I'm sold, but are unpopular political leanings a deal breaker?

[flyguy909]

First, hope this is an appropriate post here. To cut to the chase, my wife and I are starting the process of where to retire to from Connecticut. I've run into a few people who gave me the lowdown on TV and frankly it sounds really enticing. I'm going to schedule a LV this week.

I lean conservative but my wife is definitely a liberal Democrat. She's not publically over the top or anything - we have conservative friends, but I am concerned about what I've read about some of what has gone on in the past. I've heard about people being harassed, golf carts with Democratic stickers vandalized, and Fox news being piped over the PA in public areas exclusively. Is this true?

I don't think she would mind the radio station and the paper leaning right, after all anywhere in the south would kind of be the same. And we're not the kind of people that have to publically express our political views - lawn signs, etc. But if it was constantly in your face to the extreme everywhere you turned, then I think she would not be comfortable.

I might be blowing this out of proportion, but thought I'd better ask before we came down for the LV.

[Rango]

Why not rent here for a few months and find out for yourself??

[Taltarzac725]

Our neighborhood is very mixed with Rs, Ds and/or Is sometimes sharing the same house as with your case. Just restrain yourself when talking about certain topics until you get to know your neighbors better.

[JerryLBell]

If you go by the newspaper, the special guests at the bookstore and who gets to rent office space for elections, you would think The Villages are overwhelmingly Republican. But that's heavily influenced by the leanings of the Morse family, who own The Villages. If you go by voter registration, residents of The Villages are evenly split between Republican, Democratic and Independent.

In our neighborhood, we have a social club that does monthly dinners and other gatherings. There are conservatives, liberals and those who really don't care to follow politics at all in it. We all get along and enjoy each other but mostly stay away from talking about politics. We're all much more into simply having wonderful and active and friend-filled retirements.

Political leanings are really emotionally based, so there is no point in arguing about which is correct and which is wrong. If you do so, all you do is frustrate yourself and anger your opponent. As Robert Heinlein once said, "Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time, and it annoys the pig."

[Bogie Shooter]

This was not on my list of things to worry about before I bought.
BTW where in this country will you get away from the political crazies?

[Polar Bear]

Politics is totally avoidable to any level you wish. In my opinion and based on my experience, definitely not an issue in deciding whether or not to move here.

[Susanlynde]

There is a very active Democratic Club and Women's Democratic Club. I am sure your wife will find like- minded people here.

[pbkmaine]

I am a moderate, leaning left on social issues. I am married to someone more conservative. We are both very happy here.

One of the things I like about The Villages is the exposure to different political views. It helps me understand our country better.

[Bill32]

Talk to your wife...............................;)

[tomwed]

I don't think she would mind the radio station and the paper leaning right, after all anywhere in the south would kind of be the same.


I don't think so but this is the only place I have lived in the south.

Years ago---3? 4? I did the math.

The phone book is sorted in different ways, one being by state. I found out 40% of the residents were from the north east states. This does not include the people who moved from the north east states and retired outside of the villages the first time, to a southern state, including Florida. Then they landed here. So they spent most of their working life in a north east state. My brother in law says he's from north carolina even though he lived in NJ until he was 64.

[tagjr1]

Where in Connecticut are You from? I left that "tax you to death" state 14 years ago, and have not regretted it once! Have You checked out Sun City Hilton Head in SC? It's "kind of like" TV, but on a much smaller scale. Most homes have privacy in the back and it truly is a gated community.

[Chatbrat]

When I worked for NYC I was a Democrat, when I went into my own business I became a conservative Republican- and most important for your wife, Fl is a right to carry state--lots of gun owners here and one of the biggest if not the biggest club in TV is the Straight Shooters Club==anti gun sentiment can be very frustrating here--compared to NJ, we're living for free

[tophcfa]

We come from the Northampton/Amherst Massachusetts area which is about the most left, Elizabeth Warren worshiping, area in the country. We are both moderate independents who tend to be fiscally conservative but more socially progressive. Relative to where we are from, the Villages is a breath of fresh air. Yes the Villages tends to lean right, but much more reasonably balanced then what we are used to. We find the conservative people in the Villages to be way more civil than the liberals up north.

[rustyp]

You better rent here so she can evaluate her tolerance level. She may be able to control herself but will not be able to avoid hearing politics inside the bubble. Every public space you will overhear what your fear is in your original post. You will be shunned for not standing hand over heart for God Bless The USA guaranteed.

[eweissenbach]

It occurs to me that your wife has more-or-less happily coexisted with a husband whose political views differ from hers. Therefore it also occurs to me that she could logically more-or-less happily coexist with a few thousand strangers whose political views differ from hers, and whose views more than likely will never be openly expressed. I largely share her political views and in nine years of being in TV seasonally, have never been in what I would consider an uncomfortable political position. I have dozens of friends with whom I disagree politically, but have warm regards for and positive relationships with. I find the vast majority of people I have encountered here to be warm, friendly, happy, and well adjusted, regardless of political views.

[flyguy909]

Wow.. thanks for the quick replies!
Sounds like it might be a non issue for us. She is definitely an intellectual liberal and not an emotional one - certainly loves a spirited debate. Even up here you learn real quick who you can talk politics with and those you steer clear.
And the gun right to carry in Florida will not be a problem as I have a CCP up here in CT.

Thanks again everybody.

[l2ridehd]

What is really sad is that most of you say avoid talking politics. This country has become so political divided that people actually hate each other from "the other" party. What has caused such a divide?

I remember growing up, we would discuss the candidates and people voted for who they thought was the best candidate regardless of party. Now folks would rather cut off there arm then vote for someone not in their party. I have never seen such a divided nation as we have today. It is so very sad that we are so stupid that most believe that the worst crook in their party is better then the best person in the other party.

That will destroy us faster then any outside force. We will destroy ourselves because we are so politically biased and divided.

[Polar Bear]

You better rent here so she can evaluate her tolerance level. She may be able to control herself but will not be able to avoid hearing politics inside the bubble...
Not our experience at all.

[eweissenbach]

What is really sad is that most of you say avoid talking politics. This country has become so political divided that people actually hate each other from "the other" party. What has caused such a divide?

I remember growing up, we would discuss the candidates and people voted for who they thought was the best candidate regardless of party. Now folks would rather cut off there arm then vote for someone not in their party. I have never seen such a divided nation as we have today. It is so very sad that we are so stupid that most believe that the worst crook in their party is better then the best person in the other party.

That will destroy us faster then any outside force. We will destroy ourselves because we are so politically biased and divided.

This post deserves to be repeated! :agree:

[manaboutown]

On my three stays, from talking to everyone I could (not about politics), I felt The Villages comprised mostly a Middle America - Northeast mix with some Floridians from other parts of the state thrown in. It seems to me the vast majority move to TV for two reasons: 1) to escape harsh winters and 2) to seek refuge from significant state income taxes and high property taxes.

I found nearly everyone very friendly in TV. What I finally realized but had not considered ahead of time is that because literally all Villagers are from somewhere else they are openly friendly and desirous of making new friends, unlike some communities in which I have resided.

As an aside, a few years ago on a cruise I met a woman having a very strong Northeastern accent. I asked her where she was from and when she told me "San Diego" I burst out laughing. I could not help myself.

[Boomer]

First, hope this is an appropriate post here. To cut to the chase, my wife and I are starting the process of where to retire to from Connecticut. I've run into a few people who gave me the lowdown on TV and frankly it sounds really enticing. I'm going to schedule a LV this week.

I lean conservative but my wife is definitely a liberal Democrat. She's not publically over the top or anything - we have conservative friends, but I am concerned about what I've read about some of what has gone on in the past. I've heard about people being harassed, golf carts with Democratic stickers vandalized, and Fox news being piped over the PA in public areas exclusively. Is this true?

I don't think she would mind the radio station and the paper leaning right, after all anywhere in the south would kind of be the same. And we're not the kind of people that have to publically express our political views - lawn signs, etc. But if it was constantly in your face to the extreme everywhere you turned, then I think she would not be comfortable.

I might be blowing this out of proportion, but thought I'd better ask before we came down for the LV.


There is a club called “Liberal Ladies.” When the club first began, it was so crowded that a lot of interested women could not get in the door — literally — that room filled up fast.

The Lifelong Learning College once offered courses on subjects that, by the very nature of the topic, attracted people with common interests — of all kinds. BUT the Lifelong Learning College was shut down.

The courses that were there in “Women’s Studies” were outstanding, centering around women’s roles throughout history. I think some of the classes have tried to regroup but I do not know how that is going now. (sigh)

TV is an enormous place and, of course, you will find those who want to run their mouths, regurgitating the “news” of the day while assuming you are one of ‘em. But those over-the-top people are everywhere now.

I am the only person in the world not on Facebook because there are things I choose not to know. That is the philosophy I make work for me as I meet new people. Those your wife chooses not to know better will reveal themselves pretty quickly.

In real life, I have friends who are not as moderately left as I am, but we get along fine because we either have a tacit agreement not to talk about politics or we can have friendly discussions, exchanging ideas. — And then there are my “preaching to the choir” friends. :)

Perhaps someone on this board will contact you — possibly via PM — with an update on how the “Liberal Ladies” club is doing. (I have a feeling they are doing quite well.)

PS: The best advice in this thread is to rent for a while to get a better feel for the place — but that applies to everything about TV. It is possible you will find more “in-your-face” politics here, but depending on your overall impression of TV, the pros and the cons — like most other big decisions — she can decide how to make it work — or not. Take your time. There is no urgency. There will always be another house available in TV.

[billethkid]

Politics, especially on TOTV, is a very over blown subject.

Like every where else in the world politics is a non entity in the normal person's every day life.

Like religion or color of the rainbow or type of car or where to ear breakfast or music one likes or where or when to play golf......and so on....politics not required....rarely/if ever comes up.....

Only on the television, the media, and forums like this where the isolated make things sound like general conditions.

I suspect over 95-99% who chose to live here did so without even asking about the politics......

WHO CARES??????

[rustyp]

Politics is totally avoidable to any level you wish. In my opinion and based on my experience, definitely not an issue in deciding whether or not to move here.

Totally opposite of our experience here. You can come to an understanding with your friends but you can not help but over hear the table next to you at the country clubs. Especially prevalent at happy hour with a bunch of golfers trying to talk over each other. Hard to tune out with the volume being amplified by booze and half of them have a substantial lose of hearing.

[VillageIdiots]

Why not rent here for a few months and find out for yourself??

Ditto this response! I've never hard Fox News being piped anywhere. If it were, it would still pale in comparison to CNN being piped to virtually every airport TV in the country. I'm a believer in tuning out or turning off if you don't like the "noise" as opposed to whining and complaining to try and force everyone to be fed what best lines up with your own leanings.

In any case, any sort of political posts are frowned upon here, so I'll leave it at that.

Chances are, if you are a left/right couple and you get along with each other and each other's friends, you'll be just fine here too. Politics or not, do your own due diligence and spend some time here, in a rental, or the Lifestyle plan, and decide for yourself. Most of us think it's a wonderful place, but as the case with almost anywhere, it's not for everyone.

[pmbinnj]

Wow.. thanks for the quick replies!
Sounds like it might be a non issue for us. She is definitely an intellectual liberal and not an emotional one - certainly loves a spirited debate. Even up here you learn real quick who you can talk politics with and those you steer clear.
And the gun right to carry in Florida will not be a problem as I have a CCP up here in CT.

Thanks again everybody.

There is always room for another intellectual who enjoys spirited debates. Tell her to come on down!

[tomwed]

What have you decided to do?

[skyking]

I have no idea about the political leanings of my neighbors. If your wife doesn't care they won't care.

[thetruth]

WOW-perhaps because I have far more time after retiring from my own business.
People here are brighter, more educated and more prosperous than AVERAGE. I find it scary the way some of these brighter,more educated and more prosperous people think.
OUR COUNTRY whether you are liberal or conservative is being torn apart by this CRAP.

A FAMOUS QUOTE FROM CONDI RICE-IF ALL YOUR FRIENDS AGREE WITH YOU-YOU NEED SOME NEW FRIENDS.

TRUTH-no one is as far RIGHT as you THINK? the Republicans are and no one is as far LEFT as the Republicans think the Democrats are.

How many can HONESTLY CLAIM when they vote they vote for what AFTER LEARNING who stands for what, and you vote based on what is good for OUR COUNTRY and not what you think is good for a political party.

[graciegirl]

WOW-perhaps because I have far more time after retiring from my own business.
People here are brighter, more educated and more prosperous than AVERAGE. I find it scary the way some of these brighter,more educated and more prosperous people think.
OUR COUNTRY whether you are liberal or conservative is being torn apart by this CRAP.

A FAMOUS QUOTE FROM CONDI RICE-IF ALL YOUR FRIENDS AGREE WITH YOU-YOU NEED SOME NEW FRIENDS.

TRUTH-no one is as far RIGHT as you THINK? the Republicans are and no one is as far LEFT as the Republicans think the Democrats are.

How many can HONESTLY CLAIM when they vote they vote for what AFTER LEARNING who stands for what, and you vote based on what is good for OUR COUNTRY and not what you think is good for a political party.

I am sorry but I don't understand your post.

[rivaridger1]

Frankly, this is a wonderful place to live. Friends can be found everywhere and the amenities a have few equals anywhere. There are lots of churches and flagpoles. The place teems with veterans. Unless your political leanings are such as to disrespect the flag, country or God, you will be welcome here. The Villages population is composed of people from all over the country, most of them seniors with firm views of just about everything. Some are old and cranky, but most welcome and embrace new folks and do not try to force their opinions on anyone. If you do not have a problem living the rest of you life with 100,000 old people there is not a better place to move in the good old USA.

[Nucky]

:cryin2:When we were investigating The Villages and the Historic Weather Patterns and The Cost of Living and the different style houses available without searching for it the political breakdown percentage wise was there to read. I thought to myself wow that sure is lopsided but it is what it is. I never spoke of politics outside of our home in my life but did in the pool one day. That crack in the informational wall changed everything. That was almost two years ago and I still find myself defending myself from time to time for my beliefs. It's funny that there are 10 couples in the gang we hang out with and only one other is like-minded with us. We are in The Villages Majority and this whole thing turned out backwards. I wish I had held back that one conversation, its nobody's business who I support but its also not my business what others think about me or my opinion. I try to sidestep the constant tears and complaining. It is like all they have to bitch about. Great people but I feel sorry for them but sorrier for me. :cryin2:

Disregard the brokers political teaching, its all about the Real Estate. They are working for you so tell them to zip the lip. Ours was a Political Nut Case.

[rustyp]

If you believe in the stereotyping of voters based upon demographics here is the usual key categories and the makeup of The Villages:

97% population white
< 41% obtained bachelor degrees or higher
78% 65+ years of age
$57191 median household income

[Brenda.ball]

Politics was not even considered in our decision to move to TV.

[Nucky]

Politics was not even considered in our decision to move to TV.

Exactly who cares? :pepper2:

[Carl in Tampa]

The Villages began historically as a relocation destination for Yankees. It still is.

A significant number of those Yankees are Democrats. Statistically, your wife will find many people of like mind.

I consider it a non-issue.

-----------

Having said that, you will find that when Conservative candidates come to speak in the town square, the crowd is overwhelming. When Conservative writers come for book signings, the store is full.

We don't see an awful lot of Liberal candidates or authors.

[redwitch]

I am a liberal and downright proud of it. I love to discuss political issues so long as it is an honest discussion and not just an excuse to belittle the other side. I’ve found a few liberals here and thoroughly enjoy their viewpoints. I’ve found more conservatives here and thoroughly enjoy their viewpoints. I’ve also found some on both sides of the aisle here who I will happily cross the street to avoid. Not all political discussions have been pleasant and one got downright nasty, but, in the main, most were good discussions.

So, it is up to your wife whether she wants to get into the frey or steer clear when politics are discussed. There are times when you can’t avoid hearing a conversation about the Donald. Fox News is on a few restaurant televisions (more are The Golf Channel, though). Haven’t seen MSNBC anywhere but at home. Trump stickers still abound. The politicians you’ll see campaigning in TV itself will be Republicans (you have to go off campus for Democratic rallies although some Dem candidates will speak at the Democratic Club).

If politics are important to your wife (they are to me), some of the comments she will hear will be hard to ignore, let alone tolerate. But, it is still a great place to land. Even the most conservative neighbor will jump to help when needed. There a lot of laughs, good times and good friends that come from living here. Come on down and test the waters (a short visit really isn’t enough to give you a true flavor).