Wildwood

[BmoreGal]

Hello -

I posted this question in response to a comment about Wilwood in another thread.

I have seen many negative references about Wildwood in many threads. Not being famliar with the area, I can only assume the area outside of TV is less than desirable... Is this so?

As Brownwood appears to be near Wildwood, what impact do you think there will be on sales?

Do you have any comments opinions on Wildwood?

Thanks

[skip0358]

Wildwood has come a long way since 09 when we moved here. New buisness has moved in and more are moving into the area around the new Brownwood. There is a good size shopping area planned for the other side of Brownwood which will be on the Wildwood side. The city od Wildwood just authorized the hiring of 2 additional policemen to patrol Brownwood. I think the people from TV as well as upper managment of TV will keep the calm. Remember most ALL of TV is open to those outside of the bubble. Only time will tell but I'm sure the buisness people don't mind taken money from anyone regardless of where they're from.As faras affecting sales in that area I don't think that's going to happen . JMO

[champion6]

I have seen many negative references about Wildwood in many threads. Not being familiar with the area, I can only assume the area outside of TV is less than desirable... Is this so?My opinion about the reason you read negative references is because for many people, their only knowledge of Wildwood is from reading the police blotter in The Daily Sun. If all you see are arrest reports for people with a Wildwood address, you might get the wrong impression.

I'm not here to "defend" Wildwood. I consider Wildwood to be a typical old, small, rural community. There are thousands like it from coast to coast. In fact, there are many communities surrounding TV that are just like Wildwood.

When we moved here, I was surprised to learn that the areas surrounding TV are so rural. There are many cattle ranches and horse training/boarding farms throughout the area. There are also individual homes sitting on lots of varying sizes. So there ends up - in some areas - a rundown home on an acre of land sitting next to a palatial home on a 40 acre ranch. Is this different than TV? Of course it is. Is it less that desirable? In my opinion, I don't think so.

[FMF Doc]

My opinion about the reason you read negative references is because for many people, their only knowledge of Wildwood is from reading the police blotter in The Daily Sun. If all you see are arrest reports for people with a Wildwood address, you might get the wrong impression.

I'm not here to "defend" Wildwood. I consider Wildwood to be a typical old, small, rural community. There are thousands like it from coast to coast. In fact, there are many communities surrounding TV that are just like Wildwood.

When we moved here, I was surprised to learn that the areas surrounding TV are so rural. There are many cattle ranches and horse training/boarding farms throughout the area. There are also individual homes sitting on lots of varying sizes. So there ends up - in some areas - a rundown home on an acre of land sitting next to a palatial home on a 40 acre ranch. Is this different than TV? Of course it is. Is it less that desirable? In my opinion, I don't think so.

:agree: Nice post Mike.

[Bogie Shooter]

Hello -

I posted this question in response to a comment about Wilwood in another thread.

I have seen many negative references about Wildwood in many threads. Not being famliar with the area, I can only assume the area outside of TV is less than desirable... Is this so?

As Brownwood appears to be near Wildwood, what impact do you think there will be on sales?

Do you have any comments opinions on Wildwood?

Thanks

Go to this thread to see all the comments you are looking for.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/brownwood-open-fall-2012-a-49706/

[tjwarzel]

Good post Champion6. One of the great things about living here is the adventure of exploring these small towns to see different shops and check out some unique places to eat. I predict good things for the area with the influx of new village redidents.

[njbchbum]

Hello -

I posted this question in response to a comment about Wilwood in another thread.

I have seen many negative references about Wildwood in many threads. Not being famliar with the area, I can only assume the area outside of TV is less than desirable... Is this so?

As Brownwood appears to be near Wildwood, what impact do you think there will be on sales?

Do you have any comments opinions on Wildwood?

Thanks

i learned many years ago that it is not my place to judge - anyone or anything. it is better to become personally involved so that one can develop an informed opinion based on experience.

if you read the posts about various villages here, you will find that my neighborhood and the others on the historic side are less than desireable to some. but i live here - they do not; and i can say that i know better.

if/when you come down to the villages you should make the time to visit wildwood for yourself - you might find it's good side!

[skyc6]

I live near Brownwood. The people there are friendly and very glad to work with and for people who live in the Villages. The police blotter is extremely tame, in my opinion. In the town where I came from there were drive-bys and more violent crimes several times a week.
I wish people would stop acting like Wildwood is some crazy violent dangerous place! It is a rural, somewhat poorer community, with many friendly people anxious to do business to support their families. Find something else to obsess about.:rant-rave::rant-rave:

[NotGolfer]

No fears!! As others have said Wildwood is coming "alive". The Villages is in a tri-county area that was very depressed and is becoming revitalized by the economy of the businesses here. Have heard that the folks are grateful as it's brought jobs in. Does the area(s) have issues...I'd be lying if I said "no!" BUT look at all the areas of our great country and you'll find many of the same there as well. I don't live that far from Wildwood and sometimes go there to shop. They have a great "grower's market" on Saturday mornings, some cute shops to take friends to, to browse, a shopping strip mall with a grocery store and other businesses. I would go to these places in a heart-beat with no qualmes.

[skyguy79]

We've driven through Wildwood a number of times and I've even made it to the Growers Market recently, At no time have we seen any activity in Wildwood that would confirm any comments I've heard here on TOTV. It looked like quite a quiet area. Matter of fact, I found there to be only one shady character there, but no one should be concerned about that since I just don't get there too often! :a20:

[mrfixit]

WILDWOOD..........

... Wildwood has ANNEXED some land all the way South toward Coleman and all the way North to a half mile North of Oxford.....

I believe Wildwood has a forward thinking governing body ...and many GOOD things are about to come to fruition.

Sure, there are a couple of spots WEST of the Tracks and North of 44 that need some attention, for various reasons...... BUT...LOTS of very nice people live there and are proud of their heritage and are good, hard working and decent people.

Wildwood is nowhere near as bad as some other small and Medium cities in Florida.

IMHO, given time.... Wildwood will become a much more vibrant city.
The LOCATION is PERFECT for future growth.....MANY Major Highways, Major Railway Connections, good people, lots of land and a forward thinking government.

IF I were young again...Wildwood would be an investment opportunity getting my attention.

Please....do not judge a book by it's cover.....

[Gerald]

I can say personally that things change when places like THE VILLAGES are built. The influx of our money brings out more building and the people who live in the area can profit from our purchases. The area as a hole improves, the standard of living goes up for all. Yes there is always that one person who does want the very worse to happen in any area. That is why you should always keep your eyes open. Other then that you will be amazed at the bargans you can find in a small town. Fun to explore wonderful people to meet.

[skyguy79]

WILDWOOD..........

... Wildwood has ANNEXED some land all the way South toward Coleman and all the way North to a half mile North of Oxford.....
I noticed just yesterday just how extensive Wildwood is. I don't think many people realize just how far Wildwood stretches from north to south.

Wildwood FL - Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=wildwood+fl&ll=28.847079,-82.024612&spn=0.305531,0.617294&hnear=Wildwood,+Sumter,+Florida&gl=us&t=m&z=11)

[ladydoc]

I live near Brownwood. The people there are friendly and very glad to work with and for people who live in the Villages. The police blotter is extremely tame, in my opinion. In the town where I came from there were drive-bys and more violent crimes several times a week.
I wish people would stop acting like Wildwood is some crazy violent dangerous place! It is a rural, somewhat poorer community, with many friendly people anxious to do business to support their families. Find something else to obsess about.:rant-rave::rant-rave:

Well said...I chose to walk in rural areas in the beginning of my career. There was a lot of grant writing and a lot of money available for program development. The areas I worked in were small, mostly poor and very old. A newcomer was anyone living there for less then 25 years. Seriously. I used to get directions like..."turn right where the Millers Barn used to be." The people there were somewhat suspicious of newcomers, but once you got to know them they were like folks everywhere. Some nice and some crappy. We provided a lot of jobs, so they accepted us as health care providers. My favorite memory is all of these appalachian kids walking around with NY accents because our speech therapist was from the Bronx.

[jblum315]

WILDWOOD..........

... Wildwood has ANNEXED some land all the way South toward Coleman and all the way North to a half mile North of Oxford.....

I believe Wildwood has a forward thinking governing body ...and many GOOD things are about to come to fruition.

Sure, there are a couple of spots WEST of the Tracks and North of 44 that need some attention, for various reasons...... BUT...LOTS of very nice people live there and are proud of their heritage and are good, hard working and decent people.

Wildwood is nowhere near as bad as some other small and Medium cities in Florida.



IMHO, given time.... Wildwood will become a much more vibrant city.
The LOCATION is PERFECT for future growth.....MANY Major Highways, Major Railway Connections, good people, lots of land and a forward thinking government.

IF I were young again...Wildwood would be an investment opportunity getting my attention.

Please....do not judge a book by it's cover.....

I agree 100% with mrfixit. I have felt from the beginning that the proximity of TV to Wildwood can only help and improve Wildwood. Wildwood already has at least one Outstanding restaurant (Cotillion). a very clever and interesting gift shop (Red Door), a wonderful Ace Hardware store, and our beautiful new Library and Community Center. That's already more than a lot of small towns have. Wildwood used to have Amtrak passenger service - I would love to see that come back. I am excited about the future of Wildwood. More businesses will bring more jobs, and more jobs will bring a measure of prosperity and a decrease in the kinds of crimes that are rooted in poverty and desperation.

[NotGolfer]

Did you all know Wildwood also has TWO laundromats?? We used the one in the strip mall that has the Winn Dixie in it and I'd go back. It had an attendent and she was helpful and the place was clean...though very busy. The other one is where that new-ish car-wash is located. We didn't see it otherwise probably would have used it. We use the ACE hardward, the post-office and probably will use more too as needed. The new community center is a gorgeous facility!!! I'd be more concerned about my safety and welfare down in Orlando than in Wildwood!

[duffysmom]

Wildwood is a lovely town. As mentioned the Cotillion is a sweet restaurant and you can have high tea at Polly's Tea House as well as a lovely lunch. Very British and fun. Decades is an extremely charming store that sells unique home furnishings such as lamps, pictures, paintings, and one of a kind items. It has several consignment shops as well. Check it out.