America's Friendliest Hometown

[Chi33]

Is it a sales tool and false or the truth?

Examples of either please.

All I see lately is angry. Snowbirds, roundabouts, noise... where is the good to balance it and even go over the top.

[billethkid]

We are victims of minority reporting in most all aspects of the general label....the news....
And even entities like TOTV the negative is what seems to be accentuated.
All presenting their minority position events/happenings/instances/etc as though general conditions.

There is usually more good in a day, that is over shadowed by the isolated/minority report.

Unfortunately!!

[Kahuna32162]

The good are all your neighbors and friends that you will meet and find here.

[fw102807]

“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.”

― John Lydgate

Rings true in TV same as everyplace else.

[roob1]

I am assuming when you say "All I see lately is angry", you are referring to online social media, such as TOTV.

My experience suggests there is much less of it in the "real world" of The Villages, i.e. activities outside of the digital world. I think this forum tends to attract a higher percentage of people with mental health issues such as loneliness, anxiety and depression than you will find "outside." Anger often is a symptom of these, and is more easily expressed "behind the computer screen", IMHO.


Is it a sales tool and false or the truth?

Examples of either please.

All I see lately is angry. Snowbirds, roundabouts, noise... where is the good to balance it and even go over the top.

[JimJohnson]

Friendliest place we have ever lived and that a lot of places.

[twoplanekid]

On the pickleball courts I fine the friendliest people including both full timers and guests. Have fun and enjoy the day!

[Bucco]

We are victims of minority reporting in most all aspects of the general label....the news....
And even entities like TOTV the negative is what seems to be accentuated.
All presenting their minority position events/happenings/instances/etc as though general conditions.

There is usually more good in a day, that is over shadowed by the isolated/minority report.

Unfortunately!!

This is total and complete bunk.

Using the terminology you use explains much, but The Villages is certainly the most friendly from my point of view.

Not sure who you have labeled the minority, but i have been in this place for almost 20 years now, and excluding this particular venue and its negativity from so very many, it continues to be a friendly and welcoming place.

If all your opinions are couched in the terms you used in your post, I can see constant angst, and if I am misreading your words, I apologize.

[Bay Kid]

If you smile people will smile back. Happiness might not be everywhere all the time but....

[fw102807]

This is total and complete bunk.

Using the terminology you use explains much, but The Villages is certainly the most friendly from my point of view.

Not sure who you have labeled the minority, but i have been in this place for almost 20 years now, and excluding this particular venue and its negativity from so very many, it continues to be a friendly and welcoming place.

If all your opinions are couched in the terms you used in your post, I can see constant angst, and if I am misreading your words, I apologize.

My take on this was it is just a small minority of people who do the most complaining and that the majority is actually very content. I totally agree.

[dewilson58]

REALLY????


It's a sales slogan.


You really need an answer, examples????


I think this is a great place, but there is no way to measure.


:faint:

[EdFNJ]

Sounds like kind of a trolling question.


Is it a sales tool and false or the truth?

Examples of either please.

All I see lately is angry. Snowbirds, roundabouts, noise... where is the good to balance it and even go over the top.
Of course it's a "sales tool" and an "advertising slogan" and while there is obviously some normal advertising hyperbole involved it is a wonderful place to live. If that's "all you see" you should see a good ophthalmologist because you definitely have tunnel vision. :D

Did "Luckies REALLY taste better?"
1952 Lucky Strike Cigarette Commercial - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGnVoK_py6U)

[dewilson58]

Breakfast of Champions.


The best a man can get.


What happens here, stays here.


Finger lickin' good.


Taste the rainbow.


They're GR-R-R-reat.

[billethkid]

This is total and complete bunk.

Using the terminology you use explains much, but The Villages is certainly the most friendly from my point of view.

Not sure who you have labeled the minority, but i have been in this place for almost 20 years now, and excluding this particular venue and its negativity from so very many, it continues to be a friendly and welcoming place.

If all your opinions are couched in the terms you used in your post, I can see constant angst, and if I am misreading your words, I apologize.

More simply stated....
a small minority of people do the most complaining or wrong doing and the majority is good/content. Apology accepted!

[Taltarzac725]

Friendliest place we have ever lived and that a lot of places.

Me too. Minneapolis had/has a lot of very friendly people and some of these seemed to have moved to the Villages. But the Villages has even more nice people around. There are some grumpy old men and women but not all that many. And some of the people seem to keep their NYC or DC or elsewhere edge about them.

[CWGUY]

Breakfast of Champions.


The best a man can get.


What happens here, stays here.


Finger lickin' good.


Taste the rainbow.


They're GR-R-R-reat.

:icon_wink:


You left out - " ........ more than 4 hours, seek medical help." :a040:

[Taltarzac725]

:icon_wink:


You left out - " ........ more than 4 hours, seek medical help." :a040:

Good if you want to pee on the ceiling.

[villagetinker]

We moved in and made immediate friends with several of our neighbors, and at bowling, LOTS more friends. I agree with many of the comments above, a smile will get you a smile back, a wave will get you a wave back. Yes you will find the occasional unhappy person, but my experience, they are few and far between.

[Nucky]

This place is our new Hometown and it is infinitely more friendly than Our last several Hometowns.

I think the post is NOTHING but bait and I for one reject it. It is your choice to post the question but it is also our collective choice to tell you that the only way your

question or possible observation can be answered is to experience The Villages yourself. The fight is over for most people, in The Villages you get out of it what you put into it. Good Luck!

I sorta answered you but didn't get upset about the question the way I would have when I first moved here. Whatever.

[Polar Bear]

...I think the post is NOTHING but bait...
Yep.
...in The Villages you get out of it what you put into it...
Like anyplace you may choose to live.

[Madelaine Amee]

Well, I for one think changes are happening. We moved here 10+ yrs ago and it was, without doubt, a great place to live and meet people. However, TV has grown massively over the past 10 yrs and with that growth we lost the small town feel which was very inviting. On the other hand, with the growth we gained the stores, the medical expertise and the other necessities of the big city life we all wanted. So, it is what it is.

It is still a great place to live and they will have to carry us out!:)

[Brawnwy123]

Is it a sales tool and false or the truth?

Examples of either please.

All I see lately is angry. Snowbirds, roundabouts, noise... where is the good to balance it and even go over the top.

Hi, after 3 years, we get the picture and it is not pretty AT ALL. So, private email me here, and maybe we can chat on the phone, but the site will not let us be negative of their "GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH?" We are shopping elsewhere for now and will lose a bundle on our place.
Brawney123. Do a private message on here, try it, it may go thru.
:bigbow:

[CWGUY]

Hi, after 3 years, we get the picture and it is not pretty AT ALL. So, private email me here, and maybe we can chat on the phone, but the site will not let us be negative of their "GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH?" We are shopping elsewhere for now and will lose a bundle on our place.
Brawney123. Do a private message on here, try it, it may go thru.
:bigbow:

:1rotfl:

[dewilson58]

Hi, after 3 years, we get the picture and it is not pretty AT ALL. So, private email me here, and maybe we can chat on the phone, but the site will not let us be negative of their "GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH?" We are shopping elsewhere for now and will lose a bundle on our place.
Brawney123. Do a private message on here, try it, it may go thru.
:bigbow:


You can be negative. The site will allow. Your post is still here.


After 3 years, you won't lose a dime.......unless if you paid too much.


There are a lot of people who love TV and it's not just a Show.


The OP seems sad. I love Snowbirds, Roundabouts and the noise (which is usually people having fun at Squares).


Good Luck on your sale.

[Taltarzac725]

The neighbors do make it or break it IMHO and you do have to be quite diplomatic in many situations.

[fw102807]

Much as we love The Villages it is not for everyone. My sister would not like it here.

[dewilson58]

Much as we love The Villages it is not for everyone. My sister would not like it here.




And I am sooooooooooooooooo happy my sister would not like it here.


:1rotfl:
:1rotfl:
:1rotfl:

[Taltarzac725]

Much as we love The Villages it is not for everyone. My sister would not like it here.

My younger brother was here for 1.5 years but did not take advantage of all the things offered here so it did not work out all that much for him. He married a Jamaican-American and they did have problems with racism but it came from people of either white or black racial self-identification. And this also happened in St. Petersburg, FL.

Not enough action as far as culture here for my older brother as he is used to going to the Smithsonian in DC quite often as well as many plays and the like.

I do not mind a quiet life but do like the trips to DC on occasion for a needed break.

The Villages is not for everyone.

[spring_chicken]

I am assuming when you say "All I see lately is angry", you are referring to online social media, such as TOTV.

My experience suggests there is much less of it in the "real world" of The Villages, i.e. activities outside of the digital world. I think this forum tends to attract a higher percentage of people with mental health issues such as loneliness, anxiety and depression than you will find "outside." Anger often is a symptom of these, and is more easily expressed "behind the computer screen", IMHO.

Very astute analysis. I find that I come across MUCH fewer angry, hostile people when I'm out doing things. I think they are happier because they aren't sitting behind a computer trying to form cliques and start arguments on the internet.

[Nucky]

The whole idea is for people to post whatever is on their mind even if everybody doesn't agree with them. How would it be if each post went something like this?

Everything is great the torrential rain and the oncoming Category 2 to 3 should miss us by a mile and all our bills are paid for 12 months in advance and they just delivered my new Car and Golf Cart because I get new each week and all people with pets have had them surgically plugged up etc etc etc.

This is a place to discuss and have a couple of laughs and to console people who are struggling or who have experienced a loss of some kind. So kindly speak your mind but speak it kindly. There is some valuable info here. Just have to weed through some Bull.

People here are kind overall. Beer muscles behind the computer are very common!

[Laker14]

I am enjoying my first snowbird winter in TV this winter. I have found 99.9% of the people I've run into to be very friendly. I've played quite a bit of golf as a single player, playing with 3 strangers who may or may not know each other. In every case the other players have been very friendly, and very enjoyable to play with, regardless of their skill level.
My wife and I were walking by the pickleball courts. She is learning to play as a rank beginner, and wanted to watch. Two ladies came by and encouraged her to play. She has been going to beginners meet-ups and classes and says everyone has been great. On several occasions she's gone by herself to work on her serves, and every time she's done this, total strangers, all better players than she is, have offered to hit with her, and help her. Some have included her in their games, even though they were considerably better than she is.
I have had more conversations with strangers here than I can count, all friendly, all eager to tell their stories and listen to mine.

I have seen a few instances of drivers getting impatient, and honking needlessly, but not very many. Maybe 2 or 3 times in a month.

So I'd say it's a very friendly place. It's as if everyone is having a good time here. Imagine that.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Is it a sales tool and false or the truth?

Examples of either please.

All I see lately is angry. Snowbirds, roundabouts, noise... where is the good to balance it and even go over the top.

It is not a sales pitch because the sales pitch only claims TV to be Florida's Friendliest Home Town.

As to the validity of the claim. It would be virtually impossible to quantify and rank towns by their friendliness. Surveys are unreliable. One survey (https://www.yourlocalsecurity.com/blog/2018/10/24/safest-most-dangerous-metro-areas-trick-or-treating/)ranked TV as the most dangerous place to trick or treat in America because of the lack of children living here.

[stroch609@gmail.com]

My parents moved here 15 years ago, and unfortunately times have really changed. “The Freindliest Town” is no longer true. My spouse and I laugh every time we see the signs or read it. The Villages has many stuck up, snobbish, one sided grumpy and mean residents.

[dewilson58]

My parents moved here 15 years ago, and unfortunately times have really changed. “The Freindliest Town” is no longer true. My spouse and I laugh every time we see the signs or read it. The Villages has many stuck up, snobbish, one sided grumpy and mean residents.




I maybe stuck up, but I can spell.






:1rotfl:
:1rotfl:

[billethkid]

My parents moved here 15 years ago, and unfortunately times have really changed. “The Freindliest Town” is no longer true. My spouse and I laugh every time we see the signs or read it. The Villages has many stuck up, snobbish, one sided grumpy and mean residents.

Once again talking about the few. There will always be a few that always get the attention and discussion. The few bad apples are presented as if they represent the general condition.

THEY DO NOT!!!!!

There are 95% plus of us who would tell a different story.

[graciegirl]

My parents moved here 15 years ago, and unfortunately times have really changed. “The Freindliest Town” is no longer true. My spouse and I laugh every time we see the signs or read it. The Villages has many stuck up, snobbish, one sided grumpy and mean residents.

I don't agree.

[BK001]

My parents moved here 15 years ago, and unfortunately times have really changed. “The Freindliest Town” is no longer true. My spouse and I laugh every time we see the signs or read it. The Villages has many stuck up, snobbish, one sided grumpy and mean residents.

Wow -- I wonder where they are since we have not run across any of them -- not one, single, solitary person who fits the above description.

[Bogie Shooter]

My parents moved here 15 years ago, and unfortunately times have really changed. “The Freindliest Town” is no longer true. My spouse and I laugh every time we see the signs or read it. The Villages has many stuck up, snobbish, one sided grumpy and mean residents.

We been here 16 years and I do not see things as you do.

[fw102807]

I just had to go back and read that post again.
There is not one single, solitary person in the villages who is rude!
Wow.

No one she has met.

[fw102807]

You must not pay attention because it happens right here on this message board a dozen times a day. Check out the poster who is so proud of all of her deleted posts.
Out in public, it happens every day. Every day EVERYWHERE!
There are rude people EVERYWHERE! People are better served to recognize them and try to make their day better than follow orders and drink koolaid.

I have found that if you are nice to people they are generally nice to you... and if they are not then ignore is a wonderful tool.

[billethkid]

We been here 16 years and I do not see things as you do.

Ditto...16 years as well!

[vintageogauge]

Hi, after 3 years, we get the picture and it is not pretty AT ALL. So, private email me here, and maybe we can chat on the phone, but the site will not let us be negative of their "GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH?" We are shopping elsewhere for now and will lose a bundle on our place.
Brawney123. Do a private message on here, try it, it may go thru.
:bigbow:

Why would you lose a bundle on your place. If you bought it new there is now way you will lose a bundle. If you overpaid for a re-sale maybe so but there are not too many homes being sold that realizes the owner a "bundle" loss. We bought in Fenney in the very beginning with less than 30 homes sold down here and everyone we know or run into is very friendly except that guy with his gun at the dog park. I believe our home has appreciated in value significantly since our purchase however that is not why we bought it.

[tophcfa]

Like any place in this world, wherever you go there are always some unhappy/unfriendly/angry people, it is unavoidable. However, our observation has been that in the Villages those unhappy people are fewer and further in-between than any other place we have ever experienced (except for possibly the great tiny Caribbean Island of St. John, where just about everyone is on "island time", which is a very happy place. Sure, everyone is entitled to an occasional bad day, but if you are active and enjoy everything the Villages has to offer, it is hard to have many bad days. If you want to experience friendly, try pulling over on the side of a multi-modal path and open up the seat of your golf cart like it's broken down. Within a very short time, multiple people will stop and ask if everything is OK, if you need any help, or if they can do anything for you. It is amazing! We find that one problem we have with the Villages is that sometimes people are actually too friendly. Sometimes we have a free hour or so to go out in our front yard to work on the garden and tidy things up and find that we never get more than a few minutes to actually work. Everyone that walks by the house wants to stop and chat and make friends. Other times I go to a sports pool to swim as many laps as possible during the short times allocated for lap swimming and find that I can't get in many laps because everyone wants to chat and make friends. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about this, having people being overly friendly is a great problem to have. Like others have said, the Villages is not for everyone. But there is a reason why it is the largest 55+ retirement community of it's kind in the world and they can keep selling new homes as fast as they can be built. This would not happen in a community filled with angry and unhappy residents.

[Bogie Shooter]

That sums it up very well.

[EdFNJ]

And I am sooooooooooooooooo happy my sister would not like it here.


:1rotfl:
:1rotfl:
:1rotfl:

Unfortunately mine did. ;)

[EdFNJ]

It is not a sales pitch because the sales pitch only claims TV to be Florida's Friendliest Home Town.

As to the validity of the claim. It would be virtually impossible to quantify and rank towns by their friendliness. Surveys are unreliable. One survey (https://www.yourlocalsecurity.com/blog/2018/10/24/safest-most-dangerous-metro-areas-trick-or-treating/)ranked TV as the most dangerous place to trick or treat in America because of the lack of children living here. Another survey said there will never be elephant stampedes here so it is a safe place to live (compared to Zimbawe).

[CFrance]

Chi33, maybe the angry people you encountered saw you sitting in your car drinking in your driveway with the music on.

[EdFNJ]

We met our first TRULY unfriendly one in 2yrs this morning at Panera (Starbucks was closed). There were 2 tables together and no other seats available in the entire place. One G.O.L. was sitting at 1/2 the double table reading a magazine. Wife politely asked her if she'd mind if we used the other table next to her. She looks up at my wife and says "NO, I'D PREFER NOT. A friend might be coming" (who would be sitting ACROSS from her still leaving the 2nd table free). Needless to say there was no friend for at least the 45 mins we were there. That was our first "unfriendly" experience in 2 yrs. Point is sh1t happens but don't paint the entire town with this person.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Like any place in this world, wherever you go there are always some unhappy/unfriendly/angry people, it is unavoidable. However, our observation has been that in the Villages those unhappy people are fewer and further in-between than any other place we have ever experienced (except for possibly the great tiny Caribbean Island of St. John, where just about everyone is on "island time", which is a very happy place. Sure, everyone is entitled to an occasional bad day, but if you are active and enjoy everything the Villages has to offer, it is hard to have many bad days. If you want to experience friendly, try pulling over on the side of a multi-modal path and open up the seat of your golf cart like it's broken down. Within a very short time, multiple people will stop and ask if everything is OK, if you need any help, or if they can do anything for you. It is amazing! We find that one problem we have with the Villages is that sometimes people are actually too friendly. Sometimes we have a free hour or so to go out in our front yard to work on the garden and tidy things up and find that we never get more than a few minutes to actually work. Everyone that walks by the house wants to stop and chat and make friends. Other times I go to a sports pool to swim as many laps as possible during the short times allocated for lap swimming and find that I can't get in many laps because everyone wants to chat and make friends. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about this, having people being overly friendly is a great problem to have. Like others have said, the Villages is not for everyone. But there is a reason why it is the largest 55+ retirement community of it's kind in the world and they can keep selling new homes as fast as they can be built. This would not happen in a community filled with angry and unhappy residents.

If I was trying to get work done in my yard and was inundated with folks interrupting the work, I'd just give them a spade or hand-rake or some potting soil and invite them to participate, and then when we're done I'd bring them onto the lanai for some fresh-squeezed lemonade with honey.

[EviesGP]

tophcfa nailed it! Never experienced so many nice, caring, and accommodating folks! Whether it's in our new neighborhood, or during recreational activities. As for the negative posts, that's called sensationalism in the media, and stimuli and boredom on these posts and blogs. You won't see pics and vids of cars and trains passing along. But you'll surely see the wrecks! Enough said.

[Rango]

:popcorn:

[bmarlo767]

I think that is the same all over the world, The last several years I have been working in Asia ( China, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. My brother came to visit in China and while walking through a park commented people do not seem friendly. I told him to smile at them. It was like turning on a switch, almost everyone smiled back and several wanted to talk. I still have many friends in Asia, even married one who is here with me now.

[Schaumburger]

During my visits to The Villages, I have met many, many friendly and helpful people. Including the great man who helped me with a minor problem with my rental car a few years ago who would not take any money for his time. And the great couple who had me follow them in their golf cart when I got lost in my golf cart getting to Spanish Springs.

[jebartle]

Love our Village pardise. Our Village neighbors are the best. Want a friend, BE a friend.

[justjim]

Twelve years in The Villages. If there is a friendlier place on this planet with 120,000 plus people, let me know as I would like to “invest” in such a place. I see “acts of kindness” and hear of them almost everyday in The Villages. Amen.

[BK001]

No one she has met.

Thanks FW -- that is exactly what I meant.

[BK001]

Love our Village pardise. . . . Want a friend, BE a friend.

I couldn't agree more. You reap what you sow and that is so evident here in TV - smile, they smile back. Wave, they wave back. Be nice, they are nice. Be helpful, they are helpful, etc., etc., etc.

[Topspinmo]

If you were unfriendly and nasty before you moved here most likely the villages not going to change you’re personality. It May take while, but sooner or later your old self will rear its ugly head. IMO 90% are friendly people.

[Bay Kid]

Smile and you will receive a smile.

[Retiring]

Is it a sales tool and false or the truth?

Examples of either please.

All I see lately is angry. Snowbirds, roundabouts, noise... where is the good to balance it and even go over the top.

There are many great people in TV. If you’re looking for a place with only Saints, you’ll have to wait a few (or hopefully a lot) years, as that place doesn’t exist on earth.

[NotGolfer]

Is it a sales tool and false or the truth?

Examples of either please.

All I see lately is angry. Snowbirds, roundabouts, noise... where is the good to balance it and even go over the top.

“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.”

― John Lydgate

Rings true in TV same as everyplace else.

That all said (along with other answered/comments) is most social media sites have the folks who "air" their differences because they're anonymous. I haven't encountered face to face, too many individuals in the "going on" 10 yrs we've lived here. I was always taught that you can choose your attitude. It must be a sorry place for all the negative people to reside with their furrowed brows. I've met people here who are enduring insurmountable issues that would take most folks down but their approach to "LIFE" is joy!!

[EnglishJW]

Is it an advertising slogan? Certainly. Are there some depressed, angry or otherwise unpleasant people here? Absolutely. However, given those realities, we have found the vast majority of Villagers to be friendly and helpful. We enjoy our neighbors (but understand you might get unlucky in this regard). We love interacting with our dance instructors and other dancers. 99% of the people I have played pickleball with have been terrific (but, in truth, I have found that to be the case with pickleball players almost everywhere). We assume this is how many of us make friends - through their activities like golf, quilting, miniatures, gardening, bowling, flying, biking, line dancing, zumba, yoga, oldies, cars, food, etc. We have more friends here in TV after just over 4 years than we had at our last home that were in for 32 years. The Villages, for us, has proven to be a great home town.

[Chi-Town]

I notice that tensions are a little bit higher at the beginning of snowbird season as all have an adjustment period. But it is short lived. It doesn't take long for The Villages lifestyle to smooth things out.


Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Friendliness is a subjective assessment and can be influenced by one's home region. Some of us think it unfriendly to not acknowledge a "good morning" while others may consider friendliness as simple as not being punched in the throat. Friendliness is also situational. Some people are friendly until they get behind the wheel of a car or until they get behind a slow group of golfers, see a bumper sticker that lights their fuse, or spot someone with eleven items in the express line. My hot button is telemarketers. With them, I fly my rude flag proudly.