Being discouraged to be moving to the Villages

[TOMCAT]

Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

[nkrifats]

Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

Your last line sums it all up. " To each his own". That one person is not the one who is moving or making the choice.
Just my thoughts

[graciegirl]

If it is someone with whom you have a lot of memories, it could be that he doesnt want you to leave because he truly likes you and will miss you and doesn't want you to go.. It could be that he can't afford to do it. AND it could be he doesn't like Florida...honestly doesn't like Florida.

I really don't like Florida. BUT

I really, REALLY like it in The Villages.

AND...chances are that if you invite this person down for a visit and give him something nice and kool to drink and show him around....well he will fall in love with the place, just like we all did.

And...we will have yet another new villager.

P.S. Tell him that the local paper has a Republican slant. I don't think we need any surprises to our new residents.

[Mudder]

Many people who have never visited here said so many negative things to us before we moved here. I got tired of defending our move so choose to ignore the comments. After moving here I wanted to tell those people how it is here, but then we decided , why bother. It's our secret, we don't need those people moving here anyway. We have some friends who have their preconceived ideas and don't even want to visit, so be it.
Please don't get sucked into their thoughts about The Villages, come see for yourself, think you'll be pleasantly surprised. We only wish we had moved here sooner !

[PennBF]

A little humor..I have a brother who is a reasonably well known designer and lives in California. When I told him we were moving to The Villages he would ask how we could live in a totally controlled commuity, lose our ability to be independent, run around in golf carts and many many more negatives.
After a year or so he came to visit for a week or so. He loved it. He now flies to The Villages every chance he gets and spends time with us.
He is now talking his wife into coming with him on a visit (she is also in the art world) so she can observe the life here.
Let your negative friend wait, then visit and then move..It will happen.. :welcome

[hdh1470]

We lived in Fl for 11 years and left and thought we wouldn't be back.But now after coming to TV for the last 8 years guess where we own a house and will be living in the near future?

[TOMCAT]

Yes, I do know about the heat of Florida. How many people do not know that? No, I did not realized that Orlando, Florida, has one of the greatest crime rates in the nations. Maybe Mickey Mouse is having money problems and is mugging people. I would say back, LOL. These are just a few comments that I do hear.

I live in Long Island, NY. I am not too far from crime infested neighborhoods here either. Everywhere there is going to be an area that is not too good. The Villages seems like a safe place to live. I have visited there at least two times and will be coming down again.

[redwitch]

There are always some who will be negative. Not just about moving here, but about you moving anywhere. The reality is there is only person you need to please (well, two if you're married) and that's YOU. Your kids, if any, are grown and living their own lives. Your friends will either be thrilled you've found a place that you know suits you and the life you want to live or hate that you're leaving them. If they're truly friends, they'll be happy for you regardless. Family will get over it if they care about you once they see how happy you are.

As strange as it sounds, I recommend you read Leisureville -- at least the first few chapters. The author is under the illusion that his older neighbors owe it to his village to stay there to help raise his kids. The reality is his neighbors owe him nothing, just as you owe neighbors, co-workers, friends and family nothing. You have the right to enjoy your life, so go for it! Live here, invite them down to visit, have fun and let those who are bitter enjoy their lives however they choose to live them.

[skip0358]

I had a very good friend not try and talk me out of it but suggested we make sure it was what we wanted before we did it. Also suggested we keep the house up north for a while until we were sure,well we sold and moved within four months of putting the house on the market. He's since convinced we did the right thing. Neither my wife or I have one single regret on moving here,except maybe doing it sooner. Everything worked out great,we don't look back and after leaving the high taxes, utilities, and the anything goes rules. We're VERY happy in our new found community and the friends we've made. So take it with a grain of salt and hurry down.See ya soon

[Russ_Boston]

I always say the same thing to those people "You have to visit to understand".

Most people's idea of Florida retirement is some aging community with one golf course, one old style swimming pool etc.

I brought each of my kids down before we purchased and had them stay with us for a few days. Now they CAN'T WAIT for us to move and my close friends are convinced as well.

[jblum8156]

My son, my very own son, thought I should rent for at least 6 months before thinking about buying a house here. But when he came to visit, he understood why I made up my mind so fast.

[Tom Hannon]

Florida is a poverty stricken ghost town. It is too hot. You can get a house for half the price you pay in TV anywhere else in Florida. There are many retirement places with A golf course. Everyone living there has one foot in the grave. Etc. etc. I heard all the lines. I didn't know what to believe until I visited friends in TV and "It was love at first sight." You can't explain what TV has to offer to anyone. They have to see it to believe it. Like Skip 0358 and TomKat, I also live on Long Island and living the lifestyle of Village People beats the heck out of the alternative. I was not as fortunate as Skip but I hope to eventually sell my NY home and never look back. Peole used to say "Old people come to Florida to die". What outsiders don't know is "In The Villages they come here to live."

[graciegirl]

Florida is a poverty stricken ghost town. It is too hot. You can get a house for half the price you pay in TV anywhere else in Florida. There are many retirement places with A golf course. Everyone living there has one foot in the grave. Etc. etc. I heard all the lines. I didn't know what to believe until I visited friends in TV and "It was love at first sight." You can't explain what TV has to offer to anyone. They have to see it to believe it. Like Skip 0358 and TomKat, I also live on Long Island and living the lifestyle of Village People beats the heck out of the alternative. I was not as fortunate as Skip but I hope to eventually sell my NY home and never look back. Peole used to say "Old people come to Florida to die". What outsiders don't know is "In The Villages they come here to live."

I very much agree!

[pklein9747]

There are always some who will be negative. Not just about moving here, but about you moving anywhere. The reality is there is only person you need to please (well, two if you're married) and that's YOU. Your kids, if any, are grown and living their own lives. Your friends will either be thrilled you've found a place that you know suits you and the life you want to live or hate that you're leaving them. If they're truly friends, they'll be happy for you regardless. Family will get over it if they care about you once they see how happy you are.

As strange as it sounds, I recommend you read Leisureville -- at least the first few chapters. The author is under the illusion that his older neighbors owe it to his village to stay there to help raise his kids. The reality is his neighbors owe him nothing, just as you owe neighbors, co-workers, friends and family nothing. You have the right to enjoy your life, so go for it! Live here, invite them down to visit, have fun and let those who are bitter enjoy their lives however they choose to live them.

Redwitch...thank you for putting it all in perspective. You are absolutely right...the only ones we have to please is ourselves (hubby & I). Given the opportunity, my kids would move in a heartbeat and not think twice about leaving us in NJ. And that is fine...they have their own lives to lead but so do we. I've said the same to my friends who think we're "rushing" and should take another year or so to decide. But none of us know what the future holds and we deserve to be happy for as long as God will allow us. And happiness for us right now is moving to TV and enjoying a new, fun and more active lifestyle!

[Castle guy]

Previous posters said it best when they say that you must listen to what your heart tells you.

I first came to TV 4 years ago, on a 5 month rental. I had made it very clear to my wife that we would not be buying a home in Florida, as renting is so much more care free, and we didn't need the worries of owning a home from afar (we are 6 month snowbirds).

By January of our rental year, we had bought a home here and had moved in by Feb. We still only live here 6 months per year, but have never regretted for minute our decision. No matter what others tell you, or even what you have been telling yourself, come and experience TV, and then listen to your heart. If you do, we will soon be welcoming you to our hometown (even if in our case, it is only a part time hometown).

[Tom Hannon]

Great comment, Castle Guy. You hit the nail on the headbone.

[TOMCAT]

I also have younger people who wish they can move to Florida. No money to be made in Florida for them. I feel sorry for them, because it can be expensive to live in New York. I am glad I am reaching my retirement years. The Villages makes me want to retire as soon as I am able to and come and live a life, not to die. Hopefully, it will not be as expensive as it is here in good old Long Island, NY. Do not get me wrong, Long Island is a beautiful place to vist, but to live here you need a big bank account.

[runnermi]

Dear god, I have heard that comment so many times that if i had a dime for everytime someone told me that I could be retired. I actually am an odd duck in that I like hot, humid and sticky weather. Is mid-day too warm or oppressive at times? Yes, but then you are in air conditioning for part of the day and the mornings and evenings are glorious.

I live in Michigan on the outskirts of Detroit. Gee, how many times has Detroit been pegged the Murder Capital over the years? No crime in Detroit. :1rotfl: Seven months of the year I have to live in a heat control environment. Of the two, air conditioning or heat, I would rather it be air conditioning.

I am thankful that a lot people don't think the Villages is for them. Hopefully there will be room for me one day.

Gail in Detroit (staring at 9 1/2 inches of fresh snow. Wanna trade? WAIT!!! And it is predicted that we are getting another 1 to 3 inches tonight! Woohoo!)

[texasfal]

I can't even get my mother-in-law who live in Massapequa to vist. Too many bugs, too hot, nothing to do! Ha! So I feel your pain TomCat!

[pooh]

When hubby mentioned living in TV, I was the one that said, "I don't want to be living with all those old folks!" Ah, little did I know. A visit to the compound when in FL visiting our kids was all it took. I was the one that said, "I want to live here." We've owned our home almost 5 years now, lived here over 4.

Well, there can be bugs, don't forget about love bug season..... ;)

We didn't get much resistance from friends, most of them had started their moves out of CA. Some east coast friends wondered why in the heck we picked Florida, and a retirement community to boot, but it's not really a retirement community, it's an place of opportunity, so much to do or relax, whatever you decide. There really is no convincing people unless they've visited. My sister owns a shop in MA and some of her customers are seasonal residents of TV. One day she and one of those customers were in the grocery store and sis was behind her part time Villager. The clerk was commenting on TV, saying it's just a retirement village, and of course our snowbird said "Nay, nay." The clerk said she had to be making this stuff up and my sister joined in the conversation. She had visited with us here not long before. "It's just as she says, it's wonderful, it's absolutely beautiful and it's nothing you could ever imagine." Thanks, Sis! All it takes is one little visit.... ;)

[whartonjelly]

We had our son and daughter in law visit us during our weeks stay in TV.
That is all it took for them to understand our decision. Originally they wanted us to move near them. No more discussions just complete approval.

[LisaJ]

When my husband and I were thinking of purchasing in TV (moving from Naples, FL) my sister kept saying "everyone is so old." Why would you want to live there. She is from Naples, FL too. Over Christmas, I had the family Christmas at TV that included my 2 college age kids, her 2 college age kids and herself. Every person that was older, she had to point out how old they were and how could we possibly enjoy TV. Finally, my son said to my sister.."You are just jealous that mom is having so much fun." 'If I could move here I would!" Well, you know what they say "out of the mouth of babes." Even though he really isn't a baby anymore, he is still my babe!

[eweissenbach]

To quote the late, great Frank Sinatra in the song "That's Life Some people get their kicks stompin on my dreams

[Kelsie52]

I also have younger people who wish they can move to Florida. No money to be made in Florida for them. I feel sorry for them, because it can be expensive to live in New York. I am glad I am reaching my retirement years. The Villages makes me want to retire as soon as I am able to and come and live a life, not to die. Hopefully, it will not be as expensive as it is here in good old Long Island, NY. Do not get me wrong, Long Island is a beautiful place to vist, but to live here you need a big bank account.

TomCat

I just moved here in Oct. from Long Island (New Hyde Park) --We said we would never move to Florida !!! Visited here and that changed everything

We closed here on Oct 27 --I retired Nov 1----

We find Taxes, Utilities, clothing and restaurents cheaer here --

Supermarket prices are about the same --some items are higher

The pace of things is much slower --its great !!

As others have stated all those negative comments from people go away once they visit --

And did I mention ---I gave my snow blower away to my son in Brooklyn !!

:a040::coolsmiley::1rotfl:

Good Luck

[2newyorkers]

We know people that live near TV but had never been to TV. They told us that everyone was snobs and that people outside of TV make fun of all the people who live in TV. We have come to the conclusion it is jealousy. How can you make a comment on a place you have never been?

[graciegirl]

We know people that live near TV but had never been to TV. They told us that everyone was snobs and that people outside of TV make fun of all the people who live in TV. We have come to the conclusion it is jealousy. How can you make a comment on a place you have never been?

Now...that is mean spirited. If you tell me where they live me and the girls will call on them....

[2BNTV]

Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

Some people are negative and generally criticize what they don't understand.

I recently tried to explain TV to my dentist and stopped in mid-sentence and said, "you just have to see it to believe it, their aren't enough words to expain how beautiful it is".

Close friend of mine said, "how can you live in Florida when the summers are so hot". I replied, "what's the diffrence in that you have to stay in air-conditioning for a couple of months or stay inside in the winter in New York because it's too cold.

Like the Beatles song, "Let it be".

[pzjay]

Now...that is mean spirited. If you tell me where they live me and the girls will call on them....

:mademyday: GG - you are too much!:1rotfl:

[hedoman]

Everytime I tell somebody we have purchased a home and are moving to the villages I get " oh really? I have a "friend, relative, friend of a friend, friend of a relative, some guy I know parents, neighbor's neighbors and so forth and so on" that LOVE it there. Talk abut being a "known" place! Now how do I fit all my "new found" friends, who just found out WE will be FROGS, into our bungalow?

:boom:

[hedoman]

Another thought.... Anybody remeber the movie Cucoon (sp)? They really painted a Florida retirement community oddly but maybe in that day correctly?

Everybody is right "you gotta see it to believe it" and here we were so close to living in Lake Weird...LOL

[rubicon]

What you lose in January you gain in June. So goes the logic if your decision on where to live is based on weather. Most of us acclimate quickly. Ilooked here in 2004 and was concerned about the government model. I looked again in 2006 and reluctantly moved down from Minnesota. To this day I prefer Minnesota to The Villages but having made those financial adjustments and since there remains a bad housing market I dare not move.

There are many things to like about TV and its residents are at the top of the list. It is true that we have pretty much a homogeneous group but that can be a good thing. This is a healthy lifestyle but one which could be replicated eleswhere. Ownership and tavel by cart kicks as much as it cuts. But the biggest drawback to me is till the government model but I will adjust.

[ljones190]

Rubican,

I just visited MN for the first time 2 weeks ago, the people I visited were born and raised there and were not planning to leave but were quite upset with the taxes and fees, 12% state income tax and 800.00 a year for a car registration. These numbers are far worse then NJ. I could not believe the numbers but that is what I was told.

[faithfulfrank]

Although we are not in TV, but just south of you, we have had many "talks" with folks not understanding our love of our Florida home.

Sometimes it can be attributed to jealousy. Sometimes it is the crab bucket mentality of not wanting anyone else to get out of the crab bucket, so they pull anyone down who tries to escape.

We have heard, "Have you been DOWN there in the SUMMER???" I reply, "Yes, and I like it more then the bone chilling frigidness of 6 month Buffalo winters".

I've heard, "How selfish of you to leave your kids and grandkids".

I've heard, "How wrong you are to take your fancy NY Gov't pension and not stay to spend it in NY".

In the end, I realize it is foolish to argue. Everyone is different. I do not WANT everyone I know to follow me to Florida. Like they say....the best revenge is living well. I'll just sell our NY home, retire quietly, leave without fanfare and enjoy the good life in my wonderful Florida home......and smile when I read about the high NY taxes, bad winters, potholes. etc.....

I'll live in a land where the only gloves I own are golf gloves. I'll never use a snow blower or a snowbrush or snowshovel again. The only salt I'll own will be on my table.

There is a Bible verse that says, "Consider the birds". I have done that and discovered they are smarter then I am because they LEAVE NY in the winter. Soon, I'll live in a land where seeing my breath outside is rare. I"ll trade my E_Z Pass for a SunPass........Florida, here I come!!

Frank

[Tom Hannon]

I agree with Faithful Frankie 150% Most people just don't get it and unless they see it for themselves the'll never understand it. It is their loss.

[HawkeyeBarb]

I believe Tom and Frank are right...people don't get it unless they have experienced The Villages. I have heard "I can't believe you want to retire to FL in that weather...it's SO HOT down there!" from so many people...and 99% of them have never been to the state...and the one who had was at Disney World for 5 days in July! It's like they forget that Indiana is hot and muggy in the summer, too...but also cold and snowy in the winter. I don't know if it's all of the years I spent skating outdoors in Iowa...but bring on the heat!!!! I believe the luxury of air conditioning is available everywhere in FL if I get too hot.
Many of the people I have talked to about retirement that HAVE spent some time in FL react much differently. I have had several say "Take me with you!" and "We'll come and visit!"
I can't wait to be in a place where it is GREEN all the time and not gray, brown or white six months out of the year! :sigh:

[Schaumburger]

I can't wait to be in a place where it is GREEN all the time and not gray, brown or white six months out of the year! :sigh:

You are so right. Amen I say to you!

[Pturner]

People who haven't been here can't imagine it because they have no accurate frame of reference.

If I'd never been to TV and perceived it as "a retirement community," I wouldn't get it either. If I perceived it to be like central FL, I surely wouldn't get it.

TV is like.. no other place. How can we expect strangers to this strange and wonderful place to understand? All of my friends and family who have visited us in TV get it totally. My youngest brother spent a day here with me and wishes he could move here now!

If I had never been to TV, I might wonder why friends would uproot their lives and move in haste. Being lucky enough to be just a snowflake in TV, it's harder for me to understand why anyone who has been here would not make haste to spend the rest of their lives here!

[TOMCAT]

I know someone who recently just built their home and moved to upstate New York, where it is cold and snowy during the winter. :cold: I do not think I would lived there. I wished them good luck and never said anything else. Hey, to each his own.

[K9-Lovers]

People used to say "Old people come to Florida to die". What outsiders don't know is "In The Villages they come here to live."

Perfect. Well said. :clap2:

[TOMCAT]

I think that is correct!!!

[TOMCAT]

Congratulations Kelsie52. My husband and I did a little comparing also when we were down in Florida. We know taxes are lower just what you said. Long Island taxes are the worse. I agree with you, everything is cheaper, food is about the same, but it depends on what supermarket you are shopping in. Just like NY. I think King Kullen is more expensive than Path Mark is some items in NY. Where I think Publix might be cheaper than Sweet Bay.

I hope you enjoy your life in the Villages!!! Right now I still have to rush around and work and have other people rush me around.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

I also have younger people who wish they can move to Florida. No money to be made in Florida for them. I feel sorry for them, because it can be expensive to live in New York. I am glad I am reaching my retirement years. The Villages makes me want to retire as soon as I am able to and come and live a life, not to die. Hopefully, it will not be as expensive as it is here in good old Long Island, NY. Do not get me wrong, Long Island is a beautiful place to vist, but to live here you need a big bank account.

Amen to the big bank account for LI. All of our friends and relatives that have visited TV love it here and can't wait to retire to be here. With or without them its beautiful and paradise.:pepper2:

[Jeann]

We visited the Villages 3 years ago and were suppose to come down again this past January..But, my husband hurt his back shoveling snow with that horrible blizzard we had right after Xmas!Anyway i really want to move there from NJ ..Only thing is we have 3 grown kids with 5 grandchildren and they all live near us...
What is your opinion??

[Bogie Shooter]

We visited the Villages 3 years ago and were suppose to come down again this past January..But, my husband hurt his back shoveling snow with that horrible blizzard we had right after Xmas!Anyway i really want to move there from NJ ..Only thing is we have 3 grown kids with 5 grandchildren and they all live near us...
What is your opinion??

Rent for a couple of months and invite them down to visit. That should convince them this is the place for you. Good Luck.

[rubicon]

I don't know how active this thread is now but for what its worth I wish I had rented here first before buying. This is a very different place:oops:

[aljetmet]

I don't know how active this thread is now but for what its worth I wish I had rented here first before buying. This is a very different place:oops:

The thread is active, this is my favorite topic, tell us what discourages you, from a wanabee...
too much golf? Not enough friends, too many friends, you had a bad experince in a restaurant? You must like TOTV! :D

[kofficer]

I don't know how active this thread is now but for what its worth I wish I had rented here first before buying. This is a very different place:oops:
and for what's it's worth, I for one would like to know what you meant by your comment??

Lee and Richard in Tampa, for now.

[graciegirl]

Rubicon!

Are you unhappy? :22yikes:

I hope not:cryin2:

[JohnN]

a lot of people bad mouth TV, and they mostly don't live here.
A sales rep from another development, when I asked him about TV,
said - you either love it or hate it. some hate it.

visit and make your own judgment calls.

if you want really quiet, peaceful and low key, another place might be better for value. but here it's safe, clean, affordable, and geared towards us.

[Pturner]

Hi Rubicon,
Here's another inquiring mind who wants to know. I do sincerely hope you are not unhappy here.

[The Great Fumar]

I don't know how active this thread is now but for what its worth I wish I had rented here first before buying. This is a very different place:oops:
You are kidding , right???
I've been here eight years and have met only one person with a complaint .........He wishes he had more room in the garage and less in the kitchen , They never use the kitchen......and she wants her own car as she's on the go all the time and so is he.... some people are never happy..

fumar..:plane:

[herbaru]

Rubicon's post from a few days ago might answer some of the questions to this more recent post.

I don't know how active this thread is now but for what its worth I wish I had rented here first before buying. This is a very different place:oops:

What you lose in January you gain in June. So goes the logic if your decision on where to live is based on weather. Most of us acclimate quickly. Ilooked here in 2004 and was concerned about the government model. I looked again in 2006 and reluctantly moved down from Minnesota. To this day I prefer Minnesota to The Villages but having made those financial adjustments and since there remains a bad housing market I dare not move.

There are many things to like about TV and its residents are at the top of the list. It is true that we have pretty much a homogeneous group but that can be a good thing. This is a healthy lifestyle but one which could be replicated eleswhere. Ownership and tavel by cart kicks as much as it cuts. But the biggest drawback to me is till the government model but I will adjust.

[keithwand]

Yes, I do know about the heat of Florida. How many people do not know that? No, I did not realized that Orlando, Florida, has one of the greatest crime rates in the nations. Maybe Mickey Mouse is having money problems and is mugging people. I would say back, LOL. These are just a few comments that I do hear.

I live in Long Island, NY. I am not too far from crime infested neighborhoods here either. Everywhere there is going to be an area that is not too good. The Villages seems like a safe place to live. I have visited there at least two times and will be coming down again.

Luckily most of the crime is W of I-4 ie Pine Hills, Parramore etc.
Think Detroit.
Unfortunately it gets reported as Orlando which is actually nice and one of the cleanest areas in the country.
Its kinda like saying the Villages is all old people.
One size doesn't fit all.
I did have my memory stolen once.

[jflynn1]

Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

Make sure you understand exactly what you are buyinginto, dot the i's and crss the t's Nothing is Perfect

[Vinny]

I have noticed in my short time in TV that the unhappy people fall into two groups but yet share one common trait. There are those that feel that TV is not strict enough and want a rigid type of community with nothing allowed that they do not like. The other kind are those that value their right to do as they please. What they both have in common is that they are ego centric and are not well suited to any type of living arrangement where likes and dislikes of the group are catered to rather than the individual.

This is not the place for the rugged individual or intolerant of things not to their liking. It is not like TV hides the fact that you are buying into a lifestyle. Just listen to their ads. They are very upfront about it and even call their visits a lifestyle visit. Don't buy a horse and then complain that you can't milk it or like the smell of its manure. :)

[josephine71]

I agree leaving in the villages is like being on vacation everyday...I never thought I would be playing golf I love it...I am down to 1/2 B/P bill and my doctor took me off my sugar pill so leaving in the villages have changed my way of living....

[graciegirl]

I have noticed in my short time in TV that the unhappy people fall into two groups but yet share one common trait. There are those that feel that TV is not strict enough and want a rigid type of community with nothing allowed that they do not like. The other kind are those that value their right to do as they please. What they both have in common is that they are ego centric and are not well suited to any type of living arrangement where likes and dislikes of the group are catered to rather than the individual.

This is not the place for the rugged individual or intolerant of things not to their liking. It is not like TV hides the fact that you are buying into a lifestyle. Just listen to their ads. They are very upfront about it and even call their visits a lifestyle visit. Don't buy a horse and then complain that you can't milk it or like the smell of its manure. :)

Vinny...That was exceptionally....deep

And very well said!:BigApplause::thumbup::highfive:

[rubicon]

I reread all of the poss pertaining to this thread and what struck me are the many people who equate concern with being critical, never can please some poeple, unhappiness, etc. Let me begin by saying to you that I met and fell in love with my wife on my first day as a high school freshman and we have been together these long years. So no matter where I have lived I was happy because she was at my side. Secondly from a philosophical perspective I have always subscribe to the " You can embrace reality and have it work for you or ignore it and have it work against you theory." Having side that we cannot ignore this wonderful lifestyle. However, I also have never been able to ignore hypocrisy. People who live in places of incorporation, cities, towns, villages ,countires, states ,etc wouldn't hestitate to complain when government officials do not respond to their liking. Yet if someone in TV raises an issue they are naysayers, negative, never can please some people types. Never are they thought of as people who are speaking up for the benefit of villages residents.

Essentially my focus is on our form of government because it is so different but mostly because all governments realistically go awry in their planning and/or execution of plans. I thought it was called being a concerned citizen?
As that old commercial stated so well "its that simple and that complicated".

[graciegirl]

I reread all of the poss pertaining to this thread and what struck me are the many people who equate concern with being critical, never can please some poeple, unhappiness, etc. Let me begin by saying to you that I met and fell in love with my wife on my first day as a high school freshman and we have been together these long years. So no matter where I have lived I was happy because she was at my side. Secondly from a philosophical perspective I have always subscribe to the " You can embrace reality and have it work for you or ignore it and have it work against you theory." Having side that we cannot ignore this wonderful lifestyle. However, I also have never been able to ignore hypocrisy. People who live in places of incorporation, cities, towns, villages ,countires, states ,etc wouldn't hestitate to complain when government officials do not respond to their liking. Yet if someone in TV raises an issue they are naysayers, negative, never can please some people types. Never are they thought of as people who are speaking up for the benefit of villages residents.

Essentially my focus is on our form of government because it is so different but mostly because all governments realistically go awry in their planning and/or execution of plans. I thought it was called being a concerned citizen?
As that old commercial stated so well "its that simple and that complicated".

Well said and from the heart Rubicon.

I think I am to blame for being tooooo positive, but it is hard not to be, and we can't vote anyone in....or out.

[Pturner]

I reread all of the poss pertaining to this thread and what struck me are the many people who equate concern with being critical, never can please some poeple, unhappiness, etc. Let me begin by saying to you that I met and fell in love with my wife on my first day as a high school freshman and we have been together these long years. So no matter where I have lived I was happy because she was at my side. Secondly from a philosophical perspective I have always subscribe to the " You can embrace reality and have it work for you or ignore it and have it work against you theory." Having side that we cannot ignore this wonderful lifestyle. However, I also have never been able to ignore hypocrisy. People who live in places of incorporation, cities, towns, villages ,countires, states ,etc wouldn't hestitate to complain when government officials do not respond to their liking. Yet if someone in TV raises an issue they are naysayers, negative, never can please some people types. Never are they thought of as people who are speaking up for the benefit of villages residents.

Essentially my focus is on our form of government because it is so different but mostly because all governments realistically go awry in their planning and/or execution of plans. I thought it was called being a concerned citizen?
As that old commercial stated so well "its that simple and that complicated".

Excellent points, Rubicon. Thanks for clarifying. When you stated earlier that you wished you had rented first before buying, I was concerned-- for you-- that you regretted the decision.

[Sharon10]

I was just wondering how expensive is it to live in the villages? If I could afford to completely pay off my home and just have living expensives, what could I expect to pay, approx per month? We visited a few months ago, and we really loved it. I have about 2 years to retirement, and I am already thinking in terms of fixing up my current house and getting ready to move. I am just hesitant because I don't know what to expect for living expenses.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I was just wondering how expensive is it to live in the villages? If I could afford to completely pay off my home and just have living expensives, what could I expect to pay, approx per month? We visited a few months ago, and we really loved it. I have about 2 years to retirement, and I am already thinking in terms of fixing up my current house and getting ready to move. I am just hesitant because I don't know what to expect for living expenses.

Hi Sharon - Welcome to TOTV!!!

Here is a good thread (one of 3 zcaveman put together) that gives you a ballpark idea of what living expenses would be. See "Financial Information" then "Living Costs" below that:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17717

Hope that helps! Again, welcome!!

Bill :)

[Larry Wilson]

Welcome Sharon10.
There are all kinds of homes here and I know you can afford to live here. Send for The Villages pkg and it will have a sheet in there on costs. Also Nuts and Bolts at the bottom of this board has much great info. Plus use the search at the top of this page.
If you buy a small pre-owned villa with rock landscaping on the historic side it is very cheap living. Plus, you have all the same amenities as anyone. Go bigger and newer and you pay more.
Many people have jobs in here too. So don't worry about money.
There will be someone on here to give you more specific numbers.
Again welcome.

[Sharon10]

Bill & Larry,
Thanks for responding and giving me some encouragement. I am 2 years and counting down...I am going to visit again in Feb or March, really can't wait. This is just the place to be.

[GTTPF]

Don't worry about anyones opinion except yours.This is my first post. My wife and I have traveled the country extensively the last 15 years keeping in mind where we wanted to retire. We retired early 3 years ago at 57, still not knowing where we wanted to live. We both wanted a place where we could live life to the fullest and not just a place to wait to die. We spent last winter in the Islands and South Fl. Friends of ours had been bugging us to visit the villages for awhile. We were planning on going to Savanna and Myrtle beach for a few weeks before returning home to NJ. We decided to take a detour and stop at TV late in Feb. It was the best thing we could have done. We Instantly fell in love with it! We came back in July for 9 days, picked out a lot and a house plan. We will be back 9/7 to meet with the design center. Our home for the rest of our lives should be completed in November. We can't wait! Note, when our friend found out what we did they bought a lot sight unseen 2 lots from us. See you all soon!!!!!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Good for you GTTPF!! Congrats!!

Bill :)

[Challenger]

Settle 8/26 on our house here in Md. Be in our CYV on 8/31 fot "the duration"

[CarGuys]

I starter a thread on this same topic several weeks ago.

Thanks to all that lifted my spirts after getting bashed on moving to the Villages.

I think many of us have run into one or two that " Just don't get it

Herv

[swimdawg]

I starter a thread on this same topic several weeks ago.

Thanks to all that lifted my spirts after getting bashed on moving to the Villages.

I think many of us have run into one or two that " Just don't get it

Herv

One of my dearest friends was a TV basher. In June, I invited her to come with me while I met with the designer about my home choices. She did imbibe in a Kool refreshing drink or two. She excitedly returned with me a couple weeks ago while I strengthened the Florida economy buying furniture, golf cart, etc. She called me last nite informing me that she and her husband would love to come visit in a few months. She's got the bug!

You have to experience to appreciate!

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Don't worry about anyones opinion except yours.This is my first post. My wife and I have traveled the country extensively the last 15 years keeping in mind where we wanted to retire. We retired early 3 years ago at 57, still not knowing where we wanted to live. We both wanted a place where we could live life to the fullest and not just a place to wait to die. We spent last winter in the Islands and South Fl. Friends of ours had been bugging us to visit the villages for awhile. We were planning on going to Savanna and Myrtle beach for a few weeks before returning home to NJ. We decided to take a detour and stop at TV late in Feb. It was the best thing we could have done. We Instantly fell in love with it! We came back in July for 9 days, picked out a lot and a house plan. We will be back 9/7 to meet with the design center. Our home for the rest of our lives should be completed in November. We can't wait! Note, when our friend found out what we did they bought a lot sight unseen 2 lots from us. See you all soon!!!!!
Welcome to TOTV and soon to TV. May all your dreams come true in the next 50+ years here.
:pepper2::welcome::welcome:

[graciegirl]

This place is just too good to be true.

I just love it here.

And I just love the villagers.






but have you noticed all the old people?:1rotfl::ohdear:

[2BNTV]

Don't worry about anyones opinion except yours.This is my first post. My wife and I have traveled the country extensively the last 15 years keeping in mind where we wanted to retire. We retired early 3 years ago at 57, still not knowing where we wanted to live. We both wanted a place where we could live life to the fullest and not just a place to wait to die. We spent last winter in the Islands and South Fl. Friends of ours had been bugging us to visit the villages for awhile. We were planning on going to Savanna and Myrtle beach for a few weeks before returning home to NJ. We decided to take a detour and stop at TV late in Feb. It was the best thing we could have done. We Instantly fell in love with it! We came back in July for 9 days, picked out a lot and a house plan. We will be back 9/7 to meet with the design center. Our home for the rest of our lives should be completed in November. We can't wait! Note, when our friend found out what we did they bought a lot sight unseen 2 lots from us. See you all soon!!!!!

Great story. It made me very happy. :BigApplause:

May all your dreams come true. :)

[dominfull]

Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

Well....I am moving down to the villages with my partner on the 28th of June....I cant wait to leave this cold country of Wisconsin for some heat.

[Monkei]

Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

Who cares just as long as "your friend" doesn't move here.

[DianeM]

Yes, I do know about the heat of Florida. How many people do not know that? No, I did not realized that Orlando, Florida, has one of the greatest crime rates in the nations. Maybe Mickey Mouse is having money problems and is mugging people. I would say back, LOL. These are just a few comments that I do hear.

I live in Long Island, NY. I am not too far from crime infested neighborhoods here either. Everywhere there is going to be an area that is not too good. The Villages seems like a safe place to live. I have visited there at least two times and will be coming down again.

I am a former Long Islander who moved here two weeks ago. I too he a crummy neighborhood not too far away (Hempstead) and no one ever bothered me. The Villages us pretty and active and the people are pleasant. Follow your own dream.

[ilovetv]

As the saying goes:

"Misery loves company."

And people choose to believe what they want to believe about another place to live.

They choose to not be swayed by factual accounts by their friends/relatives whose word can be taken to the bank. It's their loss.

[asianthree]

untill they visit its hard to wrap your head around how life is in the villages

[YouNeverKnow]

untill they visit its hard to wrap your head around how life is in the villages
We have stopped trying to explain it to people. When they hear we are moving to Florida to a development they ask if there is a pool and a place to play cards. They also ask if we are going to find a part time job so we don't get bored. :shocked:

[ilovetv]

We have stopped trying to explain it to people. When they hear we are moving to Florida to a development they ask if there is a pool and a place to play cards. They also ask if we are going to find a part time job so we don't get bored. :shocked:

....Yeah.. Like it's not boring in the Great Lakes region when you have to dig 3 ft of wet packed snow away from your garage door to be able to drive out to play cards at the town senior center that offers card playing once a week, and if you don't slide off the roadway coming home on glare ice, you come home to the driveway having been plowed shut by the city or Township snow plows, and so you get your shovel out of the trunk to try to chip away at the 1-ton pile to try to drive up to your house, but you can't do it by hand....and you can't park in the street because of the snow plows coming again, and the neighbors' driveways are plowed shut too.

Yup. It's only boring for 9 months of the year there...and who likes sunshine, anyway?

[ugotme]

Quite frankly - WHO CARES what they think?

I live in So. Fla. in a "senior community."
No disrespect but most people here hardly ever go out except to dinner once in a while and then home and to bed. B O R I N G! (to me at least).

People here are asking why am I moving. I tell them there is nothing here and they say oh what do you expect to do - you're not a kid!
Obviously they don't know me very well! LOL (mentally I am about 10 - maybe 12????).

Just bought in TV and CAN NOT WAIT to get up there. Watch out people - Mr. & Mrs. UGOTME are coming up !!!!

:boxing2:

[ilovetv]

Quite frankly - WHO CARES what they think?

I live in So. Fla. in a "senior community."
No disrespect but most people here hardly ever go out except to dinner once in a while and then home and to bed. B O R I N G! (to me at least).

People here are asking why am I moving. I tell them there is nothing here and they say oh what do you expect to do - you're not a kid!
Obviously they don't know me very well! LOL (mentally I am about 10 - maybe 12????).

Just bought in TV and CAN NOT WAIT to get up there. Watch out people - Mr. & Mrs. UGOTME are coming up !!!!
:boxing2:

A cranky woman from Stonecrest (just north of and bordering on TV), said to me one day, "Oh.....I'd never live in The Villages.....it's nothing more than a PLAYGROUND!!!"

I didn't see anything wrong with that concept.

[borjo]

A friend of mine upon learning I was moving to Florida said, " The bugs are so big down there. If they fly into you they'll knock you down!" :-)

[patfla06]

What's really funny is they don't seem to mind the MILLIONS of people,
horrible traffic and taxes and lousy weather where they live!

People are AFRAID of CHANGE and you're daring to move on to something new!
How dare you? :clap2:

[Schaumburger]

Quite frankly - WHO CARES what they think?

I live in So. Fla. in a "senior community."
No disrespect but most people here hardly ever go out except to dinner once in a while and then home and to bed. B O R I N G! (to me at least).

People here are asking why am I moving. I tell them there is nothing here and they say oh what do you expect to do - you're not a kid!
Obviously they don't know me very well! LOL (mentally I am about 10 - maybe 12????).

Just bought in TV and CAN NOT WAIT to get up there. Watch out people - Mr. & Mrs. UGOTME are coming up !!!!

:boxing2:

Mr. UGOTME, Congratulations on your upcoming move to The Villages. And what village will you and Mrs. UGOTME be rocking and rolling in?

[Schaumburger]

A cranky woman from Stonecrest (just north of and bordering on TV), said to me one day, "Oh.....I'd never live in The Villages.....it's nothing more than a PLAYGROUND!!!"

I didn't see anything wrong with that concept.

Me either. After 40 hours of being around my coworkers, I am ready for a playground. Let the good times roll!

[Schaumburger]

A friend of mine upon learning I was moving to Florida said, " The bugs are so big down there. If they fly into you they'll knock you down!" :-)

And sometimes the snowdrifts are so big in Chicago that I am afraid I will get lost in one. :).

[vanbright]

Always enjoyed 'visiting' (own home) The Villages.
Upon 'Full time', I must consistently remind myself to focus on the positive. 'It's a beautiful day...'.

It is beautiful.

Friendly? Hmmmm.... (depends on one's definition).

Safe?
Well..... (depends on one's definition and experiences)
Golf Carts: How many times has one had a golf cart pull in front of a moving car?
Rules of the road when losing one's lane, "MERGE" also includes "YIELD" ...does one pull out in front of a Semi as one is MERGING into an Interstate Highway? ...similarity is Semi vs Car & Car vs Golf Cart....WHICH is going to 'lose'? I have seen golf carts pull out without YIELDING so many times it is just past ridiculous. I have seen a golf cart HIT a pedestrian in a cross walk due to the golf cart not coming to a stop at a STOP sign with a pedestrian cross walk (how many pedestrian cross walks are there?..not many!). The pedestrian placed a hand out and JUMPED as the golf cart hit...therefore pedestrian was pushed forward in the air and landing on feet. Pedestrian yelled at driver and then walked away...no 'report').
I have also experienced a Golf Cart driver running a stop sign & pulling in front of my car (after I applied the breaks with much force so as not to hit said golf cart). The Golf Cart driver's response to this experience was a 'Friendly' one finger wave (as one might imagine, the golf cart driver was using the middle finger).
Bicycles - riders must have a 'suicide wish'. Why in the world would one ride on a busy road with 'narrow' lanes combined with Senior drivers? Seriously!!

It is Beautiful.

[kittygilchrist]

With a name like tomcat, you might be single.
Whether so or not, you'll find it easy to make friends and find plenty of companions male and female for most any activity. I got away from a community too small, too few retired, too little to do, the feeling that life was stale and a rut.
TV is a breath of fresh air, childlike wonder, and a float on the clouds.
Kitty

[OldManTime]

Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

No matter where you live, there are always people that look at the grass is greener on the other side, but i have lived here for 11 years, and yes the developer passed away, and the children have focused on selling real estate, and took away many amenities, but i have lived in a few places, and none have compared to where I live in the Villages, if you find me a better place to live, and i will go...but doubt i'll find one.

[beachx4me]

We bought this past December and haven't quite settled in yet, however, three of our four children have been down to visit and check out the parents new digs. The youngest (23) was the funniest. After a golf cart ride all around she announced, "I want to live here, this is like Disney World for grown ups" we all died laughing!!!!

[ilovetv]

And sometimes the snowdrifts are so big in Chicago that I am afraid I will get lost in one. :).

Or how about the WIND being so powerful in Chicago that you cannot walk against it......and then there's the ICE....!!!

[Villages PL]

Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

Think positively about all the negatives: If you move here with lots of negative expectations, you will never be disapointed. Instead you will continually be surprised at how good things are. :jester:

[ugotme]

Mr. UGOTME, Congratulations on your upcoming move to The Villages. And what village will you and Mrs. UGOTME be rocking and rolling in?

We will close on 7/17 on our home in Hillsborough. The southern point of TV - about 5 -10 minutes to Paddock square.

So we will take longer to get to LSL or SS - who cares?


:pepper2:

[rubicon]

Gosh this thread continues to thrive supporting the obsession many of us have with this place call The Villages. My wife and I never gave Florida as a retirement place until we visited The Villages. My wife is animated, very personable and social always smiling. On the other hand I am more serious more guarded. Material things were acquired not for me but to rove myself a good provider for my family and their future needs. I keep both feet on the ground attempting to remove as much emotion as I can in order to make logical decisions. This approach cuts as much as it kicks because in a quest for sound decision I sometimes lose the joy and excitement in say a purchase of a house, etc.

so this is me opening up. I loved the guys I meet on the courses each morning and can say that there were only two guys in seven years that I had a needed to feint patient and polite.

The Villages is a place of beauty and serenity for most. People are upbeat polite and courteous and have a great amount of energy.

I do thank God for giving me this opportunity to live out the rest of my days.

One more thing. I have a fondness for most of the members on TOTV. Thank you for listening to me. for providing valuable information and for scolding me when I was wrong. No I am not saying all of this because I had a hole in one.;)

[Challenger]

If TV was the Garden of Eden we wouid still have the boo birds. Dictatorial government, Overgrown plantings, snakes----- on and on

[Veronica]

Gracie - Why don't you like Florida?


If it is someone with whom you have a lot of memories, it could be that he doesnt want you to leave because he truly likes you and will miss you and doesn't want you to go.. It could be that he can't afford to do it. AND it could be he doesn't like Florida...honestly doesn't like Florida.

I really don't like Florida. BUT

I really, REALLY like it in The Villages.

AND...chances are that if you invite this person down for a visit and give him something nice and kool to drink and show him around....well he will fall in love with the place, just like we all did.

And...we will have yet another new villager.

P.S. Tell him that the local paper has a Republican slant. I don't think we need any surprises to our new residents.

[senior citizen]

With a name like tomcat, you might be single.
Whether so or not, you'll find it easy to make friends and find plenty of companions male and female for most any activity. I got away from a community too small, too few retired, too little to do, the feeling that life was stale and a rut.
TV is a breath of fresh air, childlike wonder, and a float on the clouds.
Kitty

It does sound like a paradise for singles....indeed.

What about for old married soul mates who have been married for 50 years?

I'd like to hear from some of them..........

[Golfingnut]

After visiting florida several times and in several locations,I came to the conclusion that Florida was not for me. In 2005 we were asked to come to the villages for a visit. After seeing the villages, there was never any question or doubt where we would retire. We love every aspect of The Villages and the majority of the people. I can think of hundreds of places throughout the US that I would rather be located; however, not without the lifestyle that can only be found in The Villages.

:spoken:

[Cedwards38]

"Oh, we can get so much more house outside The Villages."

"Oh, there are just too many people in The Villages."

"Oh, The Villages is too far north for the really warm Florida weather."

"Oh, The Villages is above the frost line."

"Oh, one of these days when The Villages is on its own and the developer is gone it will suffer from poor governance."

"Oh, those planned communities are stiffling with all the rules and regulations."

"Oh, I mean you can only play so much golf."

"Oh, The Villages is a politically conservative nightmare for those who have progressive ideas. "

"Oh, you know The Villages is rampant with STDs."

.....and on and on and on.

I've heard all of these, usually delivered with smug smiles and condescending tones, and yet we still built a house in The Villages that we love. But more than the home we love the active lifestyle.

I conclude that it is human nature to criticize those things that we want, but do not have. I probably do it to. "Man, those Corvettes sure do cost a lot of money," he said as he watched it cruise by, and never took his eyes off it until it was out of sight.

[ssmith]

or how about this one from my sister in law....the whole villages is going to swallowed up by a giant sinkhole hahahhaha...she has never been there

[Avista]

It does sound like a paradise for singles....indeed.

What about for old married soul mates who have been married for 50 years?

I'd like to hear from some of them..........

Married 52 years! Have lived here 6 years. Best decision we ever made!

I don't even play golf!

[TOMCAT]

When my husband and I finally do move to the Villages, and we have our house and settled, I think I will tell my friends and family that I finally moved. I do not want to hear those negative comments from anyone while I am in the process of moving. I also do not tell anyone that I am visiting the Villages anymore either when I come down and see. Thank you for all your encouraging words!

[Jejuca]

We are currently renting while looking for a house. I was dead set against moving here except temporarily to indulge my husband (who wants to live here). Well-we have lived here about a little more than a week and I love it. I cannot believe how friendly everyone is and the amount of activities there are. Everyone is so welcoming. Our only dilemma is figuring out where we want to live! Right now we are in Santiago and love it.

[Sanbo]

People who have never visited The Villages do not have a clue!!! You can hear about TV from others, read about TV, watch about it on television or watch the TV video, but until you come here and live it, you can not fully wrap your mind around what a wonderful, clean, beautiful place The Villages is. Not only that, 95 percent of the population are just as wonderful.

[asianthree]

i don't care what others think...where i move...unless they are buying me a home

[Jayhawk]

People who have never visited The Villages do not have a clue!!! You can hear about TV from others, read about TV, watch about it on television or watch the TV video, but until you come here and live it, you can not fully wrap your mind around what a wonderful, clean, beautiful place The Villages is. Not only that, 95 percent of the population are just as wonderful.

Completely agree with this statement. We came, we saw, we bought !

[billethkid]

What this thread provides, old posts as well as the recent ones, is absolute proof that people who have no idea what they are talking about will give unwanted advice based strictly on opinion, prejudice........

a practice not exclusive to this topic! :D

btk

[Schaumburger]

What this thread provides, old posts as well as the recent ones, is absolute proof that people who have no idea what they are talking about will give unwanted advice based strictly on opinion, prejudice........

a practice not exclusive to this topic! :D

btk

Agree with you on that! I have told a few people that my hope is to eventually move to TV, maybe starting as a snowflake. I have heard the range of feedback from "Let me know when you buy, I will come to visit you" to "Are you out of your mind, Florida has hurricanes."

But unless someone else starts footing my bills, the decision will be mine!

[Schaumburger]

When my husband and I finally do move to the Villages, and we have our house and settled, I think I will tell my friends and family that I finally moved. I do not want to hear those negative comments from anyone while I am in the process of moving. I also do not tell anyone that I am visiting the Villages anymore either when I come down and see. Thank you for all your encouraging words!

TOMCAT, I hope you are able to find the home of your dreams someday in The Villages. :wave:

[gocubsgo]

We are the few I guess that are actually leaving TV. We are heading to southern TN within the next 6 months. We miss kids, seasons and find we can buy a bigger house for much less money up there. We aren't fond of the oppressive heat here in the summer and we find it WAY too crowded in the winter.

[English Ivy]

We are the few I guess that are actually leaving TV. We are heading to southern TN within the next 6 months. We miss kids, seasons and find we can buy a bigger house for much less money up there. We aren't fond of the oppressive heat here in the summer and we find it WAY too crowded in the winter.

No, cubs, I think there are a lot more than anyone realizes or admits. We did, eight months ago, and on the street of 24 homes where I lived there are four homes where the original owners moved out of The Villages and out of Florida.

[duffysmom]

Gosh this thread continues to thrive supporting the obsession many of us have with this place call The Villages. My wife and I never gave Florida as a retirement place until we visited The Villages. My wife is animated, very personable and social always smiling. On the other hand I am more serious more guarded. Material things were acquired not for me but to rove myself a good provider for my family and their future needs. I keep both feet on the ground attempting to remove as much emotion as I can in order to make logical decisions. This approach cuts as much as it kicks because in a quest for sound decision I sometimes lose the joy and excitement in say a purchase of a house, etc.

so this is me opening up. I loved the guys I meet on the courses each morning and can say that there were only two guys in seven years that I had a needed to feint patient and polite.

The Villages is a place of beauty and serenity for most. People are upbeat polite and courteous and have a great amount of energy.

I do thank God for giving me this opportunity to live out the rest of my days.

One more thing. I have a fondness for most of the members on TOTV. Thank you for listening to me. for providing valuable information and for scolding me when I was wrong. No I am not saying all of this because I had a hole in one.;)

Wow... rubiconI enjoyed reading your post. I'm happy that you're happy.
We're having fun, now about that hole in one, when and where. :highfive:

[PASteelers]

I am moving to the villages as a snowbird in October. We have visited only 2x. However each time we felt the "senior energy", the "gusto for life", the live life to its fullest" and "this is the atmosphere to do it in" everywhere we went. As we age, we want to feel life again not sitting in the recliner watching it pass us by. It is our journey, not our children nor anyone else. It may not be for some but we will embrace it.

[gocubsgo]

No, cubs, I think there are a lot more than anyone realizes or admits. We did, eight months ago, and on the street of 24 homes where I lived there are four homes where the original owners moved out of The Villages and out of Florida.

That's very interesting! I know of another couple who moved down here 8 years ago. They stayed 2, moved back north, moved BACK down here and now are getting out for good. I guess it's an acquired taste down here that we haven't acquired.

[Schaumburger]

gocubsgo, Here's hoping for the best for you when you move to Tennessee. Someone I used to sing with in choir moved to Fairfield Glade, an active adult community near Crossville, TN about 3 years ago. She loves it down there. Her kids still live in the Chicago area, so it was a good move for her and her husband.

[gomoho]

Yep, good fit for some, but not for everyone.

[jannd228]

Every time I read the threads here I want to visit. Today I do not want to face another New England winter. I am seriously considering renting for a year. I have a feeling I will buy very shortly after I arrive. Thank you for your posts and thank you Talk of the Villages for this site

[patfla06]

I have lived in Tampa 16 years now having been a corporate transfer from
N.Y.

I will NEVER like Summer in Florida.

That being said, we cannot wait to sell our house in Tampa and
Move into our new house in Gilchrist.

Florida is not for everyone. The best thing you can do before buying
Is to live here in the Summer and see if you can do it.

[angel222]

I moved to TV about four years ago with a lot of negative comments from friends and even my doctor ringing in my head. It was difficult leaving everyone in Long Island NY since its the only home I have ever known, and being single was scary since I knew no one in TV.

Then something happened to make me realize this is the place for me -- one day I was leaving Savannah Center and saw a lady having some difficulty with her golf cart. As I got closer I saw she was trying to attach her walker to the cart with bungee cords. I offered help and it took a moment to attach everything. She commented that she must be getting old because she's never had trouble before with the bungee cords. She told me as she drove away, she was 92! I realized right there and then that it's the way I want to approach 92 -- tying my walker onto my golf cart!!! Talk about a great place to live healthy and enjoy life - unbelievable!

[graciegirl]

I moved to TV about four years ago with a lot of negative comments from friends and even my doctor ringing in my head. It was difficult leaving everyone in Long Island NY since its the only home I have ever known, and being single was scary since I knew no one in TV.

Then something happened to make me realize this is the place for me -- one day I was leaving Savannah Center and saw a lady having some difficulty with her golf cart. As I got closer I saw she was trying to attach her walker to the cart with bungee cords. I offered help and it took a moment to attach everything. She commented that she must be getting old because she's never had trouble before with the bungee cords. She told me as she drove away, she was 92! I realized right there and then that it's the way I want to approach 92 -- tying my walker onto my golf cart!!! Talk about a great place to live healthy and enjoy life - unbelievable!

Feel this hug. The folks senior to me are my heros and heroines. Been young and loved it. Now old-er and loving it too. It is so nice to be among friends who understand me at this stage of my life. Peers are great.:BigApplause:

[ssmith]

You made my day, thanks for sharing!!!!:a040::a040::a040:

[TheCollierCpl]

Florida is not for everyone and TV is not for everyone. We are just building here now. We have close relatives within 30 monitored of here and several friend's and clients in Florida, from here on down to Tampa, Sabastian, Naples ... All over. We are from Blatimore and find the summers in TV to be no different except there is a breeze in TV. Yes it is hot and humid. Before making Theighs and ordering a home, i talked to a couple dozen Village residents. I talked in length with all of our friend's and relatives. Granted, this does not amount to a scientific survey, not eben close but it satisfied us. Something very interesting was noted. Everyone, yes, everyone who lived here YEAR ROUND for over three years found it okay. All of them (who stayed full time, said tis the best place they have lived. We surmise that the key is assimilation. Of course, these are the same people who now wear winter ski coats when the temperature drops to the low 60s. And, most of the people we know lived in Maryland or Northern Virginia, up to Phili, all of which have hot humid summers.(and I might add, slushy, bone penetrating winters.
As to the 2011 comments about people being discouraging to moving to TV. They are like we used to be regarding TV. When it is explained, it is sust another planned retirement community. After you're here, you experience it, and -as most of you reading this know- you gotta be part of it.
Th Th Tha Tha that's all folks!

[juddfl]

Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

I have a friend that was negative about my moving to The Villages. I couldn't understand why. I have invited her to come visit me, but she hasn't come yet. I'm living here almost 12 years. I've come to realize that that she will never visit, even though I've gone back North to visit her. I worked in New Jersey for 31 years and that is where we became friends. I have no family in New Jersey, so I have no reason to visit except to see her. We now just exchange Christmas cards. So sad because if she wasn't so negative, I know she would love it here.

[yabbadu]

Some people even as seniors do not know what they want in life. You have to feel sorry for them for being wishy/ washy.

The Villages for me is the GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!

[John_W]

From 1955 to 1959 I was between the ages of 5 and 9 and lived in Baltimore. Every summer my parents and I would come to Florida, I had been to Cypress Gardens, Silver Springs, Key West and all over Florida. When I was 6 years old I even shook Adali Stevenson's hand in Winter Haven when he was running for President.

My dad had a pretty good job, he worked as a welder for Bendix and our home was 3 stories tall, we had apartments rented out on the 2nd and 3rd floor. One day in 1959 my dad came home from work and said he had quit his job and we were moving to Florida. That's how my dad handled the move to Florida. No job waiting, no home, didn't even know what city and of course we had no internet back then. We headed to Ft. Myers, didn't really care for the town when we got there. Turned around and went back north on Hwy 19 and settled in St. Petersburg. My father ended up retiring from the City of St. Petersburg after 25 years in 1984 and I graduated from St. Petersburg High in 1968.

So when I hear all these stories about the planning, the trips, the rentals and conversations, I just think of how my dad moved to Florida. In 1984 upon my parents retirement, they moved to Spring Hill. That's about 50 miles north of St. Petersburg on Hwy 19 in Hernando County, it was a planned 55+ community that had just opened. Turned out to be a very nice place and was built out about a dozen years ago. 2,000 homes, 3 golf courses and completely walled in with security gates. Much cheaper than The Villages, but not nearly the lifestyle.

[jannd228]

From 1955 to 1959 I was between the ages of 5 and 9 and lived in Baltimore. Every summer my parents and I would come to Florida, I had been to Cypress Gardens, Silver Springs, Key West and all over Florida. When I was 6 years old I even shook Adali Stevenson's hand in Winter Haven when he was running for President.

My dad had a pretty good job, he worked as a welder for Bendix and our home was 3 stories tall, we had apartments rented out on the 2nd and 3rd floor. One day in 1959 my dad came home from work and said he had quit his job and we were moving to Florida. That's how my dad handled the move to Florida. No job waiting, no home, didn't even know what city and of course we had no internet back then. We headed to Ft. Myers, didn't really care for the town when we got there. Turned around and went back north on Hwy 19 and settled in St. Petersburg. My father ended up retiring from the City of St. Petersburg after 25 years in 1984 and I graduated from St. Petersburg High in 1968.

So when I hear all these stories about the planning, the trips, the rentals and conversations, I just think of how my dad moved to Florida. In 1984 upon my parents retirement, they moved to Spring Hill. That's about 50 miles north of St. Petersburg on Hwy 19 in Hernando County, it was a planned 55+ community that had just opened. Turned out to be a very nice place and was built out about a dozen years ago. 2,000 homes, 3 golf courses and completely walled in with security gates. Much cheaper than The Villages, but not nearly the lifestyle.

Excellent post thank you

[Veronica]

tom - absolutely every person i talked to about my moving to the villages had a negative thing to say about it - i just could not believe my ears, and since i am alone it did alot to discourage me. when i went to tv and stayed for 2 weeks, absolutely everyone - and that was about 30-40 people - who already live there told me 'i love it here.' mind you, none of them said 'i like it here', but 'i love it here.'


Has anyone every been discouraged about moving to the Villages when they were thinking about moving there. I have seen that with me. There is one person, in particular, who is constantly doing that. He will say something negative about Florida or the Villages. Is it just jealousy or what. Why don't people just mind their business. I would not say anything to anyone if they would like to move somewhere that I would not want to move. As the saying goes, "To each his own.":confused:

[TOMCAT]

I recently went out to lunch and one of my negative comment people told me" That he plays golf with someone who has a house here and says that the Villages is wild with high STD's and the women are always going after the men. Also there are wild parties and everything." Well, I told him that I have been to the Villages a couple of time and the Squares close at 9pm also I did see a bar open later with people sitting outside. I do not think there is anything wrong with that. I think he has to come down and see for himself.

I found the Villages quiet and clean. I do not think there would be too many wild parties, but if there is a party here and there, hey, that is okay with me.

[TOMCAT]

TOMCAT, I hope you are able to find the home of your dreams someday in The Villages. :wave:

Thank you, Schaumburger. It is getting closer to that retirement. I have the age now! :gc:

[TOMCAT]

Another negative comment, The grandchildren visit and will be in your pool all the time. I said there are family pools they go to, and the other pools, you have to be over 30 to go in.

[buggyone]

Yes, we had friends who basically did not want us to move because they would be lonesome. Some of their arguements were: you will be infested with giant flying roaches, weather is too hot and humid, hurricanes will destroy your home, and Death's Waiting Room.

Well, as you all know, the bugs are controlled easily by a bug service, the weather is not as hot and humid as the Washington DC area where I come from, I have not seen a hurricane, and The Villages is more alive than living in suburban Washington DC.

Do not listen to naysayers. Live for yourself. Enjoy everyday. Give thanks to God everyday.