Where is The Villages, Florida?

In Central Florida, spread across Sumter, Lake and Marion counties, roughly between Ocala and the Orlando area. The main roads in are US 441/27 and State Road 44.

Can you visit The Villages if you don't live there?

Yes. Visitors can drive in through the visitor lane, park for free, and enjoy the town squares, restaurants, shops and nightly live music. Recreation centers, golf and most clubs are for residents and their guests.

Do you have to be 55 to live in The Villages?

At least 80 percent of homes must have a resident who is 55 or older, and people under 19 generally can't live there full time outside a few family neighborhoods.

Are the rumors about The Villages true?

Every resident we asked said the wild stories online are exaggerated, and we didn't see anything that backed them up. What we saw was a very social, very active community.

How do people get around The Villages?

Mostly by golf cart. There are cart paths beside, over and under the roads, including bridges over the interstate, and residents told us they spend more time in their carts than their cars.