The Village of Santiago

The Village of Santiago sits in The Villages, Florida and runs under the Community Development District 2 Board of Supervisors, where folks like the Board of Supervisors and the Architectural Review Committee help guide things, and you'll find all sorts of homes here, like single-family houses and attached places-condos, townhouses, lofts, and such-with lawns lining quiet streets like Olanta Drive, and most homes having two or three bedrooms and bathrooms, fitting anywhere from about 1,100 to 2,400 square feet, all built since 1998, which means while some folks have cozy spots, others spread out more comfortably, and home values range all the way from $245,000 to $700,000 for closed sales, but right now, places tend to list between $389,900 and $449,900, with average rent for a one-bedroom about $1,550, and association fees sit from $0 up to $155 a month, which covers a range of services and amenities across Santiago and the rest of The Villages. People who live in Santiago are mostly 55 and up, since no one under 19 can live here full time, and the community's population is around 79,100, with all 78-or more soon-neighborhoods taking pride in their low violent crime rates, which run 59% lower than the national average, making Santiago safer than 65% of U.S. cities. With golf carts running along 90-plus miles of paths, lots of folks use them for shopping at Lake Deaton Plaza, Marshalls, Bealls, Walmart, or heading up to Lake Sumter Landing for waterside food and drink, while others enjoy the two local golf courses, one being the tough Pimlico Executive Course, or maybe take lessons at the courses designed by Arnold Palmer or Nancy Lopez, herself a resident, along with MLB's Ray Knight. Recreation stays steady at the Pimlico Recreation Center-there's always something to do with their pool, dance studio, and the Enrichment Academy's classes, plus social clubs where people meet up over novels, pickleball, quilting, or play in the championship softball leagues, senior games, S.T.A.R., and good old outdoor fun like the running of the squares, fishing, or Fit Club. Everyone's got access to parks, dog parks, and miles of trails, and the district oversees admin like budgeting and safety, with property management, sanitation, bulk pick-up, irrigation, and utility services available, plus Customer Service for resident needs-one can get an ID card, go through the Resident Academy, check bulletin boards, use RV storage, and join all kinds of programs or volunteer groups. Every bit of care, from basic comfort to more specialized needs, falls into place through structured services shaped by unique community terms, and everything gets built to suit whatever care level a person might need, so folks know they'll find something to help them enjoy living here, especially since the Village of Santiago focuses on people first, making sure everyone gets a chance to stay involved, safe, and supported as they choose their way to spend retirement.