Moved back home to Michigan

[GERALDINE]

We sold our 2nd home in TV a few months ago (September) and moved back to our home state of Michigan in November. We're in northwest Michigan where we get LOTS of snow!! We lived in TV for 5 years and just couldn't get really acclimated to Florida living. We're sooooo thrilled to be "Home" and are enjoying "Winter" up here. We'll come to FL and rent for a couple of months in subsequent years, but for now we're just enjoying being here. Nothing against TV...it's a great place to live IF you're really into it. Personally, we just couldn't make the necessary adjustments to be really happy there. We DO miss our friends...but they'll ALWAYS be our friends and we'll be back to visit.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

We sold our 2nd home in TV a few months ago (September) and moved back to our home state of Michigan in November. We're in northwest Michigan where we get LOTS of snow!! We lived in TV for 5 years and just couldn't get really acclimated to Florida living. We're sooooo thrilled to be "Home" and are enjoying "Winter" up here. We'll come to FL and rent for a couple of months in subsequent years, but for now we're just enjoying being here. Nothing against TV...it's a great place to live IF you're really into it. Personally, we just couldn't make the necessary adjustments to be really happy there. We DO miss our friends...but they'll ALWAYS be our friends and we'll be back to visit.

"Different strokes for different folks" as the saying goes. :) You seem really happy with your decision and your new direction.............and that's all that matters. Congrats!

Bill

[2BNTV]

Everyone has to do what's right for them. Congrats on the decision you made.

[graciegirl]

I admit Geraldine that I have been loving this month of snow in Ohio.

There is so much a mix of cultural backgrounds in TV. Sometimes I am comfortable and sometimes I am not. People are very much the same no doubt but they bring different life experiences, and those experiences and attitudes may not be something comfortable to you.

It is always nice to be home because home is where your heart is.

Right now I have two homes and love them both.

I am very glad you are happy and hope you will visit us when you return.

Hugs.

[JimJoe]

We sold our 2nd home in TV a few months ago (September) and moved back to our home state of Michigan in November. We're in northwest Michigan where we get LOTS of snow!! We lived in TV for 5 years and just couldn't get really acclimated to Florida living. We're sooooo thrilled to be "Home" and are enjoying "Winter" up here. We'll come to FL and rent for a couple of months in subsequent years, but for now we're just enjoying being here. Nothing against TV...it's a great place to live IF you're really into it. Personally, we just couldn't make the necessary adjustments to be really happy there. We DO miss our friends...but they'll ALWAYS be our friends and we'll be back to visit.

I am VERY interested in this subject. I have been considering a move to TV from Iowa for 4 years. I just retired. I am reluctant to buy for many reasons, including the cost and hassle of having two homes, (my wife will never sell our home up north because her entire family lives here and I do not blame her for that, but my entire family lives in TV), and because I do enjoy many things about our current home (working on it, no restrictions, hiking the woods even in the winter, a few friends still here, and of course it is my comfort zone. I do not enjoy a lot of small talk or dancing, and only golf somewhat, I love discussing controversial subjects, and love walking my dog all over, and I love exercising.
I REALLY would love to know why you and others moved back to your upnorth home, and what adjustments you could not make to live in TV.
I know this is personal but please share if you can.. you and anyone else who has made the move back north.
Thank you.
JJ

[JimJoe]

I admit Geraldine that I have been loving this month of snow in Ohio.

There is so much a mix of cultural backgrounds in TV. Sometimes I am comfortable and sometimes I am not. People are very much the same no doubt but they bring different life experiences, and those experiences and attitudes may not be something comfortable to you.

It is always nice to be home because home is where your heart is.

Right now I have two homes and love them both.

I am very glad you are happy and hope you will visit us when you return.

Hugs.

Gracie: Great post. Another view on this. Thank you. Do you know if and where you will settle with one home or is long term snow birding your plan?
In order to buy a home in TV, I would have to look at permanent snow birding and that is what bothers me. Thanks. JJ

[Ohiogirl]

Geraldine doesn't say if they kept their old home in Michigan while they were in TV or bought a different one when they moved back.

If you are unsure how you will do pulling up roots and moving whole hog, I would suggest buying a 2nd home here if you can afford to have 2 homes. Lots of furnished ones available in TV or you can buy quite nice secondhand furniture here, or blend some old and some new. It is a worry and a hassle (to have 2 homes), but if you like where you are up north and are unsure about your move better to be sure before you sell it.

If you have real doubts, or haven't relocated before, might behoove you to buy at the lower price level in The Villages while you decide. Some will say to rent, and I think that's a great idea too, (while you're looking for the right villa/home for you) but I don't think you really get into the social scene and ownership thing unless you're in your own place. I, for one, just felt temporary and not truly happy when I'm renting.

Plus, it's always easier to sell at the lower end of the market if you decide it's not for you or if you decide TV IS for you, sell the place up north and move to bigger in TV (if you want - I've met many people here in TV who are fulltimers and who downsize)

Consider, though, if it's the house or the area or the family members/friends still there that you are attached to or all 3. Change is hard. Some things to think about (and maybe make a customized list for yourself):

- is your house up north (or wherever) suitable for your later years when perhaps you are unable to maintain a large lot in the country or a big house with upstairs bedrooms/basement laundry? Maybe you should consider selling the country/big house and buying smaller or a condo where you are now, thus freeing up some money to be a snowbird.

- Many of your friends may end up relocating in retirement to be closer to THEIR family or to get a lifestyle like here in TV. Are your children going to stay there permanently or are they possibly going to relocate for jobs or warm weather living in the future?

I'm sure others can add more things to consider. Moving back is hard too and might not be what you thought it was going to be.

[Grannygail]

We are considering moving to TV in spring 2012. I hear why people move to TV, but hoping to hear others experience in what drew them back to their hometown. Thank you for your honesty.

[Jane52]

It's all a matter of personal preferences and what types of exercise and recreation one likes to do.

I know people who are avid walkers and who play golf--walking--well into their 90's, but they would end up dead or in a nursing home if their physical activity were shoveling snow, pushing a snowblower into wet, heavy snow that's a foot deep...or if they need an ambulance because they fell on ICE at the front door but the snowplows have not come thru yet, and it's too cold for salt to work...or if the city or township's budget for salt or plowing is exhausted two months early--as it's been in recent years where we came from.

Other seniors are competitive swimmers, rowers, bicyclists into their final years. Those possibilities year round are remote in the northern states and Canada.

And everyone loses bone density as they age, and the best way to get Vitamin D is walking in the morning or late p.m. sun with some skin exposed for as little as 20 minutes a day--the body cranks it out much better than it takes in supplements. See http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

[LI SNOWBIRD]

I admit Geraldine that I have been loving this month of snow in Ohio.

There is so much a mix of cultural backgrounds in TV. Sometimes I am comfortable and sometimes I am not. People are very much the same no doubt but they bring different life experiences, and those experiences and attitudes may not be something comfortable to you.

It is always nice to be home because home is where your heart is.

Right now I have two homes and love them both.

I am very glad you are happy and hope you will visit us when you return.

Hugs.
:agree:
Ya gotta follow your heart just know you're always welcome back to live, visit or to participate in TOTV.

[EXYZEE40]

I hope you will be find happiness with moving back to Michigan. As stated, no matter where a person chooses to live it is definitely of their own personal preference.

One thing I have always said is that each and everyone of us had a 'lifestyle' of our own while we were non-Villagers. We did things we enjoyed doing and had a 'life' before we did discover The Villages when we retired and chose to move here.

Now we have the choice to follow The Villages lifestyles or continue to be able to do whatever we want to do on our own. We took care of ourselves before TV and we can take care of ourselves while we enjoy living in TV too.
Our choice to make the move south was the climate and we would make a life for ourselves just like we did in the 'cold climate' no matter where we would end up living.

Snow is beautiful when you don't have to be out in it, and your refrigerator is stocked!!!

[golf2140]

Went back to Pennsylvania for our Holiday visit. Arrived on December 20, started checking the date for our return trip December 22. :crap2:

[njbchbum]

in our case, home is where the heart is - or where we happen to be. we have a permanent residence at the jersey shore - monster seashore victorian that costs too much to maintain; but we love it here, husband is ultimately involved in the towns goings on and there are the friends - more and more family moves away every year.

then we have the house in maine that we bought 15 yrs ago when we had no thought of even going to florida - even on vacation. was a good deal to purchase, is not so expensive to maintain [even with house watch service] and could be sold in a heartbeat for a profit.

then our jersey friends bought in the villages and we would visit there on our return from disney world - where we had purchased disney's vacation club! bought that because we were growing weary of the cold, snow and ice of jersey and maine winters and a couple of winter weeks in florida sounded good. and it was. can't sell that for a profit, but the small timeshare enables different travel opptys and the chance to gift family with a vacation now and then.

so after visiting our villages friends for each of 4 winters and growing a little older and a bit more desireous of warmer winters we found a financial gem there that we could not afford not to buy! our investments were tanking at the same time and we thought it would do better in real estate rather than the bank - and it has. could sell in a new york minute if we ever had to for a profit.

so for now we travel between properties and enjoy the best that the seasons have to offer. am sure the day will come when we will no longer want to - and we will be faced with having to pick just one location to call home. that decision will be based on our health, finances and emotional needs of the time.

[Schaumburger]

I spent 6 days in eastern Iowa (Dubuque) this Christmas visiting my dad. I spent my first 18 years in Dubuque before moving to Chicagoland. There was about 16 inches of snow on the ground in Dubuque, and while I enjoyed spending time with my dad and my sisters and their families, I was glad to get away from snowville! Now that the pre-Christmas snow has melted in Chicago, it looks strange to see no snow on the ground on Jan. 1. I've spent 50 winters in the midwest, and I'm pretty sure I could get used to snow-free winters in TV.

Last week while in Iowa, and I was using my laptop to look at houses for sale in TV, my 8year old niece asked what I was looking at on the internet. I told her I was looking at houses for sale in a part of Florida that I am thinking of moving to in about 10 years. Her reply was "Well you can only buy a house in Florida in 10 years if you live that long." I guess when you are 8, anyone over the age of 30 is ancient. :)

[whartonjelly]

I long to live a different lifestyle. I dont care if I ever see snow again. I have plenty of pictures. Todays society is mobile. My family and friends will be welcome in TV. I have been enclosed working inside a hospital for years. My husband has been outside in all kinds of weather all year long. We both look forward to enjoying the lifestyle of TV. Our one grand child will miss us and therer are sure to be more someday. They too will be welcome. Our children feel that we need to do what is best for us. All three are out of college, married and have careers. It is our turn to start our new career!

[duffysmom]

Although I dislike snow and hate the cold the problem for me in northern climates is the light. I'm not at my best emotionally of physically in the short dreary days of Winter in the north. Even when we have cold weather here in Florida, the blazing sun and azure blue sky lifts my spirit and I love life. Not so up north. Another thing I dislike about the northern Winters is the grime that covers everthing after the snow melts.:cold: YUK!! Do I sound like a drama queen? When they said "Come On Down" I did and I never regretted it.:thumbup:

[laryb]

I long to live a different lifestyle. I dont care if I ever see snow again. I have plenty of pictures. Todays society is mobile. My family and friends will be welcome in TV. I have been enclosed working inside a hospital for years. My husband has been outside in all kinds of weather all year long. We both look forward to enjoying the lifestyle of TV. Our one grand child will miss us and therer are sure to be more someday. They too will be welcome. Our children feel that we need to do what is best for us. All three are out of college, married and have careers. It is our turn to start our new career!
:agree::agree::agree:Wife is a nurse, I worked for the electric company at a power plant on the waterfront, so we have a lot in common. We have 4 kids, 7 grandchildren, and our kids feel the same, although a couple begrudgingly. And as you said, they're all welcome, and I'll even pay the airfare, but it's time to start living for ourselves. Some of our friends say they could never leave the kids and grandkids, I say that we're never more than a phone call or plane ride away. Now with that being said, it took my wife 4 years from the first time we saw TV, and the grandkids coming over less and less, for her to feel the same way.

[natickdan]

The concerns posted about moving to The Villages are quite valid! They are concerns many of us have had to wrestle with and, for some, continue to wrestle with. My wife and I have a great relationship with our three adult children and we both realized if our move to TV was going to work, we had to keep a home here in Natick, MA. Our plan is to sell our large home and then buy a condo in town. This way we can split our time between TV and Natick. As time progresses, we expect to spend more time in TV. No matter where we are, technology will continue to make the distance seem that much shorter.

[redwitch]

Geraldine, I'm glad you decided to go back home. From your previous posts, it was obvious you were not happy here and your heart was elsewhere. No matter how great a place is, if your heart isn't there at least a little, it doesn't stand a chance and you'll always long to go back to your heart place. Congrats on your decision!

[Pturner]

We are snowflakes in TV and every time we come back to Atlanta, TV feels more like home than home does-- despite the fact that we have wonderful friends in ATL and are active in our community. We've met people in TV who we love, friends and family love to visit us there and it's just an easier and more pleasant quality of life by almost every measure. When hubby retires, froghood would be an easy decision for me.

[barb1191]

The "snowbird" works for awhile in returning to our condo up North in the summer and spending winters in our home in TV. Maintaining two homes is not an easy deal and costly to boot. We chose to not rent either place as we wanted access in both places at our convenience as well as not wanting strangers in either home.

We sold our condo up North and built an adorable in-law one bedroom, living rm, kitchen, laundry & bath, deck and inground pool (pool was already there) onto our daughter's home. That worked out well for awhile but did notice that the "kids" all had their activities such that we didn't really see them that often. We decided while up North that we missed TV soooo much that why are we up North? The kids would enjoy visits South and that turned us into TV "frogs."

We have no regrets and communicate with the kids often, email, facebook, phone/Skype....works out fine. Since we've made the decision to stay permanently in TV, we gave the kids permission to rent the in-law and that should cover the additional costs for adding onto their home. She has a nice young professional couple who love the place (inlaw) and they were willing to rent on a month-to-month basis just in case we needed to return for whatever, illness, for one reason.

I write this as a suggestion to those who choose not to break the tie from "home" that the inlaw worked out great for us, however, TV won out. The inlaw is well maintained by the kids and it does have an "open-door" policy for us, if need be.

[Ohiogirl]

We're sort of doing the same thing as barb1191 - for me it's not a big deal, I could be a Frog in an instant - but, I've moved a bunch and know I can do it.

Ohioboy has never lived in another city, even bought his parents' home 10-11 yrs ago when his Dad passed away. They built it when Ohioboy was 2 months old.

That's where we live when in Ohio, but we're currently renting it to his son (this will make it a 3 generation home, passed from son to son to son) with the plan for him to buy it outright (well, okay - with his own mortgage) this fall. Part of the deal is that we can return in the May-Sept. period for the foreseeable future.

It does make it easier to gradually move and still keep ties in both places, but we both foresee that as our social life switches more to TV, we'll spend more and more time here. Kind of nice to have the best of both worlds here for awhile. Really nice to also not have to worry about an unoccupied home.

Another option for those finding it hard to decide to move to TV might be to rent their "up north" home to a responsible family member, or help out one who is struggling in today's economy - could be a win-win situation for both of you, and maybe make the transition easier and not so final in case it turns out you are not happy away from your roots. TV - or any retirement community - is not for everyone (but I think it is for me :) and hopefully for Ohioboy as well.

[Barefoot]

We sold our 2nd home in TV a few months ago (September) and moved back to our home state of Michigan in November. We're in northwest Michigan where we get LOTS of snow!! We lived in TV for 5 years and just couldn't get really acclimated to Florida living. We're sooooo thrilled to be "Home" and are enjoying "Winter" up here. We'll come to FL and rent for a couple of months in subsequent years, but for now we're just enjoying being here. Nothing against TV...it's a great place to live IF you're really into it. Personally, we just couldn't make the necessary adjustments to be really happy there. We DO miss our friends...but they'll ALWAYS be our friends and we'll be back to visit.

Congratulations Geraldine .. you sound happy and relieved to be back home in Michigan. I think your post is important because we rarely hear on TOTV from people who have sold their houses in TV and moved back home. TV is paradise for a lot of people, but not for everyone.

I love TV and my friends here with a passion. But I honestly wouldn't want to live here 100% of the time. Being a seasonal resident is perfect for us. I am always super excited when it is October and time to leave Canada to travel to TV for the winter. When we first bought in TV, I hated to leave my new friends each Spring. But now I've grown accustomed to the routine. I'm happy to return to our other existence in April, and catch up with lifelong friends and family. We love the cooler summers in Canada, living on a lake, and enjoying the "wide open" spaces. And best of all, now we have TV friends that travel north to spend time with us in the summer!

[Debfrommaine]

Yes, different strokes for different folks, and there is no right or wrong. Hubby and I moved here six months ago after thinking about it for 7 years. It is an adjustment but that's what life is, making adjustments, and learning to step outside your comfort zone. I work full time so my experience is rather different from most. The husband is retired and enjoys the daily amenities of The Villages.

Eight years years ago we moved from Maine to Bradenton (that's when we discovered The Villages) stayed 2.5 years, missed the family, etc. So, we ended up back in Maine and after four years of realizing our family and friends have their own lives and, that while the state is gorgeous, the weather isn't really that great for much of the year we headed for The Villages.......no regrets. Will it be forever? Who knows, but that's the beauty of life...and choices.

Good luck on your move back home and maybe we'll see you again!

[l2ridehd]

Our plans are probably a little different then most. My home is NH, but I left there 40 years ago and have only been back to visit once in a while. The love of my life was a military brat so no place is really home.

So our plans are to move to TV as a full time home and then take summer vacations places we want to visit. Rent a home on a lake in NH, or lake Tahoe, or on a lake in Canada, or a sailboat someplace or take a summer trip to Europe or whatever. But TV will be the year round home. We believe, but not 100% sure yet, that renting or traveling for a month or two will be the same cost wise as trying to own a second home some place else. And we get the variety of seeing and staying in many places. And by not owning, just renting, we eliminate the need to do maintenance when there, taxes, ownership worries, and winterizing when we leave. Of course if we find some place we both fall in love with, then a second place could be an option. But for now that is not in the plans.

[nitehawk]

Congratulations Geraldine .. you sound happy and relieved to be back home in Michigan. I think your post is important because we rarely hear on TOTV from people who have sold their houses in TV and moved back home. TV is paradise for a lot of people, but not for everyone.

I love TV and my friends here with a passion. But I honestly wouldn't want to live here 100% of the time. Being a seasonal resident is perfect for us. I am always super excited when it is October and time to leave Canada to travel to TV for the winter. When we first bought in TV, I hated to leave my new friends each Spring. But now I've grown accustomed to the routine. I'm happy to return to our other existence in April, and catch up with lifelong friends and family. We love the cooler summers in Canada, living on a lake, and enjoying the "wide open" spaces. And best of all, now we have TV friends that travel north to spend time with us in the summer!

Yes that does sound like the perfect life :agree:

[Ohiogirl]

Our plans are probably a little different then most. My home is NH, but I left there 40 years ago and have only been back to visit once in a while. The love of my life was a military brat so no place is really home.

So our plans are to move to TV as a full time home and then take summer vacations places we want to visit. Rent a home on a lake in NH, or lake Tahoe, or on a lake in Canada, or a sailboat someplace or take a summer trip to Europe or whatever. But TV will be the year round home. We believe, but not 100% sure yet, that renting or traveling for a month or two will be the same cost wise as trying to own a second home some place else. And we get the variety of seeing and staying in many places. And by not owning, just renting, we eliminate the need to do maintenance when there, taxes, ownership worries, and winterizing when we leave. Of course if we find some place we both fall in love with, then a second place could be an option. But for now that is not in the plans.

Sounds like a good plan to me. I'm guessing you'll find that it's cheaper to rent for a couple of months than to own a 2nd home.

Our original plan was to rent an apt. in Columbus - urban living somewhere near downtown, lots of options now in Columbus - for the summer. When Ohioboy's son expressed interest in buying our Columbus house, we revised the plan to stay there instead, and remodeled an area in the basement for us to be a little more out of the way. It's in a great almost-urban location, accessible by bike to summer park festivals, AAA ballpark, and OSU campus. We just felt we couldn't afford and didn't want the worry of owning 2 places.

We think eventually we'll spend more and more time in TV, but still want to travel while we're able.

I'd also like to rent for a month in the mountains or maybe on a lake somewhere. These first few years, though, while we hopefully still have good health and are relatively young, we want to see some places on our bucket list - do a repositioning cruise to Europe and maybe from Vancouver thru the Panama Canal, maybe from Canada down the east coast, etc. Still want to see the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the Grand Canyon to name a couple. As our friends retire, we'll also visit them for a few days, and they are already starting to visit us. I'm keeping in mind though, that 3 or 4 days is a nice length of time to be or have houseguests.

Thinking seriously about exchanging homes for a month somewhere a year or two from now. We're hoping The Villages will provide a means to meet people who are maybe renting here who have homes in locations we'd like to visit, maybe can arrange an exchange in a shoulder season that would work for both of us. I know there are websites for this, but think it would be nicer (and less worrying) to meet first.

I'm liking this thread, although I've gotten off the initial subject. Find it interesting to hear about different plans/options for life as we know it. Would like to hear from renters to see if they feel like a member of the community when they come to TV. I know that many return year after year, but am thinking that would work fine if you already have friends who live here - does it work for those of you who come not knowing anyone?

[ssmith]

We are not in a position to own 2 homes so we will have to decide on staying up North and just renting in TV for a couple of months when we retire; or selling our perfect big home up north and moving to a lesser home in TV so we can afford to travel up north often.

I think I know what I want....to move to TV; but have concerns. You see, we are conservative types from the Midwest. Our relationship to our friends, family and church is HUGE for us. I am not sure that we would fit in. I also get concerned that living for my own desires will just make me a selfish old crab. I know it is a choice; but maybe that is just my problem. I am not saying you all are selfish old crabs ...it is just a fear that maybe I would become one.

We can't make any moves currently... cause we are too young; but am defintiley giving it much consideration. I beleive we will move to the TV one day if we can sell this home but....another fear I have is that.... if we decided to move back North.... that we would not be able to sell our used home and would feel stuck.

Any thoughts on any of this? Anyone else have these same thoughts? Miss family too much after the move?

My oldest grand daughter does not want us to move. We do think investing in the grands lives is very important for them and for us. Sorry to ramble, guess this post hit a nerve for me.

[JenAjd]

I see so many responses here and some emulate exactly what my feelings were about TV. But here's my 2-cents worth on this post.

We always talked about going someplace 'warm' for the winter months and tossed around ideas of where that might be. Once we visited TV though we knew this would be the place. Having 2 places, for us, was a huge pain. We thought about what the "stewardship" would be and paying (taxes, upkeep etc) on the two places. Of course our families had their expressions and ideas too. But consider this---if any of them had an opportunity to re-locate they probably would take it. Someone here said they lived the "back and forth" way but saw that their kids and grandkids continued living their lives and that alot of the times didn't include them. Once the grandkids are teens the whole situation changes. Also doing the back and forth thing doesn't really enable anyone to connect completely in either place. At least that was our experience. People will be making plans for those months that you are absent and vice-versa. One has to weigh exactly what's most important for them. Do they want to "put up with" the cold/snow/ice and not complain about the weather and stay in the place they call "home"? Or do you want to strike out and add new adventures to your lives and make a bundle of new friends??? You can still keep in touch with the people "up north", visiting them as well as having them visit you. When we went back "north" for a few months...we actually found we were quite bored even though we had activities etc. there. It just had a different "feel" after spending time here.

[eweissenbach]

Very interesting thread! Many of the responses echo some of our issues and concerns. We have often moved in our adult life, leaving our childhood home for college and first job - moving back to our childhood hometown for 11 years, then moving away 26 years ago, and finally moving back to within 40 miles seven years ago. Moving holds no fear, and in fact, we are feeling the itch after being in our current home for over seven years, the longest time in any home in our 44 years of marriage.

Our three grown children and five teenage grandchildren all live in Kansas City, an hour away. The grandchildren have their own lives and activities, but we do enjoy them all coming to our lake home every holiday weekend through the summer. We have many family members within an hour of where we live, with whom we get together often. My wife's mother is 85, but is in good health and works full time! Another complicator is that our youngest son and his wife are expecting twin boys anytime now!

So, we have decided, like many of you, that we would probably not be comfortable with moving to TV full time. However, we really love the lifestyle, and want to spend as much time as possible in TV. Our tentative plan is to sell our home here and make two moves. We plan to give our oldest son (He is divorced) enough money to put a healthy down payment on a home he would like to build on 50 acres that his brother and sister currently own. The other kids are planning on building there also within the next year. In return for the down payment, which would help him out since he has difficulty saving, and may never be able to get what he wants without it, we would get a portion of the basement to store our extra possessions in and a bedroom. We would then purchase a home in TV. The plan then would be spend Jan. to June in TV - spend the summer with our son - back to TV in Sept through mid November, and back to our son's Thanksgiving through Christmas. Seems like a good plan at this time, we'll hopefully see if it works in real life.

[Russ_Boston]

Geraldine - Sounds like you know exactly what you want/need. That is never a bad thing. Best of luck.

Keep checking in with us on TOTV to let us know how it is going. It will be an interesting story to follow.

[Irish Rover]

We went through this same gut wrenching decision about ten years ago and after much soul searching decided to rent for two to three months per year in TV. We currently have two homes here in Missouri and all of our children and grandchildren are here. For eight months a year we use our Lake of the Ozarks home every week and don't feel we could do without it. The other home located on a golf course in St. Charles, MO and has been a really fun place to live too. We do shared time at both locations - 3 or 4 days a week at each. Love the outdoors so this suits us. However, we do need our Florida fix so TV is the place we have chosen - and we love it. I have to admit we liked it a lot better when it was smaller but we still love it there. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.
Irish:beer3:

[Russ_Boston]

We went through this same gut wrenching decision about ten years ago and after much soul searching decided to rent for two to three months per year in TV. We currently have two homes here in Missouri and all of our children and grandchildren are here. For eight months a year we use our Lake of the Ozarks home every week and don't feel we could do without it. The other home located on a golf course in St. Charles, MO and has been a really fun place to live too. We do shared time at both locations - 3 or 4 days a week at each. Love the outdoors so this suits us. However, we do need our Florida fix so TV is the place we have chosen - and we love it. I have to admit we liked it a lot better when it was smaller but we still love it there. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.
Irish:beer3:

No offense intended Irish, you have earned your success, but that decision is much more difficult for those that don't have the means to afford multiple homes. We are also going through that tough decision to move permanently. We will not have the choice of keeping both. For now we can swing it but at some point, after we have been here for a year or so, we will have to give up one of them.

Yes, Happy New Year to all.

[eremite06]

It's all a matter of personal preferences and what types of exercise and recreation one likes to do.

I know people who are avid walkers and who play golf--walking--well into their 90's, but they would end up dead or in a nursing home if their physical activity were shoveling snow, pushing a snowblower into wet, heavy snow that's a foot deep...or if they need an ambulance because they fell on ICE at the front door but the snowplows have not come thru yet, and it's too cold for salt to work...or if the city or township's budget for salt or plowing is exhausted two months early--as it's been in recent years where we came from.

Other seniors are competitive swimmers, rowers, bicyclists into their final years. Those possibilities year round are remote in the northern states and Canada.

And everyone loses bone density as they age, and the best way to get Vitamin D is walking in the morning or late p.m. sun with some skin exposed for as little as 20 minutes a day--the body cranks it out much better than it takes in supplements. See http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

Jane, You've nailed it. I've lived in Florida nearly 38 years, so it's not an issue for me. Will never live up north again.:cold:

[rubicon]

There is good counsel here. The Village Lifestyle will wear off quickly. Potential residents need to focus on The Villages form of government, the growing population, the hot weather , the quality of health care and if they have friends or family already living here. In leaving their home states to move here they need to consider leaving family and friends, the tax comparisons, weather , quality healthcare and their general feeling about where they live now. I moved from Eden Prairie, MN. leaving no family behind but I miss it a lot despite the taxes and weather. I am a full time resident becaus I choose not to travel back and forth betweens states which is anothr consideration for potential residents. Good Luck on your choice.

Rubicon

[Frangyomory]

W have been here in Tall Trees a little over 5 years and have never considered moving back to either Virginia or New York. I really don't miss the cold weather and the snow. Perhaps because we have no children, it was an easy move for us to make permanent. Also, we sold our home in Virginia before we came here to look. While we don't participate in many of the available activities, we are so happy that they are available. Also, we have so many nieces and nephews who love to visit in cold weather up North that we probably see more of them here than we did in Virginia.

Best of luck to all on whatever decision they make. Also, personally, I could never have kept up with a second house. Too much to remember and always saying goodbye to someone.

Happy and healthy New Year to all!!!:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[Jane52]

There is good counsel here. The Village Lifestyle will wear off quickly. Potential residents need to focus on The Villages form of government, the growing population, the hot weather , the quality of health care and if they have friends or family already living here. In leaving their home states to move here they need to consider leaving family and friends, the tax comparisons, weather , quality healthcare and their general feeling about where they live now. ..... Rubicon

On "the village lifestyle will wear off quickly"....I disagree. We grew up in MN and have lived in 4 other states, and never have we lived amongst so many people from the farthest corners of the U.S. who are genuinely friendly, outgoing and caring, and there is always something to do socially and for health and fitness outdoors.

As for "focus on The Villages form of government", I'm not worried. We could only wish that "the Washington form of government" were as solvent and fiscally responsible as the developers here (i.e. don't spend more than you have coming in, and live/work within your means).

[Tbugs]

Jane 52,

Very good post on this topic!! You sound like one smart cookie.:MOJE_whot:

[pauld315]

Having lived in several states since I became an adult, I don't really have anyplace that I really consider home. I guess I could say the city I grew up in was home but I haven't lived there in over 30 years. I have no desire to ever live there again even though I do have a lot of relatives that still live there. I have lived in NC for the past 19 years but really have never considered this home in the classical sense.I moved here because I was transferred here by the company I work for. I do have children and grandchildren living here that truly consider this home but other than them residing being here, I have very little attachment to NC.

Retirement for my wife and I is approaching quickly and we really have no problem moving to another location. As some have said we can always get on a plane and return here to visit when we want to. We have visited TV three times now and do like it. With that said though, we are also conservative and will probably rent for a year or so in TV before we make our final decision to sell our current home and make the move permanent.

I can see where it isn't for everyone and sometimes it takes time to recognize that. No matter what, people should just live where they want and enjoy the rest of their lives !

[graciegirl]

Jane 52,

Very good post on this topic!! You sound like one smart cookie.:MOJE_whot:

I agree Tbugs...You and Jane are two folks I am eager to meet! You both are sensible and kind!!

AND Fran...you have a new avatar. Very nice!

I hope we get to meet you this time around!!

[cabo35]

There is good counsel here. The Village Lifestyle will wear off quickly. Potential residents need to focus on The Villages form of government, the growing population, the hot weather , the quality of health care and if they have friends or family already living here. In leaving their home states to move here they need to consider leaving family and friends, the tax comparisons, weather , quality health care and their general feeling about where they live now. I moved from Eden Prairie, MN. leaving no family behind but I miss it a lot despite the taxes and weather. I am a full time resident because I choose not to travel back and forth betweens states which is anothr consideration for potential residents. Good Luck on your choice.

Rubicon

Another viewpoint.....been here five years and the novelty of the lifestyle hasn't worn off....it just keeps getting better for us.

The government .....while not perfect, is better than conventional politics. It's kind of like a benevolent dictatorship where things get done quicker because of a present but somewhat limited bureaucracy as opposed to machine politics.

Growth.....Isn't it wonderful that while the housing market around the country is collapsing, the Villages is still growing.

Hot Weather.....Winter golf in the Northeast with orange golf balls to contrast with the snow ceased being fun a long time ago. As far as hot weather goes, we're never more than a short trip to the refreshing breezes of the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico depending on prevailing conditions.

Family and friends.....Between occasional trips up North and family and friends looking for a winter hiatus, we seem to have a lot more quality time and fun with those we love. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. New friends.....only restricted by your ability to handle so many.

Taxes.....No Florida income tax....no brainer.

Regarding health care..... Found a GP, urologist, dermatologist, dentist and eye doctor that we are happy with. Hospital has been attentive and professional when we needed their services.

I understand your well stated point. It inspired cerebral processes, provoked a response and gave me my morning mental exercise. Isn't life great.

Thanks.

[MustangSally]

Having lived in several states since I became an adult, I don't really have anyplace that I really consider home. I guess I could say the city I grew up in was home but I haven't lived there in over 30 years. I have no desire to ever live there again even though I do have a lot of relatives that still live there. I have lived in NC for the past 19 years but really have never considered this home in the classical sense.I moved here because I was transferred here by the company I work for. I do have children and grandchildren living here that truly consider this home but other than them residing being here, I have very little attachment to NC.

Retirement for my wife and I is approaching quickly and we really have no problem moving to another location. As some have said we can always get on a plane and return here to visit when we want to. We have visited TV three times now and do like it. With that said though, we are also conservative and will probably rent for a year or so in TV before we make our final decision to sell our current home and make the move permanent.

I can see where it isn't for everyone and sometimes it takes time to recognize that. No matter what, people should just live where they want and enjoy the rest of their lives !

Our situation is almost identical to yours - in NC same timeframe from multiple states with children, grandchildren, etc. etc. However, my husband and I decided to purchase a lot and build in TV within a year. I'll become a cyber Grandma with skyping the grandchildren and I know TV will become a favorite visiting place for them. Hope to see you down there soon! We are so looking forward to the best place (for us) to retire and live among what seem to be the greatest and friendliest people! We can understand why it isn't for everyone, but we are convinced it is for us. Best of luck with your decisions!

[2BNTV]

Another viewpoint.....been here five years and the novelty of the lifestyle hasn't worn off....it just keeps getting better for us.

The government .....while not perfect, is better than conventional politics. It's kind of like a benevolent dictatorship where things get done quicker because of a present but somewhat limited bureaucracy as opposed to machine politics.

Growth.....Isn't it wonderful that while the housing market around the country is collapsing, the Villages is still growing.

Hot Weather.....Winter golf in the Northeast with orange golf balls to contrast with the snow ceased being fun a long time ago. As far as hot weather goes, we're never more than a short trip to the refreshing breezes of the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico depending on prevailing conditions.

Family and friends.....Between occasional trips up North and family and friends looking for a winter hiatus, we seem to have a lot more quality time and fun with those we love. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. New friends.....only restricted by your ability to handle so many.

Taxes.....No Florida income tax....no brainer.

Regarding health care..... Found a GP, urologist, dermatologist, dentist and eye doctor that we are happy with. Hospital has been attentive and professional when we needed their services.

I understand your well stated point. It inspired cerebral processes, provoked a response and gave me my morning mental exercise. Isn't life great.

Thanks.

Response to:
Growth.....Isn't it wonderful that while the housing market around the country is collapsing, the Villages is still growing.

Not if your trying to sell your home to move to TV. :cryin2:

All other points are well taken. :smiley:

LG - Life's Good. Great if your in TV.

[Pturner]

There is good counsel here. The Village Lifestyle will wear off quickly. Potential residents need to focus on The Villages form of government, the growing population, the hot weather , the quality of health care and if they have friends or family already living here. In leaving their home states to move here they need to consider leaving family and friends, the tax comparisons, weather , quality healthcare and their general feeling about where they live now. I moved from Eden Prairie, MN. leaving no family behind but I miss it a lot despite the taxes and weather. I am a full time resident becaus I choose not to travel back and forth betweens states which is anothr consideration for potential residents. Good Luck on your choice.

Rubicon

Lifestyle wearing off? As long as I can remain capable of activity, there's no danger of that for me. Golf, bridge, art classes, bike riding, neighborhood walks, swimming pools, theaters and especially nice friends are all things I love. Even if you don't like going to the squares-- and I do-- there are more choices of things to do right inside the neighborhood than anywhere one could live. Even if I became infirmed, friends, medical services and plenty of non-physical activities would be closer by than almost anywhere else I could live. On our most recent visit, we met quite a few TVers who have lived here for 8-12 years and who continue to say it's the best move they ever made.

The government. I am well satisfied with the services, quality of life and cost of living in TV. BTW, our home in District 4 elects the members of our District CDD. Eventually, all the neighborhood CDD's will be governed by representatives elected by homeowners.

Growth. Some restaurants, shops and amenities are quite crowded during the winter months. However, if they weren't, the places we love to go to (and which are therefore crowded in season) would have to close. Growth will enable us to attract and retain additional popular venues. That's the double-edged sword of growth: better and more attractions but more crowding.

The problem with growth in most places is that infrastructure, schools, public safety and services such as parks and recreation don't keep pace with the growth. Large and growing areas such as metro Atlanta (my home) suffer from gridlock, reduced services and public safety and poor air quality.

TV does a much better job than most places of supplying the infrastructure and adding amenities to keep up with growth. The streets are safe. The air quality is excellent. Indeed, TV is unusual in that it actually builds additional amenities in new sections of growth before it builds homes. TV is doing some limited infill development. However, the fact that TV is primarily a golf community ensures that there will always be a lot of green space in TV, unlike in many high-growth communities.

TV's growth is well planned and mostly well accommodated. Oh, I guess that's another positive about TV's imperfect government.

TV is not for everyone, although every time I'm there, I confess I have a hard time remembering why. :)

[keithwand]

Hey MI we have the same question. We moved to Orlando from Birmingham and still summer in Harbor Springs.

In the future we would like to go to 1 house.
Question is is it Orlando, The Villages or Birchwood Farms in Harbor and then rent in FL March through May.

I more than my wife miss MI.

[PR1234]

After renting for a few winters, we bought a place on the historical side. VERY economical and we LOVE it. Have our big house in MI for the summers and our "honeymoon cottage" for the winters in TV!! Maybe someday if we decide to be in TV full time we will get a bigger place....but for now, it is just perfect:pepper2::pepper2::

[Bill-n-Brillo]

After renting for a few winters, we bought a place on the historical side. VERY economical and we LOVE it. Have our big house in MI for the summers and our "honeymoon cottage" for the winters in TV!! Maybe someday if we decide to be in TV full time we will get a bigger place....but for now, it is just perfect:pepper2::pepper2::

Sounds like the best of both worlds for you! Congrats!

Bill :)

[monroe]

very interesting - we are contemplating becoming regular snow birds and are still trying to decide whether the villages life style is worth carrying expense of 2 homes or are we
just looking for something that exists in other places including our home towns but just
takes more effort.

[manaboutown]

Some people are deeply rooted within their communities. They and/or their families may have spent most of their lives living in one community and feel very much a part of it. Some may even have ancestral roots in a community. I can surely understand their reluctance or emotional inability to leave all their friends, family and other ties behind and transplant themselves into a new community some distance away, both geographically and perhaps culturally, regardless of the weather, social activities, golf courses and other attractions.

Others may not feel so bound, may not like where they grew up or have lived a long time for any number of reasons, may simply desire a change or may have resided many places during their lifetimes and feel rootless to some extent. Moving to an active adult retirement community may be just their cup of tea, especially if they are gregarious and make new acquaintenances easily.

A move to a community such as The Villages is especially easy since most who live in such a community have migrated there from elsewhere and are 55 and older and may share other commonalities. It could certainly help if one knew someone who had made the move who could introduce oneself to people in the area.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

..........It could certainly help if one knew someone who had made the move who could introduce oneself to people in the area.

From our relatively minor amount of experience to-date in TV, we feel it's real easy to meet people: Visit the squares on any given evening for the entertainment, stop and say 'Hi' to the neighbors where you're staying, etc. Heck, you're meeting people here on TOTV....virtually, anyways!

Best way to meet people - bar none - is to just pull your golf cart over somewhere and start staring at your $5 map. Someone will ALWAYS stop by to ask if you're lost or if you need any help finding something!! :a20:

Bill

[LI SNOWBIRD]

We sold our 2nd home in TV a few months ago (September) and moved back to our home state of Michigan in November. We're in northwest Michigan where we get LOTS of snow!! We lived in TV for 5 years and just couldn't get really acclimated to Florida living. We're sooooo thrilled to be "Home" and are enjoying "Winter" up here. We'll come to FL and rent for a couple of months in subsequent years, but for now we're just enjoying being here. Nothing against TV...it's a great place to live IF you're really into it. Personally, we just couldn't make the necessary adjustments to be really happy there. We DO miss our friends...but they'll ALWAYS be our friends and we'll be back to visit.

Where the heart goes the feet follow. Being from a cold weather state I thought you should consider:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MckM5GRQFfA

[graciegirl]

Awwww yes. I remember it well.

[MaryGoRound]

Where did you move back to in Michigan?

[GERALDINE]

Where did you move back to in Michigan?

Gaylord

[Debbie0625]

Re: the michigan video - so funny!!! It's so true!!! I live in Wisconsin and can totally relate to that video - it all looks SO familiar. Can't wait until I, too, can move to The Villages :)

[MaryGoRound]

My sister lives in Gaylord! Has for many years! I lived in Kalkaska for 25 years. Lots of snow up there!

[GERALDINE]

Geraldine doesn't say if they kept their old home in Michigan while they were in TV or bought a different one when they moved back.

If you are unsure how you will do pulling up roots and moving whole hog, I would suggest buying a 2nd home here if you can afford to have 2 homes. Lots of furnished ones available in TV or you can buy quite nice secondhand furniture here, or blend some old and some new. It is a worry and a hassle (to have 2 homes), but if you like where you are up north and are unsure about your move better to be sure before you sell it.

If you have real doubts, or haven't relocated before, might behoove you to buy at the lower price level in The Villages while you decide. Some will say to rent, and I think that's a great idea too, (while you're looking for the right villa/home for you) but I don't think you really get into the social scene and ownership thing unless you're in your own place. I, for one, just felt temporary and not truly happy when I'm renting.

Plus, it's always easier to sell at the lower end of the market if you decide it's not for you or if you decide TV IS for you, sell the place up north and move to bigger in TV (if you want - I've met many people here in TV who are fulltimers and who downsize)

Consider, though, if it's the house or the area or the family members/friends still there that you are attached to or all 3. Change is hard. Some things to think about (and maybe make a customized list for yourself):

- is your house up north (or wherever) suitable for your later years when perhaps you are unable to maintain a large lot in the country or a big house with upstairs bedrooms/basement laundry? Maybe you should consider selling the country/big house and buying smaller or a condo where you are now, thus freeing up some money to be a snowbird.

- Many of your friends may end up relocating in retirement to be closer to THEIR family or to get a lifestyle like here in TV. Are your children going to stay there permanently or are they possibly going to relocate for jobs or warm weather living in the future?

I'm sure others can add more things to consider. Moving back is hard too and might not be what you thought it was going to be.
Ohiogirl: No, we didn't keep our home in MI when we move to TV 5 years ago. We moved down there from Tawas, MI. and when we moved back, we moved to Gaylord, MI. Also, we did NOT keep a home in TV when we moved back to Michigan in November. Owning 2 homes is a hassle we don't want in our lives. We'll come to FL next winter but we'll rent somewhere. It won't be in TV though...we want to try some different areas. There's LOTS of snow on the ground now and more coming down as I write. We're happy with our decision.

[ssmith]

LI Snowbird....sooooo funny ....I was thinking of the guy at the end....your kidding right...doesn't he have a window scraper and they to see him cleaning off the wrong car......hahahaha:loco:I could see that being me!!!!

[Freeda]

Since my husband and I moved to The Villages in Oct 2007 I've gone back to Louisville about once a month both to see my children and for business. I've been here in Louisville alot since August due to a family illness. This time it's been 3 weeks, and I can't wait to get back to TV on Thursday to see some sunshine, even though it may still be somewhat cold there - at least, it will not be in the 'teens! It's not just the snow here in Louisville - and there have been only a few inches at a time here - but it's the lack of sunshine, the wind, and the cold - and this type of weather lasts, to some extent, for almost half of the year here in Louisville; and a big part of the rest it is either very rainy or extremely hot and humid.

I find myself asking myself how in the world I tolerated the cold winters for so long, and why I didn't seek a more comfortable climate a long time ago. At times I have debated in my mind whether moving away from family and friends - even to a wonderful place like TV - felt right to me, so I can understand those who have that dilemma. However, the longer I'm in TV and have the lifestyle there to compare with the lifestyle, not just the weather but the comparative lack of fun activities and lack of an atmosphere of fun and relaxation, that I see here in Louisville, where I lived for over 30 years, I realize that TV is home to me now. Don't get me wrong, Louisville has a lot of nice things about it; it's just that in comparison I see TV (and Florida, as a whole) as offering so much more. I am going to encourage my friends and family to visit us more in TV - or even to move to the south (whether TV or elsewhere) themselves - so that I don't have to make trips back quite so often, especially in winter.

I'm enjoying putting down roots in TV and hope that our example can influence some or all of my children to consider living where there is not so much hardship for them to deal with, weatherwise. Just observing the effort and ordeal, and the risk, that my youngest daughter goes through in getting out to and from work or anywhere else, in this weather, and how the weather so restricts her activities, has helped me realize that moving back would never work. There is probably not a 'perfect' solution to these issues, but each of us has to find the balance that feels the best.

One thing that helps is that when we visit Louisville, even if it is primarily a business trip, we always stay in our children's homes no matter what, and we just work out any inconveniences; even if they have only a sofabed etc. for us to sleep on. The quality time together is priceless (and sometimes hilarious, such as when we are dodging each other as they head out for work in the morning), and in many ways we spend better, more valued, time together - even just 'hanging out' - during those visits than we did when we lived in Louisville. With our kids' busy schedules, it helps to be staying with them, so that we can catch even brief periods of time together, and so that we can also pitch in and help them out with simple errands or sometimes having dinner ready when they get home, etc. I also keep a bag with basic toiletries and casual clothes, robes and pjs, etc at each of my children's homes, so that traveling for visits is simpler.

[whartonjelly]

The michigan video was priceless! My three children completely under stand our desire to live in TV. We willl always be welcomed when we visit. They will always be welcome in TV. WE just have to get there first!!!

Intrusions into familiy life is what drove me away from my family as a young mom. We only moved one hour away and our lives became sooo much easier just managing our own immediate family. His family was 4 hours away and that is why I appreciate that my mother in law can only hurt my feeling for short periods. Some families are too emeshed and begin overstepping their bounds. No one ever wants to be wrong about childraising. I had 7 brothers and sisters. They all have learned by now that we did some pretty good parenting. They all had multiple problems with their own. They too should have stepped away and concentrated on their own families.

Overall, We were good parent role models and now want to become just a couple again exploring our new lives. Grandchildren will be welcomed and never will be left out.

Our kids have done sooo much more in their lifetimes than we have. It is our turn!!! We are very proud of their accomplishments, no drugs, alchohol, incarcerations or anything to be ashamed of. All three paid most of their way through college and have self respect for this. They traveled in Europe, something we have never even dreamed of. They appreciate all that we have done and just want us to be happy. People keep trying to make us feel awful for want to leave our grown children. I refuse. Each family is very different with different problems. We are flourishing. TV here we come, ready or not! ( real soon I hope )

[ceejay]

Where the heart goes the feet follow. Being from a cold weather state I thought you should consider:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MckM5GRQFfA

What a great video...brought back lots of memories of Buffalo weather!

I spent a long weekend in NYC about 10 years ago. I came back to the Buffalo International airport to find that 2 feet of snow had fallen on ALL the cars in short term parking (yes, long term parking, also...) My car was a clunker and wasn't equipped with an alarm. I spent what felt like hours roaming that parking lot:cold: with suitcase in tow. I, finally, just dropped my suitcase and burst into tears only to look up and see my car almost in front of my eyes. SOMEONE was watching my back that night!:angel:

[csc1509]

We have been invited by friends to come visit in April and haven't been to TV before. Having grown up out west and currently living in eastern Tennessee, I am curious about any kind of vista. Do any people miss hills or mountains out there on the flats?

[2BNTV]

Great video of 3 reasons not to live in Michigan especially the guy who cleaned off the wrong car. :1rotfl:

Then I immediately thought of how I would feel if it were me. :mad:

Since being snowbound in CT, the video was quite appropriate.

[Freeda]

Having grown up out west and currently living in eastern Tennessee, I am curious about any kind of vista. Do any people miss hills or mountains out there on the flats?

You will be surprised, as I was, to see that some areas of TV have a fair amount of softly rolling hills; so it is not completely flat. Also, in the Ocala National Forest northwest of Ocala, there are some very steep hills in places; one verrrry long steep grade we found on a state road returning from St. Augustine one night was amazing to find in Florida; plus there is beautiful tall forestry in the Ocala National Forest, when you need a change of scenery. It will not be like the tall mountains of Tennessee or Kentucky that you and I are used to, but it's still beautiful.

Plus, I have gotten so attached to the beaches, the palm trees, the town squares, and the beautiful TV lakes, architecture, and golf courses, and other scenery here, that cannot be found at all elsewhere, that when I go away I miss that alot more.

I think that at least for me, and perhaps others, it's the idea of change that is somewhat stressful; even good change can feel stressful. I have just tried to recognize that and expect to feel some stress in most important decisions, and don't let it dictate my choices; because if I hadn't made the change to come to TV, that, too, would have caused me stress (particularly reading all of the posts on here about how great TV is!)

[Jhooman]

Thank you for your honesty. I'm leaving an only child, now adult 35 and a grandchild. Many people ask me how I could leave my child and granchild and move to Florida. I'm stunned by their judgment. My husband and I want a life where we can be responsible kids again. Swim, bike, dance, play cards, sleep, golf and be with other baby boomers giggling hopefully for another couple of decades.

Even my adult child is miffed by my decision to move. But that's okay, I'm doing what I need to do, she and her husband will be fine, they are educated employed adults. Change is difficult, but being stagnant can be a burden too. I would be very sad if I had to stay in southern California just for my kid. I have never liked the dence population of my area, too much traffic, too expensive for retirement.

The bottom line: I love The Villages and I can hardly wait to get there. Plus it's none of my business what anyone thinks of my decisions. So there!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Thank you for your honesty. I'm leaving an only child, now adult 35 and a grandchild. Many people ask me how I could leave my child and granchild and move to Florida. I'm stunned by their judgment. My husband and I want a life where we can be responsible kids again. Swim, bike, dance, play cards, sleep, golf and be with other baby boomers giggling hopefully for another couple of decades.

Even my adult child is miffed by my decision to move. But that's okay, I'm doing what I need to do, she and her husband will be fine, they are educated employed adults. Change is difficult, but being stagnant can be a burden too. I would be very sad if I had to stay in southern California just for my kid. I have never liked the dence population of my area, too much traffic, too expensive for retirement.

The bottom line: I love The Villages and I can hardly wait to get there. Plus it's none of my business what anyone thinks of my decisions. So there!

J - You'll probably find your daughter and family will enjoy coming to FL to visit you...........especially in the winter!!!

Bill

[2BNTV]

J - You'll probably find your daughter and family will enjoy coming to FL to visit you...........especially in the winter!!!

Bill

:agree: Change is difficult for those who wish to move on with their life's and those who want them to stay so their leaving won't be a change.

Everyone has to do what is right for themselves. A visit from your family will help them to understand why you wanted to move to TV and they will look forward to future vsits.

[keithwand]

Thank you for your honesty. I'm leaving an only child, now adult 35 and a grandchild. Many people ask me how I could leave my child and granchild and move to Florida. I'm stunned by their judgment. My husband and I want a life where we can be responsible kids again. Swim, bike, dance, play cards, sleep, golf and be with other baby boomers giggling hopefully for another couple of decades.

Even my adult child is miffed by my decision to move. But that's okay, I'm doing what I need to do, she and her husband will be fine, they are educated employed adults. Change is difficult, but being stagnant can be a burden too. I would be very sad if I had to stay in southern California just for my kid. I have never liked the dence population of my area, too much traffic, too expensive for retirement.

The bottom line: I love The Villages and I can hardly wait to get there. Plus it's none of my business what anyone thinks of my decisions. So there!

My 2 Cents:

We always say you can't follow your kids.

2 of ours first moved to Dallas then 1 went to Houston and each has moved twice within those cities. The 3rd one still lives in MI and is 4 hours from where we summer. Had we gone to TX to be near them once they moved we wouldn't have been close anymore anyway.

We moved to Orlando because we wanted to and visit fairly often; usually us to them since they work.

While we have 5 (#6 in May 2011) we do miss them but they have their own lives and we do to.

We still toss around the idea of TX then squash it just as quickly.

[graciegirl]

Leaving grandchildren is the HARDEST part of all.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

We have been invited by friends to come visit in April and haven't been to TV before. Having grown up out west and currently living in eastern Tennessee, I am curious about any kind of vista. Do any people miss hills or mountains out there on the flats?

NO-- flat = good
:clap2:

[Ohiogirl]

I do miss hill/mountain vistas (not that we really had many in Columbus, OH - ok, some pretty ravines), but I've moved a lot and travelled a lot. For the near future, we'll see mountains when we drive back to Ohio in May and back here in October. Also, now that we're retired, we can take our time driving back and forth and stop whenever we want, and also avoid bad travel weather with a check on the forecast.

Except for financial limitations, there's nothing keeping you in TV ALL the time - you can actually leave for a long weekend or 2 week vacation whenever you want :). There are no locks on the gates. I am still amazed at the number of people who never venture outside TV - but I was also amazed at those who never left town in some of the places I lived as a transferee.