Summer months - any tips for survival?

[skarra]

I'm interested in hearing of peoples experiences in living in TV year round vs returning home wherever that may be in the summer months.

Do you continue with all your usual activities in the summer, or do you tend to remain inside where there is A/C? And how did things change once you made that commitment to live year round in TV.

Thanks for all replies.

[TimeForChange]

I'm from the South originally so I am accustomed to heat and humidity. June, July, August, Sept can be a real problem for those who cannot take the heat but you just switch your activities to early morning or later in the day. It is hot and it is humid. I kind of like it. Besides, TV is a different place in the Summer when the two tag cars are gone.

[Stu from NYC]

Beats me this is our first summer and not the typical one with the virus.

Certain activities are for the morning but the pools are a nice thing to do in the afternoon

[asianthree]

We still have family home, and the lake house, family home will go next summer, keeping the lake house. Few years back stayed June and July, you went out early morning and late at night.

[JSR22]

We put in a pool after living here for 2 Summers. Best decision we ever made. Especially in the warm nights hanging by the pool is wonderful.

[Kim Fowler]

Pre-pandemic, I continued in the summer with all my usual activities, which are mostly indoor. I love to spend time on my screened lanai, so I wear sleeveless shirts and use ceiling and table fans. I limit my gardening to morning and early evenings. My husband continues golfing with his league in the afternoons.
Nice to have less traffic and no waits at restaurants.

[JerryLBell]

Normally, I would continue to golf, swim and bicycle (my main outdoor activities) but simply do so fairly early in the morning. So many people stayed here this summer and continued to golf that my friends and I ended up having to golf late in the morning or in the early afternoon. That didn't stop us from playing but we did make a point of drinking a lot more water and wiping our faces off periodically with damp cloths kept with ice in our coolers. We sweat like pigs, of course, but a round of golf is still better than being bored at home!

Indoor activities like watching TV and movies, reading, listening to music, etc., continued unabated by the outside temps. The only thing different was the lack of social club meetings (many of whom take the summers off even in non-Covid-19 times), the lack of music at the squares and the lack of films at the theaters.

[EdFNJ]

Summer, that's why God invented air conditioners! :)

[GreySkies]

For those of us who “chose” to live in FL all year round we enjoy the summer to it fullest, the heat does not bother us, we welcome it.

[Stu from NYC]

Summer, that's why God invented air conditioners! :)

So true where would we be without it.

Probably elsewhere

[JSR22]

Summer, that's why God invented air conditioners! :)

Our lanai is air conditioned. My 2nd favorite place next to the birdcage with the pool.

[JGVillages]

I'm interested in hearing of peoples experiences in living in TV year round vs returning home wherever that may be in the summer months.

Do you continue with all your usual activities in the summer, or do you tend to remain inside where there is A/C? And how did things change once you made that commitment to live year round in TV.

Thanks for all replies.

Usual activities. Just hydrate if active then hit the pool. Remember you don’t shovel humidity!

[stan the man]

Drink plenty of Kool-aid :boom: and keep saying it isn't that bad 98 degrees and 98 humidity, I will get used to it

[Ladygolfer93]

I'm interested in hearing of peoples experiences in living in TV year round vs returning home wherever that may be in the summer months.

Do you continue with all your usual activities in the summer, or do you tend to remain inside where there is A/C? And how did things change once you made that commitment to live year round in TV.

Thanks for all replies.

Saved literally a TON of $$$ when I turned loose of "northern" home. Taxes on a designer with 2600 here is one THIRD of the "other" home. Since I like hot weather and the motivator for me was year round golf, that aspect was a prime motivator for me, but the financial drain of maintaining two homes just seemed foolish. If I were to do that again, it would be a condo or villa or some combination, definitely NOT two large stand alone homes. If the money flowing out was of no consequence, I would have to say I still would not do it because of the constant worry; the phone rings in Jan., could it be a pipe froze and broke, or a furnace went out ? I'm definitely NOT the "worry wart" type, but having two large single family homes was not for me I found out quickly.... LOL ! Having said all that, I lived in the mid west farm country where the humidity is beyond inhuman. Florida was like living on an island with the constant breezes east to west, west to east, but THIS SUMMER has been like nothing I have ever experienced since we moved here (which was actually before retirement) to Florida. I have never spent so many afternoons inside in the AC as I have this year. So, take stock of your tolerance for worry, what you are willing lay out financially to have the luxury of having a home in two locations. Also, always (as many of our friends have done) stop to compare the actual stats of what it would cost to own one home and simply rent one for a few months in the other locale. We have friends who are the opposite of "snowbirds", their larger main home is here in Florida and they rent a home in Wisconsin every year for 3-4 months while they visit friends, fish...LOL... and take care of grand children during the summers. No one can really tell you what is best for YOU, it depends on your life patterns ! Have other friends who sold the large "up north" home, built a home here, and the bought a very small, one BR condo near the grand kids. The condo's taxes are very low and it has a very low monthly fee, they say that works best for them. Yet know others who rent the same "extended stay" hotel type place every year back in their same Illinois home town. They get a monthly price over the usual weekly price, and it has saved them a great deal over what they paid to maintain their home there. You have to figure your life style, and then make the decision on the best financial arrangement for you. What makes sense for one, will not fit the life or means of another !

[tophcfa]

We have a pool and AC in Florida, up north we have neither. This summer there were many days that were hotter up north than the Villages. I would prefer Florida. The only bad thing we have experience about summer in the Villages is the daily lightning. Our favorite things to do are swim and golf, both of which are not safe when lightning is always lurking in the clouds.

[skarra]

Good tips - thanks everyone.

I like the idea of the main home in TV, and renting (or owning) a small condo up North for the summer *if* the heat becomes unbearable. I definitely do not want to be maintaining homes in both.

I think the thing to do is rent a home in TV next summer and see how I fare. I've spent in TV at other times of the year and it's very pleasant for all the reasons everyone has outlined - just not tried the summer.

[Rwirish]

Why would one spend summer time inside with the AC? We do all normal activities.

[BryanTheGolfPro]

Just do outdoor activities before 11:00.

[ts12755]

I do it all, bike ride, golf, dance, pickleball. Not afraid to sweat.

[HeleneGB]

Summers normally nicer. Less crowds everywhere, less traffic, great deals at restaurants.

[jbrown132]

My prescription is to play golf early in the morning, usually done by 11:00, 11:30. Go home eat lunch and at 2:00 walk over to the pool walk in up to my neck and talk to friends until I look like a prune. Walk home take a 30-45 minute snooze then go out to dinner or eat home. About 7:00 take a short walk or go to one of the squares. Repeat three or four times a week. It’s a great life.

[matandch]

It’s simply opposite of the north. Up north in the winter you rely on heating a lot for comfort. You’re house is heated, your car has a heater, stores and most other public buildings are all heated. In Florida in the the summer it’s all the same except all of those places are air conditioned instead of heated.

[Bay Kid]

Last day of summer, so sad. So get outside and play!

[JanetMM]

For those of us who “chose” to live in FL all year round we enjoy the summer to it fullest, the heat does not bother us, we welcome it.

I “chose” to live in FL all year round. However I do not enjoy the summer and the heat bothers me. I welcome the cooler weather. But I find that staying here Is better for me than all the back and forth.

[skip0358]

I do my heavy yard work in the early AM. By noon time I’m indoors or at the pool or shopping or inside work. It’s hot and humid but this is home period. Been here 11 years and hope to have many more to come.

[RoadToad]

For those of us who “chose” to live in FL all year round we enjoy the summer to it fullest, the heat does not bother us, we welcome it.

Not really all of us.."welcome it"
:1rotfl::1rotfl:

[paulajr]

With the exception of this year...Summer is our favorite time here! Golf is cheaper and usually MUCH less crowded. This year, due to everyone that used to do other things “learning” to golf...the courses have been much more crowded...and sometimes slow. But..I still love summer here! Restaurant specials, and less traffic. We did move from a house without a pool to one with a pool...now it’s perfect!

[chrissy2231]

I stay inside during summer. With 2000+ clubs, there are plenty of indoor hobbies. The trade off of 3 excessively hot weather sure beats winter up north.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

You’ll enjoy fl better if you acclimate yourself to the temperature. I get up at 10 ( go to bed around 2)and sit out on lanai in morning for a few hours before I go to gym. I walk 4 to 5 miles every afternoon and also do some biking. I never drink anything cold and plain water is all you need even at the beach . I sleep most nights if I don’t have a guest with windows open. Look no one has to be my way , but if you spend to much time in AC you’ll never enjoy the outdoors. I lived most of my working life in very hot countries believe me you can get used to heat , I’m 81 and I still enjoy and survive the heat and I never , never leave my home at night in shorts, I’m in jeans or slacks and no sneakers or flip flops just shoes or short boots, one must have standards even in the tropics lol

[Krittermom]

I think your body will also eventually get used to the heat & humidity. I’ve just started dressing for the humidity by wearing short leave tops and shorts. The first summer here, I was hot! Now, it only seems to bother me for a day here and there. And I feel chilly when the temps drop into the 70s! So I think my body has adapted!

[davem4616]

excluding covid-19 constraints...here's my take on what summer is like in TV:

Summer in Florida is just mirror reverse of winter up north...up north you go from heated house to hopefully heated car and dash from car to wherever you're going in the cold. During the summer in TV, we go from the A/C'd home to the A/C store (or whatever) in our A/C cars and back again. Just like you avoid outdoor yard work up north in the winter, we do the same here during the summer unless it's absolutely necessary. Folks still mow their own lawns, though not during the heat of the day.

The pools are nice, sometimes just wet...but still refreshing. You go to the movies during the day, you eat inside the restaurants during lunch more often than not...in the evening if it's cooled down you head down to the squares...or go to the Savannah or The Sharon to catch a show...or one of the many entertainment venues outside TV. You take an evening ride in your golf cart. Many of the clubs have suspended their meetings during July-September. We go on picnics to the beach...and we also will escape to visit family or do a little traveling. 4th of July those of us here have a block party at the end of our Cul de sac.

if you play golf you try to get an early or late tee time...if you enjoy target practice you go to Shooter's World...the gyms are open

[mike1921]

You do become somewhat acclimated to the heat if you go out in it. If you stay inside all the time you will be very uncomfortable when you go out. The group I play golf with always play in the afternoon. We do have some uncomfortable days but for the most part it is not to bad...Keep a cold towel around and drink lots of fluids. You just can't be adverse to sweating. You also need to make sure you exercise enough to stay in a health condition.

I also agree with an earlier poster about owning two homes...it just seems like there is constant concern about the home you are not it.

[OhioBuckeye]

I'm interested in hearing of peoples experiences in living in TV year round vs returning home wherever that may be in the summer months.

Do you continue with all your usual activities in the summer, or do you tend to remain inside where there is A/C? And how did things change once you made that commitment to live year round in TV.

Thanks for all replies.

Oh man the winter months when there’s not as many snow birds, everything is pretty much open for doing or getting to do everything, like golf. But the percentages are getting bigger with people being full time residents. No big crowds anywhere!

[Curtisbwp]

1st, study the historic climate in the various parts of Florida. The Villages is in central maine. If you were to live below tampa you have entered into the tropical part on the state where it gets hot hot hot. I continue with my normal activities. Been here 17 yrs.

[Mhollowaygleasom]

We have owned in The Villages for 3 years and originally planned to have 2 homes when we retired. As retirement drew closer, we decided the responsibility of 2:homes (after owning 2 Homes for 3 years) was more trouble than it was worth. We sold our NH home and moved here full time in January. The original plan was to travel (within the US) during the hot summer months. Well, that didn’t happen due to COVID-19. Neither of us are big fans of heat and humidity, but I’m happy to say we survived one of the warmest summers in years.
In NH, we spent the bulk of colder months inside, unless skiing or clearing snow. Florida, is the reverse. More time is spent inside during the summer. Golfing, yard work (if you enjoy it) and other outdoor activities are done earlier in the day. We thought it would be much more difficult this first year with Covid, activities closed and no travel, but it really wasn’t terrible.
We do have a pool home here and believe it’s been a real blessing. Most of our summer was spent lounging at our pool, enjoying life and retirement.
The virus definitely put a twist in plans for our first summer of retirement. By doing this, it allowed us to really get to know our neighbors (from a distance) and form amazing friendships. We took car rides to no where ( not exiting our vehicle) for a change of scenery on a few occasions and cart rides to explore unfamiliar areas of The Villages. When golf reopened, we carefully played as early as possible.
As it turned out, we were very grateful to be “stuck” here. It’s definitely a beautiful community and people make the best of any situation, good or bad. Had we been in NH, we wouldn’t have had as many options or encounters with neighbors making us very isolated.
We have no regrets and are happy with our decision. Life is what you make it, even when it throws you a curve.
Do some serious soul searching, it’s a huge personal decision. That being said, regardless of your decision you can always amend your plans later if you feel the need.
Best of luck!

[davem4616]

I also agree with an earlier poster about owning two homes...it just seems like there is constant concern about the home you are not it.



ditto...when in FL my wife would worry about the house up north and vice versa...no matter how many times I said 'relax, we have insurance'.....and opening and closing both homes is a pain too. There's also the humorous element to it...every time we'd relocate to one or the other that first morning we had to pause and think about what cabinet the coffee cups were in.

there were years that we were 'snow bunnies' hopping back and forth every few weeks for elder care duties and work....often my wife would be looking in the freezer for an item she wanted to cook, only to realize that it was in the other house's freezer.

consolidating to one house certainly simplified our lives (of course we couldn't part with any of the kitchen tools...so we still have 2 of everything)

Airbnb and similar sites make it very easy to rent a nice house for as many weeks as we need when we decide to escape TV to visit family (we love them all but, prefer to have a little independence by staying in a rental)

[Stu from NYC]

ditto...when in FL my wife would worry about the house up north and vice versa...no matter how many times I said 'relax, we have insurance'.....and opening and closing both homes is a pain too. There's also the humorous element to it...every time we'd relocate to one or the other that first morning we had to pause and think about what cabinet the coffee cups were in.

there were years that we were 'snow bunnies' hopping back and forth every few weeks for elder care duties and work....often my wife would be looking in the freezer for an item she wanted to cook, only to realize that it was in the other house's freezer.

consolidating to one house certainly simplified our lives (of course we couldn't part with any of the kitchen tools...so we still have 2 of everything)

Airbnb and similar sites make it very easy to rent a nice house for as many weeks as we need when we decide to escape TV to visit family (we love them all but, prefer to have a little independence by staying in a rental)

That is why for years was against owning two homes. Hard enough to remember where stuff is with one home let alone with a second.

[STLRAY]

Does anyone have a reasonable estimate of the portion of villagers who are full time vs. snowbirds?

[Veiragirl]

I'm interested in hearing of peoples experiences in living in TV year round vs returning home wherever that may be in the summer months.

Do you continue with all your usual activities in the summer, or do you tend to remain inside where there is A/C? And how did things change once you made that commitment to live year round in TV.

Thanks for all replies.

Snowbirds taste like chicken

[NavyVet]

Full time here since 2003, moved here from South Florida, ironically, to get away from terrible traffic. LOL
Before Florida, spent a number of years in Memphis. No amount of being in the heat has helped my heat tolerance, had a few close calls with heat stroke, so even more susceptible now. I don't last 5 minutes outside. Early morning humidity is just as brutal as the rest of the day. Thank goodness for a/c.
3 years ago, we finally got a house with a pool. We have 10 ceiling fans (including bathroom!) and have thermostat set at 73 which keeps master bedroom at 74 but other end of house is 80 (which sucks.)
I go outside only in winter and wear shorts/tank tops YEAR ROUND. I think we had the heat on once in the past 3 years. Where everyone else brings sweaters and jackets to restaurants, I am comfortable. You can always add layers if chilly. It's still better than worrying about pipes freezing, driving on snow/ice, etc. LOL

[jimjamuser]

I'm interested in hearing of peoples experiences in living in TV year round vs returning home wherever that may be in the summer months.

Do you continue with all your usual activities in the summer, or do you tend to remain inside where there is A/C? And how did things change once you made that commitment to live year round in TV.

Thanks for all replies.
My advice is don't stay here for the summer. Get a small home up north or get an RV and explore the northern US states and / or Alaska. Of course you have to find some ways to avoid the fires and smoke, which this year have been worse than the Florida hurricanes.

[IndianaJones]

I've been in Florida on and off for 39 years now - you can acclimate to the heat, but this summer has been unusually brutal - the humidity has been relentless. However, like folks say, that's why A/C was invented in Florida, and why it's prevalent. Look at it this way - beats bundling up to go out in 30 degree weather to go to a restaurant where the thermostat is on 80, so you have to unbundle to enjoy yourself. Wear shorts and shirts that breathe, drink plenty of H2O, stay mostly inside (if you need to) between 10am-4pm. It's doable and again to me, much better than cold rain/snow/sleet/etc. Bring on the heat!

[Stu from NYC]

Snowbirds taste like chicken

Fried???

[Topspinmo]

I'm interested in hearing of peoples experiences in living in TV year round vs returning home wherever that may be in the summer months.

Do you continue with all your usual activities in the summer, or do you tend to remain inside where there is A/C? And how did things change once you made that commitment to live year round in TV.

Thanks for all replies.


If you’re active plan on two or three showers day and have good washing machine. I average 2 showers day and if I add any yard work 3 showers day.

As far as A/C I can’t have it below 77, my lungs want to fill up with fluid and makes it’s hard to breath. When it rains I bump it up to 78 or 79. Use ceiling fans to move the air around.

[Topspinmo]

Does anyone have a reasonable estimate of the portion of villagers who are full time vs. snowbirds?


In my villa it’s 70% full time and 30% snowbirds. Closer you get to square I would imagine it’s much higher for snowbirds/rentals?

[Stu from NYC]

Does anyone have a reasonable estimate of the portion of villagers who are full time vs. snowbirds?

I have heard it is about 60% full time but no idea how accurate that might be

[Kim Fowler]

I’ve heard the split used to be two-thirds permanent, one-third snowbird. But in recent years the permanent share has grown to 75%, with 25% snowbirds. My block of designer homes close to a square is about 85%/25% (counterintuitive). Renting for the summer sounds like a good plan.

[tophcfa]

ditto...when in FL my wife would worry about the house up north and vice versa...no matter how many times I said 'relax, we have insurance'.....and opening and closing both homes is a pain too. There's also the humorous element to it...every time we'd relocate to one or the other that first morning we had to pause and think about what cabinet the coffee cups were in.

there were years that we were 'snow bunnies' hopping back and forth every few weeks for elder care duties and work....often my wife would be looking in the freezer for an item she wanted to cook, only to realize that it was in the other house's freezer.

consolidating to one house certainly simplified our lives (of course we couldn't part with any of the kitchen tools...so we still have 2 of everything)

Airbnb and similar sites make it very easy to rent a nice house for as many weeks as we need when we decide to escape TV to visit family (we love them all but, prefer to have a little independence by staying in a rental)
Ditto again on the hassle of taking care of two homes. We have been doing it for 5 years now and it’s a lot of never ending work, worrying, and expensive. My wife will never not have a place up north near family so we eventually need to downsize from a house with a lot of land to a condo where we can pay a monthly fee and not have to take care of everything and easily take off for long periods of time with no worries.

[talleyjm]

For those of us who “chose” to live in FL all year round we enjoy the summer to it fullest, the heat does not bother us, we welcome it.

Love summers in TV - can’t think of anywhere else I’d want to live and I’ve lived in a lot of places both in the US and abroad.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I’m a different kind of snow bird , I usually spend jan , Feb and March alternating years between Miami Beach and Hawaii, not sure yet this year , but I’m actually thinking about Thailand if they open up its been very safe there and it’s been 4 years since I’ve been back

[JC and John]

I think your body will also eventually get used to the heat & humidity. I’ve just started dressing for the humidity by wearing short leave tops and shorts. The first summer here, I was hot! Now, it only seems to bother me for a day here and there. And I feel chilly when the temps drop into the 70s! So I think my body has adapted!

Agree!

[jebartle]

I'd say, head north but it's hot there also!

[TimeForChange]

We have a pool and AC in Florida, up north we have neither. This summer there were many days that were hotter up north than the Villages. I would prefer Florida. The only bad thing we have experience about summer in the Villages is the daily lightning. Our favorite things to do are swim and golf, both of which are not safe when lightning is always lurking in the clouds.

Always kills me. People don't like the cold or the snow up North then they move to FL and complain about lightning. :1rotfl:

[Stu from NYC]

Always kills me. People don't like the cold or the snow up North then they move to FL and complain about lightning. :1rotfl:

Well as they say, if its not one thing it is something else.

[doctorknow]

I'm interested in hearing of peoples experiences in living in TV year round vs returning home wherever that may be in the summer months.

Do you continue with all your usual activities in the summer, or do you tend to remain inside where there is A/C? And how did things change once you made that commitment to live year round in TV.

Thanks for all replies.

I have lived in Florida since 1985 full time. Retiring to the Villages 8 years ago. The summer just is a change of pace and habits. During the Summer you do things early in the day and plan for less strenuous things in the afternoon. Yard work is always done early, swimming may be done later. Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must in the summer as is a wide brim hat. You adapt your lifestyle according to your interests around the heat. Some days you do stay in and catch up on reading or other chores. Other days you go out and have fun, but take gator aide and sweatbands or old packs to keep cool while you golf etc.. Your water intake should increase dramatically during the summer and it is a good idea just to get in the habit of having a bottle of H2O with you everywhere you go. Sometimes it is hard to make the transition back to cool weather when you have been here as long as I have....I miss the heat occasionally.

[Stu from NYC]

I’ve heard the split used to be two-thirds permanent, one-third snowbird. But in recent years the permanent share has grown to 75%, with 25% snowbirds. My block of designer homes close to a square is about 85%/25% (counterintuitive). Renting for the summer sounds like a good plan.

How do you know permanent is 75%

[xkeowner]

Grew up in Indiana and lived in Virginia for 23 years. Summer here is like July and August there, it just last a lot longer and the cold weather is SIGNIFICANTLY shorter. Only rare frost and I have seen snow flurries one tome in ten years.