Villages Status Affecting Population?

[milling73]

We are new residents, and while the current pandemic is no way the control or fault of any area, I just wondered how it is affecting population here - The Villages is not exactly presenting its best face right now.
For golfers things have not changed much these last few months. Courses remained open.
But for those of us who came for other reasons: like entertainment, music nightly at the Squares, performances, Rec centers games, crafts, clubs - all the 1,000 things offered in Ads and which entices and prompts many to come here, have been closed for months, with no word on when they will resume.
Suddenly life in The Villages is not quite as alluring; it is more the lifestyle of little to do, that we left — certainly it is not the lifestyle we so eagerly anticipated.

[Two Bills]

Life is not all that alluring anywhere the virus is.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

We are new residents, and while the current pandemic is no way the control or fault of any area, I just wondered how it is affecting population here - The Villages is not exactly presenting its best face right now.
For golfers things have not changed much these last few months. Courses remained open.
But for those of us who came for other reasons: like entertainment, music nightly at the Squares, performances, Rec centers games, crafts, clubs - all the 1,000 things offered in Ads and which entices and prompts many to come here, have been closed for months, with no word on when they will resume.
Suddenly life in The Villages is not quite as alluring; it is more the lifestyle of little to do, that we left — certainly it is not the lifestyle we so eagerly anticipated.

Not a very fair comparison. How are things where you came from? I came from Milwaukee and right now things there SUCK. Here we have no rioting, looting, burning or shooting. My brother in Wisconsin isn't so lucky. How can you blame the Villages for the Virus. Do you want the Villages or Seattle?

[billethkid]

So like all intelligent locations TV is hunkered down during the virus.
Yes partially open.
TV on it's least desirable day (VS the ads) is still better than most locations on their best day!!
Ya havta live here to know it. Reading the 1-2% negative rhetoric does not convey the general reality of that which is TV lifestyle.

[Carla B]

We are new residents, and while the current pandemic is no way the control or fault of any area, I just wondered how it is affecting population here - The Villages is not exactly presenting its best face right now.
For golfers things have not changed much these last few months. Courses remained open.
But for those of us who came for other reasons: like entertainment, music nightly at the Squares, performances, Rec centers games, crafts, clubs - all the 1,000 things offered in Ads and which entices and prompts many to come here, have been closed for months, with no word on when they will resume.
Suddenly life in The Villages is not quite as alluring; it is more the lifestyle of little to do, that we left — certainly it is not the lifestyle we so eagerly anticipated.

Since you are healthy, active, and probably at the younger side of retired, it sounds like you need an adventure. You could buy a boat and go cruising; or get a motorhome and travel.

[tophcfa]

We have spent about equal time in the last couple months at both our Villages home and our home up north. Hands down, there is much more fun stuff to do in the Villages for us. Granted, we enjoy doing outdoor activities that lend themselves to social distancing so we are less effected by Covid than others. Being able to golf in our own cart, which we know is clean, swim laps in several different beautiful outdoor sports pools under the sun, bike ride on uncrowned and flat streets with my wife, and enjoy our backyard pool are highlights for us that are not available up north. Also, as previously stated, in the Villages we don’t have to endure constant protests/riots. And even though the Covid numbers are spiking in Florida, we feel safer in the bubble of the Villages than we do up north where a much younger population appears to have decided to abandon taking recommend precautions. Whenever we venture out of the house up north we feel we are seriously putting our health at risk. Plus, it is just about as hot and humid up north as in Florida this time of year, with daily thunder and lightning storms, where we do not have central air. When we are in the Villages we are busy from the time we get up to when we go to bed, exhausted. The highlight of my day up north yesterday was finding an hour and a half window with no thunder and lightning so I could begin the annual wood splitting task while getting bit by multiple mosquitoes and horse flies. I will take the Villages thank you.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I was able go outside and walk , bike or ride on all our beautiful trails. I was able to sit on my lanai on winter mornings where my friends were stuck inside.I’m now able to go to
restaurants for the last month that follow the rules . I’m also grateful for the fact that I’m retired and my checks came just like always unlike for so many . I was also grateful for the stimulus check that I have been able to give $5o tips to waitstaff, barbers,,pedicure and my favorite Armani salesman lol hey pandemic or not , a guy still has to look good lol so things may not be great but much better then imany other places

[davem4616]

we don't golf either...yes many of the great activities that were available to all have been suspended....so we've found other ways to stay entertained and continue to enjoy life in what we believe is actually one of the safest places to be right now

We go on picnics....we get together with neighbors that we know are also playing it safe, like we are...we pack a lunch and go for rides and explore parts of central Florida that we haven't seen before...we go to church online, we watch many of the performers we like that came to TV stream concerts, I go for walks...on bird hikes, I started playing my guitar again, we alternate from day to day watching a DVD or reading our Kindles...we rarely watch national news...and we plan our weekly menu, food shop and cook at home. we stay in touch with family and friends via email, Facebook, Marco Polo, playing multi player virtual games of cribbage, and of course the phone

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

FYI I was also able to sit in couch and watch TV with a lady friend . She seems like nice person ������������

[graciegirl]

No matter what I say, or anyone else like me says, that is crazy about this place, ...........sigh. I have to admit that The Villages IS part of the world and also part of the Pandemic, except I think our group is WAY more savvy than say, a college campus. Welcome to the Villages, newbie. Ya gotta play the hand you're dealt...Here, there, or anywhere...........

[John41]

The Villages reputation is fine except in the biased minds of the media. The reputations of the big cities is in tatters. The virus in The Villages is much less prevalent here than elsewhere. Most of the residents follow social distancing and wear masks. As for activities, they are gradually coming back. Also there are some driveway music parties, with social distancing. So it’s your choice to be happy or dissatisfied.

[milling73]

How did I blame The Villages? I stated “no fault anyone”? And not every location in this country is rioting. It was a simple “wonder if this discouraging new buyers or people leaving”
Dont look for insults or arguments where none intended.

[Gulfcoast]

We are new residents, and while the current pandemic is no way the control or fault of any area, I just wondered how it is affecting population here - The Villages is not exactly presenting its best face right now.
For golfers things have not changed much these last few months. Courses remained open.
But for those of us who came for other reasons: like entertainment, music nightly at the Squares, performances, Rec centers games, crafts, clubs - all the 1,000 things offered in Ads and which entices and prompts many to come here, have been closed for months, with no word on when they will resume.
Suddenly life in The Villages is not quite as alluring; it is more the lifestyle of little to do, that we left — certainly it is not the lifestyle we so eagerly anticipated.

I can't blame you for feeling disappointed. You can bike ride and walk in any given neighborhood in Florida. The activities and amenities are what set TV apart and make it such a desirable place to live.

I hope that things can reopen soon so that we can schedule a Lifestyle Visit and take advantage of all of the fun things to do in TV.

[Velvet]

I would think it would encourage people to buy in TV when they see how well the pandemic has been handled in comparison to other places. Hard to have fun when you are fighting for your life in the hospital.

[queasy27]

It was a simple “wonder if this is discouraging new buyers or people leaving”

I don't think people would sell due to temporary closures but some folks have probably postponed their plans to buy. Comparing monthly home sales year to year would give an idea how many.

OTOH, all new home are in Southern Oaks and a lot of the appeal in that area is the outdoor trails/recreation. Sales certainly haven't stopped, so those new Villagers were not put off by it.

[Stu from NYC]

We are just here for 5 months.

First month and half were great getting out and exploring and joining quite a few clubs.

Than the pandemic struck and a lot was taken away from us. However life is what it is and we need to stick it out until things get better.

If everything did open up now and social distancing went away might be a lot less of us to enjoy everything when things reopen.

[Gulfcoast]

It's not really a selling point to have things shut down because prospective buyers can't really get a good feel for everything that TV has to offer. That's not really a unique problem to TV though. It's happening all over.

I do think that it's a good time to buy in TV right now because there is a nice selection up for sale at a reasonable price. I don't need two homes, though, and we aren't quite ready to pull the trigger on downsizing just, yet. At this point, we are still in the research stage. The folks that are ready to buy have a nice variety to choose from and can probably get a nice deal right now.

[Strongel]

We are new residents, and while the current pandemic is no way the control or fault of any area, I just wondered how it is affecting population here - The Villages is not exactly presenting its best face right now.
For golfers things have not changed much these last few months. Courses remained open.
But for those of us who came for other reasons: like entertainment, music nightly at the Squares, performances, Rec centers games, crafts, clubs - all the 1,000 things offered in Ads and which entices and prompts many to come here, have been closed for months, with no word on when they will resume.
Suddenly life in The Villages is not quite as alluring; it is more the lifestyle of little to do, that we left — certainly it is not the lifestyle we so eagerly anticipated.

Yes, the people on the coast near water are enjoying their boats. Some go out in groups, tie their boats together and party while each staying on their own vessel....hubby says not fair with a smile.

[asianthree]

We had 13 houses on our radar, all have sold in last 10 days

[stadry]

we think now's a good time to suck it up - this won't last,,, shirley we've had some challenges in life prior to coming here as has most everyone else,,, 1 thing's for certain - our whining never helps !
take up golf - try pickleball - ride a bike - join the trap/skeet club - learn bridge - bridge base online has duplicate points - catch up on miss'd 'oprah' & 'view' episodes ( come to think of it, maybe suffering from the flu's better than either )
the villages is only a collection of buildings located at a certain spot on terra firma - the people who live here are the same as everyone left behind - just older ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! maybe a bit heavier, less hair, don't walk as fast or stand as straight but they're the same people.

we think NOW is a good time to buy especially when a particular house's been on the mkt for over 100d

[maryl]

Was going to buy here but so glad we didn’t it has changed over the past 7 years

[billethkid]

Was going to buy here but so glad we didn’t it has changed over the past 7 years

In our 16 years TV has only become more attractive in what it offers. Now four times bigger than 2003.

Bigger? Yes.
Busier? Yes.
Make the lifestyle any less? No. Based on the ongoing growth and low turn over.

[TandHSTAR@AOL.com]

Well said. I for one am glad The Villages is still taking all.precautions to keep its residents safe. Music at the squares? I can see it already lots and lots of people. No social distancing. No masks. Rec centers...programs are run by volunteers and many do not want to take a chance of being exposed to so.many people even with restrictions as to how many in a room. So yes it's different but still great. There are many outdoor activities that have started and a few indoors as well. Keep the faith. Stay safe

[Martinhome1204@gmail.com]

We just purchased a home there and will be moving in early August. We know when we return activities will still be limited, but it is still a beautiful place to live. An evening ride in the golf cart or early morning on the lanai is still wonderful. We have hope that it will once again be the place of we first visited, but more appreciated. The world has changed unfortunately and so have our expectations.

[Grill Meister]

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE VIRUS

1. There are no bombs raining on our heads
2. I am not a prisoner held in solitary confinement, as millions are.
3. I am not a refugee trying to escape with my life.
4. I am not standing in line waiting to fill a pot of water.
5. I have access to fresh food and I'm not starving.
6. I have hot running water.
7. My country has not been ruined by years of war.
8. I can reach my friends by phone and check in on them.
9. My friends check in on me because they care about me.
10. Any whiplash I feel about this strange turn of events is itself a sign of privilege.
11. More than half of the world would gladly trade their everyday problems for the modest inconveniences I am experiencing.
12. I may have anxious dreams but I'm dreaming them on a proper bed and I'm not sleeping on the sidewalk.
13. By staying at home, I'm helping the planet rest.
14. As long as I have my mind I can create, imagine, dream and not be lonely.
15. This global crisis connects me to people around the world and reminds me of our common humanity. This is a good thing.
16. When something tragic happens to another country next time, I will respond to it not with superiority, but humility and recognition. 17. I will fight for positive changes and economically just policies in my own country.
18. I am surrounded by books.
19. I am surrounded by love.
20. The tulips have already begun to bloom.

[jonathanb]

The Villages is still the safest place to be. Also, you can play all sporting activities. Pickleball, tennis, bocce, shuffleboard, swim, corn hole and horse shoes along with all golfing. Play billiard at the Rec centers and table tennis. Plus you have a beautiful friendly place to live during these trying times. Hopefully that helps you look at things differently.

[momnlil]

We can’t control the world and the horrible way things are right now. Be patient my friend

[Bill Torres]

And it is every where...Trust me its going to be awhile before we see the light of day, but we have sunshine year round that's all that really is needed to keep up the spirits, along with good neighborhoods.

[Dilligas]

How did I blame The Villages? I stated “no fault anyone”? And not every location in this country is rioting. It was a simple “wonder if this discouraging new buyers or people leaving”
Dont look for insults or arguments where none intended.
TV has received numerous accolations in the press for its lifestyle and size. With that comes the other side that the liberal media jumps on whenever possible......'the STD' report 10 years ago, anything to do with TV political support, the success of TV over the past 35 years by the developers (many call greedy), etc. When you live here, you quickly recognize this is the best place for retirement if you want to do things. If you don't recognize it, and some do not, you should find that eutopian retirement community for you (and some do). Like everyone says, if you are bored in TV, it is you own fault.