“Leisureville” Prediction from 2009
 

Andrew Blechman, who wrote the infamous “Leisureville” book back in 2009, made a bold prediction, in that when the then current generation of “villagers” died off, that The Villages would fall apart and lose it’s desirability as a retirement destination for the next generation (basically the baby-boomers - those born between 1946 and 1964).

So what’s happened since that book was published in 2009? Baby Boomers have flocked to The Villages in droves, and now Gen-Xers are starting to retire (those born in the mid and late 60s are now turning 55), and also are helping drive the rapid growth here. I was wondering what happened to Mr. Blechman. He definitely had an ax to grind and had a pre-set narrative prior to even writing the book, and his research centered on a few wild and one-off characters of sensational nature, to help sell his book and forward his narrative.

I don’t know Mr. Blechman’s age now, but I would guess he is close to my age, which makes him 55+ now himself. I would find it interesting to see what he now has to say about The Villages, since so much has changed in this community since 2009, and is more popular now than ever before.

Andrew D. Blechman - author of LEISUREVILLE and PIGEONS

I would not call him "infamous". He had valid concerns when he was writing which I think was in 2005. That is when he was here in the Villages. A few weeks around November-December of 2005. I recall he mentioned going to see King Kong at the Old Mill Playhouse.

Think it took him a while to write the book.

I wasn’t referring to him as being “infamous”, but his book.

A premature conclusion ? 44% of the boomers have not yet reached full retirement age per SSI eligibility requirements.

Yet, The Villages is flooded with younger “boomers” (those of us born in the 1960s) like myself, who have retired way before full retirement age. Blechman predicted people of my age any younger would not want to live in age- segregated community when we retired. Looks like he missed the mark on that prediction. South of 44 has attracted a lot of younger boomers, and now lots of gen-x folks who are retiring way before the full SSI age of 67.

Remember the book "1984" well that sure has come true....didn't it ?

?????
Kind of apples and oranges, don’t you think?

10,000 people turn 65 EVERY DAY!

I could care less what Blechman might have to say today.

You know it was fiction, right???

He said what he had to in order to sell books.

You are living the experience now..................your views are much more factual.

:crap2:

Yep - and it’s a great place, isn’t it! Wouldn’t have wanted to retire anyplace else - this place is vibrant and growing - the coming years are going to be amazing to watch unfold. We’re all so fortunate to be here.

Write a book!!!!...............retirement funds.

:posting:

Many paragraphs already written.:duck:

Actually I feel I'm the lucky one for not being in TV at present. 80 degrees 50% RH and a delightful breeze at my cabin on the lake right now.

How much? :beer3:

I believe your answer is right there. The prediction of it falling apart & having no appeal to baby boomers was part of his narrative. He was so annoyed by his wonderful, retired, no kids in the school system, neighbors moving away, he was blinded to the potential & possibilities. Since Blechman's kids are undoubtedly through the school system by now, it would be amusing to think he might want to retire here, except for the fact that he smeared the place in a book. :smiley:

delightful breeze at the cabin by the lake
 

Same here in Newport, Rhode Island, , high everyday is in the upper 70s, beautiful beaches, great seafood restaurants, challenging golf courses, If you can afford to be a snowbird, you get the best of both worlds. But to each their own

That's my case too Michael. Even my boyfriend who thought he'd hate being around 'old people' loved it when he visited. Like he said, people don't look, or act, old in The Villages!

Adjustable
 

The Villages put a huge amount of effort and $ to keep it looking good and have activities people want unlike the many FL golf course with house lot course views where it is run down after the build. I suspect if tastes change their offerings will too

I
Yes!!

I keep forgetting I live in a retirement community. Everyone is so active here - from the younger new-comers, all the way up to the more “seasoned” and established Villagers - and by active, I of course include all the great physical activities, but also all the social activities that keeps your mind sharp and engaged.

I enjoy inter-acting with all the varied age-groups of retirees here. I’m recruiting friends from back in Colorado to join me here once they themselves retire. This is a great place for people that like to be very active and social. If one is more of a “loner” or introvert-type and wants a sedate and sparse place to retire, then The Villages isn’t for them.

Leisureville
 

I read the book before moving here. There was a page in the back with Andrew Blechman’s information, including his email address. I actually responded because as much as I enjoyed reading the book, I was annoyed at the part where he said we all move here to leave our children. I told him I was the opposite since we moved here after my son graduated from college and moved to Florida. He did respond. Unfortunately I lent the book to someone and never got it back. I would also be interested in how he feels now because when I was in my 30’s, I never thought I’d ever want to live in an adult community either but now I wouldn’t want anything different.

QUOTE=Michael 61;2238199]Andrew Blechman, who wrote the infamous “Leisureville” book back in 2009, made a bold prediction, in that when the then current generation of “villagers” died off, that The Villages would fall apart and lose it’s desirability as a retirement destination for the next generation (basically the baby-boomers - those born between 1946 and 1964).

So what’s happened since that book was published in 2009? Baby Boomers have flocked to The Villages in droves, and now Gen-Xers are starting to retire (those born in the mid and late 60s are now turning 55), and also are helping drive the rapid growth here. I was wondering what happened to Mr. Blechman. He definitely had an ax to grind and had a pre-set narrative prior to even writing the book, and his research centered on a few wild and one-off characters of sensational nature, to help sell his book and forward his narrative.

I don’t know Mr. Blechman’s age now, but I would guess he is close to my age, which makes him 55+ now himself. I would find it interesting to see what he now has to say about The Villages, since so much has changed in this community since 2009, and is more popular now than ever before.[/QUOTE]

If I were to write a book about The Villages, it would have these chapters. An Economic Development Engine. Design-Well Planned and Purposeful. More Volunteers than the Eye Can See. Happy Dogs (and possibly some cats). Kindness On Every Corner (or roundabout). Clubs, Clubs, Clubs. Purposeful Living with a Side Dish of Fun. Life Beyond Golf (gasp).
Are there negatives to TV? Probably. Every town/city/community has 'em. Oh, and one more chapter. Sex and Other Rumors of Note. Har har!

If you'd like a more positive take on The Villages, with heart-touching humor, check out Jack O'Brien's The Roundabout Way. Fictional short stories that let us all—and our kids—see what living here is really like.

Cordially,
Eric "Doc" Honour
Author of Tales of Verdant and Not Like Us

Only TV Survives
 

I didn’t read the book but I suspect that he is right about retirement communities in general. However, TV is unique and it will be the other communities that fold when everyone flocks to TV in the coming decades.

It may be a little early to tell - it will be eight years before the last boomer reaches full retirement age.

We weren’t doctors, so nope couldn’t afford two homes, lol. Plus our previous home was in SoCal, and it’s hotter there right now than here. Wouldn’t mind a lake home up north, but unfortunately paying cash for our home here killed that possibility. Oh well. Enjoy!

Many GREAT paragraphs! Love Michael61’s posts!

The Villages/Sun City
 

The book focused on both Sun City in Arizona and The Villages; with some humor. A key point of the book was whether people should live in a segregated community, i.e., only one age group.

Of importance, the book pointed out the CDD bond issue, something that The Village agents did not/still do not readily discuss or clearly explain. The book also discussed, to my recollection, the situation of the developer selling physical assets to the districts, and at arbitrary values; something that I still do not understand---also the subject of litigation at Solivita down in the outer Orlando area.

This is a terrific place and the population numbers since 1946 have been pretty stable but there is no accounting for change of taste or quality of a place. I’ll just enjoy myself, the future can take care of itself.

Leisureville
 

He lives in Gt. Barrington, MA. about 2 hours north of Manhattan. I will be there in a week and will possibly be able to talk to him (if he still lives there) and see what he has to say about his prediction.

I don't think anyone cares.

:wave:

Andrew D. Blechman - author of LEISUREVILLE and PIGEONS

I liked his book on pigeons and his articles on Germany are interesting.

He’s retired now. Lives in TV under an assumed name. His research told him TV was better than Sun City in AZ

Yea veribly..

Amazing ? I would like to hear from Whitney Morse where and why she is going to live after the sale of her Villages abode. Was it not last week an article about changing the flowers from 4x per year to 3x per year is being proposed ?

Glass half empty?

20 / 20 vision. Blechman has not lost the prediction for another 8 years.

I recall how angry many of the regulars at the dog park I went to back then were because of the stuff on Mr. Midnight and other indicators that this was a hot spot for singles and mixers.

Sounds like you’re rooting for it to be true - do you even like living in The Villages? I’ve noticed you post mostly negative things about our community.

I do know a lot of people who have moved back to their home towns to take care of family members. Or, at least, close to where they were from at one time or another. We moved around a great deal. So it would be hard to go home again as there are many places we have lived over the years.

Assumptions can make you gain incorrect impressions of others. TV is still my #2 favorite domicile. Sounds like you want me to love TV as much as you do however I am long past the honeymoon period. Is that a negative statement ?