Friendly Villagers

[Floridagal]

I am finding that Villagers are not as friendly as everyone believes. Hard to make new friends. Everyone clickish.

[Retiring]

I am finding that Villagers are not as friendly as everyone believes. Hard to make new friends. Everyone clickish.

Do you have a specific event in mind?

TV is a city of 100,000+ and you will find the full spectrum of society within its boundaries, the good, the bad and the ugly. Have you tried one, or some, of the MANY clubs available? There is something for everyone in TV, but it may not fall in your lap. Do some homework and you will be overwhelmed by the hospitality.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I am finding that Villagers are not as friendly as everyone believes. Hard to make new friends. Everyone clickish.

Have you introduced yourself to your immediate neighbors yet? How about the folks who live in the houses right behind yours? If you live in a courtyard villa this will obviously be harder to do, but I doubt it'd be impossible. You'd just need to give it a little more time, and make sure you spend some time out front every day so they can see you making the effort.

I had no problem meeting my neighbors the very first day I got to the house after we closed on the property. I went out on the front lanai, and the next door neighbor came right over to find out who this stranger was at the house.

Introduced ourselves, and then the neighbor insisted on introducing me to the other nearest neighbors. So now we're all on a first-name basis, and I've even been invited to be part of a neighborhood womens' luncheon group.

I've found all my neighbors are pretty terrific.

[drpepper]

Get a Golden Retriever and you will have lots of people befriend you. {REALLY} We met more nice folks because of Max than we could imagine.

[graciegirl]

Floridagal. I looked at your old posts and see you have lived here since 2012. Sometimes neighborhoods can be cliquish. Sometimes that changes over time to be more friendly, or less.

Daughter Helene who lives with us and I will be home all day today and I will be painting on the lanai. If you are interested to meet us and enjoy a chat or will be near to us on 466, please just ring the doorbell. My first name is Grace. We can have a cold drink and you can tell us of all of your interests. I see you like to play Mah-Jong and Canasta and you have your hair cut the same place I do. I am a person who always enjoys company. If you message me, I will give you my phone number and address.

Don't be lonely, there are nice people just waiting to be met. If you do not want to do this, I understand too.

[Arctic Fox]

Our neighborhood has someone who visits all new people within a few days of their moving in and invites them to our monthly meeting.

There, all new arrivals are mentioned and, if you are there, you are introduced.

So ask around and see if your neighborhood has meetings - monthly entertainment, men's breakfast, ladies' luncheon - as it's a great way to meet people.

Plus, at this time of year, many sports/social groups have only half their members present and would love new people to join. Our tennis group has thirty people turning up in the winter, but only ten or so in the summer. Look in the weekly guide to find something you like and just turn up to it. May seem daunting, but I think you'd be surprised by the reception you get.

[rjn5656]

Just reach out to your neighbors and say hello. Invite them over for a coffee, beer, etc. Thaty will get things started.

[karostay]

I am finding that Villagers are not as friendly as everyone believes. Hard to make new friends. Everyone clickish..

Funny how things have change over time.
Not long ago we were all new here would wave and greet strangers
with smiles, handshakes and hugs.In just a decade it's all changed.
We have become protective of our postage stamp environment.
Now we barely acknowledge our neighbors

[Bay Kid]

Don't give up. A smile will go a long ways.

[vintageogauge]

We have been here in Fenney for over two years now and have found that for the most part having only a few exceptions, people are very friendly.

[vintageogauge]

.

Funny how things have change over time.
Not long ago we were all new here would wave and greet strangers
with smiles, handshakes and hugs.In just a decade it's all changed.
We have become protective of our postage stamp environment.
Now we barely acknowledge our neighbors

Why do you not acknowledge your neighbors?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Floridagal. I looked at your old posts and see you have lived here since 2012. Sometimes neighborhoods can be cliquish. Sometimes that changes over time to be more friendly, or less.

Daughter Helene who lives with us and I will be home all day today and I will be painting on the lanai. If you are interested to meet us and enjoy a chat or will be near to us on 466, please just ring the doorbell. My first name is Grace. We can have a cold drink and you can tell us of all of your interests. I see you like to play Mah-Jong and Canasta and you have your hair cut the same place I do. I am a person who always enjoys company. If you message me, I will give you my phone number and address.

Don't be lonely, there are nice people just waiting to be met. If you do not want to do this, I understand too.

@Floridagal, this is EXACTLY the kind of welcome I received my first day moving some of our stuff into our neighborhood. I know Grace lives in a whole different part of the Villages than I do, so that means at least 2 completely different parts of the Villages have very welcoming and friendly who are happy to meet and socialize with their new neighbors.

[Taltarzac725]

I am finding that Villagers are not as friendly as everyone believes. Hard to make new friends. Everyone clickish.

That does seem accurate that people seem to stick to small groups and the memories that these have created.

We have had a small group of neighbors who have done things together since 2005 or so.

Some have moved out for various reasons and there are some couples who seem to stick to themselves quite a bit.

And there are clashes between people with very different personalities.

The location in the Villages seems quite important.

[Blessed2BNTV]

We moved from Duval to Hadley in 2014. Groups already had been established but we were so blessed that a new person stepped up, found all the others that were fairly new and formed a group.

You could be that person in your neighborhood that could find others. Post on here or NextDoor to find others.

Several years ago I was looking for a group of ladies that were new to golf and wanted to learn the game but posted it was not going to be a social group. After several months of gals joining then realizing it wasn’t the group for them, we now have a lovely group that enjoy playing twice a week and truly care about each other. We have become a social group as well.


Friendships take time. Like building a garden, you have to plant, prune, weed and most importantly, feed, water and care if you want beautiful flowers.

[Two Bills]

Been snowbirding here for 20+ years, and for sure the atmosphere has changed.
More people, and larger range in age groups, plus the 'city' feel to the place now adds to the change.
My wife loves line dancing as a way of keeping mobile and fit, and has made several good friends over the years.
So joining a club, or just walking your neighborhood regularly will soon get a response from the locals.
I am just a miserable old sod, so I have no problems!

[UptownBee]

I don't typically post but I really felt strongly about this topic. I'm not an overly social person in that I'm a bit shy around people I don't know (my wife is the exact opposite). I'm not the type of person that is going to be excited about going to a social mixer / party....it's just outside of my comfort zone. What I love about The Villages is the number of people I can meet through the activities. When I go to pickleball, tennis, beach tennis, table shuffleboard, softball etc. I always meet people and engage because you automatically have a common interest in the activity and you feel more comfortable.

[Velvet]

I know of one family who has so much attitude etc that the neighbors run them out, even TVers have limits. They’re still in TV just in another Village, hopefully thriving.

On the whole, compared to most places I’ve been to, TV is very friendly.

A smile makes you look approachable, as showing interest in what others are doing or saying.

[The Gerbs]

When we bought our home in Hillsborough, we knocked on the doors of our neighbors homes located on our street and the street behind us. We invited them all to our home for cocktails and appetizers. Great way to become acquainted and discover who has what in common. Also, when we went to restaurants in The Villages, we would sit at the bar where it is so easy to have conversations with the other people sitting at the bar. We are now blessed with many friendships in our beloved Villages!

[perrjojo]

I am finding that Villagers are not as friendly as everyone believes. Hard to make new friends. Everyone clickish.
We have moved to new areas several times in my life. In established neighborhoods people have a history with one another. YOU have to make a effort to learn about them. In no time you will be in the click..that is, if you want to be. Not all groups are a good fit.

[Arctic Fox]

We had neighbors who wanted a bigger house and moved to a different village. They come back here to socialize as their new neighborhood isn't as friendly. Sometimes it just takes a little effort from one person/couple to get things started.

[vintageogauge]

When we bought our home in Hillsborough, we knocked on the doors of our neighbors homes located on our street and the street behind us. We invited them all to our home for cocktails and appetizers. Great way to become acquainted and discover who has what in common. Also, when we went to restaurants in The Villages, we would sit at the bar where it is so easy to have conversations with the other people sitting at the bar. We are now blessed with many friendships in our beloved Villages!

Cocktails always do the trick.

[villagetinker]

OP, do you like bowling, or would like to learn? The fall/winter leagues are just getting organized, and I know a few are short bowlers. You will meet new people every week for several weeks and then get to meet them again, depending on the schedule. We have made several real friends this way.

[Nonni252]

...

[DeanFL]

OP, do you like bowling, or would like to learn? The fall/winter leagues are just getting organized, and I know a few are short bowlers. You will meet new people every week for several weeks and then get to meet them again, depending on the schedule. We have made several real friends this way.


VT, the way things are today...you may be up for a lawsuit. (by height-challenged people of bowling).

[Tom C]

for the OP: I found the opposite to be true! I have found friendly neighbors everywhere I go! :ho: :MOJE_whot: :mademyday:

[Velvet]

I paint outdoors. It doesn’t matter what I put on the canvas the comments are always along the lines of; “That looks great!” unless it is a teenager, who say, “Paint me” or a five year old who says, “Can you do Spider-Man?” I have to wear headphones to get any privacy and even that doesn’t stop some people. Try sitting down on a bench and draw something and see how many people you’ll meet.

[John_W]

Take Pickleball 101 at one the rec centers that is offering the class and then show up at Colony or one of the centers that has open periods for beginners and play for two hours. Now is a good time before the snowbirds return. You'll interacting with people within minutes.

Join MVP Brownwood and take Zumba on M-W-F at 10:20 or Group Power M-W-F at 10:00. You'll have all kinds of new friends.

[BobnBev]

Floridagal. I looked at your old posts and see you have lived here since 2012. Sometimes neighborhoods can be cliquish. Sometimes that changes over time to be more friendly, or less.

Daughter Helene who lives with us and I will be home all day today and I will be painting on the lanai. If you are interested to meet us and enjoy a chat or will be near to us on 466, please just ring the doorbell. My first name is Grace. We can have a cold drink and you can tell us of all of your interests. I see you like to play Mah-Jong and Canasta and you have your hair cut the same place I do. I am a person who always enjoys company. If you message me, I will give you my phone number and address.

Don't be lonely, there are nice people just waiting to be met. If you do not want to do this, I understand too.

Gracie, my wife would like to know where you get your hair done, thanks.

[MorTech]

About 15% of Villagers are mentally ill ninnies like in every retirement community. Some have brain damage from television, newspapers, and drugs like anti-depressants.

Keep in mind they are not the majority even though it sometimes seems that way.

[eweissenbach]

Have you introduced yourself to your immediate neighbors yet? How about the folks who live in the houses right behind yours? If you live in a courtyard villa this will obviously be harder to do, but I doubt it'd be impossible. You'd just need to give it a little more time, and make sure you spend some time out front every day so they can see you making the effort.

I had no problem meeting my neighbors the very first day I got to the house after we closed on the property. I went out on the front lanai, and the next door neighbor came right over to find out who this stranger was at the house.
Introduced ourselves, and then the neighbor insisted on introducing me to the other nearest neighbors. So now we're all on a first-name basis, and I've even been invited to be part of a neighborhood womens' luncheon group.

I've found all my neighbors are pretty terrific.


Actually in a courtyard villa neighborhood it is very easy - at least in our CYV neighborhood! The first day we moved in I was interrupted at least half a dozen times while trying to get everything out of the car for introductions and welcome talk. There are always people out walking themselves and their dogs as traffic is almost nil and only local. We know each others names and the names of their dogs. We have a monthly get together, usually with a pot luck dinner, and weekly men's and women's golf outings. We also have our own website which has all the news of the neighborhood and any coming events. Our neighborhood may be the exception, but if it is, you should take the bull by the horns to see if you can make yours as friendly as ours.

[villagetinker]

VT, the way things are today...you may be up for a lawsuit. (by height-challenged people of bowling).

OK, way TOO funny, I will revise, short a few bowlers, to keep my phone from ringing off the hook......:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: