Do You Have Regrets After Moving To TV?
 

Hello. I am relocating here and I already miss home.

Do you regret moving to TV?
Why?
Will you move back home? Or, to another area?

If you got over your regret, how did you do it?

Thank you.

Moved here in 2009. My regret wish I'd have done it earlier. Have NO desire to go back to Long Island period.

Regrets
 

Yes. The biggest regret is that we did not move here sooner. Your life will change..you will be more active, you will enjoy all of the activities that are available. After about 2-3 years you will tell the family to come here as you don't want to take the trip back and miss a lot of things in The Village. Have been here going on 13 years and don't have any desire to live somewhere else. Spent 12 years on the Beach in southern Florida and it did not compare to the Villages. Would you stay where you are for someone else rather than making your life better. Hopefully you are not in some Co-Dependent relationship(s). If so, you are living for the other person not youself. As they say in the south: "Come on Down":coolsmiley:

Never, ever have we regretted this move from Boston. In fact, quite the opposite .... wish we had done it 10 yrs earlier before we spent mega bucks renting for four months each winter on the Gulf Coast.

I regret not leaving more stuff behind.

Regrets are from "living in the past or for what-if's" and why waste your energy on all that. Be thankful for where you are in LIFE right now. IF you're relocating, then something drew you here and I would go with the excitement of change.

Do I miss where we once lived? Only elements of that---but wouldn't want to go back nor can one actually do that. IF you moved here today and then turned around and moved back again in 6 months to a year---LIFE would have gone on there and you wouldn't fit quite in the niche you once had "there". I've known folks who've done just that (not necessarily from here) but it was always mentioned on how there had been "change" and it wasn't
"like it used to be".

Carpe Diem

NOOOOOOOO REGRETS. Best advice I ever recieved...Happiness in not in any one place. Happiness is not with any one person. happiness is always within. You can be unhappy and have regrets or you can be happy with no regrets. It really is your choice. Yes, there are some stresses with a move such as making new friends, learning where to find the grocery store, missing your favorite restaurant. I could go on but think of it as an adventure. An adventure of your choice.

Yes - every July and August when I think of the beautiful days and the great nights up north. The beauty of the spring green color of the trees. You will find out I say no more

Ohio will always live in my heart, the four real seasons and the memories of our little ones and our grands being little too. But now we love the vibrancy of this climate and the enjoyment of conversation with our peers and learning new skills and resting when we are done "working".

I love beautiful and clean and well ordered and well maintained and I love living in a safe environment and The Villages fill the bill. Hope for a continued gentle life.

Pretty much a one sided survey by asking the question here. I equate it to asking 80% new Cadillac owners how do you like your new car. Ask a new Lincoln owner how did you like your last Cadillac. To be an truer representation you need to reach the people who moved away from here also. Believe it or not there is a fair population that have moved away.

Can’t say yet for myself as I am just about to live in TV, but my aunt and uncle did not leave TV until they passed away, and my parents only left when a major illness forced them to.

I think it’s normal to miss some aspects of your previous residence. You know the most reliable mechanic, the best little restaurant, the nicest out of the way escape for a weekend. A lot of us Villagers moved here from vastly different climates.

But, after researching places to spend the rest of my years, this place fills more of my needs and wants than anyplace I saw, and definitely the place I left.

Mike -- It sounds as though you aren't here yet. My advice would be not to second guess what will be in store for you when you get here. If you are married you will have the fun of seeking new things and people with your wife, so you won't be alone. If you are single, there are clubs you can join, even a singles club, and probably a club from the area where you are from. Just about every state has a club here! I can guarantee that no matter what your interests are they will be a club you can join where you will meet others who share your same interests.

Once you get semi-settled don't sit home and pine away. Go to the pool, talk to people when you go to get your mail, go to the squares at night . . . . . in short, get out and make yourself visible! Even reading and commenting on this site you can meet new friends and acquaintances. Chin up and smile. You've already made the decision to be here and now you can make the most of it and be happy!

Regret we didn't move here sooner, might have avoided price hike, we moved here in 2006.

I regret moving here because at home I had so many friends, some for 40-50 years, and down here not so much. Mostly though I miss my family, watching my grand kids play sports and watching my son perform in plays and Cabarets. Many of my classmates still get together 2-3 times a month and I miss that. We are thinking of renting a place up there and going back and forth. We are going up to see Ryan in a Cabaret in June and will look around then. Just my opinion.

This place isn't for everyone, and if you have regrets I wouldn't even consider staying here.....life is too short for regrets and not doing something about it. What is holding you here?

I regret reading posts of people that have regrets of things they have not done yet.

The Villages is a true Sanctuary.

I can't think of a better value in America for the benefits Graciegirl has described.

Yes! We stayed 2 years in the Villages and moved up to Sun City SC. Much more attractive, much less crowded, much less traffic and a lot more privacy! We bought new in the bubble in Oct of 2015. Back door neighbor was only 20 feet away, there were no trees and bugs were everywhere at night. Here where we are now there are much lower property taxes for full time residents, NO bond fees and plenty of activities that are not jammed packed! I can go for a walk and not have to deal with drunk drivers on golf carts, my mail gets delivered right to my house. Yes there is a state income tax, but after all the deductions it was less than zero! The ocean is only 30-45 mins away, and the dining is to die for here. We never regret moving away, it just wasn't for us! Now I know some of you diehard Villagers are about to jump all over me, but do yourself a favor and dive on up and take a look around! You too will question why you haven't moved yet.

No regrets............can I mention quite the opposite???


Came to TV for the golf. Found so much more. Enough said.

There are some very good answers here. Like in any questionnaire response, I might suggest to throw out the top "plus" one and the bottom "negative" one.

I could add one thing to the equation--homesickness. Change is hard. In the first few months after we moved down, my primary thought was, "What have we done?" My friend from back home who moved to a different part of Florida had the same thought. You have to build a new life, no matter where you move. It takes time to make new friends and get used to new ways of living. Give it a year and see what happens. You certainly won't have to worry about resale in The Villages. If it doesn't work out for you, you've had a year of experiencing something new and most likely a profit to be gained on the sale of your house.
Good luck, Mike3461.

And yet two years later reading the forum. Hmm

Proximity to neighbors, bond, trees were obvious factors before even buying.

I live with no back neighbors, lots of trees, no bond.

Never seen anyone drunk on a golf cart, do my own insecticide and have zero bug problems.

Traffic is no issue.

Some of my fortunes may be luck but most is due diligence.

I agree that the majority of posters here are likely to be happy with their choice. I know several who have left, primarily because they miss family, but also because of health problems, not adjusting well to the climate, or feeling that the value for money wasn't good for them because they didn't use most of the amenities.

It's probably similar to retirement ... some people thrive while others get bored or feel at loose ends. As to how you get over it, consider everyone's advice to stay active and engaged. I think being a little homesick is normal but try not to focus on it or beat yourself up over your decision. Give it a year and think of it as a long vacation. Everything is reversible if that's what you decide. Best of luck.

I have no regrets. 34 years in CA...our neighborhood was changing, friends were moving. Our children and grandchildren were in FL so during one of our visits, a quick trip to visit TV. A second visit a few days later and we gave our sales rep info on just what home model we wanted, what type of lot we would like and a few months later...well, we’ve been here for many years now and I know more people and have more friends than I did in CA. Many of us on our street all moved to TV about the same time and quickly became like family. Regrets, none....well, maybe one....I do miss the much lower humidity levels of southern CA...lolol.

:agree:

As many have said, TV is not for everyone but if you no longer live here there must be something about this place that speaks to you. Why do you still follow talk of the Villages? I do not mean this “to get all over you” but I do find it curious

Probably reads the Forum just to see what what's and how much crime has risen in The Villages since they left. Also probably wondering how the golf course conditions are and if they're improved any since they left which I seriously doubt. I also read my hometown paper to see what's happening. It's also nice to see how the Kool-Aid drinkers I'm making out

What's s kool-aid drinker!

Those that love it here, or their spouse loves it here and they can't leave, or they just don't have time or a desire to complain. Lots of different Kool-Aid here :)

Living in The Villages was the best decision we ever made. We've lived here 11 years and it's fun to enjoy all that's been added - Brownwood, the Sharon, and now all of the new amenities in Southern Oaks. It just gets better. I am sad with the grief some friends had when they had to move back because they needed family support due to health problems. As others have said, our regret is that we didn't move here sooner.

Hmm, are you sure you live in The Villages? My experience with traffic and drunks in golf carts is different than yours.

Our feeling is nothing is ever perfect, and that holds true for The Villages.We've met some wonderful people, and we do enjoy the choice of activities. On the downside is the the sheer size of the Villages. The population has doubled since we moved here and we really can notice the increase in traffic and the numbers of people vying for space in restaurants and some of the classes at certain times of year. I gave up trying to do zumba. Just didn't want to get to a class an hour ahead of time just to get a spot. The condition of the golf courses has also been a huge disappointment. And we've experienced nasty behavior from other residents when our political views did not coincide with theirs, something we never went through up north. That was really a shocker. But we feel the plusses outweigh the minuses. And once you get settled in, buy a house, make friends, etc., its hard to pull up stakes and start over again at this age.

Been here 8 years, love it and won't be moving. Only regret I have is leaving my grandkids behind. I would love to be there growing up.

We have only lived in The Villages for three years but believe we made the right choice. We had seriously looked at Sun City Hilton Head because we had been to that area many times over the previous fifteen years and because our son, his wife, and our grandchildren live nearby. You are right there are a variety of wonderful restaurants in that area including Hilton Head Island. But traffic on 278 can be very heavy. We thought for us that The Villages made more sense and still believe that. Fortunately not everyone is alike in their desire for a retirement community. People should go where they like the living style best, even if that means admitting that the first choice was wrong; moving is not fun but is better than staying where one regrets living.

Yes. Five years in The Villages. Two years in 1st home, 3 in second home. Every store/bank/worship needed is within 5 minutes by car. Ten minutes by golf cart. Rarely go further. Never traffic nearby. No roundabouts here either, although I think they are a good option for the heavily populated areas of the villages.

Only wish the airport was closer as the inexpensive living in the Villages allows lots of travel.

Lots of properties with no rear neighbors. Some with very little premium. Just have to look hard. Google Earth helps.

Of the people that have left The Villages, most fell into one of three categories.

Health
Missed Family
Neighbors too close (and they did not get along)

Potential neighbors need to be vetted as well. Are they loud? Smoke? Barking Dogs? Unkept properties. Adult children living at home. Etc

If you make the choice to buy a house with very close neighbors, spend the time to evaluate everything!

When I go in my backyard no one can hear me or see me.

Don't talk politics with people unless you are on the same wavelength.

My Sanctuary Village is perfect.

I think some of us had some initial anxiety when confronted with having to learn a new place. How to get around, choosing doctors and the myriad of issues when in a new and different lifestyle.

If after a year, you are still homesick, then you can always sell your place and move back home! It won't take long to sell your home.

For me, this is the best move and the best place I ever live in. So many activities and things to do. Meeting new friends and the general friendliness of almost all of it's people. There are a few grouches but I just move on to the next person.

My only regret is that I was not able to move sooner to TV!!!

I agree with 2BNTV totally. I was very worried because I am such a bashful, introverted person who is afraid to speak my piece when we moved to The Villages. Somehow with the help of those who Initially Welcomed Us at Crispers and those who invited us into their home when we experience the Jitters in the very beginning I somehow thru deep soul searching have become outgoing, extroverted but still don't fully speak my mind because I would be kicked off this Forum and have nobody to hang out with.

The Villages to some extent has taught me that the battle is OVER. We are in the 7th Inning and hoping the ballgame goes into Overtime.

The things we worried about turned out to be a big Zero, Snakes, and Alligators. Beating the crowd home from the Square is my main goal now. Pretty Cool! :1rotfl:

P.S. We miss the Grandchildren and our Kids Dogs but that's about it.

Regret's = NONE!

[QUOTE=Mike3461;1649898]Hello. I am relocating here and I already miss home.

Do you regret moving to TV?
Why?




No- not even once. Eight years and counting.

I miss the nice folks I met at Crispers-Nucky, 2BNTV and others and would love to host others. We're very close to Odell Rec Center...too far away? We're just north of Colony. Is there any interest to get a group of TOTVers together with their own BYOB and munchies?

Unhappy people like to call those that are satisfied with their choices "Koolaide Drinkers". What they don't realize is, the real koolaide is that of anger, unhappiness, and dis-satisfaction. They are unlikely to be happy with much of anything because they are looking for things that they don't like, and looking past all that is available. What a shame.

A get together of TOTV posters would certainly take the anonymity out of the forum and you’d have to “face up” to your posts.... and we’d know who actually are living here.
I’m personally not yet in TV (just closed) but if you get a group together when I’m there.... sounds good.

Well, we are lucky in that we have our cake and eat it too. We have a Courtyard Villa in Sanibel and a home adjacent to our three kids in Missouri. We spend about 5 months in TV and the rest in the Kansas City area. We love TV, but can't see ourselves ever spending our full time there. If our children were spread out, as most are, we would probably be thrilled to be full time Villagers, but under the circumstances, we love the Villages/Missouri split. I realize that not everyone can do what we do, and feel blessed to be able to accommodate our love of family and TV. As far as regrets, it is my opinion that one needs to weigh all the relevant factors prior to making a major decision, then move forward confidently - never looking back. I have zero regrets in my life as everything I have done has led me to this point in my life and I am happy with the result.