Getting around and living “inside the bubble” is easy and can be done via many multi-modal methods including automobile, golf cart, bicycle, and walking.
Automobile:
Many renters and homeowners can navigate much of The Villages simply enough by car. There are several main artery roads within The Villages (TV) as well as major highways around the periphery. You will want to familiarize yourself with the primary North/South roads including Buena Vista Blvd and Morse Blvd. There are also several major East/West roads including County route 466 and 466A. The newest neighborhoods of The Villages are located South of the Florida turnpike. We have tried to define these “major” geographic boundaries on our neighborhood page <HERE>
Roundabouts:
One subject for driving a vehicle in The Villages requires specific attention. TV’s main roads use a number of roundabouts that drivers may not be familiar with. Be careful in your driving habits here. There are several handy brochures (and here) on the subject, but here are some specifics, especially when traveling North or South on Morse Blvd or Buena Vista Blvd.
— If you are continuing through a roundabout stay in the right-hand lane and proceed to the 2nd exit of the roundabout
— If you plan to make a u-turn or are going to the “left”, then enter the roundabout in the LEFT-hand lane
— Don’t enter the roundabout if you see any vehicles to your left (yield)
— Always use your turn signals to indicate which direction you want to go.
Lucy’s comment:
If you are not familiar with traffic roundabouts, and believe me, there is lots of confusion and discussion on proper driving techniques, then go to my dedicated page on ROUNDABOUTS <HERE>
Navigation Aids:
As a student of Villages 101, you will want to familiarize yourself with the basic layout of TV, which now covers four counties and takes a good one-hour drive to traverse the furthest corners. The Villages sales offices have large paper maps; and there are multiple maps to cover the primary Northern and Southern areas. Your smartphone GPS navigation tools are fine for automobile driving, but you will need the custom tools for driving your golf cart on the paths, tunnels, and bridges.
Golf Cart Specific Navigation:
Several years ago, the primary app for The Villages added GPS navigation aids to the application. The routes for golf carts are very DIFFERENT than simple automobile road navigation. The Villages app is discussed in more detail <HERE>.
More recently, a separate effort was made to develop an app for navigation by golf cart or car that is more akin to Google maps with voice navigation. Details on how you can purchase that app are <HERE> (Android) or <HERE> (Apple)
Lucy’s tip: For golf cart navigation, you will want to purchase a long USB cord for your smartphone as well as a mounting bracket for your phone. Sturdy clamp-on phone brackets are available on amazon.com and most cell phone dealers. You don’t want your navigation device falling off your lap while driving a golf cart!
I updated a blog post with a new cradle/holder for your smartphone. You really want to have it secured in your golf cart, not on your lap! Check out the holder from Desert Fox Golf
Golf Cart Operation:
Driving a golf cart around The Villages is a key fun part of the overall experience. Doing so safely is also part of the quality experience.
If you’re looking to rent a golf cart and/or seeking tips for re-fueling, visit this page <HERE>.
Also, please read this page for driving tips and cart etiquette <HERE>. Also be sure to check out safety videos and information provided by The Villages Homeowners Advocates <HERE>. The VHA is an advocacy organization, not The Villages Property Owners Association, but they do have valuable info beyond this golf cart info <HERE>
