Newbie from NH with a long-term view has some questions..

[djplong]

Let me start by saying I stumbled upon this place completely by accident. I saw a "Wired" magazine article about souped up golf carts that mentioned The Villages. The article also mentioned how the cart path were integrated into the development so that you didn't always NEED a 'regular' car to go food shopping or to Wal-Mart/Target/etc. That led me to The Villages website and that eventually led me here and I've been devouring a lot of the information here for two days, registering earlier today.

To be honest, this is sounding almost in the "too good to be true" categories. I'm "only" 47 but I'd long had a dream of retiring to Florida (specifically somewhere around Clermont) but gave up on it due to circumstances I didn't control. Well, a few years ago, that circumstance decided to leave (and NOW she's thinking about moving to FL to be with her boyfriend - go figure).

So here I am, a programmer (I've been writing websites for the USAF lately) with retirement well out on the horizon and suddenly I find myself engaged to an incredibly outgoing, wonderful person who LOVES the idea of The Villages. All of a sudden I find myself wondering if maybe I can pull this dream out of the ashes, dust it off, polish it up and make it happen.

I find myself with a few questions that I haven't seen much of in wandering around the site so I thought I'd ask them here.

Everything has a cost. Divorce has almost wiped out my retirement and has me pretty much mortgaged-out so no early retirement for me. I make a decent income but I'm probably going to have to work long beyond 65 to be able to afford the lifestyle down there. What is the job market like - relatively speaking as it's not great anywhere these days. I mean, Florida has a reputation for service, tourism and retail jobs. I know there's some IT (Information technology) in Orlando, Tampa and Miami, but those are a bit of a haul for daily commute.

"Community Standards". In another thread, I saw people talking about how they considered a van in a driveway to be "an eyesore". Now, I live in a town of 20,000+ next to a city of 85,000 in Southern New Hampshire about an hour's drive northwest of Boston. I don't mean this to sound insulting, but one of the things I've never liked about developments is the aristocratic attitude that sometimes seems to permeate. Now, mind you, I also hear how wonderful the neighbors are. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm a bit concerned about being in a "Stepford" development. I haven't lived under covenants or deed restrictions (other than zoning laws) for 25 years. the fact that I'm even CONSIDERING The Villages is a testimony to all the great stuff I've seen and read about in the past 48 hours. But I *do* worry about HOAs run by people who don't have to work who have nothing better to do than try to run everyone else's life. My finacee lived in a condo in Wilton NH where one woman took her daily walk with a notepad in her hand so that she could mark up every minute "violation". I lived in a condo where I wasn't allowed to have a bicycle on my balcony. I'm not anxious to relive that kind of experience. Am I overreacting?

Something more practical - are there decent credit unions there? I have a thing against banks - mostly because I don't like paying for obscene executive salaries and, with a credit union, the shareholders are the depositors so the money goes back to 'the owners'.

I'm looking at the very real possibility of selling my house some years down the road to do this (mortgaged out at the moment but I've put a lot of money into this house in the 3 years since my ex left so it should recover nicely, in time). My fiancee also has a house and some land that would hopefully keep us with a low mortgage due to appreciation (we hope) over the next several years.

I never thought I would have such an about-face concerning developments and such. But this place seems to have "something" that I can't explain. It'd be nirvana for my fiancee. This is the woman who had over 60 people show up for a recent birthday party - and New England isn't exactly known for big social circles.

I don't know if I would have to wait for retirement or if I could eventually move my career down there (I work for a defense contractor at an air base in MA). But after seeing The Villages' website and the message board here, it's something I'm seriously looking at.

Any other websites or resources I should look at? (It's not like I don't know Florida weather - I lived in Miami Beach when I was little and just spent a week-plus vacation at WDW in July/August)

Thanks in advance (and sorry for being so wordy)

[Ooper]

djplong... you ask a lot of questions, understandably so. But you really need to take advantage of the life style preview for a week or rent something down here for a couple of weeks. All your questions will be answered. Yes, it does seem almost too good to be true... but it is True! Give The Villages a call and reserve your time. C'mon down and experience our lifestyle 1st hand!

[villages07]

DJ,

Welcome...and, yep, it is as wonderful if not better down here than what you have read and digested so far. Best suggestion is to book a lifestyle preview visit with your fiancee and experience it firsthand for yourself.

Community Standards aka deed compliance is, in my opinion, a reasonable set of rules. A van in the driveway is fine, a dump truck or boat is not. These standards are actually set by the Developer and enforced by employees of the community district government...not directly by residents. The CDD govt structure inserts a level of professional management and operation that you don't see in a lot of homeowner's associations. With our size, it really is more like a town govt than an HOA.

Jobs....this might be your biggest source of disappointment. It's hard to find career jobs that pay what you're used to earning in NH. Of course, overall cost of living here is lower but you'd have to really crunch the numbers to see what and when you can afford.

Credit Unions...I'm seen Campus FCU and Fairwinds CU around, with local branches.

Good luck.

[djplong]

Well, a 'lifestyle preview visit' is going to have to wait as I'm out of vacation time and I don't get much every year. Heck, even next year is spoken for as I have a honeymoon on order :)

[Bettiboop]

You brought up a lot of good points and definitely something to consider when deciding whether or not The Villages would be for you.

My husband and I are going through the same process of deciding for sure if it is where we want to settle for retirement. So far we've loved every minute we've spent there, but we do plan to spend more time there to get a good feel for the lifestyle, the communities, bylaws, etc. We swore we would never live in another HOA type community, but it might be a trade off that we are willing to make unless we uncover something that we are not yet aware of.

My husband is retired military but is getting close to a second retirement - this time from the DOD. Technically, he can retire at any time but wants to work a couple more years. We will use that time to downsize our belongings and to make more visits to TV, so we'll be ready to make that move when the time comes.

Good idea to visit TV as often as you can in the next few years so you can see for yourself. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised. Do a lifestyle visit where you can "live" in one of the villages and be allowed to experience the Village lifestyle just as if you were an owner!

[jojo]

djplong, I am still working but living and loving it in The Villages. I had a major consulting project in New Hampshire and subtitled my report - Live free or die. The state motto is deeply embedded in the culture and institutions. 07 said it well - the restrictions here make sense and are not onerous. Try getting down here for a long weekend - you will see.

[RichieLion]

Does your job require you to be in NH? If not, you have other things to consider. Namely you can get a home a lot cheaper here than in NH, I imagine. Also the property taxes will be cheaper, there is no state income tax. It is true about the golf cart trails. There is 87 miles of cart paths and you can go almost anywhere in the 40 square miles of TV in one. I have 2 very reliable electric carts and almost can't remember the last time I bought gasoline. Also, you should call TV and ask about the preview plan. When you see how cheap it is to stay here for up to 6 days you won't believe it. They'll put you up in a new home or villa and give you lots of freebies, like meals at the Country Clubs, a golf cart to use and golf and movies and tennis etc. etc. When I came down it was less than $500 for 6 days. They'll match you up with a property representative, who if like mine, was very low key with no pressure at all. There really is no place like TV.

[Avista]

We use Insight Financial Credit Union here in The Villages.

Hm, Actually, The Villages might not be a bad place for a Honeymoon. <smile>

[katezbox]

As you can see, I am another relocated New Englander...

I am also in the IT world (a CPA transitioned into a sales role)and still working. I work from home when (like JoJo), I am not traveling. My employer is a large software company based on the West Coast (you can do the math here and get close).

I agree and disagree with my neighbor Richie on cost of living here. Many folks not from NE (but from elsewhere in the northeast) think all home prices are like those outside of Boston and that all taxes are like those in Mass. And in Hudson, I know your home may be... But I also know that there are lovely homes that are smaller (due to the northern New Englander's passion for thrift) and therefor less pricey. Homes in TV can be very inexpensive in the historic area, relatively inexpensive for the more basic designers, the cottage homes - excl. LSL, and some villas. Larger designers and premieres - especially with a view are in the half-million and up range.

About the covenants - that is for you to explore more. We lived in a small HOA-run neighborhood in Conn. I was on the ARB and our goal wasn't to hamstring, but it was to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood. We only said no twice in 4 years - one was for an addition of a sunroom that would eliminate a lovely vista that the whole neighborhood shared and that would nearly double the size of the home making it look out of place. There are earlier threads on this - with some of us liking the covenants, and others not. You can search on them My personal feeling is that in a place where our homes are fairly close together, we need to have guidelines to prevent excesses.

Maybe on that honeymoon, you could add a few days in TV to your itinerary?

k

[djplong]

Looks like my original reply got eaten.

My job doesn't require me to be in NH only from the standpoint that my job is "on-site". I suppose what I'm saying is that my 'career' is portable - if I found the right kind of job. I know wages are lower in the south along with the lower expenses. I'm in the process of trying to "downsize" more than just the stuff I own but also the expenses I have every month. Mostly it's that we have friends and family here in NH and New England (from CT to Cape Cod).

Having lived here since 1974, the "Live Free or Die" ethic has had a lot of time to sink in. With the covenants, it's more attitude than anything else I can think of. I mean, if it's "their grass is too long, maybe something's wrong and they need help or are on vacation" as opposed to "their grass is too long - goody, we get to write up a fine", then that's a GOOD thing. Unlike where my sister lived in Orlando where they got the measuring stick out for the grass and went postal if you put your HOA-approved-only-trash-bin out to the curb before 9pm the night before garbage day.

I really do have to take a look for myself and these replies only reinforce that. I certainly can't tinker with the honeymoon, though. For one, that's not until next year. It took me 20 years to get my passport (illegal adoption with no paperwork and a name change meant no paper trail - took years to 'fix') and we're going overseas (Paris, London, etc) with it being my first time across the pond - lifelong dream finally being achieved. But it looks like I really do have to carve out a weekend sometime soon so that we can judge more accurately. I've been to Florida over a dozen times since 1978 but that was for tourist-type vacations (draw a line from NASA to Busch Gardens and put a huge dot at Walt Disney World) and only once did I drive around other areas for anything other than a diversion along the way (like stopping at daytona Beach on the drive from NH to Orlando). I drove up to Clermont in the late 80s to see what it was like and I saw a lot of subdivisions popping up. After meeting my sister and hearing her horror stories it kinda turned me off of the idea.

That I'm even contemplating this is a testimony to how impressed I am with what I've seen so far. If you would have asked me 3 days ago if I'd consider this, I would have said "no". Now, I'm asking questions and my fiancee and I are SERIOUSLY considering it.

[ijusluvit]

djplong,

All of the above positives stated about The Villages are true - and then some.

My wife and I thought about retiring somewhere down South, but NOT to Florida - too hectic - too many sourpusses - boring! With that mindset we were astounded at our first Villages visit and bought a home shortly thereafter. At present we cannot be there more than a couple of months a year because of some work and parent care obligations, but the home purchase was one of the smartest decisions we ever made. We rent our home through a very good management company, and come close enough to meeting our expenses that we can afford the second home.

There are many Villagers who work and there are some homeowners your age because it is allowed by law. So go ahead, dream about the possibility of coming here sooner rather than later.

Look at this website with a fine-toothed comb. You will find zillions of happy, giddy comments and very few complaints. The lifestyle is so invigorating that it's commonplace for octogenarians and older to be playing pickleball, running the bases and dancing in the squares. One of the most common complaints is just that folks wish they had come here sooner.

Take care! See ya soon!

[swrinfla]

I've several friends who aren't Villagers. Among them are a number who are or have been on their community's board, in one way or another. Every one of them tell horror stories of the on-going animosities, verbal fights, downright anger that prevail at their development. I tell them about The Villages and they don't believe me. That is, not until they actually come and see it.

So - yes there are restrictions, but they're really quite reasonable. And, virtually everyone who comes here adapts very quickly when they find that all their new neighbors don't fuss or complain or bitch or whatever . . .

Come visit us. You'll be hooked!

SWR
:beer3:

[JohnN]

We bought last year, here part-time for now, full-time eventually.
It IS too good to be true, you'll love it.
Take the Lifestyle Tour and visit with lots of people.

There are standards, and you can't park your RV on the lawn.
However, it's not unreasonable in my mind.

Best decision we ever made, well, 2nd best, marrying Mrs JohnN was the best.

Good luck on the honeymoon.

[djplong]

Heh. My RV hasn't been in running condition (engine needs some work) for quite a while and I'm trying to get rid of it. No worries about me even THINKING of bringing it south :)

I noticed the "Lifestyle Preview" is a week-long thing. I'm not going to have a spare week's vacation until at LEAST 2011. Is there a "weekender tour" to get a flavor? Obviously it wouldn't be as comprehensive as the week-long one but at least we could see the lay of the land for ourselves.

Oh - one other thing - I know that Verizon's Fios is available in other Florida cities and towns, though not yet apparently in Lady Lake, etc. Does anyone down there know whether or not any announcements have been made for when it might show up? I got it for my internet service in 2006 (before Verizon sold us, VT and ME to Fairpoint) and have been ecstatically happy with it. I'm not too keen on Comcast for a number of reasons (around here neighbors complain that it goes out every time a squirrel runs up a tree) and was hoping that Fios (and Verizon's triple-play package) would be showing up there sometime in the future.

Thank you all so much for your insight. I'm already trying to price out a weekender for my fiancee and I to check things out.

[sschuler1]

Here is another website for you to check out: http://thevillagesdailysun.com/sections/ This is the website for the newspaper in The Villages. Scroll down and click on the Recreation News for this week. It will open a pdf file so that you can see all of the activities that are happening this week.

We have been here for about 10 weeks now, and couldn't be happier with our decision to move here. My husband was a systems designer for Ford and took an early retirement package. Hubby is 52 and I am 49, so don't let the age thing stop you from making the move either. We will be working also, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy our non-work time in such a great place.

[djplong]

I'm trying to get RID of my RV (engine problems have kept it off the road for many years) so there's no worry about that :)

Is there an abbreviated version of the Lifestyle Preview? The reason I ask is that my vacation time is spoken for until at least 2011 (gone this year, honeymoon to Europe next year). I *could*, however, manufacture a long weekend to at least take a look down there so my fiancee and I could see for ourselves. (Still grumbling about missing this when I was IN Florida just 12 weeks ago!) At least it would give us the "seen it with our own eyes" experience.

One other thing - does anyone know if Verizon's Fios service is coming? I know it's in several Florida cities and towns and I'm hooked on their fiber-based services (and I have a thing against Comcast). I know it's not there now - at least the list of cities with the service doesn't include it yet. I'm hoping that there might have been some announcement like there was before Fios came here to southern New Hampshire in 2006. I bought it immediately and then Verizon promptly went and sold their land-based assets in NH, VT and ME to Fairpoint. Sigh..

I haven't been thinking about my retirement in anything but the most vague thoughts for some time (since before my divorce). Suddenly I may very well HAVE a new target to shoot for - something tangible and concrete. ...and goals are always easier to achieve when they are well-defined. And if I can move down sooner (like in a few years instead of 20) while I'm still working, so much the better.

Thank you all SO much for your opinions and experiences. This is all so very new to me and I know it sounds corny but I'm still adjusting to the thoughts.

[villages07]

dj.

I believe you can do the lifestyle preview for as little as 3 days up to a max of 6 days. Just pick up the phone and call the office and probe around. Doesn't cost anything to call and if you can sneak away before Christmas there are some good airfares.

[ijusluvit]

The new Creekside Cabanas are currently for rent at $100 per night until Jan 1. Then the rate till Apr. 1 will be $175 and will then be reduced again for the non-prime months. These new furnished homes are complete with a golf cart and within walking distance of the Sumter Landing square. So, you can make your own lifestyle preview. If you do come for just a couple of days you will still get a pretty good feel for life here, and you can learn a great deal, especially if you prepare ahead. I would introduce a new thread here, something like: "The 10 Must Do's in a 48-hour 1st Visit" You will get enough suggestions to fill a visit lasting weeks and you can sort out the most common ones and what appeals to you. Just look at everything and ask people what they think of The Villages.
Don't worry about details. We ended up buying our house over the phone and every question we had was answered on the phone or the internet. It would have been even easier if we had known about TOTV.
FIOS isn't here yet. I laugh at your reference to Comcast. They aren't wildly popular, but their inefficiency has become only a tiny life aggravation. Cable is underground here so it is more stable as long as you get a good initial hookup. Dish and Direct TV have problems with weather outages.

come on down!

[graciegirl]

I'm trying to get RID of my RV (engine problems have kept it off the road for many years) so there's no worry about that :)

Is there an abbreviated version of the Lifestyle Preview? The reason I ask is that my vacation time is spoken for until at least 2011 (gone this year, honeymoon to Europe next year). I *could*, however, manufacture a long weekend to at least take a look down there so my fiancee and I could see for ourselves. (Still grumbling about missing this when I was IN Florida just 12 weeks ago!) At least it would give us the "seen it with our own eyes" experience.

One other thing - does anyone know if Verizon's Fios service is coming? I know it's in several Florida cities and towns and I'm hooked on their fiber-based services (and I have a thing against Comcast). I know it's not there now - at least the list of cities with the service doesn't include it yet. I'm hoping that there might have been some announcement like there was before Fios came here to southern New Hampshire in 2006. I bought it immediately and then Verizon promptly went and sold their land-based assets in NH, VT and ME to Fairpoint. Sigh..

I haven't been thinking about my retirement in anything but the most vague thoughts for some time (since before my divorce). Suddenly I may very well HAVE a new target to shoot for - something tangible and concrete. ...and goals aryears instead of 20) while I'm still working, so much the better.

e always easier to achieve when they are well-defined. And if I can move down sooner (like in a few Thank you all SO much for your opinions and experiences. This is all so very new to me and I know it sounds corny but I'm still adjusting to the thoughts.


Ah...you are correct to define your dream and one thing at a time...Marriage first, enjoy the time you are in.

Everyone who says that this place is too good to be true is correct.

You will end up here, you sound like a person with some good sense.

Come down and see that this is a place for your future.

Reread the posts from both JoJo and Village07 again and again. They never tell it wrong.

And welcome to you. You have NO idea how wonderful living your dream will be!

[djplong]

I'm still somewhat in shock at myself for everything I've seen, read and spoken about with my fiancee about over the past 3 days. The backlash started to hit ("how would we handle moving away from family and friends?", etc - Answer: Fly back to New England from time to time so long as Southwest airlines still exists) but we're more in the mindset of "how will we handle it" as opposed to "this is a dealbreaker".

Over the years, I've learned to be incredibly skeptical of "too good to be true", but I'm having a REALLY hard time finding naysayers out there. 90+ softball teams? (I played until scheduling conflicts made it impossible to be reliably at the games - still have my cleats, gloves, bats, etc) A *polo* stadium? Live entertainment EVERY night? 80+ miles of cart/bike/skate paths? Heck, I've never even HEARD of "pickleball".

Even when thinking of 'work', I was wondering how my skills could translate down there. (I've been programming computers since I was 3 in 1965, been building them since they got smaller than a refrigerator)

On a more serious note, I had a beloved grandmother who I can honestly say came to an early demise thanks to the climate here in New England (specifically, Boston). After surgery that was scheduled improperly, she couldn't get out of her apartment until ice covered the sidewalks. She wasn't able to do the kind of therapy she needed to regain her mobility and I watched this once-vibrant jewel of humanity slowly slip away as one problem compounded itself on another. I can't go without saying that, as I was seeing the pictures, watching the videos and reading all the different things to do, I *did* think "this could be a life saver/extender".

Talking this over with Susie (my fiancee), we're going to see if we can sneak something in before Christmas. We'll see what the DVD looks like and make our decisions then.

Again, thank you all all so much for how forthcoming you've all been. I think I'll be hanging out here for some time.

[another Linda]

I guess I would caution you to retain your skepticism. Believe it or not, there are indeed some people who do not like TV, who can't live with the restrictions, and who do consider it Stepford. Most of us can and do go on and on about all the wonderful advantages TV has to offer. It isn't that there aren't things that we may find annoying, but it's just that they don't really bother us. "I can't put my garbage out in a garbage can?" Well, even on garbage days things look neat and clean. "My grandchildren can't go to the adults only pool?" Family pool works for me! "People ride around in golf carts smiling and saying have a nice day." (that one came from a grouchy friend of mine). Makes me happy!!

[18togo]

"I can't put my garbage out in a garbage can?" Well, even on garbage days things look neat and clean.

How do you put your garbage out? Do you have to be home when the garbage man comes? I take it you keep your cans in the garage.

[another Linda]

Garbage man comes twice a week. I keep a plastic bag inside my can (yes, in the garage) and that is what I put out. You can put your garbage out the day before, so if we won't be there I'll either have a neighbor put it out or have redwitch who watches my house put it out. The way I look at it is that in order to have the beautiful open spaces we all love so much, our houses are close together (we have a CYV). Everyone needs to cooperate for the common good.

(BTW, love your quote!)

[djplong]

Well, I at least like to THINK that I keep an open mind - just not so open that my brains fall out :)

And, you see, there's a perfect example of what I'm talking about - you want to keep a nice looking neighborhood but don't have to resort to being fascists about it. My sister's old place would only allow a limited number of exterior colors - one of which I remember being called "crushed ice" - that were so similar you couldn't tell the difference from 50 feet away. That's not saying I want to paint a house purple with pink stripes and green polka-dots, but I wouldn't want a neighborhood looking like a cookie-cutter, monochromatic Levittown, either.

I confess I'm getting a tad anxious to see if this is the right mixture of trade-off/compromise. It certainly sounds that way so far.

[another Linda]

Well, I at least like to THINK that I keep an open mind - just not so open that my brains fall out :)

My sister's old place would only allow a limited number of exterior colors - one of which I remember being called "crushed ice" - that were so similar you couldn't tell the difference from 50 feet away.

Now that is a perfect example. Our place is in a neighborhood of courtyard villas -- all painted the same. In theory I also would have said that I didn't want "a neighborhood looking like a cookie-cutter, monochromatic Levittown" but I did want a CYV for the privacy and decided that the neighborhood didn't bother me enough to worry about it. Now that we are there, I actually love the neighborhood. Guess you just have to figure out what is worth it and what isn't.

[Xavier]

... a little more on garbage collection. In my neighborhood bags of garbage are picked up on Monday. Recyclables are also picked up the same day. Recyclables have to be in a clear plastic bag. Larger items such as broken down cardboard boxes can be placed under the clear plastic bag. If it isn't obviously recyclable, it'll be taken as garbage. I've never seen anything left at the curb. It wouldn't be neat!

On Wednesdays in my neighborhood, you can put out lawn, tree and scrub stuff. If it's hard to handle stuff such as trimmings you'll use large double or triple thick paper bags that you can buy at Walmart, Lowes, Sams Club, Home Depot, etc. Larger stuff is left at the end of the driveway.

On Thursdays they do garbage again.

Cost: $16.92 a month

[djplong]

While I'm waiting for the DVD in the mail, and from discussing the issue with my fiancee, another thought struck. I haven't yet found a portfolio of floorplans - though I see several style names in the listings that I've browsed. Are there plans out there with, for lack of a better term, "in-law apartments"?

[ijusluvit]

a good resource about Villages homes is a popular realtor named Lyle Gant, who has lots of details on his website...

www.lylesellsfla.com/custom1.shtml

I have never dealt with Mr Gant but he is well known for providing useful online information and I've never heard anyone complain about him. There are other sources of TV floor plans but I don't know another source for all homes, including those not currently being built.

Realtors down here are pretty low key so I wouldn't hesitate to pick their brains endlessly.

[EdV]

Included with the TV DVD will be a large packet called the “Lifestyle Portfolio”. In it you will find information including home and villa floor plans and an estimated cost of living list for a $250k home in TV.

[katezbox]

Linda gives some good advice. If you buy a new home, you can choose your color. But - as Sue pointed out previously - if that color is next door to you - you need to choose another. Many of the colors are similar - varying shades of yellow/gold, beige/taupe/tan and a soft green, white and a soft blue.That doesn't mean you can't re-paint it a different color. One home struck by the tornado a couple of years back is now lavender (corner of Canal and Odell).

Villas are a bit more "cookie cutter" if color is a factor. But I LOVE how they look. If your drive through a villa neighborhood, the color stays the same, but the entrances and exteriors are different due to the different models. IMO it is a clean, yet striking design.

Xavier, we have seen trash not picked up. They will pick up any type of garbage bag except clear - the clear ones can only be used for recyclables. I have seen a couple of these filled with trash left at the curbside.

[Julie]

One home struck by the tornado a couple of years back is now lavender (corner of Canal and Odell).


Lavender??? :22yikes:

Absolutely Hideous!

[katezbox]

But it makes a GREAT landmark....

[graciegirl]

I guess I would caution you to retain your skepticism. Believe it or not, there are indeed some people who do not like TV, who can't live with the restrictions, and who do consider it Stepford. Most of us can and do go on and on about all the wonderful advantages TV has to offer. It isn't that there aren't things that we may find annoying, but it's just that they don't really bother us. "I can't put my garbage out in a garbage can?" Well, even on garbage days things look neat and clean. "My grandchildren can't go to the adults only pool?" Family pool works for me! "People ride around in golf carts smiling and saying have a nice day." (that one came from a grouchy friend of mine). Makes me happy!!

PLUS....had anyone told you that The Villages are predominantly Republican?

Stepping back, counting to three and waiting for the huge............Ka boom.

[BobKat1]

PLUS....had anyone told you that The Villages are predominantly Republican?

Stepping back, counting to three and waiting for the huge............Ka boom.

I guess that no place is perfect - But IMO TV comes close.....

[katezbox]

i guess that no place is perfect - but imo tv comes close.....

lol

[another Linda]

PLUS....had anyone told you that The Villages are predominantly Republican?

Stepping back, counting to three and waiting for the huge............Ka boom.

Gasp! Republican? Gracie, tell me it ain't so! ah, but then again, some of my best friends ...

[djplong]

Hey, I was proudly "Republican" back in the days of Reagan - but the people in D.C. who call themselves "Republican" bear no resemblance to the Republicans of 25 years ago.

[another Linda]

Gracie, I can't believe it. Where is the ka boom? Must all be in political.

[djplong]

Just out of curiosity, since it wasn't mentioned in my confirmation email I got, how long does it take to get the DVD and other materials in the mail once requested from The Villages website?

[djplong]

Never mind. Got it yesterday and watched it with the fiancee last night.

[TV MAN]

Be interested to hear what you & your fiancee thought of the DVD ?

[djplong]

Well, other than the fact that it was, as expected, really "over the top" selling - we both liked it. It naturally generated the "this looks too good to be true" reaction but it certainly had enough in there that we're going to plan a visit at some point - just couldn't swing it before the rates went up.

There's only so much you can get from reading, seeing video, etc. Many of the places I've been - well, you just have to BE there to get the full experience. This would appear to be one of those places.

[graciegirl]

Well, other than the fact that it was, as expected, really "over the top" selling - we both liked it. It naturally generated the "this looks too good to be true" reaction but it certainly had enough in there that we're going to plan a visit at some point - just couldn't swing it before the rates went up.

There's only so much you can get from reading, seeing video, etc. Many of the places I've been - well, you just have to BE there to get the full experience. This would appear to be one of those places.

Oh my dear uninitiated new friend. That video was pretty danged close to the truth. You ain't seen nothin' yet!

I was not interested in leaving Ohio, particularly to retire to Florida. My parents had a nice home in Venice for years, and I always just hated their whole life style.

This place is so different from any place I have ever been. Hope you like it too.

[djplong]

I have to be honest - if I hadn't found this forum, Susie (my fiancee) and I would be a LOT more skeptical about TV. TOTV is no small reason behind our increasing curiosity about the place. Being able to hear from REAL PEOPLE about what life is like there - warts and all - goes a long way. I mean, of course the DVD will be all glowing and wonderful - but it really helps to have flesh-and-blood people who aren't affiliated to say "Yes, it's *real*".

We still have a wedding (just set the date for next September), a honeymoon (for the two weeks after that) and a chunk of our lives (I'm 47) to get through before *moving* but it's definitely given us a lot of thought that TV could very well be the place we're "shooting for".

[l2ridehd]

Interesting that you say the video is over the top. From my experience, TV is the only place or product where reality far exceeds the marketing hype.

[katezbox]

Interesting that you say the video is over the top. From my experience, TV is the only place or product where reality far exceeds the marketing hype.

I agree. IMO the video is just corny - not overselling....

[Army Guy]

I also agree with I2ridehd & Katezbox. We thought total "Hollywood" when we watched it. We said, No place is that good!
Then came down on LSV, just to prove ourselves right..........we were wrong! As I2 said, the DVD doesn't tell it true enough!

Army Guy

[djplong]

Oh I agree - based on what I'm hearing here - that, although one can look at that video and 'see' late-night-informercial kinds of claims, talking to people who actually LIVE there has told me that it's all true.

I've certainly found friendly replies to my comments about my worries regarding "negatives" - like fees, covenants, etc.

What I've gotten from this place is a "ask anything you want - we have nothing to hide" attitude - and I *like* that.

Don't know when we'll have a chance to do the LSV but it's definitely on the medium-term "to do" list.