The Villages is #1 - fastest growing metro area

[JohnN]

May we live in interesting times - and places!

The Villages, Florida, was fastest-growing metro area this decade: Census Bureau | Fox Business (https://www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/the-villages-florida-fastest-growing-metro-area-decade-census-bureau)

[manaboutown]

From the article...

Earlier this year, fintech company SmartAsset rated The Villages as the U.S. city where senior citizens are most financially secure, thanks to an average senior retirement income of $65,995 and a low poverty rate for seniors of just 4.4%.

And last year, Experian announced that residents of The Villages had the best average credit score of any community in the U.S.

[dewilson58]

Too bad everyone can't just enjoy what we have without having the negative nellies.


:ho:

[Velvet]

Well if we all benefitted like with lower property tax, given how much must be raking in now… you’d get a lot more people cheering.

[Mrprez]

Too bad everyone can't just enjoy what we have without having the negative nellies.


:ho:

Well, that didn’t last long.

[Topspinmo]

Well if we all benefitted like with lower property tax, given how much must be raking in now… you’d get a lot of more people cheering.

Lower taxes! LOL fantasy land.:) In 35 years I own property on average taxes goes up 90% of the time and if they do go few dollars down, they get it back the next year.

[Velvet]

The property tax on present homeowners was increased in part to build roads for this new construction. Now it is built and selling well and…. ?

[Blackbird45]

I hate taxes just as much as everyone, but lower taxes usually means less services.
At the end of the day the same people that are complaining about taxes, will be the loudest voices complaining of declining services.

[Annie66]

Well if we all benefitted like with lower property tax, given how much must be raking in now… you’d get a lot more people cheering.

Who said Negative Nellies???? Our tax increase amounted to about $200 per year. I pee away that much going out to dinner 3 times. Nothing to worry nor complain about.

[MandoMan]

May we live in interesting times - and places!

The Villages, Florida, was fastest-growing metro area this decade: Census Bureau | Fox Business (https://www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/the-villages-florida-fastest-growing-metro-area-decade-census-bureau)

I saw this information yesterday in the New York Times. But IS The Villages actually a metro area? What is being included in the area? I don’t think it’s just The Villages. I think it is including places like Wildwood, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Summerfield, Oxford. Maybe these days it is including Taveres and Mount Dora and even Ocala, or is that its own metro area?

Here is part of what Wikipedia says about “Metropolitan Area,” and it increases my uncertainty about The Villages being a real metro area:

“ A metropolitan area or metro is a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories under the same administrative jurisdiction, sharing industries, commercial areas, transport network, infrastructures and housing.[1] A metro area usually comprises multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships, boroughs, cities, towns, exurbs, suburbs, counties, districts, and even states and nations like the eurodistricts. As social, economic and political institutions have changed, metropolitan areas have become key economic and political regions.[2] Metropolitan areas include satellite cities, towns and intervening rural areas that are socioeconomically tied to the urban core, typically measured by commuting patterns.”

Where is our “urban core” that is “Densely populated”? The Villages is like a giant suburb with pleasant gathering areas and a ring of restaurants and stores. Where is our industry? Or is taking care of us the industry? Lots of people make a living taking care of us. Wikipedia lists a population density here (in 2010) of 1670 people per square mile. By contrast, New York City in 2020 had a population density of almost 28,000 per square mile. The Philadelphia metro area has a population density of almost 12,000 per square mile.

[kansasr]

The Villages MSA is just all of Sumter County

[NoMo50]

The fact that The Villages continues to grow, and the Developer continues to develop, simply means one thing...there are TONS of people who want to move here. It also means a certain small percentage of those folks moving here are going to complain about everything, and anything. These are the people who would complain of indigestion if they were given a free meal. They would no doubt be complaining no matter where they lived.

I have yet to meet a single person who confessed to having a gun held to his or her head to sign papers to move to The Villages. All of the information regarding tax rates, fees, utility costs, cost of living, etc is readily available to anyone who wishes to do even a modest amount of research. And please don't start on the well-worn diatribe about the "greedy developer." I, for one, am very happy that the developer is making a profit. That is why they are in business, and that is what will allow them to continue to provide us with this wonderful place we have chosen to call home.

No, I do not work for The Villages. We are simply a couple who made an informed decision to move here, and have been very happy with that decision. There are many more coming, and I am happy for them, and hope that their decision fulfills their retirement dreams. If someone is truly unhappy about being here, houses are selling like hotcakes, and no one is holding a gun to your head making you stay.

Rant over. Be happy, be healthy, be safe...enjoy life!

[Emeraldspice]

I agree ... Unfortunately there are some people who will complain no matter where they live..
If they are not happy then find somewhere else to live..

Many only wish they were able to live like this... At this stage of live it is more about trying to be a bit more grateful then hateful

[DAVES]

Well if we all benefitted like with lower property tax, given how much must be raking in now… you’d get a lot more people cheering.

REALITY-It has always been so. People want and think, demand, rationalize anyone BUT THEM should pay for it.

We are ex New Yorkers. We left behind a 6% state tax, a 3% city tax, 10,000 real estate tax on a 1200 sq foot home, electric rates almost twice what we pay here. I cringe when I see posts from New Yorkers, people from Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Hawaii etc who want to change Florida into what they ran away from

[DAVES]

Lower taxes! LOL fantasy land.:) In 35 years I own property on average taxes goes up 90% of the time and if they do go few dollars down, they get it back the next year.

We all tend to fixate on one thing but not the whole picture. INFLATION. We sold our home for 6x what we paid for it. WOW. Reality the cost of everything, except stuff based on computer chips has gone up at least that much. The other day looking for some hardware, I discovered that I have some coffee cans first of all they were a pound not 13 ounces and they are marked ninety-eight cents. I remember pizza at .15 a slice and for another .05 you could get a small soda.

[DAVES]

The fact that The Villages continues to grow, and the Developer continues to develop, simply means one thing...there are TONS of people who want to move here. It also means a certain small percentage of those folks moving here are going to complain about everything, and anything. These are the people who would complain of indigestion if they were given a free meal. They would no doubt be complaining no matter where they lived.

I have yet to meet a single person who confessed to having a gun held to his or her head to sign papers to move to The Villages. All of the information regarding tax rates, fees, utility costs, cost of living, etc is readily available to anyone who wishes to do even a modest amount of research. And please don't start on the well-worn diatribe about the "greedy developer." I, for one, am very happy that the developer is making a profit. That is why they are in business, and that is what will allow them to continue to provide us with this wonderful place we have chosen to call home.

No, I do not work for The Villages. We are simply a couple who made an informed decision to move here, and have been very happy with that decision. There are many more coming, and I am happy for them, and hope that their decision fulfills their retirement dreams. If someone is truly unhappy about being here, houses are selling like hotcakes, and no one is holding a gun to your head making you stay.

Rant over. Be happy, be healthy, be safe...enjoy life!

Well said. There is no shortage of complainers. That is true everywhere. They particularly do not like reality. If, you don't like it LEAVE. You owe it to yourself to do so.

As to the continued expansion. Not sure if I favor that but the alternative would be the inmates running this place. Read the posts as to how that would work out.

[Velvet]

When you take money from people (and my property tax increase was 25% much more than $200) and a lot of money is made partly as a result of that money, it is reasonable for them to ask what will happens next. To me it looks like the new found money now, as price of property has increased so much and as a result the property tax from them, is used to reduce the rise in impact fees and not give some back to the owners who contributed.

Comparing our TV case to New York, Miami or China is irrelevant in my opinion. Yes, we are going to smart about this and it is not going away until something is done to correct it. And I already saw some very small steps taken in that direction.

[KRMACK55]

Too bad everyone can't just enjoy what we have without having the negative nellies.


:ho:
The negative nellies have a point. They’re attacked if they point out how things people don’t want to hear ! Thank God for opposing views

[KRMACK55]

Well if we all benefitted like with lower property tax, given how much must be raking in now… you’d get a lot more people cheering.
Very true. Also it’s not the fastest growing this decade it’s only the FIRST year of a decade and more people moved to Georgia than Florida. When the medical Healthcare around here hits critical mass with the inability to have decent healthcare lots of people will move

[dewilson58]

The negative nellies have a point. They’re attacked if they point out how things people don’t want to hear ! Thank God for opposing views

Significant difference between the ToTV NN's and opposing views.
Very obvious to all, just takes new comers a few reads to identity NN's and agendas.

[JSR22]

Very true. Also it’s not the fastest growing this decade it’s only the FIRST year of a decade and more people moved to Georgia than Florida. When the medical Healthcare around here hits critical mass with the inability to have decent healthcare lots of people will move

I am very sorry you are so unhappy in TV. Hopefully, where you move to you will be happier.

[graciegirl]

The property tax on present homeowners was increased in part to build roads for this new construction. Now it is built and selling well and…. ?

Our homes are selling for higher prices so that they are appraised higher.

[Fredster]

Where I came from in Illinois, this is what’s happening!

“Illinois recorded a seventh straight year of population loss, but the drop was historic – 79,487 residents from July 2019 to July 2020, the most since World War II and the second largest of any state in raw numbers or percentage of population.”

While The Villages is growing and adding population for very good reasons.
I also cringe that there are people that come here from Illinois, NY, NJ, CA that want to change The Villages and Florida into what they came from.

[wirenail444]

May we live in interesting times - and places!

The Villages, Florida, was fastest-growing metro area this decade: Census Bureau | Fox Business (https://www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/the-villages-florida-fastest-growing-metro-area-decade-census-bureau)
I have lived here over 10 years and I see the growth as more traffic congestion, more pollution, and higher taxes. The Villages is losing it's initial charm. The only one benefiting from the growth is the developer who is becoming ever richer and more arrogant in his dealings with the community. Growth in of itself is not a good thing unless it is accompanied by tangible benefits. What are those benefits for the current home owners?

[dewilson58]

I have lived here over 10 years and I see the growth as more traffic congestion, more pollution, and higher taxes. The Villages is losing it's initial charm. The only one benefiting from the growth is the developer who is becoming ever richer and more arrogant in his dealings with the community. Growth in of itself is not a good thing unless it is accompanied by tangible benefits. What are those benefits for the current home owners?

Unless you live in the Historical section, "growth" provided your house. :ohdear:

"I got mine, no more."

[graciegirl]

I have lived here over 10 years and I see the growth as more traffic congestion, more pollution, and higher taxes. The Villages is losing it's initial charm. The only one benefiting from the growth is the developer who is becoming ever richer and more arrogant in his dealings with the community. Growth in of itself is not a good thing unless it is accompanied by tangible benefits. What are those benefits for the current home owners?

Well for one if you want to be petty...We are much admired...We are thought to have a place that is beautiful and sought after and more valuable each day. We live in the area that has the highest credit rating and lowest crime and have the availability to join others in all kinds of fun endeavors or stay home and enjoy the beauty and safety and weather.

A home in our Village was on the market for two hours a couple months ago. One just was listed for 2.8 million that sold for 800k ten years ago when it was built.

I like that the values of property is going up. A very good investment.

[Topspinmo]

The property tax on present homeowners was increased in part to build roads for this new construction. Now it is built and selling well and…. ?


There not going to go back down. They never do.

[Velvet]

Unless you are selling you do not get much out of the home being worth more… but, property tax has gone up without benefit to the homeowner.

As far as being negative, I taught a generation of students to be truthful. And if necessary, face the consequences.

"Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts." – Column in January 18, 1983 The Washington Post. Based on an earlier quote by James R. Schlesinger.

[dewilson58]

Unless you are selling you do not get much out of the home being worth more… but,

You can get a larger reverse mortgage.

:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

[graciegirl]

You can get a larger reverse mortgage.

:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

I have to think D.Wilson that you were a bit of trouble to your teacher every now and then, but your were also her favorite.

[manaboutown]

You can get a larger reverse mortgage.

:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

Just call BR-549. BR-549 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xhTomqDTzE)

[La lamy]

Sure glad I was introduced to TV. I was very happy to tweak my retirement plans from the west cost of Florida to TV!!!

[champion6]

The Villages MSA is just all of Sumter County
:agree:

[Holpat39]

I have lived here over 10 years and I see the growth as more traffic congestion, more pollution, and higher taxes. The Villages is losing it's initial charm. The only one benefiting from the growth is the developer who is becoming ever richer and more arrogant in his dealings with the community. Growth in of itself is not a good thing unless it is accompanied by tangible benefits. What are those benefits for the current home owners?

So when you bought here you weren't worried about the growth. I've been here 20 years and do not begrudge anyone wanting to enjoy The Village lifestyle. They should also have the opportunity to enjoy living here. They too will be wondering about the growth in a few years as you do now but so what they will enjoy what they have now and if not happy in a few years they can move on.

[DAVES]

When you take money from people (and my property tax increase was 25% much more than $200) and a lot of money is made partly as a result of that money, it is reasonable for them to ask what will happens next. To me it looks like the new found money now, as price of property has increased so much and as a result the property tax from them, is used to reduce the rise in impact fees and not give some back to the owners who contributed.

Comparing our TV case to New York, Miami or China is irrelevant in my opinion. Yes, we are going to smart about this and it is not going away until something is done to correct it. And I already saw some very small steps taken in that direction.

Re: comparing the villages to New York, Miami or China.
Perhaps, my view of most things. A definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Same as my view of history. We do not need to make all mistakes like they are new. We can easily see how they work elsewhere and/or what was the result where it has been tried.

[DAVES]

So when you bought here you weren't worried about the growth. I've been here 20 years and do not begrudge anyone wanting to enjoy The Village lifestyle. They should also have the opportunity to enjoy living here. They too will be wondering about the growth in a few years as you do now but so what they will enjoy what they have now and if not happy in a few years they can move on.

The good old days. First of all what was, is distorted by memory which is selective.
I have movie proof. We have 16mm home movies of me, my sister, my parents and grandparents from when I was about five. I think they were taken by my uncle. We never had a 16mm projector so I had never seen them. I recently had them transferred to DVD. The movies show clearly how little of what I remember from the good old days j was not really like that. Simple classic, the snow was much deeper in the old days.
Hum, when you are three foot tall the snow is deeper.

[Lottoguy]

In case you missed it, here is the segment that was shown on "Good Morning Orlando" this morning. Fastest community in the USA.

The Villages - Fastest Growing in USA - YouTube (https://youtu.be/1K-Ti_zJnyo)

[manaboutown]

In case you missed it, here is the segment that was shown on "Good Morning Orlando" this morning. Fastest community in the USA.

Now Mr. Midnight was fast. I don't know about the rest of us.

[Velvet]

Now Mr. Midnight was fast. I don't know about the rest of us.

Love it! LOL

[John41]

Very true. Also it’s not the fastest growing this decade it’s only the FIRST year of a decade and more people moved to Georgia than Florida. When the medical Healthcare around here hits critical mass with the inability to have decent healthcare lots of people will move

For the first time Lakewood Ranch sold more homes than TV last year. Personally I prefer TV.

[rpalumberi]

The fact that The Villages continues to grow, and the Developer continues to develop, simply means one thing...there are TONS of people who want to move here. It also means a certain small percentage of those folks moving here are going to complain about everything, and anything. These are the people who would complain of indigestion if they were given a free meal. They would no doubt be complaining no matter where they lived.

I have yet to meet a single person who confessed to having a gun held to his or her head to sign papers to move to The Villages. All of the information regarding tax rates, fees, utility costs, cost of living, etc is readily available to anyone who wishes to do even a modest amount of research. And please don't start on the well-worn diatribe about the "greedy developer." I, for one, am very happy that the developer is making a profit. That is why they are in business, and that is what will allow them to continue to provide us with this wonderful place we have chosen to call home.

No, I do not work for The Villages. We are simply a couple who made an informed decision to move here, and have been very happy with that decision. There are many more coming, and I am happy for them, and hope that their decision fulfills their retirement dreams. If someone is truly unhappy about being here, houses are selling like hotcakes, and no one is holding a gun to your head making you stay.

Rant over. Be happy, be healthy, be safe...enjoy life!

We agree one-hundred percent.

[rpalumberi]

I hate taxes just as much as everyone, but lower taxes usually means less services.
At the end of the day the same people that are complaining about taxes, will be the loudest voices complaining of declining services.

We agree one-hundred percent.

[rpalumberi]

Where I came from in Illinois, this is what’s happening!

“Illinois recorded a seventh straight year of population loss, but the drop was historic – 79,487 residents from July 2019 to July 2020, the most since World War II and the second largest of any state in raw numbers or percentage of population.”

While The Villages is growing and adding population for very good reasons.
I also cringe that there are people that come here from Illinois, NY, NJ, CA that want to change The Villages and Florida into what they came from.

This is a definite concern of ours as well. This is what has happened to Arizona where we almost moved to - we have dear friends in Gilbert, AZ who understand why we changed our plans.

[Lottoguy]

Here is what Good Day Orlando said about The Villages.
The Villages - Fastest Growing in USA - YouTube (https://youtu.be/1K-Ti_zJnyo)

[Stu from NYC]

Where I came from in Illinois, this is what’s happening!

“Illinois recorded a seventh straight year of population loss, but the drop was historic – 79,487 residents from July 2019 to July 2020, the most since World War II and the second largest of any state in raw numbers or percentage of population.”

While The Villages is growing and adding population for very good reasons.
I also cringe that there are people that come here from Illinois, NY, NJ, CA that want to change The Villages and Florida into what they came from.

Mind boggling to me that the so called leadership in Illinois is watching this drop in population and does absolutely nothing to stop it by removing the reasons people are leaving.

[Stu from NYC]

You can get a larger reverse mortgage.

:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

Would make cousin Brucie very happy

[ThirdOfFive]

The fact that The Villages continues to grow, and the Developer continues to develop, simply means one thing...there are TONS of people who want to move here. It also means a certain small percentage of those folks moving here are going to complain about everything, and anything. These are the people who would complain of indigestion if they were given a free meal. They would no doubt be complaining no matter where they lived.

I have yet to meet a single person who confessed to having a gun held to his or her head to sign papers to move to The Villages. All of the information regarding tax rates, fees, utility costs, cost of living, etc is readily available to anyone who wishes to do even a modest amount of research. And please don't start on the well-worn diatribe about the "greedy developer." I, for one, am very happy that the developer is making a profit. That is why they are in business, and that is what will allow them to continue to provide us with this wonderful place we have chosen to call home.

No, I do not work for The Villages. We are simply a couple who made an informed decision to move here, and have been very happy with that decision. There are many more coming, and I am happy for them, and hope that their decision fulfills their retirement dreams. If someone is truly unhappy about being here, houses are selling like hotcakes, and no one is holding a gun to your head making you stay.

Rant over. Be happy, be healthy, be safe...enjoy life!
As Mom used to say: "you'd b!tch if you were hung with a new rope".

I agree. I know of no one who was sentenced to live in The Villages. We moved here because we wanted to experience what The Villages had to offer. It's been nearly a year for us now and I can unequivocally say it's the best move I made since I convinced the best woman on the planet to marry me.