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Originally Posted by Michael 61
I’m still a fairly new Villages resident. I took my first vacation since moving here (two week Caribbean cruise). While on the cruise, I proudly told people I had just moved to Florida, and The Villages in particular. Gushed enthusiastically, as I talked about my beautiful new retirement home. Over and over, was met with people questioning my decision, asking if I had done my “homework” ahead of time, and stating that my “honeymoon”will soon wear off. I asked these folks if they had ever visited the Villages - none of them had, but all seemed to have a very strong opinion, mostly negative about The Villages. It became tiresome, having to dispute the false rumors and erroneous stats that they spewed out. It became evident that these strangers did not want me to be happy with my new community and decision I had made. I was frankly taken back that so many people wanted me to feel bad. I guess this is something I will have to get to used to. After awhile, I just told people I was from Central Florida near Orlando, and left it at that. Has anyone else experience this when traveling outside of ‘The Bubble”?
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Hi, If you enjoy living in The Villages, that is all that matters. Other folk's opinion is just that. As with any kind of massive development of this kind, The Villages has had an equally massive impact on what was originally a rather rural area. While I do not live in The Villages, I have lived next door to it for the past 15 years and have seen the changes to the area it has created, the good, the bad & the ugly. I cannot say my view of The Villages is a positive one because of that impact. I suggest you read a book called "Leisureville," by Andrew Blechman. It was written over 10 years ago, but it does lay out the nature of what The Villages is all about. Best wishes for your retirement years.