[rustyp]

Originally Posted by rustyp

Well put.

20 years here now and 130, 000 more people than when I arrived. Is it good here ? yes. Is it the Shangri La I experienced when I first arrived - no. Everything to a newbie is a comparison to where they came from and most likely a new lifestyle. For those of us who have been here for years we have seen many changes. Many for the good oh but some not so good. Our comparison has now migrated to here to here vs here from there.

"Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?
They paved paradise
Put up a parking lot"

I am happy for the newbies and their excitement. I've been there. I am not negative about TV - My excitement level is a bit below yours. If one doesn't like a response why does one keep asking the question over and over again ?

Originally Posted by Michael 61

These comments help me understand some concerns of long-time residents. They understandably are comparing The Villages of today to the Villages of many years past. The huge influx of newer and younger retirees, like myself, only know The Villages that currently exists, and we have nothing to compare it to. We don’t see it as crowded, and we see all the new development coming as “opportunity “, and welcome it, and it’s even the reason why many of us chose to move here (anticipation of future development). I’m in very good health, and the Lord willing, hope to be around here in TV for 25 or more years. If that holds true, then I’m going to experience a tremendous amount of growth, and the Villages of 2050 will look very different than The Villages of 2025. If TOTV is still around in 25 years, will I be here lamenting of all the changes that have occurred and wishing things were like they were in 2025? Hard to say. I do know that I’m pretty flexible, and actually love change and seek it out, so who knows. In the meantime, life here is pretty awesome, as our most of my fellow Villagers.

OMG - I am speechless. You are a big man for posting that.