offers a variety of floor plans and designs that vary in size, features and price. Many residents opt to work with The Villages Street of Dreams design team to customize their home. Tour homes available here.
Ask any Villager which is the best Village, and they’ll answer emphatically, their own! Rest assured that no matter where you live in our hometown, our master plan ensures that golf, recreation, shopping dining, entertainment and healthcare are always close by.
Yes, if at least one member of your household is 55 and you are not younger than 19 years old.
While The Villages is a 55+ active adult community, we absolutely do welcome children and grandchildren. In fact, The Villages hosts year-round, inter-generational activities as part of Camp Villages. This special program encourages grandparents and grandchildren to experience together all the lifestyle amenities The Villages has to offer.
Please note, there is a 30-day consecutive limit for visitors under the age of 18.
While The Villages is a 55+ active adult community, with at least one member of your household is 55 and no full-time resident younger than 19 years of age.
We absolutely welcome visiting children and grandchildren. In fact, The Villages hosts year-round, inter-generational activities as part of Camp Villages. This special program encourages grandparents and grandchildren to experience together all the lifestyle amenities The Villages has to offer.
Please note, there is a 30-day consecutive limit for visitors under the age of 18.
Activities
The Villages is the largest golfing community offering the world’s greatest quantity and variety of golf, all in one location. From Practice Facilities, Putting Courses, Pitch & Putts, to Executive and Championship courses.
See all the golf The Villages has to offer: The Villages Golf Map.
With 70,000+ homes and approximately 1.5 golf cars per home, you can see that travel by golf car is a Villagers’ favorite mode of transportation.
No matter where you live, you’ll enjoy connectivity to ALL amenities by a series of paths, tunnels and bridges designated specifically for golf cars!
Fishing is extremely popular in The Villages. There are resident clubs dedicated to fishing and many of The Villages local lakes are home to Florida freshwater fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegills, sunfish, catfish and crappie. The shores of neighboring Lake Miona that borders The Villages has public boat ramp access, while other lakes in The Villages are accessible via the shoreline. See fishing guidelines.
Water Sports are also very popular in The Villages at Lake Miona, Lake Sumter and Lake Okahumpka. There is water skiing on Lake Miona, kayaking on Lake Sumter and Lake Okahumpka, as well as dragon boat racing on Lake Sumter. Ponds and lakes throughout The Villages also are home to radio-controlled sailboats and speed boats.
Water Sports are very popular in The Villages at Lake Miona, Lake Sumter and Lake Okahumpka. There is water skiing on Lake Miona, kayaking on Lake Sumter and Lake Okahumpka, as well as dragon boat racing on Lake Sumter. Ponds and lakes throughout The Villages also are home to radio-controlled sailboats and speed boats.
In addition, fishing is extremely popular in The Villages. There are resident clubs dedicated to fishing and many of The Villages local lakes are home to Florida freshwater fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegills, sunfish, catfish and crappie. The shores of neighboring Lake Miona that borders The Villages has public boat ramp access, while other lakes in The Villages are accessible via the shoreline. See fishing guidelines.
Please visit the District Government website to learn more about requesting I.D. Card(s) for your guests.
Local Area & Services
The Villages is the #1 master-planned community in the United States, made up of quaint Villages or neighborhoods where you can access all your daily conveniences just a short golf car ride away. The Villages encompasses approximately 57 square miles.
Over 150,000+ residents call The Villages home. Residents, who refer to themselves as “Villagers,” enjoy a comfortable pace of life from gentle relaxation to all out recreation, fun, and healthy living experiences and amenities 365 days of the year!
The Villages’ active lifestyle continues to attract new residents more than any other community in the nation. According to US Census data, the Wildwood-The Villages, FL metropolitan statistical area (MSA) saw the greatest growth in the nation from 2022 – 2023 at 4.7%.
The Villages is approximately 45 miles northwest of Orlando, via Florida’s Turnpike.
The Villages is approximately 75 miles northeast of Tampa, via Interstate 75.
The Villages is ideally located in Central Florida, approximately 40 miles from the west coast of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico and 70 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the east. This makes a trip to the beach easy and convenient.
We’re so glad you asked! The Villages has 3 unique, historically-themed town squares for residents and visitors alike to enjoy FREE nightly entertainment 365 days a year. Each town square has an abundance of shopping, dining and entertainment. Spanish Springs Town Square is reminiscent of a Spanish town; Lake Sumter Landing Market Square sits on the banks of Lake Sumter and is themed after a vibrant fishing village; and Brownwood Paddock Square offers a look at an old Florida cow town.
Our latest addition, Sawgrass Grove, brings recreation, golf, shopping, dining, and entertainment together in one amazing experience. Our newest gathering spot highlights The Market at Sawgrass Grove offering several hometown eateries and businesses in one convenient location with plenty of comfortable indoor and outdoor seating for all.
The Villages offers many safety and security services including gated neighborhood entries and The Villages Public Safety “Home Away” house check and community watch program. The Villages has one of the lowest crime rates thanks to our security and safety measures in place, along with the close relationships Villagers have with one another and the watchful eyes of neighborhood friends.
The Villages has the lowest crime rate in Florida at 1,044 crimes per 100,000 people, according to the FBI. The Villages also has the lowest violent crime rate in the state at 27 per 100,000 people, according to the latest FBI data available from 2022.
The Villages offers many safety and security services including gated neighborhood entries and The Villages Public Safety “Home Away” house check and community watch program. The Villages has one of the lowest crime rates thanks to our security and safety measures in place, along with the close relationships Villagers have with one another and the watchful eyes of neighborhood friends.
The Villages is protected by the local and county law enforcement offices and officers.
The Villages Public Safety Department includes EMS/EMT and fire department services. These services are conveniently located throughout the community and first responders pride themselves on service and response times.
Yes. UF Health Hospital is a 307-bed acute care hospital that has been serving residents of The Villages and patients from Lake, Sumter and Marion counties since 2002. In January 2020, the hospital was acquired by University of Florida Health, an award-winning, not-for-profit health care system and the largest, most comprehensive provider of healthcare services in the region.
Villagers have access to inpatient acute hospital services at UF Health Hospital and UF Health Leesburg Hospital, inpatient rehabilitation services at UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital, adult inpatient psychiatric services at the UF Health Leesburg Hospital Senior Behavioral Health Center and diagnostic laboratory services at several locations throughout the community.
In 2020, The Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood opened. This leading-edge ambulatory healthcare center offers comprehensive specialty outpatient services.
Come visit and experience
the lifestyle our residents
enjoy every day!
Play golf, pickleball, enjoy FREE nightly entertainment and try something new.
Stay from 4-7 nights in a private Villa, complete with golf car and bicycles, perfect for exploring The Villages and what your life could be like living in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.
