I have one grandchild down here and one up north. My kids down here asked if they were transferred back north would we follow. We didn't hesitate and said "No." I figure God gave us airplanes so we could fly north to visit our families. Luckily, it easy to get cheap, non-stop flights out of Orlando and Sanford to practically anywhere.
I know a lot of people have a hard time leaving their families and if mine had stayed up north, we would never have looked. However, my son was transferred down here and when we came to visit, we fell in love with the place. We analyzed whether we were moving here to be close to him or whether we wanted to live here, because we knew he could be transferred again. We decided that this was the place we wanted to be. It was the BEST decision we ever made.
It's more than the golf. Even more than the pickleball. It's more than the entertainment. It's more than the blue skies and lack of sleet and snow. It's more than the variety of clubs, organizations and volunteer opportunities - although all of these contribute. For me - it's having so many vital, friendly, fun people who have become part of my life. Living here makes me feel young again - and so very, very alive.
Here's my piece of advice. If you want to quickly become part of the community - buy a NEW home. We looked at both new and pre-owned homes and decided we wanted to build so we had to move to a new area. It was only after we got down here that I realized what a fortunate decision this was. When you buy into a new area - everyone is new. Everyone is looking for new friends. It's like freshman year of college (without the 8 o'clock classes and exams!)
I've talked to people who bought into established communities and it was harder for them. It's not that people aren't friendly. It's just that people have established networks and are busy - so they are less likely to reach out to someone new. You can still make friends. You just have to find activities that interest you and join. You will find like-minded people. It will just take longer.
I have been here almost 2 years. Probably 90% of my friends are from my neighborhood, but I have a few friends that I have met from my exercise classes at the MVP Sports Club and others from a volunteer organization called Tutors for Kids. I also have friends of friends.
I am very out-going, but many of my friends aren't. They have lots of friends as well. It doesn't matter if you are a bit on the quiet side. There are so many people like me who will take the initiate to introduce themselves to you that if you are warm and genuinely interested, you will make friends. Down here - once you make one friends - they will introduce you to others.
And you don't have to go-go-go all the time. You set your own schedule and do as much or as little as you want.
My family has a history of Alzheimer's so I read a lot about how to prevent, or put off the symptoms of the disease. Everyone agrees that you need to have a close social network, to stimulate your mind, to stay physically active and to have a sense of purpose in your life. If you don't find all of these things in The Villages - shame on you. This place in unbelievable. I hope you give it a try.
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