Many, Many, Questions
 

I'll be retiring in the next couple of years from the Los Angeles area, I'll be 55. I'm seriously looking at TV as a place to relocate. I've read all the books, watched all the YouTube videos, and googled everything. I'm 100% on doing a lifestyle visit, but I have a lot of questions. Such as , is there a social environment for a "younger" (lol) single man, ect. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Vince

Younger than who Vince? If you think TV moral code is like LA, then you might as well stay there.

Yes. What are you interested in? I guarantee there is a club for that, and lot of folks doing it. Painting, golf, tennis, softball, ballroom dancing, basketball, swimming.

Probably not surfing.

I am in my early 50s and have a great time with everyone down here. I am married, but not sure that would make a difference.

There are clubs for singles. There are also clubs and activities that are for couples and singles.

The Villages Singles Club |

"Younger" as 55, as opposed to the age I've seen depicted in what is being put out in the media. If I liked the "moral code" in L.A. I would stay and not be looking at moving to TV.

Yes, there is a social environment for a 55-ish single man. There always has been. It's just that the 55-year-olds who moved in 20 years ago are now 75. It also means that there are lots of "pre-owned homes" ripe and ready for you to move into, less expensive than brand new, with mature landscaping (no waiting for a shade tree to actually provide shade!). The "oldest" generation of Villagers are moving into assisted living, memory care, "rest homes," or passing away. They're being replaced by the "newest" generation of Villagers.

The cycle of life. I was 58 when we moved in. I'm "only" 61 now, still not eligible for social security yet and still physically active and able to do anything I want.

My next door neighbor is in her early-mid-50's and is single. I believe -her- next door neighbor is also a single woman, in her 50's (not sure if early or late 50's, I haven't met her yet, she just moved in).

Do you play tennis?Is there Volley Ball group around here?

You must be ex-marine ex army here

Consider renting first. VH4R Home Rentals in The Villages Florida The Villages Rentals

I moved here when I was 62 and into a neighborhood of like aged persons. I had commented to my real estate agent that the "New Area" didn't look as mature as some of the older areas. His comment was that "mature areas" equal mature people. What that means is that people older than you with different interests and abilities. So, what I would suggest is an area that is closest to your age and interests.

Recall that birds of a feather flock together.

That is not necessarily true, the so called mature area we live in has experienced rapid turnover during the 7+ years since we bought our home. Unfortunately, high mortality rates, people transitioning to assisted living, and people loosing spouses and moving back up north to spend their remaining years with family is very common. Our mature neighborhood is now relatively young by Villages standards.

It depends a lot on where you move in the Villages. The southern Villages seem to have a lot more younger owners.

I am 63 but have been here since I was 46.

Dwoodley..
 

yes, there is sand volleyball, water volleyball, ( lots and lots of groups) hard court volleyball ( played at the high school ) and beach tennis played on the sand volleyball courts.

Plenty of opportunities and outlets for a young guy such as yourself. There is a multitude of special interest groups here and you can find one that meets your needs or can start your own. As far as dating interests there are opportunities just outside the Villages “bubble” where average age is a bit younger. You are more than welcome here, youngster(lol). Just remember you are moving into a “different” environment and “when in Rome….”.

Short answer is Yes. Best thing you can do is the Lifestyle visit, the longer stay, the better.

Yes. Grab hold of a older beautiful women and enjoy life!

We moved to Central Florida when I was 45! You'll find lots of clubs to enjoy the same things that you did in California. As far as social scene, yes there are plenty of Bars, but not the rauckus type on Santa Monica etc . If you want to find like-minded people as yourself, and you are religious join a church. But there are a thousand clubs to enjoy what you've done before whether it's ceramics line dancing rope climbing etc and of course golf golf

No, this is a retirement community. 80% are 55 or older.

Same here. We moved into this neighborhood in 2008 and I'm seeing a gradual turnover with younger people moving in as older people move out. If I were looking at purchasing a home, I would consider what activities I'm likely to be in, and pick a house near where these activities exist. If not sure, buy something centrally located, then you'll have easy access to everything.

Very much so! Lots of groups !

Do your due diligence and research the negatives and positives on the Talk of the villages website about this community. Then make a discission

There is a club for 50’s. You are out the day you turn 60. Good amount of people in their 50’s. As for activities, as someone in my 50’s, there are plenty of people much older who can beat me in some activities. Age really isn’t a thing here. Just leave the CA way of life there, things are done much different in FL.

Read this new article. Excellent. It will dispel one of the myths.
Why is The Villages known as ‘the STD capital of America?’

Wow.. how rude was the comment stay in California.. yes, there are some rude ones here. But wow what if we (I'm a true Floridian) said stay in MA or NY or NJ or Chicago or whatever. Anyway, this place is amazing and none other like it. We live south (in our mid 50's) and mostly same live here. There are many married and single people here and from all over which helps make it unique. I love it. There's so many outdoor sports I love that I haven't even been involved much with any clubs inside. I feel better than I have in 30 years and came here to LIVE!! So, come on down you will love it!

We lived in LA for 40 years and moved to TV for retirement, sight unseen. We just looked at videos and bought a new house via our realtor doing a video walk through. Our only regret is not doing it 10 years earlier. I’m 62, and we moved to the south end of TV where all the new homes are being built. It’s a much younger crowd down here with many in their fifties and sixties. The farther north you live the older the average age, only because of the time period the homes were built. However, there is always a sprinkling of younger crowd everywhere if they have bought the resale homes, instead of buying new.

I personally think a 55 yo unless sports activities is their main reason for coming to the Villages is too young to surround themselves with older seniors on a social level. Everywhere you look there are older people, some younger like you, but definitely outnumbered.

I moved here from San Diego County and love it💕 Feel free of the California Nuisance and am kept as busy as I want to be. Plenty of 55 year olds so take the plunge. You won’t be sorry!

Springdale seems to have a nice mix of ages among the residents, from middle 80s down to middle 50s.

One downside is you will not be able to surf in the morning and snow ski in the afternoon here.

An upside is it is dirt cheap to live here compared to LA starting with the price of gasoline. Also Florida has no state income tax as you probably are well aware. I remember CA's peaks out at 12.3% with no capital gains provision.

If you are a foodie or into healthy tasty foods at restaurants you will be disappointed. I miss all the terrific ethnic restaurants and local chains like Wahoo's I used to frequent in Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach when I lived in Corona Del Mar. Spicy Mexican food which I grew up with in NM and dearly love just ain't available here.

The toughest adjustment for me coming from CA was getting used to the heat and humidity. It is relentless during the long hot summers and I enjoy heat. Winters are on the chilly side. TV is not Miami. I knew all about living with humidity from the years I spent in PA, SC (Ft. Jackson), MD, VA, DC and NY so I knew what I was getting into.

If you are a golfer you will love it!

BTW as a single guy I was welcomed and made friends even during my three visits before I bought.

If you've "watched all the YouTube videos..." you have surely seen Rusty's video channel. Your singles question is probably best answered by one of his videos, link to follow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKGmRdMzvCg

Hope this helps (from a fellow So Cal native).

We lived in The Villages for 3 years and really enjoyed it. But, beware. If you are of a progressive state of mind, you will be living amongst about 70% who think the other way, and make their feelings known. Too bad our society has developed this way but it is what it is.

A few more years in LA? You'll be sorry you stayed in that state even one more day.

Retirement can not come soon enough !

My guess is that the people bashing California have never lived or even been there other than in front if their tv.

Enough of the personal attacks. If you don't have anything constructive to add please don't post.

Moderator

Wow, thanks for all of the replies. There are some great points and a lot to think about. I very much appreciate all the info. I'm combat vet (Iraq- 1st Marine Division), and have been a Police Officer for 25 years so there's a reason why I want to leave CA. I look forward to learning more.

No way!
 

That is definitely not true!

Semper Fi. I'm also originally from Cali and most recently from Washington. They haven't kicked me out of here... Yet. lol. It was definitely good to get away from there.

There's about 21,000 veterans in The Villages. Plenty to see and do for whatever your interests are.

A large Veteran contingent is one of the main reasons I'm interested in TV.

I have talked to a lot of former NYPD detectives and/or others here in the Villages over the years. They have a golf cart or two in almost every parade. They also have a large club from what I gather. Lots of clubs in the Villages.

The Villages has many parades, at least, before COVID showed up.

And most of the Villages-- men anyway-- seem to have been in the military at some point.

I lived in Northern CA and Northern NV from 1970 through 1996 but with periods away getting my Masters Degree and Law Degree. (U of Denver for the first and U of MN for the 2nd). And two degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno.