A Thank-You To My Snowbird Friends

[Penglobal]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are sometimes wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as many snowbirds own more than one home and spend their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.

[Koapaka]

Yeah, lets revisit your feelings after you have lived here through a snowbird season.....

[JSR22]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are many times wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as they many times own more than one home and spend their much of their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.

I agree with you and welcome the snowbirds. Without them there would be less amenities and shopping choices.

[Bjeanj]

OP, you are correct. However, it becomes harder to find your usual products at the grocery store, there is a higher traffic volume, restaurants become more than packed with long waiting times, and more people become lost, not knowing where the cart lanes are and end up on non-cart roads. It can be challenging.

I have several friends who come down for the winter, and I am always happy to see them again.

[vintageogauge]

We all know that they help the economy and the businesses really are happy to see them but when you add them to the new family housing being built all around TV, apartments in and on the outskirts of TV, lots of new industrial space being built, it's gonna be a long winter.

[Kenswing]

Finally. Our annual Snowbird thread. :MOJE_whot:

I love Snowbirds, for without them this place would be packed year round instead of just for 5 months.

[Garywt]

Don’t forget about us Snowflakes… Bought our house 2 1/2 years ago and have been down maybe 10 weeks. We have no issues paying our taxes and fees. Will be down the last 2 weeks of October and we are so looking forward to it.

[Michael G.]

However, it becomes harder to find your usual products at the grocery store, there is a higher traffic volume, restaurants become more than packed with long waiting times,


We are living here full time and are smart about this.
We shop, eat out, travel on off hours.

Love you birds, bring money.......:welcome:

[Two Bills]

Yeah, lets revisit your feelings after you have lived here through a snowbird season.....

Would you rather have all the properties full, with the same pressure on facilities throughout the year, which is the alternative?

[Penglobal]

Also remember that most snowbirds can't file for homestead exceptions and they pay real estate taxes proportionally higher than the full time Villager.

On my block, there are two exact homes and valued basically the same. Last year house # 1 owned by a Floridan who took advantage of "save our homes" taxes payed $ 4915 & the exact same home but owned by a fellow mate from Pennsylvania paid $7844 in real estate taxes. The unfortunate thing is the mate from PA only lives here part time.

So once again, thank you snowbirds.

[Hape2Bhr]

Also remember that most snowbirds can't file for homestead exceptions and they pay real estate taxes proportionally higher than the full time Villager.

On my block, there are two exact homes and valued basically the same. Last year house # 1 owned by a Floridan who took advantage of "save our homes" taxes payed $ 4915 & the exact same home but owned by a fellow mate from Pennsylvania paid $7844 in real estate taxes. The unfortunate thing is the mate from PA only lives here part time.

So once again, thank you snowbirds.

We rented for a couple of winters, bought in the Spring of 2020.. I plan to become a Florida resident shortly to take advantage of the "homestead" deduction next year. In addition I'll pay less in state income taxes. I will still head north for the summer months.

[thelegges]

Yeah, lets revisit your feelings after you have lived here through a snowbird season.....

So you would be very happy if all the snowbirds became full time, and then you could experience high season All Year Long.:1rotfl::1rotfl::clap2: Just because snowbirds own more than one home, doesn’t make them a bad person, they just like different landscape out their windows, and can afford to do so.

[I'm Popeye!]

////

[msilagy]

People that complain about snowbirds are A} self centered have it my way types...B} jealous because they have to endure the hot hot summer months or just plain complainers. Friendliest hometown at its finest!

[thevillages2013]

That is a very optimistic outlook newbie. Let’s see how it ages.

[MandoMan]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are sometimes wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as many snowbirds own more than one home and spend their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.

Thanks. You are exactly right. There are inconveniences in the winter, but so it goes. It does get a lot harder to get into many restaurants. Golf courses are much more crowded. A few roads are more crowded. I prefer to think of the winter months as the normal part, rather than the abnormal part. I lived near a college town for decades, and we went from about four parking spaces for every car to having to park a block or two away, in a town of 5,000. I enjoyed the quiet summer, but the school year crowding was the real town.

[mcwood4d]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are sometimes wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as many snowbirds own more than one home and spend their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.

Happy to help out with the (higher) taxes and fees. We'll enjoy our 10 weeks again this season. I'd love to be a frog but... Grandkids ❤️🤗

[Lynnesail]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are sometimes wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as many snowbirds own more than one home and spend their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.

Thank you!

[Rwirish]

Oh great, I am know so excited for snowbird season!

[Rwirish]

Enjoy the hot hot summer. Best time oh the year imo. It better be hot, it’s Florida.

[thevillages2013]

Another positive point about snowbird season is they usually knock all the gate arms off so it makes it a lot more convenient for everyone

[rlcooper70]

So nice to hear someone adding positive energy to our little corner of the world. Thank you for that. And of course you are correct in all respects.

[joeharing]

Finally. Our annual Snowbird thread. :MOJE_whot:

I love Snowbirds, for without them this place would be packed year round instead of just for 5 months.
Aha......someone has finally got it.!!

[Neils]

People that complain about snowbirds are A} self centered have it my way types...B} jealous because they have to endure the hot hot summer months or just plain complainers. Friendliest hometown at its finest!

I enjoy the warm summer months here. Its great to hit the pool every day!!

“Endure” sounds like a snowbird.

[VickiF]

We are living here full time and are smart about this.
We shop, eat out, travel on off hours.

Love you birds, bring money.......:welcome:
We’ll be full timers soon too. What are the off hours? I’d like to do the same. Thanks!

[Bay Kid]

Another group of people complaining about me returning to MY home. So what if I'm not there all the time. I pay my expenses on my home ALL year, taxes, amenity fees, yard and home maintenance cost.

[butlerism]

This is the best thread in a while.

Can we create a new club - Dodge ball with snowbirds.

It will be packed.

lmao

[MrFlorida]

Its nice when they come, but better when they leave...

[La lamy]

Would you rather have all the properties full, with the same pressure on facilities throughout the year, which is the alternative?

Exactly! The argument that snowbirds bring too much traffic etc... is ridiculous to me. It's the opposite, we lessen traffic for you by leaving our homes for the summer! :ohdear:

[Luggage]

Just imagine what all non-villagers feel when snowbirds arrive.

[bp243]

Exactly! The argument that snowbirds bring too much traffic etc... is ridiculous to me. It's the opposite, we lessen traffic for you by leaving our homes for the summer! :ohdear:
Guessing that you have a fresh and positive spin on life in general. How lovely to embrace your post!

[Bitsee]

We have been wintering in The Villages for 14 years now.
Only I prefer to be called a
"Snow Dog" because we travel with our 2 well behaved rescue dogs.
We own a lovely CYV in Springdale and are extremely quiet and well behaved people as well !
We don't drink, smoke , or flood the neighborhood with visitors when we stay there, that would be rude.
My husband is a licensed handyman that works cheap there for all our neighbors and they simply adore him, as they save all thier projects for his arrival.
And I will babysit our neighbor's pets for them whenever they need to go somewhere, which is quite often.
So in other words our Villages neighbors richly benefit by us being there in the winters as we are not
the bad guy's...believe it or not.
We enjoy the Florida winter weather but will never, ever move permanently from northern Wisconsin which is also referred to as God's Country ....for that is our real home.

[Ksfirefighter]

I agree with you and welcome the snowbirds. Without them there would be less amenities and shopping choices.

Yes they pay for amenities all year and we get the benefits.

[chasandvalr]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are sometimes wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as many snowbirds own more than one home and spend their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.

Pfffffff

[Dgodin]

Your neighbor is less concerned about jobs and profits for others and is reacting to how snowbird season affects her personally. Many of us full timers are happy to see our snowbird friends return but dread the transition from a semi sleepy town to a bustling metropolis. An aquaintance refers to snowbirds as cloggers (clog up the roads, restaurants, shops).
In any case it really isn't worth arguing about.

[ML Smith]

Haters gonna hate. Ignore them and just accept the fact that some folks just have to have something to complain about. It’s all good so enjoy the seasons and relax. Life is too important to be taken too seriously.

[Bilyclub]

Also remember that most snowbirds can't file for homestead exceptions and they pay real estate taxes proportionally higher than the full time Villager.

On my block, there are two exact homes and valued basically the same. Last year house # 1 owned by a Floridan who took advantage of "save our homes" taxes payed $ 4915 & the exact same home but owned by a fellow mate from Pennsylvania paid $7844 in real estate taxes. The unfortunate thing is the mate from PA only lives here part time.

So once again, thank you snowbirds.


I haven't seen my neighbor in 2 years and their house has steadily been rented out. A check of the county site shows they are claiming the Homestead exemption. Who's to say that they aren't double dipping and claiming an exemption where their other home is? Either way, claiming the exemption here seems wrong when they don't live in the house.

[Vikingjunior]

I would love to see how you respond when they start building housing for the illegals in The Villages.

[nn0wheremann]

Just be REALLY CAREFUL IN THE ROUNDABOUTS for the next month, then double that in January when the renters come down. If you use AT&T for cell service, get used to a couple of hours for voicemail to show up, and don’t mind the dropped calls. But you are right, the snowflakes and snowbirds are an asset to our community.

[ML Smith]

Get over yourself.

[ML Smith]

I would love to see how you respond when they start building housing for the illegals in The Villages.

OMG get over yourself.

[TNKYGAL]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are sometimes wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as many snowbirds own more than one home and spend their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.

Thank you for your post. We, too, have had great neighbors who helped with our transition to The Villages - and thus far the comments we've heard are more about being sad when friends are going to be gone. But perhaps that is because we are currently "snowbird plus". (we come for about 4 months in the winter and make 3-4 visits throughout the summer and fall.) Like so many before us, we enjoy our children and activities that don't reside in Florida, so we are not quite ready to commit to full time in Florida. I feel very blessed that we are still able to travel back and forth.

Having experienced The Villages during both the summer and winter seasons, I see both as having advantages. I love the energy in the winter. Do people/crowds ever annoy me? To be honest, yes. But that happens in both seasons and has nothing to do with "Snowbirds" but everything to do with unhappy, rude people. Fortunately that has been RARE for us! Although the relative quiet of the summer does provide ease for seating at restaurants and less traffic, I find myself feeling sad for the bands who don't experience the fun and energy of a packed audience, and wonder if the stores/restaurants are doing okay with less commerce.

And by the way, I don't LOVE when the bills come every month, but we do enjoy our Villages home and are content to support the great lifestyle for ALL of us!!

[sktb888]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are sometimes wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as many snowbirds own more than one home and spend their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.
You're welcome! 🥳 Lol

[sktb888]

You're welcome! 🥳 Lol

[Penglobal]

I haven't seen my neighbor in 2 years and their house has steadily been rented out. A check of the county site shows they are claiming the Homestead exemption. Who's to say that they aren't double dipping and claiming an exemption where their other home is? Either way, claiming the exemption here seems wrong when they don't live in the house.

Examples of homestead fraud are:

The owner(s) claim homestead exemption, but permanent residence is elsewhere.
***The owner(s) claim homestead exemption, but they rent the property to others for a profit throughout the year. I don't believe that your neighbors are renting the house for free. *** Your case!
The individual or family unit claim homestead exemption on more than one property (including a homestead exemption filed in another state).

An anonymous letter or a phone call to the county tax collector would be sincerely appreciated

The Villages Annex ( Sumter county )
8033 East CR 466
The Villages, FL 32162
Phone: (352) 689-4645
Fax: (352) 689-4646
Office Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm M-F
Closed 12:30pm-1:30pm

Lake County Tax Collector, 320 West Main St., Tavares, FL 32778 ( Lake County )

Main Office, McPherson Complex (Marion County )
503 SE 25th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34471
Phone: (352) 368-8200
Fax: (352) 368-8081
Mon-Fri 8AM - 4:00PM

Mailing Address:
PO Box 970
Ocala, Florida
34478-0970

[Michael G.]

We’ll be full timers soon too. What are the off hours? I’d like to do the same. Thanks!

Go 10 minutes before closing and 10 minutes before they open....:clap2:

[Packer Fan]

I haven't seen my neighbor in 2 years and their house has steadily been rented out. A check of the county site shows they are claiming the Homestead exemption. Who's to say that they aren't double dipping and claiming an exemption where their other home is? Either way, claiming the exemption here seems wrong when they don't live in the house.

I don't like that. As a homeowner who rents my house, I would never do that. It is dishonest. Gives all of us a bad name.

[Red Rose]

We started off as snowbirds and are now frogs and we have never been happier. Don't mind the snowbirds at all and love being here year round. Don't mind the heat nor humidity because we have pools and central air everywhere we go. Our expenses are way less and we don't have the headaches of owning 2 homes. Restaurants too busy at dinnertime in season? Then go out for Iunch instead. Grocery stores extra busy? Then shop early morning. There are ways to get around the busier times. Most of all, enjoy your time here with the snowbirds. They tend to be jollier because they feel that they are on vacation when they're here and want to make the most of it.

[Laker14]

That is a very optimistic outlook newbie. Let’s see how it ages.

are you expecting it to change?

[thelegges]

Just be REALLY CAREFUL IN THE ROUNDABOUTS for the next month, then double that in January when the renters come down. If you use AT&T for cell service, get used to a couple of hours for voicemail to show up, and don’t mind the dropped calls. But you are right, the snowflakes and snowbirds are an asset to our community.

Please the 2 different drivers going the wrong way in roundabout in the month of July had Florida plates.

Let’s face it snowbirds drive hundreds of miles to get to TV, driving skills maybe little above those who drive few miles a month

[Laker14]

Thanks. You are exactly right. There are inconveniences in the winter, but so it goes. It does get a lot harder to get into many restaurants. Golf courses are much more crowded. A few roads are more crowded. I prefer to think of the winter months as the normal part, rather than the abnormal part. I lived near a college town for decades, and we went from about four parking spaces for every car to having to park a block or two away, in a town of 5,000. I enjoyed the quiet summer, but the school year crowding was the real town.

I had the exact same thought. I spent three years at Ohio State in the mid 1970s...I went to classes all year. The campus was set up to accommodate 50,000 students in those days. During summer quarter there were maybe 5 or 10 thousand. It was great. Plenty of parking. Nobody competing for tennis courts. Then on the Sunday before the first day of Autumn quarter, BOOM!,, no parking, back to reality...

[tophcfa]

So let’s summarize how wonderful snowbirds are as pointed out by posters throughout this thread. Not only do they pay property taxes, they pay more property taxes because of no homestead exemption. They also pay amenity fees year round but only use the amenities part time. They pay for trash removal year round even though they produce no trash for a good portion of the year, effectively subsidizing the full time residents rates. The same goes for base water and sewer rates, which are paid year round regardless of use. The birds also are extremely helpful to the local economy during their absence by hiring various services to maintain their properties. And of course, if the birds didn’t migrate north during the warmer months, the villages would be “busy season” year round. And as one wise poster pointed out, many seasonal residents are younger and drive hundreds, if not thousands of miles to get to and from the Villages and are on average better drivers than the folks that like to complain about their driving. All in all the Snowbirds appear to be the geese that lay the golden eggs, not the rotten eggs. Long live the birds : )

[Laker14]

So let’s summarize how wonderful snowbirds are as pointed out by posters throughout this thread. Not only do they pay property taxes, they pay more property taxes because of no homestead exemption. They also pay amenity fees year round but only use the amenities part time. They pay for trash removal year round even though they produce no trash for a good portion of the year, effectively subsidizing the full time residents rates. The same goes for base water and sewer rates, which are paid year round regardless of use. The birds also are extremely helpful to the local economy during their absence by hiring various services to maintain their properties. And of course, if the birds didn’t migrate north during the warmer months, the villages would be “busy season” year round. And as one wise poster pointed out, many seasonal residents are younger and drive hundreds, if not thousands of miles to get to and from the Villages and are on average better drivers than the folks that like to complain about their driving. All in all the Snowbirds appear to be the geese that lay the golden eggs, not the rotten eggs. Long live the birds : )

Long may they (we) migrate!!

[bowlingal]

Don't forget to get the newcomers guide book that came out this morning with home delivery of the daily sun. If you don't get home delivery, ask a neighbor for theirs.

[golfing eagles]

So let’s summarize how wonderful snowbirds are as pointed out by posters throughout this thread. Not only do they pay property taxes, they pay more property taxes because of no homestead exemption. They also pay amenity fees year round but only use the amenities part time. They pay for trash removal year round even though they produce no trash for a good portion of the year, effectively subsidizing the full time residents rates. The same goes for base water and sewer rates, which are paid year round regardless of use. The birds also are extremely helpful to the local economy during their absence by hiring various services to maintain their properties. And of course, if the birds didn’t migrate north during the warmer months, the villages would be “busy season” year round. And as one wise poster pointed out, many seasonal residents are younger and drive hundreds, if not thousands of miles to get to and from the Villages and are on average better drivers than the folks that like to complain about their driving. All in all the Snowbirds appear to be the geese that lay the golden eggs, not the rotten eggs. Long live the birds : )

I agree with all of that EXCEPT the part of being "better drivers". Most of the really, really stupid driving I've witnessed in the last 7 years are cars with out of state plates, which probably also means the same for the golf carts they drive. Driving a thousand miles on an interstate (probably in the left lane at 50 mph:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:) does not make anyone better at navigating a RB or driving a cart across the Morse Blvd. bridge. People simply bring whatever driving skills (or lack thereof) that they have with them. And not everyone drives here from up north----note the steady increase in car carrier sightings over the next few months. The two scariest sights driving in TV IMHO are:
1) Driving in a RB and seeing a vehicle with out of state handicapped plates about to enter
2) Driving a cart on the Morse Blvd. bridge and seeing a cart with a rental number approaching from the opposite direction:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[La lamy]

Been seeing a lot of Canada Geese in flight for the south lately, so watch out for them overcrowding the frogs too! :icon_wink:

[KYtoTV2021]

OP, you are correct. However, it becomes harder to find your usual products at the grocery store, there is a higher traffic volume, restaurants become more than packed with long waiting times, and more people become lost, not knowing where the cart lanes are and end up on non-cart roads. It can be challenging.

I have several friends who come down for the winter, and I am always happy to see them again.

What TV management should do (but will not do) is increase the infrastructure, particularly executive golf courses, in order to handle the Jan thru April crowd.

[graciegirl]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are sometimes wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as many snowbirds own more than one home and spend their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.

I doubt many dislike the people who come to live in their homes during the high season, just the crowdedness, the lines, the stuff that happens when you add a lot of people to any place. It is all over Florida.

It is nice to have not as much traffic, not so many people at the restaurants and grocery stores etc.

The only snowbirds who I am not a fan of are people who do not "own" here and who come to rent seasonally and some of them don't much care whether they toss trash out or other little things that people do when they have no vested financial interest or personal connection to a place. Certainly not all or even a majority. Just a few I would like to bop with a rolled up paper.

[graciegirl]

What TV management should do (but will not do) is increase the infrastructure, particularly executive golf courses, in order to handle the Jan thru April crowd.

And then they would have too many golf courses for nine months which must be maintained, the help paid a salary, property Taxes due etc. EVERYTHING COSTS MONEY.

One of the nicest things about this place is that rarely do The Villages spend money "dumbly".

[Two Bills]

I am blessed to live in a very beautifal part of the UK, and our punishment, is droves of tourists during the summer months.
The rest of the year it is all ours.
Be thankful you live in area that people want to visit and stay, or would you rather be in some dump, where the bypass is the favorite road?

[George Page]

Yeah, lets revisit your feelings after you have lived here through a snowbird season.....

The fact is:
No Snowbirds, No Villages

[JoeinFL]

As a newbie to The Villages, several of my neighbors have done a great job by providing me with advice on all aspects of living here. Strangely to me, one of my neighbors also warned me to be careful in the coming months when the influx of snowbirds come down to The Villages and overtake the area.

That statement appeared wrong to me as I told my neighbor that we should welcome back the snowbirds as they bring money, jobs and excitement to The Villages. Snowbirds are sometimes wealthier than the typical full-time Villager as many snowbirds own more than one home and spend their money here. These snowbirds also pay year-round taxes and Villages fees although many only live here part-time. Also, the rental fee's some snowbirds pay will cover the entire yearly cost of the mortgage payment for some homeowners.

Although I welcome the Snowbirds, my neighbor appeared upset and refused to understand that snowbirds bring prosperity to The Villages and makes The Villages a better place to live year round.

Welcome to The friendliest hometown. :)

[JMintzer]

I doubt many dislike the people who come to live in their homes during the high season, just the crowdedness, the lines, the stuff that happens when you add a lot of people to any place. It is all over Florida.

It is nice to have not as much traffic, not so many people at the restaurants and grocery stores etc.

The only snowbirds who I am not a fan of are people who do not "own" here and who come to rent seasonally and some of them don't much care whether they toss trash out or other little things that people do when they have no vested financial interest or personal connection to a place. Certainly not all or even a majority. Just a few I would like to bop with a rolled up paper.

So all of the recent "people leaving their trash everywhere" threads were just early Snowbirds and renters, arriving in September?

[JoeinFL]

So let’s summarize how wonderful snowbirds are as pointed out by posters throughout this thread. Not only do they pay property taxes, they pay more property taxes because of no homestead exemption. They also pay amenity fees year round but only use the amenities part time. They pay for trash removal year round even though they produce no trash for a good portion of the year, effectively subsidizing the full time residents rates. The same goes for base water and sewer rates, which are paid year round regardless of use. The birds also are extremely helpful to the local economy during their absence by hiring various services to maintain their properties. And of course, if the birds didn’t migrate north during the warmer months, the villages would be “busy season” year round. And as one wise poster pointed out, many seasonal residents are younger and drive hundreds, if not thousands of miles to get to and from the Villages and are on average better drivers than the folks that like to complain about their driving. All in all the Snowbirds appear to be the geese that lay the golden eggs, not the rotten eggs. Long live the birds : )

Please don’t post rational thoughts on this forum. Snarky, rude comments are much more fitting. Lol
(Sarcasm of course)

[Laker14]

I agree with all of that EXCEPT the part of being "better drivers". Most of the really, really stupid driving I've witnessed in the last 7 years are cars with out of state plates, which probably also means the same for the golf carts they drive. Driving a thousand miles on an interstate (probably in the left lane at 50 mph:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:) does not make anyone better at navigating a RB or driving a cart across the Morse Blvd. bridge. People simply bring whatever driving skills (or lack thereof) that they have with them. And not everyone drives here from up north----note the steady increase in car carrier sightings over the next few months. The two scariest sights driving in TV IMHO are:
1) Driving in a RB and seeing a vehicle with out of state handicapped plates about to enter
2) Driving a cart on the Morse Blvd. bridge and seeing a cart with a rental number approaching from the opposite direction:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:


Yeah, except....some snowbirds have been snowbirding for years and years. I think they are pretty familiar with the way the roundabouts work. You may be confusing snowbirds with newbies, or visitors.

[coffeebean]

So you would be very happy if all the snowbirds became full time, and then you could experience high season All Year Long.:1rotfl::1rotfl::clap2: Just because snowbirds own more than one home, doesn’t make them a bad person, they just like different landscape out their windows, and can afford to do so.

We were seasonal residents for several years before moving here full time and selling our NJ home. It wasn't the landscape out of our window that drew us here for the winter months, it was the weather. I was so glad to leave the snow and ice behind for those winters. Now I never have to deal with those miserable winters unless we visit for the holidays.

[Spsmith444]

Also remember that most snowbirds can't file for homestead exceptions and they pay real estate taxes proportionally higher than the full time Villager.

On my block, there are two exact homes and valued basically the same. Last year house # 1 owned by a Floridan who took advantage of "save our homes" taxes payed $ 4915 & the exact same home but owned by a fellow mate from Pennsylvania paid $7844 in real estate taxes. The unfortunate thing is the mate from PA only lives here part time.

So once again, thank you snowbirds.

We need to get the tax structure changed based on how many months your there. 12 months - full taxes, 6 months 1/2 taxes, etc. 😉

[coffeebean]

We’ll be full times soon too. What are the off hours? I’d like to do the same. Thanks!
We usually dine in the afternoon (around 3:00) rather than in the evening. We call it "Lundin" which is a combination of lunch and dinner. If we don't do Lundin, then we have an early lunch which is our main meal of the day.

We sound old, don't we? Anyway......that is the way to beat the crowds in the restaurants. We dine at these times all year round, not just during the busy season here. Actually, come to think of it, we dined at these times before we moved to The Villages. We do not like having to wait for a table in a restaurant.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I doubt many dislike the people who come to live in their homes during the high season, just the crowdedness, the lines, the stuff that happens when you add a lot of people to any place. It is all over Florida.

It is nice to have not as much traffic, not so many people at the restaurants and grocery stores etc.

The only snowbirds who I am not a fan of are people who do not "own" here and who come to rent seasonally and some of them don't much care whether they toss trash out or other little things that people do when they have no vested financial interest or personal connection to a place. Certainly not all or even a majority. Just a few I would like to bop with a rolled up paper.

So you're okay with people who live here all year round and "own" here, and toss their trash out or other little things that people do when they don't care about what you think?

I have no particular interest or disinterest in snowbirds. I don't thank them or curse them. They're people who live here sometimes, whether they rent or own. As long as the property isn't overgrown with weeds on a regular basis, there's no obvious major disrepair, any "garden decorations" they have are also in good repair (not tipped over or covered with mold or cracked in half, for example), and their tree branches aren't hovering over the street (which is a hurricane risk), it's mostly just nitpicking.

I also take issue with the guy who hangs his American flag upside down, on purpose, all year round - lets it get shabby and tattered - and has HUGE political signs that he drew in black magic marker and displays to the street-side against his lanai window. Even if the signs were professionally made and said "I'm FOR this guy" I'd be - well - I disagree but whatever floats your boat.

But no - he has to be sloppy, and is not "for" someone, he's "ANTI" someone. It is degrading to the entire neighborhood. At least he took the toilet off his driveway after the election.

[coffeebean]

Another group of people complaining about me returning to MY home. So what if I'm not there all the time. I pay my expenses on my home ALL year, taxes, amenity fees, yard and home maintenance cost.

No complaints from me. Been there. Done that. I never let it bother me when people complained about the seasonal influx of people in The Villages. They will get over it, every April. LOL.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

No complaints from me. Been there. Done that. I never let it bother me when people complained about the seasonal influx of people in The Villages. They will get over it, every April. LOL.

I grew up in a suburb where the commercial district was always lousy with traffic, and at the end of the main trio of strip-malls was our high school. Our friends lived behind the strip-mall area so we had to walk up this steep hill on the side of the parking lot to get to their apartments, or down a secondary main road to get to other friends' houses. I also lived in Boston for 7 years.

So crowds and "town traffic" doesn't bother me all that much. Highway and big state/county road traffic does bother me (like 441, 466, roads with 2-3 lanes in either direction plus turn lanes, similar to the Berlin Tpke or the Boston Post Road in Connecticut). That kind of traffic is bad all year round though, it doesn't seem any worse or better with the change of snowbird season.

[coffeebean]

Just be REALLY CAREFUL IN THE ROUNDABOUTS for the next month, then double that in January when the renters come down. If you use AT&T for cell service, get used to a couple of hours for voicemail to show up, and don’t mind the dropped calls. But you are right, the snowflakes and snowbirds are an asset to our community.

Sounds like AT&T needs some more towers around here. Glad we don't use their service.

[coffeebean]

We started off as snowbirds and are now frogs and we have never been happier. Don't mind the snowbirds at all and love being here year round. Don't mind the heat nor humidity because we have pools and central air everywhere we go. Our expenses are way less and we don't have the headaches of owning 2 homes. Restaurants too busy at dinnertime in season? Then go out for Iunch instead. Grocery stores extra busy? Then shop early morning. There are ways to get around the busier times. Most of all, enjoy your time here with the snowbirds. They tend to be jollier because they feel that they are on vacation when they're here and want to make the most of it.

I have always done grocery shopping early in the morning, everywhere I have ever resided. It is always less crowded in the mornings. I have always avoided crowds and it has worked for me.

[graciegirl]

So you're okay with people who live here all year round and "own" here, and toss their trash out or other little things that people do when they don't care about what you think?

I have no particular interest or disinterest in snowbirds. I don't thank them or curse them. They're people who live here sometimes, whether they rent or own. As long as the property isn't overgrown with weeds on a regular basis, there's no obvious major disrepair, any "garden decorations" they have are also in good repair (not tipped over or covered with mold or cracked in half, for example), and their tree branches aren't hovering over the street (which is a hurricane risk), it's mostly just nitpicking.

I also take issue with the guy who hangs his American flag upside down, on purpose, all year round - lets it get shabby and tattered - and has HUGE political signs that he drew in black magic marker and displays to the street-side against his lanai window. Even if the signs were professionally made and said "I'm FOR this guy" I'd be - well - I disagree but whatever floats your boat.

But no - he has to be sloppy, and is not "for" someone, he's "ANTI" someone. It is degrading to the entire neighborhood. At least he took the toilet off his driveway after the election.

I am NOT for anyone throwing their trash out. I think fewer people with a "vested interest", people who own here and live here all year or seasonally, do things like that.

If someone had an offense that was reportable, like a toilet in a driveway that was in some way not there for a purpose like contract workers, I would report them. I don't like weeds either or a bunch of yard art or other things that are deed restrictions.

Like most people here, we are fine with no Political displays of any kind. Not even those that slide by the restriction. Most of us vote the same . Four out of six anyway.

I do know of several documented cases of snowbirds who have cooked at home. Most of them are delightful human beings but they add bodies to the mix. Then we become as crowded as the rest of Florida. They are legally and morally allowed to be here and being a card carrying Ohio native, I will always use my good manners with them, even if I WANT to remind them that they shouldn't throw their damned coffee cups out the side of their white rented golf cart and onto our beautiful cart paths. I will never say a thing. Nope. I'm a nice lady.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I am NOT for anyone throwing their trash out. I think fewer people with a "vested interest", people who own here and live here all year or seasonally, do things like that.

If someone had an offense that was reportable, like a toilet in a driveway that was in some way not there for a purpose like contract workers, I would report them. I don't like weeds either or a bunch of yard art or other things that are deed restrictions.

Like most people here, we are fine with no Political displays of any kind. Not even those that slide by the restriction. Most of us vote the same . Four out of six anyway.

I do know of several documented cases of snowbirds who have cooked at home. Most of them are delightful human beings but they add bodies to the mix. Then we become as crowded as the rest of Florida. They are legally and morally allowed to be here and being a card carrying Ohio native, I will always use my good manners with them, even if I WANT to remind them that they shouldn't throw their damned coffee cups out the side of their white rented golf cart and onto our beautiful cart paths. I will never say a thing. Nope. I'm a nice lady.

That's not being "a nice lady." That's being passive-aggressive. You see something that's not only illegal, but personally offensive, and instead of saying something, you give them permission to continue doing it (with your silence) and then come here and complain about it.

That's passive-aggression. Not "nice."

[graciegirl]

So all of the recent "people leaving their trash everywhere" threads were just early Snowbirds and renters, arriving in September?

I think you just wait to pounce on me.

I am not that girl. I don't care for any more. I'm good. Thank you for your interest and your misconceptions. Go back and read it again.

And quit being a nudge.

[coffeebean]

I doubt many dislike the people who come to live in their homes during the high season, just the crowdedness, the lines, the stuff that happens when you add a lot of people to any place. It is all over Florida.

It is nice to have not as much traffic, not so many people at the restaurants and grocery stores etc.

The only snowbirds who I am not a fan of are people who do not "own" here and who come to rent seasonally and some of them don't much care whether they toss trash out or other little things that people do when they have no vested financial interest or personal connection to a place. Certainly not all or even a majority. Just a few I would like to bop with a rolled up paper.

Agree with you Gracie. You are a very wise woman.

[coffeebean]

I think you just wait to pounce on me.

I am not that girl. I don't care for any more. I'm good. Thank you for your interest and your misconceptions. Go back and read it again.

And quit being a nudge.

That comment just made me smile.

[golfing eagles]

Yeah, except....some snowbirds have been snowbirding for years and years. I think they are pretty familiar with the way the roundabouts work. You may be confusing snowbirds with newbies, or visitors.

Not at all----I simply disagreed with the comment that seasonal residents are BETTER drivers.

[Two Bills]

I would just like to add, that in the 20 years my wife and I have rented during the winter season, we cannot recall seeing anyone throw coffee cups, litter, or wives from golf carts, rented or not.

Read a lot about full timers being drunk, crashing cars and carts, and knocking their wives /husbands about though, and that is all year round.

Some would seem to give the impression that becoming a full time villager gives mystical and superior powers over any from outside the bubble.

Funny old world!

[graciegirl]

That's not being "a nice lady." That's being passive-aggressive. You see something that's not only illegal, but personally offensive, and instead of saying something, you give them permission to continue doing it (with your silence) and then come here and complain about it.

That's passive-aggression. Not "nice."

No love. It is geographic.

We were taught to not say anything. Other groups have to tell people off. Where you're from you are right. Where I'm from, I am right.

Biggest Differences Between the Midwest and the East Coast (https://www.businessinsider.com/differences-between-midwest-and-east-coast-2019-8)

[graciegirl]

I would just like to add, that in the 20 years my wife and I have rented during the winter season, we cannot recall seeing anyone throw coffee cups, litter, or wives from golf carts, rented or not.

Read a lot about full timers being drunk, crashing cars and carts, and knocking their wives /husbands about though, and that is all year round.

Some would seem to give the impression that becoming a full time villager gives mystical and superior powers over any from outside the bubble.

Funny old world!

Y'all should know by now that we Yankees love you Brits. If you want to throw your Tea Bag or your scoundrel son in law out of the cart, go right ahead. ;) I don't drink alcohol any more because I was never any good at it and I haven't knocked anyone about ever, but I do mumble to my self a lot.

[JMintzer]

I think you just wait to pounce on me.

I am not that girl. I don't care for any more. I'm good. Thank you for your interest and your misconceptions. Go back and read it again.

And quit being a nudge.

No misconceptions at all...

I'll stop being a nudge when you stop being a... Nah, I already have a target on my back. No reason to make it easy for them...

[Dennys37Packard]

Been here 7 years and look forward to snowbirds each season. Most of us were snowbirds at one time be it here or somewhere else first. Yes, things get more crowded and a few more gates get knocked down, and some one will eventually drive straight a roundabout... but let them enjoy their time here, come May all will be back to normal.

[JimmyO3]

Would she rather they were here year round “taxing the TV resources? Makes no sense.