Uncertain about the Future

[TOMCAT]

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Bought in '08--best thing we have done in retirement. Drink the Kool-Aid

[My Post]

A lot would depend on the reason(s) why you are uncertain.

[graciegirl]

A lot would depend on the reason(s) why you are uncertain.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/cold-new-york-251612/#post1497865

Most people have misgivings about making a major move across the country. It really is pioneering in a REAL sense. Do you have trouble with major change or find yourself worrying about things? Do you find that the glass is half full or half empty? Most people do worry about moving so far from the familiar.

I thought that the commonality of our age would be more important than other differences but that did not turn out to be true. I have learned a lot about cultural geographic characteristics and customs. We haven't had the same backgrounds and there is an immense difference in how we deal with each other. I found that took some getting used to.

It is a friendly place, but the truth is it takes years to make the kind of friends we left behind. We have a lot of pleasant people to do things with but only a few we feel would be there in a dire situation.

I would do it again, and I think this is a wonderful place to live, but sometimes I long for the old, long time friends left in Ohio who didn't honk at stop lights.

[TOMCAT]

This reminds me of a time long time ago whether I should take the new job I was offered or stay at my present job at the time. I was apprehensive and wrote the pros and cons of each job. I decided to move on to new job. Made a wise decision as I got a bigger pension with the path I went and plus the old place went out of business in 10 years. This fits into this decision.

[Abby10]

A lot would depend on the reason(s) why you are uncertain.

I agree. OP, if you could provide more information as to what your concerns are, maybe others could address it more directly.

Is it fear of change? Lack of knowledge about TV? Have you visited often enough and/or long enough to get an idea of what it might be like to live there?

We have gradually increased our visits from a few days to a month at a time over the years. Hopefully our next stay will be for 3 months. The only thing I can tell you is I have never been happy to come back home after time spent in TV. I come home to almost immediately start planning my next trip back down. That's how I know I belong there, not here. Hope this helps.

[manaboutown]

From what I have seen and experienced those who transition well from their hometowns to 55 and over communities tend to be relatively healthy, outgoing, somewhat adventuresome, make new friends readily and enjoy changes of scene and new experiences.

Possibly some of the happiest in TV are those who have family members and/or long time friends living nearby.

I have found one can make new friends but one cannot make new old friends.

[Abby10]

From what I have seen and experienced those who transition well from their hometowns to 55 and over communities tend to be relatively healthy, outgoing, somewhat adventuresome, make new friends readily and enjoy changes of scene and new experiences.

Possibly some of the happiest in TV are those who have family members and/or long time friends living nearby.

I have found one can make new friends but one cannot make new old friends.

Some great wisdom in your post.

[Dan9871]

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.

We came to The Villages, from MA, for a long weekend in 2014, knowing almost nothing about it. We did know a couple who lived here though and they took us around took us around and showed a lot about the Villages. That weekend we bought a house and moved in one month later.

Our street was a new one and we got involved with lots of good neighbors, learned to golf, did some home upgrades, and in general had a good time.

In then end I think it is very hard understand the Villages without diving in and living here.

I think we were a bit lucky but it was the best move we ever made.

Of course your milage may vary.

[Marathon Man]

I would never pretend to be wise enough to advise someone on such an important and personal decision. But I will say this - It is a not a life time commitment. Remember that you will never be 'stuck' here if you change your mind.

[tomwed]

I would never pretend to be wise enough to advise someone on such an important and personal decision. But I will say this - It is a not a life time commitment. Remember that you will never be 'stuck' here if you change your mind.
that's what i was thinking

[Abby10]

I would never pretend to be wise enough to advise someone on such an important and personal decision. But I will say this - It is a not a life time commitment. Remember that you will never be 'stuck' here if you change your mind.

So true, especially in TV versus many other communities where houses don't sell as quickly.

I also would add to this that the OP may want to buy in small. You can always move into a bigger home if you stay and decide what you purchased is not big enough. No matter what, the investment is not as great and resale may not be as difficult. The patio villas in particular seem to sell rather quickly.

Or as many have suggested before, you can always rent for a year and test the waters before investing.

[sdedes]

My husband and I just bought a home in TV and will be moving the end of this year from Massachusetts. We are excited but nervous at the same time. The thought of leaving our family and friends is a bit daunting. I'm sure once we get settled in we will be fine. St least we won't have to deal with the New England winter!

[JoMar]

We moved in 14 from PA....made lot of new friends here and our old friends stay in touch and visit. This place is not for everyone, have had some in our neighborhood move back, primarily because of family. Based on what the real estate market has been here, wife and I agreed that the worst think that would happen if this didn't work out, we would sell here and move back. When we sold up north we maximized revenue in that market and feel we can do the same here. In our view, the financial risk is low, the emotional risk might be higher.

[John_W]

Over the past few years, from what I remember of posters who decided to return north it seems the #1 reason is grandchildren, and the #2 reason was death of a spouse. Beyond that, every other reason that's been given is usually unique to the situation. It's usually not anything like, we couldn't make friends, didn't like the weather, maybe for some it's too hot, nothing to do there with all the free time, these things just don't normally come up.

[fw102807]

I think you either want to do it or you don't. If you start disecting everything that could go wrong you are just you are just going to make yourself crazy. There is nothing in life that is not a risk and tomorrow is never guaranteed.

[jojo]

I did not experience second thoughts when we were planning our move. TOTV played a big role in my comfort level in moving here. How could so many happy, intelligent folks love this place? We have been here 10 years and I wish we had moved here earlier.

[EdFNJ]

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.




That's like asking "who has the best hamburger" it's different for everyone ... but for us it was a life changing positive experience (yes, there are things we dislike and miss from our "previous life) and couldn't be happier. We came down "cold" for a month in Sept 2016, went home 9/30, hired and agent 10/2, put our house for sale on Oct 31, sold it Nov 2, closed Jan 5th 2017 and headed south on the same day "homeless and with nothing but clothes and personal stuff." :) Found a cheap rental here for 2 months, bought within 2 weeks of arriving and moved in Feb 1 2017.

[Carl in Tampa]

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.

Are you uneasy about moving to The Villages, or simply uneasy about moving at all?

Is there some other retirement community that you would be more comfortable about moving to, or are you simply apprehensive about the unknown elements of moving to any new place?

During my working career I was transferred four times, and taking transfers was considered a necessary element of job advancement, so coming to The Villages was no big deal for me, particularly since I grew up in Florida and was comfortable about the weather, the geography, the wild life, and other things that seem to concern some people coming here.

I frankly cannot conceive of a retirement community with more activities for "active seniors" and opportunities to make new friends.

I tested the waters before jumping in by an initial one week rental. Then a one month rental. By then I grew to love the place. You might want to consider a long term rental to see how well you feel you fit in.

In any case ---- Enjoy!

[asianthree]

We don’t think as any house as a forever home. We had built three houses, before we bought in TV. We came the first time in 07, and didn’t buy until 2010.

We are on our third house here, and still have our house up north. We enjoy the summers and lakes you can swim in, so at least for a few more years multiple houses are not a problem for us.

Our grands are almost all in college, and our kids all live in different states. Even if something should happen to one of us, I would keep both houses. We have many friends here who have the same situation of a home here and a summer home.

[TOMCAT]

Bought in '08--best thing we have done in retirement. Drink the Kool-Aid

👍 Sounds great!

[TOMCAT]

Thanks for the replies. I guess it is the nervousness of moving to another state. We have been to the Villages numerous times. Love to get away from NY winters. I worry about my husband having a heart attack outside with snow shoveling, our neighbors help us with their snowblowers. Now we are the old neighbors. When we moved here, we were the young neighbors that used to help.

[New Englander]

Thanks for the replies. I guess it is the nervousness of moving to another state. We have been to the Villages numerous times. Love to get away from NY winters. I worry about my husband having a heart attack outside with snow shoveling, our neighbors help us with their snowblowers. Now we are the old neighbors. When we moved here, we were the young neighbors that used to help.

I moved to TV from MA to escape the winter up there. The only thing I'm sorry about is I wish I'd done it sooner.

[TimeForChange]

If you plan to be full time then make sure of two things. First if you have grandchildren in another State be sure you and the spouse are ok with visiting them as often as you decide is necessary and that you will have no problem in being far away. Next, be sure you are ok with long, humid, hot summers and that the heat does not bother you so much you become unhappy. Those are probably the two most popular reasons I have found for people moving here and leaving. I just told my wife that she could visit the grandchildren any time she wanted. Since we are both Southern born we are use to the summers. Otherwise come on down and they will for sure sell you a home.

[graciegirl]

O.P. I know of one of our frequent posters, who the last time he visited stayed for three months, but he always had something holding him back from moving here. The last thing was his mothers home had to be sold, and he was reluctant to take less, spruce it up, etc.

The heartbreaking reality is that a deadly illness interrupted his longing to be here.

If not now, when? Sometimes I really miss the rest of our wonderful family and wish we were closer but they have scattered to the four winds persuing their active and successful lives. Oldest daughter leaves for London for three years on this coming Sunday.

Sometimes we have to do what we haven't done all of our lives; throw caution to the wind and jump in with both feet.

The water is fine. You will love it.

[TOMCAT]

If you plan to be full time then make sure of two things. First if you have grandchildren in another State be sure you and the spouse are ok with visiting them as often as you decide is necessary and that you will have no problem in being far away. Next, be sure you are ok with long, humid, hot summers and that the heat does not bother you so much you become unhappy. Those are probably the two most popular reasons I have found for people moving here and leaving. I just told my wife that she could visit the grandchildren any time she wanted. Since we are both Southern born we are use to the summers. Otherwise come on down and they will for sure sell you a home.

Yes those are two great reasons. Grandchildren can visit. I do not mind long, hot summers. Actually we have them here in NY also, maybe a little bit more humid in Florida but there is no snow there.

[TOMCAT]

O.P. I know of one of our frequent posters, who the last time he visited stayed for three months, but he always had something holding him back from moving here. The last thing was his mothers home had to be sold, and he was reluctant to take less, spruce it up, etc.

The heartbreaking reality is that a deadly illness interrupted his longing to be here.

If not now, when? Sometimes I really miss the rest of our wonderful family and wish we were closer but they have scattered to the four winds persuing their active and successful lives. Oldest daughter leaves for London for three years on this coming Sunday.

Sometimes we have to do what we haven't done all of our lives; throw caution to the wind and jump in with both feet.

The water is fine. You will love it.

Yes so true. You said it best! I have a friend who sold her house and backed out of it a couple of times. Now her husband has died and she wished she had made a move to where she really wanted to live then. Sometimes talking about moving is just easier than actually doing the moving. Hopefully things will work out! Thank you.

[rjm1cc]

Rent first.

[thetruth]

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.

Why would you ask people who do not know you what they think YOU should do?

It is a major decision to move. Leaving a former residence, friends, packing etc etc.

We moved to the villages four years ago. Was it a smart move? For us the answer is YES. Was it the only option?
OF COURSE NOT.

My advice-if you have not done so rent for a while. If, you are falling for the line that prices are going up. That is true but, if you have a yet unsold home it's price also going up.

[patfla06]

///

[2BNTV]

Making a big change is hard especially when leaving family and friends behind. Also with dealing with a life they have known and felt comfortable in, as opposed to starting something new.

I think it's perfectly natural to have anxiety about moving from one state to another and dealing with the "unknowns".

Only you can answer that question whether you have the where with all, to deal with the move.

Being a single person and moving to TV was a little harder as one does not have someone to consult with. After several months, I knew the move was right for me and love TV.

If you feel your anxiety is too great, then maybe you should rent for awhile, until you can get a better assessment, if this a correct move for you and yours.

In TV, it' s easy to make new friendships as you have to do is open your mouth and talk to people.

The only thing that is certain in life is "change". Sometimes people stay in situations, even when they are bad because they fear changing to something different.

The choice is yours.

[JP]

I think everybody that moves here always wonders if they are doing the right thing and of course this causes anxiety. We had that but have never regretted moving here. It' fantastic!!!

[Kathrynsews]

O.P. I know of one of our frequent posters, who the last time he visited stayed for three months, but he always had something holding him back from moving here. The last thing was his mothers home had to be sold, and he was reluctant to take less, spruce it up, etc.

The heartbreaking reality is that a deadly illness interrupted his longing to be here.

If not now, when? Sometimes I really miss the rest of our wonderful family and wish we were closer but they have scattered to the four winds persuing their active and successful lives. Oldest daughter leaves for London for three years on this coming Sunday.

Sometimes we have to do what we haven't done all of our lives; throw caution to the wind and jump in with both feet.

The water is fine. You will love it.

Wow Gracie. You hit the nail on the head. If not now, when? It’s our time. Best decision we’ve ever made.

[Abby10]

O.P. I know of one of our frequent posters, who the last time he visited stayed for three months, but he always had something holding him back from moving here. The last thing was his mothers home had to be sold, and he was reluctant to take less, spruce it up, etc.

The heartbreaking reality is that a deadly illness interrupted his longing to be here.

If not now, when? Sometimes I really miss the rest of our wonderful family and wish we were closer but they have scattered to the four winds persuing their active and successful lives. Oldest daughter leaves for London for three years on this coming Sunday.

Sometimes we have to do what we haven't done all of our lives; throw caution to the wind and jump in with both feet.

The water is fine. You will love it.

I'll be sure to show my husband this. ;)

[wendyquat]

What Gracie said! It feels much better now that my son and his wife have moved nearby!

[DaisyLover]

Tomcat-I know what you mean & I think feeling uncertain is natural when you move! We are literally in the midst of it all now. Just unloaded pods yesterday. How do we feel? Ecstatic. The more time we are in our new home, the more we know we made the right decision. We came to TV for one reason---pickleball--once here, we realized we also came for golf & many other things we love to do...but mainly pball :)

[TOMCAT]

Tomcat-I know what you mean & I think feeling uncertain is natural when you move! We are literally in the midst of it all now. Just unloaded pods yesterday. How do we feel? Ecstatic. The more time we are in our new home, the more we know we made the right decision. We came to TV for one reason---pickleball--once here, we realized we also came for golf & many other things we love to do...but mainly pball :)

I have never played pickleball. I have to try. It looks like fun! As I sit here in NY, it is very hot outside and this is what I will feel in Florida. Hopefully this life change will be a positive one. Thank you all for your replies. I think I am feeling a little anxious and yes I think it is normal. I lived all my life in 4 seasons so this right here will be a change for me. But I am not looking forward to snow anymore. I think that is saying something right there.

[graciegirl]

I have never played pickleball. I have to try. It looks like fun! As I sit here in NY, it is very hot outside and this is what I will feel in Florida. Hopefully this life change will be a positive one. Thank you all for your replies. I think I am feeling a little anxious and yes I think it is normal. I lived all my life in 4 seasons so this right here will be a change for me. But I am not looking forward to snow anymore. I think that is saying something right there.

I know like many reading your posts, we wish we could help. I hope you have a spouse coming with you, that makes it somewhat easier, knowing someone when you get here. Sometimes just talking over your worries with your medical doctor can help as well. Moving is a major health stressor.

Wishing you happiness.

[EPutnam1863]

Anyone who moves to The Villages so to partake of its "Lifestyle and Activities" needs to keep in mind that the day will come when for health reasons, he won't be able to partake of such activities anymore. So it is important he forms friendships, and if friendships are that important, perhaps he may want to stay where he already is.

[My Post]

Anyone who moves to The Villages so to partake of its "Lifestyle and Activities" needs to keep in mind that the day will come when for health reasons, he won't be able to partake of such activities anymore.

I don't know....Chuck Yeager is still flying, golfing and hiking at 95. Going from SoCal to West VA to watch his Mountaineers and hang out with the students....

He has a great Twitter feed largely about his adventures past AND present.

[TOMCAT]

I know like many reading your posts, we wish we could help. I hope you have a spouse coming with you, that makes it somewhat easier, knowing someone when you get here. Sometimes just talking over your worries with your medical doctor can help as well. Moving is a major health stressor.

Wishing you happiness.

Thank you. I am starting to feel better. My husband is moving with me. I think we will be fine. I spoke to one of my doctors and he said go for it. I have been going to him for 25 years.

[graciegirl]

Thank you. I am starting to feel better. My husband is moving with me. I think we will be fine. I spoke to one of my doctors and he said go for it. I have been going to him for 25 years.

We have two kitties at our house. I see you like them too. When you get settled, P.M. me and come by for coffee.

[TOMCAT]

We have two kitties at our house. I see you like them too. When you get settled, P.M. me and come by for coffee.

Thank you. So nice of you! Yes I like cats, but I also like dogs. I have a Miniature Schnauzer right now. I grew up with a cat. My mom named one of the cats that we had Tom. He sort of looks like the picture.

[FlamingoFlo]

On the other hand...we were certain we wanted to be in The Villages for the rest of our lives. Nothing would get us to move. Then we started traveling and started to realize we wanted something different. We loved The Villages and still love visiting friends there. But we wanted to be near the water with a view and in a smaller community. We had no problem selling our house and after a year of traveling around the country bought a condo on the beach where we now spend a lot of time watching dolphins and pelicans.
Nothing in life is certain but it sure is an adventure.

[Schaumburger]

Thank you. So nice of you! Yes I like cats, but I also like dogs. I have a Miniature Schnauzer right now. I grew up with a cat. My mom named one of the cats that we had Tom. He sort of looks like the picture.

Hello Tomcat, Since you like both dogs and cats, when/if you move to The Villages, it sounds like the animal rescue groups and animal shelters always need volunteers.

Can you visualize youself lying next to a Village pool or playing pickleball in January? What are you doing up north in January -- shoveling snow, scraping ice off of your windshield?

Keeping good thoughts for you :)

[TOMCAT]

Hello Tomcat, Since you like both dogs and cats, when/if you move to The Villages, it sounds like the animal rescue groups and animal shelters always need volunteers.

Can you visualize youself lying next to a Village pool or playing pickleball in January? What are you doing up north in January -- shoveling snow, scraping ice off of your windshield?

Keeping good thoughts for you :)


Only thing about volunteering at animal shelters, I might want to bring them home and then my husband will divorce me. lol!! Yes I do visualize what the winters would be like. How great it is!

[JoeandSue]

We're in the same boat. Coming tomorrow to design a home in Desoto. We sure hope we're doing the right thing, but hey, we didn't know anyone in the town we're in now 30 years ago, and got to know just about everyone. Good luck on your decision

[Abby10]

We're in the same boat. Coming tomorrow to design a home in Desoto. We sure hope we're doing the right thing, but hey, we didn't know anyone in the town we're in now 30 years ago, and got to know just about everyone. Good luck on your decision

Getting to know people in TV is the easiest thing you will ever do, so no fears there. Best wishes to you on your new home. The area you selected is just beautiful. In my short time visiting around there last month I can tell you there are already a lot of welcoming and friendly people living there. I think you will love it!

[graciegirl]

We're in the same boat. Coming tomorrow to design a home in Desoto. We sure hope we're doing the right thing, but hey, we didn't know anyone in the town we're in now 30 years ago, and got to know just about everyone. Good luck on your decision

Our door is always open. P.M. me anytime. NO. I don't sell homes or get a dollar for every new Villager like friends in Ohio think.

[ehendersonjr]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/cold-new-york-251612/#post1497865

Most people have misgivings about making a major move across the country. It really is pioneering in a REAL sense. Do you have trouble with major change or find yourself worrying about things? Do you find that the glass is half full or half empty? Most people do worry about moving so far from the familiar.

I thought that the commonality of our age would be more important than other differences but that did not turn out to be true. I have learned a lot about cultural geographic characteristics and customs. We haven't had the same backgrounds and there is an immense difference in how we deal with each other. I found that took some getting used to.

It is a friendly place, but the truth is it takes years to make the kind of friends we left behind. We have a lot of pleasant people to do things with but only a few we feel would be there in a dire situation.

I would do it again, and I think this is a wonderful place to live, but sometimes I long for the old, long time friends left in Ohio who didn't honk at stop lights.

Whether the glass is half full or half empty is irrelevant. What is important is understanding the glass is refillable. 😎

[thevillagernie]

I think it's great here but It's a ACTIVE lifestyle, if you want to sit in a rocking chair this is not the place to be

[amysailor]

What about being single?

[OhioBuckeye]

I like TV, but why would anybody say they don't like it here or they wouldn't be living here. I would think if you could find anybody that moved from here ask them why they moved, then you could hear both sides. I could say both pro's & con's what I like & don't like about TV but that's not what you're asking. If you like it here move here!

[Rmiller622]

I am a recent widow. I literally came here with my car, clothes and shoes.
I rent in The Village of Duval. I absolutely love it here. Yes, I miss my family but it was a great decision.

You need to get involved in a few clubs (if you chose) or do nothing. It’s much easier to come here as a couple but all of my friends (and I truly mean friends) have embraced me. They call and say, we are going to a Square, out to dinner, a movie or to Mystic Ice Cream (you must go here).

Trust me, you will not regret it.

[Bart1000]

Marathon Man's advice is spot on. We bought a house there recently and spend part-time there. We have been visiting The Villages for some years however. If we decide it does not work out for us, we will sell and move on. We do love it there tho.

[mellincf]

Good advice above. We moved here in January and wish we had done this years ago. You must be open to new friends, new adventures, new interests. If you're moving from "up north" the heat may bother you...or not. It is a factor, just like the cold is a factor living in other states. One thing I must mention: you won't find friendlier or more welcoming people, because everyone here was new when they came, so they know how it feels. Good luck!

[TOMCAT]

Oh my. My only child was recently married. He told me he might move back to Long Island from Maryland. But I want to move to the Villages. This is bothering me. I told him he can come and visit. Go to Disney and everything. It has been 10 years since he lived in Long Island and I have been dreaming of living in the Villages almost that long.

[graciegirl]

///

[Loudoll]

I can promise you that TV is everything as advertised and more, a beautiful place with people of like mind in that they want to be here in the sunshine enjoying retirement in style. Unfortunately for us my husband was dying so we could not participate as fully as we would have otherwise. It's hard to adjust to the medical community here after becoming accustomed to personal, high end care at "home". Our medical journey was distressing and horribly disappointing. I'm a hillbilly and I missed the four seasons so thank God, my dear dear husband somehow got us moved and back "home" where I feel safe and sound again.
I wish you the best in your decision whether to go or stay where you are. I think there are always regrets, for sure, but....if clear, blue skies, activities, music and lots of opportunities for swimming and play, shopping and fun places to dine...? The Villages is it and it's a good deal, a lot of great living for your money!

[Abby10]

Oh my. My only child was recently married. He told me he might move back to Long Island from Maryland. But I want to move to the Villages. This is bothering me. I told him he can come and visit. Go to Disney and everything. It has been 10 years since he lived in Long Island and I have been dreaming of living in the Villages almost that long.

The key word here is might.....

Follow your dream if that is what you really want. I have an only too. When he moved out to Indiana for a job some years back all on his own and knowing no one out there, he would have loved for us to move out there too. He knew it wouldn't probably happen but tried to convince us anyway. Long story short, we didn't go and 6 years later he's back here due to a job transfer.

A lot of people want to live near their families and that is totally understandable. But if you have a strong desire to do something different in your retirement years, I don't think you could pick a better community than TV for several reasons -


So many friendly people who understand what you're going through because they've done it too.

So much to do - you will be so busy you probably won't have time to miss "home". The days will fly by and you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

It's not that far from an airport that goes almost anywhere and transport to and from is easy.

When the "kids" come to visit, they'll probably love it too. It won't be like going to a typical 55+ community that isn't very lively, especially from a young person's perspective.


From what I see with young people today who aren't afraid to move around for better employment, they are often here one day, gone the next. That just seems to be the nature of the job market anymore. This scenario is happening to almost all of my friends and their children.

The bottom line is, it's your decision to make. The worst that could happen is if you move to TV and don't like it you can move back, especially if you were planning to downsize anyway. Chances are you won't have a problem selling your property in TV. Wishing you all the best in this process.

[Dimagolfer]

You will always miss where your roots are and moving to a new area is an adventure that most people wonder if it's right for them. The convenience of everything here is awesome and neighbors to be very friendly with plenty of activities to participate in. I lived here a short time and definitely not turning around! Good luck with your decision.

[graciegirl]

making decisions quotes - Bing images (https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=making+decisions+quotes&qpvt=making+decisions+quotes&FORM=IGRE)

[aloisbaughn2133]

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.

We moved to Villages in '01 and left in 2010, went to Hendersonville, NC, nice place - then moved to Del Webb Charleston, also nice place - then we realized that there is absolutely no place like the Villages and we returned in 2017 and are very happy - you can't go wrong.

[xcaligirl]

I think it depends also where you are moving from and the reasons why you're moving. We were excited to move here but after 4 years, I'm more excited to move back.

[Nanny32162]

We moved to The Villages full-time in 2012. One of the best decisions we have made. We're busy, happy, and loving our lifestyle here. We had the interior of our home painted before we moved in, our mistake was using many of the colors we had used in our Western New York home. We've just repainted with light bright colors, which fits with our Florida life. My advice is to think carefully about decorating decisions. We found our health care professionals by asking friends and neighbors for recommendations; we do go to Shands in Gainesville for some of our health care (ophthalmologists, spinal surgery). It is a wonderful place to live, with more activities than you could do in a lifetime.

[big guy]

We moved here 9 years ago. While looking at houses I got a bad case of the jitters as to if we were doing the right thing. I kept asking for A "SIGN". The next house we walked in to had 3 signs, the biggest one being a campaign poster of Obama that said "Yes we can".

[jimcurl]

I am Linda, the wife of JimCurl. We moved from Ohio to TV in 2014. He was happy in Ohio and happy in TV. I, on the other hand, missed the beautiful changes of seasons of Ohio. The cheerful newness of plantings in the Spring, the lushness of grass and trees in the Summer, the beautiful colors and smells of Fall , and the crystal snowflakes and warm glow of a fireplace in the chill of the Winter (I have always been okay to shovel the snow for us). I am so grateful that he was willing to move back here to Ohio. I missed the warmth of Summer where one can be outside when it is 90 degrees and still feel a cool breeze through the trees. The season of Summer is meant to be outside and enjoy everyday pleasures of nature. I, now, don't have to run from air conditioning to air conditioning to be comfortable in the warm weather. Ohio may have rain showers, or be cloudy for a few days -- but changes in weather are like enduring changes in life. The comfort of knowing, in an emergency, we have the ability to get out of the state driving any direction: North, South, East or West --- unlike Florida where your only exit is NORTH --- when everyone else is frantically trying to drive North. I am so lucky. After 44 years of marriage, Jim and I feel love is when both partners are equally happy -- I am doing my best to make certain that he is happy back in Ohio. Things are looking good. I left Florida to make room for others who want to live in Florida - in The Villages. P.S. I was born and raised in Michigan -- but I LOVE OHIO! My best wishes to all of you who love The Villages!

[ColdNoMore]

Oh my. My only child was recently married. He told me he might move back to Long Island from Maryland. But I want to move to the Villages. This is bothering me. I told him he can come and visit. Go to Disney and everything. It has been 10 years since he lived in Long Island and I have been dreaming of living in the Villages almost that long.

Just out of curiosity, is this potential move to be closer to you, for better job opportunities...or to possibly move in with you?

It's my opinion that at some point, you need to live for yourself and do what YOU want...not what your child wants.

All too many parents (and certainly not saying you're one of them by any means), have been 'emotionally blackmailed' (even if it's subtle) by their children who don't understand that the parents job on raising and supporting them is over when they become adults ...and it's now their time to go out in the world and make their mark on their own.

It might be a good idea to at least think of talking to a professional, explain your entire personal situation...and then really listen to their objective comments. :shrug:

[ColdNoMore]

We moved here 9 years ago. While looking at houses I got a bad case of the jitters as to if we were doing the right thing. I kept asking for A "SIGN". The next house we walked in to had 3 signs, the biggest one being a campaign poster of Obama that said "Yes we can".

Now THAT'S funny! :1rotfl:

[Brynnie]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/cold-new-york-251612/#post1497865

Most people have misgivings about making a major move across the country. It really is pioneering in a REAL sense. Do you have trouble with major change or find yourself worrying about things? Do you find that the glass is half full or half empty? Most people do worry about moving so far from the familiar.

I thought that the commonality of our age would be more important than other differences but that did not turn out to be true. I have learned a lot about cultural geographic characteristics and customs. We haven't had the same backgrounds and there is an immense difference in how we deal with each other. I found that took some getting used to.

It is a friendly place, but the truth is it takes years to make the kind of friends we left behind. We have a lot of pleasant people to do things with but only a few we feel would be there in a dire situation.

I would do it again, and I think this is a wonderful place to live, but sometimes I long for the old, long time friends left in Ohio who didn't honk at stop lights.

We have lived full time in TV since 2005, and I still have to go back to get my "Ohio fix" for a couple of weeks every summer or fall. If I had it to do over, I would have at best been a snowbird because I have found that the brutal summer heat of Florida is intolerable and for me is a trigger of migraine headaches. What fun is it to stay indoors and run from air conditioned building to air conditioned building for 5 or 6 months? I often think about possibly moving back north, but my spouse likes it here, and I don't want to be selfish. As one of the other responders said, 90 degrees in Ohio doesn't feel nearly as oppressive as 90 degrees in Florida. We could always count on a cold front coming through and cooling us off during the summer. Not so in Florida, where the summer heat and humidity are constant.

I would advise anyone thinking of moving to TV to think about their heat tolerance and love of changing seasons, especially if moving here full time.

[Bonnie@AceWalker.com]

From the time we first visited The Villages to check it out 6 years ago, we came back yearly for the next 5 years for 3 days to one week each time. Finally one year ago we decided to rent for 3 months in the summer to see if we would like it. We moved here from the beach from the west coast of Florida, so we were accustomed to Florida summers, but not middle of the state summers. We did a "Deal Maker" list regarding where we wanted to retire (even though we both still work), and really looked at what were the top 15 most important things to us for the next 20 or more years of our lives.

The things that were tops on our list are not found many places outside The Villages. High on our list is to live in a safe, well-maintained community with plenty of easily accessible activities that we want to explore. On my Deal Maker list are values such as a warm, sunny climate; low crime rate; affordability; lifelong learning opportunities in close proximity; clean, well-maintained neighborhoods & common spaces; lots of active adult amenities; like-minded people; cultural events & entertainment; affordable fitness classes and clubs; easily accessible (within 15 minutes) walking & cycling paths; dance classes; live theatre; and opportunities for other future interests that I'm bound to develop with more time to explore.

After those first 3 months, we extended our lease, continued to rent for a year, and finally will be closing on a house on August 20, more than a year after we got to The Villages. My recommendations for finding your best place to live - 1) Rent as long as you comfortably can before you buy - that way you'll not only know if you love The Villages; you'll also know WHERE in The Villages is best for you. 2) Do a "Deal Maker" list of the top 15 things that are most important for where you want to live.

To get what we want and where we want to be in life, all of us must make choices. Those choices may mean giving up something that you have in order to get something that you want even more. Although The Villages is not for everyone, it sure is for me.

[TOMCAT]

Just out of curiosity, is this potential move to be closer to you, for better job opportunities...or to possibly move in with you?

It's my opinion that at some point, you need to live for yourself and do what YOU want...not what your child wants.

All too many parents (and certainly not saying you're one of them by any means), have been 'emotionally blackmailed' (even if it's subtle) by their children who don't understand that the parents job on raising and supporting them is over when they become adults ...and it's now their time to go out in the world and make their mark on their own.

It might be a good idea to at least think of talking to a professional, explain your entire personal situation...and then really listen to their objective comments. :shrug:

Children can drive us crazy. No, my son does not want to live with us. I think his new wife who grew up in Long Island does not want to leave her family. I do not know if it is a subtle hint to be closer to us either. He says he can come down and visit. My son is a golf player. He has been in the military for 10 yrs and might leave, when he can, he is a Major, get a job here and live. Like you said we cannot live for our children. On the other hand, my daughter in law likes family around. It is confusing. But we will have to decide for ourselves.

[Chaser]

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.
I have lived in The Villages for almost 2 years. I moved here from the NW mountain states leaving behind long, rough, winters. The Villages has much to offer but in the end it’s not for me. That being said one word can sum up the greatest advantage here: convenience. You can ride your golf cart to the supermarket, doctor, dentist, bank, shopping, dining, entertainment and more.

They say that it’s common for people to go into a home sales contract on their first visit. But that’s easy to understand. If you live out of state and have a limited amount of time to visit, The Villages holds all the cards. Their bus tour followed by a Villages realtor home tour, along with the multitudes of country clubs, rec centers, hobby clubs, 3 squares, can be a compelling experience for a short period of time. But after living here I really don’t care that there are 15 country clubs or 40+ pools within 5 miles of me. All I really care about is what is close to me. The Squares included.

With a population of over 150,000 retired residents, there is a massive service machine that has grown to meet the demands of people that no longer want to do yard work, home repairs, insect treatments, lawn treatments, and nearly everything else. The hundreds of yard crews (which the owner must find themselves) fly around like bumblebees to each house in each neighborhood (Village) mowing, edging, trimming, fixing, cleaning, and blowing. It can get noisy early in the mornings and since most homes are very close to each other even your neighbor’s crew can wake you at times. The Villages can be a VERY busy place.

The location in the state is very rural. Landlocked of course. The Villages border 3 small towns, Wildwood, Lady Lake, and Fruitland Park. It is somewhat close to the larger city/town of Leesburg. But the Villages based on its population and size takes the spotlight. There is very little local “culture” here besides what is driven or flown in. They do have concerts, shows, and festivals on their squares. But all of it might as well have been airdropped in. There is no indigenous city to go to to enjoy yourself or participate in any of their activities or festivals unless you drive 30-50 minutes away. Outside of the entertainment, shows etc, chain restaurants like Bob Evans, Golden Corral, & Red Lobster are the mainstays.

During “snowbird” season November-April the population grows by about 40%. It gets very crowded as golf vacationers come down and during that period many bring their sons and daughters and their kids down during many parts of that period to visit them as well. This results in large increases of traffic, wait lines for restaurants, driving accidents, even DUIs in golf carts, and just crowds for nearly everything can be tiresome. There can be some contention/resentment between the visiting seasonal “snowbirds” and the “frogs” (full-timers). As stated, it is a substantial population increase and subsequent demands on the available facilities.

In terms of homes if you like varieties of earth tones cast in siding and stucco you’ll like it here. Uniformity is key. But many homeowners have large disposable retirement incomes so outdoor projects from driveway designs, to edging creations, bird cages with swimming pools and much more drive the Jones to try and outdo one another. The Villages IS NOT a controlled entry gated community. The gates are primarily for traffic and flow control. Simply press a button and you’ll be let in. No questions asked.

In summary, there is much to do here. But as many have coined the term, it’s a “bubble” and many residents would have it no other way. If/when you come to visit don’t let the hoopla overwhelm you into a rash decision. Florida has numerous 55+ communities many that are closer to the coasts and larger cities. While 150,000 residents may sound appealing the “bubble” can get tiresome. Driving through traffic circles back and forth to get nearly everywhere amongst many elderly drivers can get old quick if you are planted by living there. There is a lot of like for sure but for me a lot to dislike also. The entire state of Florida is popular for retirees look around carefully. Bigger is not always better.

[franknbev@comcast.net]

Hi,

We've been here for almost twelve years and have loved it. There are so many activities that you'll have a hard time keeping up with it all. Enjoy a little or enjoy a lot. The unknown
is finding the right neighborhood. We have moved once, which is very easy with there being a realtor representing The Villages. There is a club for just about everything you could ever be interested in. If not, form one of your own. The landscaping and upkeep is outstanding...similar to Disney World. There is a shortage of fine restaurants but we are a bit picky, so see for yourselves. Good luck!

[Joorn59]

I rented for a year as I was uncertain I would fit in. The longer you’re here the more diversity you’ll notice. It’s not just old white couples (no offense). Is also been helpful to experience a neighborhood.
I landed in a wonderful spot. Bought after that year.

[bbbbbb]

[QUOTE=TOMCAT;1567536]Can anyone relate about moving

I doubt if anyone can really give meaningful advice to you on this. Those who stay here, mostly like it. Those that have moved or are considering a move have a different story and or they took their story with them. Best we can say is step very carefully and perhaps the best advice is to talk to homeowners who are selling and see if they will give you a realistic answer. There are many sides to this story, some good, some not so good.
:pray:

[EPutnam1863]

[QUOTE=TOMCAT;1567536]Can anyone relate about moving

I doubt if anyone can really give meaningful advice to you on this. Those who stay here, mostly like it. Those that have moved or are considering a move have a different story and or they took their story with them. Best we can say is step very carefully and perhaps the best advice is to talk to homeowners who are selling and see if they will give you a realistic answer. There are many sides to this story, some good, some not so good.
:pray:

Thank you for using this word. It is rare that this word is used within this context in these forums.

[cypress]

Excellent post. Thank you!!

I have lived in The Villages for almost 2 years. I moved here from the NW mountain states leaving behind long, rough, winters. The Villages has much to offer but in the end it’s not for me. That being said one word can sum up the greatest advantage here: convenience. You can ride your golf cart to the supermarket, doctor, dentist, bank, shopping, dining, entertainment and more.

They say that it’s common for people to go into a home sales contract on their first visit. But that’s easy to understand. If you live out of state and have a limited amount of time to visit, The Villages holds all the cards. Their bus tour followed by a Villages realtor home tour, along with the multitudes of country clubs, rec centers, hobby clubs, 3 squares, can be a compelling experience for a short period of time. But after living here I really don’t care that there are 15 country clubs or 40+ pools within 5 miles of me. All I really care about is what is close to me. The Squares included.

With a population of over 150,000 retired residents, there is a massive service machine that has grown to meet the demands of people that no longer want to do yard work, home repairs, insect treatments, lawn treatments, and nearly everything else. The hundreds of yard crews (which the owner must find themselves) fly around like bumblebees to each house in each neighborhood (Village) mowing, edging, trimming, fixing, cleaning, and blowing. It can get noisy early in the mornings and since most homes are very close to each other even your neighbor’s crew can wake you at times. The Villages can be a VERY busy place.

The location in the state is very rural. Landlocked of course. The Villages border 3 small towns, Wildwood, Lady Lake, and Fruitland Park. It is somewhat close to the larger city/town of Leesburg. But the Villages based on its population and size takes the spotlight. There is very little local “culture” here besides what is driven or flown in. They do have concerts, shows, and festivals on their squares. But all of it might as well have been airdropped in. There is no indigenous city to go to to enjoy yourself or participate in any of their activities or festivals unless you drive 30-50 minutes away. Outside of the entertainment, shows etc, chain restaurants like Bob Evans, Golden Corral, & Red Lobster are the mainstays.

During “snowbird” season November-April the population grows by about 40%. It gets very crowded as golf vacationers come down and during that period many bring their sons and daughters and their kids down during many parts of that period to visit them as well. This results in large increases of traffic, wait lines for restaurants, driving accidents, even DUIs in golf carts, and just crowds for nearly everything can be tiresome. There can be some contention/resentment between the visiting seasonal “snowbirds” and the “frogs” (full-timers). As stated, it is a substantial population increase and subsequent demands on the available facilities.

In terms of homes if you like varieties of earth tones cast in siding and stucco you’ll like it here. Uniformity is key. But many homeowners have large disposable retirement incomes so outdoor projects from driveway designs, to edging creations, bird cages with swimming pools and much more drive the Jones to try and outdo one another. The Villages IS NOT a controlled entry gated community. The gates are primarily for traffic and flow control. Simply press a button and you’ll be let in. No questions asked.

In summary, there is much to do here. But as many have coined the term, it’s a “bubble” and many residents would have it no other way. If/when you come to visit don’t let the hoopla overwhelm you into a rash decision. Florida has numerous 55+ communities many that are closer to the coasts and larger cities. While 150,000 residents may sound appealing the “bubble” can get tiresome. Driving through traffic circles back and forth to get nearly everywhere amongst many elderly drivers can get old quick if you are planted by living there. There is a lot of like for sure but for me a lot to dislike also. The entire state of Florida is popular for retirees look around carefully. Bigger is not always better.

[HandyGrandpap]

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.

TOMCAT,
Thanks for starting this post!! Perhaps one of the most interesting and introspective ever posted, truly causes all of us to pause and think about the various open and honest comments. Time is limited and thanks to all the open comments as for me enabled a reflection on what's important in life, values and the process for making decisions and how we are all different but yet so similar. Great post!!!

[tomwed]

I'm going to boil it down. Rent during the shoulder seasons. The weather is better, the rates are lower, the risk is minimal.

[pjwjpb]

Once you move to the Villages the Villages Mafia has a hold of you. Think it over long and hard. It's turning into a rental community and a
Haven for young adults occupying their grandparents homes. If we wanted to be a part of a rental community we would've made that decision. Many peoplel purchase homes then leave them unoccupied or rent them out to anyone who pays without background checks. Some properties are unkept and the Villages do nothing. It's free advertising so they continue to allow it. Things need to change. We are not happy as we thought we purchased in a community that is safe.Anyone can get through the gates so we really do not need to swipe our cards. It's just a selling feature. But if we were to sell we would lose out.

[tBOSCH]

I've read some very wise responses here. We have been coming to TV for about 10 years as both parents have migrated south. We will be retiring and moving permanently in Dec to TV. I see you have been a member of TOTV since 2009. Do you already know what the rest of us know? Have you been coming here for a while? I have seen a few come down here, buy and not like it. I don't know their reasons. But, I can tell you a few main reasons someone would not like it here; the heat (it gets hot in Florida), missing their family and established friendships back home or they are home bodies and are not interested in all the amenities TV has to offer. So, I think you are the only one who knows for you, if it is the right thing to do. Good Luck in your decision macking.

[graciegirl]

Once you move to the Villages the Villages Mafia has a hold of you. Think it over long and hard. It's turning into a rental community and a
Haven for young adults occupying their grandparents homes. If we wanted to be a part of a rental community we would've made that decision. Many peoplel purchase homes then leave them unoccupied or rent them out to anyone who pays without background checks. Some properties are unkept and the Villages do nothing. It's free advertising so they continue to allow it. Things need to change. We are not happy as we thought we purchased in a community that is safe.Anyone can get through the gates so we really do not need to swipe our cards. It's just a selling feature. But if we were to sell we would lose out.



You WOULD make money if you were to sell.

That isn't so in the two places we have lived or any of our friends neighborhoods. Or in any of the neighborhoods we have driven through and that is a LOT.

WHAT and WHO is the "Villages Mafia" and how do they have a hold of you?


All three of your posts have been unhappy. I wish I could help.

[Garden guru]

We moved here five years ago and have given The Villages the old college try. We're now getting ready to move out. We miss city amenities: shopping malls (Closest decent malls in Orlando), cultural events (Orlando or Tampa), sporting events (Tampa or Jacksonville), major medical centers (Gainesville, Tampa, Orlando, or Jacksonville), etc. We wish we'd rented for a year before buying; that would have given us enough time to see what living in The Villages on a permanent basis is really like. This place is out in the middle of nowhere, and we sometimes feel like we're living in a third world country. A one week lifestyle visit or a month or two of renting are just not long enough to realize all of the things that are missing. Day-to-day living involves needing more than oldies music at a square or joining a club. If a person is from a more rural area, The Villages might be the cat's meow, but we're from a city, and this place is not for us.

[EPutnam1863]

We have lived full time in TV since 2005, and I still have to go back to get my "Ohio fix" for a couple of weeks every summer or fall. If I had it to do over, I would have at best been a snowbird because I have found that the brutal summer heat of Florida is intolerable and for me is a trigger of migraine headaches. What fun is it to stay indoors and run from air conditioned building to air conditioned building for 5 or 6 months? I often think about possibly moving back north, but my spouse likes it here, and I don't want to be selfish. As one of the other responders said, 90 degrees in Ohio doesn't feel nearly as oppressive as 90 degrees in Florida. We could always count on a cold front coming through and cooling us off during the summer. Not so in Florida, where the summer heat and humidity are constant.

I would advise anyone thinking of moving to TV to think about their heat tolerance and love of changing seasons, especially if moving here full time.

Thank you for your honesty. I have a hard time understanding why there are so many Floridians who refuse to admit the heat and humidity is really that intolerable. We lived in FL three times and know they are denying it all which I think is doing a disservice to those thinking of relocating, expecting it to be a paradise where one can play golf and tennis every single day of the year.

[John_W]

We moved here five years ago and have given The Villages the old college try. We're now getting ready to move out. We miss city amenities: shopping malls (Closest decent malls in Orlando), cultural events (Orlando or Tampa), sporting events (Tampa or Jacksonville), major medical centers (Gainesville, Tampa, Orlando, or Jacksonville), etc. We wish we'd rented for a year before buying; that would have given us enough time to see what living in The Villages on a permanent basis is really like. This place is out in the middle of nowhere, and we sometimes feel like we're living in a third world country...

When we go to Florida Mall in Orlando, I feel like we're in a third world country. For that reason, we've been going to Oaks Mall in Gainesville. However, after our trip last week and with kids out of school, I realized how nice it was to shop in and around TV without a million screaming kids everywhere.

In June we made trips to both Seaworld in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa. Honestly, I couldn't wait to get back to TV. After seven years here, it's hard being around that many young people and feeling so out of place. At MVP at Brownwood where I go 3 or 4 times a week and workout with a majority of folks my own age (68), I can feel like a young person myself. To each their own, Good Luck on your move.

[fw102807]

Thank you for your honesty. I have a hard time understanding why there are so many Floridians who refuse to admit the heat and humidyt is really that intolerable.We lived in FL three times and know they are denying it all which I think is doing a disservice to those too naive to realize and admit it is hot for a long time.

The heat and humidity are not intolerable to all of us, some of us truthfully don't mind it. I have friends though who would definitely not be happy here. Thankfully not everyone wants to move to Florida.

[Carla B]

Thank you for your honesty. I have a hard time understanding why there are so many Floridians who refuse to admit the heat and humidyt is really that intolerable.We lived in FL three times and know they are denying it all which I think is doing a disservice to those too naive to realize and admit it is hot for a long time.

It is surprising that, given your intolerance of heat and humidity, you are thinking of buying a home once again in Florida.

[Abby10]

Thank you for your honesty. I have a hard time understanding why there are so many Floridians who refuse to admit the heat and humidity is really that intolerable. We lived in FL three times and know they are denying it all which I think is doing a disservice to those thinking of relocating, expecting it to be a paradise where one can play golf and tennis every single day of the year.

I agree with fw's reply to your post. Not everyone is intolerant to the heat. And for those who are, it seems that many feel it is worth tolerating to avoid the snow and enjoy the lifestyle that TV offers.

Nothing is perfect......but TV is close. You don't think so and that's okay. Not sure why others not agreeing with you bothers you so much. I don't know about doing a disservice. If you check out reviews about living in any part of the country, you are going to see some who love it and some who don't. We are all adults and should do our own due diligence in checking things out no matter where one chooses to retire.

[HandyGrandpap]

I commend TOMCAT for seeking input. The cost of relocating back home is significant including closing cost to sell up north, closing cost to by in TV, closing cost to repurchase back home, closing cost to sell the home in TV, plus moving expenes, plus trying to replace the home you sold back home, loss of appreciation of the home sold back home as that home most likely appreciated more than the home in TV DUE to massive build out here. I suspect a lot of folks who regret the move here, due to the various financial and emotional cost of moving back, bite the bullet and try to make the best of the move.

[manaboutown]

Thanks to so many of you for your heartfelt and thoughtful posts; thank you OP for the original post which has led to discussions of many things to consider.

Whenever I have a big decision to make - and moving to another community is a big decision, I research as much as I can which would include extended visits if possible when considering a move. Then I make a list of wants, don’t wants, must haves, can’t haves. After narrowing it down to my possible choices I do a pros and cons list, weighting various factors for each possibility. Then I sleep on it a while and eventually go by my gut which really is what the subconcience of my brain is telling me after it has processed all I have given it.

No move is without trepidation and rarely is irreversible, but at some cost.

[My Post]

This got me thinking, are there retirement communities of any prominence that do not allow owners to rent out their houses?

I do agree that renting has become a problem...in some cases.

[VILLAGERBB]

Fear not my friend! Life is short and you will never know until you try. :)

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.

[vintageogauge]

This got me thinking, are there retirement communities of any prominence that do not allow owners to rent out their houses?

I do agree that renting has become a problem...in some cases.

I'm not positive but I believe there are sections in Fenney that do not allow short term renting.

[VILLAGERBB]

What sort of rental problem have you experienced?

This got me thinking, are there retirement communities of any prominence that do not allow owners to rent out their houses?

I do agree that renting has become a problem...in some cases.

[My Post]

Meth heads. No skin in the game with rental houses sometimes. Many on here have mentioned lawns not being kept up etc.

[Packer Fan]

Just out of curiosity, is this potential move to be closer to you, for better job opportunities...or to possibly move in with you?

It's my opinion that at some point, you need to live for yourself and do what YOU want...not what your child wants.

All too many parents (and certainly not saying you're one of them by any means), have been 'emotionally blackmailed' (even if it's subtle) by their children who don't understand that the parents job on raising and supporting them is over when they become adults ...and it's now their time to go out in the world and make their mark on their own.

It might be a good idea to at least think of talking to a professional, explain your entire personal situation...and then really listen to their objective comments. :shrug:

Coldnomore, that is so true. The worst parents are the ones who have 30 year olds on their couch, but Millenials seem to have no problems with emotional blackmail. This even includes withholding grandkids from you. I have seen it in many of my friends families. I had never seen it in our generation, we never would have thought about it. Of course, our parents showed us the door at 18 and made us adults :boxing2:

[Packer Fan]

I commend TOMCAT for seeking input. The cost of relocating back home is significant including closing cost to sell up north, closing cost to by in TV, closing cost to repurchase back home, closing cost to sell the home in TV, plus moving expenes, plus trying to replace the home you sold back home, loss of appreciation of the home sold back home as that home most likely appreciated more than the home in TV DUE to massive build out here. I suspect a lot of folks who regret the move here, due to the various financial and emotional cost of moving back, bite the bullet and try to make the best of the move.

I agree with you except for one statement - unless your old home was in San Francisco or another area like that, the homes up north have not appreciated as much or as consistently in TV. This of course is assuming you bought a typical house in either place without some special circumstance and took good care of it.

Why anyone would want to move back to the snow is beyond me. I would add that 95 degree days in Wisconsin are WAY worse than in TV - no rain or breeze like you get down there, and August and early September can have a lot of that. I have spent a lot of time in August in TV, and I would take it over Wisconsin any day.

The other thing I have read is people wanting to move back to the city. Not sure what they are missing unless it is the Crime, High taxes, and Traffic......

[Abby10]

To the OP -

Glad you started this thread because there has been a lot of good advice given on here. Hope you are taking notes. :)

One thing I heard today that I think many of us women in particular are prone to -

"Don't let your emotions dictate your decisions."

Often times one can't help but be emotional over big life changes such as the ones you are going through. But taking practical steps like those mentioned on here by others - list pros/cons, likes/dislikes, visit TV a few more times, rent first, etc - will build confidence in your decision making and hopefully diminish the emotional component somewhat.

Also, if you are able, take your time if you are feeling uncertain. Unless there is a pressing reason, why rush into something that you don't feel ready for?

Again, wishing you all the best.

[TOMCAT]

Wow. This has become a hot thread. Thank you for all your inputs. I appreciate all your comments!

[TOMCAT]

Fear not my friend! Life is short and you will never know until you try. :)



Well said! 👍😊

[TOMCAT]

Once you move to the Villages the Villages Mafia has a hold of you. Think it over long and hard. It's turning into a rental community and a
Haven for young adults occupying their grandparents homes. If we wanted to be a part of a rental community we would've made that decision. Many peoplel purchase homes then leave them unoccupied or rent them out to anyone who pays without background checks. Some properties are unkept and the Villages do nothing. It's free advertising so they continue to allow it. Things need to change. We are not happy as we thought we purchased in a community that is safe.Anyone can get through the gates so we really do not need to swipe our cards. It's just a selling feature. But if we were to sell we would lose out.

I do not know where in the Villages you live but I do hope it gets better for you. I visited about maybe 5 times there and all I see is beautiful landscaping and well kept properties and very clean.

[maxxkie]

We moved here 22 years ago from NYC to get away from people. Looks like they all followed me. Great life style.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by pjwjpb
...It's turning into a rental community and a Haven for young adults occupying their grandparents homes. If we wanted to be a part of a rental community we would've made that decision. Many people purchase homes then leave them unoccupied or rent them out to anyone who pays without background checks. Some properties are unkept and the Villages do nothing. It's free advertising so they continue to allow it. Things need to change. We are not happy as we thought we purchased in a community that is safe.Anyone can get through the gates so we really do not need to swipe our cards. It's just a selling feature. But if we were to sell we would lose out.

I do not know where in the Villages you live but I do hope it gets better for you. I visited about maybe 5 times there and all I see is beautiful landscaping and well kept properties and very clean.

I don't find this situation at all in my villa community that is 7 years old. For example, my street of 13 CYV's are all occupied by their owners, all are in their 60's and 70's. Three are snowbirds and 10 are permanent like myself. I would estimate there to be about 1,000 rentals in TV and the last info I read stated there were 53,000 homes and more being built everyday, which equates to about 2,000 new homes a year. That poster should know there is policy in place for all of this and all he has to do is report it.