Wildwood

[ConeyIsBabe]

I've recently read a couple of posts that made reference to Wildwood...... possible new Villages being build near the city....... and the tone I perceived was that Wildwood is not a "desirable" area. Can anyone please elaborate on what that area is like? (Perhaps I misunderstood the intent of the posts).

In the 70s my kids attended Camp Universe in Wildwood and I remember driving to visit it during the Parents Day but I don't recall anything else about that area, other than it was at the end of the Turnpike.

So, what's up with Wildwood ???

[Taltarzac]

The demographics for Wildwood might spell it out a little more. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildwood,_Florida

"The median income for a household in the city was $23,357, and the median income for a family was $27,247. Males had a median income of $23,250 versus $18,103 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,758. About 17.3% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.6% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over."

[handieman]

In Defense of Wildwood
I don't want to go into the history of Wildwood, however what I know or think I know is not critical. It's obviously an old railroad town and we all have heard stories of railroad towns. Now it has become a trucker town, with its proximity to the turnpike at its side door. Like all towns with historical backgrounds that have suffered through changing times, Wildwood, is searching for it's new identity. Obviously, The Villages has had an economic impact and will continue to do so. Don't be surprised if a new look comes to Wildwood as it caters to the buying power of the residents of TV.
I really don't like the phrase "undesirable" when labeling a town with such an historic background. For better or for worse Wildwood is our heritage and we need to respect this community and contribute to its economy.
Maybe it's the name or maybe its the history, I personally love Wildwood
Handie :joke:
PS: Anyone remember the "Skunk's Nest" In Wildwood?? These places are great memories ;D

[SteveFromNY]

Handie - I agree completely with you assessment of the impact TV will have on that town. Watch the median incomes rise as employment opportunities literally knock at people's doors.

[drr47]

I think you need to be careful with negative comments about Wildwood. Yes it was a railroad town until the mid 70's when most to the railroad moved north to Baldwin. I moved to Wildwood in 1979, worked in Wildwood until my retirement. Raised two children who went through the Wildwood School system and have done quite well for themselves. Both are college grads. My wife taught in the school system until her retirement. Its not the Villages but it has been a good place to live for the last 29 years. Yes the Villages has and will have a major impact on the whole area. Be nice, we are your neighbors. and don't think I like the comment that we are a trucker town. I-75 is four miles away and most don't stray from the interstate.

[ConeyIsBabe]

drr47... I hope you didn't take offense at my inquiry about Wildwood. As a prospective new resident (hopefully, someday) my intent was to garner information based on curiosity from previous posts.

Does anyone know whatever happened to Camp Universe?

[drr47]

The camp was sold and made into a retreat called David's something. Some folks put a lot money in it to update buildings etc. They went out of business after a short time. It was sold again and is Lakeside Landings, a condo project that borders the Villages. They have a web site. I remeber the camp and the older gentleman who ran it, I belive he was from south floida. I understand about your comments, but there are many negitive comments on this website about Wildwood.

[SteveFromNY]

I think you need to be careful with negative comments about Wildwood. Yes it was a railroad town until the mid 70's when most to the railroad moved north to Baldwin. I moved to Wildwood in 1979, worked in Wildwood until my retirement. Raised two children who went through the Wildwood School system and have done quite well for themselves. Both are college grads. My wife taught in the school system until her retirement. Its not the Villages but it has been a good place to live for the last 29 years. Yes the Villages has and will have a major impact on the whole area. Be nice, we are your neighbors. and don't think I like the comment that we are a trucker town. I-75 is four miles away and most don't stray from the interstate.


I hope what I said wasn't taken in a negative way - I certainly meant no offense. When you drive through the town it is clear that the economy is not thriving. An influx of "customers" will certainly help get businesses up and running. I am looking forward to the day it is a thriving town.

[drr47]

Not a problem, Wildwood is like many old souther towns that used to be a thriving city until the interstate came. Hwy 301 used to be the main north/south route on this side of Florida. Take a drive north on Hwy 301 and see what Florida and Georgia used to look like.

[SteveFromNY]

Not a problem, Wildwood is like many old souther towns that used to be a thriving city until the interstate came. Hwy 301 used to be the main north/south route on this side of Florida. Take a drive north on Hwy 301 and see what Florida and Georgia used to look like.


I've done it many times through the years. I lived in MD before I moved to NY, and have seen a really quiet, quiet town turn into a city as Levitt built a development. And I've made the trip back and forth to FL and used 301 and 17 many times.

[SteveZ]

Wildwood is a great place, and I wouldn't be here in TV if Wildwood wasn't there.

I've lived in Florida pushing 3 decades (except for this 4-year experience in DC), residing in a little corner of Seminole County called Chuluota (we believe it means "we have no gas station, no traffic lights, and the post office is only open part-time"). Smaller towns/cities beat the major metropoli all the time in neighborliness, attitude and service.

Don't get me wrong, TV is pretty good, but it seems to foster an air that you can get everything you need in TV, and that outside of TV is a place where you won't fit in. So, while others wait in a 10 person line to get a haircut at LSL, I stroll into a small barber shop in Wildwood, rarely a wait at all, and enjoy good conversation and no rush.

The best hardware store in the area is the Ace in Wildwood, same goes for the little barber shop next to the Driver license office. The folk at the Sumter County tag office are the friendliest I've found in this state. I bring my dogs to a vet who has a down-home attitude and he and his staff actually care about the animals.

I don't kid myself or anyone. I'm a blue-collar guy running in a white-collar rat race. So, I seek out the honest places, where people say things you can believe, and are willing to back up their word with sweat and action. There are no phony airs about Wildwood and its people, and that what really makes it fabulous. I feel safer there than in the best areas of DC, or NY, or Boston, or almost any other of the societal centers.

Enjoy Wildwood for its honesty. Hopefully, what has happened to similar towns around Orlando during its mega-expansion (i.e., Winter Springs, Oviedo, Clermont, and unfortunately Chuluota), namely losing their personality and turning into yuppyvilles, won't happen here.

[rdmills]

We try to always support the little guy. I use the dry cleaners in Wildwood, visited the Skunks Nest, Back Porch, Continental Country Club. I believe we as Villagers should try to purchase as much a possible in Sumter County to keep tax money coming back. My next foray is to the Yacht Club on 301. It just looks interesting. I would hope that the City leaders push for golf cart trails once The Villages starts building close to the city. That would really help the economy.

[ConeyIsBabe]

SteveZ......... THANKS for your description of Wildwood. That's exactly why I started this topic - to know what it's like in case I buy into TV on the south end.

Actually, Wildwood sounds very much like the small rural city (under 2k pop) I currently live in; described as a lumberjack town, no traffic light, park in front of the businesses, bank tellers know your name, and don't ask for ID!

[nitehawk]

I do agree that the people in the license dept are about the nicest people