The Younger Crowd at The Villages

[Polar Bear]

My wife and I will be moving to TV within the next six months or so (+/-). One of our sons may be coming with us. He's twenty now, going working and going to e-school, both part time. He hasn't really found his niche yet, and he may live with us for a while, continuing his schooling and (hopefully) working.

I'm just wondering generally about young folks who reside legally (is that the right word? :smiley: ) in TV. About how many are there? Just a few? Quite a number? Is there a reasonable potential for a social life with members of their age group? Is there work available? I'm really looking for any insight/information at all regarding life in TV for the younger crowd.

Thanks.

[paulandjean]

You may have some problems. I would further research your situation.

[Down Sized]

I sure would not do it to my kids. If you were twenty, would you want to live with 90% old people??? Why don't you move to a collage town instead. Sounds like he might need a better education?:loco:

[eweissenbach]

My wife and I will be moving to TV within the next six months or so (+/-). One of our sons may be coming with us. He's twenty now, going working and going to e-school, both part time. He hasn't really found his niche yet, and he may live with us for a while, continuing his schooling and (hopefully) working.

I'm just wondering generally about young folks who reside legally (is that the right word? :smiley: ) in TV. About how many are there? Just a few? Quite a number? Is there a reasonable potential for a social life with members of their age group? Is there work available? I'm really looking for any insight/information at all regarding life in TV for the younger crowd.

Thanks.

TV is really not a big nursing home!!!! There are communities nearby that would offer plenty of opportunities for your son to socialize with other twentysomethings. He may not find your neighbors to have much in common, but that could well be true in older neighborhoods in any metro area. You could join a church in Wildwood or Leesburg or Lady Lake which might offer him an opportunity to meet others his age. I would not have seen TV as an obstacle to my enjoyment of life at his age.

[MLBellis]

There are yonger folks living in TV with not problems. It all depends on the person.... Margurita Republic is where the yonger generation hangs out (if he is a drinker) they have music & a pool table there too! I suggest you come for a week or so with him to see if he would like it..... Keep in mind that the sidewalks turn up at 9pm, so there is nothing after that he could do (just to go out into the local area, which there is not much to do there but drink but he has not hit that drinking age)

[KARENNN]

Work here = minimum wage
I think it is a bit of a dead end for someone starting their career, unless they are a doctor or nurse. Healthcare is THE industry around here.

[Ooper]

There are 2 families on our street that have a child living with them but the children are in their 40's, a far cry from 20. I think this is also the exception. I have not seen many residents living here with children unless they are there to help take care of them. Your son will probably have to find companionship in the surrounding cities such as Leesburg Lady Lake or Ocala. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[jane032657]

I would hope your son would be welcomed as a part of your life and in your village for as long as he needed your support. Peope 19 and over are allowed to live with their families in The Villages. With surrounding towns, businesses in The Villages, and all the young crowd I have seen in the squares at night, I am sure there would be opportunities in surrounding areas to meet peers, and lots of activities to enjoy in The Villages. Anyone could have an adult child in need and I woud expect that those who wanted to help their adult children by having them come stay with them would be accepted. No young adult will most likely end up making The Villages their long term residence, but parents have obligations to children when they have need and I would welcome my neighbors chidren with open arms, they will all be 19 or over and I am sure will be delightful additions to the neighborhood for the time they need to be there. How the young person adjusts, socializes, adapts, and finds fulfillment is another question.

[Polar Bear]

Oooohh...a bit harsh. :duck:

I probably wasn't clear enough. We're not doing anything TO our son. We're moving to TV to live our retirement. We're not trying to move somewhere to accommodate his needs. He may just need to join us for a while. That's all.

I sure would not do it to my kids. If you were twenty, would you want to live with 90% old people??? Why don't you move to a collage town instead. Sounds like he might need a better education?:loco:

[Polar Bear]

Thanks for the replies, just the sort of information I'm looking for. (And Jane has pretty much hit the nail right on the head. :icon_wink: We simply want to help our son out a bit until he gets settled on his own.)

More replies welcome...keep 'em coming. :)

I would hope your son would be welcomed as a part of your life and in your village for as long as he needed your support. Peope 19 and over are allowed to live with their families in The Villages. With surrounding towns, businesses in The Villages, and all the young crowd I have seen in the squares at night, I am sure there would be oppottunities in surrounding areas to meet peers, and lots of activities to enjoy in The Villages. Anyone could have an adut child in need and I woud expect that those who wanted to help their adult chidren by having them come stay with them would be accepted. No young adult will most likely end up making The Villages their long term residence, but parents have obligations to children when they have need and I would welcome my neighbors chidren with open arms, they will all be 19 or over and I am sure will be delightful additions to the neighborhood for the time they need to be there. How the young person adjusts, socializes, adapts, and finds fulfillment is another question.

[krash]

I sent you a P.M.

[ducati1974]

Our daughters are in their twenties and love to come see us at TV. They enjoy the atmosphere. I'm not sure how they'd feel about living here though. I agree about the dismal prospects for jobs, but I know sometimes kids need to stay with their parents awhile before they get back on to their own feet.

[Donna Temple]

We also have twenty something sons. Two of them. They are working and going to school also, however they don't live with us. (Again yet. LOL.) They are a little older than yours. I inquired on her recently, about T.V., and our 9 year old daughter. The response was varied. Some said no kids ever, but I found out, that there are villages with kids, and a school for the kids, so there are young people there. My sons would enjoy living there. There's always stuff to do, all over Florida, for all ages. They like to keep the tourists entertained. Beaches are everywhere. Besides, doesn't everyone like cruising in a golf cart? I don't understand the people, who say, its cruel to take young people there, for the above reasons. Good luck to you and your son.

[redwitch]

There are kids over 19 living here and they do manage to find their own social life. Some even live here voluntarily without their parents (renting a place). Sadly, work is an issue and the salaries are dismal regardless of where they work. Most work in the restaurants in some capacity.

Some of those staying with parents are here because they truly have no options due to prison records, drugs, etc. Some are here on a temporary basis until they can finish school or whatever or employment situations change. Some are here to help their parents. The reasons are as varied as the people.

As was mentioned, Margarita Republic is the big hang out and Applebee's on 441 when MR closes. I don't know the name, but there seems to be a website for TV where kids living here can hook up. At least I know of one who started dating a guy via this website and another who met a few new friends. Possibly part of Big Fish?

You will occasionally see some of these kids participating in some of the clubs and activities. Some of the residents have issues with it, some enjoy seeing them.

This may be a community of those over 55 but that doesn't mean it is a community limited to that age group. TV really does run the gamut from 19 to 90+.

[Madelaine Amee]

My wife and I will be moving to TV within the next six months or so (+/-). One of our sons may be coming with us. He's twenty now, going working and going to e-school, both part time. He hasn't really found his niche yet, and he may live with us for a while, continuing his schooling and (hopefully) working.

I'm just wondering generally about young folks who reside legally (is that the right word? :smiley: ) in TV. About how many are there? Just a few? Quite a number? Is there a reasonable potential for a social life with members of their age group? Is there work available? I'm really looking for any insight/information at all regarding life in TV for the younger crowd.

Thanks.

I kinda sorta get the feeling you are looking for us to make you feel better about this impending move with a 20 year old, and I don't really think anyone can do that for you.

Make the move, bring him along - probably kicking and screaming - and he will either settle down here, or find his own way elsewhere. We were forced into doing something very similar to this due to an overseas promotion and we all survived, but it was a REAL bumpy ride. Good luck with this.

[carm310]

We will be moving into our home in The Villages next summer with our 19 year old daughter. She is planning to attend the community college in Leesburg to start her higher education.
We have been coming down with her for about 5 years, she loves The Villages and sees that there is a younger crowd in the town squares and surrounding communities. There are churches as someone mentioned filled with families. We have been attending Heritage Community in Wildwood when we are in town.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It seems to me that there are quite a few young people hanging in the town squares at night. I often wonder where they come from. I also noticed a lot of teenagers on a Friday night and some to a few of them. They said they come there every Friday night.

I'm not saying there is a huge percentage of twenty something, but I'd say there's 15% or so of people under 50.

[graciegirl]

It seems to me that there are quite a few young people hanging in the town squares at night. I often wonder where they come from. I also noticed a lot of teenagers on a Friday night and some to a few of them. They said they come there every Friday night.

I'm not saying there is a huge percentage of twenty something, but I'd say there's 15% or so of people under 50.

From neighboring communities and children of people who work in the villages and live adjacent to us?

[Applepie]

I am sure your son will find friends down here if not in The Villages. in the surrounding communties. There is a community college close by maybe he could transfer there. I am sure you already know that he can not use the pools, free golf etc without a villages ID card. Inorder to get a ID card he must be a permenant resident of Florida with a Florida drivers licence. And of course he can't use the neighborhood pool. You must be 30 years of age.

[Polar Bear]

Thanks for the reply. And yes...we're aware of some restrictions. But he is a permanent resident of FL and has a FL DL. So he should be okay for many amenities. There are some pools that he could use also, right? (It's just the "neighborhood" pools that are 30-years and older?) The main thing he'd probably want access to is an exercise facility of some sort and a pool of some sort...even if it wasn't a neighborhood pool. :)

...I am sure you already know that he can not use the pools, free golf etc without a villages ID card. Inorder to get a ID card he must be a permenant resident of Florida with a Florida drivers licence. And of course he can't use the neighborhood pool. You must be 30 years of age.

[shcisamax]

My 20 year olds were here for the first time this summer. They thought it was splendid for us but found it difficult to locate anyone their age. So Applebees? That is where they go? Anyone know the website or facebook or internet connection so they can make contact before they get here?

[Richard1366]

Of course I don't know your son, but I would be very wary of "e-school." The education that you get from these schools is suspect to say the least, the "credits" he gets will probably not transfer to any other school. Not "finding ones niche" is a common cop out by young people today, e-schools allow them to stay at home and be less than truthful about how much they are doing. He's 20, out of HS for a couple of years, should have discovered his "niche" by now. If he's going to school, he should be enrolled in a recognized community college - full time. There is apparently work in the construction trades or landscaping, let him work full time and I'll bet he finds his niche very quickly.

[senior citizen]

I kinda sorta get the feeling you are looking for us to make you feel better about this impending move with a 20 year old, and I don't really think anyone can do that for you.

Make the move, bring him along - probably kicking and screaming - and he will either settle down here, or find his own way elsewhere. We were forced into doing something very similar to this due to an overseas promotion and we all survived, but it was a REAL bumpy ride. Good luck with this.

Madelaine has an interesting slant on things. All of the 20 somethings we've known would NOT want to be living with their parents. Couldn't he get an apartment in a neighborhing community.

They can do college courses "online" and still work a job. Our daughter is taking courses online (grad school level) has three children, a big house, a husband, etc. to take care of and still teaches school days while commuting to get various endorsements on top of her already earned masters degree and bachelors degree from a university.......just more specialization at the moment. They can do "e school " as you call it while working a job days.

To clarify, she lived away for the first four years at college.......then moved out of state to work on an island.......then moved back to get her masters....all the time supporting herself, paying her own rent. We only paid the tuition. This online school is some 20 years later for a specialty course.

We have another young friend who works in the hospital days with her masters degree while getting an M.B.A. "online" doing her home work and papers in the evening after work. She did the same as our daughter, got her bachelors "away" and then her first "masters".......and doing the M.B.A. to move up at the hospital.

Except for one family member who is 30 and still tied to his mother's apron strings, most younger folks look forward to flying away from the nest at age 17 or 18 to head off for dorm life at the university; moving up to their own "shared apartments" with roommates......graduating at 22 and totally becoming independent at that time.

Both of ours left our state after graduating at age 22.......moved long distances away, rented a house or apartment on their own or with a buddy and survived.

I would have kept them home forever but they were independent enough to "grow" and live on their own.

Our son moved out west soon after he graduated from the University of Vermont...........made a good life for himself out there; literally drove out without a job and immediately found one...........a few years later he went back to school to the Univ. of Colorado in Boulder for his M.B.A.......supporting himself the entire time he lived out west..........again, he's made an amazing life for himself and traveled the world these past almost 20 years.............they both WANTED TO BE INDEPENDENT.

Personally, I do not think a 20 year old would be happy living with their parents or in a retirement community.

Maybe our state raises very independent type "kids" but everyone we know flew the coop after graduating college.......following four years living away from home while at a university. That was a gradual easing into total independence.

I have a lot of young friends who are young parents with children, to whom I'm a surrogate grandmother..........they all came from wonderful families..........and yet, believe me, none of them wanted to stay living at home, if they could help it.

p.s. Re online schools: I also had my doubts when several college grads we knew with masters degrees, from well known universities, began taking ONLINE COURSES from two top well known e-schools , however, for those who already have their graduate and undergraduate degrees and just need a "specialty" or "endorsement" , to save the moving away to live near the school , such as in the case of a mom with children...........apparently, they love just getting up early in the morning to study and do their papers online..........I've heard this over and over again. Now, some who never have the campus experience at all, I'm not so sure.

[cquick]

Oooohh...a bit harsh. :duck:

I probably wasn't clear enough. We're not doing anything TO our son. We're moving to TV to live our retirement. We're not trying to move somewhere to accommodate his needs. He may just need to join us for a while. That's all.

I think he'd love to live here for a while with you. There is a very good college in Leesburg if he wants to finish his education and save money while living with you. I am sure he could find friends around. We are "only" 60 years old now, but when we lived in Orlando, our 20-something son lived with us for a couple years, it was fine. Now he has his degree and is living in California...I would much rather he live closer!

[jane032657]

Every young person is different, and many young people have needs that transcend flying the coop, leaving their family, funding an apartment, going off and living somewhere else with others or on their own, going to traditional university. There are so many comments in this thread that assume that every child is alike and also some very discouraging remarks. The person writing asked about other young people in The Villages and area. She did not ask opinions on where and how her son should be educated, when he should leave home, what type of job he should be ready to take on, when he should be prepared to be away from his parents. You have no idea the journey this young man has been on and I think he is lucky and his parents are lucky that whatever road that is, he is able to be well enough, strong enough, and secure enough to be with family while he plans his next life stage. Not everyone has children that follow a traditional path, and having fostered 55 children all with different needs, and seeing some not survive their journey, I believe it is a blessing to have a child alive, searching, and developing their way, even if it means being with parents at different stages, than left out somewhere drifting with no support, guidance or love. I commend these parents for loving their son and allowing him to be with them while they go to their next stage in life, and making room for their son to thrive at this place, at this time, with his needs today.

[Peachie]

Every young person is different, and many young people have needs that transcend flying the coop, leaving their family, funding an apartment, going off and living somewhere else with others or on their own, going to traditional university. There are so many comments in this thread that assume that every child is alike and also some very discouraging remarks. The person writing asked about other young people in The Villages and area. She did not ask opinions on where and how her son should be educated, when he should leave home, what type of job he should be ready to take on, when he should be prepared to be away from his parents. You have no idea the journey this young man has been on and I think he is lucky and his parents are lucky that whatever road that is, he is able to be well enough, strong enough, and secure enough to be with family while he plans his next life stage. Not everyone has children that follow a traditional path, and having fostered 55 children all with different needs, and seeing some not survive their journey, I believe it is a blessing to have a child alive, searching, and developing their way, even if it means being with parents at different stages, than left out somewhere drifting with no support, guidance or love. I commend these parents for loving their son and allowing him to be with them while they go to their next stage in life, and making room for their son to thrive at this place, at this time, with his needs today.

...................

[senior citizen]

Every young person is different, and many young people have needs that transcend flying the coop, leaving their family, funding an apartment, going off and living somewhere else with others or on their own, going to traditional university. There are so many comments in this thread that assume that every child is alike and also some very discouraging remarks. The person writing asked about other young people in The Villages and area. She did not ask opinions on where and how her son should be educated, when he should leave home, what type of job he should be ready to take on, when he should be prepared to be away from his parents. You have no idea the journey this young man has been on and I think he is lucky and his parents are lucky that whatever road that is, he is able to be well enough, strong enough, and secure enough to be with family while he plans his next life stage. Not everyone has children that follow a traditional path, and having fostered 55 children all with different needs, and seeing some not survive their journey, I believe it is a blessing to have a child alive, searching, and developing their way, even if it means being with parents at different stages, than left out somewhere drifting with no support, guidance or love. I commend these parents for loving their son and allowing him to be with them while they go to their next stage in life, and making room for their son to thrive at this place, at this time, with his needs today.

Jane, you are correct in that they can all be different.
That said, I am familiar with fostering and adoption.

For years we thought we'd never have a grandchild until a very special six year old came into our lives, first as a foster child and then as an adopted child a few days after 911 occurred. Sure enough, she was followed by two babies, a brother and a sister, who loved and looked up to her all these years.

Likewise, she was nurturing to them. Our daughter and her husband did a wonderful job of parenting, but those first five years were totally "lost"; I'm sure you know what I mean.

We are very close and this now 18 year old cannot wait to spread her wings and fly the coop.......she and 7 other girlfriends are working hard to be able to afford their first apartment. Actually, they want to rent a house, which is available, in a college town........but as we showed her, they need the first month security deposit plus first and last month's rent, etc..........school didn't come easy for her (as it did for the next babies) so she will be attending a community college and is , and has been, working a full time job...........but she still wants her own place.

I think it's natural and normal for the young folks to leave the nest.

My husband and I dated for three years from 17 until we got engaged at 19, married at 20.......so 20 is NOT too young to leave the nest.

We paid for our own wedding, paid for our own honeymoon, paid for our own first three rooms of brand new furniture........plus the three months "rent" on a garden apartment, brand new, in New Jersey.....plus bought a brand new car......all at age 19, turning 20. Wages were NOT high in those days either. Three years later we began our family. We bought our first home....at age 22. It can be done.

Our folks were great.......but neither of us , honestly, would have wanted to live with our parents..........it was during the Viet Nam era and I had just given birth to our first born.........and my husband's tank unit was supposed to get called up..........we discussed whether to go home to my mom or his mom or stay in the new little house we had just bought.
I was 22, he was 23.........we stayed put and luckily, he was only called to Fort Knox, Kentucky........but not for long.

If there are no health issues, I think kids should learn how to pay rent and buy groceries and do laundry.........I come to this conclusion at an older age.

Originally, I thought they would graduate college........move back to their childhood bedrooms (ha ha) buy the "suit" and go out on job interviews..........forgetting that in our little town there are not many jobs for college grads.............

Getting back to soldiers and such.......think of the young 17 and 18 year olds who go into the service and leave the nest to be thrown into battle in a war zone.......many of these brave men and women are much younger than 20.

[mrsyarbie]

My 27 year old loves it here , to visit but not to live. Would not advise it for someone that young and just starting out in life ...

[jane032657]

My main point is that we do not know what the circumstances of this young man's life are so maybe there are issues that make it is a struggle to do what we all dream our children will do. I do have three children of my own, 29,28 and 26, all university educated, my 29 year old son just bought a house in Toronto which is the same value as our home in Seattle, with his wife; my 26 year daughter old bought a house in Seattle when she was 24 years old. They all have jobs. They all, thank G-d, are strong, young, independent people with careers. My husband has two sons who are a sophmore and senior at universities in Washington State, 19 and 21 years old, bright and forward children. However, in a heartbeat, if there was a need, an issue, a problem, a glitch in the road of life, our door is open, a safe place awaits them, and support is there to adress whatever is the issue and then move forward again. Do any of them long to live with us? No. Do any of them dream of moving to The Villages to enjoy pickleball and dancing in the town square? No. Would they have trust and faith that if they needed shelter and support for a period of time, there is a room available and a loving family to help them on their journey? Yes. So to me I see these parents doing the same thing not knowing what particular need their child has. I do not judge or make assumptions, because anyone's child's life can change in an instant and so you do what you need to do to help them through the transition. We are all so proud of our children who do so many wonderful things, and better yet, do it with their own self will, independence, money, and do it successfully. I know I am. But let's be supportive of parents who are supportive of their children when it is needed and remember you do not know what goes on behind closed doors and what path parents have walked with their children. We all want our kids to fly but sometimes an injured wing has to heal before that is possible.

[Polar Bear]

I won't bother quoting anybody here. And believe me, I know that everybody is entitled to their opinion and the right to express it. I even welcome and appreciate it...honest! But that being said, I must also say...

jane032657 is the one who really gets it and is responding to the question I posed...along with several of you others also. :) I'm simply looking to get some input regarding what to expect if my son comes and lives with us for a while. That's it! :)

For example, comments have been made about the dangers of e-school. My son's work has been done at a fully accredited brick-and-mortar college that happens to offer e-courses as part of their curriculum. Every credit he's earned is fully transferable. That's just addressing one of the many off-topic issues that have been raised. I respect your concerns, but again...I'm simply looking for information regarding what to expect if/when my son comes along and spends a little time living in TV.

[jbdlfan]

I won't bother quoting anybody here. And believe me, I know that everybody is entitled to their opinion and the right to express it. I even welcome and appreciate it...honest! But that being said, I must also say...

jane032657 is the one who really gets it and is responding to the question I posed...along with several of you others also. :) I'm simply looking to get some input regarding what to expect if my son comes and lives with us for a while. That's it! :)

For example, comments have been made about the dangers of e-school. My son's work has been done at a fully accredited brick-and-mortar college that happens to offer e-courses as part of their curriculum. Every credit he's earned is fully transferable. That's just addressing one of the many off-topic issues that have been raised. I respect your concerns, but again...I'm simply looking for information regarding what to expect if/when my son comes along and spends a little time living in TV.

Wow, am I so glad you responded this way. As you can see, people will make judgements or comments on things they have no idea about. The e-courses that your son is taking are a perfect example.
That being said, we have raised a son done here, who went to the Charter School, and is now out on his own. He made friends, socialized locally and otherwise did fine. We have a daughter that moved down here and met a very nice young man that she married. Granted, neither lived in The Villages, but we did live next door until recently. They both spent and continue to spend tons of time here to either visit and socialize with us our their grandparents. You and your son will be fine if you make the choice to make a permanent move.
Trust me, you will meet and hear from ALL KINDS around here, it will be what you want it to be. Now one concern you may have as a parent is that outside the buble you will find a socio-economic situation you or your son may not be familiar with. Not knowing you personally, I have no idea what type of situation you are accustomed. We had a definite culture shock once we began venturing out on a regular basis. But it's like anywhere, keep your eye and ears open and you will be fine. Feel free to PM me for specific info, I work in a school district outside The Villages and my spouse works locally also.

[siu74]

I was transferred when our son was about the same age. It was not The Villages but he was still looking for friends in a new location. He took a few classes at the local jr college and met some friends. He also worked at the YMCA Camp and latchkey program. Most of the counselors were his age. He made alot of good friends at the YMCA. Don't know if there is anything like that in the surrounding area but might be an idea. Wish you the best of luck. Also, when we were The Villages earlier this year there was a young man that came to "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader". I think he had as much fun as we did.

[gomoho]

sdavis - I am so happy that Jane was the voice of reason to all the naysayers on this post. My goodness how judgemental and righteous so many people are. No one knows what your family circumstances are and should not be judging. You asked a simple question and should receive a simple answer. Most kids can find each other within a 50 mile radius - it always amazes me with what ease they find their place. It probably isn't the ideal situation, but it wasn't the ideal situation when we moved our daughter during her senior year in high school because of a job promotion. Hey life happens and we all adjust one way or the other. I wish you the best of luck with whatever decision you make and can tell from your posts how much you love your son and have his best interest at heart. And speaking of heart - follow yours and trust your own instincts and all will be well.

[Pturner]

My main point is that we do not know what the circumstances of this young man's life are so maybe there are issues that make it is a struggle to do what we all dream our children will do. I do have three children of my own, 29,28 and 26, all university educated, my 29 year old son just bought a house in Toronto which is the same value as our home in Seattle, with his wife; my 26 year daughter old bought a house in Seattle when she was 24 years old. They all have jobs. They all, thank G-d, are strong, young, independent people with careers. My husband has two sons who are a sophmore and senior at universities in Washington State, 19 and 21 years old, bright and forward children. However, in a heartbeat, if there was a need, an issue, a problem, a glitch in the road of life, our door is open, a safe place awaits them, and support is there to adress whatever is the issue and then move forward again. Do any of them long to live with us? No. Do any of them dream of moving to The Villages to enjoy pickleball and dancing in the town square? No. Would they have trust and faith that if they needed shelter and support for a period of time, there is a room available and a loving family to help them on their journey? Yes. So to me I see these parents doing the same thing not knowing what particular need their child has. I do not judge or make assumptions, because anyone's child's life can change in an instant and so you do what you need to do to help them through the transition. We are all so proud of our children who do so many wonderful things, and better yet, do it with their own self will, independence, money, and do it successfully. I know I am. But let's be supportive of parents who are supportive of their children when it is needed and remember you do not know what goes on behind closed doors and what path parents have walked with their children. We all want our kids to fly but sometimes an injured wing has to heal before that is possible.

Excellent post.

Sdavis44, if your son lives with you, yes he can get a resident Villages ID card that will enable him to participate in all TV activities except the over 30 pools. There are other kids his age who live in TV and surrounding communities. I wish you and your son every success and happiness.

[Donna Temple]

The preview DVD mentions a family pool there, with no age restriction.

[graciegirl]

You asked about young people living here.

In our small village of 52 homes, there is a daughter and husband in their 20's living with parents part time and I think they are students.

In our first village, Hadley, I didn't know of anyone who had a child living with them up and down the several streets of people with whom we were familiar..

Among all of the friends I have met from TOTV and in real places around The Villages, I have met one other person who had a child who would never be independent living with them as ours is.

I really don't think that there is a LOT of young people, at least in my experience.

[sharonga]

I would hope your son would be welcomed as a part of your life and in your village for as long as he needed your support. Peope 19 and over are allowed to live with their families in The Villages. With surrounding towns, businesses in The Villages, and all the young crowd I have seen in the squares at night, I am sure there would be opportunities in surrounding areas to meet peers, and lots of activities to enjoy in The Villages. Anyone could have an adult child in need and I woud expect that those who wanted to help their adult children by having them come stay with them would be accepted. No young adult will most likely end up making The Villages their long term residence, but parents have obligations to children when they have need and I would welcome my neighbors chidren with open arms, they will all be 19 or over and I am sure will be delightful additions to the neighborhood for the time they need to be there. How the young person adjusts, socializes, adapts, and finds fulfillment is another question.

Loved your answer. You have intelligence and a heart

[jane032657]

Not sure where you are coming from but Grace is a caring, special person who is involved in her community and is sharing situations which respond to the person asking the question. Caring about your neighbors, being friends, knowing who lives around you in not meddling, it is being part of a wonderful community. Nothing was shared that was hurtful, personal, or private. It is her positive attitude on life which makes Grace such a wonderful person whose posts are most welcoming and caring of others. If you live in The Villages, I hope you are enjoying your neighbors and community and offer your heart, friendship and genuiness as Grace does.

Gee Gracie, I never thought you would have a opinion on this subject.Oh wait you have a opinion on every subject, Is that why you have 5k posts.And how and why do you know, care about the people down the street.I don't care as much for my neighbors "goin's on" as you do. I would never want a neighbor like you. As in the old days watch your laundry it's out to dry.

[sharonga]

We moved to The Villages in May. My 34 year old daughter and my 6 year old granddaughter moved with us. We got them an apartment 10 minutes away. My granddaughter is enrolled in school, my daughter found a job in the Villages. Nothing great, but these days....not many good jobs anywhere and we are from NY. Her boyfriend moved too. Is she bored...yes...has she made friends...some on her job. The thing is if we stayed in NY....life would not be much different for her. Our friends accept our little family. My granddaughter dances at the town square. We go out to dinner. My husband and I are starting a new life and so is she.

[sharonga]

Excellent post.

Sdavis44, if your son lives with you, yes he can get a resident Villages ID card that will enable him to participate in all TV activities except the over 30 pools. There are other kids his age who live in TV and surrounding communities. I wish you and your son every success and happiness.

That was heartwarming

[Peachie]

Gee Gracie, I never thought you would have a opinion on this subject.Oh wait you have a opinion on every subject, Is that why you have 5k posts.And how and why do you know, care about the people down the street.I don't care as much for my neighbors "goin's on" as you do. I would never want a neighbor like you. As in the old days watch your laundry it's out to dry.

Perhaps you should reread the OP's first post with questions and then reread Gracie's response and then maybe comprehend that Gracie's post was exactly the type of information that was requested and nothing more. Now "your post" may have a hint of opinion within it. :shrug:

[sharonga]

Living in TV since May. So many different kinds of people. So many judgemental and so many not.

[graciegirl]

Gee Gracie, I never thought you would have a opinion on this subject.Oh wait you have a opinion on every subject, Is that why you have 5k posts.And how and why do you know, care about the people down the street.I don't care as much for my neighbors "goin's on" as you do. I would never want a neighbor like you. As in the old days watch your laundry it's out to dry.

If you read the OP's question, he wondered how many young people lived with their parents. If you read my answer that is what I responded to.

Our daughter who has Williams Syndrome is a forever resident with us and we are blessed to have her.

We were snowbirds for four years and we had a Hadley social group who got together once a month and I still play golf with the girls in Hadley so I knew who had children living with them. We have an active social group in our new village and all of us get together several times a month. That is how I know about the family situation in this new village.

I don't have five thousand posts, I have close to twelve thousand and that is way too many.

And as for my laundry. I use a dryer.

[CFrance]

Gee Gracie, I never thought you would have a opinion on this subject.Oh wait you have a opinion on every subject, Is that why you have 5k posts.And how and why do you know, care about the people down the street.I don't care as much for my neighbors "goin's on" as you do. I would never want a neighbor like you. As in the old days watch your laundry it's out to dry.

I thought we weren't allowed to people-bash on this forum. That comment was certainly inappropriate and should be removed, IMO.

[TOTV Team]

Comment removed and issue privately addressed.

[senior citizen]

My 27 year old loves it here , to visit but not to live. Would not advise it for someone that young and just starting out in life ...

I agree with you.

Our 40 year old and 28 year old spouse loved it; he said he could actually envision himself at "retirement" living in TV. That would be age 55....as he said "in 15 years". Will never happen with two babies now and more anticipated soon........the math just doesn't work.

I cannot even, in my wildest dreams, imagine our son living in THE VILLAGES at age 20 when he was still at the university or at age 22 upon graduation when he relocated out west to Colorado.

He moved to a university town, got a job, went back for his M.B.A. and built a huge network of friends whom he met through not only work and school, but via the cycling, hiking, rock climbing, kayacking, volunteer work with various large organizations, being a mentor to inner city "down on their luck" kids, participating in marathons in Moab Utah, bike races, etc. and on and on, plus traveling the world (meaning third world countries.......) , being involved in local "p" which I can't say, and so on.

His circle of friends , gals and guys, would do "out of bounds" skiing to the cabins built by the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army after World War II.......and still maintained today.......he took avalanche training.......he scuba dived off Mexico and got his license......in other words, he "grew" in so many ways HE COULD NOT HAVE GROWN LIVING WITH HIS DAD AND MYSELF IN OUR HOME.

Yes I worried when he was in all those third world countries but again, he "grew" and saw how the rest of the world lived.

He also spent Christmas holidays in places like New Zealand and Australia, Japan, etc. Coming from a very small , insulated, town, who would have thought?

He visited all the national parks out west, hiked in the Grand Canyon, you name it, they all did it.......healthy "fit" choices are what his friends made in life.

For those of you telling this person about where he could DRINK?????
They'll find that place on their own if they choose. Drinking is not a highlight of life.......not as far as I'm concerned anyway.

There's actually a lot more to life than eating at Applebee's and dancing at a bar.

He and several friends went to Cambodia to find a little girl on a "raft school" run by the R.C. diocese......to give her a large donation of money for her education, collected in Denver........they assumed they were going to a brick and mortar school and it ended up being a "raft" on a river.

He backpacked all over Asia........hiked in Peru to Macchu Picchu.....too many places to name here. He overnighted with more "raft people" in Peru........really rugged type travel.

All of his boyhood friends had "adventures" in their early 20's and mid to late 20's..........not just dancing and drinking. Nuff said.

I do not see that kind of a well rounded life for a young man in THE VILLAGES. Fine for his parents, yes, of course.

If he has health issues, that is a totally other story and not what I am commenting on.

I have two dear neices who are both autistic and aged 42 and 44 and will forever live with their parents. I totally understand that. They are mute.

However, I don't think it's what a 20 year old would want......to be living with their parents in a retirement community.

Our daughter taught at a community college.

Students do not usually have the "social life" that a university campus and college town would have.

Community colleges are often used for two year associate degrees or as a stepping stone to get into a 4 year university or by adults taking night classes after work.

In our neighborhood, we have one family down at the end who have two twenty something "twin boys".......one has a mental issue; both came home to live as they could not support themselves. Their "drumming" drives the neighbors crazy. One lost his license and got a bicycle which he drove through snow and ice.........now he's got his license back and bought a motorcycle..........the noise is deafening between the bike and the drums..........everyone complains. The rest of us are all 60 somethings and enjoy a quiet peaceful life.

I guess I should feel very blessed that our two adult children (18 is adult nowadays) were able to manage to stick with their education and go out ont their own to explore the world, get married, buy homes and raise families.

In ending, we have tons of YOUNG FRIENDS that we've known since their birth and childhoods...........they love to visit us and our door is always open........they love to send us pics of their new babies and their school aged children.......they bring the kids over to visit us.........but none of them live with their parents.

We love young people. Just don't think they should live with their parents. The "room mate situation" is very popular with the younger crowd. It teaches responsibility, budgeting, etc.

[senior citizen]

You asked about young people living here.

In our small village of 52 homes, there is a daughter and husband in their 20's living with parents part time and I think they are students.

In our first village, Hadley, I didn't know of anyone who had a child living with them up and down the several streets of people with whom we were familiar..

Among all of the friends I have met from TOTV and in real places around The Villages, I have met one other person who had a child who would never be independent living with them as ours is.

I really don't think that there is a LOT of young people, at least in my experience.

The picture you paint is what we experienced last fall in TV.

In our first neighborhood, there were absolutely no children at all to be seen or heard.

In our second neighborhood, in a different county, DITTO.

Actually, we never saw any children at all in The Villages during October and November..........not even on Halloween, even though we bought goodies to hand out to trick or treaters, should they come.

Knowing the activities our 7 and 10 year old grandchildren participate in (and believe me, they are in a myriad of community, school and church activities, camps, plays , ballet recitals, you name it....sports galore) they would be bored out of their mind living in THE VILLAGES.

That's not to say they wouldn't LOVE spending their school vacations in THE VILLAGES.....yes they would.

Our 18 year old grandaughter would no doubt LOVE LIVING WITH US FOR AWHILE.........but then, like any other young person, would miss her own social life and normal type activities which she would have in a normal town.......which has all ages.

Now , would all the nice quiet neighbors we had while visiting last year really want all these kids around all the time???????

Children have FRIENDS.......teenagers have FRIENDS.......college kids have FRIENDS........they sometimes arrive in noisy cars. They stay up all hours of the night. They leave in their noisy cars. Nuff said.

Our baby grandchildren absolutely would love The Villages. They go to bed the same time we do. Very quiet babies. They nap when we do.
I think they should have a new "village" just for babies.

[jblum315]

[QUOTE=senior citizen;566266]I agree with you.

Our 40 year old and 28 year old spouse loved it; he said he could actually envision himself at "retirement" living in TV. That would be age 55....as he said "in 15 years". Will never happen with two babies now and more anticipated soon........the math just doesn't work.

I cannot even, in my wildest dreams, imagine our son living in THE VILLAGES at age 20 when he was still at the university or at age 22 upon graduation when he relocated out west to Colorado.

Your son sounds just like my son. Once he hit California I knew he would never ever move back to NY, whether to our house or whatever. But he too loves to visit me here in TV.

[senior citizen]

[QUOTE=senior citizen;566266]I agree with you.

Our 40 year old and 28 year old spouse loved it; he said he could actually envision himself at "retirement" living in TV. That would be age 55....as he said "in 15 years". Will never happen with two babies now and more anticipated soon........the math just doesn't work.

I cannot even, in my wildest dreams, imagine our son living in THE VILLAGES at age 20 when he was still at the university or at age 22 upon graduation when he relocated out west to Colorado.

Your son sounds just like my son. Once he hit California I knew he would never ever move back to NY, whether to our house or whatever. But he too loves to visit me here in TV.

California is beautiful as well........Colorado in a more rugged way, but stunningly beautiful if one can take the altitude.

Our son flies often to California on business; his wife has family there and in Oregon. When he spread his wings to leave our little town at age 17 to live on campus 4 hours north of us, he began his journey to independence and as I said earlier, has made a very good life for himself.
As has your son.

With few jobs remaining in small towns (unless you are in the medical field or self employed), they have to "go west young man".........all the high tech jobs are in Colorado and California.

However, he also flies back east a lot, to clients in N.Y.C. , N.J., up north to Minneapolis, and so and and so forth, Chicago, etc........well rounded traveler.

Our daughter did move away after graduation from the university that was 4 hours one way from us....lived on campus as well, then got an apartment up there..........later moved to Boston to begin her career, got married and then told her husband she wanted to "raise a family" but only in Vermont........so she did return to the northern part of our state.
They also had bought homes in Massachusetts.

As I originally mentioned, I thought they'd both come home to their childhood bedrooms upon graduation.........at age 21/22 but what did I know?

In hindsight and retrospect, what they did was healthy....both for them and for us.

It might be different in other parts of the country as we have a cousin who really loves having her 30 year old son still living at home; makes his lunch every morning, washes his clothes, cooks his supper, etc. and says he is saving for his million dollar home at the Jersey shore.

He is self employed as a landscaper and more power to him, but with every year that passes, I begin to wonder. We bought low and resold for a profit each time........never did even contemplate buying a million dollar home. In our dreams. Often, some parents, of children who do not have mental or physical disabilities, are just enablers....or just hate to see their babies grow up. Our cousin still calls her son "her baby"....and said she would not retire to THE VILLAGES as long as he remains in N.J. Go figure.

[senior citizen]

Living in TV since May. So many different kinds of people. So many judgemental and so many not.

I didn't see any being "judgemental"...simply stating one's opinion as to what they went through with their own brood of kids and other young people they knew as friends.

We've always had young people in and out of our home.
I know how they think.

If you took a poll of twenty somethings or even those in high school and asked them "How many want to live in a retirement community near their grandparents?.........."

What exactly might the response be???? I wonder. Someone should do a poll.

Of course they'd all like to visit.........although I didn't see the "Adult Disney World" at all, that one always hears about, for someone in need of a "spring break" and a free one offered at Gram and Gramps, who would say NO? No one.

But to live at THE VILLAGES full time? I don't think so.

Now, just maybe, if a kid was championship high school golf material (we have such a group in our town, or at least did when ours were in high school).......maybe it would seem like heaven to them, meaning the golf courses to challenge them ..........but after awhile, the lack of gals and guys their own age, would start to get "old". No pun intended.

We are 67 and proud of it. Don't pretend to be twenty somethings.

[Patty55]

I'm hoping that when my 17 year old niece graduates this year she'll consider moving down here (for 30 days ;)). She's a great kid, but I don't see a lot for her on Long Island. It's kind of sad, but even with the housing market depressed up there I don't see how kids today can make a go of it.

When she visits (for less than 30 days ;)) she always checks out cute guys her age. Maybe there should be a club for all the youngsters.

[shcisamax]

A club. Great idea. My 20 year olds wouldn't have run for the hills when they came to see us. They thought TV was perfect for us but had hoped to find a couple of others their age to hang with occasionally. :)

[PetrinaLOL]

The villages is allowed under 20% of under 55's, I live and work in The Villages, and equally love the lifestyle as my husband and I have no children. We are renters and i'm sure we could buy it we wanted to.

[Patty55]

A club. Great idea. My 20 year olds wouldn't have run for the hills when they came to see us. They thought TV was perfect for us but had hoped to find a couple of others their age to hang with occasionally. :)

My friends daughter is 19 or 20 and comes down to do the HITS show in Ocala, she's not staying here (unless her trainer throws her out-LOL) but she'll be around. Your children should go up the show, lots of kids from your area, they might already know some of them.

Last year I had a group of maybe 8 kids visiting for the day. We all went to LSL to eat and hang out. THE LOOKS these kids got were a disgrace. Nobody was drinking, they were dancing, huddling with their BS gossip and drinking Starbucks. They are nice, respectful well-dressed kids and people looked at them like they were convicted felons. :shrug:

[sueandskip]

:agree:I sure would not do it to my kids. If you were twenty, would you want to live with 90% old people??? Why don't you move to a collage town instead. Sounds like he might need a better education?:loco:

:agree:
If I were in my 20's I wouldn't want to live around a bunch of old foggies !

[Bogie Shooter]

It seems to me that there are quite a few young people hanging in the town squares at night. I often wonder where they come from. I also noticed a lot of teenagers on a Friday night and some to a few of them. They said they come there every Friday night.

I'm not saying there is a huge percentage of twenty something, but I'd say there's 15% or so of people under 50.

15% is too high.

[Bogie Shooter]

Hey Bill................its time for some :popcorn:

[Polar Bear]

Then it's sure a good thing it's not you guys that might come live with me!! :laugh:

:agree:

:agree:
If I were in my 20's I wouldn't want to live around a bunch of old foggies !

[Patty55]

:agree:

:agree:
If I were in my 20's I wouldn't want to live around a bunch of old foggies !

How sad, I cherish the time I got to spend with my grandparents.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Here ya go Bogie! :popcorn: Take a bit and pass it around!

Bill :wave:

[CaptJohn]

Here ya go Bogie! :popcorn: Take a bit and pass it around!

Bill :wave:

Sounds like the hokey pokey! :laugh:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Sounds like the hokey pokey! :laugh:

"That's what it's all about!" :icon_wink:

Bill :wave:

[BritParrothead]

Our sons are in their 30's they love the villages. We have been regular visitors since the late 80's. We were all over, in June, for what we thought might be our last 'family vacation' WRONG, they want to come back with us next time :laugh: They love it it in The Villages and the youngest is even thinking of buying here for his future!!

[ssmith]

Thanks for removing a post that goes from addressing the issues to attacking a person!

I am in my 50's and all my kids have left the nest but remember the times today are NOT the times of the past. It is very very hard for many kids to get a start and even get a job that would pay the bills. Yep, jobs in TV are minimum wage and hard to come by; but some have no other options than to come here with Mom and Dad.

Glad to hear the open and accepting posts on here.

[texasfal]

I think there's a big difference between visiting here and living here.

[Bogie Shooter]

I think there's a big difference between visiting here and living here.

And vacationing here.

[justjim]

My wife and I will be moving to TV within the next six months or so (+/-). One of our sons may be coming with us. He's twenty now, going working and going to e-school, both part time. He hasn't really found his niche yet, and he may live with us for a while, continuing his schooling and (hopefully) working.

I'm just wondering generally about young folks who reside legally (is that the right word? :smiley: ) in TV. About how many are there? Just a few? Quite a number? Is there a reasonable potential for a social life with members of their age group? Is there work available? I'm really looking for any insight/information at all regarding life in TV for the younger crowd.

Thanks.

There is a community college in Leesburg easily within driving distance of TV. OP, I would encourage him as much as possible to further his education, including heiping him with tuition etc. Education, Education best investment you can make!

[senior citizen]

Wow, am I so glad you responded this way. As you can see, people will make judgements or comments on things they have no idea about. The e-courses that your son is taking are a perfect example.
That being said, we have raised a son done here, who went to the Charter School, and is now out on his own. He made friends, socialized locally and otherwise did fine. We have a daughter that moved down here and met a very nice young man that she married. Granted, neither lived in The Villages, but we did live next door until recently. They both spent and continue to spend tons of time here to either visit and socialize with us our their grandparents. You and your son will be fine if you make the choice to make a permanent move.
Trust me, you will meet and hear from ALL KINDS around here, it will be what you want it to be. Now one concern you may have as a parent is that outside the buble you will find a socio-economic situation you or your son may not be familiar with. Not knowing you personally, I have no idea what type of situation you are accustomed. We had a definite culture shock once we began venturing out on a regular basis. But it's like anywhere, keep your eye and ears open and you will be fine. Feel free to PM me for specific info, I work in a school district outside The Villages and my spouse works locally also.

I've been wondering how the original poster made out with their adult child moving in with them at THE VILLAGES and going to Jr. College?
Hopefully, the adjustment went well??

I came upon your post........and would "echo" what you say above about the socio-economic situation outside the "bubble" of THE VILLAGES, which was a distinct contrast to entering the TV property.

Our adult kids are now almost 45 and 41 years of age.
However, after graduating a four year college (before going for their masters degrees and M.B.A.) each left the college town where they had experienced a semblance of independence for the four years, first living in the dorms on campus; then moving to their own apartments with room mate situations.......

One moved to North Haven Island Maine, totally "out at sea" ten miles from the mainland, accessible only by ferry boat. They worked in a two room schoolhouse and enjoyed the adventure until our daughter decided to go back to Burlington, Vermont and work on her masters degree.
They were totally supporting themselves at this point. BOSTON, MASS. was the next destination......for their careers. Never moved back home.

When our son graduated University of Vermont at age 22, he attended his sister's wedding and the next day drove with a friend to Boulder Colorado as did so many young men from Vermont.......it was the place to go.
He did so without a job lined up and without lodging. It all worked out very well, he learned independence.......traveled the world, went back to grad school for his M.B.A. at the University of Colorado.....got recruited by Proctor and Gamble in Cincinatti........the rest is history.

I had always "assumed" they would move back home after the University of Vermont 4 years, start interviewing for "jobs",etc. and live at home.
How crazy is that? Obviously we have no great jobs in our town, unless one is a doctor, in the school system or works at one of the colleges.......so the best and the brightest end up "leaving" their home state for career opportunities in the BIG CITIES........

It was the exact same situation for all of their friends. After graduating college and working for a few years....they all went back to grad school to work on their masters degrees............not one moved in with their parents. We would have welcomed it.......but they had their own plans.

[graciegirl]

I would be very much surprised if your son wasn't kindly accepted. My hope is that all goes well with him and he finds his happy place. 20 is an age where young people are wired to push away and be independent and sometimes that leads to a little friction in a small home.

[asianthree]

The small amount of young adults that I know live with their have very good paying jobs, but travel to Tampa, Orlando, and two work from home in cyberspace. All do very well and help their parents

[spk7951]

The small amount of young adults that I know live with their have very good paying jobs, but travel to Tampa, Orlando, and two work from home in cyberspace. All do very well and help their parents


That may be so but there is also the element of the bad ones. In the past two or three weeks there have been stories of crimes committed by 20 something yr old residents of TV. Today was the most recent story of a 25yr old who got caught after breaking into a number of homes near El Santiago. Certainly not the kind of neighbors I would want.

[RVRoadie]

Our son lived with us for about six months. He was able to find work here in The Villages without any problem. Mostly restaurant jobs that don't pay very well. After six months he was able to get things together and move on. We enjoyed having him here and it wasn't a problem.

[mm1717]

Not much of a life for a kid at that age here.

[Polar Bear]

Whoa! :22yikes: Yeah...those 20-somethings are all just no good. Better keep 'em away.


That may be so but there is also the element of the bad ones. In the past two or three weeks there have been stories of crimes committed by 20 something yr old residents of TV. Today was the most recent story of a 25yr old who got caught after breaking into a number of homes near El Santiago. Certainly not the kind of neighbors I would want.

[graciegirl]

Whoa! :22yikes: Yeah...those 20-somethings are all just no good. Better keep 'em away.

Sadly, most of the arrests on the police blog from The Villages are not villagers but younger people.

That doesn't mean all young people who live here are law breakers by any stretch.

[unknown*server]

Do you REALLY know who your neighbor is, and what checkered past they might be hiding? Don't you think there might be a few of us villagers that might have spent some quality time behind iron bars?

The police blotter has listed past offences of older residents, such as battery, shop-lifting, drug possession, drunk driving, and even murder. I was even called to jury duty for Sumter County, and the case was about a village resident.

So, lets not tar all the young people with the same brush, please.

[graciegirl]

Do you REALLY know who your neighbor is, and what checkered past they might be hiding? Don't you think there might be a few of us villagers that might have spent some quality time behind iron bars?

The police blotter has listed past offences of older residents, such as battery, shop-lifting, drug possession, drunk driving, and even murder. I was even called to jury duty for Sumter County, and the case was about a village resident.

So, lets not tar all the young people with the same brush, please.

I said MOST. "most of the arrests on the police blog from The Villages are not villagers but younger people"

That doesn't mean Villagers don't get arrested too.

At one time Cappy Jon posted all of the arrests each time that it was published in order to prove not much is happening here in the way of crime and most of the people arrested FROM TV were WELL under the 55 age.

[unknown*server]

Sorry, Gracie, if you thought my comment was directed to you, as it was not. This was meant for the general population who contend that the younger set are troublemakers.

Like I said, you really don't know your neighbor's checkered past.

[billethkid]

arrests in TV?????

Are we really spending time about the less than one half of one percent (probably much less).

The rest of us in the 99.5+++ will just go merrily about enjoying ourselves while y'all try to figure out why there is a bad apple in the orchard.....gheeeeezzzz!

btk

[graciegirl]

arrests in TV?????

Are we really spending time about the less than one half of one percent (probably much less).

The rest of us in the 99.5+++ will just go merrily about enjoying ourselves while y'all try to figure out why there is a bad apple in the orchard.....gheeeeezzzz!

btk

You are right once again Billy.

Merry Christmas.

[PammyJ]

I too have son who is 20years old that visits us sometimes, He has no trouble finding people his own age in the squares. He absolutely loves it here when he visits.

[Polar Bear]

...the general population who contend that the younger set are troublemakers...

Where does one even begin...do you REALLY believe that?!!!?