Traffic really that bad?

[cms36]

A longtime resident has told me he's moving out because the traffic has increased dramatically to the point that he cant stand it. Is it really that bad?

[Bogie Shooter]

Depends on what the definition of "bad" is.

[George Bieniaszek]

Winter months when the Snowbirds arrive, it is pretty busy here in The Villages and you have to adjust your schedules slightly if you want to golf or go to a restaurant for dinner. We have some aggressive driving here but no more or no less than in any city with 100,000 Plus in population.

[slipcovers]

A longtime resident has told me he's moving out because the traffic has increased dramatically to the point that he cant stand it. Is it really that bad?

Where is he moving to?

[pooh]

I agree, not any worse than other cities and it also depends on where you are coming from. After southern CA, even the winter months traffic is easier than it was on the west coast.

You may have to adjust your driving times in the high season, but so does everyone else, even the seasonal residents. With more people and more stores, comes more people and more cars....from our community and surrounding areas. The Villages isn't that sleepy little place out in the middle of Florida surrounded by grazing land, it is an alive, vibrant, active community, but easy to navigate, and we are fortunate, we can use cars or golf carts to get around...and some days, it is easier in a cart... ;)

[gomoho]

I don't think traffic would be the only reason someone would leave The Villages - I do; however, believe it could be a contributing factor. I also agree it is no worse than any other city with 100k population - but lots of folks don't want to deal with that either anymore.

[Vladimir]

I'm from the NY/NJ area so this is not 'bad" traffic for me. Besides this means it is an active, healthy and vibrant community - I would rather have that than a sleepy, dead/dying and economically fragile community putting my home investment at risk.

[billethkid]

NO, it is not.
Whoever it is that is telling you that has an altogether different ax to grind and is not so eager to tell you.

Or they just had a bad experience (they may or may not have caused) and it was just emotion talking.

Busy in the winter months? Duhhhhh....YES!

Busy in the summer months? Depends where you are from and what one calls "busy".

TV is easier getting around at any time of year than any city of comparable size.

Just shake the shorts or skirt and get the bug out and the outlook will clear.

[graciegirl]

NO, it is not.
Whoever it is that is telling you that has an altogether different ax to grind and is not so eager to tell you.

Or they just had a bad experience (they may or may not have caused) and it was just emotion talking.

Busy in the winter months? Duhhhhh....YES!

Busy in the summer months? Depends where you are from and what one calls "busy".

TV is easier getting around at any time of year than any city of comparable size.

Just shake the shorts or skirt and get the bug out and the outlook will clear.

Bill is right once again. It is worse in the high season, with drivers unfamiliar with how to get to places and with roundabouts, and it is worse after five with the two-rers being consumed around town and there are different expectations too. Such as Ohio people expect others to stop at stop signs and traffic lights and have maybe used their horns four or five times in their whole lives.

[RErmer]

Not bad at all, even in season, compared to South Florida, Phoenix, New York, or Chicago, the places I've lived.

[Aandjmassage]

I like finding side roads that less known

[dbussone]

A longtime resident has told me he's moving out because the traffic has increased dramatically to the point that he cant stand it. Is it really that bad?


I grew up in Boston and have lived in several large cities - Atlanta, Las Vegas, et al. Short answer - not even close.

[MikeV]

Grew up in central NJ. You want traffic go there!

[dirtbanker]

A longtime resident has told me he's moving out because the traffic has increased dramatically to the point that he cant stand it. Is it really that bad?

There are a lot of slow drivers that can back things up a bit, but if you could not see where you were going; you would hopefully drive slow too ...

While there are 100K residents, a lot of those do not use their car much (many use their carts more).

[Regor]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then that the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.

[Uberschaf]

I'm from Tampa Bay.This is not traffic.Try US 19 from Port Richey to So. St.Pete.They have bumper stickers that say "I survived US 19"

[dbussone]

I'm from Tampa Bay.This is not traffic.Try US 19 from Port Richey to So. St.Pete.They have bumper stickers that say "I survived US 19"


Been there; done that many times. Yuck!

[slipcovers]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then that the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.

15 -20 years ago? Looks like you would make a hefty profit because of the vision and risk taking "greedy developer" Personally, I think it is a breath of fresh air here compared to other parts of Florida. No traffic problems in Lehigh Acers and plenty of cheap houses....you are not "stuck" here.

[buzzy]

Perhaps the person mentioned on the OP has acknowledged his own declining driving skills, and wishes to move to an overall lower risk area.

[Polar Bear]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then that the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.

I can't believe the developer didn't have the courtesy to stop expanding after you got here. He must not have known you arrived.

[CFrance]

BTK hit it, in my opinion. There is some underlying reason for your friend saying this, and he just doesn't want to tell you what it is. I would ask myself how long has he lived here (like a poster above who moved here when it was still mostly farmland), and where he came from. Moreover, where is he going? I challenge him to find anywhere warm in the winter where the traffic is any less.

I grew up driving the hills of Pittsburgh when it didn't have enough highways to handle all the cars (still doesn't), and have spent winters in Key West and Anna Maria Island over on the Gulf coast. Compared to those places, the traffic we have here is just nothing to us.

[graciegirl]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then that the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.

PLEASE don't say he is greedy. What if YOU were one of the folks who wanted to move here now? Just think of all of the years that you have enjoyed this place. And if you are not happy now, you have made a good investment, you can sell and make a profit.

Making a profit is what businesses do. Had you ever thought that Gary Morse might have all he needs and is concerned for all the people who work for him, continuing to work and take care of their families? And remember that town's grow and this one has had an orderly growth. I think that your criticism is unfair.

[Birdie Dreamer]

[QUOTE=graciegirl;926496]PLEASE don't say he is greedy. What if YOU were one of the folks who wanted to move here now? Just think of all of the years that you have enjoyed this place. And if you are not happy now, you have made a good investment, you can sell and make a profit.

Making a profit is what businesses do. Had you ever thought that Gary Morse might have all he needs and is concerned for all the people who work for him, continuing to work and take care of their families? And remember that town's grow and this one has had an orderly growth. I think that your criticism is unfair.[/

:agree:

Another post about greed missing the economic reality. If the "greedy" developer walked away today, based on published reports of his net worth, he could earn about 200 million dollars a year. I think the entire family could live comfortably on that.

But what about the thousands of workers providing for their families? They would be left most likely having to move to find work or try and make it on limited unemployment benefits.

[tippyclubb]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then that the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.


Greedy developer, really? If it weren't for them you would not have enjoyed all you have in TV. It's a beautiful place and there's a demand for them to keep building. It's like any other community people move in, businesses come and the town flourishes. Happens everywhere.

[Madelaine Amee]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then that the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.

Whether you like to admit it or not, 15 to 20 years ago you had NOTHING here compared to the conveniences you now "enjoy".

From what I have read the early residents of TV had to travel to Leesburg to a supermarket, and I could go on and on, but why bother you are obviously very angry about change and change happens everywhere, it cannot be stopped.

[pbkmaine]

I was in Astoria, Queens, yesterday morning and took the Queensboro Bridge to the FDR Drive to the George Washington Bridge. Traffic looks pretty good here.

[Polar Bear]

I'm from Tampa Bay.This is not traffic.Try US 19 from Port Richey to So. St.Pete...


Yep. TV traffic is a walk in the park compared to that, even in peak season.

[kstew43]

whoops..

[kstew43]

its not just the traffic, it's everything from shopping, to eating out, to getting in line for a class, and arriving an hour prior just to get a seat at the square.

Its crowded.........gotta love it......suck it up and endure.....

[RErmer]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then that the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.

All I can say is "wow". How does a discussion of traffic congestion get hijacked into a "greedy developer"? you have to admire the vision of someone who developed a wonderful city of 100,000 from nothing but farmland.

[PennBF]

Of course there is more traffic. BUT most of us are retired or have jobs that are "Fill Ins" during our retirement. Given I am right. WHY IN HECK ARE WE HURRYING? So if it takes a few extra minutes to get where your going you still get there. Is it that you want to drive directly there and have no one in front or back of you? Then if that is your goal you would be better off in the Mountains of North Carolina or on the roads in Wyoming. You should move from here. I watch the cars speeding to get by me or cutting us off and I think they are just plain stupid. No deep analysis of their personality, etc. THey are just plain stupid and can't wait to get to the cemetery. :wave:

[JMEZARIC3]

A longtime resident has told me he's moving out because the traffic has increased dramatically to the point that he cant stand it. Is it really that bad?
I commuted to Harrisburg,Pa for 35 years and have never seen traffic in TV that even comes close to rush hour in Harrisburg.The folks from the big cities would think that Harrisburg rush hour was a Sunday drive.So I do not consider the traffic in TV to be an issue.A 90 second wait for a green light is not a traffic jam.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Anyone that complains about traffic here, even in the height of the season must want to live out in the middle of the country.

The traffic here is nothing. In the middle of the winter there is more traffic than in the summer, but saying that we have bad traffic is absurd.

I grew up in Boston and had temp jobs as a courier driver in the downtown area. Then I lived in Manila for a year. That is real traffic.

I can't remember ever being behind more than seven or eight cars at a red light down here.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

its not just the traffic, it's everything from shopping, to eating out, to getting in line for a class, and arriving an hour prior just to get a seat at the square.

Its crowded.........gotta love it......suck it up and endure.....

I think that as more an more businesses open up down in Brownwood a lot of that pressure will ease up.

But I think that every where in Florida is like that at the height of the season.

[Papa Cuma]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then that the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.


If it weren't for greed we would still be living in one of the 13 colony's and Spain would possess the rest.

[Mikeod]

It depends a lot where you came from, what you're used to. As you can see from posts above, many came from high traffic areas and don't see a problem here. I had a neighbor in SoCal who moved to rural North Carolina and is amazed if he sees a dozen cars all day on his road. I moved here from San Diego partly because my 6 mile commute home from work took 2 hours whether I took the freeway or surface streets. That's traffic. I can't call what is here in the high season traffic. Now, my former neighbor would disagree with me because of his changed perception.

[Hankg42]

We'll be moving to The Villages full time after the first of next year. We have visited just twice; once in Jaunary during the "heavy" traffic period, and in July when it was noticably lighter. However, I will take The Villages ANYTIME.

Last week, it was necessary for me to drive into mid-town New York City for the first time in a very long time. When I exited the parking garage to come home, it took ONE HOUR and TWENTY MINUTES to go FOUR blocks into the Lincoln Tunnel. Now, THAT is traffic! Villages here we come!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then that the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.

I had a friend who moved here about 15 years ago. He told me how wonderful the place was and that the plans were to eventually have 100,000 residents. How is it that he knew that and you didn't.

[jojo]

I travel the country regularly on business and I can't imagine complaining about traffic in The Villages unless you are comparing it to 20 years ago or very rural America. Even in high season I don't recall sitting through more than one light. And I've never had traffic slow me in the golf cart. Yes you may have to wait in the roundabout but not for long.

[Halibut]

Is it really that bad?

Pfft. You're good. :)

There are certainly more residents here every year, both permanent and seasonal, and traffic has of course increased along with the population. But I've personally never been in what I would even remotely call a traffic jam, with traffic at a standstill. Even during rush hour on 441, it's rare to have to wait through more than one light to turn left, and that's one of the busiest roads around.

Publix and other stores are noticeably more crowded during the winter, which in reality means nothing morethan parking 5-6 spots farther away from the door.

The Wal-Marts are the busiest stores, in my experience, but that's everywhere I've ever lived.

[rubicon]

I believe the OP's intent was to include heavy traffic in the broad sense highways, pathways, stores, restaurants, etc.

I have lived in big cities and both had successfully adapted conditions to keep back ups at a minimum but i do not use such comparisons because such comparisons are just unnecessary distractions.. We are not discussing those cities we are discussing TV and this is where we live and this is what we as a residents should focus on to alleviate any problems.

Here in TV some roads are not conducive to today's traffic. The conservative speed limits create a problem as do people who seemed convinced that driving at 20mph anywhere is righteous. Add to that golf carts that are licensed for the road along with an increasing population both in and surrounding TV and you do have a traffic problem and it is heavily exacerbated . Now plug in all the golf course and construction equipment entering and exiting highways and you have a problem

I agree with the poster who made mention of the thread being hijacked . I am truly puzzled as to why any resident seems obligated and/or protective and continues to defend Villages Lake-Sumter, Inc.?

[perrjojo]

If you moved here 15-20 years ago (as we did), it sucks now days!! We would NEVER have moved here if we knew then Nthat the greedy developer was going to keep adding and adding.

I agree with the first part of your statement but NOT the second. It has certainly changed over the past 15 years but heavy traffic is in LAX, Dallas, Atlanta, etc., not TV. I have a friend who was one of the first 50 homeowners here. If you had asked her 15 years ago she would have said that you and others moving here made traffic bad. Things are not static or they die. 15 years ago we didn't have Walmart , Tagret, Public and on and on. Growth brings good and bad.

Now for the second point. Why is the developer greedy for wanting to build homes that people want to buy? Is Walmart greedy because they continue to build where people want to shop? Is Publix greedy because they continue to build stores where people want to shop? We all are guilty of finding neighborhoods, restaurants that we love and then become irritated when they get busy. If they were not busy, they would not survive. I think it is greedy for us not to be willing to share our beautiful hometown.

[CFrance]

I agree with the first part of your statement but NOT the second. It has certainly changed over the past 15 years but heavy traffic is in LAX, Dallas, Atlanta, etc., not TV. I have a friend who was one of the first 50 homeowners here. If you had asked her 15 years ago she would have said that you and others moving here made traffic bad. Things are not static or they die. 15 years ago we didn't have Walmart , Tagret, Public and on and on. Growth brings good and bad.

Now for the second point. Why is the developer greedy for wanting to build homes that people want to buy? Is Walmart greedy because they continue to build where people want to shop? Is Publix greedy because they continue to build stores where people want to shop? We all are guilty of finding neighborhoods, restaurants that we love and then become irritated when they get busy. If they were not busy, they would not survive. I think it is greedy for us not to be willing to share our beautiful hometown.
:BigApplause::BigApplause:

[Nursebarb1]

CFrance: I absolutely love AMI and Key West. They would be my 1st and 2nd choice, but I can't afford the property or insurance, and nothing compares to the activities and facilities in TV. It's beautiful, despite no beach.

[CFrance]

CFrance: I absolutely love AMI and Key West. They would be my 1st and 2nd choice, but I can't afford the property or insurance, and nothing compares to the activities and facilities in TV. It's beautiful, despite no beach.
Nursebarb, you are right on! We would love to be in KW, especially now that they've started two pickleball leagues, but prices are WAY too high. TV is the perfect compromise. And it doesn't take half an hour to drive 50 feet!

[mickey100]

I believe the OP's intent was to include heavy traffic in the broad sense highways, pathways, stores, restaurants, etc.

I have lived in big cities and both had successfully adapted conditions to keep back ups at a minimum but i do not use such comparisons because such comparisons are just unnecessary distractions.. We are not discussing those cities we are discussing TV and this is where we live and this is what we as a residents should focus on to alleviate any problems.

Here in TV some roads are not conducive to today's traffic. The conservative speed limits create a problem as do people who seemed convinced that driving at 20mph anywhere is righteous. Add to that golf carts that are licensed for the road along with an increasing population both in and surrounding TV and you do have a traffic problem and it is heavily exacerbated . Now plug in all the golf course and construction equipment entering and exiting highways and you have a problem

I agree with the poster who made mention of the thread being hijacked . I am truly puzzled as to why any resident seems obligated and/or protective and continues to defend Villages Lake-Sumter, Inc.?

:bigbow: Well said. Yes, we don't live in a city of millions of residents, we live in a cluster of villages with a population that, including the surrounding areas, is probably less than 125,000. Clearly there is no way one could logically compare the two. Your comments regarding the conservative speed limits and the righteous drivers is spot on.

[bargee]

I would ask the OP to contact me when his friends find a place with our amenitys and no traffic,when they do I'll be right behind them.

[Polar Bear]

I would ask the OP to contact me when his friends find a place with our amenitys and no traffic,when they do I'll be right behind them.

And a slew of people will be right behind you, bargee! :)

[NotGolfer]

PLEASE don't say he is greedy. What if YOU were one of the folks who wanted to move here now? Just think of all of the years that you have enjoyed this place. And if you are not happy now, you have made a good investment, you can sell and make a profit.

Making a profit is what businesses do. Had you ever thought that Gary Morse might have all he needs and is concerned for all the people who work for him, continuing to work and take care of their families? And remember that town's grow and this one has had an orderly growth. I think that your criticism is unfair.

You are so right Gracie!!! You said it much better than I could have! That said, we recently did a "day-trip" over along one of the coasts. The traffic there was 'horrible' compared to what we have here. PLUS we were "up north" earlier this summer....traffic on the "frozen tundra" was pretty dense as well. I'll take our serenity here any day!!! :a040: