Snowbird season in The Villages

[eweissenbach]

First, on behalf of all my fellow snowbirds, I would like to thank all of you who have expressed your appreciation of us, and particularly our money, in helping keep the many retail businesses and restaurants solvent for the remainder of the year. It is truly our pleasure :wave: I have read numerous posts recently, and for the past four years or so, bemoaning the crowded conditions in TV, the difficulty in getting tee times, the wait for tables at restaurants, and the traffic. Now, I don't discount any of those feelings, and undoubtedly to the person, or persons, that express them they are real and they are troubling. The first two times we came to TV we came in April, which is thought to be after the peak of snowbird season, and yes I know it is nothing like July or August. Three years ago, when we first came for February and March we too expected drastic differences in getting around and getting access. We have found, IN OUR OPINION, it is really not that big a problem. We play executive golf about five times a week, on average, and have been shut out on the automated tee time system maybe five times in the last two years, and just picked up open tee times on the occasions we were. I should add that we like to play relatively early which I understand some, if not most people do not, but at any rate we have no trouble getting on the courses. As for restaurants, we eat evening meals out on the average of six times a week, (yes we help keep the restaurants going) we
usually eat dinner around seven at one of the country clubs or popular TV restaurants, and generally wait much less than thirty minutes for a table, and generally enjoy a beverage or two to make the wait tolerable. As far as traffic, I know it is much worse than it is in the off-season, but in my view it is incredibly easy to get around as compared with any large city I have ever driven in. I am not trying to say anyone is exaggerating their issues, because your perception is your reality, but from the viewpoint of one of those people who make your life more difficult, I am saying you really ain't got it so bad............IMHO!
P.S. As for the attitude of snowbirds I can speak only for ourselves, but we have rented for the past three years the same home, from the same individual. We try to treat the home, the community and the, Villagers as friends and neighbors. In fact we have made good friends of several of our neighbors around our rental. We intend to spend winters in TV as renters, or homeowners, as long as we are able, so want to do everything in our power to keep it the wonderful place we found four years ago.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

As a full time resident of TV Jan - April is certainly busier that other times of the year but all in all it's really no different than when we did things "back home", we planned them out and did them at the times we knew we could get access. Same here

[rubicon]

To begin it is important to explain that the over-crowding is more than because seasonal resident return. Added to seasonal residents, are their families/friends who visit + renters and their family/friends who double /triple up with them + locals and their family and friends that come to visit.

Economically its an economical boon to the area

Psychologically it is a downer for everyone where it seems to be elbow to elbow people everywhere one travels.

Realistically its Florida and places like Florida get crowded all for the same reason. Its why rich people find secluded hide-a -ways.

for the rest of us we have to grin and bear it and be polite because it isn't anyone's fault and everyone has a right to be here.:welcome:

[folkh]

Sage, that was one of the nicest posts I have seen on here. Honest and too the point. The main thing I got from it is relax, adjust and enjoy.

[DianeM]

I think that a lot of people in TV get their knickers in a twist over nothing. Relax and live and let live.

[buckscounty]

Glad to have you in TV.

[eweissenbach]

To begin it is important to explain that the over-crowding is more than because seasonal resident return. Added to seasonal residents, are their families/friends who visit + renters and their family/friends who double /triple up with them + locals and their family and friends that come to visit.

Economically its an economical boon to the area

Psychologically it is a downer for everyone where it seems to be elbow to elbow people everywhere one travels.

Realistically its Florida and places like Florida get crowded all for the same reason. Its why rich people find secluded hide-a -ways.

for the rest of us we have to grin and bear it and be polite because it isn't anyone's fault and everyone has a right to be here.:welcome:

You are probably right Rubi, you usually are. However I feel like the wealthy individuals you describe are the worse off for it. I have often thought that it is kind of a shame that Gary Morse, having built a community that is heaven on earth to so many people, feels he can't actually participate in it. I don't care how much money you have, I cannot imagine keeping yourself secluded is half as much fun as going to the squares, partaking in happy hour, having a great meal with friends and neighbors, and getting up the next day to play golf, swim, play pickleball, and go to the squares to start the crazy cycle all over again. I guess I would make a very miserable billionaire, but my kids would be happy!

[lovsthosebigdogs]

I grew up in a beach area that got tourist-y from Memorial Day through Labor Day. We depended on tourist trade for the entire area to make enough money to survive economically for the winter on the income made over the summer. We had a sort of love/hate relationship with the situation but we knew it was for the good of all. It was the price you paid for the glory of living coastal in the lovely uncrowded spring and fall months. I suppose it will be much the same when I am a frog shortly. You learn to live with it and you learn to live with a smile or you make your self miserable for months at a time. Personally, I just don't like to be unhappy so I found a way to deal. I suspect it will be the same in TV.

[Judith Ann]

You go, girl! You said it perfectly! Thanks millions!

[villagerjack]

First, on behalf of all my fellow snowbirds, I would like to thank all of you who have expressed your appreciation of us, and particularly our money, in helping keep the many retail businesses and restaurants solvent for the remainder of the year. It is truly our pleasure :wave: I have read numerous posts recently, and for the past four years or so, bemoaning the crowded conditions in TV, the difficulty in getting tee times, the wait for tables at restaurants, and the traffic. Now, I don't discount any of those feelings, and undoubtedly to the person, or persons, that express them they are real and they are troubling. The first two times we came to TV we came in April, which is thought to be after the peak of snowbird season, and yes I know it is nothing like July or August. Three years ago, when we first came for February and March we too expected drastic differences in getting around and getting access. We have found, IN OUR OPINION, it is really not that big a problem. We play executive golf about five times a week, on average, and have been shut out on the automated tee time system maybe five times in the last two years, and just picked up open tee times on the occasions we were. I should add that we like to play relatively early which I understand some, if not most people do not, but at any rate we have no trouble getting on the courses. As for restaurants, we eat evening meals out on the average of six times a week, (yes we help keep the restaurants going) we
usually eat dinner around seven at one of the country clubs or popular TV restaurants, and generally wait much less than thirty minutes for a table, and generally enjoy a beverage or two to make the wait tolerable. As far as traffic, I know it is much worse than it is in the off-season, but in my view it is incredibly easy to get around as compared with any large city I have ever driven in. I am not trying to say anyone is exaggerating their issues, because your perception is your reality, but from the viewpoint of one of those people who make your life more difficult, I am saying you really ain't got it so bad............IMHO!
P.S. As for the attitude of snowbirds I can speak only for ourselves, but we have rented for the past three years the same home, from the same individual. We try to treat the home, the community and the, Villagers as friends and neighbors. In fact we have made good friends of several of our neighbors around our rental. We intend to spend winters in TV as renters, or homeowners, as long as we are able, so want to do everything in our power to keep it the wonderful place we found four years ago.

I agree 100%..
Good post. Coming next week.

[janmcn]

First, on behalf of all my fellow snowbirds, I would like to thank all of you who have expressed your appreciation of us, and particularly our money, in helping keep the many retail businesses and restaurants solvent for the remainder of the year. It is truly our pleasure :wave: I have read numerous posts recently, and for the past four years or so, bemoaning the crowded conditions in TV, the difficulty in getting tee times, the wait for tables at restaurants, and the traffic. Now, I don't discount any of those feelings, and undoubtedly to the person, or persons, that express them they are real and they are troubling. The first two times we came to TV we came in April, which is thought to be after the peak of snowbird season, and yes I know it is nothing like July or August. Three years ago, when we first came for February and March we too expected drastic differences in getting around and getting access. We have found, IN OUR OPINION, it is really not that big a problem. We play executive golf about five times a week, on average, and have been shut out on the automated tee time system maybe five times in the last two years, and just picked up open tee times on the occasions we were. I should add that we like to play relatively early which I understand some, if not most people do not, but at any rate we have no trouble getting on the courses. As for restaurants, we eat evening meals out on the average of six times a week, (yes we help keep the restaurants going) we
usually eat dinner around seven at one of the country clubs or popular TV restaurants, and generally wait much less than thirty minutes for a table, and generally enjoy a beverage or two to make the wait tolerable. As far as traffic, I know it is much worse than it is in the off-season, but in my view it is incredibly easy to get around as compared with any large city I have ever driven in. I am not trying to say anyone is exaggerating their issues, because your perception is your reality, but from the viewpoint of one of those people who make your life more difficult, I am saying you really ain't got it so bad............IMHO!
P.S. As for the attitude of snowbirds I can speak only for ourselves, but we have rented for the past three years the same home, from the same individual. We try to treat the home, the community and the, Villagers as friends and neighbors. In fact we have made good friends of several of our neighbors around our rental. We intend to spend winters in TV as renters, or homeowners, as long as we are able, so want to do everything in our power to keep it the wonderful place we found four years ago.



You sound like a perfect snowbird visitor. Your landlord is lucky to have you and your friends for tenants. It is not the snowbirds' fault that restaurateurs and merchants are not exactly lining up to move their businesses to The Villages. It is not the snowbirds' fault that the developer stopped building amenities such as bowling alleys, softball fields, etc., or even set aside land for churches to build.

Welcome back and enjoy your stay.

[Steve & Deanna]

My burning question is .....what would we be called owning a home here in TV and being here for five or six months. No wise cracks now simply because I asked what we would be called. We thought that people that came here and rented were 'snow flakes' but those who owned a home were called 'snow birds.' Is that correct? Thanks for the input.

[manaboutown]

For going on 24 years now I have split my time between two homes in different states. I call myself a splitter.

Second Homes: Meet the Splitters | Realtor Magazine (http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/home/article/2006/04/second-homes-meet-splitters)

`Splitters' not content to call only one place home - Chicago Tribune (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-12-31/news/0512310225_1_splitters-second-home-wci-communities)

[asianthree]

My burning question is .....what would we be called owning a home here in TV and being here for five or six months. No wise cracks now simply because I asked what we would be called. We thought that people that came here and rented were 'snow flakes' but those who owned a home were called 'snow birds.' Is that correct? Thanks for the input.

snowflakes..floating in it out as you please

[asianthree]

I like being a reverse snowflake or Snowbird. That way don't take up any space in high season. We enjoy the spring of the fall. That way we can still play in the snow or shovel the snow or do many things with the snow

[smcgirl]

To tell you how much fun I have living here, I have not noticed! We have been here since July. We bought our house in October, it seems like I am able to do everything I want..I havent noticed a long wait, but then I LOVE people, especially everyone we have met living here.

[Vinny]

I am a Frog and get a kick out of complaints about crowds and parking. At its worst it is not close to what we experienced all year round back home. Never had to park 8 blocks away or pay $30 to a parking lot. I have yet to experience bumper to bumper traffic where you only move one car length every few minutes. My only concern is that I find driving a little more dangerous as people readjust to driving here.

[tainsley]

Yes everywhere is more crowded and traffic is heavier but we can choose to stay home. I love it when my "snowbird" friends come back home...I miss them when they are gone. So welcome back and enjoy your time here!

[eweissenbach]

My burning question is .....what would we be called owning a home here in TV and being here for five or six months. No wise cracks now simply because I asked what we would be called. We thought that people that came here and rented were 'snow flakes' but those who owned a home were called 'snow birds.' Is that correct? Thanks for the input.

I would call you "part-time residents".

[tainsley]

My burning question is .....what would we be called owning a home here in TV and being here for five or six months. No wise cracks now simply because I asked what we would be called. We thought that people that came here and rented were 'snow flakes' but those who owned a home were called 'snow birds.' Is that correct? Thanks for the input.

Missed! At both ends!