Our first Lifestyle Preview, nine years in the making. Golf, anyone?
 

First of all, let me say that TOTV is a well run, friendly, informative, entertaining, lively forum and I have been addicted to it ever since I discovered it. I have spent many hours learning about life in Florida’s Friendliest Retirement Hometown.

By way of introduction, my wife, the lovely Diane, and I first discovered The Villages in 2000 by chance. We were on our way from Davenport, FL, where we were staying with friends while on vacation, to Ocala National Forest for the day.

We passed under the cart bridge on Rte 27 and saw “The Villages” sign and thought “What are 'The Villages'?” Curious, we stopped in at Spanish Springs on the way home and were immediately taken with TV. We came back and spent the next day of our vacation at The Villages driving around, taking the trolley tour, talking to a sales rep., looking at model homes, and walking around Spanish Springs (for LSL was only a twinkle in the developer’s eye at that time).

We started getting the videos and have quite a collection of them now. We watch them on cold, snowy winter days and dream of what life could be like living in TV.

We visited relatives, who were living in that other famous retirement community south of Sarasota, for three days in 2002. We were struck by the differences between “that place” and TV. After a coupe of days I called TV to ask if there was any room at the inn because we wanted to bail. We were turned away from TV and spent our third day at “that place”, then tore off for a day trip to TV to walk around, have lunch, hit a few golf balls, and wave to the smiling residents passing by in their golf carts. We have not been back to TV since. I expect there have been many changes at TV. I hope it is as nice as we remember.

We both have well paying jobs here in Maine and are not quite ready to give them up in this economy, so we continue to eliminate debt and pile up cash in anticipation of our eventual retirement and our move to join the fortunate few who live in TV.

To that end we are arriving late on February 24th for a six day Lifestyle Preview. I have been reading TOTV with great interest and amusement for the last three weeks trying to get a feel for the lifestyle, the pros and cons of living in TV, and the attitudes of the residents.

A special thanks to Muncle for his warning of September 17, 2008 “DO NOT attempt to feed carrots or other delicacies to the Lifestyle visitors." We won’t expect any carrots and such from the residents, but we would like to meet some of you and get your candid insight to living in TV.

The lovely Diane does not play golf, but she kindly encourages me to play, so I’m looking for someone to play golf with during our Lifestyle Preview. I’m a 22 handicap who can play like a 10 on one shot and like a 30 on the next, so it should be an amusing round.

By the way, Dirigo is pronounced DEAR-ago, and it is the State motto of Maine. It is Latin and means “I direct” or “I lead”. My use of that moniker is tribute to my home state, not an indication of my demeanor.

Hi Dirigo
We have been here for a little over a month now. This is the place to be. I think you will think so as well. Been here twice on life style visits before we were able to sell in New Jersey
Sorry am not big on golf but there are plenty of other activities to keep me busy

Hi Dirigo,

I am sure you will love it here. We bought in September, but can't move until 2/2010 when I retire. We visit as often as possibly (usually once a month), unfortunately we will miss you by one day, but I am sure you will meet many other people. Enjoy your stay.

It is so wonderful here. I know that you have visited briefly...........but,

YOU AIN'T SEEN NUTHIN' YET!!

Welcome. We will arrange a "meet and greet" . Signal us again a little closer to your arrival time and we will get a group together for dinner.

Hello all! I posted a new avitar to include the lovely Diane.

Thank you all for your warm welcome to the forum. Please tell me about your homes and Villages.


BarryB-The lovely Diane is from Basking Ridge NJ! What activities are you into?

Helene2008-Sorry to miss you. Your perspective as newcomer would be most interesting to hear. Where is Plantation, FL?

Graciegirl-You have got to be one of the nicest folks on TOTV! Thanks so much for the offer of a "meet and greet". Meeting some TV'ers will make our Lifestyle Preview so much better. We will be in touch!

Did I mention that the golf will be on a Championship course and I'm treating?

Prior to your visit, you might want to obtain a copy of the controversial book “Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias" by Andrew D. Blechman.

The book documents the development of a few of the earliest large planned retirement communities, but is mainly a narrative of the author's experiences while spending a month in TV with neighbors who had recently retired there.

But be forewarned, parts of this eye opening book are devoted to some of the sexual exploits of a few rather promiscuous Villagers.

However, although I (and many Villagers) strongly disagree with some of the opinions expressed by the author in his conclusion about the appropriateness of eschewing our responsibilities to society and the next generation, I think it's a must read for any TV wannabe.

Dirigo,

Plantation is in South Florida...just west of Ft. Lauderdale. I am absolutely in love with The Villages, the people and everything about it. Can't wait to retire in 2010.

Dirigo to answer your question
I went out for softball and stickball but got to aggressive for my age and pulled a hamstring muscle. So while I'm on the mend I relax at the pool weather permitting

I would be happy to golf with you when you are here (see screen name), I am about a 22 handicap also, I mostly play the executive courses as I find them quite challenging and they are free. Please feel free to send me a private message a week or so before you get here.....Have a safe trip...GN

Thanks for the "head's up"...
 

Thanks for the head's up on Belchman's book, EdVinMass. I have read other postings on TOTV about the book, as well. We will take your advice and read the book.

Cool ! You're on!
 

Thanks Golfnut ! What course to you want to play? I am able to make a tee time around the first of February.

I haven't played since November, so I'll be pretty rusty...but we'll have a good time anyway...:coolsmiley:

None of us are as young as we think we are, I guess.
 

I know what you mean BarryB. I jumped out of a golf cart before it stopped moving last March in Florida and sprained my right knee. Took me six months to get over that error in judgement.

What is stickball? Is it played on a baseball diamond?

Do you go to a neighborhood pool or country club pool? Are the pools crowded?

Stickball is kind of like baseball except it's played with a rubber ball and a broom stick as a bat. The field is on a hard top the bases are made with chalk. As kids in The Bronx we played in the street

golf
 

My wife and I moved here in late October. We were simiarly infatuated with TV. We spent some 18 planning the move and probably watched the video just about every Saturday morning during that period. We found it especailly motivating while in the throws of moving (not as easy as you might think.)

I would be happy to play golf with you when you are here. My handicap is 17. Send me a privagte messaqge and I'll give you my contact information.

BTW - for your preview they will make the arrangments for you, pretty much on a course of your choosing. They reserve set times for preview people. You'll probably be playing with someone else also on the tour. They will not arrange any additional tee times for you. However, I can do so as a guest.

We need one more to make four...
 

So, after 18 months, how do you like life in TV? Is it everything you thought it would be? What has been your reality check and what has been a pleasant surprise?

I love that TV keeps sending new and improved videos. Keeps the dream fresh in our minds. With high-stress jobs, sometimes knowing there are fun-filled, carefree days ahead keeps us sane (well, somewhat sane). Having lived in one State all my life, moving 1600 miles away will be a big deal, I'm sure.

Thanks, Clekr, for the offer for a golf game! Most of my golf partners at my local club are 14 to 17 handicaps...I'm the comic relief, but sometimes I beat them straight up (on a good day for me and a bad day for them), but I have to buy the adult beverages afterwards, so all I end up with are bragging rights until the next round. Maybe we can get a TOTV foursome together? We've got Golfnut, you and me, all we need is one more...

I'll contact my sales rep and inquire about how the tee times work. Maybe you can make a tee time and I can use my vouchers at that time. It would be nice to use the vouchers, but paying out of pocket is not prohibitive either.

Where in TV do you play stickball?
 

Do you play in the streets of TV? Or a parking lot? Must be hard to hit the ball with a broom stick?

When I was 9 we had a large back yard where we were living. I had a baseball diamond set up on the back lawn using real bases. I had a baseball-themed 9th birthday party with enough kids for two teams...and hot dogs, of course.

I think we can work something out...
 

According to Laura Carver, the Rep. I've been dealing with, you can make the tee time and I can use a Lifestyle "voucher" (I'm calling it a voucher because I don't know if it is ticket,or a pass,or a chit, or a certificate, or what.)

I'll get Golfnut's personal info and your personal info and we'll go from there and see what we can set up.

I very much appreciate that you are willing to take the time to play golf with a TV wannabe.

Parking lot. The broom head is cut off

Is it Feb 24th yet?
 

The thermometer on our front porch read 28 below zero this morning just before dawn. TV is looking pretty good right about now...no indoor pool and bad driving included.

We will be in TV for the first time in nine years this Tuesday for our Life Style Preview! We are very excited!

I have a golf game set up with Golfnut and Clekr, we're going to seek out the Swing Band later in the week, we're going to eat BBQ at Sonny's and/or Oakwood, we're gonna drive around in a golf cart looking like a couple of star-struck tourists, eat at Katie Belles, get some sugar-free ice cream, look at bunch of houses and neighborhoods, and hopefully meet some TOTV'ers.

So if you see a chunky guy with gray hair with a slim blonde lady both with no tan, looking like they are lost, :shrug: studying a map and shooting video with a camcorder: that's us! Stop and say "Hi"!:coolsmiley:

We're like a couple of little kids the night before Christmas!:pepper2:

I Know You'll Enjoy Yourselves
 

Have a wonderful time!

Hi all,
We are heading south for a preview next week and can't wait. We haven't been there yet, but have been doing our homework for weeks. I just finished the book Leisureville and found it very informative and well written. I learned a lot about TV and thanks to the book, I can't wait to get there. After teaching for 26 years, raising a family, enjoying my grandkids, I am sooooo ready for adults. The book really made TV sound great. Even though he ended it with complaints, I believe he will be buying a home in TV in about 15 years. We can't wait to look around and hopefully buy something. Karen

Thanks very much...we plan to have an absolute ball!

Fourth for golf
 

Hi Dirigo,

Just now read your posts and am available for golf on Wed. Feb. 25. If you still need a fourth. I am a 16 handicap. I have spent the Last four summers in Maine and play golf in North Conway N.H. Recently moved to the villages from a nearby R.V. park. Been wintering here for 12 years and finally made the move to TV in Dec.:agree::click::agree:

Safe Travels
 

Hi Dirigo,

Safe travels to you (and your lovely bride) tomorrow. We hear much of the state of Maine got 15 inches today - 6 inches for our family along the coast.

Have a wonderful time.

Kate

We're back (finally)...
 

Our flight home was pushed out from Monday the 2nd to Thursday the 5th due to the "mega storm" on the east coast, so we got a three bonus days in FL.:coolsmiley:

We made it home OK after missing one of three flights due to a delay in Orlando. Trying to get caught up and ready for the work week ahead.

Will post a visit report soon. We loved TV and plan to move there when finances allow (which will be within three years, we hope).

Here's a special shout out to M/M Clekr, Graciegirl (and family), and Golfnut for sharing their time and experiences with a couple of wannabes. Thank you all for being so gracious and welcoming. It is the Villagers that make The Villages so special.

Hope you enjoyed your visit. My wife and I are coming for ours the first week of April.

It's funny how you found TVs. We also 'found' it almost by accident. We made a trip to Fl in the Ocala area in 2004 looking for potential retirement areas (I was taking some IT Security training in Tampa) but did not know about the Villages and ranged up and down the Ocala area for about two days. My wife was VERY down on moving to Fl for retirement because 1) didn't want to be that far from the kids (3), 2) was terrified we'd end up in an isolated community with nothing to do (my parents did this in Southern VA and moved back after 3 years in isolation).

My wife heard about TV through a friend at work and in 2006, when we had a Cruise leaving out of Tampa, we came in early and started looking around. TV was the last place we hit. We were at some of the communities around TV, which had very nice, relatively less expensive homes, but activities were few and far between. My wife remarked during one visit that "We've been here 45min and I have yet to see another woman." I was beginning to despair of any chance to settle in FL for my retirement, then we found TV. As we drove into TV we ended up at Spanish Springs, my wife looked around as we drove by the Town Square and said, "I love it! I'm here." The rest is history - the only thing that kept us from buying then was the beginning of the housing bubble bursting, by the time we got home, and had the house ready to go on the market, the values had dropped to make it impractical to sell. :cus:

Now we'll be buying late in 09 or early in 2010 carrying both mortgages until we officially retire in late 2012 (Too bad the world end Dec 21, 2012 - at least according to the Mayans - this would be a huge ripoff).

We hope to retire in late 2012 as well and spend the winter of 2012-2013 renting in TV. It would really SUCK if the world ended just as we finally got to TV!

Personally, I don't think the world will end in December 2012. However, I'm not taking any chances. I plan on retiring this fall so I can move to the villages and enjoy some time there just in case I'm wrong. :pepper2: :pepper2:

Congratulations! I envy you...

I keep looking at finances to see just how soon we can comfortably retire. It is hard to leave two jobs that pay so well after working a lifetime to get where we are. But money isn't everything. Life is short.