I signed off and almost went to bed without replying. Something compelled me to log back on. Village Gal, you have to understand the uniqueness about TV. It is not another town" or just a "retirement community". What we have found in our 7 visits was a place where making friends is as easy as saying "howdy". Just in the few weeks that I have been registered on TOTV, I've made friends and never met them. People I plan to meet in person some day soon.
During the last 5 visits we brought an old friend and golfing buddy of mine. He lost his wife almost 6 years ago and was a devoted husband and was a very "to himself" and almost shy type person. He and I were paired up with different couples while playing golf and a few single guys during most of our visits. By the end of the round, we felt each time like they all were the best of friends. (All golfers are not like that! Trust me.) No where in the few towns we have lived have we experienced such openness or friendly people and I'm talking "sincere friendly". I'm talking about sitting for an hour by the ponds at the entrance to Glenview Golf Course (along Buena Vista) and chatting with people who just happen to pull their golf cart next to yours with the intent of feeding the fish. To me that is "sincere friendly" and we have seen it time, after time, after time.
My friend is now hooked on TV and plans to move there too. You talk about one giant step for mankind! He has come out of his shell that much. There is something about surrounding yourself with so many people who can relate to you and your situation that gives you a "peace" or a reassuring calmness that makes the decision to move there so easy. Especially after we learned you didn't have to have a gazillion dollars to live there. We knew after our first trolly tour that The Villages was where we wanted to be for the rest of our life. Is it perfect? Nearly. Do I care if it is not perfect? NAW!!!! I'm not perfect either! But I like structure and rules and want to live in a place where the vast majority of residents want the same. Without it there is chaos, like we are seeing in many of our cities and towns now. That is why you will read some "ventilating" on some of the threads on TOTV, because I believe the residlents want to make TV even better and get the few (who apparently what to make their own rules) to shape up, be more considerate, and abide by the rules too!!
Moving alone to a new town can be scary because you are kinda on your own. NOT SO at TV. The vast majority of residents are as encouraging, sincere and helpful as everyone on TOTV. You have already gotten a good sampling of nice folks, just from your one post.
There is a magic about TV that I simply don't have the words to describe. But it is such an active, vibrant community with more activities and ways to rekindle those young adult dreams we all had before marriage, kids, caring for aging parents, and enduring the hard knocks of life that came our way.
Want to learn to dance, but never had the time? Well TV is for you. Name a thousand things you always wanted to do or learn to do but now feel life has passed you by? Well, TV is for you. There is a kid in each of us screaming to get out and everytime we go to TV we let the "kids out" to enjoy themselves. You don't have to impress anyone down there, because I believe everyone who lives at TV is there for one reason and one reason only - to live in a clean, secure and safe community; have a lot of fun; learn to do new things; make new friends and enjoy life for the remainder of the days the good Lord gives us.
I pray you can convince your husband to go. I also encourage you to do the Lifestyles visit. Ours was over 5 years ago. We go back annually, but rent directly from an owner. When we learned there is an assisted living facility there and a Hospice, it took away that fear of "what will I do when I can't get around anymore". But, hey - I'm almost 69 and too young to worry about that. Besides, I've got lots of line dances to learn!!
WOW, guess I have become the "mouth of the South".
Apologies for being so longwinded. It took me a thousand words to say -"
GO! You and your husband will fall in love with TV like we all have!"
I'm finished!
Goodnight and to quote Red Skelton "God Bless"!!