The Villages is a massive age-restricted retirement community located in central Florida. It spans three counties – Lake, Sumter and Marion – and consists of dozens of neighborhoods organized into villages. With a population of over 130,000 residents, The Villages operates like its own city with all the amenities retirees could ask for. But with so many options spread out over 32 square miles, it can be overwhelming for newcomers to grasp the full extent of this sprawling community. This article will provide an overview of the different villages that make up The Villages, making it easier to understand the layout and offerings in this one-of-a-kind retirement destination.
Spanish Springs
Spanish Springs was the first village built in The Villages. Located in northern Sumter County, it consists of 11 neighborhoods nestled around the Spanish Springs Town Square. Some key facts about Spanish Springs village:
- Built in the 1980s as the inaugural neighborhood of The Villages.
- Home to around 11,490 residents as of 2022.
- Named for the natural springs that attracted Native Americans to the area.
- Spanish Springs Town Square features live music, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.
- Residential options range from single family homes to patio villas.
Major neighborhoods in Spanish Springs include Santorini, Santo Domingo, Alhambra and Sevilla. The architecture and street names reflect the Spanish and Mediterranean themes of this village. With reasonably priced homes and a lively town square, Spanish Springs offers an affordable Villages lifestyle near many amenities.
Lake Sumter Landing
Straddling the border of Lake and Sumter Counties, Lake Sumter Landing is a popular village that provides easy access to numerous recreation opportunities. Details about Lake Sumter Landing include:
- Opened in 2004 as a premier shopping/dining destination.
- Home to approximately 8,070 residents as of 2022.
- Bordered by Lake Sumter for boating and fishing activities.
- Features Spanish Revival architectural theme with clay tile roofs.
- Residential options range from villas to custom homes on golf courses.
Major neighborhoods in Lake Sumter Landing include Duval, Miranda, Cortez and De Leon. The village is known for its upscale homes and shopping/dining at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square. The proximity to outdoor recreation makes this a popular choice.
Brownwood Paddock Square
Located along County Road 466A in central Sumter County, Brownwood Paddock Square opened in 2012 as The Villages’ newest town square. Here are some key facts about this village:
- Home to around 5,680 residents as of 2022.
- Centered around Brownwood Paddock Square’s restaurants and entertainment.
- Features a rustic, Americana theme with many homes having metal roofs.
- Water oak trees and Wraparound porches common in residential areas.
- Diverse housing from apartments to free-standing cottages.
Major neighborhoods in Brownwood Paddock Square include Hillsborough, Tallahassee, Daytona and Dunnellon. Live music and a movie theater make the town square a popular nightlife hub. And the diverse housing options attract residents of varying income levels.
Colony Cottage
Tucked into central Marion County just south of CR 466, Colony Cottage has a quaint, small-town feel compared to other villages. Details on Colony Cottage include:
- Opened in 2010 with around 1,900 residents as of 2022.
- Centered around the Colony Cottage Recreation Center.
- Homes have Arts and Crafts-style architecture like Craftsman bungalows.
- Porches, dormers, shuttered windows common in residential areas.
- Primarily single-family homes on small lots with some duplexes.
Major neighborhoods include Charlotte, Bryson, Willis/Wilcox and Oxford. The intimate village scale and charming architectural details define the character of Colony Cottage. Residents enjoy a quainter lifestyle but remain close to every amenity The Villages offers.
Southern Oaks
Straddling the Lake/Sumter county border just west of Morse Blvd, Southern Oaks offers a convenient location near shopping and services. Details about this village include:
- Built in the 1990s with around 5,700 residents as of 2022.
- Centered around the Southern Oaks Recreation Center.
- Key neighborhoods include Dunedin, Clearwater and Daytona.
- Florida Cracker architectural style seen in many homes.
- Variety of housing from villas to custom homes on golf courses.
Known for its palm tree-lined streets and many recreation opportunities, Southern Oaks provides easy access to the conveniences at Spanish Springs Town Square just to the north. Residents enjoy close proximity to healthcare facilities as well.
Chit Chat
One of the newer villages in The Villages, Chit Chat is located in southeast Marion County. Here are some fast facts about this village:
- Opened in 2019 and home to around 2,600 residents as of 2022.
- Centered around Chit Chat Corner with shops, dining and entertainment.
- Largest neighborhood is Odell.
- Variety of housing from townhomes to large custom homes.
- Lifestyle features nearby golf courses, outdoor recreation and social clubs.
As a newer village, Chit Chat offers state-of-the-art amenities and modern housing styles. And residents enjoy a slightly more secluded location away from the town centers while still having shopping and dining nearby at Chit Chat Corner.
Fenney
Situated along County Road 101 in southeast Marion County, Fenney is defined by its lush tropical landscaping. Details about this village include:
- Built in 2005 and home to around 3,400 residents as of 2022.
- Centered around the Fenney Recreation Center and pool area.
- Popular neighborhoods include Biltmore, Amherst and Vanderbilt.
- Tropical resort architecture seen in many homes.
- Housing ranges from villas to custom homes on golf courses.
From key lime trees to palmettos, the lush tropical vegetation gives Fenney a unique resort-style ambiance. And amenities like the mega-pool at the recreation center make this village stand out.
Hillsborough
Straddling the Sumter/Marion county border along CR 466A, Hillsborough provides easy access to Brownwood Paddock Square. Details of this village include:
- Opened in 2013 with around 1,900 residents as of 2022.
- Part of Brownwood Paddock Square community.
- Popular neighborhoods include Orlando, Tallahassee and Hollywood.
- Lifestyle centered around Brownwood shopping and entertainment.
- Diverse housing from apartments to free-standing homes.
As an extension of Brownwood Paddock Square, Hillsborough offers additional housing options convenient to the restaurants, shops and recreation in that community. And residents can easily access the healthcare facilities along the CR 466 corridor.
Canal Street
Tucked into northeast Sumter County along El Camino Real, Canal Street provides a peaceful village setting. Details include:
- Opened in 2022 and home to around 300 residents so far.
- Newest neighborhood is Bridgeport.
- Centered around the Canal Street Recreation Center.
- Coastal architectural theme with many homes having metal roofs.
- Primarily single-family homes on smaller lots.
As one of the newest and smallest villages, Canal Street has a quaint, old-fashioned feel reminiscent of the early days of The Villages. Residents enjoy a quieter lifestyle but remain close to Spanish Springs for conveniences.
Additional Villages
The list above covers the major villages in The Villages. But this sprawling community contains a few additional, smaller villages including:
- Springdale – Opened in 1998 in Fruitland Park.
- McCormick – Built in 2003 near Southern Oaks.
- Polo Grounds – Opened in 2005 near Brownwood.
- Mallory Hill – Built in 2010 north of Fenney.
While not as large as some of the key villages described earlier, these additional communities still provide all the same amenities and recreational opportunities that make The Villages lifestyle so attractive to retirees.
Key Takeaways
Looking at each main village in The Villages provides an overview of the diversity of neighborhoods and housing options available. Here are some key takeaways:
- There are currently over 20 major neighborhoods spread across Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties.
- Each village has its own architectural theme from Mediterranean to Old Florida Cracker styles.
- Town squares and recreation centers anchor most villages.
- Housing ranges from rental apartments to mansion-sized custom homes.
- Lifestyle focuses on golf, boating, swimming, clubs and community activities.
With new villages still being added even now, The Villages continues to expand and offer retirees endless housing options tailored to every interest and budget. This overview shows the unique character of each established village that collectively make The Villages a one-of-a-kind retirement destination like no other.
Villages Comparison Table
Here is a comparison table summarizing key details on some of the major villages in The Villages:
| Village | County | Year Opened | Approx. Homes | Architecture Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Springs | Sumter | 1980s | 5,000 | Mediterranean |
| Lake Sumter Landing | Lake/Sumter | 2004 | 3,700 | Spanish Revival |
| Brownwood Paddock Square | Sumter | 2012 | 2,500 | Rustic Americana |
| Colony Cottage | Marion | 2010 | 800 | Arts and Crafts |
| Southern Oaks | Lake/Sumter | 1990s | 2,500 | Florida Cracker |
| Chit Chat | Marion | 2019 | 1,000 | Coastal/Contemporary |
| Fenney | Marion | 2005 | 1,400 | Tropical Resort |
| Hillsborough | Marion/Sumter | 2013 | 700 | Rustic Americana |
This table provides a glance of how villages differ in locations, ages, sizes and architectural styles even within a single retirement community. The range of options highlights how The Villages can appeal to a diverse demographic of retirees.
Conclusion
The Villages set out to reinvent retirement living, and looking at the wide range of village offerings shows how successfully this community provides active seniors endless amenities, recreation and housing choices. From quaint neighborhoods like Canal Street to bustling town centers like Brownwood Paddock Square, each village contributes something unique while still maintaining The Villages’ core vision of an active lifestyle. With new villages and amenities being added every year, The Villages continues working towards its goal of becoming America’s Friendliest Hometown. This overview of the key villages aims to help newcomers and prospective residents better understand the diverse makeup of this one-of-a-kind retirement community.
