Leisureville by Andrew Blechman

[N'awlins Lady]

"Adventures in a World Without Children" OR "Adventures in American's Retirement Utopias"
(in particular The Villages.)
http://www.andrewblechman.com/leisureville/index.html

HAVE YOU READ IT YET?
After coming across the above link in one of Jmitchell posts, I checked the book out from the public library. I must say it was a very interesting read. It made me raise an eyebrow, gave me a few good laughs, and even brought a tear to my eye! The one thing it didn't do though, despite the authors intent, was diminish my desire to move to TV! On the contrary, I can't wait! :MOJE_whot:

For those that read it, what are your sentiments? And for those who haven't, take a trip to the library to get it!

Trudy

[pooh]

Don't get me started! He doesn't have a clue. He's just too lazy and wants those who've always "done" in their communities, to continue, so he doesn't have to.

He did manage to find some dirt... but also failed to mention so many of the positives. What he seems to forget is that TV is a community of almost 80,000 residents and they are still living their lives. just as other residents of communities of the same size...however not in a way he feels they should. Honestly, I feel he's just jealous.

[Bryan]

I read the book some time ago. I have no qualms with what either N'ewlins Lady or Pooh had to say. I did enjoy the book, it was a good read, and I learned a lot about TV and retirement communities in general. Do I think it was unbiased reporting on retirement life? Not even close! Do I think he spiced up the "jucier" aspects of life here (like Katy Belles)? You betcha! Do I agree with all he said? No way in #$%%! That's what's great about this country - everyone is entitled to their opinion and I enjoy learning the opinion of others. That doesn't mean I share their opinion - only that I know what theirs is.

I think the Sumter County Library System has a copy of that book that you can check out. They didn't when I wanted to read it so I had to go out and buy my own.

I do recommend it for anyone already living in TV or considering moving to TV. Just read it with an open mind and take a lot of what he says with a big grain of salt. Also keep in mind that when Leisureville was written, there was very little construction completed South of Lake Sumter Landing - lots of construction going on then but not very much finished. Places like Colony Plaza were only a gleem in the developers eyes at that time, 466A was mainly a two lane cow path, stuff like that.

[Taltarzac]

Andrew Blechman was researching Leisureville here in the Villages in December of 2005 as King Kong came out in December of 2005. He mentions the private booth that the largest auditorium at the Old Mill Playhouse has and how the Morses were probably in it while watching King Kong.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0360717/releaseinfo

He really needs to update his book if he is to have that much credibility with people who actually live in the Villages.

I did not read the more salacious parts of the book but just the ones more on the politics and history of the Villages. Heard enough about the "nightlife" from others on TOTV.

For those who do not want to buy this book, the Lake County Library System has 9 copies of it.

[graciegirl]

I read the book some time ago. I have no qualms with what either N'ewlins Lady or Pooh had to say. I did enjoy the book, it was a good read, and I learned a lot about TV and retirement communities in general. Do I think it was unbiased reporting on retirement life? Not even close! Do I think he spiced up the "jucier" aspects of life here (like Katy Belles)? You betcha! Do I agree with all he said? No way in #$%%! That's what's great about this country - everyone is entitled to their opinion and I enjoy learning the opinion of others. That doesn't mean I share their opinion - only that I know what theirs is.

I think the Sumter County Library System has a copy of that book that you can check out. They didn't when I wanted to read it so I had to go out and buy my own.

I do recommend it for anyone already living in TV or considering moving to TV. Just read it with an open mind and take a lot of what he says with a big grain of salt. Also keep in mind that when Leisureville was written, there was very little construction completed South of Lake Sumter Landing - lots of construction going on then but not very much finished. Places like Colony Plaza were only a gleem in the developers eyes at that time, 466A was mainly a two lane cow path, stuff like that.

I agree with every word of your post Bryan. AND I personally think that Andrew Blechman is suffering from the disability called YOUNG.

[KayakerNC]

Fictional and very biased.:read:
But...an entertaining read, and it was my introduction to The Villages lifestyle concept.
What I found most disturbing, was not the prejudices he shows, but the sections on the original adult communities and their declines after development was done. I think there are lessons to be learned to insure the future of The Villages.

[Cowboy]

I was able to check out a copy at our local library here in Gardnerville, Nevada (just across the Sierras from Lake Tahoe). It was informative. I was quickly able to eliminate Sun City from consideration as a retirement community thanks to the book. The author's main theme was that retirees should stay in their existing communities, where they would be integrated into the community.

I find that is not the case here in Nevada. The communities don't provide much in the way of facilities or support for seniors. And grown children have their own children and lives to live.

So. my wife and I plan to "withdraw from the rest of the country" and move to The Villages in about eight years, when my wife can retire. Looking forward to being a Froggie and living life with other active seniors.:smiley:

[Bogie Shooter]

He had his 15 minutes of fame......let him (& the book) rest in peace.

[Pturner]

I read the book some time ago. I have no qualms with what either N'ewlins Lady or Pooh had to say. I did enjoy the book, it was a good read, and I learned a lot about TV and retirement communities in general. Do I think it was unbiased reporting on retirement life? Not even close! Do I think he spiced up the "jucier" aspects of life here (like Katy Belles)? You betcha! Do I agree with all he said? No way in #$%%! That's what's great about this country - everyone is entitled to their opinion and I enjoy learning the opinion of others. That doesn't mean I share their opinion - only that I know what theirs is.

I think the Sumter County Library System has a copy of that book that you can check out. They didn't when I wanted to read it so I had to go out and buy my own.

I do recommend it for anyone already living in TV or considering moving to TV. Just read it with an open mind and take a lot of what he says with a big grain of salt. Also keep in mind that when Leisureville was written, there was very little construction completed South of Lake Sumter Landing - lots of construction going on then but not very much finished. Places like Colony Plaza were only a gleem in the developers eyes at that time, 466A was mainly a two lane cow path, stuff like that.

:agree:

[N'awlins Lady]

Before reading this book, I had NO idea "retirement" (55+) communities were even frowned upon by some and found the reasoning presented by 30ish yr. old Blechman to be rather amusing. At first I was hesitant to read his book because I didn't want my bubble to burst but with each passing chapter my fears were allayed. If that's the best ammunition he's got, he better get bigger guns! :girlneener:

I'd like to think he sensationalized the "party scene" just a bit (wonder if Mr. Midnight frequents TOTV too?) but he did a great job presenting the rise (and fall) of the pioneers in age segregated communities. Like KayakerNC stated so well..."What I found most disturbing, was not the prejudices he shows, but the sections on the original adult communities and their declines after development was done. I think there are lessons to be learned to insure the future of The Villages" I agree 100% and am hopeful The Morses have done their history homework!

Absolutely put "Leisureville" on your summer reading list and definately do it before you ever move into a "Senior Playpen"! :a040:

FOR MR. BLECHMAN.... DON'T MESS WITH SENIORS!!!!
Life in a Multi-Generational Community!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9n4AjIl7vw :1rotfl:

Trudy

[Debfrommaine]

Read it, laughed, interesting stories, couldn't wait to move here and finally did a month ago!! Thanks, Andrew!

[Number 6]

I have read the book some time ago and grealty enjoyed it. Sure it is sensatinalized, but that is what makes it readable. I just understand that he has a social adgenda that I don't share. I have had a nice, thoughtful email discussion with him. We have just agreed to disagree.

[Taltarzac]

I have read the book some time ago and grealty enjoyed it. Sure it is sensatinalized, but that is what makes it readable. I just understand that he has a social adgenda that I don't share. I have had a nice, thoughtful email discussion with him. We have just agreed to disagree.

Mr. Blechman might be interested in one of the more salacious things I have come across while walking my dog in the Villages. This was shredded up pair of Haines men's underwear in back of the Lynnhaven pool.

I can only guess at what might have happened to place that pair of underwear in back of the pool to be shredded by a passing lawn mower.

It does seem to be one of the things though that Andrew Blechman does with respect to the Villages is to ignore that such evidence probably pops up much more frequently around many other pools in the US and with the types of stories in Leisureville about seniors' night lives you would expect the underwear to be hanging from various palm trees around Villages' pools.