What was/is Your Biggest Concern about TV

[JourneyOfLife]

Any concerns about The Villages.

TV is no different in than any other place or community in that regard.
Real life creates real concerns and issues.



1)What was your biggest concern about TV before you purchased at TV?




2) What is you biggest concern about TV now that you have made the purchase and have lived there for a while?

[Happinow]

Concern before we moved here? That we were younger than most and would be hard to find people our age. Not a concern anymore. We have found that a lot of people moving and living here are younger, and have met lots of people our age. We have also grown close to some older folks and know that their years are numbered since they are some 20 years+ ahead of us. It's hard knowing that some day we are going to lose them. I wish we could all live forever!!

Our concern since moving here? That The Villages will grow to be much more populated and congested than we may like and there won't be enough services to handle all of the people.

[KatieDidNot]

Any concerns about The Villages.

TV is no different in than any other place or community in that regard.
Real life creates real concerns and issues.



1)What was your biggest concern about TV before you purchased at TV?




2) What is you biggest concern about TV now that you have made the purchase and have lived there for a while?

Like the previous poster, it was my age. I was forced into a permanent early retirement from the military due to illness and injury. I was a little younger than 55. Did not think I would fit in, but Florida is my home and TV seemed like the best fit for me and retirement. My worry was unfounded, and people have been really nice, helpful, and I am quite content. And I could not have asked for better neighbors.

The biggest concern I have now is how the Brownwood area is going to be built out commercially. For example, are we getting the big stores like Lowes, Belks, Bealls, Walmart, ect...like they have on 441? And goodness, we need another grocery store.

Cheers--Katie

[ilovetv]

No concerns before moving here.

The only concern now is feeling obligated leave here to visit relatives in norteastern and upper midweastern states that feel like Siberia.

[LvmyPug2]

Concerns before: Would we make friends? Would we find things to do (we didn't golf and I'm not into "crafts" or cards) Would I miss my 3500+ sf home and large yard?

Concerns now: What should we do with our friends tonight? How can I fit all the fun things I want to do into my already busy schedule? Why did I waste all those years cleaning a big house and caring for a large yard when there is so many more fun things to do with my time.

[JourneyOfLife]

...Why did I waste all those years cleaning a big house and caring for a large yard when there is so many more fun things to do with my time.

Our perspective changes as we go through life... I am wondering about that one myself.

[2BNTV]

My biggest concern was "will I ever sell my condo and be able to move to TV".

My only concern now is the find the perfect house for me. :smiley:

Once you find what you want in life, you want to start that new life right away.

Paraphrase from "When Harry Met Sally"

[KARENNN]

I just hope it stays as perfect as it is now as future generations move in!

[ilovetv]

I just hope it stays as perfect as it is now as future generations move in!

TV population overall is smart, educated, thrifty and commited to sound values. I think we're all committed to keeping the standards established here. Most people are ambitious, too......not just sitting around worrying. Volunteering is huge here.

[cahweh1975]

We aren't there yet, but hoping to be later this year. My greatest personal concerns are twofold--will I fit in, and will I find things I enjoy doing. By nature, I'm really not much of a joiner, so I'm going to have to force myself out of my comfort zone, I think. That will be a challenge.

My one other concern is what I'm going to do about my dogs. I have two. Both on the larger side. One loves everyone and everything. The other loves everyone, but hates other dogs, unless she knows them really well. Even then it's no guarantee. Not sure how we're going to handle her yet. A muzzle during walks, obviously, but we have a fenced yard here, so it will be an adjustment for her to lose her freedom in the yard, as well.

Other than that, I'm ready to move! Really, I can't wait as I loved the area and everyone we met was very nice.

[billethkid]

No concerns before moving here.

The only concern now is feeling obligated leave here to visit relatives in norteastern and upper midweastern states that feel like Siberia.

First concern = ditto!!

Second concern modify as follows:

The only concern now is feeling obligated leave here to visit relatives in locations that do not have palm trees!!:D

btk

[sjdjmd]

No concerns prior to moving. Best decision we ever made.

Only concern now is quality of medical care...so far, so good. But we were spoiled with state of the art med care and immediate attention by emergency room, doctors, etc., etc. Have heard horror stories about emergency rooms waits. But thank goodness we haven't needed any of that. Hopefully, the new Health Care Centers will make the quality of care even better.

[ilovetv]

First concern = ditto!!

Second concern modify as follows:

The only concern now is feeling obligated leave here to visit relatives in locations that do not have palm trees!!:D

btk

My post about it feeling like Siberia was not only about the weather for the bulk of the year. To me it feels like Siberia going back to places where everyone is rushing to get back inside the house and not talk to anybody on the street nor in public places because they just weren't raised that way, or they don't associate with "riff-raff".

Here, I think there is little consciousness of social or economic status, because everyone lives in a nice place whether it costs $80,000 or $2 million.

[MSG@TV]

No concerns prior to moving. Best decision we ever made.

Only concern now is quality of medical care...so far, so good. But we were spoiled with state of the art med care and immediate attention by emergency room, doctors, etc., etc. Have heard horror stories about emergency rooms waits. But thank goodness we haven't needed any of that. Hopefully, the new Health Care Centers will make the quality of care even better.



I would say medical care is one of my concerns as well. The other concern is will we sell our house so we can move there already? Can't wait!!

[graciegirl]

I would say medical care is one of my concerns as well. The other concern is will we sell our house so we can move there already? Can't wait!!

Medical care is my top concern. Most of us from large metropolitan areas have left a different level of medical care behind us and I wish there was an easy answer to making ours here on the same level.

I think that adding to the existing hospital rather than building another one is a good way to attract more good physicians here and possibly attracting some kind of a geriatic teaching facility to come here too. A certain type of good doctors are attracted to affiiation with good medical schools.

[batman911]

Our concern has not changed since we purchased.

Will things stay the same over time after/if build out occurs.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

My biggest concern was my age under 55 and didn't know how I would fit in. Biggest concern since moving here is getting a seat at the bar at Cody's . It's a tough life!

[l2ridehd]

Before, excellent medical care.

After, still not here full time, but come at least monthly. To crowded, to many people, and services, restaurants, shops, stores, traffic, golf, that are overwhelmed by the January to April influx. It gets so bad that we question whether this is really the best place to be for us.

[gatherer47]

concern before-medical, concern now-being able to make a left turn on Morse Blvd as I exit De La Vista West.

[Madelaine Amee]

To crowded, to many people, and services, restaurants, shops, stores, traffic, golf, that are overwhelmed by the January to April influx. It gets so bad that we question whether this is really the best place to be for us.

Unfortunately, have to agree ........ This winter has been the most congested since we moved here.

[Swampy]

I'm becoming a FROG this summer, and my biggest concern is outliving my savings.

Swampy

[rubicon]

My concerns before we moved were (1) the eventual over-crowding and its affect on quality of life (2) TV form of government. ( fees and taxes creep)

My concerns after living here 6.5 years (1) overcrowding and its affect on the quality of life (2) TV's form of government (3) fees and taxes creep).

[JC and John]

No concerns prior to moving. Best decision we ever made.

Only concern now is quality of medical care...so far, so good. But we were spoiled with state of the art med care and immediate attention by emergency room, doctors, etc., etc. Have heard horror stories about emergency rooms waits. But thank goodness we haven't needed any of that. Hopefully, the new Health Care Centers will make the quality of care even better.
Have to agree in part. Best decision we ever made moving here. We had 2 concerns about moving here. One was could we afford to move and afford the lifestyle and two medical care for a new cancer survivor.

We have since found out that yes we can afford to move and live here quite nicely. Good medical care is still a concern. I don't like hearing the horror stories about the hospital and it has been a challange for me personnaly to find the right doctor. I now have 2 that I like. I am not so keen on hubby's choice of doctors but he is happy. I am skeptical of the new health care centers and prefer to wait and see how they pan out. Why is it they don't want to tell you who the doctors are and their medical training etc. ahead of time before signing up? We were invited to Colony. We were blessed to have come from an area with access to great medical care. But we both have faith in God that He sent us on this journey and He will provide. In the mean time, we are having a blast meeting new folks and enjoying the lifestyle!

[gocubsgo]

Overcrowding is an issue with me. From Jan-April, traffic is at a stand still and there are SO many people down here, you can't move. I worry about more and more coming down over the next few years to the point where it will be impossible to get around, even in a cart.

[gomoho]

So it seems "the season" is getting worse each year as it goes on. What will happen when the majority are living here full time??? Hopefully the southern part of 466A will develop with the shopping that is needed which will relieve the congestion on 441/27.
This is our first winter here and I'm thinking we should rent the house out in "high season" and enjoy TV the rest of the year!

[ajbrown]

Before, excellent medical care.

After, still not here full time, but come at least monthly. To crowded, to many people, and services, restaurants, shops, stores, traffic, golf, that are overwhelmed by the January to April influx. It gets so bad that we question whether this is really the best place to be for us.

I fall in line with the bolded text above. Since we first visted as guests in 2002 that was my worry. It is still ok in 2013...time will tell....

[Ohiogirl]

Overcrowding is an issue with me. From Jan-April, traffic is at a stand still and there are SO many people down here, you can't move. I worry about more and more coming down over the next few years to the point where it will be impossible to get around, even in a cart.

Really? Today, the last Friday in March, I played tennis in the a.m., bridge at a rec center in the p.m. and met friends for dinner at a country club. Didn't have to wait for courts, plenty of tables left at bridge, and only a short wait for dinner. Tried Havana again and most of us were quite pleased with our dinner and service - and there was good entertainment.

Drove my golf cart to all of these, maybe had to wait for 1 or 2 carts at busy intersections - at what would be rush hour anywhere else. No traffic lights to pass through. Maybe I had to wait 30 seconds to make a left turn onto Canal St. Sorry, but I was able to move just fine, and didn't find it impossible, or even slightly difficult, to get anywhere I went today.

By the way, none of these location was in my village, or the next one or two adjacent ones.

[senior citizen]

........

[Ohiogirl]

We live in Sabal Chase, just off Canal St. Like many others in many different Villages, we think we live in an ideal location. And really, after you move in and start doing things, most locations probably are ideal, because you naturally start doing things that are located nearby.

After all, you can play tennis, pickle ball, bocce, etc. anywhere, same with cards/games/exercise classes/crafts.

If you are a gym person, decide if you want the MVP center at Spanish Springs or the gyms in some (not all) regional rec centers. I'm not a gym person, but would imagine that if you are and go several days a week, that you would want this to be convenient.

For monthly club meetings, and some weekly stuff, we go all over the place, usually by golf cart unless it's at night (we don't feel super safe driving the golf cart at night if it's very far).

Probably the least congested area is up north by Nancy Lopez or the historic side. Many love it there - bigger lots, less traffic. It is a long golf cart ride to stuff in the southern reaches, but again, just depends on what you do, and what you do will partly be affected by where you live. Nancy Lopez is a great restaurant, but we don't go much because for us, it IS far away. Truly, there is no really bad location here, but figure out what's most important to you. Someone who expects to say, volunteer at their church several days a week will want to be close to that.

[gomoho]

I don't think it is necessarily any Village that is congested, but rather the places people shop and eat. Traffic on 441/27, 466, and around Colony Plaza is really bad in high season. I haven't found navigating throughout TV to be a problem even in high season.

[Villages Kahuna]

...I think there is little consciousness of social or economic status, because everyone lives in a nice place whether it costs $80,000 or $2 million.After being here for a number of years, this is one of the most attractive features of Villagers. No one seems to care or be impressed with what position you held, how much money you made, who your important friends were, or how big your house was before you moved to The Villages.

When's the last time anyone asked you much more than where you were from and what village you live in? All that stuff s unimportant here and everyone soon realizes that fact.

[Parker]

cahweh1975, you might want to consider an invisible fence for the dogs. Our dog is very apt to get excited and RUN, so always had to keep her on the leash in the yard. But based on reviews on this site, we bought an invisible fence from DogWatch, and it has transformed her. She runs around and explores and has a grand old time. She's relaxed and happy and won't even consider nearing the 'fence'. We love spending time in the yard and now she can hang out with us without always having to be secured to a leash or a yard line. Never thought it would work for our little runner, but it's been a miraculous success.

[Dafoe]

HI
I"m wondering... do people ever go over to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for their care? We are Mayo patients up north and that is where I was thinking would go for care. It is good system and well coordinated with specialists etc.

[JB in TV]

With this response in mind, plus all the ones that came before....with regard to growing congestion.........maybe there are certain village locations which one could live in that would be easier to navigate with less traffic during the "high season" or snowbird season.........
.

Well, just a HINT...any new-build village will have ALOT of construction traffic at first...it WILL ease after most of the homes in you village are built.

[Barefoot]

cahweh1975, you might want to consider an invisible fence for the dogs. Our dog is very apt to get excited and RUN, so always had to keep her on the leash in the yard. But based on reviews on this site, we bought an invisible fence from DogWatch, and it has transformed her. She runs around and explores and has a grand old time. She's relaxed and happy and won't even consider nearing the 'fence'. We love spending time in the yard and now she can hang out with us without always having to be secured to a leash or a yard line. Never thought it would work for our little runner, but it's been a miraculous success.

Sorry, it's a bit off topic, but I thought I'd add to Parker's post.

The Villages permits two large dogs per household, and it's one of the few retirement communities that doesn't have size restrictions. cahweh1975, you can have a fenced yard for your dogs with a Courtyard Villa. We originally had a CYV and it works great for dogs. Now we have a house and an invisible fence. As Parker says, it works really well. The key is training the dogs before the current is activated. DogWatch was great about helping with the training. I always thought invisible fencing was inhumane, but it isn't at all. If trained properly, your dogs will always avoid the boundaries.

[The Buckeyes]

After being here for a number of years, this is one of the most attractive features of Villagers. No one seems to care or be impressed with what position you held, how much money you made, who your important friends were, or how big your house was before you moved to The Villages.

When's the last time anyone asked you much more than where you were from and what village you live in? All that stuff s unimportant here and everyone soon realizes that fact.

And that's the way it should be.

[elizabeth52]

Can you give me an idea on the cost of an electric fence?

[wendyquat]

I think everyone has concerns about relocating to any area! I wish my concern was because I thought I might be too young! Alas

After living here two years and both of us dealing with health issues I have concerns about medical care. In our case the doctors are well qualified but for some reason I have had issues with small things like getting renewals on prescriptions (more than once). They can't seem to keep good, reliable help! Im still working on that and feel sure I will find the right one!

I guess Mayo might be an option for some but their website says they do not accept Medicare so that would put it out of reach for us not to mention the distance from TV. I think it's important to have a good, dependable primary physician that's within easy reach, especially at our age.

While the vast majority of the people here are more than friendly, this is our second "high season" and is certainly more congested than last year! I'm a patient person and I do not mind waiting in line or at a stop sign but I do mind BEING TOOTED AT! Thankfully that doesn't seem to be a problem during "slow season"!

I think you will find similar problems with any city of 100,000 but it would be hard to find another retirement area that offers what we have here in TV!

[graciegirl]

I think everyone has concerns about relocating to any area! I wish my concern was because I thought I might be too young! Alas

After living here two years and both of us dealing with health issues I have concerns about medical care. In our case the doctors are well qualified but for some reason I have had issues with small things like getting renewals on prescriptions (more than once). They can't seem to keep good, reliable help! Im still working on that and feel sure I will find the right one!

I guess Mayo might be an option for some but their website says they do not accept Medicare so that would put it out of reach for us not to mention the distance from TV. I think it's important to have a good, dependable primary physician that's within easy reach, especially at our age.

While the vast majority of the people here are more than friendly, this is our second "high season" and is certainly more congested than last year! I'm a patient person and I do not mind waiting in line or at a stop sign but I do mind BEING TOOTED AT! Thankfully that doesn't seem to be a problem during "slow season"!

I think you will find similar problems with any city of 100,000 but it would be hard to find another retirement area that offers what we have here in TV!


Nope Cincinnati folks don't honk at you at stop signs.

Wendy...does Mayo not accept Medicare or do you have to pay and have them submit the bill to be PARTIALLY reimbursed to you? I know you always have to pay MORE when that happens but just wondered.

I too worry about really REALLY good geriatric care especially if I get pregnant. ;)

No. I was teasing of course but I am very serious and I have said more than once that what this place lacks is a nearby teaching institution because medical teaching facilities draw excellent physicans. I have found a very good dermatologist and an excellent dentist but not the same quality in the general care physician we have so far. I don't blame doctors going where the money is, but in this case I would treasure a little pity.

[Madelaine Amee]

HI
I"m wondering... do people ever go over to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville? We are Mayo patients up north and that is where I was thinking would go for care. It is good system and well coordinated with specialists etc.

I was referred to Mayo in Jacksonville as they are the #1 hospital in the USA for my condition, on top of which there was no one in the immediate area who could properly diagnose and treat my problem. I was back and forth from TV to Mayo for two years, went through four minor and one major surgery and my out of pocket expense was $72.

I cannot explain the medicare part of Mayo completely as my other half handled the finances, but I think I am correct in saying that Mayo do not follow and accept Medicare's reimbursements and, therefore, your primary needs to pick up the excess amount not covered by Medicare. I am fortunate to have AARP's United Health Coverage "J" which is no longer available, it covered everything other than $72.

I am sure there are other people around who can more fully explain Mayo/Medicare/Primary payments, but all you need to do is call your Primary and they will help with any queries you might have.

I will add that in my opinion there is NOTHING to compare with the treatment, the quality of staff, the exceptional specialists and every other aspect of The Mayo Clinic. If the need arose again, I would most certainly go there for treatment.

[mgjim]

Maybe this will help:

Medicare at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/becomingpat-jax/medicare.html)

[duffysmom]

I've lived in two coastal towns in Florida before coming to TV and it's a fact that Florida is a major vacation destination in high season. If you want to get away from the cold the price you'll pay for the privilege of living in Florida is a few extra minutes each day getting from here to there. The quality of my life since moving to TV far outweighs some inconveniences. My lanai is a little piece of heaven and my cart enables me to spend time doing chores while feeling connected to nature and all the beauty around me. How many people can say they stopped to watch an alligator on their way to Starbucks for a cup of coffee and got a tan along the way.

On topic my concern was that TV was too good to be true. I've learned that it is even better than I thought initially and I'm living the good life one day at a time. Who knows what the future will hold?

[ilovetv]

I've lived in two coastal towns in Florida before coming to TV and it's a fact that Florida is a major vacation destination in high season. If you want to get away from the cold the price you'll pay for the privilege of living in Florida is a few extra minutes each day getting from here to there. The quality of my life since moving to TV far outweighs some inconveniences. My lanai is a little piece of heaven and my cart enables me to spend time doing chores while feeling connected to nature and all the beauty around me. How many people can say they stopped to watch an alligator on their way to Starbucks for a cup of coffee and got a tan along the way.

On topic my concern was that TV was too good to be true. I've learned that it is even better than I thought initially and I'm living the good life one day at a time. Who knows what the future will hold?

Excellent perspectives!

Personally I'd rather be in a lively community with a lot of people and short-term congestion than in a small, quiet one that is economically gasping for breath with home values circling the drain and HOA/condo fees skyrocketing.

[wendyquat]

Maybe this will help:

Medicare at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/becomingpat-jax/medicare.html)

Thank you for this. I guess I was mistaken! Mayo should be no problem with a supplement.

[NJblue]

Besides some of the concerns mentioned, I have a concern about what will happen after build out. I suspect that a lot of the lifestyle that we enjoy is being subsidized by the developer so that he can continue to sell houses. Once there are no more houses to sell, will the developer decide that the subsidies go away? If he does, will these lifestyle items go away?

[mulligan]

Budgets are in place for all the activities I can see. Where are the subsidies ?

[NJblue]

Budgets are in place for all the activities I can see. Where are the subsidies ?

The budgets are for only things that are CDD owned or controlled. Potential areas of cutback could be:

town square entertainment
town square festivals
championship golf
Daily Sun
movie theaters (i.e. higher ticket prices)
Life Long Learning Center
Savanah Center entertainment
polo matches
WVLG
TV station

Note, that I didn't say that there ARE subsidies, but all of the above could be subsidized by the developer to create a market for houses.

Even if not subsidized, the developer can change his business model to reflect the changing need to sell houses. For example, he could take away the requirement for town square merchants to kick in a fee to provide entertainment on the squares. This would end the music. Or, the budget for entertainment could be reduced, thus reducing the quality of entertainment or the number of nights that it is made available.

[mulligan]

Every entity you mentioned except the festivals is privately owned.

[NJblue]

Every entity you mentioned except the festivals is privately owned.

What is your source of information concerning private ownership of all of the above?

I've heard rumors of the Vescos "owning" the entertainment department but I have never seen details confirming this. There may indeed have been some transfer of authority - perhaps, whereas Barbara used to be an employee of TV, she now runs her own business of contracting with the entertainers, but the entertainers are still being paid by the developer from the funds he collects (and potentially subsidizes) from the merchants. I have not seen any confirmed details of this transaction - hence it is on my "concern" list.

Likewise the transfer of ownership of the Daily Sun.

I have not heard any reports of the learning center being privately owned, nor the championship golf courses, nor the radio station, etc.

[ilovetv]

The Lifelong Learning College is affiliated with:

University of Florida Extension Services
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)
Serving Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties 352-793-272

And there are opportunities for residents to become Patron Membership donors. It's voluntary and probably done by people who appreciate what's offered and accomplished in the school.

http://www.thevillageslifelongcollege.com/pdfs/Affiliations.pdf

[texasfal]

The Lifelong Learning College is affiliated with:

University of Florida Extension Services
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)
Serving Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties 352-793-272

And there are opportunities for residents to become Patron Membership donors. It's voluntary and probably done by people who appreciate what's offered and accomplished in the school.

http://www.thevillageslifelongcollege.com/pdfs/Affiliations.pdf

My concern before moving here was will I be able to find a job. Now my concern is why can't I find a job that pays a decent wage.

[buzzy]

I can't imagine anyone expecting a competitive wage in a state that is known for retirement living, has a service-based economy, and has no state income tax.

[2BNTV]

My concern before moving here was will I be able to find a job. Now my concern is why can't I find a job that pays a decent wage.

This is the reason I did not move to TV when I first saw it. Not only are the wages lower but most jobs don't have medical benefits. Since I was not eligible for medicare and I am not a gambler. A friend of mine had heart surgery and if for some unknown. resason I would require something like that, I would have had to file for bankrupcy.

So sorry that you are in this type of situation. I hope you find something that is acceptable.

[graciegirl]

Please all wannabes do your due diligence. Don't move here having to depend on a job that you have not secured.

I would skin my grandkids for that. My kids already know it. My folks would have too.

I am called a fiscal conservative.

Also a B.

[Trish Crocker]

I'm really having a hard time understanding the 'congestion' problem. Other that a few times there were long waits at restaurants I have not found traffic or overcrowding to be a problem. Maybe since we just moved here I am still in awe of not having to be in city traffic or not having to share the road in winter with people that think if they drive over 5 mph in snow they will die. Seriously, where is all the the congestion? I haven't seen it. Depending on the entertainment the squares can get crowded but I have never been unable to park. Maybe the folks that notice it more are those from rural areas? I'm just not getting it.

[Polar Bear]

I'm really having a hard time understanding the 'congestion' problem. Other that a few times there were long waits at restaurants I have not found traffic or overcrowding to be a problem. Maybe since we just moved here I am still in awe of not having to be in city traffic or not having to share the road in winter with people that think if they drive over 5 mph in snow they will die. Seriously, where is all the the congestion? I haven't seen it. Depending on the entertainment the squares can get crowded but I have never been unable to park. Maybe the folks that notice it more are those from rural areas? I'm just not getting it.

I love reading this post. My wife and I have visited twice...once during the winter...and have not thought the crowds/traffic were bad either. But we've been concerned maybe we're missing something! Heheh. We're planning to move to TV later this year from Pinellas County and I've seen nothing in TV to compare with traffic here yet. :)

[2BNTV]

I'm really having a hard time understanding the 'congestion' problem. Other that a few times there were long waits at restaurants I have not found traffic or overcrowding to be a problem. Maybe since we just moved here I am still in awe of not having to be in city traffic or not having to share the road in winter with people that think if they drive over 5 mph in snow they will die. Seriously, where is all the the congestion? I haven't seen it. Depending on the entertainment the squares can get crowded but I have never been unable to park. Maybe the folks that notice it more are those from rural areas? I'm just not getting it.

Being an original city boy from NY, I would like to experience what some people say is crowding in TV. I have been to the squares when a popular band was playing but I didn't find it excessively overbearing. A lot of people yes, but nothing like a big city congestion. IMHO

I think it's all one's perception and what they are use to.

[Ohiogirl]

I'm really having a hard time understanding the 'congestion' problem. Other that a few times there were long waits at restaurants I have not found traffic or overcrowding to be a problem. Maybe since we just moved here I am still in awe of not having to be in city traffic or not having to share the road in winter with people that think if they drive over 5 mph in snow they will die. Seriously, where is all the the congestion? I haven't seen it. Depending on the entertainment the squares can get crowded but I have never been unable to park. Maybe the folks that notice it more are those from rural areas? I'm just not getting it.

I think they must mean they are the 3rd cart in line at a stop sign sometimes.

Or maybe compared to summer, when the traffic really dies down.

When it's the high season here, sometimes you actually don't make it thru the green light and have to wait about 2.5 minutes for the next one (and this is probably only during "rush" hour). On the coasts, in high season, you might travel 1 mile in 45 minutes. There really is no comparison, IMO.

[gomoho]

We are not comparing the traffic to a big city or the coast. I believe those of us saying how congested it is are basing this on how everything flows so lovely in the summer. No traffic, no lines, tee-times always available and just a nice slow pace.

I am grateful for those coming during high season that keep everything going and reminds us living here full time to appreciate the glory days of summer!

[De Lis]

1) We were about to purchase right about the time Bernie Madoff came into our lives. I was concerned that he was somehow involved...too good to be true.

2) That when it all finally built out, it will be sold to an outside company, and things will change. I love it here and my children do as well - it really IS Lower Paradise!

[ilovetv]

I'm really having a hard time understanding the 'congestion' problem. Other that a few times there were long waits at restaurants I have not found traffic or overcrowding to be a problem. Maybe since we just moved here I am still in awe of not having to be in city traffic or not having to share the road in winter with people that think if they drive over 5 mph in snow they will die. Seriously, where is all the the congestion? I haven't seen it. Depending on the entertainment the squares can get crowded but I have never been unable to park. Maybe the folks that notice it more are those from rural areas? I'm just not getting it.

I agree. I don't see "congestion" either....except for the two or so times I bought a few groceries at Publix between 9 and 10 a.m. People were crammed in there and standing there mid-aisle thinking about each item on the shelf as it were going to take their last dime on earth to buy it.

From what I see, there are a lot of people so set in their ways that they will NOT alter the time of day at which they do certain things like buy groceries.

What's so hard about going to Publix in the evening?!?!?!? It's a breeze then in the winter, and in other seasons it's not a problem!