For me it is so much more than just vendor recommendations (although they have proven to be invaluable to us during our first couple of months). It's the instant sense of community without the commitment of time that is required to establish friendships and relationships -- a process that started two years before we ever came here. And now that we are here, we have been busy unpacking, shopping for bedrooms, curtains, comforters, living and dining rooms, lawn and pest maintenance, taking siestas to escape from the midday heat, loving being first time pool owners, shopping for a new car, trying to find palatable non-chain restaurants, etc etc etc. We have not yet invested time in meeting people so TOTV has filled that gap and helped us feel less estranged. Yes, we will pursue the real thing, in time. But first we want to get totally settled and get the house prepared for family who plan on visiting in the next couple of months. Still need to get an office set up, buy a golf cart, find doctors and the list keeps growing.
Thank you TOTV - and all of you who contribute for the virtual comraderie.
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