Snowbirds and Frogs

[downeaster]

I guess it is that time of year. I am seeing more and more instances of animosity on this forum towards "Snowbirds". Frankly, it bothers me. I do not find it amusing if some of the negative and sarcastic comments are tongue in check. I do believe many such remarks are serious.

I agree our restaurants are going to fill up, tee times are going to get more difficult to find and traffic will increase. Don't blame it on seasonal residents and renters. It is a fact of life here in The Villages.

There are benefits we enjoy a great part of the year as a result of seasonal residents being absent, however, that is not the point. The point is they are "us". When they are here they belong.

I am a frog. (I hate to leave The Villages for even a short "vacation"). I am looking forward to the return of my many Snowbird friends.

[njbchbum]

Thanx for taking the time to post. It's good to read that we snowbirds are not a burden to all.
:beer3:

[Bosoxfan]

I consider myself a 3 season porch! I'm here 8 1/2 months a year and in New Hampshire the rest.Thank you ...we do belong here!!

[Ajack]

From what I understand alot of businesses would go under if not for the influx of money the snowbirds contribute. I will be a frog shortly, and I am grateful for them because we need to keep the $$$ flowing to compensate for the "slow" summer months. IMHO

[bike42]

Don't forget that people who live here only a few months still pay their amenity fees all year so the $$$ for all our fabulous perks keep flowing in even though they are not using them.

[graciegirl]

I guess it is that time of year. I am seeing more and more instances of animosity on this forum towards "Snowbirds". Frankly, it bothers me. I do not find it amusing if some of the negative and sarcastic comments are tongue in check. I do believe many such remarks are serious.

I agree our restaurants are going to fill up, tee times are going to get more difficult to find and traffic will increase. Don't blame it on seasonal residents and renters. It is a fact of life here in The Villages.

There are benefits we enjoy a great part of the year as a result of seasonal residents being absent, however, that is not the point. The point is they are "us". When they are here they belong.

I am a frog. (I hate to leave The Villages for even a short "vacation"). I am looking forward to the return of my many Snowbird friends.

Thank you for saying that. We are trying hard to be frogs...just because of people like you!:thumbup:

[downeaster]

Thank you for saying that. We are trying hard to be frogs...just because of people like you!:thumbup:

Thank you for those kind words, graciegirl. I have had a very good day but you topped it off by putting icing on my cake.

[pooh]

My "seasonal" friends are returning earlier this year.....hooray, they have been truly missed.

You know, I think it's something people throughout the country say when seasonal residents return... the .....are back. (Insert your own descriptive word) In CA, we had people fleeing from the excessive heat in AZ, (they were called Zonies), on Cape Cod, we had people spending the summer, making it very crowded, BUT, those who come seasonally do provide income, for vendors, for municipalities. They are a part of the community and without them, some of the things we appreciate, restaurants, shops, events, might not be there.

I prefer to think of my seasonal friends as frogs that spend the summer in other locales, sort of taking a vacation, visiting with family and friends.

[LuvItHere]

I think it's more interesting when people take some "risks" and live somewhere else part of the year.

Whether it's up north, or here in TV, I think it's kind of boring when a person/couple thinks this (or that) is the ONLY place to live.

I like it when neighbors expand their horizons and don't think there is only one nice place to live. I like the diversity people bring to TV from many states and countries.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

We're 'snowflakes' so we're probably at the bottom of the food chain. But we're trying our best to learn things as we go and not cause any problems/confusion/accidents along the way. We view ourselves as outsiders and as guests and try to behave accordingly.

We just love it when we're in TV.........and we're pouting every time we have to leave and go back home.

Someday............... :)

Bill

[Pturner]

I guess it is that time of year. I am seeing more and more instances of animosity on this forum towards "Snowbirds". Frankly, it bothers me. I do not find it amusing if some of the negative and sarcastic comments are tongue in check. I do believe many such remarks are serious.

I agree our restaurants are going to fill up, tee times are going to get more difficult to find and traffic will increase. Don't blame it on seasonal residents and renters. It is a fact of life here in The Villages.

There are benefits we enjoy a great part of the year as a result of seasonal residents being absent, however, that is not the point. The point is they are "us". When they are here they belong.

Yep. Thanks for saying it, Downeaster.

Welcome Home Snowflakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[redwitch]

Frankly, I don't care of you're a snowflake, a snowbird, a frog, a local or just a visitor. I don't care if you're purple, green, gay straight, liberal or conservative. I don't care if you love the Pats (sorry, I hate 'em) or think the Yanks walk on water. I do care that you're kind, courteous, considerate.

We need all of the above (well, maybe not a Pats fan, but I'm sure they fit into another of the groups as well) to make TV the place that it is. We even need the occasional grouch and general jerk to remind us how wonderful the rest of the people in TV are.

Without snowbirds, the town squares would die. Without snowbirds, we frogs wouldn't get the special deals for meals in the summer (the restaurants would either shut down for the season or go broke). Without snowbirds, we'd lose a certain vitality. Sorry, I love you guys and am so glad you are part of TV.

As to snowflakes, I don't think they're at the bottom of the pole because I don't think there is a pole. We're all equal. You come when you can and have the advantage of being able to pop down for a quickie. You also have the disadvantage of not being to be here as often as you want, but you do come when you can because you love it here and it is your second home (or maybe your home but one you just can't quite live in yet). So, enjoy your time when you can. You can share my chaise at the pool any time.

If we have to wait a little longer to get what we want, so what? We can either adjust our times to do something earlier or later. I used to loath standing in lines. Don't mind it a bit here -- it's a chance to meet and talk to people who were once strangers and have become, at the very least, acquaintances.

So, for those who are in TV but are not frogs, ignore the selfish ones who don't appreciate you for your joy and love of TV. There's more than enough of us frogs who love when you're here and wish you could stay longer.

[Bosoxfan]

We need all of the above (well, maybe not a Pats fan, but I'm sure they fit into another of the groups as well) .

Sorry red, pats fan here and I'm not going anywhere!! You'll see me driving around in my golf car with the biggest Patriots flag around blowing out the back.Go Pats!!

[Larryandlinda]

Don't forget that people who live here only a few months still pay their amenity fees all year so the $$$ for all our fabulous perks keep flowing in even though they are not using them.

How true.
Why not look at it this way....'they/we' pay all year and the compound has it's 80k warm fuzzy bodies.....
so when tens of thousands of souls go 'back up' that's all the more bonus room on the roads, paths, courses, and eating places.

And those 'bikebirds' ?
Same thing . they pay taxes on homes, cars, and sales. They choose to leave their horseless carriage in the carriage houses - and leave more room for the carts, the cars, and whatever else shares the roadways and trails.


and there are those like us, even kinder and gentler - we pay double amenity fees, and sun- and snowbird barely 10 times a year (we admit to enjoying the quieter summers
and have visited on the hottest days) so that's more room for the frogs.

L and L

[escapequeen]

We own a home in TV and we are enjoying coming and going at our leisure. We have found that coming north causes us to appreciate TV even more. Our children and grandchildren are very important to us and we are not ready to be away from them on a fulltime basis yet. Until then, we are loving it at TV.

[tpop1]

Try thinking about snowbirds as being people who go in the summer and leave more room for you, rather than people who come in the winter and bring TV back to its true capacity!!!:girlneener:

[Barefoot]

I guess it is that time of year. I am seeing more and more instances of animosity on this forum towards "Snowbirds". Frankly, it bothers me. I do not find it amusing if some of the negative and sarcastic comments are tongue in check. I do believe many such remarks are serious.

I agree our restaurants are going to fill up, tee times are going to get more difficult to find and traffic will increase. Don't blame it on seasonal residents and renters. It is a fact of life here in The Villages.

There are benefits we enjoy a great part of the year as a result of seasonal residents being absent, however, that is not the point. The point is they are "us". When they are here they belong.

I am a frog. (I hate to leave The Villages for even a short "vacation"). I am looking forward to the return of my many Snowbird friends.


Thanks a lot Downeaster, for taking the time to start this thread. I was feeling a little blue this week about a few unkind comments about snowbirds.
Especially because we are eagerly looking forward to our six months in The Bubble.

:mademyday::mademyday:

How nice that a frog would take the time to start this threAd.

[chuckinca]

Frankly, I don't care of you're a snowflake, a snowbird, a frog, a local or just a visitor. I don't care if you're purple, green, gay straight, liberal or conservative. I don't care if you love the Pats (sorry, I hate 'em) or think the Yanks walk on water. I do care that you're kind, courteous, considerate.

We need all of the above (well, maybe not a Pats fan, but I'm sure they fit into another of the groups as well) to make TV the place that it is. We even need the occasional grouch and general jerk to remind us how wonderful the rest of the people in TV are.

Without snowbirds, the town squares would die. Without snowbirds, we frogs wouldn't get the special deals for meals in the summer (the restaurants would either shut down for the season or go broke). Without snowbirds, we'd lose a certain vitality. Sorry, I love you guys and am so glad you are part of TV.

As to snowflakes, I don't think they're at the bottom of the pole because I don't think there is a pole. We're all equal. You come when you can and have the advantage of being able to pop down for a quickie. You also have the disadvantage of not being to be here as often as you want, but you do come when you can because you love it here and it is your second home (or maybe your home but one you just can't quite live in yet). So, enjoy your time when you can. You can share my chaise at the pool any time.

If we have to wait a little longer to get what we want, so what? We can either adjust our times to do something earlier or later. I used to loath standing in lines. Don't mind it a bit here -- it's a chance to meet and talk to people who were once strangers and have become, at the very least, acquaintances.

So, for those who are in TV but are not frogs, ignore the selfish ones who don't appreciate you for your joy and love of TV. There's more than enough of us frogs who love when you're here and wish you could stay longer.



Bravo RW!

(first sprinkles, overcast skies and chilly weather here, turned the AC to heat - winter in Norcal!)


.

[thistrucksforyou]

I guess I just don't understand....Why would anyone there at TV care weather or not someone went back north for the summer or stayed there ! I am getting ready to buy and I may or may not go north in the summer...SO WHAT (o:

[ajbrown]

I don't care if you love the Pats (sorry, I hate 'em). <stuff cut> We need all of the above (well, maybe not a Pats fan, but I'm sure they fit into another of the groups as well) to make TV the place that it is. .

Ouch....;)

[JenAjd]

Frankly...many of us probably began our time here as snowbirds!!! When we bought we knew it was an "over 55" community that that it would draw many from the north in varying ways. But we get set in our ways and change is hard. So when the people leave in the Spring and it becomes quieter here it is a respite from more than the heat of summer. We probably need to re-think things and apply the "Golden Rule" here---"DO UNTO OTHERS AS WE'D HAVE THEM DO UNTO US!" Just my 2-cents worth!!! We ALL have paid for the ammenties here and we all need to learn to share them appreciatively!!

[windylou]

We enjoy SNOWBIRDS ...and SNOWFLAKES .... Just have to adjust our drive time.
THat's life in TV.
BUT for me ....and others who don't know....
What do the letters F.R.O.G. stand for ?

May the Lord bless your day ...

[redwitch]

A frog (the word, not the letters) is a person who is in TV to stay. We're here til we croak. (And don't forget to buy a frog for your house or yard once you're here permanently -- it's a cute tradition that brings you luck.)

[getdul981]

A frog (the word, not the letters) is a person who is in TV to stay. We're here til we croak. (And don't forget to buy a frog for your house or yard once you're here permanently -- it's a cute tradition that brings you luck.)

I think I saw a thread on here somewhere about what FROG stands for. The only one I can remember is Forgetful Really Old Geezer. Check my avitar. We'll be FROG's in 1 week.

[Sanbo]

You might want to consider this point of view also. Last year my husband and I put an option on a lot in Sanibel Village, but due to the economy, we have not been able to sell our home in North Carolina, so we are considering buying a patio villa until our home sells, then maybe renting or selling the patio villa. We really would prefer to be at TV all year round, but right now, only part time seems to be our only alternative.

[Joaniesmom]

Years ago when my MIL lived in New Smyrna Beach I recall she had some complaints about Snowbirds. So this has been going on for a long time. I was uncomfortable to hear her comments then and uncomfortable to hear virtually those same comments again so many years later.

It also strikes me as odd that the best we can come up with as positive comments regarding our Snowbird friends is that they promote our local economy by subsidizing our amenity fees and underwriting our local restaurants and businesses.

Not sure where I'm going here but I guess I just want to point out that they pay their bills like the rest of us and deserve the same respect and friendliness as everyone else, regardless of whether they stay three months, three minutes or three years.

It is lovely to hear so many of you express such kind thoughts about Snowbirds on this string. Very refreshing.

BTW, when I think about it, I would rather be called a lovely Snowbird than a slimy, green Frog. lol!

Joaniesmom

[asianthree]

[QUOTE=Bill-n-Brillo;301498]We're 'snowflakes' so we're probably at the bottom of the food chain. But we're trying our best to learn things as we go and not cause any problems/confusion/accidents along the way. We view ourselves as outsiders and as guests and try to behave accordingly.

We just love it when we're in TV.........and we're pouting every time we have to leave and go back home.

Someday............... :)

Bill[/QUOT

but each snowflake is different as in nature or people...:icon_wink:

[njbchbum]

fyi - frogs are basically folks who retire to the villages [or florida in general] and hang around waiting to croak!

i have also often heard of the state of florida referred to god's waiting room - but i forget the comedian who told that joke when i first heard it!