The Villages IS America’s Friendliest Hometown

[Michael 61]

I’m at my 5 month mark of living here, I am continually amazed how friendly and welcoming the majority of residents are here in The Villages. The bonding and instant friendship or neighbors, the smiles and hellos of people you pass on the walking trails and streets, the enthusiasm and good sportsmanship of those you play golf and pickleball with, the politeness and friendly checkers at Publix, the community where people have manners and practice good etiquette, and especially the kind, caring, positive and patient people (mostly) on TOTV. This all still overwhelms me, and I hope over time I don’t forget how blessed I am to live here (especially in this crazy world) and take The Villages for granted. Retirement IS really the best times of our lives if we want it to be. 😀🙏🏻

[dewilson58]

:BigApplause:

[ThirdOfFive]

I’m at my 5 month mark of living here, I am continually amazed how friendly and welcoming the majority of residents are here in The Villages. The bonding and instant friendship or neighbors, the smiles and hellos of people you pass on the walking trails and streets, the enthusiasm and good sportsmanship of those you play golf and pickleball with, the politeness and friendly checkers at Publix, the community where people have manners and practice good etiquette, and especially the kind, caring, positive and patient people (mostly) on TOTV. This all still overwhelms me, and I hope over time I don’t forget how blessed I am to live here (especially in this crazy world) and take The Villages for granted. Retirement IS really the best times of our lives if we want it to be. 😀🙏🏻
Our experience and opinion as well, and it hasn't changed in the nearly 3 years now since we've moved here.

Interesting: folks seem to have experiences that live up (or down) to their expectations. Positive people seem to attract the same. But if your expectation here is to encounter a whole lot of dour, negative people, then that is probably exactly the same kind of people you DO encounter.

[VApeople]

Are we Villagers friendly or are we just sharing the kool-ade like another friendly utopian group 40+ years ago?

[Chi-Town]

Are we Villagers friendly or are we just sharing the kool-ade like another friendly utopian group 40+ years ago?

Tell us, what do you think?

[ThirdOfFive]

Are we Villagers friendly or are we just sharing the kool-ade like another friendly utopian group 40+ years ago?
Nope. It is real. I've had people offer me rides when they see me walking in the heat. Men and women. When is the last time you've heard of a woman offering a man, a complete stranger to her, a ride? Other than in TV, that is?

[Dusty_Star]

How is it going meeting neighbors in Richmond? A month or so back, you were reporting that there were a lot of Airbnb's near you.

[Michael 61]

How is it going meeting neighbors in Richmond? A month or so back, you were reporting that there were a lot of Airbnb's near you.

Hi - thanks for asking - initially it was a big challenge to meet neighbors, as I have three Air BnB’s on my block, and the rest of homes on my block are short term rentals. However, during my twice-daily walks, I have met some wonderful neighbors on the streets nearby, and have begun to socialize with them at their homes, and out at the squares, Boozy Bingo at Sawgrass, and at Trivia at Lake Okahumpka. Also, playing pickleball golf, shuffleboard and water volleyball with lots of Richmond (and surrounding villages) folks. My social calendar has really taken off - I’m building a birdcage this week, and looking forward to using it to entertain and having neighbors over. I just had to be a bit patient with meeting neighbors, but meeting lots now.

[rustyp]

Hi - thanks for asking - initially it was a big challenge to meet neighbors, as I have three Air BnB’s on my block, and the rest of homes on my block are short term rentals. However, during my twice-daily walks, I have met some wonderful neighbors on the streets nearby, and have begun to socialize with them at their homes, and out at the squares, Boozy Bingo at Sawgrass, and at Trivia at Lake Okahumpka. Also, playing pickleball golf, shuffleboard and water volleyball with lots of Richmond (and surrounding villages) folks. My social calendar has really taken off - I’m building a birdcage this week, and looking forward to using it to entertain and having neighbors over. I just had to be a bit patient with meeting neighbors, but meeting lots now.

It's a little slice of paradise. Sunshine and golf galore.

[Flyers999]

I'm not making this up. Relatively new villager I met at a dance club recently, said that she narrowed her retirement search down to two places. She picked TV because the people were friendlier.

[Gpsma]

Give it 5 or 6 years here. Wait until the kool-aid wears off.

Its not paradise or the frienliest place.

All new people down here experience a great deal of friendship and waving….its new…just wait until it gets old

[Hape2Bhr]

Give it 5 or 6 years here. Wait until the kool-aid wears off.

Its not paradise or the frienliest place.

All new people down here experience a great deal of friendship and waving….its new…just wait until it gets old

I am guessing it may have gotten old for you at 5 or 6 months...too bad.

[ThirdOfFive]

Give it 5 or 6 years here. Wait until the kool-aid wears off.

Its not paradise or the frienliest place.

All new people down here experience a great deal of friendship and waving….its new…just wait until it gets old
Why on earth would friendship get OLD?

The words "self-fulfilling prophecy" come to mind...

[Toymeister]

The birdcage will be nice at your location and welcome back!

[Michael 61]

The birdcage will be nice at your location and welcome back!

Thank you my friend

[dewilson58]

I am guessing it may have gotten old for you at 5 or 6 months...too bad.

He's not even in TV..............Jus on the site to share his sad life.

Enjoy the best place on earth.

[Lisuccia]

Give it 5 or 6 years here. Wait until the kool-aid wears off.

Its not paradise or the frienliest place.

All new people down here experience a great deal of friendship and waving….its new…just wait until it gets old

I have been here full time for 8 years now and I am still overjoyed at my good fortune to have found this wonderful place to live.

[coffeebean]

Are we Villagers friendly or are we just sharing the kool-ade like another friendly utopian group 40+ years ago?

I couldn't be happier here in The Villages. LOVE this place.

BTW..........What group are you referring to from 40+ years ago?

[La lamy]

Give it 5 or 6 years here. Wait until the kool-aid wears off.

Its not paradise or the frienliest place.

All new people down here experience a great deal of friendship and waving….its new…just wait until it gets old

OH MY!!!! I'll be going into my 5th year soon and have ZERO expectation that "it'll get old". I'd be hard pressed to ever take The Villages for granted.

[coffeebean]

Give it 5 or 6 years here. Wait until the kool-aid wears off.

Its not paradise or the frienliest place.

All new people down here experience a great deal of friendship and waving….its new…just wait until it gets old

Hubby and I are here since 2009; the first few years as seasonal residents with a villa in Duval and then full time residents in our home in Mallory Square. I guess I'm still drinking the Kool-Aide because we both still love it here. IMHO, there is no better place to call home, especially as retirees.

[Radamo]

I’m at my 5 month mark of living here, I am continually amazed how friendly and welcoming the majority of residents are here in The Villages. The bonding and instant friendship or neighbors, the smiles and hellos of people you pass on the walking trails and streets, the enthusiasm and good sportsmanship of those you play golf and pickleball with, the politeness and friendly checkers at Publix, the community where people have manners and practice good etiquette, and especially the kind, caring, positive and patient people (mostly) on TOTV. This all still overwhelms me, and I hope over time I don’t forget how blessed I am to live here (especially in this crazy world) and take The Villages for granted. Retirement IS really the best times of our lives if we want it to be. 😀🙏🏻

Very well said. My wife and I are just past our 6 month mark and feel the same way. We could not be happier with where we chose to live here in The Villages.

[golfing eagles]

I couldn't be happier here in The Villages. LOVE this place.

BTW..........What group are you referring to from 40+ years ago?

My guess is Jim Jones/Guyana/Jonestown/People's Temple and hence the Kool-Aid reference.

[Worldseries27]

i have been here full time for 8 years now and i am still overjoyed at my good fortune to have found this wonderful place to live.
welcome aboard

[Worldseries27]

hi - thanks for asking - initially it was a big challenge to meet neighbors, as i have three air bnb’s on my block, and the rest of homes on my block are short term rentals. However, during my twice-daily walks, i have met some wonderful neighbors on the streets nearby, and have begun to socialize with them at their homes, and out at the squares, boozy bingo at sawgrass, and at trivia at lake okahumpka. Also, playing pickleball golf, shuffleboard and water volleyball with lots of richmond (and surrounding villages) folks. My social calendar has really taken off - i’m building a birdcage this week, and looking forward to using it to entertain and having neighbors over. I just had to be a bit patient with meeting neighbors, but meeting lots now.
happy for you. Join some clubs. Heard the weather club has great discussions.

[barbnick]

Tell us, what do you think?

Inappropriate response

[Jewelz]

Michael – I completely agree. Every day I wake up and go outside and just feel so blessed by all this paradise that surrounds us! So much to do, so many wonderful people!

[westernrider75]

I’m at my 5 month mark of living here, I am continually amazed how friendly and welcoming the majority of residents are here in The Villages. The bonding and instant friendship or neighbors, the smiles and hellos of people you pass on the walking trails and streets, the enthusiasm and good sportsmanship of those you play golf and pickleball with, the politeness and friendly checkers at Publix, the community where people have manners and practice good etiquette, and especially the kind, caring, positive and patient people (mostly) on TOTV. This all still overwhelms me, and I hope over time I don’t forget how blessed I am to live here (especially in this crazy world) and take The Villages for granted. Retirement IS really the best times of our lives if we want it to be. 😀🙏🏻

Totally agree. I am still working part time since moving here and even the customers are for the most part very friendly and positive.

[Laker14]

A few years ago, when snowbirding here was still a new experience for me, some friends of ours form Upstate NY visited. I took my buddy for a cart tour. I was telling him how friendly and helpful people in TV seem to be. So, being relatively new here myself, I got a tad confused as to the best route to take, and basically, where the heck we were, so I pulled off the MMP for a sec to look at the GPS app, and while we were doing that, 3 different people stopped to ask us if we were OK.
After the 3rd cart stopped to ask, in a matter of a few minutes, my buddy looked at me and said something like "Wow, these people really are friendly." I told him that if we stayed parked a little longer we'd probably get an invitation for cards and dinner.

Edit: And that was BEFORE I bought my loofah!

[Johnsocat]

Who doesn't love a little kool-aid with their cookies?
I pray I'm never to old to enjoy them... :)

[Joe C.]

Oh Yeah ! The Villagers sure are friendly. Why, just the other day, a strange woman offered me a ride ...... and then I noticed the colored scrunchie on top of her car. :jester::jester::jester:

[carioca]

So glad your patience paid off. My experience here has been nothing but positive 🙂

[Rzepecki]

Give it 5 or 6 years here. Wait until the kool-aid wears off.

Its not paradise or the frienliest place.

All new people down here experience a great deal of friendship and waving….its new…just wait until it gets old

We’ve been living here 14 years and still feel it was one of the best decisions we ever made.

[Pamelah]

Michael I’d say the people here are very lucky that you chose to live in the Villages. You are friendly, patient, non judge mental, and I bet a wonderful neighbor. I always enjoy reading your posts and wish you many happy and fulfilling years of retirement in The Villages!
I’m at my 5 month mark of living here, I am continually amazed how friendly and welcoming the majority of residents are here in The Villages. The bonding and instant friendship or neighbors, the smiles and hellos of people you pass on the walking trails and streets, the enthusiasm and good sportsmanship of those you play golf and pickleball with, the politeness and friendly checkers at Publix, the community where people have manners and practice good etiquette, and especially the kind, caring, positive and patient people (mostly) on TOTV. This all still overwhelms me, and I hope over time I don’t forget how blessed I am to live here (especially in this crazy world) and take The Villages for granted. Retirement IS really the best times of our lives if we want it to be. 😀🙏🏻

[OhioBuckeye]

Michael 61, I agree with you, I got along with everybody. Just me but the ones that complain, I either think they aren’t telling us the whole story or they always have been complainers themselves. You’re right TV is a good place to live. So don’t be a complainer & ruin it for everybody else, if they’re that miserable move, the good people of TV that live there for years don’t need TV turn around & be miserable!

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Give it 5 or 6 years here. Wait until the kool-aid wears off.

Its not paradise or the frienliest place.

All new people down here experience a great deal of friendship and waving….its new…just wait until it gets old over 20 years here living from one tip of the villages to the other , then back towards the middle and this place only gets better and better with more fun things and places to enjoy

[Dusty_Star]

:laugh::laugh:

Edit: And that was BEFORE I bought my loofah!

:laugh: :laugh:

[maistocars]

Amen! Totally agree!

[New Englander]

Are we Villagers friendly or are we just sharing the kool-ade like another friendly utopian group 40+ years ago?

Personally, I don't drink Kool-Ade.

[JMintzer]

Oh Yeah ! The Villagers sure are friendly. Why, just the other day, a strange woman offered me a ride ...... and then I noticed the colored scrunchie on top of her car. :jester::jester::jester:

What color? :D

[KatieRN]

I’m at my 5 month mark of living here, I am continually amazed how friendly and welcoming the majority of residents are here in The Villages. The bonding and instant friendship or neighbors, the smiles and hellos of people you pass on the walking trails and streets, the enthusiasm and good sportsmanship of those you play golf and pickleball with, the politeness and friendly checkers at Publix, the community where people have manners and practice good etiquette, and especially the kind, caring, positive and patient people (mostly) on TOTV. This all still overwhelms me, and I hope over time I don’t forget how blessed I am to live here (especially in this crazy world) and take The Villages for granted. Retirement IS really the best times of our lives if we want it to be. 😀🙏🏻
I'm so glad your back Michael. Your enthusiasm and positivity always inspires me!

[ThirdOfFive]

Michael 61, I agree with you, I got along with everybody. Just me but the ones that complain, I either think they aren’t telling us the whole story or they always have been complainers themselves. You’re right TV is a good place to live. So don’t be a complainer & ruin it for everybody else, if they’re that miserable move, the good people of TV that live there for years don’t need TV turn around & be miserable!
Amen.

No matter where you go there will be people who aren't satisfied until everyone else is as miserable as they are. And TV is certainly no exception to that.

Misery loves company. Even if you have to go out of your way to recruit it.

[Escape Artist]

I’m at my 5 month mark of living here, I am continually amazed how friendly and welcoming the majority of residents are here in The Villages. The bonding and instant friendship or neighbors, the smiles and hellos of people you pass on the walking trails and streets, the enthusiasm and good sportsmanship of those you play golf and pickleball with, the politeness and friendly checkers at Publix, the community where people have manners and practice good etiquette, and especially the kind, caring, positive and patient people (mostly) on TOTV. This all still overwhelms me, and I hope over time I don’t forget how blessed I am to live here (especially in this crazy world) and take The Villages for granted. Retirement IS really the best times of our lives if we want it to be. 😀🙏🏻

I find that store or restaurant employees aren’t too nice or helpful. But the neighbors are, yes, I’ve found that to be true.

[Worldseries27]

oh yeah ! The villagers sure are friendly. Why, just the other day, a strange woman offered me a ride ...... And then i noticed the colored scrunchie on top of her car. :jester::jester::jester:
what was your exact location

[juddfl]

I have been living in The Villages since 2001 and love it more and more with each year. They only had Spanish Springs square at the time. I got to slowly learn my way around as they built all the different squares, stores, restaurants, etc. My sense of direction has always been bad and it helped to be able to grow with The Villages. If you move here now, expect to get lost a lot, but have fun. I plan to be here until the end of my life. It is a beautiful place to live.

[villagetinker]

We have been here since 2013, and are still enjoying it everyday, I have made several friends when providing help to them, and them lots more friends through bowling and occasional golfing.

[brianherlihy]

Its not paradise or the frienliest place. we live down below 44 my wife went to the mail box and a guy in a red golf cart called her all the names he new and called her on thye phone so now i drive by his home all the time

[SGriff01]

This is encouraging to hear! I will be moving to TV ( closed on my home a few weeks ago) in 2 weeks . My 2 lifestyle visits were very positive and felt people were warm and friendly. I’m looking forward to making new friends and excited it may not be as challenging as I originally thought!

[Worldseries27]

this is encouraging to hear! I will be moving to tv ( closed on my home a few weeks ago) in 2 weeks . My 2 lifestyle visits were very positive and felt people were warm and friendly. I’m looking forward to making new friends and excited it may not be as challenging as i originally thought!
welcome aboard. ///

[Pairadocs]

Hi - thanks for asking - initially it was a big challenge to meet neighbors, as I have three Air BnB’s on my block, and the rest of homes on my block are short term rentals. However, during my twice-daily walks, I have met some wonderful neighbors on the streets nearby, and have begun to socialize with them at their homes, and out at the squares, Boozy Bingo at Sawgrass, and at Trivia at Lake Okahumpka. Also, playing pickleball golf, shuffleboard and water volleyball with lots of Richmond (and surrounding villages) folks. My social calendar has really taken off - I’m building a birdcage this week, and looking forward to using it to entertain and having neighbors over. I just had to be a bit patient with meeting neighbors, but meeting lots now.

That's the way it is sometimes... everything changes. When we built our home many years back now, Lake Sumter was the "new" area, and the square had not yet opened. Our neighborhood street was more than we ever dreamed, everyone offered to lend a hand, folks brought home made holiday cookies and candy sometimes, and we found many sheets of paper inside our screen door inviting us to bring a drink and a chair to various "driveway" get togethers. Everyone knew everyone, and all new arrivals were made to feel a part of the neighborhood. How things have changed, never dreamed folks would turn the largest model homes into short term rentals (at the time our thinking was that would be more likely to happen in villa neighborhoods where people just wanted an easier to maintain vacation home here), but now our small neighborhood has only 3 full time residents. Even when we walk over when we see the newest people checking in and out of the other homes, they just "nod" when we greet them, introduce ourselves, and point to our house, most NEVER even then introduce themselves ! The couple across the street brought one couple a lovely plate of home made macaroons, they did thank them, and then said, "pardon us, we've only got 3 nights here and we have a tee time". They (the neighbors across the street never again tried). Nothing stays the same, so yes, we do have to reach out further and further and "be a friend" to make a friend". Thankfully, all the activities and clubs here give us the ability to do that...would be very difficult to do where most of us came from, usually involved automobile trip to seek out such things.

[ThirdOfFive]

This is encouraging to hear! I will be moving to TV ( closed on my home a few weeks ago) in 2 weeks . My 2 lifestyle visits were very positive and felt people were warm and friendly. I’m looking forward to making new friends and excited it may not be as challenging as I originally thought!
Not challenging at all. If you're positive and encouraging you'll attract exactly those kinds of people.

Don't be put off by the occasional toad. We have 'em here, just like every place else. But in all honesty they're a rare critter.

[Bogie Shooter]

Its not paradise or the frienliest place. we live down below 44 my wife went to the mail box and a guy in a red golf cart called her all the names he new and called her on thye phone so now i drive by his home all the time

If this is true?



Main Numbers
Sheriff's Office Main Number (352) 569-1600
Sheriff's Office Main (Villages Toll-Free) (352) 728-6909

[JMintzer]

I find that store or restaurant employees aren’t too nice or helpful. But the neighbors are, yes, I’ve found that to be true.

We found the opposite. The people at our Publix (Lake Deaton Plaza) are a delight. We've yet to have a server who wasn't pleasant.

Maybe we're just lucky...

[CFrance]

Its not paradise or the frienliest place. we live down below 44 my wife went to the mail box and a guy in a red golf cart called her all the names he new and called her on thye phone so now i drive by his home all the time

If this is true?



Main Numbers
Sheriff's Office Main Number (352) 569-1600
Sheriff's Office Main (Villages Toll-Free) (352) 728-6909
There's got to be more to this story.

[coffeebean]

My guess is Jim Jones/Guyana/Jonestown/People's Temple and hence the Kool-Aid reference.

Oh, thanks GE. I get it now.

[Michael 61]

This is encouraging to hear! I will be moving to TV ( closed on my home a few weeks ago) in 2 weeks . My 2 lifestyle visits were very positive and felt people were warm and friendly. I’m looking forward to making new friends and excited it may not be as challenging as I originally thought!

Congrats on the soon closing of your home here in TV! I think you just might find that this community will exceed your expections. You’ll have many new friends in no time! 😀

[ThirdOfFive]

We found the opposite. The people at our Publix (Lake Deaton Plaza) are a delight. We've yet to have a server who wasn't pleasant.

Maybe we're just lucky...
Were you lucky? I doubt it.

Service people are like everyone else. Polite and respectful treatment on the part of the customer usually elicits the same from the service person. However if someone comes across on the initial contact as rude and entitled, don't be surprised if the service person in question puts up a wall and becomes curt and distant. Self-preservation and all that. Or employs other techniques.

Best one I've ever seen was waaaaay back quite a few years ago. I was at a restaurant in northern MN. One of the waitresses (who I knew) was waiting on a table of four college-age guys who were giving her a pretty rough time. I was amazed that she had the aplomb to maintain her dignity and not retaliate in some manner. I was wrong: after a few minutes, while walking past their table with a tray full of water glasses (plastic), she tripped, barely able to maintain herself upright while grabbing the back of a booth. As it happened the booth was the one occupied by the four boors. Unfortunately she lost control over the tray; the water glasses when every which way and pretty much soaked the guys in the booth.

You reap what you sow.

[mikeycereal]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=98353&stc=1&d=1683814042

At one year I'm still drinkin' it!

98353

[SHIBUMI]

Its always a wonderful day in the neighbor hood, a wonderful day to be neighborly. Best place in the world bar none. Just leave it for a while and you will see. You will come back very grateful.
Tough world out there.



I’m at my 5 month mark of living here, I am continually amazed how friendly and welcoming the majority of residents are here in The Villages. The bonding and instant friendship or neighbors, the smiles and hellos of people you pass on the walking trails and streets, the enthusiasm and good sportsmanship of those you play golf and pickleball with, the politeness and friendly checkers at Publix, the community where people have manners and practice good etiquette, and especially the kind, caring, positive and patient people (mostly) on TOTV. This all still overwhelms me, and I hope over time I don’t forget how blessed I am to live here (especially in this crazy world) and take The Villages for granted. Retirement IS really the best times of our lives if we want it to be. 😀🙏🏻

[brianherlihy]

i now go buy his home and i will get to see him and tell him his wife

[Bogie Shooter]

:what::what:i now go buy his home and i will get to see him and tell him his wife

[Velvet]

My impression is that the Kool-Aid reference was started by deeply jealous and unhappy people. Probably who couldn’t afford to live in TV for various reasons. And possibly some misfits who would not get along with people anywhere. Not that TV is perfect but….

[justjim]

OP, I agree The Villages is a friendly place to retire. Most other retirement communities are friendly and smaller too. That said, The Villages size gives us opportunities to so many activities that others don’t have and can’t sustain. 140,000 residents, continued growth, and many over 65 does create a “cocktail” of issues for the medical community serving The Villages. A subject of several other Threads in what is known as “Florida’s Healthiest Hometown”.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Don’t forget Saturday is post office food drive you can leave donations at any postal facility in villages , they did put a card in the mail but I thought a little reminder would help , it’s the biggest food drive in USA

[asianthree]

He's not even in TV..............Jus on the site to share his sad life.

Enjoy the best place on earth.

It would be so helpful when a poster is not living in TV, that their name would be A Special Color. At least you understand why they are so aggressive with the negative answers.

What we appreciate is all the landscaping, and those working who, brave all of the crazy car and cart drivers, while they keep this place beautiful. Please slow down when you see them edging along the paths and roads