[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

I know it's only supposition, but, FIVE times does seems like an exaggeration ! Having been here for many years now, and most of us on our block had our homes built at (relatively) the same time, 3 have actually moved to another location within the villages (2 decided on a villa to cut down on yard work, etc. and one moved to a new home in the Brownwood area). We have also had 2 (originals) move out of the Villages completely. In both cases, they relocated here in central Florida, but felt the expense of the amenity fee was not a value for them since the activities they enjoy are relatively free in any community (bike and walking trails, card games, parks, swimming pool, local softball teams and games, etc.) to one moved to Inverness area, one to area of Spring Hill.
In my opinion, a good number of people vacation here and are "dazzled", like most of us are when we vacation. On our very first visit to the keys 40 years ago, my initial thought was THIS is it, I wish we could relocation here RIGHT NOW. Never entered my mind there could also be many negatives as well as positives. Think this happens to many who don't spend much time truly exploring the reality of day to day living in ANY location they are considering. A 2 week visit to Florida, with a number of 1 day stops at various "retirement" locations, is just not a reliable foundation for such a huge investment... but... it works out for some. Why have we stayed in light of many negatives, the number and selection of golf courses we have never found anywhere else (and we've looked...LOL!)

We don’t golf yet I have not found any negatives living in The Villages. I’m happiest here than I have ever been.