Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael 61
It’s possible to get the impression from certain posts on TOTV that some people are less than happy and content to be living in TV. Though no community is “perfect”, The Villages is a one-of-a-kind community beyond compare in my opinion. I feel so fortunate and blessed first of all to been able to have retired early in life, and secondly to be able to reside in such a beautiful and vibrant community, with mostly highly positive residents and neighbors. For me, it only take one trip outside “the bubble” to realize how special TV is.
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Best for me to list pros and cons. So...
PROS
NO STATE INCOME TAX. Minnesota, where I hail from, has the 5th highest income tax in the nation, plus they are one of the few states that tax SS and pension benefits. Florida remains blessedly free of such things.
THE WEATHER. Growing up as a kid, I remember many sub -40 mornings. Didn't mind 'em then. Can't even conceive of 'em now. Plus, I love heat so summer here in TV is by far my favorite time of year. Storms? Well, thunderstorms here are kinda wimpy compared to what they're like up in prairie country.
HELPFULNESS. I do a lot of walking. On hot days I can be assured of at least three folks offering me A. a ride; B. water; or C) both. How many of us can remember times back home, since about 1980 anyway, when we either offered or accepted a ride from a total stranger? Here, it is strange when it DOESN'T happen.
LAW ENFORCEMENT. Saw an article recently of the cops here tracking down and arresting two guys for shoplifting about $450 worth of stuff from a local Wal-mart. Again, thinking of back home, what are the odds of that happening? I can guarantee that if it happened in Minneapolis the only thing a call to the police to report such a thing would get you is a belly laugh. Lots of similar reports here on an almost daily basis. I carried routinely back in Minnesota. Here, in four years--not even once. Just don't feel the need.
MANICURED DITCHES. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. I was impressed by that my first visit here. No less so today.
CONS
THE DRIVERS. Don't get me wrong. Minnesota had a lot of road cowboys too. But for different reasons. I have little problem with folks who bend laws if they're fully capable of handling their vehicle and have sufficient reflexes and skills to handle situations. But it is different here; lots of folks out there driving (cars, golf carts, whatevers) in traffic who because of age and diminished abilities, should not be. Signal lights mean nada here, and a lot of the folks herding their vehicles down the road obviously don't even see other traffic. I had my motorcycle shipped here when we first moved here, rode it for a month and sold it. I had more close calls in that month than I had in the previous 10 years in Minnesota.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ON PALM TREES. That is just wrong!
BIASED "NEWS" SOURCES. The two main sources seem to be The Daily Sun and V!llages-News: the former being nothing but rainbows and unicorns, while the latter is all sleaze, all the time. Anything between those two polar opposites seem occasional and haphazard. Yeah, I know it is that way most other places too. It just gets tiresome.
PEASANT BLOUSES ON OCTOGENARIANS. C'mon!