Where are they hiding ?
 

Only a few weeks away from moving to The Villages and both my wife and I are very excited to start our new life.

One question and please don't get me wrong, I mean no disrespect--

Where are all the Hispanics living within The Villages?
Do they lived in a special section of The Villages that I haven’t seen? Florida has a population of more than 24 % Hispanics.
I’m a proud American with a Hispanic background, but other than the laborers that work within The Villages, I haven’t seen many Hispanic citizens living within The Villages.

The Villages is not Florida............in many ways.


It's a bubble.



I think there are stats out there just for TV.

Old Info, but it's info:


As of the census estimate of July 1, 2016, there were 123,966 people and 49,362 households residing in the CDP (Sumter County). The population per square mile in 2010 was 170.8. There were 68,199 housing units as of 2010. The racial makeup of The Villages CDP was 98.3% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race made up 1.8% of the population.[24]
As of 2016, persons under 5 years accounted 2% of the population, persons under 18 years accounted for 7.1%, persons 65 years and over accounted for 56.3%, and 50% of the population was female.[24] Median household income between in 2017 was $54,562.[9][24]
In 2018, the median age for both sexes in The Villages metropolitan statistical area is 67.4, with this being 29 years older than a typical American, and five years older than the median age of residents in the next-oldest county in the United States, which is on the Hawaiian island of Molokai.[25]

Thanks for your reply-
Very True as The Villages are not representative of Florida, which in a strange way makes this area so appealing but after several visits and spending countless hours in the public areas of The Villages, this place really lacks a representation of Hispanics and for that matter, nor African Americans and all other minorities.

I’m know there’s an Hispanic club and it’s pretty active. Ditto other “minority” clubs. No question TV is predominantly white, but minorities are here and are welcomed by the majority.

From my perspective, I don't think the vast majority of Villagers go around looking for people who are different from us. We are a huge group of people living out our lives in this amazing place and all are welcome. I have met many people from different areas of the country and the world, and the last thing I think about is what their ethnicity is, I am more inclined to notice whether someone is rude or obnoxious than what they may look like or where they came from.

It’s true that TV is predominantly white but all are welcome. I can’t tell you why, it’s just the way it is. Come join us and help change the statistics . :-)

Most of us don't care about all that. What we have in common is that we have lived at least five decades on this earth. We are usually by then, wise and kind and accepting and look for commonalities between us. I hope you don't have age bias, :) because some of us do. Welcome home.

I golf with a New Yorker twice per week...........So you know I can get along with anyone.




:clap2:

Hola!

Warning.... The village residents are SO friendly some people are initially suspicious.

After a while you will be waving and saying hello to everyone too.

The Spanish club is great.

Welcome.

Mensaje para mas informacion.

Moving to The Villages is a choice of the individual that in many ways is influenced by cultural practices and norms as well as economics. In this I mean that many cultural and ethnic groups place a higher value and priority on maintaining closer ties to friends and family than others. Influencing this is the economics of maintaining the desired level of connectivity.

There is also the continued propensity toward multi-culturalism both abroad and in the US, where as ethnic groups will keep to themselves and not intermix with indigenous culture of the area. The Villages does not have such enclaves which may be a deterring factor for some considering a move here.

If there is a group that does show a higher than normal concentration here in The Villages it's Military Veterans at about 20% or nearly quadruple the national norm for any area. Falling into this category myself, I can tell you that moving here was an easy decision as we had "shallow roots" due to spending many years moving. Adding to this is the lack of stigma of not being a "local" that permeates many communities. As a the product of a military family childhood and then 20 year Navy career I have very shallow roots and finding a community where everyone is new to the area and equal, has made fitting in very easy and comforting.

It would be socially irresponsible to ignore history and the economic of our society. Yes there have been injustices in the past that have lead to some, but not all, of economic differences in given ethnic groups that makes moving to The Villages an unattainable goal. Based on my life experiences with people of many cultural and ethnic backgrounds, it is my belief that the current limitations many feel are imposed on them are self-initiated and self-limiting. Those that have chosen to overcome these self or culturally imposed limitations are generally very successful people leading fulfilling lives and not the lives of victims and being owed something.

I have many friends here in The Villages that are of every race, ethnic, economic, educational, and political backgrounds and beliefs. I make no efforts to divide or classify them based on any of these differences, they are all friends and fellow retires that have chosen to be here.

If someone chooses to move here because they are white, Hispanic, African-american, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Democrat, Republican, or some other divider then they are moving here for the wrong reasons and will not likely fit in or be comfortable here. If they choose to move here to enjoy the retirement they worked hard for all their lives, meet new friends, and have new experiences then I hope they are blessed with many happy years of living here.

Come on down
 

There are plenty of Hispanics here in the villages we don’t care what color or nationality you are. Just have fun and be a good neighbor. Living here is great you’ll love it.

When I came to the United States I was not surprised to find there were a lot of Americans here. Just sayin’ Most of the Villagers are older people and they represent the demographics that used to be long ago, and not now.

I have a feeling this thread will be short lived but "in before the lock" as they say with the one observation that was very obvious to us when we first spent a rental month down here was that "this place has virtually everything going for it except for diversity." Being from the NJ/NY area my entire life it took some getting used to. We also observed it had lot's of veterans which was nice to see as my father was one of the "greatest generation" (we brought him down here just before he passed and he loved that) and way too many dogs :D but very little diversity. Despite that we made it our "final resting place" ;) because you just can't beat the lifestyle down here.

I sleep with one every night.

My opinion
 

As I read your post, you've bought a place and are in the process of packing, moving etc. Your post implies doubts-that is totally normal.
Assuming you are or will be retired, it a a major life change. No longer do you know Monday you need to catch some business event.
The villages being large has much to offer. Whatever your interest is you will find there is a club of like minded people.
Far as Hispanic, that is a very broad term. If, you mean Cuban,
south Florida has more of as you describe as Hispanic sections.
You are starting a new life adventure-ENJOY IT.

VERY good point.

I read through the whole thread, but I feel I need to answer. I am "mixed race". My father is German, my mother is Mexican. They were married in 1962 when things like that were just not done. They were definitely groundbreakers. My Mexican mother was also the first in her family to graduate from College. We were raised in a fairly white area, but we were raised as AMERICANS. I have cousings from Blonde hair lilly white skin, to several that many people would think were African American. I never saw any difference in any of them.

Growing up in this environment where we were taught it is WHAT you are, not WHO you are or the color of your skin, I have to say I am actually quite annoyed with all the talk of "Diversity" in America. I don't really get why it matters at all. I have 2 grandchildren that are half Laotian - If we are going to clasify them, how? I can tell you how, they are AMERICAN.

I had been coming to TV for years before anyone pointed out this "Diversity" stuff, and to be honest I never noticed or cared. I would suggest you do the same. TV is filled with wonderful people, great activities, beautiful weather. Come down and enjoy. Based on my experience, you will be the only person worried about skin color. Nobody else seems to.

Ed

Nicely said Ed.

I don't think they are hiding anywhere. On each of my several visits to TV I met and spoke with many Spanish speaking folks, went to a huge party sponsored by a Spanish speaking club and had a ball. BTW, I am an Anglo born in NJ who was mostly raised in NM, learned to cuss in Spanish before English, married and had children with an hispanic lady whose ancestors had settled in Southern NM back in the late 16th - early 17th century. When she had her DNA tested she was surprised to find that in addition to her expected Iberian peninsula ancestry she was 20% Italian, 20% Greek and 28% American Indian! LOL. The first European settlers in what is now New Mexico came from all over Europe, I suppose. Anyway, to me an hispanic is someone whose first language is Spanish, be they from Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, a country in Central or South America, The Philippines or - you name it.

I'm glad you felt the need.......this is a great post. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, background, and experience - a message we all need to hear in these times.

And a heartfelt welcome to the OP. :welcome:

Once again, I apologize if I offended anyone as my question was sincere and wasn’t meant be to insensitive. My only concern with moving to The Villages is that I’m leaving a melting pot of primarily Hispanic folks and entering “The Bubble” filled primarily with homogeneous white Anglo older folk.

Where will I ever find my sandwich de cerdo, pastelitos, paella y helado do mayma ???
:a040::a040::a040:

I have some New Yorkers on my block and can relate.

There are some Hispanics around too.

Does my chihuahua/terrier count? He was born in Florida though but some of his ancestors are from Mexico. Some of my relatives live in Mexico. My great uncle got around.

One of the nice things about TOTV is we learn so much from each other and incorporate the new things into our own lives; we’ve all heard that America is the “melting pot.” So true!

Under the topic The Villages Kitchen” I look forward to seeing your recipies for these items, and more!

If “identity politics” is important to you, you will not be happy in The Villages.

Yum! That sounds delicious. I can’t find my native kitchen, pastries, and the like either. So I got a house with a wonderful kitchen.

I don’t think anyone feels offended. I think we are all trying to reassure you that you will be welcome here. As for the great food you describe may be a little problem. :-)

Not sure about the food...............But The Villages has Kool-aid.


:clap2:

Yes, getting great food in TV is a problem. Not only are first class restaurants virtually nonexistent, finding eateries serving tasty spicy ethnic food of any type is difficult if not impossible.

Yes, TV is literally awash in Kool-Aid. LOL

Yep !

Come next Thursday, Ill be drinking about a gallon of Kool-Aid which is going to cost me over $350K.
:popcorn:

:):) you coming soon.

You don't live here so it won't be an issue for you.

You are going to have to do what the rest of us do .... go back "home" for your Spanish food. It's the same as me having to go back to New England for my lobster, clam chowder, fried clams and real cold water haddock and cod. I love that New England food, but I really LOVE living in the warm sunshine year round :):):)

Yes, but... it was hard for me to convince hubby to live in TV where the food in restaurants is only so so. I always thought it was bland etc because that’s what old folks expect. I was looking where to take him to impress him. He is from around here but likes good food in general.

Well stated GoldWingNut! Thank you.

this is the answer.

Americans here,,,,,,what does that mean?

American citizens in the USA.

Tampa !
 

TAMPA. That's where. Make a periodic short trip (around 75 miles) down I-75 to Tampa, which has the full gamut of Spanish food from the formal (Columbia, Ulele) to Spanish Pastry shops (La Segunda Central, Alessi Bakery.)

My personal favorite is the Columbia Restaurant in the historic Ybor City Section. Among my favorite dishes are Sea Bass a la Rusa, the 1905 Salad, or the simpler meal of a Cuban Sandwich.

Take a look at their Lunch, and Dinner Menus.

Columbia Restaurant