[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by carl in tampa

there was a time a few years ago when i would have given an unequivocally positive review of the villages. That time would have been before the morse family began developing the villages south of county road 466a,

but, between 2010 and 2017, the population of the villages area grew almost 33 percent, from 94,279 in 2010 to 125,165 in 2017. According to u.s. Census data released in march 2018, the villages was the 10th in the annual list of fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the united states. There is a reason for this growth. The variety of attractive activities, and the attractive landscaping and infrastructure are undeniable.

But one result of this explosive growth is very crowded town squares during the daily evening free entertainment. Long ago we began taking our own folding camp chairs to the squares when we went. If spending time at these events are not what you are looking for then you won't care too much about this. But, it is an indication of the overcrowding that has become typical of many events in the villages.

Golf continues to be a major attraction for those who like that sort of thing. I never acquired the habit.

In my opinion, the majority of the houses in the villages are built too close together, and noise from the neighbors television is a frequent complaint, particularly when trying to enjoy a quiet evening on your lanai. Barbara and i were fortunate to find a house on the end of a cul-de-sac which resulted in a pie shaped lot, and no neighbors houses crowded up next to it or behind it. There are also some houses that back up to wildlife refuge areas.

Regarding grumpy people, it is inevitable that you will find a certain proportion of old grumps in a retirement community of over 125,000 people, many of whom came from northern climes and who are very disturbed by the weather, and living cheek-to-jowl with bugs, alligators and other wildlife.

My greatest joy in the villages is moving about in a golf cart. I love the fact that you can go virtually anywhere in the official bounds of the villages by golf cart. For me this is recreation. One of the activities i have enjoyed is going by golf cart to a local pond where i can do a little fishing, or just feed the wild birds that gather at the pond.

When we first arrived barbara and i established a circle of friends who have become close friends through thick and thin. Our social group has endured the deaths of two of the husbands, my descent into physical disability, and the failing health of other members. But the friendships remain.

Your life in the villages, like life anywhere, is what you make of it. find friends with similar interests. Avoid people with negative attitudes. I don't believe you can find a better, more varied, or better maintained infrastructure than the villages.

(you are considering retirement communities where it snows? Incredible.)

great, great post!!!