Bradford is a 2021 southern-area village in Sumter County (ZIP 32163) on the southeast border of Chitty Chatty Nature Preserve — one of the few southern Villages neighborhoods where a nature preserve forms the village's physical border, confirmed in developer descriptions. A pathway network winds through Florida's natural landscape connecting Bradford to neighboring villages. The village has four golf options (Lowlands Executive, Marsh View Pitch & Putt, Southern Oaks Championship Golf Club 18-hole, Belle Glade Country Club 27-hole), its own Bradford Recreation Area (adult pool, bocce, corn toss, shuffleboard), and two of the southern area's largest regional rec complexes — Rohan and Everglades — both nearby. Home types include Patio Villas, Courtyard Villas, Verandas, and Designer Homes. CDD bond balances are active at or near full original amount — typical of a 2021 village.
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The Chitty Chatty Nature Preserve border is Bradford's defining location feature. Developer descriptions confirm the village sits on the preserve's southeast boundary with preserve views — an unusual characteristic in the southern area, where most villages border other development rather than protected natural habitat. The pathway network reinforces this character: developer materials describe "a collection of pathways that wind through Florida's natural beauty to connect to neighboring villages," giving Bradford residents a cart-and-foot-accessible route through natural Florida landscape rather than only road-based access to neighboring areas. Bradford Recreation Area, the village's own facility, has an adult pool, bocce, corn toss, and shuffleboard — the standard southern-area village amenity suite.
The recreational infrastructure around Bradford is notably deep for a single southern-area village. Rohan Regional Recreation Complex and Everglades Recreation Complex are both nearby — two of the largest regional facilities in the southern area — in addition to Aviary Recreation Center and the village's own Bradford Recreation Area. On golf: four distinct options are accessible from Bradford. Lowlands Executive Golf Course is included with the amenity fee for walking play. Marsh View Pitch & Putt is a nearby putting course. Southern Oaks Championship Golf Club (18-hole) and Belle Glade Country Club (27-hole) are both pay-to-play championship venues. Lake Deaton Plaza (Publix) covers daily shopping. Sawgrass Grove and Brownwood Paddock Square are both within golf cart range for free nightly entertainment. On carrying cost: Bradford was built in 2021, so most homes carry active CDD bond balances at or near full original principal — High bond tier, with annual payments adding meaningfully to carrying cost. The effective property tax rate is approximately 1.3% — slightly higher than the typical ~1.0% rate seen in central Sumter County villages. Verify the exact bond balance and annual assessment in writing for any specific home.
Bradford is in the southern area of The Villages, in Sumter County, ZIP 32163. It sits on the southeast border of Chitty Chatty Nature Preserve, with both Sawgrass Grove and Brownwood Paddock Square within golf cart range.
Homes in Bradford were built in 2021. As a newer village, most homes carry active CDD bond balances at or near the full original principal — High bond tier. Bond payments are a meaningful annual cost on top of the amenity fee and property tax. Always verify the exact remaining balance and annual assessment in writing for any specific home.
Bradford has Patio Villas, Courtyard Villas, Verandas, and Designer Homes. The village offers a range of sizes — from the compact single-story Patio Villa to the larger Designer Home series.
Sawgrass Grove and Brownwood Paddock Square are both within golf cart range of Bradford. Sawgrass Grove (opened 2022) is the modern, less themed square to the east; Brownwood Paddock Square (opened 2012) is the country and Western horse-themed square to the north. Bradford sits in a position where both squares are accessible by cart.
Bradford has access to four distinct golf options: Lowlands Executive Golf Course (included with the amenity fee for walking play), Marsh View Pitch & Putt (nearby putting course), Southern Oaks Championship Golf Club (18-hole, pay-to-play), and Belle Glade Country Club (27-hole championship, pay-to-play). Few southern-area villages have both executive and dual championship options within this proximity.
Chitty Chatty Nature Preserve is a protected natural habitat area that forms Bradford's southeast village border. Developer descriptions confirm that some Bradford homes have views of the preserve — a feature that is uncommon in the southern area, where most villages are surrounded by other development. Not every Bradford home borders or faces the preserve. If preserve views are a priority, ask specifically which lots have direct sightlines to the preserve boundary.
Bradford has a network of pathways that wind through Florida's natural landscape connecting the village to neighboring areas. Developer materials describe these as "pathways that wind through Florida's natural beauty to connect to neighboring villages." This physical connectivity — foot and golf cart access through natural Florida habitat rather than only via main roads — is a lifestyle feature that distinguishes Bradford from southern villages that access amenities exclusively via paved streets.
I can pull the current bond balance on any home here, show you what's active, and give you a real read on whether this village fits your priorities.