What Do I Do?

[VickiF]

Ladies - I’m packing for our move and I have a question. We aren’t getting a big house, most likely a small designer or bungalow villa so kitchen space will be iffy. All my kitchenware, dishes, glasses, silverware etc. are at least services for 12 and even 14. And lots of serving pieces. That’s because I cook a lot and regularly host meals. In Florida, until we get to know people and get involved at church, it’ll mostly be family who visit and sometimes friends (2-4). So I’m debating on bringing down so much kitchen stuff. What did you do? Did you wish you had? Or sorry you brought it all? We’re paying a moving company so that makes a difference too. I love what I have and hate to get rid of it. Hopefully I get a nice big pantry closet! 🤞

[LuvtheVillages]

Ladies - I’m packing for our move and I have a question. We aren’t getting a big house, most likely a small designer or bungalow villa so kitchen space will be iffy. All my kitchenware, dishes, glasses, silverware etc. are at least services for 12 and even 14. And lots of serving pieces. That’s because I cook a lot and regularly host meals. In Florida, until we get to know people and get involved at church, it’ll mostly be family who visit and sometimes friends (2-4). So I’m debating on bringing down so much kitchen stuff. What did you do? Did you wish you had? Or sorry you brought it all? We’re paying a moving company so that makes a difference too. I love what I have and hate to get rid of it. Hopefully I get a nice big pantry closet! 🤞

The lifestyle here is relaxed and casual. I don’t have large formal dinners.

I have a designer home. The dining area has a table to seat six. With an insert it can seat 8. So that’s how many I can invite.

Last Thanksgiving we had 10 people, so we moved the dining table into the lanai, which worked beautifully. (Friendsgiving - your neighbors and friends become your new family. )

At Christmas, before COVID, I had 70 people over. Moved the sofa and chairs against the walls. Set up folding chairs and tables where I could. Room for 2 or 3 folding tables and seats in the lanai. Set the food buffet style on the kitchen island. Used good quality disposable plates and utensils. Everyone had a great time.

So - bring one set of dishes and cutlery. Bring enough serving items for a buffet service. Choose ones with a light, Florida color scheme. (Pastels, whites, creams). Give everything else to your family and friends or to charity.

Most people bring too much stuff.

[Cupcake57]

Ladies - I’m packing for our move and I have a question. We aren’t getting a big house, most likely a small designer or bungalow villa so kitchen space will be iffy. All my kitchenware, dishes, glasses, silverware etc. are at least services for 12 and even 14. And lots of serving pieces. That’s because I cook a lot and regularly host meals. In Florida, until we get to know people and get involved at church, it’ll mostly be family who visit and sometimes friends (2-4). So I’m debating on bringing down so much kitchen stuff. What did you do? Did you wish you had? Or sorry you brought it all? We’re paying a moving company so that makes a difference too. I love what I have and hate to get rid of it. Hopefully I get a nice big pantry closet! 🤞
Here come all the comments from people telling you to sell everything before you move and only come with your underwear! That's silly. Bring what makes you happy, you will find space. My great grandmother's Haviland china I pawned off on my sister, and the extra gadgets and bakeware that doesn't fit in my designer kitchen I have stored in totes on a stainless rack in the garage (I have a 2 + golf garage). I donated a lot of household items to a charity resale shop before I moved. I gave some treasures to family, thinking that most of my 'stuff' will end up at an estate sale when I croak. It is true that I have done less fancy cooking and baking since moving down, but some of that could be due to the pandemic. Pack the things you can't live without first, then be practical about the rest before you move. You will find a happy medium, and good luck with your move.

[Velvet]

We bought a designer and at this time it is a second home. It was totally vacant. I bought practically everything new and just love it! We are coming from the north and almost everything we have reflects the way of life and climate there. The few sentimental items like crystal glasses my mom gave me, the fine bone China wedding set I brought with me. Nothing else. Even my beautiful Heinzman grand piano is going to go to my daughter. We are moving in to TV slowly over the years to become frogs, like my relatives before me. I agree about neighbors as new family.

[graciegirl]

Here come all the comments from people telling you to sell everything before you move and only come with your underwear! That's silly. Bring what makes you happy, you will find space. My great grandmother's Haviland china I pawned off on my sister, and the extra gadgets and bakeware that doesn't fit in my designer kitchen I have stored in totes on a stainless rack in the garage (I have a 2 + golf garage). I donated a lot of household items to a charity resale shop before I moved. I gave some treasures to family, thinking that most of my 'stuff' will end up at an estate sale when I croak. It is true that I have done less fancy cooking and baking since moving down, but some of that could be due to the pandemic. Pack the things you can't live without first, then be practical about the rest before you move. You will find a happy medium, and good luck with your move.

Had the same thoughts...brought four sets of eight. Used them several times a year until the shut down. Hoping to host folks eating at our table/card tables again. If you love that kind of stuff, bring some of it. (and invite me over, most of the time I am the hostess...lol)

[La lamy]

If you want to keep doing the same dinner parties you used to do, I would say you're better off bringing all you need for them because things have gotten quite expensive to buy these days. You won't have the same amount of friends for a while, but it's an easy environment to grow a big social circle in TV. Personally my villa has tons of storage that I'll never fill up completely.

[jbartle1]

Every home we had was sold furnished, every home different, a-frame, Tudor, southern living formal, and every buyer wanted the furniture ( which was bought in NC) and that was fine with us, our home here, spanish, bought everything to suit, we have no attachment to stuff, only to family, saved us tons on moving (besides its fun starting over)

[thelegges]

We will bring down our custom dining table small side is 6 chairs, fully extended sits 14, with matching chairs. Every time we have people over it’s more than 20. Not everyone will fit at the big table, but I can’t wait until it arrives.

We have 3 sets of dishes, everything that goes with. I love using my everyday, good, and China. Why buy it if you don’t use it. We also have 9 different Riedel wine glasses, with 16 each, for wine dinners.

All lives in a large sideboard, ready for next gathering. Our lifestyle didn’t change just because we moved to TV, just different faces. We both cook and love to entertain.

The only dishes we didn’t bring was set of 16 Christmas China. Middle child took them, youngest the silver, passed down from my grandmother, oldest is holding out for the wine glasses.

We miss our basement, and wine cellar more than anything, but we make things work. Our Granddaughter stays at our up north home while she attends college. About once a month she send pics of the wine cellar so it doesn’t get lonely.

[JeanC]

We got rid of almost everything. If I were to have a large number of people over for food, it would be served on chinette paper plates. Because I’m not trying to impress anyone but instead want to enjoy the company of my friends. ������������*♀️

[Luggage]

There is so much stuff in thrift shops that your kids don't want anymore it's just amazing. But still bring what you want that you enjoy. Kitchenware and dinnerware are easy to pack and are you in small boxes and cheap to move. Just don't bring any fur coats! Personally we brought my mother's dining room table and chandelier as it had some great memories and my wife's piano I wish I still refuse to give up and two pieces of luggage with some clothing and that was it

[LaneyBeckler]

TV houses typically don't have much storage space. We bought ours as a spec house and then added customized storage cabinets in the kitchen (with sliders), laundry room, and bath. We also added customized closet organizers for the bedrooms/office.

[MandoMan]

Ladies - I’m packing for our move and I have a question. We aren’t getting a big house, most likely a small designer or bungalow villa so kitchen space will be iffy. All my kitchenware, dishes, glasses, silverware etc. are at least services for 12 and even 14. And lots of serving pieces. That’s because I cook a lot and regularly host meals. In Florida, until we get to know people and get involved at church, it’ll mostly be family who visit and sometimes friends (2-4). So I’m debating on bringing down so much kitchen stuff. What did you do? Did you wish you had? Or sorry you brought it all? We’re paying a moving company so that makes a difference too. I love what I have and hate to get rid of it. Hopefully I get a nice big pantry closet! 🤞

My sense is that the vast majority of people in The Villages never have anyone over for dinner and are never asked over to anyone else’s house. In the year I’ve lived here, I’ve had one dinner for six at the dining table and one pool party for eight, where we ate finger food off paper plates and used disposable cups. I have a thirty year old set of Corel that gets little use and a nice set of stainless dinnerware for twelve, half of which I keep in the garage. I got rid of all the redundancies. I haven’t missed them at all. Kitchen appliances I rarely use I keep in cupboards in the garage.

You may be one of the people who throw dinner parties—that sounds wonderful. However, a large percentage just sits home alone. A larger percentage meets friends at the golf course, or at a recreation center for some club, or maybe meets at a restaurant or at a town square. But that doesn’t mean they bring them home. This comes as a surprise to me, as I was hoping to do more entertaining and develop a group of friends that met at each other’s homes, but that doesn’t seem to be common here. To a large extent, the friendliness here means saying hello to people you meet while going for a walk. If you don’t go for a walk, your interaction may be more limited.

[jdulej]

One comment for the guys (and gals) out there - I did not bring very many of my tools with me, thinking I would not need or want them. Over the years I have re-bought most of them, so think hard about what to leave behind. You may not need that riding mower, but hedge clippers come in handy!

[NotGolfer]

Be sure of the model you buy...very sure....so that what you're bringing fits. Sometimes it's best to wait. We brought way too much "stuff" even after having 2 or 3 garage sales, private sales then giving to kids or to the thrift stores. Still ended up getting rid of "stuff" once we got here. That said, it is a different life-style here. MUCH more casual, many folks don't cook and if you have a "pot-luck" (covered dish in some cultures) they'll bring something from the store.

[Ptmckiou]

You would be surprised how much you can fit in a dining room credenza. It holds my 24 place setting of Lenox with all the accessories I.e. bowls, coffee cups, dessert plates, plus many of my glass bowls, vases, box of silverware, etc. I chose one double upper cabinet in the kitchen for all the crystal stemware. I use one deep drawer to put my daily China. Drawers are nice for China. What I cut back on was daily coffee cups and glassware. I had at least a dozen coffee cups (mugs) which take up a lot of space. I now have four. If I need more, I can use the coffee cups from the fine China set. I also got rid of all the mix and match old pots and pans. I replaced it with a high end set where everything is new and matches and a few less pieces. If you run out of space, put things in totes in your guest closets or garage.

[JMintzer]

However, a large percentage just sits home alone.

That's sad... We've only been down in TV Land (off and on) for 9 months and we've already had dinner at our home and our friend's homes at least a half dozen times...

Invite them, and they will come...

[Don5154]

Ladies - I’m packing for our move and I have a question. We aren’t getting a big house, most likely a small designer or bungalow villa so kitchen space will be iffy. All my kitchenware, dishes, glasses, silverware etc. are at least services for 12 and even 14. And lots of serving pieces. That’s because I cook a lot and regularly host meals. In Florida, until we get to know people and get involved at church, it’ll mostly be family who visit and sometimes friends (2-4). So I’m debating on bringing down so much kitchen stuff. What did you do? Did you wish you had? Or sorry you brought it all? We’re paying a moving company so that makes a difference too. I love what I have and hate to get rid of it. Hopefully I get a nice big pantry closet! 🤞

Buy your house first....then decide. Sounds like you may be putting the cart before the horse

[virtualcynthia]

Bring whatever you love. If it doesn’t fit in the house, store it in the garage or attic or public storage space. Then through natural selection, if you don’t use it in one or two years, sell it or give it away. ������

[Lindaws]

Sold most everything. You won’t have space,for all that. Guaranteed! Life is simpler done here.

[VickiF]

My sense is that the vast majority of people in The Villages never have anyone over for dinner and are never asked over to anyone else’s house. In the year I’ve lived here, I’ve had one dinner for six at the dining table and one pool party for eight, where we ate finger food off paper plates and used disposable cups. I have a thirty year old set of Corel that gets little use and a nice set of stainless dinnerware for twelve, half of which I keep in the garage. I got rid of all the redundancies. I haven’t missed them at all. Kitchen appliances I rarely use I keep in cupboards in the garage.

You may be one of the people who throw dinner parties—that sounds wonderful. However, a large percentage just sits home alone. A larger percentage meets friends at the golf course, or at a recreation center for some club, or maybe meets at a restaurant or at a town square. But that doesn’t mean they bring them home. This comes as a surprise to me, as I was hoping to do more entertaining and develop a group of friends that met at each other’s homes, but that doesn’t seem to be common here. To a large extent, the friendliness here means saying hello to people you meet while going for a walk. If you don’t go for a walk, your interaction may be more limited.
We’ll have to have you over!

[VickiF]

You would be surprised how much you can fit in a dining room credenza. It holds my 24 place setting of Lenox with all the accessories I.e. bowls, coffee cups, dessert plates, plus many of my glass bowls, vases, box of silverware, etc. I chose one double upper cabinet in the kitchen for all the crystal stemware. I use one deep drawer to put my daily China. Drawers are nice for China. What I cut back on was daily coffee cups and glassware. I had at least a dozen coffee cups (mugs) which take up a lot of space. I now have four. If I need more, I can use the coffee cups from the fine China set. I also got rid of all the mix and match old pots and pans. I replaced it with a high end set where everything is new and matches and a few less pieces. If you run out of space, put things in totes in your guest closets or garage.
I like that idea, thanks.

[sallyg]

Keep the things you enjoy using. You can always donate items to a thrift shop later. I kept a lot of china and crystal that spends most of its time boxed in a closet. For the rare holidays I haul it out and it makes the occasion more festive and in a way keeps a tradition going.

[dtennent]

We both cook and love entertaining people in our home. While most don't reciprocate, we still enjoy being the hosts. If you are interested in continuing to cook, then bring down your tools of the trade. For me, it is frustrating to cook a favorite recipe and realize you don't have the right equipment. One suggestion, as you go through your current things, ask when was the last time I used this item?

[nick demis]

Remember there is NO cellar like back home and the life style is totally different. We sold everything and bought new for our new life.
Almost wish we had brought some things but glad we didn't.

[JSR22]

We are here 9 years at the most we had people for dinner 15 times and the last time was a few years ago. We out frequently and always on the holidays. Two weeks ago I gave away my dining room set, including a large breakfront, all the linen table cloths and napkins, napkin rings, place mats and a set of dishes. The next thing going is my Grandmother's Royal Doulton china18 8 piece place settings, and a dozen serving pieces. It felt great to purge.

[DOGSAREKEEPERS]

[QUOTE=VickiF;2010656]Ladies - I’m packing for our move and I have a question. We aren’t getting a big house, most likely a small designer or bungalow villa so kitchen space will be iffy. All my kitchenware, dishes, glasses, silverware etc. are at least services for 12 and even 14. And lots of serving pieces.
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I had to part with 3 sets of serving for 12- Two of which I loved. No room for all those dishes and glasses etc. What I found was when I visited our home in the Villages before we actually moved here was that I could get by with a lot less than I thought. It isn't worth the moving cost only to find there is no place to store everything.
Try to de-clutter & bring minimal things. When you arrive & you can pick up extra as needed. My furniture wouldn't go in this size house nor would most of the decor.

[LianneMigiano]

For many of us.... the only reason we have a kitchen is because it came with the house!:bigbow:

[JSR22]

For many of us.... the only reason we have a kitchen is because it came with the house!:bigbow:

I agree. I could use my oven as a filing cabinet! The good news it stays clean!

[DLJ1657]

After seven years,
(1) I don’t regret bringing all of my kitchen stuff. Like you, we enjoy cooking and hosting dinners. That didn’t stop when we moved to The Villages. It has all come in handy.
(2) Wish I hadn’t brought any furniture. We’ve disposed of most of it. Cost us to move it here more than we sold it for!
(3) Like someone else said above, don’t get rid of all of your yard tools. We did-and Home Depot and Ace Hardware have been very happy to sell us replacements!
Good luck with your move and welcome to the wonderful Villages!

[meme5x]

I agree..not the homey experience I anticipated

[meme5x]

I have a CYV and have tons of space for dishes and cooking equipment.. moved into it after selling a designer home which had less kitchen cabinets.. but miss the extra space and had great neighbors there.. every place is different for sure.. a friend who bought in different village socializing with friends from former village.. never know

[joelfmi]

at the villages difficult. That is a draw back.

[smacca56]

We bought a turn key. I gave away a ton of stuff and sold big ticket items that I knew I didn't want for sure. I know I have packed stuff that I still probably won't need down in TV but I can get rid of it there. One thing I knew for purging feels so good. :clap2:

[ChathamGirl]

Ladies - I’m packing for our move and I have a question. We aren’t getting a big house, most likely a small designer or bungalow villa so kitchen space will be iffy. All my kitchenware, dishes, glasses, silverware etc. are at least services for 12 and even 14. And lots of serving pieces. That’s because I cook a lot and regularly host meals. In Florida, until we get to know people and get involved at church, it’ll mostly be family who visit and sometimes friends (2-4). So I’m debating on bringing down so much kitchen stuff. What did you do? Did you wish you had? Or sorry you brought it all? We’re paying a moving company so that makes a difference too. I love what I have and hate to get rid of it. Hopefully I get a nice big pantry closet! 🤞

We moved here 6 years ago. The cost to move everything was exorbitant so I decided to give away almost all my stuff and I’m glad I did. I even sold my silver to a jeweler. I found out how little I actually used and I can buy stuff at estate sales for good prices if I need it. Just my opinion. Welcome to The Villages.

[Jean G]

I thought I wouldn’t be using all of my serving pieces and numerous plates and glasses. I was wrong. I’m not needing a complete China set for 12 anymore but I definitely got rid of too much. Be careful. I’m replacing some of the pieces that I should’ve kept. You’ll be surprised how social we are and how much you may want to entertain regardless of the size of your house.

[lorilynch]

I just moved here and left too many household items back in Chicago. Every time I buy something I left, I am filled with regret. Bring your stuff down and sort it out down here. Resale prices are much better here than up North.

[Debset]

Just don't leave your precise items stored at your friends house. You might never get them back. Whatever you bring here, and is important to you keep it in site. Otherwise, you might not be the one deciding whether to throw it out.