[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

I suspect that it is likely that not ALL of the animus toward the Developer is founded on envy or some similar emotion. I do believe, however, that much of the complaints and disappointments are the result of UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.

From what I have observed, many people have moved here with the understanding that they have a legal contract with The Villages that says:

1. Free entertainment on the Square For Life.
2. The Villages is a private "gated" community.
3. The Villages is a secure "dome" safe from the outside world.
4. The rules are for everyone else.
5. It is a law that everyone must be Friendly.
6. Community Watch is for security.
7. The Developer is obligated to control which retailers are in TV.
8. The Developer's profit has a cap. Above that he becomes unethical.
9. The streets are all private.
10. Now that one is retired and living in TV, all costs are frozen.
11. All restaurants must be perfect 100% of the time.
12. TV will never be too crowded.
13. TV will never have too many snowbirds and part time residents.

I have combed through all of my files and come to the conclusion that the only contract we were offered was the contract to purchase a home with deed restrictions. I now seem to recall that before we bought our home, I researched the developer, the deed restrictions, historical home values, taxes, local neighboring towns. I drove most of the villages, observed new homes under construction, talked to tons of TVers on the squares, subscribed to The Daily Sun went out for a night of drinking and debauchery with Mr. Midnight. And guess what? No surprises and no complaints! I am not 100% satisfied with all aspects of life in TV, but no surprises.

The Villages is a Microcosm of the rest of the country, with a twist. That twist is that we have the largest concentration of seniors in a relatively small geographic stamp. That is neither all good nor all bad. It just is.

We are living in a quasi governmental district that offers certain itemized amenities for which we agree to pay an annual fee that has an escalator clause. We also have agreed to pay a maintenance fee.

That is it. No other contracts. All of the other emotional lifestyle expectations, are solely the responsibilities of the residents.

So get up in the morning, put on your parrothead cap, make a marguerita, pour a Johnnie Black and go out and be Friendly. Make TV your own little paradise and all of a sudden it will be that for all.

Excellent post.