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Originally Posted by Michael 61
The only real negativity about The Villages I encounter is by a few here on Talk of The Villages (or that other so-called “news” site that I no longer subscribe to). All my friends and neighbors are happy and engaged people who are still as excited to be a part of this unique community as they were a few years ago when they moved here. Lots of smiles when I pass most people, and so many friendly, content folks here. Is it just my area of The Villages? Are there more disgruntle people in other parts of The Villages? I’m very interested as to why some here on TOTV seem disillusioned with The Villages. Are these folks naturally dispositioned to be negative? It just seems those few people are so miserable and unhappy with what they post. I feel sad for them. Not how I want to live out my retirement years.
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Personally not at all disposed to be a "negative" person, thus, we've accepted our decision to build here when we retired. But, disappointed, yes, of course, saddened, yes of course, but not letting that ruin retirement years for us. The old "most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be" definitely applies to us. Now, how did some disappointment set in over the years ? Well, we were advised that building in a designer/premier area would give us some advantage that the neighborhood would not become an AB&B or other short term rental area. That did not turn out to be true, 3 of 5 homes across the street are AB&B's, and 2 of 5 on this side of street are part time residents. We just make the best of it, really like and miss our part time owners (snowbirds who also have several other homes so not here the entire winter season), but the AB&B people, regardless of who they are rarely speak even when spoken to ! ? Usually just kind of nod and obviously don't want to take up any of their long weekend getting acquainted with people they will probably never see again. So to explain the sadness that sets in, it was tough to see the weekly "drive way" parties go away, sad to see the often empty houses (does make for a very quiet neighborhood), and of course the daily chatting with everyone working in their yards, or planting flowers, trimming bushes, etc. disappeared as the complexion changed. If we had expected things would never change, we'd be devastated, but don't know of anywhere we could move where changes would not be the reality. So hope this helps you understand, not all long time residents are unhappy, but there is definitely a loss that you will probably experience at some future date. People move, pass away, homes are sold to anyone of any age, so really no way to control if it becomes one of a string of for profit AB&B's with new people in and out every week or long weekend end. By investing in a larger home in an area of similar homes, we believed we made the best "bet" possible for stability, but there is no guarantee no matter where you live in ANY state. Hope that explains the difference in a sadness setting in, and actual unhappiness and depression ! You just have to join new groups, or go to some new activities, and not spend your life regretting how your once friendly neighborhood has changed ! We all have a choice in HOW we feel (emotionally) everyday !