Seeking advice from others on whether you feel it is safe to return to the Village
 

We are pretty long-term Villagers with a home in a fairly safe northern state. We are conflicted about whether we would feel safer staying here (with limited activities) or returning to The Villages in the Fall. We've made this trip 17 times and miss the activities and friends there but are concerned about whether we would be making a mistake in returning this October. We would appreciate some advice from people either way. Thank you.

It will be extremely dangerous here so please stay away. This also goes for all the snowbirds planning a return this fall. It is very sad every time i go to the pool and i'm the only one there. SAD SAD SAD. This goes for restaurants and stores as well, not to mention the awful times i can drive around without bumper to bumper traffic. So to anwser your ? I would highly recommended staying put.

Safer here than most places.

I think that TV is safe now. But I am waiting until more things reopen before we plan a Lifestyle Visit there.

In the meantime, I will stay in my nearly 4000 sqft home on close to 2 acres in an outer gulf coast suburb. A few days ago, I spent the entire day trimming shrubs, weeding and hauling big cans of yard debris around. Today I have 5 bathrooms to clean and sanitize.

When we retire, I want less maintenance and more fun activities. The idea of spending our days working out, going golfing and swimming, shopping and dining on the squares, going to classes and listening/dancing to live entertainment sounds like a lot of fun.

We are patiently awaiting things to reopen in TV so that we can check it all out. We know that good things take time and eventually things will get back to normal.

Is there a timeline for your decision? My best advice is to wait and see what happens. Things with COVID could change drastically one way or the other in the next 3-4 months.

Currently it appears that plans for reopening TV activities will follow Florida guidelines, so most everything should be available again by Fall. But then, I wouldn't bet more than a nickle on any particular outcome -- we're all standing on shifting sands with no crystal balls!

Wise to be monitoring what's going on even though your plan is to not travel back until October

TV is as safe as anywhere I believe. Some things are starting to open up, softball, tennis, the pools, restaurants, the movie houses...but the squares still look somewhat like a 'ghost town' compared to what we've all come to love and enjoy

today's Daily Sun talks about an uptick in the number of covid-19 cases in the tri-county area...Lake and Marion counties seem to have the most with 530 and 217 new cases (as you know there are only a few Villages in these counties)....Sumter's new cases I believe were under 50 which represents the majority of the Villages

yesterday the line at a Walgreens that was offering testing was huge....folks are concerned, but no panic. Not everyone wears a mask...so perhaps with all that has reopened and people have gathered w/o masks we may see an uptick in cases within TV

IMHO, once you return I believe that you'd be happy to be back in the bubble, regardless of what's open/not open...after 17 years
it's in your blood...and you can play the game as safely as you choose

We were snowbirds for years....I'd actually be more concerned about how I planned to make the trip back down

We've chosen to stay safe and have told our kid's "please no visiting". They'd all be flying down. We are seeing grandchildren in TV...recent reports are that the virus is spreading quickly among the 18 - 25 age group...and I would expect among the younger set too. With Zoom and Marco Polo you can still 'see' everyone...and there's always the phone

A lot of sarcasm on this thread....;)

Probably depends a lot on the kinds of things you are used to doing.

IMHO the Villages' management is doing a very good job with dealing with the Corona Virus public health crisis. As are many businesses here in the Villages. There are exceptions though. My neighborhood pool, for instance, often has people coming and going without masks on which is supposedly required.

And I sometimes get a close talker without a mask approaching me at one of the local dog parks but most people there are keeping at least six feet of distance.

I try to wear glasses, a hat, and a mask on any indoor visit to local stores. But there are people who do not wear masks nor glasses.

It varies quite a bit.

Who knows what will be happening in four months would delay decision as long as possible.

Would be more concerned about traveling. Will hotels be safe?

wow, dropping like flies...a vast wasteland

really?

Yeah, we agree. You just described our life.

At this time, with the virus spreading as quickly as it is and no vaccine available, I am against anyone moving from State to State. I think I read yesterday that NY, Jersey and Ct., are talking about stopping people visiting their States due to infection rates climbing again.

I think we could get used to that no problem. Looking forward to visiting TV, it sounds like a great place!

Most here are following the advice from the Florida department of health. There are plenty of things to do and we expect more soon. We are using TV's facilities and activities (golf and pools), restaurants, retail stores, and socializing...all with caution. You need to decide what you're comfortable doing and be ready to change your behaviors as the situation evolves. We feel we have more activities available to us than we would up north. I believe there may be a requested 14-day quartine for some when you arrive.

BTW, the last time I looked an American citizen can travel anywhere within the USA despite anyone's opinion to the contrary.

Best

By October, the weather up north is getting colder plus it will be flu season. Get the heck out and come back down. You're safer here.

I agree and since I posted the thread this morning I am pleased to note a number of caring and interesting advice. As for those people who would rather "Snowbirds" stayed home I have to ask : Were you born in the Villages? Were you born in Florida or did you at one time come down from "Snowbird country" ?????

OP I am not sure I would ask for advice about going to any community from a website.

Only you, and maybe your physician, know your health, and what actions you should be taking in the near future. There are many who are full time, and have no problems in TV. Then there are those who are still living in fear, waiting for the next wave.

Make choices, knowing that anything could change in a month

I think that in general, older people are being more cautious and wearing masks than younger people. So I think you’re as safe here as you could be most anywhere.

It also depends on what activities you’ll feel comfortable doing. I play golf and pickleball and I think those are low risk activities. I wear a mask in the stores and only eat carry out or delivery from the restaurants. That is our way of balancing risk and reward.

Wait and see
 

My best advice is to wait and see what happens. If you are comfortable where you are, relax and wait this thing out. At the moment Fl. is on the raise, this could change.

I assume this is directed at me and my reply .....

1. I was not born in Florida.
2. I was a snowbird for several years before deciding to live here full time.
3. I have absolutely no problem with snowbirds, or as I prefer to call my friends ... seasonal residents, that is their choice. I will be socializing with my seasonal resident friends after they have been back for at least three weeks with no signs of the virus.

My concern is with a loved one who cannot afford to get this virus. We take every precaution to avoid getting this virus. We socially distance, always wear a mask and this particular person never, ever goes into a store with me. Unfortunately, we will have to live this way until the virus disappears or a vaccine is available.

I am aware that when residents return from their summer homes cases of colds and flu escalate in TV. I would request that you wear a mask and practice social distancing when you return.

I read about it on The Onion. Oh, the humanity.

YOU asked an Honest Question, expecting well reasoned answers and opinions
 

You will learn quickly that a growing majority of people who populate these blogs are suffering from CDS, Covid Derangement Syndrome. There are those, many of a certain age, who have vowed to stay in their homes until a proven vaccine comes about and a high percentage of people have taken it. They are quick to criticize the other portion, who have decided enough is enough, and let's get back to living and loving life, which means socialization and, dare I say it, having FUN.

You've also, interestingly, run into a different cross section of Villagers who have relocated here that now feel that now that they are here, there's no need for anymore people to come. After all, they didnt ruin it for their predecessors, but YOU may ruin it for them.

The good news is, if you choose to come down for a visit, or to buy, and whether you will be a snowbird or a full timer, you will probably not meet ANY of these people, since they will be holed up in their house. Who you will meet, are people that will welcome you, tell you why they came here, and what a great place it is to live. They might even buy you a beer and talk your ear off about all the things that they like about this place.

So yes, please come down - the Villages is a melting pot of past experiences and cultures, of interests and dis-interests. Feel free to PM if you have any questions.
Safe and happy travels

Depends
 

Depends on whether you're going to come down and partake of lots of activities and social life. If you are then you're safer where you are, probably. You say where you are is 'limited activities'. Do the same here and you're probably as safe with the exception being going out and about shopping and such. Simply put, the more contact you have with people the less safe you'll be, there or here.

No as safe as some states. I would stay away.

We don't yet know if this uptick in cases is a true second wave or just a statistical blip on the radar. However, based on the last several days of posts on TOTV, it looks like the second wave of paranoia has already begun.

Your personal choice. You see the news and whats happening all over the country. Do u want to stay home ir come south? Roll the dice

Before we left mid May there were too many defying wearing a mask in TV and especially in Grocery stores. Here in NH
I could count on 1 hand the number of people in a store without a mask. But then just look at the numbers rising in Fl. Until DeSantis starts whistling a different tune, no thanks.

Cases are on the rise, but check out ************** . com They seem to be posting all the new cases in TV each day.

Are you kidding? We’re in a “hot” zone. I would not recommend anyone coming here until the curve flattens. I’m afraid that won’t happen for quite a while.

The fact that you even posted this indicates you just need to stay home. We already have enough paranoid people in the villages. The media has done a good job of turning normally intelligent people paranoid.

In the meantime, I will stay in my nearly 4000 sqft home on close to 2 acres in an outer gulf coast suburb. A few days ago, I spent the entire day trimming shrubs, weeding and hauling big cans of yard debris around. Today I have 5 bathrooms to clean and sanitize.

Not much of a braggart, are you?

For your own safety please stay home.

Very safe here in TV

Just bring your security blanket with you. You'll be alright.

I will come and go as I please from and to. Do you really think that you can avoid a virus in any given state? Ridiculous!

Stay there as long as you can. Florida's numbers are going up and most people in TV do not seem too concerned. Makes me nervous.

Bravo! If you read these boards enough, you will realize some people here act like they built and own all of the villages. God forbid some “outsider” wants to come. I guess that’s why they say the bubble. Come down and enjoy yourself. Some people here are staying in until there is a vaccine, good luck with that.

Just keep an eye on the virus numbers and compare to your home state, they are skyrocketing in Florida.

Comments by some are so naive. Florida's numberscare unimaginable. Sumter's numbers are up and The Villages numbers are going up daily. As a fulltimer, we would appreciate outsiders staying out and not potentially bringing COVID with them. Brcause so many folks follow the President, many, many are NIT wearing masks or social distancing. Stay where you are for now.

I agree. Stay in your home state! Too many dangers here to count! Save Yourself!