They Say You Can Never Go Back

[Michael G.]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

[Keefelane66]

I return up north spring thru fall. It's the food hard to find great pizza, good Deli’s (German, Italian, Kosher and Polish), Chinese, fresh seafood all that has been discussed already.

[JSR22]

Food, Broadway Shows and city Department Stores.

[npwalters]

The 20 acres we owned and a few hundred acres of woods that adjoined it.

[rustyp]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

For me - motherhood and apple pie !

[PugMom]

i don't miss anything but the people i knew. we tried visiting 2 years ago for 5 days, & i couldn't wait to get back here

[Taltarzac725]

We have been in Florida since 1996 and here in the Villages since June or so of 2005. So, Florida is home.

Rohnert Park, CA; Reno, NV; Scottsdale, AZ; Itasca, IL; Belmont, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Denver, CO; Menomonee Falls, WI; and Provo, UT would all seem quite different now.

And I have run into people here in the Villages from every one of those places. Or, at least, while in Palm Harbor, FL.

[Pairadocs]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

What "northern state", LOL ! Left Florida once for college, twice more to grad school, was really tough me. I definitely understand your fleeting yearning from time to time. When I did leave Florida for school, I really REALLY missed Florida, the smell of fresh cut hay at our cousin's farm in Weirsdale, the sweet smell of the orange blossoms, the beautiful trees turning in fall in the national forest, just the sound of the waves lapping the shore and smell of the fresh ocean air. I'm sure we all pine for the sights, sounds, and even smells of our "home states". Oh, maybe most of all I missed HONEYBELLS, they seldom are available outside Florida unless you order from a specialty grove, never saw a single one in a regular super market in Champaign, IL (University of Illinois) or anywhere outside Florida ! I've visited Alaska a few times, I can even understand how you could miss it that far north if that was where you grew up. I'm sure mountain state people would miss that if they moved to Florida... Arizona might be a better choice for their retirement; mountains AND warmth, LOL !

[Two Bills]

i don't miss anything but the people i knew. we tried visiting 2 years ago for 5 days, & i couldn't wait to get back here

Against my better judgement, I went to a reunion meet about 5 years ago to where I was raised. What I noticed the most, was the people who I remembered, and were still around, had got so old, and lived and acted so old.
No future but the Grim Reaper in nearly all of them. No looking forward.
Really depressed and shook me. Will never go back again.
I bl**dy hate 'old' people!:mad:

[Blackbird45]

I've lived here in the TV for 10 years and it does have its advantages. Safety, people of the same age, convinces to doctors and overall cleanliness. I'm a native of N.Y.C. where there were a lot of disadvantages especially for people my age. Now that I said that I do miss the diversity and the quality of food, the theatre, the museums, the ability to disappear into the crowed without following some preplanned activity. When they say N.Y.C. is a city that never sleeps, it's actually true.

[Stu4206]

I miss the restaurants and sub/pizza shops up north as others have mentioned.

[Worldseries27]

what do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in florida?
I think living in florida is great at my age, but there are times i reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.
not having to look over my shoulder more than the sopranos crew. Up north they would go the way of the buffalo.
Ir en pedazos !

[La lamy]

Who says "you can never go back"? Having a northern home is the way to go for many of us here. It's more expensive to run 2 homes, but for me who hates extreme weather, it's part of retirement 'heaven'.

[Drdoug49]

exactly, you get the best of both worlds


,you just have to be able to afford it, some villages can’t

[Worldseries27]

against my better judgement, i went to a reunion meet about 5 years ago to where i was raised. What i noticed the most, was the people who i remembered, and were still around, had got so old, and lived and acted so old.
No future but the grim reaper in nearly all of them. No looking forward.
Really depressed and shook me. Will never go back again.
I bl**dy hate 'old' people!:mad:
me either

[TPRLOC]

Been here since the year 2000, owned 5 houses in TV, originally kept place in N>Y>, but got sick and tired of reaching for a tool or some other item and it was in the OTHER place. So, here I am , and will not be moving. :bigbow::spoken:

[Gerrys]

Been here 23 years and still miss NJ Tomatoes. There were the best on my BLT SANDWICHES.

[dsnrbec]

We lived in a valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. They were beautiful in every season — covered in snow, budding a thousand shades of green, or covered in fall color. They were the background of my life and I miss them.

[ThirdOfFive]

My wife has a t-shirt with the logo "Its weird being the same age as old people".

To us, that says it all. Back home in Minnesota, living less than an hour from George Floyd "Ground Zero", the living situation was far less than ideal. Feeling that you had to carry a pistol every time you went anywhere near the MSP metro was a real pain in the bleep, but that is where the best restaurants and shopping (outer ring suburbs, anyway) were. The problem was that the ground zero mentality and environment spreads; even our sleepy little town was not immune.

Other than that the physical challenges were enormous and were getting more so as the months and years went by. Living in a four-bedroom rambler with a huge yard and deck meant maintenance and upkeep that I was progressively less able to do, not to mention having to shovel snow for six months out of the year and driving in conditions that most southerners cannot even imagine let alone cope with. High taxes on income, property and just about every other thing you can imagine. Law enforcement that was becoming pretty sketchy, even in our sleepy little town. All in all, being a senior citizen in that environment was becoming a challenge that was getting progressively harder to meet. It is HARD being old in Minnesota.

But here? I love those "severe weather warnings" when the mercury is supposed to plunge to (gasp!) THIRTY DEGREES ABOVE ZERO. Golf and tennis year round. Anything you could possibly need or want within a 15-minute golf cart ride. Environments tailored to the needs of Seniors. Flowers blooming year round. Excellent law enforcement for the most part. A tan that I don't have to buy. Folks who offer you a ride when you're walking in the summer. NOT having to constantly look back over your shoulder. Clubs for any interest you can possibly imagine. Not having to wake up at 2:00 AM to a strange sound coming from the vicinity of the garage. Lots of people of our age group. Arthritis pain nearly nonexistent for the most part. And so on.

Sure, family is back there, but it is a short airplane ride in either direction and we see a lot of them. Other than that? After three years here I cannot envision myself back in that situation. It's not whether or not you can go back. For us, we don't want to.

[NotGolfer]

We moved here 13 years ago. At first I missed "elements" of where we came from. People actually 'knowing' us and being able to get to dr's, shops etc. within 15 or less minutes. We lived in a small midwestern town close to a large city. Traffic wasn't bad neither and people less impatient as well. The seasons I missed---Spring and summer. Fall's could be very wet and chilly with impending winter, that seemed to come earlier and stayed longer. The ice, snow and cold---do NOT miss that at all. It's true you can't go back to what 'seemed' familiar. People we know continued along with LIFE (as they would here) and a true connection seemed missing. This was my interpretation anyway. I'm very content here. We live in the south now---got used to a new culture and cuisine (many can't seem to). We don't dwell on "what isn't" here as others seem to. Nostalgia is nice....memories (for the most part) are nice too. We have been back but the topography has changed as the places are growing there too. The towns (we've lived in a handful over 50-something years) have all changed. The changes don't mesh with the memories.

[Chamo]

The food especially and for sure the medical care.

[NoMo50]

Not from "up north," more like "flyover country." But, there some things I do miss:

1. Real BBQ. Not the wanna be stuff dished out here.
2. Summers spent boating on lakes without alligators.
3. Homegrown tomatoes and farm fresh sweet corn.
4. The Ozarks.
5. The fully-equipped woodworking shop I used to have.

That said, on the whole, I'd rather be here.

[paulajr]

This is me..I go up kicking and screaming for an obligatory visit once a year.

i don't miss anything but the people i knew. we tried visiting 2 years ago for 5 days, & i couldn't wait to get back here

[Worldseries27]

we lived in a valley surrounded by the blue ridge mountains. They were beautiful in every season — covered in snow, budding a thousand shades of green, or covered in fall color. They were the background of my life and i miss them.
agreed. Loved driving thru them on the blue ridge pky. Stopping at grandfather mt ( where forest gump ran the curve) and standing on the 1 mile high swinging bridge was a blast.

[phojo]

I don’t miss a thing,

[CFrance]

I miss Lake Michigan and living at a marina. I miss spending spring and fall at our apartment on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, a block from PNC Park and three blocks from Heinz Field (I'm not into calling it Acrisure Stadium yet...). If it weren't for the winter, we never would have moved.

[dougawhite]

Forget 4 seasons, NH has 19:
- Early winter; 1st snow season
- Ice-in season
- More snow (repeats) season
- Sledding/skiing/ice-fishing fun season
- Even more snow season
- Ice heaves season
- Fake spring season (used to be called indian summer, but that's racist now)
- Oops, even more snow season
- First robin season
- Spring
- Mud season
- Ice-out season
- Black fly season (probably also racist now)
- Birds and squirrels season
- Heat wave season
- Tourist season
- First freeze season
- Pretty leaves season (More tourists)
- Leaf raking season

[kendi]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

Grandchildren, good butchers, (not impressed with the new butcher at Sawgrass) convenient shopping and quality medical care. Will never make this my permanent home and give up my doctors up north.

[Causey]

I don't miss anything, I am a Florida resident now and I am proud to say it!
Sold the home of 35 years on 2.5 acres with 2 outbuildings full of tools and machines of all sorts. My life "up north" was all about work, and I honestly loved it. My life here is all about games, golf, billiards, cards, skeet, going out to eat, etc. etc. Don't even talk to me about work, I am loving retirement!
I can say I have made more friends here in a year, than I did in the last 20 years "up north".
I still own a second home in the mountains, looking forward to selling that too. Been there, done that, on to new things in Florida.
I do meet a lot of people here, living in the past.
Not me, very happy to experience new things here in my new home, Florida.

[Bay Kid]

I am a lucky guy having the best of both worlds, the beautiful Chesapeake Bay and the fantastic The Villages.

[maistocars]

These days, absolutely nothing..........

[Mlundberg]

Taxes, taxes, taxes. Who would want to go back north?

[Spalumbos62]

It's really a shame the right person isn't reading this. Almost everyone from the north stated they miss the authentic food, ie; pizza, subs etc.
What a goldmine opportunity for the right pizza shop(s)
I grew up in Utica ny, better known as "little italy"....oh my you could get anything there. Got married and moved about 100miles away and ANY time we drove thru we had to stop at Napoli's for tomato pie, or hempstrauts for half moon cookies. Many of you may have heard of Wegman's, the unbelievable grocery store originally out of rochester ny, well they had everything and eventually could make ...anything! Let me tell you, they couldn't come close to Utica tomato pie or half-moon cookies.
Anyway, my thought is if an authentic shop went in down here...omg, what a killing they would have!
Bon appetite 😋

[toeser]

We still go back 4-5 months each year, and will continue to until I drop.

While we really like living in The Villages, our northern home does offer much better and more varied shopping, far more competitive grocery stores, and wonderful hiking and biking trails without the noise, pollution, and danger of golf carts.

[Marmaduke]

I sometimes miss the "era" of things we loved back then, but they are only heartfelt memories now.
Gone, but not forgotten. Sadly, no generation will experience anything as wonderful as we had.

Many of the Depression and Post-War Institutions that made the City of Pittsburgh great are no longer.

Of the bygone days, those of us who enjoyed them KNEW they we're really special. We didn't take them for granted.
It was a big city, small town atmosphere where everyone was friendly, quite like TV.
(Of course, there's always Some!)

Tailgaiting before the Steeler games at Three Rivers Stadium, the Boys of Summer Pirate Games on a warm Spring nights and the Penguins at The Civic Arena.

The Pgh. MARATHON and the Great Race.
The 3 Rivers at Point State Park, visited as often, as North and South Parks.

HOT Mancini's Bread, Sunseri and Primanti Brothers in the Strip, Donahues on 5th Avenue. The Original Oyster House in Market Square (est. 1933) FOR THE BEST Chowder and Fish Sandwiches.

Shopping in Downtown Pittsburgh during Christmas Season and marveling at their mechanical window displays.

Carnegie Libraries, Museums and the Duquesne Incline all visited at least once a year, as a tradition.

The Original HotDog Shoppe near Pitt.
The Pittsburgh Press. (My Dad set Page One as a Printer and brought home a Free Paper every single day for 30 years.)

My Testimony-
It was the Best Of Times....
And
You Can't go home again, but if you were from there, may your Pittsburgese stays with yens forever!

Go Bucs.
Go Steelers.
MARIO, Franco, and Willie.

[judyflorida]

I miss walks in the woods, swimming in clear lakes, apples from the tree, and good seafood.

[chrissy2231]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.
ONLY snowshoeing & pizza

[chrissy2231]

The food especially and for sure the medical care.
I think Villages Health doctors are the best & glad I have Med Advantage.

[CFrance]

I sometimes miss the "era" of things we loved back then, but they are only heartfelt memories now.
Gone, but not forgotten. Sadly, no generation will experience anything as wonderful as we had.

Many of the Depression and Post-War Institutions that made the City of Pittsburgh great are no longer.

Of the bygone days, those of us who enjoyed them KNEW they we're really special. We didn't take them for granted.
It was a big city, small town atmosphere where everyone was friendly, quite like TV.
(Of course, there's always Some!)

Tailgaiting before the Steeler games at Three Rivers Stadium, the Boys of Summer Pirate Games on a warm Spring nights and the Penguins at The Civic Arena.

The Pgh. MARATHON and the Great Race.
The 3 Rivers at Point State Park, visited as often, as North and South Parks.

HOT Mancini's Bread, Sunseri and Primanti Brothers in the Strip, Donahues on 5th Avenue. The Original Oyster House in Market Square (est. 1933) FOR THE BEST Chowder and Fish Sandwiches.

Shopping in Downtown Pittsburgh during Christmas Season and marveling at their mechanical window displays.

Carnegie Libraries, Museums and the Duquesne Incline all visited at least once a year, as a tradition.

The Original HotDog Shoppe near Pitt.
The Pittsburgh Press. (My Dad set Page One as a Printer and brought home a Free Paper every single day for 30 years.)

My Testimony-
It was the Best Of Times....
And
You Can't go home again, but if you were from there, may your Pittsburgese stays with yens forever!

Go Bucs.
Go Steelers.
MARIO, Franco, and Willie.


That's it, I'm going home! Actually, most of those things are still there, along with cleaner air and other improvements. The Strip, the Bucs, the Stillers, the Pens... (Our son, a mariner, has taken his Terrible Towel all over the world.) The inclines, the museums. Good restaurants, excellent family pizza places, not chains. Light Up Night. The people never changed, still friendly.


At least at the old Horne's they still put up the Christmas tree on the corner of the building. Kaufmann's clock is still there. I do miss the big three department stores, though.


But we can and have gone back.

[Larchap49]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

Moved to Clearwater area in 93 and to Villages in 2020. Left CT and never looked back. When we visit it feels like that state is stuck in a time warp, people my age have aged more, I don't really miss the acreage and barn I had anymore because I just think of the work to maintain it would be. My wife misses the Tampa Bay area shopping but not the North. Surely don't miss the weather. FL is the best thing we did for our health and longevity.

[Taltarzac725]

A number of neighbors or dog park friends went back north. Often to help family members with their medical problems. One woman moved out of the Villages and now is back again in the Villages after down- sizing her properties here. A larger house in the Villages is too much work so she moved into a Villa.

[tophcfa]

Good health care and beautiful lakes to swim in.

[Regorp]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

I don't miss snow, ice, cold.....sorry wrong direction, so I don't miss anything living here in paradise.

[HJBeck]

Friends and memories

[paminix]

My wife has a t-shirt with the logo "Its weird being the same age as old people".

To us, that says it all. Back home in Minnesota, living less than an hour from George Floyd "Ground Zero", the living situation was far less than ideal. Feeling that you had to carry a pistol every time you went anywhere near the MSP metro was a real pain in the bleep, but that is where the best restaurants and shopping (outer ring suburbs, anyway) were. The problem was that the ground zero mentality and environment spreads; even our sleepy little town was not immune.

Other than that the physical challenges were enormous and were getting more so as the months and years went by. Living in a four-bedroom rambler with a huge yard and deck meant maintenance and upkeep that I was progressively less able to do, not to mention having to shovel snow for six months out of the year and driving in conditions that most southerners cannot even imagine let alone cope with. High taxes on income, property and just about every other thing you can imagine. Law enforcement that was becoming pretty sketchy, even in our sleepy little town. All in all, being a senior citizen in that environment was becoming a challenge that was getting progressively harder to meet. It is HARD being old in Minnesota.

But here? I love those "severe weather warnings" when the mercury is supposed to plunge to (gasp!) THIRTY DEGREES ABOVE ZERO. Golf and tennis year round. Anything you could possibly need or want within a 15-minute golf cart ride. Environments tailored to the needs of Seniors. Flowers blooming year round. Excellent law enforcement for the most part. A tan that I don't have to buy. Folks who offer you a ride when you're walking in the summer. NOT having to constantly look back over your shoulder. Clubs for any interest you can possibly imagine. Not having to wake up at 2:00 AM to a strange sound coming from the vicinity of the garage. Lots of people of our age group. Arthritis pain nearly nonexistent for the most part. And so on.

Sure, family is back there, but it is a short airplane ride in either direction and we see a lot of them. Other than that? After three years here I cannot envision myself back in that situation. It's not whether or not you can go back. For us, we don't want to.

I grew up 5 blocks from the George Floyd incident in a house my grandfather built. We then moved to the "new" suburb of Richfield. My parents bought a house for $13,500 that recently sold for $350,000. I visit my best friend from jr. high once a year. Her daughter teaches Spanish at Richfield High to students who struggle with English. She spends most of her time breaking up fights among the blacks, hispanics and hmong students. She has 4 caucasian students. No longer are there carefree days and firefly lit evenings for children to enjoy without fear. I go back once a year and love the lakes, fishing, and friends. But the world is different now, and as they say, "There is no there, there."

[OhioBuckeye]

I liked living in Florida but when I die I want to be buried in my home state. We presently live in Texas but still want to be buried in my home state. It’s just that both me & my wife’s family are buried where we were both born at. I know when your dead you don’t know the difference. But most of our family & long time friends are there.

[Taltarzac725]

I grew up 5 blocks from the George Floyd incident in a house my grandfather built. We then moved to the "new" suburb of Richfield. My parents bought a house for $13,500 that recently sold for $350,000. I visit my best friend from jr. high once a year. Her daughter teaches Spanish at Richfield High to students who struggle with English. She spends most of her time breaking up fights among the blacks, hispanics and hmong students. She has 4 caucasian students. No longer are there carefree days and firefly lit evenings for children to enjoy without fear. I go back once a year and love the lakes, fishing, and friends. But the world is different now, and as they say, "There is no there, there."

I lived near the U of Minnesota back from 1986-1991. Either in or near Dinkytown or in Middlebrook Hall. Did some of the Summer of 1987 in a cheap apartment in East Franklin across from a park where they often did drug deals and you would hear gunfire. I tried to get home by 7:00 pm and never went out at night. They seemed to have cleaned up that area but now there are many across the Twin Cities that have become like that area was back in 1987.

[coleprice]

NOTHING . . . We moved to Florida during June 2020 and found that everything is better here. Lower Taxes, Lower Costs at stores & restaurants, plus the state enforces the Law with friendly, professional police. We moved from Southern California where there is no rule-of-law, rather there is CHAOS - The DA's won't even prosecute shoplifters or the homeless that openly inject drugs, then pee and crap on the streets. The climate/weather here is central Florida is very similar to the area in SoCal that we moved from, where we lived less than 3 miles from the ocean.

[ThirdOfFive]

We moved here 13 years ago. At first I missed "elements" of where we came from. People actually 'knowing' us and being able to get to dr's, shops etc. within 15 or less minutes. We lived in a small midwestern town close to a large city. Traffic wasn't bad neither and people less impatient as well. The seasons I missed---Spring and summer. Fall's could be very wet and chilly with impending winter, that seemed to come earlier and stayed longer. The ice, snow and cold---do NOT miss that at all. It's true you can't go back to what 'seemed' familiar. People we know continued along with LIFE (as they would here) and a true connection seemed missing. This was my interpretation anyway. I'm very content here. We live in the south now---got used to a new culture and cuisine (many can't seem to). We don't dwell on "what isn't" here as others seem to. Nostalgia is nice....memories (for the most part) are nice too. We have been back but the topography has changed as the places are growing there too. The towns (we've lived in a handful over 50-something years) have all changed. The changes don't mesh with the memories.
Well said.

[Vermilion Villager]

There have been several documentaries about the villages and even I have to admit most of them are way off base. However, I do remember what they said in one of those documentaries.
"The villages is a place you live… The villages is not your home. Look around… There are no cemeteries here. When you can no longer participate in the lifestyle… You will go someplace else."

[RiderOnTheStorm]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

As snowbirds we enjoy the best of both worlds. While in the north this includes the following:
1. Mild summers and the absence of Florida's "jungle heat"
2. Gorgeous change of seasons with spring and fall
3. Beautiful mountains and vistas
4. Better food (choice of restaurants and a very wide array of inexpensive locally grown produce)
5. Better healthcare (we schedule appts to coincide with trips north)
6. Off-leash hikes with my dogs (i.e. no alligators to kill them)
7. Swimming and boating in many fresh water lakes
8. Absence of annoying insects
9. A two-story home with a basement and large (4 acre) very private yard
10. Enjoying a wine region (NYs Finger Lakes) rated #1 in the country in 2019

[jump4]

reliable medical care

[Velvet]

There have been several documentaries about the villages and even I have to admit most of them are way off base. However, I do remember what they said in one of those documentaries.
"The villages is a place you live… The villages is not your home. Look around… There are no cemeteries here. When you can no longer participate in the lifestyle… You will go someplace else."

Yes, but that doesn’t really work. The last thing you want to do is when you are old and no longer very able is to move and on top of that, lose all your friends and support in your OLD age.

I think the model suggested is good for business but in some ways, quite inhuman to the residents. Perhaps it’s time to do something about it.

[jimjamuser]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.
Don't miss much or I would NOT have left. Just a few things - Carnegie Mellon University, cooler, less humid summers, fishing in Canada before you needed a Visa, and a few ladies!

[Barborv]

I bought in the Villages over 10 years ago and would come down from Long Island NY when I could (a week or so at a time) when I was off from school. I finally retired this past June. We decided to sell our house and move here permanently. My two daughters are still in Long Island, and it's very easy to hop on a quick flight to visit. My son is in ND so, I don't regularly get to see my grandkids anyway. They love coming here, going to the pool, doing camp villages, golf cart rides, etc. I wasn't a fan of going into the city anymore back home. Taxes were crazy, isn't pretty like it is here. I like having all these amenities here. I do have to say, I miss my friends at work, but talk to them often. When I go home to visit, I usually go to Procter the ACTs and SATs. Did that last week. was in school the whole week for a few hours! It was wonderful, and then I remember how I hated getting up and ready at 5:45 am! Yes, some of the food places are better than here and I still haven't changed over to doctors here, which I know I have too eventually.

[juddfl]

The food! With all the people moving here from the North. you would think they might open some very good restaurants. Some friends and I visited New York City a few years ago, before COVID, for a fun girls vacation. Everyone got to pick the one thing that they wanted to do or see. I picked Little Italy for great Italian food. Best meal I had since moving to The Villages in 2001. I think the reason might be that Villagers won't want to pay the price for an excellent restaurant. If only the price was less, we would have great restaurants.

[Tyson]

Cant stand the heat when May rolls around. Plus at 75, Im the old guy, but love hangin with all the 20, 30 and 40 year old members.

[Michael 61]

I’ve only been here since December (coming from Colorado) - so I’m loving life, and not missing the sub zero and snow Colorado has recently experienced. Im a foodie, and I knew coming to TV, that ethnic and high-end restaurants are minimal, and I came knowing I would have to give that up - but what I really miss right now, is my twice-weekly authentic green-chili breakfast burrito made on a homemade tortilla from the mom-and-pop taco stands in Colorado.

[Karmanng]

YOU would never know Scottsdale NOW! Over built and huge apartments all crammed in! Lots more traffic too........restaurants are not that great anymore either.......Its jammed in by The quarter and Kierland if you remember that area.....AND north of it too on Scottsdale Rd..........OLD town is a disaster

[Karmanng]

We have been in Florida since 1996 and here in the Villages since June or so of 2005. So, Florida is home.

Rohnert Park, CA; Reno, NV; Scottsdale, AZ; Itasca, IL; Belmont, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Denver, CO; Menomonee Falls, WI; and Provo, UT would all seem quite different now.

And I have run into people here in the Villages from every one of those places. Or, at least, while in Palm Harbor, FL.

I responded to your post about Scottsdale but it ended up being seperate.......you would be disappointed if you were here in Scottsdale thou..........

[Karmanng]

I responded to your post about Scottsdale but it ended up being seperate.......you would be disappointed if you were here in Scottsdale thou..........


Its furthur down the feed

[Velvet]

YOU would never know Scottsdale NOW! Over built and huge apartments all crammed in! Lots more traffic too........restaurants are not that great anymore either.......Its jammed in by The quarter and Kierland if you remember that area.....AND north of it too on Scottsdale Rd..........OLD town is a disaster

And as always, expensive. But the art galleries, the beautiful red hills, the Fairmont Princess spa, they are the same. I love Scottsdale, but not as much as our Villages.

[Karmanng]

What "northern state", LOL ! Left Florida once for college, twice more to grad school, was really tough me. I definitely understand your fleeting yearning from time to time. When I did leave Florida for school, I really REALLY missed Florida, the smell of fresh cut hay at our cousin's farm in Weirsdale, the sweet smell of the orange blossoms, the beautiful trees turning in fall in the national forest, just the sound of the waves lapping the shore and smell of the fresh ocean air. I'm sure we all pine for the sights, sounds, and even smells of our "home states". Oh, maybe most of all I missed HONEYBELLS, they seldom are available outside Florida unless you order from a specialty grove, never saw a single one in a regular super market in Champaign, IL (University of Illinois) or anywhere outside Florida ! I've visited Alaska a few times, I can even understand how you could miss it that far north if that was where you a person grew up. I'm sure mountain state people would miss that if they moved to Florida... Arizona might be a better choice for their retirement; mountains AND warmth, LOL !

ARIZONA is NOT a better choice at all.....over building crowded too extreme heat and this winter we got snow! LOTS of it incluiding Scottsdale !!!! Forget it here rents are way too high and homes are way overpriced.........I am planning to come to TV and take advantage of high home prices......I bought in linden

[Karmanng]

And as always, expensive. But the art galleries, the beautiful red hills, the Fairmont Princess spa, they are the same. I love Scottsdale, but not as much as our Villages.

NOPE the Princess has changed for events they charge like $50 if not more just for parking! The spa changed also.......Retirement home on its gorunds with some offices........Art galleries are slowly gettin pushed out for apratments Don and Charlies is long gone Hotel on it now I think......What red hills? We barely see mountians anymore with all the high rises they are doing its becoming another LA with too many californians coming here

[FloridaLady]

I have been here for 2 1/2 years and I miss the shopping. I lived in NJ, MA and NH. There were so many stores and malls within 20 minutes. I now shop for clothes in the many thrift stores which I never did up north. Best place to go for a dress for a special occasion are the thrift stores. I also miss my supermarkets up north. I don’t miss the cold.
I work and do not own 2 houses so my life is here year round

[chicksinger]

I've lived here in the TV for 10 years and it does have its advantages. Safety, people of the same age, convinces to doctors and overall cleanliness. I'm a native of N.Y.C. where there were a lot of disadvantages especially for people my age. Now that I said that I do miss the diversity and the quality of food, the theatre, the museums, the ability to disappear into the crowed without following some preplanned activity. When they say N.Y.C. is a city that never sleeps, it's actually true.

I'm also a former native New Yorker and I miss everything you said as well as being able to walk everywhere, not need a car to worry about with all those expenses and of course, all the department stores....I don't like having to go to Ocala or Orlando/Clermont to get to a Macy's.

[tophcfa]

ARIZONA is NOT a better choice at all.....over building crowded too extreme heat and this winter we got snow! LOTS of it incluiding Scottsdale !!!! Forget it here rents are way too high and homes are way overpriced.........I am planning to come to TV and take advantage of high home prices......I bought in linden

Below picture taken earlier today from my buddy’s condo in Tucson, AZ. Screw that, snow doesn’t belong on cactuses?

[toeser]

As snowbirds we enjoy the best of both worlds. While in the north this includes the following:
1. Mild summers and the absence of Florida's "jungle heat"
2. Gorgeous change of seasons with spring and fall
3. Beautiful mountains and vistas
4. Better food (choice of restaurants and a very wide array of inexpensive locally grown produce)
5. Better healthcare (we schedule appts to coincide with trips north)
6. Off-leash hikes with my dogs (i.e. no alligators to kill them)
7. Swimming and boating in many fresh water lakes
8. Absence of annoying insects
9. A two-story home with a basement and large (4 acre) very private yard
10. Enjoying a wine region (NYs Finger Lakes) rated #1 in the country in 2019

"8. Absence of annoying insects"

That's interesting. We have lived in The Villages for eight years and I have yet to have a mosquito bite, although we are not here summers. The mosquito is the state bird in my northern home.

[tophcfa]

"8. Absence of annoying insects"

That's interesting. We have lived in The Villages for eight years and I have yet to have a mosquito bite, although we are not here summers. The mosquito is the state bird in my northern home.

Couldn’t agree more, no deer ticks

[Escape Artist]

Couldn’t agree more, no deer ticks

Yeah, I was going to mention that to those who enthuse about nature hikes and walks in the woods. Watch out for the ticks! They’re everywhere now, not just confined to a few states on the eastern seaboard. I know so many people who have had their lives ruined by Lyme Disease.

[Old Bob]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

I never look back, only move forward. I have never been back to the town where I was born. I have never been back to the town where i went to high school. I have never been back to the town where I graduated from college. I moved here from Texas 21 years ago, and have never been back there. I love it here!

[tophcfa]

Yeah, I was going to mention that to those who enthuse about nature hikes and walks in the woods. Watch out for the ticks! They’re everywhere now, not just confined to a few states on the eastern seaboard. I know so many people who have had their lives ruined by Lyme Disease.

Your lucky if you only get Lyme disease, try getting co-infected with Babesiosis :cryin2:

[RiderOnTheStorm]

"8. Absence of annoying insects"

That's interesting. We have lived in The Villages for eight years and I have yet to have a mosquito bite, although we are not here summers. The mosquito is the state bird in my northern home.

Love bugs, fire ants, termites and mud dauber wasps top my list. Mosquitos, gnats and ticks when you step off the beaten path.

Since you only picked on #8 can I assume that you are in agreement with the rest?

[NavyVet]

I don't miss a single thing about upstate NY where I grew up in the boonies. Joined the Navy to get away from crappy home town and dysfunctional family. Lived in many places over the years and haven't been back up North since moving to Florida in 1995. The only thing I miss from South Florida is I had 3 big malls within 10-15 minutes of my house. Nothing could make me go back up North for even a visit. I will never leave Florida, if for no other reason than the Veterans benefits are better than all the neighboring Southern states. Plus, we are sick of moving so much. Spouse says next move will be to an urn! LOL

[Shimpy]

I sometimes miss the "era" of things we loved back then, but they are only heartfelt memories now.
Gone, but not forgotten. Sadly, no generation will experience anything as wonderful as we had.

Many of the Depression and Post-War Institutions that made the City of Pittsburgh great are no longer.

Of the bygone days, those of us who enjoyed them KNEW they we're really special. We didn't take them for granted.
It was a big city, small town atmosphere where everyone was friendly, quite like TV.
(Of course, there's always Some!)

Tailgaiting before the Steeler games at Three Rivers Stadium, the Boys of Summer Pirate Games on a warm Spring nights and the Penguins at The Civic Arena.

The Pgh. MARATHON and the Great Race.
The 3 Rivers at Point State Park, visited as often, as North and South Parks.

HOT Mancini's Bread, Sunseri and Primanti Brothers in the Strip, Donahues on 5th Avenue. The Original Oyster House in Market Square (est. 1933) FOR THE BEST Chowder and Fish Sandwiches.

Shopping in Downtown Pittsburgh during Christmas Season and marveling at their mechanical window displays.

Carnegie Libraries, Museums and the Duquesne Incline all visited at least once a year, as a tradition.

The Original HotDog Shoppe near Pitt.
The Pittsburgh Press. (My Dad set Page One as a Printer and brought home a Free Paper every single day for 30 years.)

My Testimony-
It was the Best Of Times....
And
You Can't go home again, but if you were from there, may your Pittsburgese stays with yens forever!

Go Bucs.
Go Steelers.
MARIO, Franco, and Willie.

You didn't mention chipped ham sandwichses. My favorite on a Balsomeo bun in McKeesport

[Velvet]

If you can’t get used to the outside restaurant food - and I have tried and tried, over the years, then learn to make your own. It takes time and effort but it is so worth it if you are a foodie. And just watch your popularity soar! Start with perfecting one meal. Let that be your signature dish. Prepare it at least 30 times before you decide that it is perfect.

[UpNorth]

Nice down here for the winter months, but can't wait to go back to CT in May. Great weather, home with a basement, gardens, plenty of property and the beautiful blooming of Springtime. Did I mention free country club golf on two fantastic courses? CT politics suck, but you can't have everything. I am lucky to be able to afford two homes.

[jimjamuser]

I sometimes miss the "era" of things we loved back then, but they are only heartfelt memories now.
Gone, but not forgotten. Sadly, no generation will experience anything as wonderful as we had.

Many of the Depression and Post-War Institutions that made the City of Pittsburgh great are no longer.

Of the bygone days, those of us who enjoyed them KNEW they we're really special. We didn't take them for granted.
It was a big city, small town atmosphere where everyone was friendly, quite like TV.
(Of course, there's always Some!)

Tailgaiting before the Steeler games at Three Rivers Stadium, the Boys of Summer Pirate Games on a warm Spring nights and the Penguins at The Civic Arena.

The Pgh. MARATHON and the Great Race.
The 3 Rivers at Point State Park, visited as often, as North and South Parks.

HOT Mancini's Bread, Sunseri and Primanti Brothers in the Strip, Donahues on 5th Avenue. The Original Oyster House in Market Square (est. 1933) FOR THE BEST Chowder and Fish Sandwiches.

Shopping in Downtown Pittsburgh during Christmas Season and marveling at their mechanical window displays.

Carnegie Libraries, Museums and the Duquesne Incline all visited at least once a year, as a tradition.

The Original HotDog Shoppe near Pitt.
The Pittsburgh Press. (My Dad set Page One as a Printer and brought home a Free Paper every single day for 30 years.)

My Testimony-
It was the Best Of Times....
And
You Can't go home again, but if you were from there, may your Pittsburgese stays with yens forever!

Go Bucs.
Go Steelers.
MARIO, Franco, and Willie.
Yens guys............

[manaboutown]

Oh I go back to NM for the food. New Mexican Restaurant Albuquerque | Sadie's of New Mexico (https://www.sadiesofnewmexico.com)

But I no longer live there on account of the crime, poor medical and other factors. It is not at all like it was when I grew up there; not even close. The public schools which I attended were pretty good and most of my friends went into science, engineering, medicine and the law. Now less than 75% of high school students graduate and the state legislature is working on again lowering graduate credit requirements which had previously been lowered since my time. Physicians are leaving the state. In the last four years 30% of the primary care physicians have left the state which was already low on doctors. Judges let murderers awaiting trial out. Pretty scary stuff. Double murder suspect is released on ankle monitor by New Mexico judge using woke bail reform tool | Daily Mail Online (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10643765/Double-murder-suspect-released-ankle-monitor-New-Mexico-judge-using-woke-bail-reform-tool.html)

"Albuquerque tops the list as the most crime-ridden metropolitan area in the western states." Is Albuquerque Safe to Visit in 2023? | Safety Concerns | Travellers (https://travellersworldwide.com/is-albuquerque-safe/)

It is a shame.

[jimjamuser]

Yes, but that doesn’t really work. The last thing you want to do is when you are old and no longer very able is to move and on top of that, lose all your friends and support in your OLD age.

I think the model suggested is good for business but in some ways, quite inhuman to the residents. Perhaps it’s time to do something about it.
Getting old is difficult no matter where you live.

[jimjamuser]

You didn't mention chipped ham sandwichses. My favorite on a Balsomeo bun in McKeesport
My fav was the menu at Brick Alley!

[Velvet]

Getting old is difficult no matter where you live.

Yes, but I think to make people move not because they are incapable of looking after themselves, like bathing, dressing or dementia etc but because they can’t get to places in a retirement community? I guess I’m grumbling because that is what happened to my aunt. They lived in TV for over 30 years. After my uncle died my aunt tried to stay by herself in her home. It became too difficult, district 1 had no sidewalks and no public transportation of any kind. She booked herself, a fully able lady, into independent living and gave up the home she loved for so many years.

[Professor]

Cold cold water from the tap...

[Rwirish]

Absolutely nothing. We have 4 seasons here as we are not far enough south.

Never go back north, all is good here.

[Ele201]

Who says "you can never go back"? Having a northern home is the way to go for many of us here. It's more expensive to run 2 homes, but for me who hates extreme weather, it's part of retirement 'heaven'.
You’re one of the lucky ones.

[Ele201]

I'm also a former native New Yorker and I miss everything you said as well as being able to walk everywhere, not need a car to worry about with all those expenses and of course, all the department stores....I don't like having to go to Ocala or Orlando/Clermont to get to a Macy's.
Interesting that you mentioned Macys, as I was just at Macys Herald Square last night. First time back there since the start of the pandemic. Looked pretty much the same, spoke with the same employees as years ago. But it definitely wasn’t as crowded as before. Still such a great feeling to be there!!

[bark4me]

We have been in Florida since 1996 and here in the Villages since June or so of 2005. So, Florida is home.

Rohnert Park, CA; Reno, NV; Scottsdale, AZ; Itasca, IL; Belmont, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Denver, CO; Menomonee Falls, WI; and Provo, UT would all seem quite different now.

And I have run into people here in the Villages from every one of those places. Or, at least, while in Palm Harbor, FL.
Wow. That's alot of places to have lived. We're you running from the law or in witness protection? 😆

[ThirdOfFive]

Getting old is difficult no matter where you live.
It is, as I believe most of us are finding out.

However growing old is harder in some places than others. When we moved to TV, we left snow, icy sidewalks, large house that needed (as all homes do) routine maintenance, stairs just about everywhere, winter temps that could dive to and often below -40 f., ruinously high taxes (we pay less than 1/2 the property taxes here than we paid up there, on a property here that is valued at approximately 140% of that of our home in Minnesota), a state income tax that is ranked somewhere in the top five of all the states (haven't checked recently so can't say for sure), steadily growing crime, etc. etc. All that and more made our situation up there a far harder place to grow old, than here.

A lot of people don't realize it but much of TV is designed with we older folks in mind. We read articles about Community Watch finding and helping people who, because of declining mental capacities, may have wandered off. We have "Silver Alerts" (like an Amber Alert but for old folks). Most of us have pets; the local radio station has a service called "Pet Patrol" that tries to match up pets that have wandered off with their owners. Homes, if not expressly designed for people with ambulation handicaps, still have extra-wide doorways, open floor plans, grab bars in showers and tubs, walk-in closets, etc. Clubs for varied interests abound. Most everything is a short golf cart ride away: we've actually considered selling the Rav4 because most of the time it just sits in the garage taking up space. Food is cheaper here, and most places deliver. Taxes are less, by a significant amount. Even the businesses and the areas in which they are found are designed with we older folks in mind. Very few steps; the lakewalk at Lake Sumter Landing being the only significant exception to that. Giving the devil his due, a couple of disadvantages here as compared to where we came from is that the quality of medical care here is significantly lower (though we did our doctoring at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and anything, anywhere, is probably going to suffer in comparison), and the drivers, though equally crazy in Minnesota, are far fewer in number than the crazies down here.

Oh--and I don't have to continually be aware of my surroundings. In Minnesota, I carried a pistol most of the time. Not here, yet. Not even once.

MUCH rather grow old here.

[Dusty_Star]

There have been several documentaries about the villages and even I have to admit most of them are way off base. However, I do remember what they said in one of those documentaries.
"The villages is a place you live… The villages is not your home. Look around… There are no cemeteries here. When you can no longer participate in the lifestyle… You will go someplace else."

I suspect all of the "frogs" would disagree.

[meme5x]

me either
I can’t beat the convenience of being here.. so love the food, esp. the fresh fish at the Lighthouse on 466.. I love my Midwest home but love it here too! Especially the Daily Sun… St. Louis paper is awful plus it costs $2.50… and so biased…

[JMintzer]

Wow. That's alot of places to have lived. We're you running from the law or in witness protection? 😆

Well, he did "shoot a man in Reno, just to watch him die..." :icon_wink:

[richdell]

I miss some of the local businesses and the leaves turning colors in the fall.

[Michael 61]

If you can’t get used to the outside restaurant food - and I have tried and tried, over the years, then learn to make your own. It takes time and effort but it is so worth it if you are a foodie. And just watch your popularity soar! Start with perfecting one meal. Let that be your signature dish. Prepare it at least 30 times before you decide that it is perfect.

Right On Velvet! I have mastered three entrees, that I am always asked to bring to pot lucks, Lasagna, Chicken Enchiladas in a Green Chili/Tomatillo Sauce, and Grilled Shrimp with Romesco Sauce. Hands down, these are all way better than anything ordered in even the better restaurants. All ingredients from scratch, no cans of anything, no pre-shredded bags of cheese, finest meats. Takes a few hours to prepare, but for me, cooking is relaxing and therapeutic, and the results of the extra effort are worth it. (And you fast become a welcomed and popular dinner guest).

[jimjamuser]

I can’t beat the convenience of being here.. so love the food, esp. the fresh fish at the Lighthouse on 466.. I love my Midwest home but love it here too! Especially the Daily Sun… St. Louis paper is awful plus it costs $2.50… and so biased…
Yes, the Daily Sun is famously free of BIAS.

[JMintzer]

Yes, the Daily Sun is famously free of BIAS.

Find me a paper that is free of BIAS...

[coralway]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.




"They" are wrong

[Taltarzac725]

Wow. That's alot of places to have lived. We're you running from the law or in witness protection? 😆

I took classes in five states while getting my 4 degrees. And also moved around as my father rose in the company he had worked for most of his life.

[gymratt]

I sometimes miss the "era" of things we loved back then, but they are only heartfelt memories now.
Gone, but not forgotten. Sadly, no generation will experience anything as wonderful as we had.

Many of the Depression and Post-War Institutions that made the City of Pittsburgh great are no longer.

Of the bygone days, those of us who enjoyed them KNEW they we're really special. We didn't take them for granted.
It was a big city, small town atmosphere where everyone was friendly, quite like TV.
(Of course, there's always Some!)

Tailgaiting before the Steeler games at Three Rivers Stadium, the Boys of Summer Pirate Games on a warm Spring nights and the Penguins at The Civic Arena.

The Pgh. MARATHON and the Great Race.
The 3 Rivers at Point State Park, visited as often, as North and South Parks.

HOT Mancini's Bread, Sunseri and Primanti Brothers in the Strip, Donahues on 5th Avenue. The Original Oyster House in Market Square (est. 1933) FOR THE BEST Chowder and Fish Sandwiches.

Shopping in Downtown Pittsburgh during Christmas Season and marveling at their mechanical window displays.

Carnegie Libraries, Museums and the Duquesne Incline all visited at least once a year, as a tradition.

The Original HotDog Shoppe near Pitt.
The Pittsburgh Press. (My Dad set Page One as a Printer and brought home a Free Paper every single day for 30 years.)

My Testimony-
It was the Best Of Times....
And
You Can't go home again, but if you were from there, may your Pittsburgese stays with yens forever!

Go Bucs.
Go Steelers.
MARIO, Franco, and Willie.


You had me at North Park.... Must have been there a thousand times.. Need a return visit soon... agree with all the other mentions as well... and yes.. I am a Yinzer.... many in these parts....

[mikeycereal]

i don't miss anything but the people i knew. we tried visiting 2 years ago for 5 days, & i couldn't wait to get back here

Pretty much this the 2 times I flew to Hawaii since I've been here last year.

FFF = flying for family. Looks like I might be settled in here! (since day 1)

[nn0wheremann]

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.
Reliable health care. Hospitals here and in Leesburg are grossly mismanaged, inadequately staffed, and the people they hire seem to be malevolently incompetent.

[Michael G.]

Good health care . :yuck:

What planet are you from?
See below

Reliable health care. Hospitals here and in Leesburg are grossly mismanaged, inadequately staffed, and the people they hire seem to be malevolently incompetent.

Try the hospitals in Gainsville, it's worth the drive.