Hi Rozzie:
I bought here totally on my own in the year 2002. My biggest fear was learning to drive around TV. One evening I met my cousin in SS and we had dinner and he followed me to Polo Ridge to see my place. He lives in Ocala. Well, on the way, I got lost and ended up in the Lopez Legacy area that, at that time was pitch dark; no streets other than the main road (Buena Vists) HAD NO STRUCTURES BUILT!! No homes nor even Mulberry or Lopez CC. I was petrified as it was about 9 pm and hadn't a clue where I was.
I backtracked to the Savannah/Glenview rotary where I drove to a manned gate and said, "I'm lost, please tell me where my house is located from here? I wasn't too far off; what confused me was what exit to take on the rotary. Well, we finally arrived "home."
The next day, my next-door neighbor stopped by to ask if she could help and we became good friends. To this day, (btw, I married two years later having met Mr Wonderful here in TV) since we're snowbirds, she always looks out for our property, bless her. She was my salvation in learning the roads before I met Bill. Mind you, this was the year 2002 when none of Southern Trace mall existed. Rte 466 was all large farms with nothing started at LSL; even Rte 466 was a narrow two-lane road. The only business was the Circle K gas station. Peggy showed me where to food shop at SS and where the mall was in Ocala.
The only place I dared go alone was to Walmart on Rte 441; long before Walmart was built on Rte 466.
Well, guess I got carried away with my story. I highly recommend that you accept all of your neighbors' social activities and you too will meet wonderful people...most in the same boat as you who have left their deep roots and loved ones and are bonding with the wonderful people you meet at TV.
A word of caution.... In any service you hire, DO NOT EVER prepay! And....a visit to Crispers to meet the TOTV members who are so very helpful to the "newbies."
Good luck and just remember....you are NEVER alone in TV......barb
PS: I joined a bocce group and met some lasting friends there. Also joined the computer club where there's many members from beginners to real pro's willing to help. One never feels inferior if one is just learning. They love to help. Oh yes, also joined beginner line dancing and met lots of beginners and pros there. The pros attend to help the beginners. Such fun there and meet real nice people who don't know their left from their right or out of step and, who cares as long as you're having fun.