Today we’re comparing two very different communities situated less that 45 minutes from each other, The Villages and Trilogy® Orlando.
You all know The Villages as the most popular retirement community in the country right now. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better than any of the other communities we compare it to, including Trilogy®.
Different strokes for different folks.
Shea Homes is the builder/developer at Trilogy® Orlando. “Trilogy” is Shea’s brand of active-adult communities and they build them in several states including Florida, Arizona, California, Nevada, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington.
Location
If you plan to visit Orlando on a frequent basis, then Trilogy® Orlando might be a better bet for you, location wise.
Trilogy® is about 45 minutes Southeast of The Villages and it is about 30 minutes due West of downtown Orlando.
So basically, Trilogy® Orlando cuts your travel time to Orlando more than in half, and it is situated far enough away from downtown to where you don’t get the traffic or congestion, but are close enough to all the restaurants, shopping, entertainment and cultural options that you don’t even have to think twice about the drive when you want those things.
You can’t say that with The Villages. Orlando is a good haul from The Villages. Some people, even some who live in The Villages, decide they want to work part-time at Disney or one of the other theme parks just to keep busy. If that’s the case, you’re probably better off at a place like Trilogy.
Amenities
Trilogy® Orlando does not have a golf course within the community, so if that’s what you’re after or one of your top criteria, The Villages wins that argument.
But, if you only golf occasionally, you should know that you will be within short distance of all the courses the Orlando area has to offer, many of which are typically rated much higher than those in The Villages.
As for the other amenities, the ones at Trilogy® Orlando are on par with those in The Villages. Sure, there are fewer of them because its nowhere near the size, but at the same time, you probably don’t use all 75 swimming pools in The Villages either. You probably only use the one closest to your house or where your friends hang out.
Designed to exceed even your highest expectations, Magnolia House at Trilogy® Orlando is a 57,000+ square foot resort club featuring all the latest in dining, fitness, relaxation, and social connectivity.
The Indoor/Outdoor Lap Pool has plenty of space for active exercise or relaxation and a protected area for year-round swimming. There's also a Resort Pool that features touches typically reserved for a Caribbean getaway.
It’s well worth a look. Shea is at the forefront of providing the amenities Boomers are looking for.
Entertainment
We all know The Villages has free nightly entertainment in the town squares.
But at Trilogy® Orlando, it’s more about quality over quantity with “The Good Life Festival” Concert Series.
This public festival includes concerts with favorite national and local acts on outdoor stages, and a variety of activities that celebrate “The Good Life,” which include gourmet food and cooking demonstrations, specialty shopping, wine tasting, craft beer tasting, spa and golf demonstrations.
The Good Life Festival brings together excellent music and complimentary lifestyle experiences to offer people a taste of the good life that the Members of Trilogy Communities enjoy. Add an evening of great live music under the stars to an afternoon of wine tasting and a little noshing, and you have the makings for a perfect day at The Good Life Festival.
Some past and future headliners include The Beach Boys, Rick Springfield, Chicago, Kenny G, Three Dog Night, Eddie Money, and many more.
Which One Will You Choose?
As you can see there's a lot to consider when comparing The Villages and Trilogy® Orlando. They each stand out in their own ways.
What I do know though, is that because they are so close together, if you are considering one, it won't hurt to go and take a look at the other.
Considering relocating to Clermont, Orlando Florida area and having difficulty deciding on the best area. Tend to lean to the are west of Orlando and closer to the Gulf Coast.
Any information would be helpful.
I like the concept, but I question how much the increase is on a home WITH solar panels, versus WITHOUT. And my electric bill in the Villages runs between $100 and $150 for 2,000 square feet.
Also—I DO NOT LIKE to pay subsidy tax money, to people who decide to go with solar power, or, to buy an electric car. If someone wishes to pay the full cost—great. That is their decision. But I was not asked if I wanted to provide subsidy money to those that want to go that route. I should not have to provide monetary incentives for others tax wise, nor in a higher electric bill. Make those people pay the FULL COST. And I will do the same—if I decide to go solar or buy an electric car. It isn’t fair to those that go along with the normal stream of living.
Also—back when the electric buy back plan was designed—it was a flawed design. However because there were not that many people who participated, it was not a huge cost issue to the normal rate payers. NOW HOWEVER—the solar route is growing (with all the subsidy money offered), and the cost to the normal rate payer is growing along with it. So now the flawed system is growing bigger and costing more. THAT design needs to be changed to a fair equation for all—NOT just for the solar people. Thank you for your time and effort. JACK JANSSEN