[Goldwingnut]

Moving to The Villages is a choice of the individual that in many ways is influenced by cultural practices and norms as well as economics. In this I mean that many cultural and ethnic groups place a higher value and priority on maintaining closer ties to friends and family than others. Influencing this is the economics of maintaining the desired level of connectivity.

There is also the continued propensity toward multi-culturalism both abroad and in the US, where as ethnic groups will keep to themselves and not intermix with indigenous culture of the area. The Villages does not have such enclaves which may be a deterring factor for some considering a move here.

If there is a group that does show a higher than normal concentration here in The Villages it's Military Veterans at about 20% or nearly quadruple the national norm for any area. Falling into this category myself, I can tell you that moving here was an easy decision as we had "shallow roots" due to spending many years moving. Adding to this is the lack of stigma of not being a "local" that permeates many communities. As a the product of a military family childhood and then 20 year Navy career I have very shallow roots and finding a community where everyone is new to the area and equal, has made fitting in very easy and comforting.

It would be socially irresponsible to ignore history and the economic of our society. Yes there have been injustices in the past that have lead to some, but not all, of economic differences in given ethnic groups that makes moving to The Villages an unattainable goal. Based on my life experiences with people of many cultural and ethnic backgrounds, it is my belief that the current limitations many feel are imposed on them are self-initiated and self-limiting. Those that have chosen to overcome these self or culturally imposed limitations are generally very successful people leading fulfilling lives and not the lives of victims and being owed something.

I have many friends here in The Villages that are of every race, ethnic, economic, educational, and political backgrounds and beliefs. I make no efforts to divide or classify them based on any of these differences, they are all friends and fellow retires that have chosen to be here.

If someone chooses to move here because they are white, Hispanic, African-american, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Democrat, Republican, or some other divider then they are moving here for the wrong reasons and will not likely fit in or be comfortable here. If they choose to move here to enjoy the retirement they worked hard for all their lives, meet new friends, and have new experiences then I hope they are blessed with many happy years of living here.