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Originally Posted by Hifred
I see you don't want to be south of 44. I felt the same way and bought between 44 and 466A. Since buying in this area about 2 years ago I somewhat regret my situation so I thought I might share my perspective to give a different view. Having moved into an established neighborhood, it has been extremely difficult to form friendships with people in my community. When a new area opens up the community grows together. So new friendships grow as well. Also in the new area a good number of the people are of similar age and share the recent experience of retirement. I am in my early 60's and most of my neighbors are in their mid to late 70's and 80's. They have already formed friendships, they built their homes in the community 10 to 12 years ago. They are cordial but I don't find myself being invited to parties or outings etc. There will be lots of golf carts pulling up to neighbors homes but I have not been asked to join. I have invited neighbors for game nights with prizes and people come but I don't hear back or get invited to their homes. I have tried to be a good neighbor and take meals to those who are not well, send holiday cards with small tokens such as snack bars and candy. The activities I enjoy and the people I spend the most time with are in the areas south of 44 because they are more open to inviting new people in. Not to say I don't enjoy the convenience of living north of 44 with being closer to Aldi, Walmart, Sam's Club and Lake Sumter and Brownwood. It sounds like your relative will have family in the area which is nice. But having left the working world where being social was a daily occurrence and also leaving friendships more than a thousand miles behind is not easy. Sharing that experience with others who are new to TV helps. Also I like the villa homes but keep in mind that many are owned by snowbirds or are rentals. So that also can make it difficult when moving and looking to make new friends as well since she is looking to move in August when many villas are not occupied. I do enjoy all the recreational activities and going to service clubs in TV and am glad I moved here. If I had to redo though I might be less adverse to living south of 44.
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Thanks for your thoughts. When we moved here a good friend that had been here for years told us a lot of the same things. We bought in a new neighborhood and are glad we did. That being said, this situation is different. My sister is a single woman and has been retired for quite a few years now and has been down here with us a lot. She knows the area, and knows what she wants and already has some friends here thru us. We would prefer her to not be below 44...too dark at night for traveling by cart, etc. I know it's lovely but I also know almost every area in The Villages has something good to offer. I can't answer for the people in your neighborhood, but they don't sound like the welcoming Villages I know. I'm sorry for you. At some point it may be worth it to you to actually move down there. Friends, activity and general well being are most important for us at this age. Good luck, and thanks again.