Crowds?

[scrapple]

I'm still searching for Truth, Understanding and the TV Way:D
During my quest I had one Realtor tell me that TV is very crowded, and there are lines for everything
"There are so many homes down there that no matter where you go you have to wait in line. Even though there are tons of restaurants, stores, golf ect ect [sic] there are also 100,000 people more or less. A lot of people like it down there but it depends on your personality."

So, how close to reality is that? I've gotta believe there are tons more people in Winter, so it must strain the infrastructure some during that time?



3 weeks 3 days and a couple hours (not that I'm counting, mind you) :beer3:

[Talk Host]

I have never been delayed on my starting time at a Championship course.

[njbchbum]

Sure, it's crowded in winter - but you adapt! You go out to eat during the week and host a dinner party or go to one on the weekends; you change your tee time for the winter; you go to a movie the week after it opens; join a few clubs - club meeting times don't often change; go out for lunch instead of dinner; and only wait in line for the 'must haves' - you can meet the nicest people in line!

[billethkid]

Like any size city anywhere, the popular places, events at the earliest of times or best seats is always "crowded" or has a line. On either side of those times there in little or no waiting.

What bubble or 2 horse town is the realtor from? Or she gets a better commission for sales outside the TV.

T-times....are an urban legend. We have been here 5 years and have NEVER ever not got a t-time to play. Most of the complaining comes from those who do not understand the system or think they should always have a "right" to their favorite time or course.

Narrow minded, mis-information!!!!!!!!

btk

[barb1191]

Scrapple.... I would venture a guess that your realtor does not live in TV and that was merely a pitch for opening up the field of sales choices.

Having lived here in TV for eight years and seeing the vast growth in this "paradise" I have never felt it to be overcrowded. The developer has done a remarkable job in accommodating each group of "villages" with an area of their own for shopping, entertainment with the most beautiful club houses you will ever see, and even the street traffic isn't so bad when one considers that many, or most travel by golfcart which relieves the motorways.

Other than the commercial centers such as Disney World, I doubt you could find a development as complete as what we have here in TV for the entertainment and activities are boundless and definitely not expensive, to boot.

The expression, "It's a beautiful day in The Villages," is absolutely so, in every way, and even during the cloudy or stormy days, it's still beautiful!

barb1191

[ricthemic]

fort meyers, boca, ft lauderdale, pompano, vero etc.
january thru april, please ask your realtor what he/she thinks the wait times are in good restaurants there and while your at it ask what the winter population is... my first winter here and the only restaurant problem we had is when we had 14 try to get one table at cody's around 6 pm.

[zcaveman]

May to September is the no crowd time. No lines and no crowds and no snippity people. Both inside and outside of TV.

Like the Porgy and Bess song - Summer time - and the living is easy.

In a way I disagree with billythekid on Tee times. It is no an urban myth. I might not have a "right" to certain times and courses but I have a want. The more you play, the less time you get your choices on the Request system. I like certain course and times and have to work to get tee times. And I usually do. It just takes a certain dedication.

[villages07]

Barb's post said it all, perfectly. It is busier here in the wintertime but still quite manageable to get around and do the things you enjoy.

We vacationed in Vero Beach area one February and the traffic was horrendous.

Current population is somewhere around 75K.

[Pturner]

Scapple, I would not use that Realtor as (s)he seems more interested in her/her own welfare than yours.

[swrinfla]

My gauge of crowds:

When there are more than 15 cars at the light on Morse at Rio Grande!

Or, when I have to wait through two cycles to turn left from Buena Vista to westbound CR466.

Over time I and my usual "eating buddies" have learned that, in the winter, you don't expect to eat before 8:00pm unless you show up at your restaurant of choice close to 3:30pm! In summer, you can usually arrive about 7:00 and walk right in!

Considering that I almost never ate out before coming to TV, I think I've adjusted quite well! :a040:

SWR
:beer3:

[Mallory]

Seems like your realtor is trying to sell you Summer Glen or, worse yet, OTOW. Ouch!!!!!!!!!

[pooh]

Not sure how crowded it is where you live, but even though there are 75,000 residents, the community is set up in such a manner that it doesn't seem that congested. In the winter there is considerably more traffic, but it's not nearly as bad as where many people have moved from. I'm from southern CA and lived fairly close to one freeway. Talk about traffic! Waiting at a restaurant could happen in the winter and it does, but when you live here, you learn to adjust to more people and some of the waits.

Golf....if you are willing to put in a wide enough time range and a good number of courses, you shouldn't have difficulties getting out to play. Each Friday we have a group that varies in size from 12 up to 24 players. I think we've only been "shut out" once in a year. Hubby plays with groups on Thursday and Friday and they don't have trouble either. His groups are large, also.

A lot of people do love it here, there is so much to love. It might take some adjustment because the community is planned, set up with some pretty small lots, but the people are great, giving, friendly and enjoy all that the community and the surrounding areas have to offer. I'm not sure that your realtor really knows or understands what The Villages is like or about. You can do or not do so many things, some for recreation, some for emotional growth, some helpful for those who need someone to help. Only you can decide if this community is right for you.

[Pturner]

Not sure how crowded it is where you live, but even though there are 75,000 residents, the community is set up in such a manner that it doesn't seem that congested. In the winter there is considerably more traffic, but it's not nearly as bad as where many people have moved from. I'm from southern CA and lived fairly close to one freeway. Talk about traffic! Waiting at a restaurant could happen in the winter and it does, but when you live here, you learn to adjust to more people and some of the waits.

Golf....if you are willing to put in a wide enough time range and a good number of courses, you shouldn't have difficulties getting out to play. Each Friday we have a group that varies in size from 12 up to 24 players. I think we've only been "shut out" once in a year. Hubby plays with groups on Thursday and Friday and they don't have trouble either. His groups are large, also.

A lot of people do love it here, there is so much to love. It might take some adjustment because the community is planned, set up with some pretty small lots, but the people are great, giving, friendly and enjoy all that the community and the surrounding areas have to offer. I'm not sure that your realtor really knows or understands what The Villages is like or about. You can do or not do so many things, some for recreation, some for emotional growth, some helpful for those who need someone to help. Only you can decide if this community is right for you.

Excellent post, as usual, Pooh

[pooh]

Excellent post, as usual, Pooh

Thank you, you're so kind.... :)

[redwitch]

Okay, I'm going to try to bite my tongue and give this realtor the benefit of the doubt. I think crowded is a matter of mind.

I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area, where a 30-minute non-commute drive can easily take you 3 hours. I've waited for up to two hours to get into one of my favorite restaurants (if I hadn't known the owner, my wait would have been more like go away and come back tomorrow around 2:00 pm for an 8:00 pm seating). So, even at the worst of times, I don't find TV crowded even though I've been known to drum my fingers trying to turn left on Morse from my house, especially during the high season.

One of my dearest friends in TV is from a small town in Michigan. She loves it here but really hates the crowds. She tolerates snowbirds as a necessary evil. She refuses to drive to Leesburg during the winter season -- too much traffic. You can't get her on Morse (she lives in Tall Trees) except during the summer. To her, TV is extremely crowded but she loves it anyway.

I have other friends who won't go south of 466 because the "newcomers" are too pushy and LSL is too crowded.

So, maybe your realtor is from a small town and perceives TV to truly be overcrowded. And it is something to consider if you're used to small towns with no traffic and no waits. If, however, a little bit of waiting doesn't bother you or is seen as an excuse to talk to the person standing in line with you and maybe make a new friend, then you're rarely going to consider it crowded. The other alternative is to change your lifestyle a little during high season -- eat out earlier or later; entertain at home more; be willing to accept less popular tee times; etc.

[champion6]

pooh, I'm pushing Fast Forward to get the TV ASAP. Hmmm, it doesn't seem to be working.

[Rag Bagger]

in The Bird Season. But honestly it's no big deal compared to nearly any other place I have lived.

Traffic is a piece of cake. There are lots of complaints about the rotaries but they are very good at moving traffic. If you have any doubt about how well they work just drive on Morse North of 466 where there are conventional intersections with traffic lights. They slow you down but even that isn't much. Golf carts reduce the congestion considerably. Just go to the squares at night and see how many carts are parked where one car would fit.

The weekends at resturaunts are more crowded than mid week. Hard to understand but all us retired people seem to make plans for weekends just like in the days when we worked. I don't get that...every night is Saturday night so just plan a Tuesday night out. Or better yet a Mid week Lunch. Still the wait usually isn't all that big a deal if you have to go out on the weekend.

My sister lives in Naples. Talk about crowds yikes. Other friends have settled in Ft. Meyers, Venice and Vero all way more crowded than here.

Of course this horendous crowd thing NOT goes away after The Bird Season next month.

[Vinny]

Sure, it's crowded in winter - but you adapt! You go out to eat during the week and host a dinner party or go to one on the weekends; you change your tee time for the winter; you go to a movie the week after it opens; join a few clubs - club meeting times don't often change; go out for lunch instead of dinner; and only wait in line for the 'must haves' - you can meet the nicest people in line!

We are moving to TV this June as permenant residents. Up here in NJ an hour or more wait at all popular resturants is expected. We avoid that by going at off hours. I guess it would be the same at TV. We have visited TV several times in the summer and never a line but I am aware of the winter crowd. We don't eat out much, especially after seeing Hell's Kitchen. :)

[golfnut]

imo, snowbirds pump enuf money into the economy in TV in the 4 - 5 months they are here to keep it going for the other 8 months of the year, thank heaven for the snowbirds....gn

[pooh]

pooh, I'm pushing Fast Forward to get the TV ASAP. Hmmm, it doesn't seem to be working.

LOL....I'll help...pushing fast forward for you here at our end, too!

[rwcw]

Let me preface by telling you that our house is up for sale and we're moving to the Villages, ASAP.
The churches are crowded (especially the Catholic, even the one in Bellview) and the movies are crowded with lines you won't believe and it's difficult to find any free bowling lanes any time of he year. We were there over Mothers Day one year and spent half the day driving around looking for a restaurant where the wait was less than an hour, even driving down to Leesburg. During the season some of the pools have to turn people away due to maximum occupancy limits.
We were there this past Christmas and New Years and it was crowded every where we went.
Your Realtor was telling the truth in my opinion. There's a lot of adjustments that we'll have to make but we expect that they'll be off set by the nice new home we'll be getting, the activities we will be able to participate in and the people we'll be meeting. We're golfers.

[GatbTester]

You are more than correct Scrapple, why add to the problem?

[pooh]

Let me preface by telling you that our house is up for sale and we're moving to the Villages, ASAP.
The churches are crowded (especially the Catholic, even the one in Bellview) and the movies are crowded with lines you won't believe and it's difficult to find any free bowling lanes any time of he year. We were there over Mothers Day one year and spent half the day driving around looking for a restaurant where the wait was less than an hour, even driving down to Leesburg. During the season some of the pools have to turn people away due to maximum occupancy limits.
We were there this past Christmas and New Years and it was crowded every where we went.
Your Realtor was telling the truth in my opinion. There's a lot of adjustments that we'll have to make but we expect that they'll be off set by the nice new home we'll be getting, the activities we will be able to participate in and the people we'll be meeting. We're golfers.

Interesting....I've never had to wait at the movies, but then again, I don't go during the times the kids are on vacation or right when a new movie opens. I also tend to go to a very early showing when I go.

Coming from the Cape Cod area, then the San Francisco area and finally southern CA, These crowds seem small compared to the other areas I've lived in.

Restauants can be crowded during the "high" season, but they aren't crowded all day so we, us and our friends, just adjust when we'll eat. Prior to retiring, the weekends were when we and our friends would be out and about, now every day is the weekend. After 4 years of being retired, I'm still trying to realize and recognize that... :)

Churches are crowded? That's a good thing!

[ricthemic]

Let me preface by telling you that our house is up for sale and we're moving to the Villages, ASAP.
The churches are crowded (especially the Catholic, even the one in Bellview) and the movies are crowded with lines you won't believe and it's difficult to find any free bowling lanes any time of he year. We were there over Mothers Day one year and spent half the day driving around looking for a restaurant where the wait was less than an hour, even driving down to Leesburg. During the season some of the pools have to turn people away due to maximum occupancy limits.
We were there this past Christmas and New Years and it was crowded every where we went.
Your Realtor was telling the truth in my opinion. There's a lot of adjustments that we'll have to make but we expect that they'll be off set by the nice new home we'll be getting, the activities we will be able to participate in and the people we'll be meeting. We're golfers.

you are kidding right? mother's day is typically in mid may and you spent "half a day" driving around looking for a restaraunt and I love the "during the season" pools turning people away... would the season be january thru april when the weather is not really pool weather? wow so you are really moving here as soon as possible even though you hv to make all those adjustments... great preface...
I think your only adjustment is perhaps accepting the the fact that you bought a village want a be property near by cause you got so much more house for the money and now it is impossible to sell for half of what you paid for it. nice post though especially the part where "your realtor was telling the truth" classic, good one. I bought in tv eight months ago and i could not disagree with your post more and guess what I have no angle or agenda but then again i have not been here in mid may for mothers day when all the snow birds are gone .. have fun in leesburg next month.

[Russ_Boston]

I think we know when to ignore a post.

I went to a bowling alley in SS last May and we could almost hear the crickets:)

[Pturner]

imo, snowbirds pump enuf money into the economy in TV in the 4 - 5 months they are here to keep it going for the other 8 months of the year, thank heaven for the snowbirds....gn

You are so right, GN

[scrapple]

Not sure how crowded it is where you live, but even though there are 75,000 residents, the community is set up in such a manner that it doesn't seem that congested. In the winter there is considerably more traffic, but it's not nearly as bad as where many people have moved from. I'm from southern CA and lived fairly close to one freeway. Talk about traffic! Waiting at a restaurant could happen in the winter and it does, but when you live here, you learn to adjust to more people and some of the waits.

Golf....if you are willing to put in a wide enough time range and a good number of courses, you shouldn't have difficulties getting out to play. Each Friday we have a group that varies in size from 12 up to 24 players. I think we've only been "shut out" once in a year. Hubby plays with groups on Thursday and Friday and they don't have trouble either. His groups are large, also.

A lot of people do love it here, there is so much to love. It might take some adjustment because the community is planned, set up with some pretty small lots, but the people are great, giving, friendly and enjoy all that the community and the surrounding areas have to offer. I'm not sure that your realtor really knows or understands what The Villages is like or about. You can do or not do so many things, some for recreation, some for emotional growth, some helpful for those who need someone to help. Only you can decide if this community is right for you.

Looks like I struck a nerve on that queston!:D

Thanks Pooh, your reply was rational and well thought out. So it gets busy during the winter? Gee who'da thunk it?:22yikes:
I appreciate the suggestions that you just need to adjust. Common sense prevails!

Thanks everyone
Dan

[nussbaum]

I have met a few people from the fringe (spruce creek, del web, stonecrest) and they always say "have you read leisureville?". Then they come to TV to eat, go to the movies and shop. a typical outsider's comments that they are better off where they are. maybe they should stay away from TV if it is so awful!

[tpop1]

Crowded - Yes.
Busy - Yes.
Do'able - Yes.

Was in Sarasota for 9 years with relatives in Naples and find T.V. no more busy than those places.

But...if you avoid the busiest times - Not an issue.

Avoid 9AM mass and Sat. PM at any church in Florida! - 7AM and Noon masses are not an issue. Also, my best bet is St. Vincent De Paul 5:45 PM mass on Sunday afternoon; meets my lifestyle and always has room.

Eat dinner a little later - Everyone wants dinner at 6PM! 8PM usually not an issue.

Golf early or late - Everyone wants a 9AM tee time! Also, less issue with Championship courses. Priority membership helps a lot!

Pools - Never found them to be an issue!

Be a contrarian! Do things when others are napping!!!::)

Also you're in Florida; gotta have patience! Plenty of restaurant seats in New Haven (substitute your home town) in January!:a040:
_

[BobKat1]

tpop1, you hit it on the head. Florida is busy in the winter - Nearly everywhere! A fact of life that one has to accept if one wants to live in the state.

[eweissenbach]

Since we just returned from our first visit, a lifestyle preview, we have not experienced TV in Jan - Mar. Our mid-April visit was pleasant in every way, and we did not have any problems with traffic, or crowds. We will find out next Jan/Feb if things are different, as we are renting a place for those months. I cannot beleive it is not manageable, but others may have a difference of opinion.

[memason]

I have lived my entire life in places bigger than 80,000 people. Try Japan at 14 million and riding a Tokyo subway, then you can really appreciate crowded...

I will be a full-timer by November and I will embrace the snow birds, since it's their investment in TV that makes TV what it is. Without that investment, I suspect we'd all like living somewhere else...

Please....someone remind me of this, if I ever post about crowds :duck:

[angel222]

I moved to TV in May '09 from NY.....My first "in season" was this past winter and there was absolutely nothing difficult in TV if you truly experience your freedom of retirement. I love not having a particular time to "have to" eat by; haven't stood on line and not met some great people; enjoy changing golf times and experiencing another course; and if this is traffic you should see the LI Expressway!! The best thing about being here this winter was to get the phone calls from friends and family in NY telling me how lucky I was to live here (no snow:cold:!) and I know they are RIGHT!
Sounds to me like you should change RE agents ... enjoy the freedom of choice!
Char :thumbup:

[Vinny]

I have lived my entire life in places bigger than 80,000 people. Try Japan at 14 million and riding a Tokyo subway, then you can really appreciate crowded...

I will be a full-timer by November and I will embrace the snow birds, since it's their investment in TV that makes TV what it is. Without that investment, I suspect we'd all like living somewhere else...

Please....someone remind me of this, if I ever post about crowds :duck:

I had worked in China and Hong Kong and know what you mean. In NJ where I live until next month, you wait for a table even on weekdays. I hate lines so I either eat at off hours or eat in. I love my wife's cooking better than eating out. No heartburn afterwards, either. :thumbup:

[Vinny]

Let me preface by telling you that our house is up for sale and we're moving to the Villages, ASAP.
The churches are crowded (especially the Catholic, even the one in Bellview) and the movies are crowded with lines you won't believe and it's difficult to find any free bowling lanes any time of he year. We were there over Mothers Day one year and spent half the day driving around looking for a restaurant where the wait was less than an hour, even driving down to Leesburg. During the season some of the pools have to turn people away due to maximum occupancy limits.
We were there this past Christmas and New Years and it was crowded every where we went.
Your Realtor was telling the truth in my opinion. There's a lot of adjustments that we'll have to make but we expect that they'll be off set by the nice new home we'll be getting, the activities we will be able to participate in and the people we'll be meeting. We're golfers.

I have done the driving around thing to find a resturant that has a shorter wait. Now I am a little more high Tech and use my iPhone to do that. I am not kidding when I say that my wife and I have not been to a movie theater since sometime in the early 70's. I was a pioneer in home theater and to this day maintain one (two right now) in every home I had. No lines and I can pause the movie anytime I want. As for food, I prefer my BBQ over anything I find in a resturant so eating out is not a priority but something we do if we do not have to wait in line which is mostly off hours.

Now days we make our own entertainment experience and experiment with BBQ sauces and recipes. No lines at all. We enjoy hosting friends most of all as we find joy in conversation, a good bottle of wine and some good people to laugh with. If we go out to eat and the wait for a table is too long, we go right back home and fire up the grill and cook some meat. Not many movies worth seeing anyway. Gee, I am begining to sound like my father. :undecided:

[Grill Meister]

In the winter we have a larger number of visitors and seasonal residents; therefore, there will be waits at all of the restaurants. Don't make the mistake some many others make and expect to go to a restaurant at 5 and beat the crowd. Everyone has the same idea and at 5pm you will definitely have to wait. Go at 7pm and most times you can fire a cannon through the restaurant and not hit a soul.:boom:

The renters usually vacate around March 31st and the seasonal residents leave before May 1st. After May 1st, you can fire that cannon again. :boom: Restaurant tables are readily available and you have no problem getting the tee-time you want at the course you would like to play. As was said, "Summertime and the livin's is easy.":MOJE_whot: