Is it as crowded as last year

[TrudyM]

Is it just me or is it not quite as crowded as last year. We have had no trouble getting a table or having to wait in line.

[CFrance]

We noticed the same thing. Third winter here, and there definitely seems to be more room in the restaurants. Maybe they're all stuck in the snow up north and can't get out!

[JGVillages]

Depends on where you are. We live way north in Calumet Grove and it ha been about the same for the nine years we hasve been here. With the development of Brownwood much of pressure has been taken off the Lake Sumter Area, and the crowds seemed to have been disbursed more evenly. No matter where you decide to live if it is warm in the winter and amenities abound there will be seasonal snowbirds flocking. For me, a year round resident, the season runs from May-December. I thank the 4 monthers for their influx of cash to support our fine amenities so these establishments can operate during the financially thin 8 months that I get the small crowds and summer special pricing.

[kstew43]

been on 27 lately.....?

[Bogie Shooter]

been on 27 lately.....?

27 carries more than just Villager traffic.................

[graciegirl]

My summary is more traffic and more people but more restaurants to handle them.

[Cisco Kid]

Last year the polar north sat at 50 below for six month.
Even I am here.
I was surprised to read sales were down from last year,

[graciegirl]

Last year the polar north sat at 50 below for six month.
Even I am here.
I was surprised to read sales were down from last year,

I think that is caused by the highly publicized "sex on the square" and the highly publicized picture of the sinkhole....which by the way is repaired and has not further sunk.

[Cisco Kid]

I think that is caused by the highly publicized "sex on the square" and the highly publicized picture of the sinkhole....which by the way is repaired and has not further sunk.

In todays world the sex news would help sells.
Unless it were a photo of me.

[wholman66]

Have you tried to get a decent tee time lately?? Seems like more people playing golf.

[folkh]

My summary is more traffic and more people but more restaurants to handle them.

Right on Gracie my thoughts also!! As they say great minds!!!

[nkrifats]

Try driving Morse Blvd and see what you think!

[Cisco Kid]

Try driving Morse Blvd and see what you think!

The likely problem there is this red neck this year.

[gatherer47]

I live off Morse Blvd in De La Vista West between 466 and Spanish Springs.Making a left turn on Morse is very difficult due to the traffic.This year even making a right turn onto Morse is often difficult.Many times I have seen traffic backed up at the light at 466 all the way back to San Marino.A big part of the problem is the north bound traffic at this intersection gets the green light a full six to eight seconds longer than those proceeding south through the intersection.Of course some people here who love to attack the poster will say what's your hurry.Please don't bother.I seldom post anymore because of this practice.

[graciegirl]

I live off Morse Blvd in De La Vista West between 466 and Spanish Springs.Making a left turn on Morse is very difficult due to the traffic.This year even making a right turn onto Morse is often difficult.Many times I have seen traffic backed up at the light at 466 all the way back to San Marino.A big part of the problem is the north bound traffic at this intersection gets the green light a full six to eight seconds longer than those proceeding south through the intersection.Of course some people here who love to attack the poster will say what's your hurry.Please don't bother.I seldom post anymore because of this practice.


Try to let it fall off ya, kiddo. There will always be anonymous snipers on here. But there are people who listen too.

I think there is a LOT of traffic this year, the most ever in eight years for us.

[Bogie Shooter]

Have you tried to get a decent tee time lately?? Seems like more people playing golf.

What is decent?

[Northwoods]

I went to Mallory last night at 5:15pm and there was a 45 min wait. Perhaps because it was Valentine's Day. I worry when they build those Villages in Fruitland Park. I am afraid there will be a lot more people in The Villages and there won't be the infrastructure to support it. The town squares and Rec. centers will become more crowded.

[Cisco Kid]

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[wholman66]

Something decent would be after 7:20am and 5:20pm!!!

[wholman66]

Opps, and before 5:20pm,,

[graciegirl]

I went to Mallory last night at 5:15pm and there was a 45 min wait. Perhaps because it was Valentine's Day. I worry when they build those Villages in Fruitland Park. I am afraid there will be a lot more people in The Villages and there won't be the infrastructure to support it. The town squares and Rec. centers will become more crowded.


People have been worrying the same for all of the years I have been reading this forum.

AND it always works out. The developers are the smartest bunch of folks.

AND they are from Michigan. Imagine that!

Go Bucks.

[coffeebean]

I went to Mallory last night at 5:15pm and there was a 45 min wait. Perhaps because it was Valentine's Day. I worry when they build those Villages in Fruitland Park. I am afraid there will be a lot more people in The Villages and there won't be the infrastructure to support it. The town squares and Rec. centers will become more crowded.

DH and I worry too. Hubby has been saying the last couple of years that this place is getting too large. Publix in Colony is going to be inundated once again when the Fruitland Park folks begin shopping there.

I surely hope Fruitland Park is the end of the building here. The major roads are going to become a crawl during the height of the season.

[Northwoods]

Graciegirl -- You make an excellent point. The fact they are from Michigan gives me hope. :-)

[Allegiance]

//////////

I was thinking the same thing!

[tomwed]

I'm not sure there will be enough execs to go around. The golfers that I met that were here 4 years ago say it was different.

[Polar Bear]

DH and I worry too. Hubby has been saying the last couple of years that this place is getting too large. Publix in Colony is going to be inundated once again when the Fruitland Park folks begin shopping there.

I surely hope Fruitland Park is the end of the building here. The major roads are going to become a crawl during the height of the season.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I doubt...seriously...that Fruitland Park will be the last of it. But it will all work out. Congestion here is still nothing compared to many other areas. And I don't think it will get significantly worse in our lifetimes. :)

[TrudyM]

Something decent would be after 7:20am and 5:20pm!!!

Really, I guess it must be easier for someone playing golf as a single. Hubby has been playing 6 days a week since we got here. 5 execs and one country club round every week always between 8 and 8:45 three times all by himself when he played the country club courses.

[KittyKat]

I think it is much worse this year. We must not be going to the same places to eat. Always have to wait at Bob Evans now at 5pm. Went to Oakwood Grill last Wed at 5pm after Mom's hair appt and there was a 55 minute wait!!! Drove down to Leesburg instead. Long wait at Carrabba's. We never eat at the Country Clubs--bad food and too expensive; no salad with meal; too noisy. Can hardly wait until May. Nothing against snowbirds, this place is just too big now.

[billethkid]

When our home was built in 2004 the population was 35,00.
Buena Vista was only open from 466 south to the second traffic circle. Morse did not go to the bridge going South.

Lake Sumter Landing was under construction but not much know about what it was going to be.

Ten years later three times bigger! I won't even attempt to list the retail and restaurants that were not here.

Yes. Bigger. Much, MUCH better.
Said another way we were happy to be here back then......no knowledge of what was to come. Much happier with what TV has become.

The slow season of today is significantly more populated than the busy season of not so many years ago.

Yes TV has evolved to handle the growth.
It may be approaching build out (again), but the commercial and other developments will continue.

[VT2TV]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I doubt...seriously...that Fruitland Park will be the last of it. But it will all work out. Congestion here is still nothing compared to many other areas. And I don't think it will get significantly worse in our lifetimes. :)


you might not worry about it, but it is a worry when you have trouble turning into and out of your neighborhood-whether it is on a golf cart or in a car. It is a worry when you are the 14th golf cart on the MMpath, and you can't hardly make a turn onto ST Charles. etc, etc... I think the new restaurants have helped some, but the more popular places still have 1 hr waits. And, I agree that congestion here is not as bad as many places, but that is one of the reasons a lot of people moved here--to get away from congestion. And I think it has already gotten significantly worse in the past 4 years.

[CFrance]

Just my opinion, but I think there will be more openings of stores, esp. grocery stores, to handle the new residents. Already Pinrllas has taken strain off of Colony, and more of that is supposedly coming to handle FP.

I can handle three months of left-turn hassle for the ease and joy of living here year-round. I do miss having Lake Michigan in my backyard, but not the winter that goes with it, nor the three days' drive twice a year for the three short months of summer up there.

[rubicon]

There are basically two types of people responding to issues pertaining to The Villages "defenders" and "realists" If your in the latter group be prepared to be taken to task.

You will also find posters who want to make comparisons such as its more crowded in........ but they forget the discussion isn't about .....its about conditions in The Villages

Posters keep repeating that The villages of Lake Sumter, Inc are pretty smart but other posters make solid suggestions of many flaws in governance and infrastructure, etc

Pick your poison.

[TrudyM]

I think it is much worse this year. We must not be going to the same places to eat. Always have to wait at Bob Evans now at 5pm. Went to Oakwood Grill last Wed at 5pm after Mom's hair appt and there was a 55 minute wait!!! Drove down to Leesburg instead. Long wait at Carrabba's. We never eat at the Country Clubs--bad food and too expensive; no salad with meal; too noisy. Can hardly wait until May. Nothing against snowbirds, this place is just too big now.

Well we must just be lucky we went to Ricciardi’s at 5 pm. Went to VKI Japanese at 6, Sakura at 5:30 and have stopped in at Jonny rockets for shakes a few times and we haven't had to wait. Bonifay for breakfast buffet was full but not nuts. Last year we had a 20 to 30 min wait everywhere. The traffic does seem bad still as well of course the drivers are still clueless.
We are not eating out as often this year so maybe it is perception.

[DougB]

Just my opinion, but I think there will be more openings of stores, esp. grocery stores, to handle the new residents. Already Pinrllas has taken strain off of Colony, and more of that is supposedly coming to handle FP.

I can handle three months of left-turn hassle for the ease and joy of living here year-round. I do miss having Lake Michigan in my backyard, but not the winter that goes with it, nor the three days' drive twice a year for the three short months of summer up there.

Three days drive to Michigan? Thought you didn't have a golf cart?

[CFrance]

Three days drive to Michigan? Thought you didn't have a golf cart?
Ha ha! No, just a couple of squirrelly backs.:grumpy:

[asianthree]

January seemed to be the same as in years past, but we eat late.

[2BNTV]

When our home was built in 2004 the population was 35,00.
Buena Vista was only open from 466 south to the second traffic circle. Morse did not go to the bridge going South.

Lake Sumter Landing was under construction but not much know about what it was going to be.

Ten years later three times bigger! I won't even attempt to list the retail and restaurants that were not here.

Yes. Bigger. Much, MUCH better.
Said another way we were happy to be here back then......no knowledge of what was to come. Much happier with what TV has become.

The slow season of today is significantly more populated than the busy season of not so many years ago.

Yes TV has evolved to handle the growth.
It may be approaching build out (again), but the commercial and other developments will continue.

Excellent post!!! :BigApplause:

I don't find this year to be more or less crowded than other years. The traffic seems to be the same. Restaurant dinner time must be planned accordingly, if one doesn't want to wait........ or one could stay home and avoid all congestion, until April.........IMHO

[Shimpy]

Why would there be less traffic and people? They are building homes at a rate of under 50 days per home and they are selling like hotcakes. The area south of 466A extending to Fruitland Park and south to 44 is huge and will only add many thousands to the mix. New restaurants and shopping won't lessen the traffic on the road, only waiting times in those restaurants, etc.
During the snowbird season I try to avoid driving thru TV as much as possible and will take 301 or Rolling Acres Road and Micro Race Track around the outside to avoid the traffic.

[Polar Bear]

...will take 301 or Rolling Acres Road and Micro Race Track around the outside to avoid the traffic.

Everybody's situation is different of course, but if I tried to go "around the outside" of TV, I would take twice as long to get anywhere.

I must go to the right places at the right time, because I rarely (if ever) run into enough traffic to even think about taking an alternate route.

[graciegirl]

There are basically two types of people responding to issues pertaining to The Villages "defenders" and "realists" If your in the latter group be prepared to be taken to task.

You will also find posters who want to make comparisons such as its more crowded in........ but they forget the discussion isn't about .....its about conditions in The Villages

Posters keep repeating that The villages of Lake Sumter, Inc are pretty smart but other posters make solid suggestions of many flaws in governance and infrastructure, etc

Pick your poison.

And there are some who are depressed and things don't EVER look positive. NOTHING. NO one. Some are down on Christmas. Some dislike dogs. Some just aren't happy but may not know they aren't happy. There is a high amount of depression in the older population and it isn't a character weakness. It is a chemical imbalance that sometimes comes with aging.

I am a defender. I freely came here and love it here. AND I think I am a realist too.

[Vladimir]

I look at it in this opposite way. Would I want to live in a 55+ community where there was no activity, no people milling around, no cars on the road, no light traffic, etc.? Absolutely not since I like the vibrancy, the progress, change and growth as opposed to a dead and stagnant place. Then again if you want to experience real traffic and congestion then go to where I grew up - Manhattan.

[CFrance]

Why would there be less traffic and people? They are building homes at a rate of under 50 days per home and they are selling like hotcakes. The area south of 466A extending to Fruitland Park and south to 44 is huge and will only add many thousands to the mix. New restaurants and shopping won't lessen the traffic on the road, only waiting times in those restaurants, etc.
During the snowbird season I try to avoid driving thru TV as much as possible and will take 301 or Rolling Acres Road and Micro Race Track around the outside to avoid the traffic.
301 is good, even now in the middle of the winter season. Micro Race Track, not so good. The other day there were 50 cars lined up on 466A waiting to turn north onto it. I counted them as I was coming from FP on 466A. And I now wonder if The Villages is still planning a traffic light there? The entrance they are building into FP The Villages is down the road a ways, not at Micro Race Track.

[Polar Bear]

There are basically two types of people responding to issues pertaining to The Villages "defenders" and "realists"....

I love this kind of post. Let me paraphrase: There are two types of people in TV...those who think like me, and those who are wrong.

[BobandMary]

We don't live there yet, but we are counting the days until my retirement. We still think you live in Paradise. We live in a beautiful little town in South Jersey. We had reservations at 7. We were served at 9. Yes, we had to wait. We talked, sipped wine, smiled at each other and enjoyed. Thank God for where you live.

[tomwed]

We don't live there yet, but we are counting the days until my retirement. We still think you live in Paradise. We live in a beautiful little town in South Jersey. We had reservations at 7. We were served at 9. Yes, we had to wait. We talked, sipped wine, smiled at each other and enjoyed. Thank God for where you live.
I share your sentiments.
I went to Glassboro, had a summer place in Cape May and lived in Tabernacle and Medford along with other SJ towns.
Where are you from?

[DonH57]

I haven't noticed that many more people compared to last year. Maybe the cooler temps have kept more people inside. I don't see that many on the cart paths lately. Maybe it's my driving.

[justjim]

I'm not sure there will be enough execs to go around. The golfers that I met that were here 4 years ago say it was different.

For various reasons, The "older" you get (for many) the less golf you play. As TV builds out there will be plenty of Tee times. Even now---I know guys that pickup tee times and play 5 and 6 times a week on executives. Very often you can get pretty much what tee time you want on the championship courses. FORE!

[Abby10]

I look at it in this opposite way. Would I want to live in a 55+ community where there was no activity, no people milling around, no cars on the road, no light traffic, etc.? Absolutely not since I like the vibrancy, the progress, change and growth as opposed to a dead and stagnant place. Then again if you want to experience real traffic and congestion then go to where I grew up - Manhattan.

I like this post! Most of us picked The Villages because it IS vibrant and alive with activity and options. Your perspective on some of the minor downsides of such a busy place is refreshing, Vladimir!

[tomwed]

For various reasons, The "older" you get (for many) the less golf you play. As TV builds out there will be plenty of Tee times. Even now---I know guys that pickup tee times and play 5 and 6 times a week on executives. Very often you can get pretty much what tee time you want on the championship courses. FORE!
The execs are good for walking and from the back are quite a challenge. The proportion of execs to people is dropping down quite a bit. Would you agree?

[BobandMary]

I share your sentiments.
I went to Glassboro, had a summer place in Cape May and lived in Tabernacle and Medford along with other SJ towns.
Where are you from?

Morning! We're from Pitman. We had a shore house in Mystic Island until Hurricane Sandy wiped it out. It was horribly sad, but opened new opportunities for our retirement home. We visited friends in TV and were hooked. See you after July!

[joldnol]

301 is good, even now in the middle of the winter season. Micro Race Track, not so good. The other day there were 50 cars lined up on 466A waiting to turn north onto it. I counted them as I was coming from FP on 466A. And I now wonder if The Villages is still planning a traffic light there? The entrance they are building into FP The Villages is down the road a ways, not at Micro Race Track.

The light at micro-racetrack is still planned. It would be improved immediately if the southbound section had a "no left turn between 7 am and 6 pm" sign. The backup occurs when some numbnuts decides to take a left on to 466a. Since catching a break to be able to do it is rare, one car stacks up 50.

As far as 50 getting stuck waiting to go North that is a problem from some of our drivers being timid and over cautious. Some want no oncoming vehicles to be in sight before they turn.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I talked to a few people who were at Mardi Gras at LSL this year and they were surprised at how much less crowded it was. My brother was down last year and we decided to go and get some jambalaya. It was impossible. Lines for food were ridiculous and people who were not eating were sitting in all of the seats. We weren't about to wait for an hour in line for food only to have to eat standing up.

From what everyone that I spoke to said, it was much less crowded this year.

I think that Brownwood probably has a lot to do with it.

I had a thought. When they do these celebrations such as Mardi Gras, St Patrick's Day, etc. in the squares, they should do them in all three squares at the same time. It would be much less crowded and much more enjoyable for the people who are there. I think that a lot of people who have been here for a while stay away from these events. I know I do. I learned my lesson after two or three times. St Pat's, Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo, I go to another square to avoid the insanity.

[Chi-Town]

Mardi Gras at LSL this year was chilly at best. People here are cold averse, especially when the sun goes down. Actually, I was somewhat surprised how many people were still there after 7:00. Last year was much warmer.

[graciegirl]

I wonder if a lot of folks who are getting whomped with snow up North are reluctant to come to Florida this year.

A home that hasn't been shoveled out sometimes is a red flag that no one is home. It would be VERY hard to get your driveway cleared on such a regular basis from afar.

I would be reluctant to leave my home and go on vacation with the snow piling up and even breaking roofs.

[JoMar]

I wonder if a lot of folks who are getting whomped with snow up North are reluctant to come to Florida this year.

A home that hasn't been shoveled out sometimes is a red flag that no one is home. It would be VERY hard to get your driveway cleared on such a regular basis from afar.

I would be reluctant to leave my home and go on vacation with the snow piling up and even breaking roofs.

That is exactly why we left last year and came here. Hired a snow guy, bought a couple neighbors a nice dinner to look at the house now and then, had internet controlled alarm and thermostat and finally reviewed my home owners insurance to make sure that if the roof feel in I was covered. It was lot more enjoyable being here when all the white stuff fell. I assumed that if there was damage and I was there all I could do was look at it and say, yep, the house is trash. Besides, it's a two hour flight. Anyway, we sold it and moved here, now just have to worry about lightning strikes.....:smiley:

[NYGUY]

I look at it in this opposite way. Would I want to live in a 55+ community where there was no activity, no people milling around, no cars on the road, no light traffic, etc.? Absolutely not since I like the vibrancy, the progress, change and growth as opposed to a dead and stagnant place. Then again if you want to experience real traffic and congestion then go to where I grew up - Manhattan.

This is a person who loves life...:BigApplause:

[patfla06]

I look at it in this opposite way. Would I want to live in a 55+ community where there was no activity, no people milling around, no cars on the road, no light traffic, etc.? Absolutely not since I like the vibrancy, the progress, change and growth as opposed to a dead and stagnant place. Then again if you want to experience real traffic and congestion then go to where I grew up - Manhattan.

Exactly! We visited many such places. They had 1 clubhouse, 1 pool,
And a handful of activities.
Love the energy here in T.V.

[Shimpy]

I talked to a few people who were at Mardi Gras at LSL this year and they were surprised at how much less crowded it was. My brother was down last year and we decided to go and get some jambalaya. It was impossible. Lines for food were ridiculous and people who were not eating were sitting in all of the seats. We weren't about to wait for an hour in line for food only to have to eat standing up.

From what everyone that I spoke to said, it was much less crowded this year.
.

A possible reason for this year being less crowded than last year other than weather is after attending last year and having hugh crowds and no place to set, why would you want to go this year and experience the same thing....Not me.

[NYGUY]

My experience has been, it it is easier to get a table at a restaurant but more difficult to get a tee time!!

[maru8]

It's no longer a village!!!!

[mgjim]

Snipped

I had a thought. When they do these celebrations such as Mardi Gras, St Patrick's Day, etc. in the squares, they should do them in all three squares at the same time. It would be much less crowded and much more enjoyable for the people who are there. I think that a lot of people who have been here for a while stay away from these events. I know I do. I learned my lesson after two or three times. St Pat's, Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo, I go to another square to avoid the insanity.

I agree. My brother and I attended the Mardi Gras celebration at Spanish Springs and we brought our own chairs to make sure we could sit for at least part of it. I'm glad we did. It was plenty crowded and I also wondered if it would have made more sense to have simultaneous celebrations at all three squares. I think it would help with crowd control.

[JoMar]

Everybody's situation is different of course, but if I tried to go "around the outside" of TV, I would take twice as long to get anywhere.

I must go to the right places at the right time, because I rarely (if ever) run into enough traffic to even think about taking an alternate route.

Now there's a person that is organized.