Just making sure The Villages is THE place for us

[TVWannabe]

This is my first post, but I’ve been lurking for awhile. I appreciate all of the good information available here. My wife and I made a lifestyle preview visit in July 2008. We loved it. We loved it all! The Villages blew away everything else we had looked at up to that point. We plan to visit again this summer.

I’ve noticed people here at TOTV aren’t shy about bragging about Florida’s friendliest hometown, but I was hoping you could share your thoughts on a couple of other communities, using The Villages as the benchmark. Our priorities are friendly people and access to golf.

Spruce Creek is a Del Webb community just north of The Villages. Friends of my parents live there, and they prefer it because it is smaller and they feel they get more for their money. Any comments?

Also, what can you tell me about Sun City Center? Their own website isn’t even very informative.

http://suncitycenter.wcicommunities.com/

Thanks!

[Ooper]

I believe the only thing you get more of at Del Webb is a bit more square footage for the money. It is smaller and it truly is a gated community... but they only have 1 restaurant and 36 holes of golf. I think TV offers sooo much more. But when you come down to TV for your next visit... check out Spruce Creek for yourself... only you know what you really want.

[jinker]

Both of my sisters lived in Kings Point, a gated community within Sun City Center. I visited them several times a year. Most of Kings Point is multiple family condos, very few single family homes. It was managed by WCI but I understand the residents have purchased the Kings Point common facilities and WCI is only involved in the new construction in other areas of SCC. Golf in Kings Point required a large initiation fee, yearly greens fee and trail fee. My hubby thought it was too expensive. Association fees included the club houses, cable tv, lawn service, shuttle bus, exterminator, outside maintenance, water, sewer and some other things that I can't recall. Sisters were not happy that the association fee went up about 10% almost every year. I thought the SCC itself had little to offer- very few national restaurants or stores, but you are between Sarasota and Tampa. Great outlet mall in Ellenton. Major dept stores in Brandon a suburb of Tampa. Probably would still consider retiring in Kings Point, but since both my sisters went back to the St Louis area, we have decided to locate to central Florida hoping to avoid having to evacuate during severe weather. We are also looking at several communities, but find more info on TV thanks to this website. Plan to make lifestyle visits later this year and narrow my choices. Then the real challenge will be selling our current home.

[Army Guy]

TVWannabe, we had be looking for 5 years! Just about every gated, semi-gated, adult, etc communities from North Myrtle Beach to Daytona. TV was out last visit, and we like you were just blown away. Yes, others may have this better and that better, and no place is perfect although we would like to think some are. BUT over 5 years of CONSTANT looking, reading, visits, research, mailings, etc, TV is TOPS in all areas and the most affordable and cost of living after the sale.
That is why the wife and I have decided to make TV our HOME. Now to just find the right CYV and make the purchase, that is the final step we are executing now!!!:pepper2:

Army Guy

[Bryan]

Be advised, there are more than one Spruce Creek retirement communities in the area.

Just north of TV, actually probably bordering on a portion of TV's northern boundaries, is a retirement community called Spruce Creek South. I understand it used to be a Del Webb development but no longer is.

Much further north of TV, probably 8 miles or some (up near the Market of Marion but south of Belleview) is the Del Webb Spruce Creek Community, which is the one discussed above.

It's good to know there are two by similar names so you don't get more confused than you already are, after five years of looking (lol).:confused:

[rshoffer]

I have friends in Spruce Creek-Del Web. They got A LOT MORE house for the money. They have a nice club house, 36 holes of golf, restaurant. They have a very nice indoor pool and fitnes center that is INCLUDED in their amenity fee. It's smaller, more intiment.... more people know each other. Much less traffic. They come to the squares here frequently, go to the movies here etc.
They do not have "free" executive golf and , of course, it's NOT the Villages. Nevertheless, I was quite impressed with that community.

[Army Guy]

rshoffer, when you say a lot more house, what year dollars are we talking? Right now we feel the deals in TV are tremendous compared to other places we looked in home price.

Army Guy

[shermark]

Army Guy,,, before you sign on any dotted line,,check out everything but be sure to look into Stonecrest. Better built homes and larger yards and better deals. Much more options with these homes. I spoke to a realtor there. His name is Bob Coffey ( used to live in TV ) and you should talk to him before you make a move.

[rshoffer]

rshoffer, when you say a lot more house, what year dollars are we talking? Right now we feel the deals in TV are tremendous compared to other places we looked in home price.

Army GuyOur friends have beutiful Lantana style home, pvt backyard on a pond. enclosed beautiful lanai, all granate countertops, 245K

[Taj44]

I have friends in Spruce Creek-Del Web. They got A LOT MORE house for the money. They have a nice club house, 36 holes of golf, restaurant. They have a very nice indoor pool and fitnes center that is INCLUDED in their amenity fee. It's smaller, more intiment.... more people know each other. Much less traffic. They come to the squares here frequently, go to the movies here etc.
They do not have "free" executive golf and , of course, it's NOT the Villages. Nevertheless, I was quite impressed with that community.


We found the fact that it only had 36 holes of golf to be a negative. There have been years when the golf course was in poor shape, and that was the only option you had for golf there. In addition, there aren't as many rec center activities. For example, I've spoken to people who used to live there who now live here in The Villages, and they talked about playing cards. Here all you do is go to the rec center and you can immediately join in the organized card games. Over there, you have to meet neighbors and hope someone inivites you over to play. She said it took her 2 years before she made enough friends to be able to participate in card games. I guess it depends on what you are looking for in you rFlorida home.

[KayakerNC]

**snip** Here all you do is go to the rec center and you can immediately join in the organized card games. Over there, you have to meet neighbors and hope someone inivites you over to play. She said it took her 2 years before she made enough friends to be able to participate in card games. I guess it depends on what you are looking for in you rFlorida home.

Well said.
"Florida's Friendliest Home Town" is much more than just a sales slogan. It's a lifestyle choice.:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[JohnN]

We visited quite a few 55+ communities. All were similar enough with a clubhouse and golf and a nice neighborhood. Del Webb and the others are exceptional communities.

We visited, and bought in, The Villages because it does have so much to offer. Sure it's big, but you pick and choose among so much to do. Yes, you can drive along 27 and get to the square, but it's sure cool to take a golf cart there, to the bank, grocery shopping, etc.

We bought a patio villa for $10's of thousands less than anything else around, and we love it. I know, I know.. the BOND.. $10K , so what.

We love it here.. in TV, wouldn't change anything. Just one opinion

[shermark]

with this type of posting, you could get 100 different answers and 100 different opinions. Alot of people are biased towards TV and some are biased for other developments. There is nothing wrong with this. Some people love TV and all that it has to offer and some don't. Some like Stonecrest and some don't. They like a faster paced lifestyle at tv. You could get so many opinions your head will spin like the exorcist. I always think 5-10 years ahead and try to envision what the development will look like. Are the grounds clean and well landscaped,etc. Is the golf course in good shape? The final decision is yours so check out the ones that catches your interest and do the research and then decide if this is where you want to spend the rest of your life. good luck in your search and thank you for serving in our military.

[spk7951]

We spent some five years researching and visiting 55+ communities before deciding on TV. Had the list down to three when we stayed here in 2007 on our 1st Lifestyle visit. Of our three finalists they had similar size houses which were maybe $50K more at TV back then. We visited StoneCrest twice during that 2007 stay and almost bought there. But the one clubhouse, one restaurant and one golf course was a turn off for us. Also an issue was that folks there kept telling us how easy it was to get to TV for entertainment or dining. So for us we knew we could afford the house we wanted in TV and the answer was obvious as to which lifestyle we wanted to have in retirement.

[Army Guy]

rshoffer, that may be a good deal, but with us not lloking at homes in TV only the CYVs Savannah because we want smaller then we have now, and a super small zero maintence yard, and privacy, all of which I can get in The CYV, and it is a stand alone home. I can get all this right now, brand new for roughly $180 and that includes all the upgrades we want. Now granted we have to get the upgrades put into the CYV after we buy, since they are all built to spec, but no problem to us, time is on our side.

shermark, first THANKS! The Army is all I have ever wanted to do. Second, we have looked around and for us what me & the wife like TV has it all. When we were making our list of places our top one before seeing TV was in Myrtle Beach, same sqft but a triplex condo was going to be about $280. To join the golf course, $20,000 then $130 a month min. Me & wife golf so that was a biggie for us. Then they had basically zero anything else, except a beach cabana on the ocean. Neither me or wife cared about that. they did have neighborhood pools. Maint fee was $350.00 a month, which included insurance. I did a check with my company and it will only cost me $40.00 a month in TV. So dollars and cents wise TV is dirt cheap compared to anyplace else. And we like all the activities we have options to do.
And you can believe that we will look as we say in the Army, "down in the weeds" as we already are! I am very detail oriented so is the wife. So we will definitely kick the tires, etc before we sign for TV.

But all in all, it boils down to personal choice and what we each want in our lifestyle. No person is wrong, no person right. We each choose what is best for US. And that is why for the past almost 30 years and a few more months I put the uniform on. That is what makes the USA the envy of the world and why some would like to see it go away!

Army Guy

[Russ_Boston]

But all in all, it boils down to personal choice and what we each want in our lifestyle. No person is wrong, no person right. We each choose what is best for US. And that is why for the past almost 30 years and a few more months I put the uniform on. That is what makes the USA the envy of the world and why some would like to see it go away! Army Guy

Great statement Army Guy - and thanks for your years of service to our country!

[ajdeck]

We also have looked and looked. We, if can still afford with IRS's decreasing loosing pension etc. we like the Villages the best. My mother in law lives in Spruce South and has since 1992 and loves it but it is a very old community (meaning peoples ages).

Stonecrest, as personnally found out as well as mother in law friends there, is not very friendly compared to TV.

Anyway, if you can afford it and the future increases that could occur once built out, it's the place to be (except in the heat of the summer - go north for July, Aug, and couple weeks in Sept).

[Sally Jo]

We looked at many retirement communities. They all were very nice. All had a nice pool, one, maybe two golf courses and a nice clubhouse. Some had a restaurant. None of them had executive courses. Most of them were out in the middle of nowhere. To get anyplace you had to drive a long way. The activities were minimal, compared to TV. TV won hands down, for us.

Thank you for your service "Armyguy."

[rshoffer]

We found the fact that it only had 36 holes of golf to be a negative. There have been years when the golf course was in poor shape, and that was the only option you had for golf there. In addition, there aren't as many rec center activities. For example, I've spoken to people who used to live there who now live here in The Villages, and they talked about playing cards. Here all you do is go to the rec center and you can immediately join in the organized card games. Over there, you have to meet neighbors and hope someone inivites you over to play. She said it took her 2 years before she made enough friends to be able to participate in card games. I guess it depends on what you are looking for in you rFlorida home.Yep, we chose here for the golf.... although there are a zillion courses outside of TV within 25 miles.

[jinker]

One plus that Kings Point in Sun City Center as well as some of the other communities have that seems to be missing in the Villages is having both indoor and outdoor pools. What is the status of the Well Center pool, I really prefer indoor poolsto avoid the sunburns with my extremely fair skin and for controlled temperatures. Other than that, I think TV beats all the other sites because of the availability of shopping and restaurants.

[Virginians]

Can anyone comment about On Top of the World?

[GoneFishin]

Have been there 2x. Better built houses, larger lots[more privacy], and much lower bonds. They have most of the same amenties but on a much smaller scale. The Town Center has entertaintment on weekends only. Very limited shopping [Publix/Winn Dixie] or Doctors are available by golf cart. Hospital about 10 miles away. Home Depot/Lowes ? miles. If at some point in your life you will be unable to drive a car, will you be able still drive a golf cart ????

[Barefoot]

The Villages is the only retirement community we found in Florida that allows two large dogs. Most have a restriction .. only one dog .. or only dogs under 20 lbs. Of course for most sane people, this is probably not a factor. For us it was very important.

Another plus was the fact that we could have a fenced yard with a golf course view.

The deciding factor was that we could access shopping, entertainment and many restaurants locally, by golf cart, without leaving the community.

[TVWannabe]

I made my initial post on Thursday evening. Now, I log on Saturday morning hoping that someone has replied, and I see 22 replies. You guys are awesome! Thanks so much. In addition to the wonderful responses here, I also got a PM that was a scathing warning of the evils of buying in TV.

I spend way too much time daydreaming of my future life in The Villages. I check the new house listings at least twice a week—and I don’t even plan to move before the summer of 2010 at the earliest! However, my wife and I still have a few apprehensions. Here’s our biggest one, and I’m sure others have probably discussed it here: If the golf courses are crowded with a population of 70,000, how’s it going to be with 100,000? Are there many more courses under construction or planned? Also, we visited in July. Some here have estimated that the community has as many as 40% snowbirds so the population might have been only 42,000 when we visited. I can’t imagine what it would be like with two and a half times as many people.

It’s funny, because the town we live in now, Brentwood, TN, is a very fast-growing town. It has changed so much in the eight years we’ve lived here. All of the rolling pastures and farmland have become new subdivisions. It’s like once we had ours, I wanted them to lock the doors. Now, here I am, wanting them to do the same in The Villages. Of course, people like me and the other TVWannBe’s are the problem, but in spite of that, it seems current Villagers are always friendly and welcoming. Thanks for that.

I do plan to check out Spruce Creek—both of them (Thanks, Bryan.) I’ve been in touch with Sun City Center and asked the lady why their website and DVD are so inadequate compared to the expert marketing at TV. She said she’d never seen TV’s products, and I got the impression she was WCI’s point of contact for all of their communities across Florida. Go figure.

[champion6]

In addition to the wonderful responses here, I also got a PM that was a scathing warning of the evils of buying in TV.I'm another TV Wanna Be looking at the pros and cons of TV. Would you share the highlights of the PM you received?

[Safe Home Watch Mary Edwards]

I made my initial post on Thursday evening. Now, I log on Saturday morning hoping that someone has replied, and I see 22 replies. You guys are awesome! Thanks so much. In addition to the wonderful responses here, I also got a PM that was a scathing warning of the evils of buying in TV.

I spend way too much time daydreaming of my future life in The Villages. I check the new house listings at least twice a week—and I don’t even plan to move before the summer of 2010 at the earliest! However, my wife and I still have a few apprehensions. Here’s our biggest one, and I’m sure others have probably discussed it here: If the golf courses are crowded with a population of 70,000, how’s it going to be with 100,000? Are there many more courses under construction or planned? Also, we visited in July. Some here have estimated that the community has as many as 40% snowbirds so the population might have been only 42,000 when we visited. I can’t imagine what it would be like with two and a half times as many people.

It’s funny, because the town we live in now, Brentwood, TN, is a very fast-growing town. It has changed so much in the eight years we’ve lived here. All of the rolling pastures and farmland have become new subdivisions. It’s like once we had ours, I wanted them to lock the doors. Now, here I am, wanting them to do the same in The Villages. Of course, people like me and the other TVWannBe’s are the problem, but in spite of that, it seems current Villagers are always friendly and welcoming. Thanks for that.

I do plan to check out Spruce Creek—both of them (Thanks, Bryan.) I’ve been in touch with Sun City Center and asked the lady why their website and DVD are so inadequate compared to the expert marketing at TV. She said she’d never seen TV’s products, and I got the impression she was WCI’s point of contact for all of their communities across Florida. Go figure.
Hi TVwannabe, We moved here from South Fl. gated community Burnt Store Marina,Punta Gorda.large marina,27 hole golf,much more.But it doesn't have the lifestyle
TV have.Our house is on golf course 8th tee with water and golf cart bridge,pool,3BR.for sale.We couldn't compare we fell in love with Rocky&Rollers and so much to do. Everyone will have an opinion,most will be trying to get to TV. Mary

[shermark]

you might want to read a recent posting this morning " trouble in paradise"

[graciegirl]

Last night we were at a block party with about 30 folks, with a wide range of origins, careers, and even age...well, not THAT wide a range on the age. It was absolutely the best, warmest, most relaxing, entertaining party I have ever attended. We have a lot of experiences to share and have a sense that life doesn't go on forever.

We have traveled a lot, been fortunate to live in some nice homes, but this is the best fit for us that I have ever found.

Come and see for yourself.:wave:

[TVWannabe]

I'm another TV Wanna Be looking at the pros and cons of TV. Would you share the highlights of the PM you received?

Sure. Here it is in the quotes, followed by my comments. I deleted the last couple of sentences to protect the author’s identity since it was obviously his intention to remain anonymous to the rest of the TOTV community.

"I have researched the villages for the last 4 years and read every word about the place. First you should know about the bond problems they are having with the IRS. Go to orlandosentinel.com. Look over to the left and click on columnists then click on lauren ritchie and read what is going on with the bond problems. another problem is the fees and what they charge you for. free golf for life ?? hardly. they hit you with a golf cart trail fee and basically use smoke and mirrors to hit you with other fees. NOTHING is free in the villages. if you like crowds then the villages is for you. imagine when it is built out 100,000 people will live there. talk about urban sprawl. two town squares for 100,000 people. UGH !! and you must know on this forum talk of the villages, these people are so biased you will never get an honest answer from them. they all drink the kool aid and really believe they live in heaven. do you know about how they way overpaid for their houses. in florida, the property appraisers by law are to be independent from the developers. well gary morse who owns the villages hand picked his property appraisers. so do you think all those people paid a fair price for their homes ?? my wife and I were in stonecrest development today which is just down the road from the villages and we met 3 couples who live in the villages who are selling their homes in the villages and moving to stonecrest. the reason?? the villages is growing way too big for them and they are getting out before this bond problem nails the residents. just remember,you will never get an honest answer from the people on the forum. they are very arrogant when it comes to defending their villages and are extremely biased. hope this helps."

I appreciate the time and effort that went into this response, and everyone is entitled to his own opinion. I am not discounting anything the author states, but he is clearly in the minority with his opinions. Like other posters on this site have said, we are adults; we look before we leap. Most everyone is aware of the bond issues (though few understand them all), most understand that "free golf" can't really be free, and most understand that appraisers don’t determine the sale price of a home. A home is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it—no more, no less. The free market system never breaks. If you can buy a house for less in Stonecrest, then, obviously, people are willing to pay more to live in The Villages. Based upon my three-day visit there, I can see why. I do share the author’s concern about “urban sprawl,” but like I mentioned, I plan to be part of that problem.

[JohnN]

Everyone has an opinion, and their right to it. The "sprawl" really isn't so bad, much better by magnitudes than any large city, and only certain times of the year. We visited a dozen or more 55+ places and TV is unique.

When we visited Del Webb, the sales rep said when asked about TV - "well, they must be doing something right because they sure sell a lot, but ours is better, more value, etc. You either like it or you don't".. so we decided to visit.

We like TV - it's very different, the rep was right, you either like it or don't.
Try it and see. We've a great maintenance free little patio villa for under $150K including bond, the amenity fees are nominal, and we love it. Everything is right there within a short golf cart drive - Squares, bank, grocery , medical churches, etc. and I think it's really a friendly place.

[Russ_Boston]

All this info is just that - INFO.

I can't imagine that any reader of TOTV who doesn't live there yet is going to let anything said here on TOTV deter them from doing their own investigation.

Yes there are people here on TOTV who drank the Kool-Aid and promote TV and the lifestyle. And yes there are people here on TOTV who are doing viral marketing for other nearby retirement locations by putting down TV. And yes there are people who lived in TV and it wasn't their cup of tea.

But all this is to any wannabe like me is INFO

If you are thinking of TV for your retirement location then by all means spend some time down there. Go in the busy season to see the 'sprawl'. Go during the hot season to see if you can take it. Most of all just go and see for yourself. I think when you are done with that last day of the visit you'll wish you didn't have to go back 'home'.

Russ

[Dirigo]

I think when you are done with that last day of the visit you'll wish you didn't have to go back 'home'. Russ

I agree with you Russ...we didn't want to go home after the last day of our LSP. Good thing I brought the duct tape and clothesline rope or I would never have got my wife on the plane home.;)

Dirigo

[Dirigo]

This is my first post, but I’ve been lurking for awhile. I appreciate all of the good information available here. My wife and I made a lifestyle preview visit in July 2008. We loved it. We loved it all! The Villages blew away everything else we had looked at up to that point. We plan to visit again this summer.

I’ve noticed people here at TOTV aren’t shy about bragging about Florida’s friendliest hometown, but I was hoping you could share your thoughts on a couple of other communities, using The Villages as the benchmark. Our priorities are friendly people and access to golf.

Spruce Creek is a Del Webb community just north of The Villages. Friends of my parents live there, and they prefer it because it is smaller and they feel they get more for their money. Any comments?

Also, what can you tell me about Sun City Center? Their own website isn’t even very informative.

http://suncitycenter.wcicommunities.com/

Thanks!

We visited SSC several years ago and forfeited our third day to drive to TV for a day trip. TV is a feeling as well as a place. To say SSC didn't "do it" for us would be an understatement. That said, we had older relatives that lived there for a quarter of a century and loved every minute of it, but I don't think they ever visited TV, either.

[jinker]

There is another website for Sun City Center. www.suncitycenter.com
I followed the real estate market when my sisters were living there, but we are no longer considering that area. Like most of the country, the values have dropped. If the RE ad says gated community, it is probably in Kings Point. See my previous post.

WRT On Top of the World, I was put off by the traffic in Ocala. By the way we were there in August, so you can't blame the snow-birds. Most shopping and restaurants would require about a 15 minute drive into town.

[Army Guy]

First, thanks, Sallyjo & Russ Boston! The Army is all I have ever wanted to do and for me was a true "calling".

Barefoot, you mentioned fenced in yard. You must have a CYV, correct? Just checking cause we know that in most if not all of TV, no fences are allowed and we are dog folks too, even though our dog is a Cairn, just like Toto in The Wizard of Oz!

Yes, even though some would say after reading my posts that me and the wife, "drank the cool-aid of the TV". We did have concerns before we totally committed to it. One was the build-out population, but it has 70,000 now and we were there for a week in Feb, and still thought it empty, even after talking with current residents about it. So another 30,000 should be ok, and hey I know 100,000 sounds like really a lot, but to put it where you can understand, The Auburn football Stadium fits 92,000 on game day, so basically that is the built out village population. For the amount of acres it is, 100,000 is not that bad at all! And we checked out a good number of the golf courses and did not see a real crowding problem, especially if flex with time to play, and if you plan to join the Priority Membership like we are, then it is not a problem at all, even with 30,000 more, cause everyone of them are not going to be golfers.

Me and the wife do have to laugh though about some of the comments on the summers at TV! I have been stationed in the Southeast US for a good part of my 30 years unless I am deployed, etc and TV in the summer is nothing like a 105 degree Alabama summer day with 100% humity and NO BREEZE!!! TV in the summer is cool to us!!! :pepper2:

By the way we will be down at TV, 14-17 May.

Army Guy

[Sally Jo]

Army Guy, You are right. The summers here aren't any worse than back home. There is usually a breeze. I sit on my lanai all summer, any time of the day. We play golf in the afternoon, all the time, in the summer. Speaking of golf we have only not been able to get a tee time twice in almost eight years. You won't have a problem.

[senior citizen]

x

[Russ_Boston]

Not the paid or volunteer hosts or cheerleader types please.


Who are the paid hosts and where can I sign up?

I do appreciate what you are asking but the only real way to see if TV will work for you is to rent for a length of time. Take in any activity you'd like. See what your life would be like on a day to day basis after the newness wears off. It's what we (the lovely Linda and I) are planning on doing.

I've lived in New England my whole life and it's a great place to raise a family but I need a change. Maybe TV won't be my cup of tea but I'm going to give it a try!

[graciegirl]

Methinks that by nature dear Senior Citizen that you are well thought out and not impulsive, not the person who wears the lampshade at the party and probably has worked hard all of your life and saved carefully.

Well then, I would also say that that description is of most of us here. It is so hard NOT to be a cheerleader.

I did NOT want to retire to Florida. I liked Ohio just fine. I loved the house we designed ourself in a low crime area with fine medical and social amenities closeby, not to mention the greatest one, our daughter and grandchildren.

It was a last minute thought to stop at an old friends house in The Villages a year ago, we had flown to Orlando and planned to drive to Ft. Myers where some of my high school classmates were gathering to get away from chilly Ohio in January.

The first thing that struck me when we drove in The VIllages was the beauty of the place, the landscaping was lush and beautiful and the flowers were brilliant and artfully placed. There was no ugly architecture and the buildings other than the homes were soft and .......set a stage of elegance against a PRISTINE backdrop. NO paper on the ground. There was the cheerful look of people riding around in multicolor golf carts and folks out of their homes everywhere going somewhere. The recreation centers were beautifully done inside and each represented a different type of decor. From Colony Cottage's Victorian profusion, Laurel Manors Antibellum spectacular, Lake Miona's magnificent Naval decor, Odells African intensity, Even Bogie himself standing inside...........(can't remember which rec center...Bacall?)

Then there were the choices of restaurants where the food was good and the prices were....................cheap to cut to the chase.

The houses were on iddybiddy lots though and most of them looked alike. I was drawn to the ones in the new sections because no outdoor statues are allowed. (Some people kinda overdue that, but that is MY opinion) I didn't like the closeness to each other and they all looked so small.

However, once inside they were quite spacious and once you got used to the lots being close together, you recognized that the lawns weren't going to be a full time retirement occupation.

Well the people were unlike any group I have ever met. We are all "of an age" to be sure, but that age taught manners and rules and ....yet there were so many smiles, the body language showed.........happiness and purpose. People were friendly and before you knew it, they were telling you how they got here and why they liked it. They all couldn't have been hired by the developers could they....? Had they all been....... Stepforded? Strange. Very strange.

My husband was checking out the eight championship courses and the 27 executive courses and I was really reading the courses available at the Lifelong Learning College...........and the clubs? One even called "The Village Idiots" who go to breakfast in their pajamas? We saw Red Hat ladies dining and everyone playing Pickleball, Bocce and shuffleboard. The pools were lovely and there were two to each village. One for grownups over 30 only and one for kids.

I could go on and on.

I didn't like some of the driving. I was unsure of the traffic circles. I was astonished to see so many.................old people.lol I don't feel old at all although I was born in 1939.

I thought that people from the east coast talked funny. I was a little taken aback about so much hugging on greeting and leaving groups that I observed. I was afraid I would run into a snake or an alligator................

I am having a hard time telling you what I didn't like. This place is not to be believed and it is so hard to describe.

Please come on down and see. We have fewer years ahead of us than those behind and we don't want to waste them..

Sorry. I just couldn't help being a cheerleader.

[senior citizen]

x

[JohnN]

ArmyGuy, there are a few (very few) ranch houses in Hemingway with fences.
It was an experiment and I don't know if they'll do more. There are a few of these units remaining.

[senior citizen]

x

[katezbox]

Hi Senior,

I have lived the entirety of my life in NE - until 2 months ago. Our home in Conn sold quickly - and we did not want to rush to buy in TV so are living in SC til the end of the month.

I grew up in Holyoke, Mass - a far cry from rural Vermont. After living in a small city, my first move after college was to northern Connecticut. I loved the rolling hills, the farms with barns, the country roads. Due to job transfers and such, we moved around Connecticut a bit - but always in communities where there was plenty of green space around us.

I was introduced to TV by a friend from Connecticut. When we watched the video - our thoughts were UGH! When we visited, like Gracie, we a lot to like.

In a community of 75,000 people, not everyone is dancing every night at the squares and seeking out the happy hours. I am someone who, like Gracie, looks forward to meeting our new neighbors and forming friendships. My friend says that some of the folks in her neighborhood participate in very little - but are friendly - just not huggers and joiners. TV is big enough to offer something for (nearly) everyone.

We chose a homesite with a villa wall at the back and a golf course to the side as I didn't want to back up to a road or someone's home. That was just our preference and there are many here who like the opposite for good reasons of their own.

Russ gives good counsel to come and visit before you make a decision. I would add that you may want to rent a couple of different types of homes in your price range and in different locations - to get a better feel for what best suits you.

As to the crime, my husband also reads the local papers of places we plan to visit. I think that to say crime is lurking just outside TV and that lots of children go missing is misleading. The Caylee case is very sad - but we probably would not know her name if the media had not swooped in and covered every aspect of the story. Because she seemed so very sweet and was so adorable - it made good news. Children go missing all across America every day - but not every one gets the type of press Caylee got. Horrible crimes happen everywhere - Columbine, CO is an incredible beautiful place.

TV is far closer to Ocala than Orlando - and Ocala DOES look a bit like Vermont. Granted - not so hilly - and you see more horses than cows. It is also one of the highest-income areas in the US.

So from one NE person to another - come see if it is right for you. If it is, you have found a home. If it isn't, you now know more about what you don't want.

Kate

[Bogie Shooter]

Senior Citizen, after reading all the posts to your question the folks are telling you how it is. You continue to want more. Unfortunetly no one is guarteeing that you will be happy......that you will have to find out for yourself.
PS: What does crime in Orlando, over an hour away, have to do with crime in TV.

[Whalen]

Methinks that by nature dear Senior Citizen that you are well thought out and not impulsive, not the person who wears the lampshade at the party and probably has worked hard all of your life and saved carefully.

Well then, I would also say that that description is of most of us here. It is so hard NOT to be a cheerleader.

I did NOT want to retire to Florida. I liked Ohio just fine. I loved the house we designed ourself in a low crime area with fine medical and social amenities closeby, not to mention the greatest one, our daughter and grandchildren.

It was a last minute thought to stop at an old friends house in The Villages a year ago, we had flown to Orlando and planned to drive to Ft. Myers where some of my high school classmates were gathering to get away from chilly Ohio in January.

The first thing that struck me when we drove in The VIllages was the beauty of the place, the landscaping was lush and beautiful and the flowers were brilliant and artfully placed. There was no ugly architecture and the buildings other than the homes were soft and .......set a stage of elegance against a PRISTINE backdrop. NO paper on the ground. There was the cheerful look of people riding around in multicolor golf carts and folks out of their homes everywhere going somewhere. The recreation centers were beautifully done inside and each represented a different type of decor. From Colony Cottage's Victorian profusion, Laurel Manors Antibellum spectacular, Lake Miona's magnificent Naval decor, Odells African intensity, Even Bogie himself standing inside...........(can't remember which rec center...Bacall?)

Then there were the choices of restaurants where the food was good and the prices were....................cheap to cut to the chase.

The houses were on iddybiddy lots though and most of them looked alike. I was drawn to the ones in the new sections because no outdoor statues are allowed. (Some people kinda overdue that, but that is MY opinion) I didn't like the closeness to each other and they all looked so small.

However, once inside they were quite spacious and once you got used to the lots being close together, you recognized that the lawns weren't going to be a full time retirement occupation.

Well the people were unlike any group I have ever met. We are all "of an age" to be sure, but that age taught manners and rules and ....yet there were so many smiles, the body language showed.........happiness and purpose. People were friendly and before you knew it, they were telling you how they got here and why they liked it. They all couldn't have been hired by the developers could they....? Had they all been....... Stepforded? Strange. Very strange.

My husband was checking out the eight championship courses and the 27 executive courses and I was really reading the courses available at the Lifelong Learning College...........and the clubs? One even called "The Village Idiots" who go to breakfast in their pajamas? We saw Red Hat ladies dining and everyone playing Pickleball, Bocce and shuffleboard. The pools were lovely and there were two to each village. One for grownups over 30 only and one for kids.

I could go on and on.

I didn't like some of the driving. I was unsure of the traffic circles. I was astonished to see so many.................old people.lol I don't feel old at all although I was born in 1939.

I thought that people from the east coast talked funny. I was a little taken aback about so much hugging on greeting and leaving groups that I observed. I was afraid I would run into a snake or an alligator................

I am having a hard time telling you what I didn't like. This place is not to be believed and it is so hard to describe.

Please come on down and see. We have fewer years ahead of us than those behind and we don't want to waste them..

Sorry. I just couldn't help being a cheerleader.


We're only here 3 weeks, closing on a home in 2, but couldn't have said it better.

However, being from New York it's really all those Midwesterners who tawk funny!:jester:

[senior citizen]

x

[senior citizen]

x

[Army Guy]

JohnN, Ranches with fences in Hemmingway???? Tell me more, or ANYONE who can. Would be very interesetd in any info on these and what ones are for sale!

Thanks,
Army Guy

[Whalen]

She was teasing..........nowadays people bounce around so much all over the country that regional accents are refreshing to hear .........sometimes they are even disappearing. Gracie always has profound and kind advice for all of us. She is appreciated. We know a lot of great people from Ohio and had dear friends from that Buckeye state..........later our own son lived in Cincinnati when he worked for P&G after college. Gracie is another special Ohioan. I still keep in touch with an elderly aunt of a deceased friend of mine from West Liberty Ohio...........the family came from Hungary after the revolution in 1956 and the Amish or Mennonites were so welcoming to them.
That is how TV is to all the people seeking information.


It is quite obvious that I was just teasing!
Apparently you are determined to put a negative spin on everything.
(check out thread "Adult children living in TV).

Please do not respond, as I will not further enrtertain you.

[Russ_Boston]

. I'm a firm believer in reading the local newspaper to get a "feel" for the area.
I guess if one stays inside the Villages, one is safe............but don't venture out. Lots of missing and dead children also. I've been reading that paper for the past six months while doing research.

That would be like comparing your area near Vermont with Boston! It's apples and oranges. Yes, Orlando is very crime ridden. I can imagine that there are areas near TV that I may not want to venture out into alone at night but isn't that true anywhere? Not even a concern in my research.

[Barefoot]

I have had the feeling that no one can bring up controversial questions. Everything cannot be that perfect. It is a select few who keep singing the praises of TV. Sometimes all this happiness is an illusion. Or is that what total retirement does to a person?

We do know people who have moved from our neck of the woods and also sung the praises of TV.........but I notice not too many people willing to state the negatives.

I'd guess that most residents of TV are somewhere between reasonably happy and extremely happy. You appear to be searching for negatives. :shrug: You will hear mostly positive comments because there are very few negatives to state! "Sometimes all this happiness is an illusion"? Not sure what that means. If this is an illusion, I'm loving it. :pepper2:

[lj410]

The ranches in Hemingway are on Nash Loop- they have great fenced in yards. Most have Florida rooms and Lanais-A very good value. Our friends purchased a home after only 2 days visiting in the Villages.

[Barefoot]

The ranches in Hemingway are on Nash Loop- they have great fenced in yards. Most have Florida rooms and Lanais-A very good value. Our friends purchased a home after only 2 days visiting in the Villages.

Do you know if any of them have view lots?

[Army Guy]

Thanks Ij410, I will check that out.

Barefoot I totally agree with your statement on very few negatives about TV. On our visit this past Feb which was our first, we asked a friend of my family who has been living for 3 years in TV what the negatives were, and he told me point blank, that there were none, or at least they found yet!
They joked and said about the only things they could think of were, that it does get more crowded in the winter when all the snow birds come, and that there is no possible way you can do or try everything that TV offers!

Army Guy

[lj410]

Barefoot- the only ranch homes with fences are the inside lots around Nash Loop-so there are no view lots-sorry!

[rshoffer]

I'd guess that most residents of TV are somewhere between reasonably happy and extremely happy. You appear to be searching for negatives. :shrug: You will hear mostly positive comments because there are very few negatives to state! "Sometimes all this happiness is an illusion"? Not sure what that means. If this is an illusion, I'm loving it. :pepper2: I think the reason most comments from residents who live here are positive is because they had the opportunity to check out the lifestyle before committing to moving here. Obviously this lifestyle isnt for everyone. For example, my cousin is a hunter/fisherman.... very private person who prefers solitude in the mountains of northern Pa. He'd last 1 day here.

[Barefoot]

I think the reason most comments from residents who live here are positive is because they had the opportunity to check out the lifestyle before committing to moving here. Obviously this lifestyle isnt for everyone. For example, my cousin is a hunter/fisherman.... very private person who prefers solitude in the mountains of northern Pa. He'd last 1 day here.

rshoffer, I totally agree. Most residents have checked out the lifestyle and buy in TV for that reason. They know what they want and they're darn happy when they finally achieve it.

I initially thought the TV lifestyle was too busy for me. I lived on a horse farm for 20 years with a lot of privacy. But I found a compromise that works for me. Backing on a golf course and spending time daily on the acreage at Doggie Doo Run Run provides the serenity I need.

And it is wonderful to have friends, shopping, restaurants and entertainment close by and accessible by golf cart. In TV you can be a hermit or a social butterfly ... your choice.

[NJblue]

Quite frankly, what attracted us to TV was the "sprawl". No, not that we like sprawl, but because we like all the good things that come with a large concentration of like-minded people. All of the other communities that we looked at lacked the critical mass to provide such things as the Life Long Learning Center or the vibrant town squares or the unending list of clubs and activities. There will always be people who are more comfortable in a small-scale community and that's great - no sense trying to convince them that they are wrong, because they aren't ... at least not for them. However, I have to wonder why people feel the need to go out of their way to denigrate a lifestyle that has been chosen by 70,000+ people just because it is not their cup of tea.

[Russ_Boston]

Quite frankly, what attracted us to TV was the "sprawl". No, not that we like sprawl, but because we like all the good things that come with a large concentration of like-minded people. All of the other communities that we looked at lacked the critical mass to provide such things as the Life Long Learning Center or the vibrant town squares or the unending list of clubs and activities. There will always be people who are more comfortable in a small-scale community and that's great - no sense trying to convince them that they are wrong, because they aren't ... at least not for them. However, I have to wonder why people feel the need to go out of their way to denigrate a lifestyle that has been chosen by 70,000+ people just because it is not their cup of tea.

Awesome answer NJ - just great!

My wife and I feel exactly the same way. There are literally hundreds of retirement communities in FLA (ARIZ, TEX etc.) that are not like TV. Everyone can find something that fits their personality the most. I have good friends that won't move to TV with us because it is not near enough to the ocean. I'm not about to be able to switch their thinking, nor would I want to.

[Canwego2]

All I can say is WOW about TV what a great place! We were down in March for a week and fell in love with the place and all it's friendlly people.We just bought / closed on a Villa in Duval and could not be happier. I agree TV are not for everyone, pretty much like taking a cruise. My wife and I love taking cruises, however, we have friends who hate it and think it is a waste of money. It seems to me TV are centered, planned and marketed for a certain type of people ....who are social, fun loving and kind hearted. Everyone and I mean everyone we met in TV fit that bill. We are coming down in two months....and are excited as can be.
Bob

:pepper2:

[whiteraisin]

NJ Blue, we too felt most over 55's lacked critical mass. We chose the Plantation @ Leesburg, 15 miles south on 27 because it was close enough to the Villages but also had 2843 homes, 3 clubhouses with pools, two golf courses, low $85/ mo fee, two fitness centers....links are:
http://www.palhoa.com/
http://www.theplantation.com/
:laugh:
It is sold out but resale homes are available, it came down to TV and Plantation, but we felt we got more house there and were still close enough to the Villages to enjoy. Both were at the top of my list and the P let us make modifications and at the time, TV did not. I think both are wonderful and wish everyone the best wherever they choose.

BTW, read Leisureville by Blechman for some good info on TV.

[LELANDJANE]

Amen to that! I think NJBlue said it perfectly. I'm still a wannabe but was just there for ten days and fell in love with it all over again.

[Whalen]

Quite frankly, what attracted us to TV was the "sprawl". No, not that we like sprawl, but because we like all the good things that come with a large concentration of like-minded people. All of the other communities that we looked at lacked the critical mass to provide such things as the Life Long Learning Center or the vibrant town squares or the unending list of clubs and activities. There will always be people who are more comfortable in a small-scale community and that's great - no sense trying to convince them that they are wrong, because they aren't ... at least not for them. However, I have to wonder why people feel the need to go out of their way to denigrate a lifestyle that has been chosen by 70,000+ people just because it is not their cup of tea.

Awesome answer NJ - just great!

My wife and I feel exactly the same way. There are literally hundreds of retirement communities in FLA (ARIZ, TEX etc.) that are not like TV. Everyone can find something that fits their personality the most. I have good friends that won't move to TV with us because it is not near enough to the ocean. I'm not about to be able to switch their thinking, nor would I want to.

You have both said it all.
We are "ocean people" but feel that the ocean and the gulf are close enough to make living in TVs a good tradeoff. TV offers soo much!!!!

[Russ_Boston]

BTW, read Leisureville by Blechman for some good info on TV.

Not telling anyone anything new with this. It's been discussed, and discussed and well, discussed.

[Whalen]

Not telling anyone anything new with this. It's been discussed, and discussed and well, discussed.

Amen!

[chuckinca]

NJ Blue, we too felt most over 55's lacked critical mass. We chose the Plantation @ Leesburg, 15 miles south on 27 because it was close enough to the Villages but also had 2843 homes, 3 clubhouses with pools, two golf courses, low $85/ mo fee, two fitness centers....links are:
http://www.palhoa.com/
http://www.theplantation.com/
:laugh:
It is sold out but resale homes are available, it came down to TV and Plantation, but we felt we got more house there and were still close enough to the Villages to enjoy. Both were at the top of my list and the P let us make modifications and at the time, TV did not. I think both are wonderful and wish everyone the best wherever they choose.

BTW, read Leisureville by Blechman for some good info on TV.



We liked Plantation too. Would have like it much more if there was a supermarket within ten miles.

.

[Canwego2]

Read ...Leisureville by Blechman and found it a very informative book about the going ons in TV. However, I felt he got a little carried away with the Mr. Midnight thing. I must ask is there a real Mr. Midnight? But it was a funny and interesting read.

[EdV]

Not telling anyone anything new with this. It's been discussed, and discussed and well, discussed.

Everyone lurking about here on TOTV is not a veteran of nearly 2 years and over 1800 posts like yourself.

Mentioning the existence of the book Leisureville in a thread titled “Just making sure The Villages is THE place for us” is entirely appropriate IMHO.

Remember that 2 years ago, you were probably a newbee eager to learn everything you could about TV, perhaps even before you decided to set foot in the place. I know I was 6 months ago.

For those newbees who are interested, just click on the “Search” button in the menu bar above and key in the title and you’ll find lots of the discussions on it that Russ mentions.

[Russ_Boston]

Agreed. Just didn't want that discussion to start here again. Do a search and read all about it.

[BobKat1]

It varies by County.

If you go to Sumterpa.com it will give you the tax rate for Sumter County. The Villages is also located in Marion and Lake Counties I don't know a web page for those.

Thanks. That'll be a good place to start. If we relocate, we'd like to reduce our cost of living a bit, if possible.

[tony]

Actually I don't see anything wrong with the topic coming up again.

It is good to let people discuss something, even though others have heard of it before. I'm sure they will ultimately learn that it has been discussed earlier, too, but generally, I don't want to stifle well-meaning newcomers.

I know of a case where a newbie to another forum brought up a topic that was new to him, and that he had actually sought on that same forum. After not finding it, he posted his question. Unlike here, he was ruthlessly bashed for doing that.

He hasn't been back to that forum. I'd rather not chase people away, even gently.

[Canwego2]

What’s the big deal? I agree with EdVinMass that just because something has been discussed before doesn’t make it unsuitable for this forum. Maybe some people have been on this site way to many times and it is giving them a superiority / condescending attitude towards people who are reading this forum just for fun and the enjoyment of learning something new (to them) about the TV....

[ajdeck]

Army Guy,,, before you sign on any dotted line,,check out everything but be sure to look into Stonecrest. Better built homes and larger yards and better deals. Much more options with these homes. I spoke to a realtor there. His name is Bob Coffey ( used to live in TV ) and you should talk to him before you make a move.

We checked there also, great houses but, as you will find out, not a very friendly area. People have moved there from SCS and TV and make sure you talk to them after a year.

We stayed there and were outsiders for sure, and as my mother-in-law says "three of my friends are sorry they moved there"

[Army Guy]

shermark, we did look at Stonecrest, and did not like it as much as TV. But agree. Homes were veery nice!

Army Guy

[llaran]

The Villages is a "city" everything is here and you can get to everything by golf cart. in the other communities you must drive out to do shoping, doctors, entertainment. We have found most people to be friendly and some Villages are more active than others. You do get more "house" for the $$ in some other places but you have to make more of an effort to find things to do outside of the house. If you have any interest at all you will find a group here with the same interest.

[katezbox]

Actually I don't see anything wrong with the topic coming up again.

It is good to let people discuss something, even though others have heard of it before. I'm sure they will ultimately learn that it has been discussed earlier, too, but generally, I don't want to stifle well-meaning newcomers.



Tony,

I hear you - but what frequently happens is that topics members are bored with get ignored. To me, that is far more rude that to suggest a thread search.

k

[tony]

I would really hope we don't ignore any newcomer especially. I think we all remember when we were newcomers.

Honestly, though, I don't think I have ever seen anybody ignored here when he or she asked a question.

Suggesting the thread search is not a bad thing, for certain. The wording should be careful and impart a welcoming tone, not a "we've talked about that before. go look."

I hope I explained what I mean, and did it nicely. Without being able to wave my hands around, and raise my eyebrows, it is hard to make it clear.

[chuckinca]

We checked there also, great houses but, as you will find out, not a very friendly area. People have moved there from SCS and TV and make sure you talk to them after a year.

We stayed there and were outsiders for sure, and as my mother-in-law says "three of my friends are sorry they moved there"


They make all the retired scrooges move into Stonecrest, Spruce Creek, Spruce Creek South, Oakland Hills, Orange Blossom, Blue Parrot, Water Oak, Harbor Hills, Plantation, Top of the World, Marion Oaks, and Stone Creek.


.

[Boomer]

I have been around here for about a buzillion posts (sometimes I am dismayed by that) and maybe I have seen it all. Maybe not. But I would never say to someone new that something has been discussed. I would never say that I did not want it to be discussed again. And I would never just order somebody, "Do a search."

Sure seems a lot like slamming the door in somebody's face. A little "us and them" sounding it seems to me.

I might helpfully deliver a thread to them. Or politely direct them on how to do a search. Or maybe provide a link. I would try to answer if I knew the answer. I might even like to talk about it again.

Manners? Screenside manner? Whatever. Maybe it is just that I have absolutely no desire to become the world's oldest living hall monitor. Just not in my job description I guess.

(Toldya I should not type after midnight.)

And Welcome! Welcome! Welcome to all you new kids on the block. Ask away. It's OK.

Goodnight Boomer

[katezbox]

I would really hope we don't ignore any newcomer especially. I think we all remember when we were newcomers.

Honestly, though, I don't think I have ever seen anybody ignored here when he or she asked a question.

Suggesting the thread search is not a bad thing, for certain. The wording should be careful and impart a welcoming tone, not a "we've talked about that before. go look."

I hope I explained what I mean, and did it nicely. Without being able to wave my hands around, and raise my eyebrows, it is hard to make it clear.

Tony,

You are right (IMHO) that the 'tone" (no pun intended) is important. When a new thread is initiated I think folks reply, but when, in the middle of a thread someone asks a not totally related question, people do not always reply.

Newbies are important to keep the forum fresh - but I think many of the "seniors" may drift away if the same topics keep being raised when there is really nothing new to say about them.

k

PS - I was a newbie not too long ago - and this is the first forum I ever posted on. People made me feel welcome.

[tony]

Your first forum? Wow. Thanks for landing here. I'm glad you stayed.

I've heard others say this is their first forum, too. That is so nice to hear that people feel welcome.

Now, wasn't that a self-serving hijack?

I hope somebody will push this thread back on topic to help the original poster decide if The Villages is the right place. Wasn't that the original topic?

[darylj2000]

We love the villages:eclipsee_gold_cup: every thing about it and when our house sells in Iowa we will be moing to the villages. Hopefully to a CYV :crap2:

[Russ_Boston]

Daryl - have you vistied TV or other FLA communites yet?

[Dirigo]

I was a newbie not too long ago - and this is the first forum I ever posted on. People made me feel welcome.

Me too...my first (and only) forum!

Dirigo

[Barefoot]

Tony,

Newbies are important to keep the forum fresh - but I think many of the "seniors" may drift away if the same topics keep being raised when there is really nothing new to say about them.

I think Kate's comment above is very perceptive. And although it is off topic, sometimes threads meander into interesting side territories.

I agree that newbies are important to keep the forum fresh. Obviously we all started as newbies and were grateful for all information received. In the past year or two, we exchanged recommendations, discussed issues, made many friends. And some have drifted away, some continue to post.

And while newbies are very important, it is true that senior members may get bored and leave TOTV if the same topics keep being rehashed. For instance, "What is a bond" is an extremely interesting thread for a new members, but very boring for a senior member. And I totally understand the post by Russ Boston about Leisureville.

I don't know that answer to this issue, but I sure think it deserves some discussion.

[senior citizen]

...

[Russ_Boston]

As I said earlier - my take on it is that TV is not for you. It is very difficult to overcome a lot of negatives (even if they exist only in your frame of reference) and move away from something you enjoy and are comfortable with.

Maybe just a nice vacation or two each year would do the trick?

Good luck in any final decision you make.

Russ

[senior citizen]

...

[LELANDJANE]

I think you've made the right decision for you.
Good luck

[Alex]

I would like to thank all of the very friendly folks in this forum, especially the lady from Connecticut, who seemed to have the most understanding of "why" I was asking certain questions (prior to a lifestyle visit) regarding various issues of living in a sub tropical climate after having done so in the past & relocated back to New England from both seacoasts of Florida. In the back of my mind, I was wondering if perhaps central Florida might be different.

Well, as of yesterday, my dear husband notified me that his retirement clock shows 638 days till his retirement; 509 days until he begins shutting down his business......which should take several months; then prepping our home for sale. He has a "plan" which will have us buying our retirement home in midcoast Maine. Our winters may be spent in Florida when the cold dreary days get to us. Now that glorious spring has sprung up here, that's all fine with me.

It isn't all about his boat and lack of convenient body of water........but mostly that we are so ingrained with the Yankee "Live Free or Die" philosophy of independence, I do believe that we would find it extremely difficult to be stifled in speech. Being politically correct (and I'm not talking politics) can get very old fast. We've always been the "honest plain speaking" type........and appreciate that in others. Perhaps I used the wrong words when I "joked" about the cheerleaders at TV........and I can understand that the ones who did not adjust well (whether to the intense sunshine and intense heat & humidity, the "critters" since I won't say what type I found out about, the density and the crime in the "rest of Florida......not in TV, but in the state in general", we just don't want to make another costly mistake.

I think TV would be a lovely place, as would other retirement communities for a month or so getaway...........but I know in my heart........we would not adjust. New Englanders are a more private sort and an adult Disney World might be nice for a spell, but not for 365 days a year. This is only the conclusion we've come to. My husband also has an intolerance to the heat, which I have to keep in mind.

I deleted all my own posts the past few days (after I figured it out) as I believe a lot of my questions were taken out of context when answered. I didn't think I was being that negative. Florida has many good attributes or there wouldn't be so many people moving there. We know that; we are not stupid. We also know that when the long dreary cold snowy icy winter gets to people, they think of balmy Florida. It's natural.

In deleting my own posts, I noticed some critical information which I had been trying to research.........and the "mom" who kept writing about the problem in TV was now BANNED. So much for free speech. All I can say in closing is how can an adult senior citizen make an educated choice to even come for the "lifestyle visit", which we had planned to do all along.........when their serious, not frivilous questions are considered negative. It's expensive to move long distance nowadays. The properties may indeed be cheaper down there, but the moving costs are not, not to mention buying new furniture. So, in trying to determine if we should even "think" of Florida again as a retirement zone..........the general tone of too many rules, regulations, restrictions made it seem like the town of Stepford all over again. A few only on this forum made me feel that way. I'm sure this will be deleted or banned.......but just want you to know we have finally decided. We will be living in a small village of 1,500 down to earth folks.
We have a beautiful home in a residential area now..........just want to be by the water so he can enjoy whatever years God gives him "on his boat".

When we moved to New England 40 years ago, we left a suburb in the greater New Jersey/ New York metro region because of the density and were fortunate to raise our children in small town America (no malls, no highways, no crime). Guess it rubbed off on us too well............so all I was trying to do was weigh the pros and cons of trying Florida once again as we did have many happy vacations there........but two long distance round trip relocations, in error. Happy Spring to all and again, thank you.

The best response I received was from a realtor in Ocala who in answer to my query on the "critters" was very very honest and told me the truth but also softened that truth with the fact that they were here before us (or their ancestors were) and we have to cohabit together;-) At least now I know they are not just on the barrier islands.
We were not being naive in asking these questions.........as it would impact on our lives in retirement. Again, I do appreciate all the sincere responses I did receive. You are all great.
Very well said. You sound like a very intelligent person. I thank you for your thoughts. Have a great life!

[senior citizen]

...

[senior citizen]

...

[tony]

senior citizen,

The members of Talk of The Village read your long, searching posts and offered you the best answers they could. They tolerated your left-handed jabs at their style of living in your posts, yet answered you sincerely.

You then returned and removed the text of your posts, waving your arse in their faces, making their sincere answers difficult if not impossible to understand.

You will notice that none of these members are removing their answers in response to your disingenuous "thank you" posts.

There are a lot of special, caring people who welcome newcomers and answer their questions and show that newcomers are welcome among them. Your actions show that, really, you made the right choice, you don't belong among them.

[senior citizen]

...

[katezbox]

Hi Senior,

I am "the lady from Connecticut" you mention earlier. I wish you the best of luck in Maine - the summers are more beautiful than anywhere I have ever been. Would you share what town you have selected. I think I mentioned in a previous post that my husband's family is from the Mid-coast area and many made their livings as sea captains.

TV is not for everyone - there are 75,000 people in TV plus a lot of wannabes, but that still lives quite a few million living in other places they, too, consider wonderful.

I do not believe that Tony or Talk Host were deleting posts because they reflected negatively on TV - I think they deleted them when one person was rude/critical or made fun of another. As a blunt woman from up north, I really hate censorship and would like more transparency, but would not like to be ridiculed.

Kate

[senior citizen]

...

[ConeyIsBabe]

I read your original long post this morning before I went to the fitness center and don't recall anything that would cause a person to misunderstand its content. As I recall, you were describing your impression of TV as it relates to your lifestyle - and isn't that exactly what this thread is all about?

I'm only a wannabee, haven't yet visited TV, but hope to do so in the near or far future (hopefully NEAR). I appreciate reading everyone's comments whether they appear to be negative, positive, or cheers from the cheerleaders because every opinion has merit and should be judged by its sincerity not because it might be a different opinion.

Who knows...... maybe someday we will be neighbors in TV - I'd like that!

[senior citizen]

...

[katezbox]

Oh senior,

I'm sorry - I obviously wasn't clear. When I mentioned Tony deleting posts, I was referring to your comment regarding his having deleted posts that were negative about TV. "In deleting my own posts, I noticed some critical information which I had been trying to research.........and the "mom" who kept writing about the problem in TV was now BANNED. So much for free speech." Maybe I am naive, but I think he only deleted posts that he felt would be hurtful to others.

I really think TV is only made better by those who really want to be there. If it isn't the place for you, then you have made the best decision for yourself and it is your life. I am happy that you and your husband have found the right place in Maine. As I have said before, it is an incredibly beautiful place.

Peace - I wish you both well!

Kate

[Bogie Shooter]

Will this ever end?

[Russ_Boston]

Senior - I meant the negatives outweighed the positive in your balance sheet.

There are negatives and positives for any place - no one says TV is perfect.

[Whalen]

Will this ever end?

:agree:
I think I wrote this one off last week, why are people still entertaining her/him?:shrug:

[Alex]

Oh senior,

I'm sorry - I obviously wasn't clear. When I mentioned Tony deleting posts, I was referring to your comment regarding his having deleted posts that were negative about TV. "In deleting my own posts, I noticed some critical information which I had been trying to research.........and the "mom" who kept writing about the problem in TV was now BANNED. So much for free speech." Maybe I am naive, but I think he only deleted posts that he felt would be hurtful to others.

I really think TV is only made better by those who really want to be there. If it isn't the place for you, then you have made the best decision for yourself and it is your life. I am happy that you and your husband have found the right place in Maine. As I have said before, it is an incredibly beautiful place.

Peace - I wish you both well!

Kate

Mom still has many friends still on this board. Please don't make any assumptions.
You can meet her anytime you want as she is always up on stage at exercise classes. As a matter of fact you can also meet her in the Horsen'Around club, Polo Club, Rainy Villa club, Teaching English as a Second Language, Helping the homeless etc. She loves the Villages and has tons of friends here. Read all the well wishes on helping hands as she had surgery in July. She was banned but so were many others.
Again...please don't make any assumptions!!!

[ChattanoogaTn]

Came to The Villages 2 years ago for LifeStyle program and now we are ready to buy and coming back for month of May to try and find a 2 Car Villa near The Squares. Anyway the last time we came down I noticed my GPS navigation did not work "in" The Villages. Was told that they had problem with The Villages not allowing address to be installed for GPS and although I found that hard to believ I was wondering if anyone uses a GPS to get around in The Villages as we could use a map to try and locate property for sale a GPS is so much easier.

Also after being taken around the 1st day the Sales Rep kept pushing "NEW" houses and kept telling us that the BOND was not a factor in "the Sales price" to which I never understood how she could tell us that as well as "neglected" to tell us that "The Villages" sales Rep are not allowed to sell .. or show houses that are listed thru Realtors or BuyOwner! Would really like to "change" my Sales Rep as once your in their "system" you keep the same Sales Pre and hate to offend but feel like they could care less about what "I'm" looking for.

Looking forward to buying in The Villages for the main reason that we can have things to keep us occupied and was amazed at how nice the people in The Villages seem to be. Anyway just curious as to if anyone uses a GPS to get around and if anyone might know of a "deal?" near Spanish Springs that has a 2 car garage around $150K - $160K.

Thanks and wishing you a great day... :2excited:

[katezbox]

Mom still has many friends still on this board. Please don't make any assumptions.
You can meet her anytime you want as she is always up on stage at exercise classes. As a matter of fact you can also meet her in the Horsen'Around club, Polo Club, Rainy Villa club, Teaching English as a Second Language, Helping the homeless etc. She loves the Villages and has tons of friends here. Read all the well wishes on helping hands as she had surgery in July. She was banned but so were many others.
Again...please don't make any assumptions!!!

Hi Alex,

I sent you a PM on this and I am quite confused. I never meant to in any way criticize her. Maybe I have made (dangerous) assumptions. But it is my understanding that the censorship on this site has been primarily due to hostile/unfriendly comments by posters.

I may not always agree with their posts (as TH will tell you), but I don't think they are deleting posts that are critical of The Villages. I know people who are no longer on this site that are good people. I don't know if the admins were "right" or "wrong" in banning them. It is not my intent to judge. As Boomer pointed out on another thread, it is not always easy to control your tone as you type as opposed to as you speak.

My point, if I was unclear, was to tell Senior that the admins did not censor posts that were anti_TV. From my understanding of the Sticky Enough! thread, they censored posts they felt were meanspirited.

[Alex]

You are right- she is a very good person.!!! But you are still trying to make an assumption. Just leave Mom out of conversations as she can't speak for herself.
Peace

[katezbox]

You are right- she is a very good person.!!! But you are still trying to make an assumption. Just leave Mom out of conversations as she can't speak for herself.
Peace

Alex,

Not for nothing - I did not bring her into the conversation. You did.

My post was about whether or no the admins deleted posts due to those posts being negative towards TV. It DID NOT address reasons why anyone was banned from this site.

I have had posts deleted and yet have chosen to continue to participate on this site by weighing the pros vs the cons. Not sure why you are here. I am not trying to be disingenuous or "make assumptions" but I don't understand what your initial post on this topic had to do with mine.


Kate