Living in Virginia Trace in The Villages, Florida: Why We Chose It — and Why I’d Choose It Again
If you’ve spent any time looking at homes in The Villages, Florida, you quickly realize something:
Looking at a map doesn’t necessarily tell you what it feels like to live in a Village.
You can study home styles. You can measure the distance to a town square. You can look at golf courses, recreation centers and shopping.
But sometimes you have to live somewhere before you really understand why the location works.
For me, that place is Virginia Trace.
My husband and I chose Virginia Trace largely because of its proximity to Lake Sumter Landing. We wanted to be close—but not necessarily at the Square.
And after living here, I can tell you that decision turned out to be about much more than mileage.
Living Near Lake Sumter Landing Was the Draw
Lake Sumter Landing is just over a mile from our part of Virginia Trace.
For us, that means Lake Sumter doesn’t really feel like a destination.
It feels like part of the neighborhood.
If I want a nice morning walk, I can walk there. A golf-cart ride feels like nothing. Once you arrive, you have the waterfront, boardwalk, restaurants, shopping, entertainment and one of my favorite things—those Florida sunsets.
There was something about Lake Sumter Landing that resonated with me from the beginning.
It reminded me of beach life—without the sand and saltwater.
The lighthouse.
The lake.
The sunsets.
The boardwalk.
The live music.
All the vibes.
There is something about walking along the water, wandering through the shops and hearing live music that makes Lake Sumter Landing feel less like a commercial center and more like a little hometown.
And when you live in Virginia Trace, all of that is practically in your backyard.
What I Didn’t Appreciate Until I Actually Lived in Virginia Trace
Here’s something I didn’t completely understand when we bought our home:
How central I would feel to so much of The Villages.
The Villages has grown tremendously, so what someone considered “the center” 20 years ago isn’t necessarily the geographic center today.
But for the way I live, Virginia Trace works beautifully.
Lake Sumter Landing is right here. Spanish Springs is convenient. Brownwood is very accessible. Sawgrass is manageable as well.
Eastport is a longer drive for me, and I don’t make that trip nearly as often.
And that’s okay.
One thing I particularly like is the relationship between Morse Boulevard and Buena Vista Boulevard in this section of The Villages. They run relatively close to one another here, and although this is purely my personal observation, it makes the area feel connected and cohesive.
You can get places.
That may sound simple, but it’s one of those things you don’t necessarily appreciate when you’re looking at homes online.
Golf-Cart Living in Virginia Trace
Here’s where I have to confess something.
I own a Mini Cooper convertible.
And I love her.
So while my husband and daughter will happily jump into the golf cart and head practically anywhere, there are plenty of days when I’m putting the top down and taking the Mini.
But golf-cart accessibility is absolutely part of our lifestyle.
The movies? Golf cart.
The pool? Golf cart.
Golf? Of course.
I even took the golf cart to a dermatologist appointment once.
That’s one of those wonderfully Villages experiences that might sound a little strange before you live here—and then somehow becomes completely normal.
Recreation In and Around Virginia Trace
Virginia Trace has its own neighborhood recreation area with an adult pool, bocce, shuffleboard and horseshoes.
Canal Street Recreation is also located right here in the Village of Virginia Trace and offers additional recreation, including a family pool, pickleball, tennis, billiards and gathering spaces.
But one of the things I enjoy most about Canal Street isn’t even an activity I’m participating in.
I love seeing the families there.
Children playing. Parents and grandparents spending time together. People coming and going.
There’s an energy to it.
It feels alive.
The Villages is a 55+ community, but our lives certainly don’t stop being multigenerational. Children and grandchildren visit. Families spend time together. And when I see that happening at Canal Street, it makes Virginia Trace feel like exactly what I want it to feel like:
A neighborhood.
Not simply a place where people happen to own houses.
Personally, you will not find me playing pickleball.
My body and pickleball have mutually agreed that this relationship isn’t going to work.
But water volleyball?
Absolutely.
Water aerobics?
I’m there.
I also love golf, bocce, shuffleboard and walking. And, of course, I love the live music that is such a big part of life in The Villages.
That’s another reason this location works so well for me.
I can have my neighborhood and then have the activity and entertainment of Lake Sumter Landing right there when I want it.
An Established Village Has a Different Feel
Virginia Trace isn’t one of the newest Villages.
And I don’t consider that a negative.
The landscaping has had time to mature. The surrounding infrastructure is established. Lake Sumter Landing provides nearby shopping, restaurants, entertainment and professional services.
The homes reflect an established neighborhood as well.
If what excites you is brand-new construction and all the energy surrounding newer areas such as Eastport, Virginia Trace is going to give you a different experience.
Neither needs to be “better.”
They’re different.
That’s something I want to emphasize throughout this Village series.
I’m not here to declare one Village the winner and another the loser.
I want to help people understand the personality, advantages and tradeoffs of different areas of The Villages so they can decide what works for them.
What About Lake Sumter Landing Today?
This is worth talking about because Lake Sumter Landing itself is evolving.
Like many established commercial areas, businesses change. As someone who loves Lake Sumter, I notice when a storefront is empty. I want this area to continue to thrive because it is part of what makes living here special.
At the same time, plans are moving forward for a revitalization of the Lake Sumter Landing waterfront, including expanded areas for walking, seating and waterfront recreation.
So I don’t think Lake Sumter’s story is finished.
Far from it.
Lake Sumter has history now—and it also has a next chapter.
I’m looking forward to watching that unfold, and I’ll be revisiting Lake Sumter Landing periodically as part of this series.
What Makes Virginia Trace Different?
I struggled with this question at first.
Then I realized my answer isn’t really about Virginia Trace alone.
It’s about what we are next to.
Lake Sumter Landing does a beautiful job of embracing the natural Florida environment. The lake, wildlife, mature landscaping, boardwalk and sunsets all contribute to that setting.
And because Virginia Trace is so close, we get to borrow some of that lifestyle.
That’s my answer.
And I’m sticking with it.
Would I Choose Virginia Trace Again?
Absolutely.
There are days when I’m tempted by the energy around Brownwood. There are beautiful homes throughout The Villages, and every time this community expands there is something new to see.
But knowing what I know today?
I would choose Virginia Trace again.
I can take a morning walk toward Lake Sumter Landing.
I can watch a Florida sunset over the water.
We can golf cart to dinner, the movies, recreation, golf and even appointments.
I can enjoy the energy of the Square and then come home to our established residential neighborhood.
It isn’t simply where our house happens to be.
It’s where the lifestyle we wanted and the location we wanted came together.
And for us, that has made Virginia Trace home.
Already Live in Virginia Trace? Let’s Talk About Selling Your Home.
If you already live in Virginia Trace, you’ve probably been nodding your head through parts of this article.
You already know the morning walks, the golf-cart rides and the convenience of Lake Sumter Landing.
You know the mature landscaping. You know the recreation. You know what it feels like when children and grandchildren are visiting and Canal Street is full of activity.
And you probably know a few things about this Village that I haven’t even mentioned.
But there’s another reason I’m writing about Virginia Trace.
I’m a Realtor® in The Villages—and I live in Virginia Trace too.
If the day comes when you’re thinking about selling your Virginia Trace home, I believe marketing it requires more than putting bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage and photographs into a listing.
Buyers can get facts from a property search.
My job is also to help them understand why they might want to live here.
What does being this close to Lake Sumter Landing actually mean?
How does the location affect everyday life?
What can you reach by golf cart?
Why might a buyer prefer an established Village?
And what is the lifestyle that comes with this particular address?
Because when I market a home in Virginia Trace, I don’t want to sell only the house.
I want prospective buyers to understand the story of living here.
I happen to have a particularly good perspective on that.
I live it.
Thinking About Selling a Home in Virginia Trace, The Villages, Florida?
You don’t have to be ready to put your home on the market tomorrow.
Maybe selling is six months away. Maybe it’s next year. Or perhaps you simply want to know what your Virginia Trace home could be worth in today’s real estate market.
That’s a perfectly good reason to start a conversation.
I’d be happy to talk with you about your home, the current market, what buyers are looking for and how I would position and market your Virginia Trace property when the time is right.
No pressure. Just a conversation between neighbors.
→ Get Your Free Custom Property Valuation
Or contact me directly:
Ann Marie Price, Realtor®
The Villages Uncovered
(717) 350-5586
aprice@thevillagesuncovered.com
Always Prepared — Semper Paratus
Virginia Trace FAQ
Where is Virginia Trace in The Villages, Florida?
Virginia Trace is an established Village located very close to Lake Sumter Landing. Its location provides convenient access to Lake Sumter Landing shopping, dining and entertainment as well as recreation, golf and the broader golf-cart transportation network of The Villages.
How close is Virginia Trace to Lake Sumter Landing?
The exact distance depends on where a home is located within Virginia Trace, but from our home it is a little over a mile. For us, it is close enough that walking to Lake Sumter Landing can be part of a morning walk, and traveling there by golf cart is extremely convenient.
What recreation is available in Virginia Trace?
The Virginia Trace neighborhood recreation area includes an adult pool, bocce, horseshoes and shuffleboard. Canal Street Recreation is also located in the Village of Virginia Trace and provides additional amenities including a family pool, pickleball, tennis, billiards and gathering spaces.
Can you travel by golf cart from Virginia Trace to Lake Sumter Landing?
Yes. Golf-cart transportation is an important part of living in Virginia Trace, and Lake Sumter Landing is readily accessible by golf cart.
Is Virginia Trace a newer or established Village?
Virginia Trace is an established Village. For some buyers, mature landscaping, existing infrastructure and proximity to the established Lake Sumter Landing area can be important considerations when comparing it with newer areas of The Villages.
What should I consider if I’m selling a home in Virginia Trace?
In addition to the home’s condition, features and current market value, consider how its location and surrounding lifestyle will be presented to potential buyers. Proximity to Lake Sumter Landing, golf-cart accessibility, nearby recreation and the character of an established Village can all be relevant parts of a home’s marketing story.
How can I find out what my Virginia Trace home is worth?
Online estimates can be a starting point, but a property-specific market analysis can consider the home’s condition, improvements, location, comparable sales and current competition.
If you own a home in Virginia Trace, I’m happy to prepare a custom property valuation and discuss the results with you.
About This Village Series
Virginia Trace is the first in my ongoing series exploring the individual Villages that make up The Villages, Florida.
We’ll visit established neighborhoods, newer areas and everything in between.
I’m not doing this series to tell you which Village is “best.”
I’m doing it to uncover what makes each one different.
If you’re considering moving to The Villages, I hope these articles help you discover where you might feel at home.
And if you already live here and are considering selling, I hope they demonstrate something equally important:
Selling your home means knowing how to market the lifestyle surrounding it, too.
Because the best Village isn’t the same for everyone.
It’s the one that fits the life you want to live.
The Villages, Florida – Uncovered
Always Prepared — “Semper Paratus”
Contact Ann Marie J. Price
Realty Executives in The Villages
📞 717-350-5586
