Full time Villagers. Part time Villagers. Non property owner posts.

[graciegirl]

There is a difference to me if someone posts an opinion about The Villages, whether they have lived here for say five plus years, or just arrived, or do not live here at all.

There is a difference to me if someone posts an opinion about The Villages who owns property here rather than rents here on occasion.

How do you feel ? Have I just committed a politically incorrect faux pas?

My opinion is not on the worth and integrity of the poster but whether they really "know" about The Villages in the way people do after having lived here year 'round for several years.

I have visited New York many times, but I don't pretend to know it (or love it) the way people do who have called it home for a very long time.

[asianthree]

I do agree with you Gracie sometimes when I read a post it’s hard to understand if they live here full-time, part-time have just visited or Long term renters. One of us is here full-time. I am still part time. We first started coming to TV in 2007 but did not purchased our first home until 2010. So we are Relatively new only almost 8 year owners.

I think however there is a difference between those who come here and rent year after year ( our friends have come to the same house for over seven years) Staying 3 to 7 months at a time.They have stayed here enough to know the village as well.

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish those who have just flown in spent a week or so and and then have negative comments to make about where we live. So that’s my opinion if this is political will get dumped out in this forum in a minute.

[Taltarzac725]

My parents own the Villages' home but I have been here with them since June 2005 or so except for jobs I had in Palm Harbor, Florida or visits to family members in various areas like DC and the Tampa area. Family members and their friends from Cape Cod, MA; Itasca, IL; Woodstock, IL; Rohnert Park, CA; outside of Green Bay, WI; Burke, VA; and elsewhere visit.

[ColdNoMore]

I personally enjoy reading the opinions of everyone who posts here...whether they meet an 'arbitrary qualification' or not.

Some I agree with...some I don't.

It's kind of analogous to the early days of this nation when only white, adult males who owned property...could vote.

It's hard to fathom that anyone in this day and age, would like to regress to a similar exclusivity...for posting on this great site. :ohdear:

[Taltarzac725]

I personally enjoy reading the opinions of everyone who posts here...whether they meet an 'arbitrary qualification' or not.

Some I agree with...some I don't.

It's kind of analogous to the early days of this nation when only white, adult males who owned property...could vote.

It's hard to fathom that anyone in this day and age, would like to regress to a similar exclusivity...for posting on this great site. :ohdear:

With most TOTV posters I encounter, I cannot tell if they are snowbirds, home owners, renters, or even if the actually live in the Villages. Unless I have shared many posts with them or know them in real life. I do know maybe 100 of the posters on here in real life and then there are all those lurkers who never post who I run into asking me if I am Tal. That is often a strange conversation since they do not post. Or only have a small number of posts.

[Bay Kid]

I am a home owner, but I live on the Chesapeake Bay most of the time. I found TV because of Dad bringing Mom every Jan./Feb. to stay around Sumter Landing. They love the friendly people, beauty and safety. I love that plus all the great golf. My neighbors are great. I enjoy TOTV every morning. I prefer the happy post and the knowledge that is shared.

[Villager Joyce]

I would be curious about the criteria for joining other TOTV-type sites. Is anyone familiar with the rules for places like SunCity, Plantation or Kings Ridge? Do they have sites and what are rules for joining?
As an aside, I so totally disagree with the all white male statement. We’ve come a long way baby. Time to let go of all the negativity because negativity does nothing but beget negativity.

[Taltarzac725]

I would be curious about the criteria for joining other TOTV-type sites. Is anyone familiar with the rules for places like SunCity, Plantation or Kings Ridge? Do they have sites and what are rules for joining?
As an aside, I so totally disagree with the all white male statement. We’ve come a long way baby. Time to let go of all the negativity because negativity does nothing but beget negativity.

They probably have Topix sites and I recall that Talk Host -- the man behind Talk of the Villages back around 2005-2010(?) was working on setting up a site like Talk of the Villages for Plant City. I did look at it a few years ago but have not since. Cannot find anything like it online now?

[Taltarzac725]

They probably have Topix sites and I recall that Talk Host -- the man behind Talk of the Villages back around 2005-2010(?) was working on setting up a site like Talk of the Villages for Plant City. I did look at it a few years ago but have not since. Cannot find anything like it online now?

I do remember that Talk Host did not want me on the Plant City web-site they set up. I tried to Register on it back when it started but was not allowed. It did have some interesting information about the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

Sun City seems to have a site like the Villages.com site but I cannot find anything like Talk of the Villages for it.

[Villager Joyce]

I do remember that Talk Host did not want me on the Plant City web-site they set up. I tried to Register on it back when it started but was not allowed. It did have some interesting information about the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

Sun City seems to have a site like the Villages.com site but I cannot find anything like Talk of the Villages for it.

Pooh Pooh to anyone that doesn’t want you on their site!

[Taltarzac725]

Pooh Pooh to anyone that doesn’t want you on their site!

That would have increased their post count by a little. I had not planned to post much of anything on there though. It looks like that site might have folded as I cannot find anything like it now online. Talk Host had moved to Plant City with his wife. He was the person who got me interested in Talk of the Villages after he gave a talk about it at a July 2007 Villages Computer Club meeting. There was a lottery for people who signed up with a trip to somewhere or other. Have never seen the person who won the trip on Talk of the Villages after that if my memory serves me.

I did find the Topix for Plant City but no Forum that looks like Talk of the Villages. Plant City Forum » Topix (http://www.topix.com/forum/city/plant-city-fl)

[Fraugoofy]

There is a difference to me if someone posts an opinion about The Villages, whether they have lived here for say five plus years, or just arrived, or do not live here at all.

There is a difference to me if someone posts an opinion about The Villages who owns property here rather than rents here on occasion.

How do you feel ? Have I just committed a politically incorrect faux pas?

My opinion is not on the worth and integrity of the poster but whether they really "know" about The Villages in the way people do after having lived here year 'round for several years.

I have visited New York many times, but I don't pretend to know it (or love it) the way people do who have called it home for a very long time.I do think it makes a difference. I also think your age makes a difference. If you are 50 when you move to The Villages your experience is quite different than if you are 70 when you first move here. I think your background makes a difference. I think where you were raised and how you view the world makes a difference. I think if you live in The Villages and are still working full time you have a different view. There are many factors that influence how you view TV. I thank you for this post GG.

Sent from my SM-N920R4 using Tapatalk

[MrPelota]

I am brand new to TV and agree with the OP. I am learning DAILY about TV and feel like I can sort through the advice pretty well. I do enjoy the diversity of the posts (don’t care for the ones who put down others) and appreciate the forum. Thanks!

[twoplanekid]

I would encourage everyone, new to TV or old to be a participant on talkofthevillages. I try to stay focused on the ideas or questions presented thus trying to minimize anything that could be construed as a personal attack such as questioning another’s experiences or motives.

[Abby10]

I think the OP makes a good point. I don't think it's a matter of excluding anyone, but a matter of weighing the value of someone's knowledge or opinion on a topic. I have caught myself more than once from responding to a post because I realized my knowledge of the topic is mainly hearsay from a cousin, friend, or neighbor who lives there, not from my own personal experience. I own in TV, but unfortunately do not live there yet. I have visited off and on for about 7 years or so and have done a lot of research on TV, to the point my husband thinks I'm obsessed and I don't deny it. :) Still, I tend to put more weight on the opinion of someone who has actually lived there and experienced it on a regular basis than someone like myself.

Fraugoofy in post #15 also makes some excellent points regarding this. Being willing to look at things from different perspectives gives you a better overall picture.

[charmed59]

In general I think responders self select topics they know something about. When someone is responding to questions on golf carts they usually mention the golf carts they have or had in the past. It doesn’t matter to me if they own their house, or even their golf cart. When they are giving opinions on restaurants they mention whether their own experience. I know some monthly renters may have eaten at some restaurants more than I have, so I give their opinions quite a bit of weight.

Occasionally I’ve seen odd responses, like someone responded to a question about where to find high end liquor by say they don’t drink. But there are many more helpful responses.

[Carl in Tampa]

I personally enjoy reading the opinions of everyone who posts here...whether they meet an 'arbitrary qualification' or not.

Some I agree with...some I don't.

It's kind of analogous to the early days of this nation when only white, adult males who owned property...could vote.

It's hard to fathom that anyone in this day and age, would like to regress to a similar exclusivity...for posting on this great site. :ohdear:

The highlighted statement is nonsense, of course. The OP did not suggest any such thing. Rather it was suggested that in weighing the opinions expressed on TOTV, it is worthwhile to consider how often and/or how long the poster has been involved in life at The Villages.

For me it brings to mind the varying opinions about Mt. McKinley that might be expressed by visitors to Alaska in the Winter as contrasted to visitors in the Summer, and to those who live there year around. And remember that even in the Summer, only about one-third of the visitors to the area are able to see the entire mountain because of the pervasive cloud cover on the mountain.

Many are enchanted by the view of the highest mountain in North America; others are disappointed that they never get to see the peak; and still others are so preoccupied with the frigid outside air that they have little interest in being there at all.

Personally, I love The Villages, with the broad variety of activities for active seniors, the numerous clubs and special interests for more sedentary seniors, the wide array of medical specialists for ailing seniors, and (my favorite) the extensive network of multi-modal trails which can be utilized by golf cart operators.

I don't think anyone can learn about, and come to fully appreciate, this multitude of features in a short time. Accordingly, I tend to give more weight to the opinions of long time residents, than those who have visited only briefly or periodically.

THIS has nothing to do with qualifying to post on TOTV, only on how much weight I give to someone's opinion. I think this was what the OP was saying.

[ColdNoMore]

The highlighted statement is nonsense, of course. The OP did not suggest any such thing. Rather it was suggested that in weighing the opinions expressed on TOTV, it is worthwhile to consider how often and/or how long the poster has been involved in life at The Villages.

For me it brings to mind the varying opinions about Mt. McKinley that might be expressed by visitors to Alaska in the Winter as contrasted to visitors in the Summer, and to those who live there year around. And remember that even in the Summer, only about one-third of the visitors to the area are able to see the entire mountain because of the pervasive cloud cover on the mountain.

Many are enchanted by the view of the highest mountain in North America; others are disappointed that they never get to see the peak; and still others are so preoccupied with the frigid outside air that they have little interest in being there at all.

Personally, I love The Villages, with the broad variety of activities for active seniors, the numerous clubs and special interests for more sedentary seniors, the wide array of medical specialists for ailing seniors, and (my favorite) the extensive network of multi-modal trails which can be utilized by golf cart operators.

I don't think anyone can learn about, and come to fully appreciate, this multitude of features in a short time. Accordingly, I tend to give more weight to the opinions of long time residents, than those who have visited only briefly or periodically.

THIS has nothing to do with qualifying to post on TOTV, only on how much weight I give to someone's opinion. I think this was what the OP was saying.

Molehills to now mountains? :D

As I said, I enjoy reading everyone's opinions...even if they're wrong or I don't agree. :ho:

[thomp679]

What value does this thread contribute to TOTV? IMO - zip. Close and move on.

[Gpsma]

What value does this thread contribute to TOTV? IMO - zip. Close and move on.

This is the best post on this thread

[Trayderjoe]

There is a difference to me if someone posts an opinion about The Villages, whether they have lived here for say five plus years, or just arrived, or do not live here at all.

There is a difference to me if someone posts an opinion about The Villages who owns property here rather than rents here on occasion.

How do you feel ? Have I just committed a politically incorrect faux pas?

My opinion is not on the worth and integrity of the poster but whether they really "know" about The Villages in the way people do after having lived here year 'round for several years.

I have visited New York many times, but I don't pretend to know it (or love it) the way people do who have called it home for a very long time.

No Gracie, you have not committed a faux pas, you are merely providing your perspective on how you view the posts.

Years ago (sigh, make that many years ago....) I had a test in a high school English class, and my teacher posted a question along the lines of, "In your opinion, what is the turning point for the main character is this book"? I provided my opinion, but was marked as having a wrong answer. I asked if I could review it with her at her desk (rather than calling her out in front of the class). I asked her why my answer was wrong, and she told me what she felt was the turning point. I looked at her and said that was her opinion, mine was different, so how could my opinion be wrong? She might not have agreed with me, but that didn't mean I should get a lower grade on the test since she asked for my opinion in her question. She mulled it over for less than 10 seconds and corrected my grade. She never asked for an opinion on a test question the rest of the semester......<g>

I look at the content of the posts and form my opinion/response accordingly. There are posters who may or may not agree with my comments, but I never let it bother me. Where I can learn something, I appreciate it and where I feel that the message is merely diatribe, I ignore it because any time I spent to read such dreck has been permanently lost to me, and I choose to not lose anymore time on those posts. :)

[JoMar]

The fact that we have posters that have no clue goes to the credibility of the site. Those that own it don't have concern and I don't think, an interest in how useful this site is, only that it has advertisers and activity. We who do post on here accept that so it will continue. Personally, I take most of the opinions on here with the perverbial "grain" but do appreciate the informtion that is given by knowledge, not opinion and can be verified.

[ColdNoMore]

What value does this thread contribute to TOTV? IMO - zip. Close and move on.

I'll have to respectfully disagree.

I think it is kind of interesting to see the varying responses and the not-so-subtle implication, that some type of superiority is derived from seniority...based primarily on the time someone has lived here.

Given that the site has everything from people who have been here for quite a while, to those who have only rented, to those who have never lived here but want to...it makes for a nice cross-section.

Quite frankly, I had a pretty good idea of what TV was about within the first month, of the first time I rented back in 2009...and that opinion hasn't changed much in the over 5 years I've owned.

I just wish I hadn't waited so long to join the fun here on TOTV. :1rotfl:

Given that we are all simply offering our 'opinion,' who is to say that someone who has lived here for 10 years should be given more weight than someone who rented and then bought...say within even the last 6 months? :shrug:

I'm sure that there are people who have lived here 5 years, that have done less and taken in less of the 'experience'...than someone only renting during peak season.

Maybe we need a stat near our user name (verified by a notary and three witnesses of course ;)) of the total time spent in TV...so certain people can put the 'short-timers' on ignore? :D

[graciegirl]

I'll have to respectfully disagree.

I think it is kind of interesting to see the varying responses and the not-so-subtle implication, that some type of superiority is derived from seniority...based primarily on the time someone has lived here.

Given that the site has everything from people who have been here for quite a while, to those who have only rented, to those who have never lived here but want to...it makes for a nice cross-section.

Quite frankly, I had a pretty good idea of what TV was about within the first month, of the first time I rented back in 2009...and that opinion hasn't changed much in the over 5 years I've owned.

I just wish I hadn't waited so long to join the fun here on TOTV. :1rotfl:

Given that we are all simply offering our 'opinion,' who is to say that someone who has lived here for 10 years should be given more weight than someone who rented and then bought...say within even the last 6 months? :shrug:

I'm sure that there are people who have lived here 5 years, that have done less and taken in less of the 'experience'...than someone only renting during peak season.

Maybe we need a stat near our user name (verified by a notary and three witnesses of course ;)) of the total time spent in TV...so certain people can put the 'short-timers' on ignore? :D

I so agree with your post and absolutely liked everything until the last line. AND the first line. But in between, it warmed my heart.

[Nucky]

OH BOY. We have a Christmas miracle. It's like two middle eastern countries just made peace. But I'm not standing in the DMZ.

[ColdNoMore]

I so agree with your post and absolutely liked everything until the last line. AND the first line. But in between, it warmed my heart.



I'll have to respectfully disagree.


Hmmmm........ :shrug:

[Barefoot]

My opinion is not on the worth and integrity of the poster but whether they really "know" about The Villages in the way people do after having lived here year 'round for several years.
It's quite possible that people who live in The Villages year 'round have a different perspective
than migratory humanoids who are seasonal residents.
I've lived in The Villages for 60 months but only winter months.
I bet that living in TV during the summers offers a completely different perspective.
An interesting thread!

[rubicon]

The thread's topic is: Full time Villagers. Part time Villagers. Non property owner posts and appears to make the non-sequitur claim that the validity of opinion about TV is tied to the status of the poster.

I made two visits to TV before buying a home. What I viewed as good and the bad of TV both times remain the same after living here for over 11 years.

What you will find on these pages is an ubiquitous refrain, and that is if you disagree with me then you are wrong.

Again a non-sequitur claim but a realistic one especially when it comes to the topic of The Villages and those who built it.

We all have our reasons for being here. Mine were simple. first, relative to other areas in Florida deed compliance offered the best hope that the area would remain relatively clean. Secondly Florida's tax situation Third no snow. My preference had been the colonial look of Charleston area but I did not like the tax situation

[Madelaine Amee]

In my opinion this is a polarizing thread.

Do we really need more polarization in this country? We all have our own opinions and most of the time it is wise to keep them to ourselves, but a chat site such as this gives people the chance to "let it all hang out" and it becomes noticeable that there are major personality differences between posters.

As for me, what do I think .............. well, I mind my own business and just enjoy my life and let those that want to argue get on with it!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I do agree with you Gracie sometimes when I read a post it’s hard to understand if they live here full-time, part-time have just visited or Long term renters. One of us is here full-time. I am still part time. We first started coming to TV in 2007 but did not purchased our first home until 2010. So we are Relatively new only almost 8 year owners.

I think however there is a difference between those who come here and rent year after year ( our friends have come to the same house for over seven years) Staying 3 to 7 months at a time.They have stayed here enough to know the village as well.

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish those who have just flown in spent a week or so and and then have negative comments to make about where we live. So that’s my opinion if this is political will get dumped out in this forum in a minute.

Seems like common sense to me. Did this really have to be stated?

It doesn't mean that some people should not post here or that some people are right and some people are wrong. It just means that we evaluate what is being said based on the experience of the person talking.

Don't we do this every day with everyone we communicate with? if you're talking to a WWII veteran about something and a 15-year-old high school student about the same thing, would you expect the same ideas to come from both of them? If you're talking to someone who has lived in this country all their lives and then to an immigrant who has been here for a few weeks, would you hear the same thing from both of them?

[graciegirl]

In my opinion this is a polarizing thread.

Do we really need more polarization in this country? We all have our own opinions and most of the time it is wise to keep them to ourselves, but a chat site such as this gives people the chance to "let it all hang out" and it becomes noticeable that there are major personality differences between posters.

As for me, what do I think .............. well, I mind my own business and just enjoy my life and let those that want to argue get on with it!

I know that my confidence in this place and how it is run is annoying to some. A few have become VERY angry with me about it and have made their views very clear on this Forum.

I don't think that Villages property owners are superior in their views or smarter or more trustworthy but they do have a different perspective than others.

I started this thread because I reacted emotionally to someone who inquired about deaf signers.

I think deaf interpreters are great. I think doing anything to make life easier for anyone who has handicaps is praiseworthy.

HOWEVER, for the first time in my life I saw evidence that some of the laws and programs in place to help and protect people with disabilities can be misused.

Their is an old descriptor; carpetbaggers.It was used to describe people who came to the South to take advantage of the people there after the Civil War.. It may not fit in this case and I may be totally wrong.

I wouldn't log in to a Brooklyn site and tell them how to run their trains. Or join an online group in Minnesota and try to start an anti-mosquito campaign.

I have made myself as clear as the moderators on this site will allow. I hope that those who know me can see my motives.

[Madelaine Amee]

I know that my confidence in this place and how it is run is annoying to some. A few have become VERY angry with me about it and have made their views very clear on this Forum.

I don't think that Villages property owners are superior in their views or smarter or more trustworthy but they do have a different perspective than others.

I started this thread because I reacted emotionally to someone who inquired about deaf signers.

I think deaf interpreters are great. I think doing anything to make life easier for anyone who has handicaps is praiseworthy.

HOWEVER, for the first time in my life I saw evidence that some of the laws and programs in place to help and protect people with disabilities can be misused.

Their is an old descriptor; carpetbaggers.It was used to describe people who came to the South to take advantage of the people there after the Civil War.. It may not fit in this case and I may be totally wrong.

I wouldn't log in to a Brooklyn site and tell them how to run their trains. Or join an online group in Minnesota and try to start an anti-mosquito campaign.

I have made myself as clear as the moderators on this site will allow. I hope that those who know me can see my motives.

What has being hearing impaired got to do with how long people have lived here or whether they are renters or seasonal residents?

[Taltarzac725]

It's quite possible that people who live in The Villages year 'round have a different perspective
than migratory humanoids who are seasonal residents.
I've lived in The Villages for 60 months but only winter months.
I bet that living in TV during the summers offers a completely different perspective.
An interesting thread!

You probably use a lot less sun tan and trips to the doctor to check for skin cancer problems than those of us who summer here in Central Florida. I have been in Central Florida since 1996.

I do not think we need any kind of indications of how long or what kind of connection a poster has to the Villages. That should be up to the poster about what kind of information she or he wants to give out on a site like this. The majority of TOTVers never even post. They just read for useful information or for a laugh on some threads or a sigh on others and a curse on yet more.

[PennBF]

Sometimes I disagree with Gracie but this time I do agree with her observation. It is important to know if the opinion is based on a solid history or just a quick view of the Villages. Of course my main problem are those "Snow Birds" or renters who don't respect our rules and laws. They race on the roads like they are outrunning the police, push ahead in lines, have little ideas of what the circles mean for traffic, etc. and you can add the rest. It is sad they are not enjoying the wonderful Villages and our life style. We have been here year around 10+years and with the increase in population you can see the added violations and disrespect of the Village residents and life style. There are a number of visitors or renters who do respect the Villages and we have to be careful not to paint all with the same brush.:bowdown:

[twoplanekid]

I keep telling my brother who owns a house up the street that I know more than he does. I know more about TV because I have owned my house four months longer and am now living full time in TV. He’s still a snowbird! This argument sometimes doesn’t help my case. :)

[Wiotte]

I keep telling my brother who owns a house up the street that I know more than he does. I know more about TV because I have owned my house four months longer and am now living full time in TV. He’s still a snowbird! This argument sometimes doesn’t help my case. :)



You do see TV from a higher perspective.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Villager Joyce]

To me it is not how long one has lived/ owned / rented. It is how vested are they in TV. This is my home, my only home. I welcome the seasonal folks, whether they rent or own, because we need them to keep the restaurants and businesses we have and want to get. I’ve never asked anyone if they own or rent. I do have a problem with people who just want to criticize TV and everything about it whether they have ever even been on property or not. I have a problem with trouble makers. I have a problem with me sometimes because I allow myself to be sucked into a conversation that has no right or wrong — just hard headed, hot headed folks.

[dewilson58]

It does make a difference.

Look at the posters on this thread...........Most are kind, respectful and have opinions. A couple troll posters. Kind of sums up ToTV.

:posting:

[Abby10]

No Gracie, you have not committed a faux pas, you are merely providing your perspective on how you view the posts.

Years ago (sigh, make that many years ago....) I had a test in a high school English class, and my teacher posted a question along the lines of, "In your opinion, what is the turning point for the main character is this book"? I provided my opinion, but was marked as having a wrong answer. I asked if I could review it with her at her desk (rather than calling her out in front of the class). I asked her why my answer was wrong, and she told me what she felt was the turning point. I looked at her and said that was her opinion, mine was different, so how could my opinion be wrong? She might not have agreed with me, but that didn't mean I should get a lower grade on the test since she asked for my opinion in her question. She mulled it over for less than 10 seconds and corrected my grade. She never asked for an opinion on a test question the rest of the semester......<g>

I look at the content of the posts and form my opinion/response accordingly. There are posters who may or may not agree with my comments, but I never let it bother me. Where I can learn something, I appreciate it and where I feel that the message is merely diatribe, I ignore it because any time I spent to read such dreck has been permanently lost to me, and I choose to not lose anymore time on those posts. :)

I loved your story - thanks for sharing it! :mademyday:

[rustyp]

New rules to post 1. You must live here 2.You must live here 365 days per year 3. No negative comments only praise 4.You must declare TV as the best place in the universe to live 5. The "family" can do no wrong. Really ? Wait a minute those are the rules now.

[Carl in Tampa]

I keep telling my brother who owns a house up the street that I know more than he does. I know more about TV because I have owned my house four months longer and am now living full time in TV. He’s still a snowbird! This argument sometimes doesn’t help my case. :)

You do see TV from a higher perspective.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Now THAT'S a good one. Very punny.

:clap2: