Any Regrets about Moving to The Villages??
 

Hello future neighbors,
We recently moved to Tennessee and are interested in moving next to The Villages. We loved our lifestyle visit and loved so many things about being there. We've been in Tennessee 2 years and have some regrets about moving here. We thought we'd like it more than we do.

Do you have any regrets about moving to The Villages?

So what are your regrets? Money, view, food, lack of stuff to do, lonely, too many people.

Hard to compare ones needs, wants, or regrets, to more than 100,000 plus people, in TV.

Me I miss sparkle of Snow, the outdoor hiking and lakes that one can swim without something trying to bite you or kill you for food

Same here.
I miss the farms, seeing cows grazing and smell of freshly cut hay.
Crystal clear lakes quiet pine forest and hearing the call of loons.
A walk in freshly fallen snow across a frozen lake.

But in the twilight of my life, I don't miss the cold weather of walking in, driving in,
or shoveling snow, so I guess the past life will be memories from my younger days in Wisconsin.

The heart can only be one place at a time.

The month upon month of heat and humidity took some getting used to for me. Also lack of high end restaurants, substantial distance to a major airport and finding good medical care. On the plus side I find most people friendly and easy going. There is a lot to do here which is a huge plus. All in all living here is quite pleasant.

I too am interested as to what you did not like about Tennessee, I was here looking and planed to spend some time in Tennessee, what pulled me over the edge was interest rate tanked

We moved here from Tennessee. We had a small horse farm and I do miss being able to hunt on my property, being close to family, and a few other things. However, we enjoy our life in TV and I KNOW we are much more active here than we would be almost any other place. I imagine TV is adding a few good years to our life. No regrets.

I moved here from Tennessee (Nashville area) a few months ago and so far I liked Tennessee better. But maybe that will change as I get used to it here.

Most of the houses in the Villages are very small and close together. They do have larger ones, but they are kind of pricey and remotely located. I may need to open my wallet a little wider.

I liked having a pool at home. They have pool homes here too, you just have to pay more.

There are lots of golf courses, but most of them are not particularly good and they are fairly full. I find myself playing less golf here than I did at home.

I am in a new house in the south part of the villages. I find myself driving a lot to reach stores and restaurants and get to places I need to be. I am probably in the car 3 hours per day sometimes a lot more. It is tiring. That may change as Eastport and Middleton develop.

No regrets after 12 years. I'll let you know after the next 12.

Absolutely not.

I moved from a 55+ community that had two golf courses and one restaurant. Neither of us play golf and the one restaurant, as pitiful as it was, was only open full-time during “the season”. They had nothing else for us.

Being out here brings so much more to my life. In addition to the many restaurants, golf courses, clubs, music on the squares 365/day a year, they have several different classes where you can learn all manner of things. It’s hard to talk about TV to anyone who doesn’t live here.
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I’ve had my fun in sun time getting close to move on before I get too old to move? In 10 years been here traffic has quadrupled, doctor appointment are hard to get with at least 4 months waiting times or longer. I don’t see that getting better ever.. groceries and taxes are higher where I came from.

We lived in a beautiful condo in a marina in Michigan. Muskegon Lake in front, shipping channel at the side, Lake Michigan in back. It was fantastic and nothing would have dragged me from there if it weren't for the weather. Just can't. do. snow. anymore. Dirty snow, slush in the garage, nostrils freezing together. Falling on my Aspinwall on the icy driveway trying to walk the dog (yes, I'm from Pittsburgh).

That said, TV ticks most boxes, and I'm happy to be here. I have no regrets; I just miss certain things.

My only regret is not moving here sooner ������

I'm glad I live in the "Historic" area. I'm 10 minutes from the Ocala Forest and 5 minutes from the nearest cow pasture. There are horse farms and ranches east of our neck of the woods, all within a few minutes by car.

But no snow, no crystal clear lakes and in fact, when it rains, everything within 10 yards of a retention pond reeks of rotting worms. There is no natural water you can dip your feet into here - the water is horribly polluted with pesticide and fertilizer runoff, and if it doesn't peel your skin off, then the alligators might find your hand a tempting treat.

Yes, I do miss the snow. I miss it right after it's finished snowing, before the plows can get through, before we get the shovel out of the garage, when everything looks like it's covered in diamond dust.

1 - I miss my life-long friendships. In the 5 years I have been here I have made new friends, but there is a difference in short term vs long term friendships.
2 - It has taken years to find quality medical / dental folks. I have been through a lot of pain and frustration on this particular journey.
3 - Summers seem to be getting hotter, or maybe it's just me.

Bummer, but sounds typical. If you can, the best thing to do is rent before you buy. That'll give you the chance to decide if moving is worth the time, energy, and money.

Regrets?
 

We moved from the Nashville area to The Villages in 2018. Loved living in TN, but also love living in TV. Regrets: Not fully understanding the higher cost of living - insurance, property tax, amenity fee, etc. I could have been better prepared. But, the likes far outweigh any regrets - great neighbors, weather, one-level living, beautiful place, etc.

no regrets, never looked back. The Villages is not perfect ( no where is) , but it checked almost all the boxes for me. Would not move anywhere else. I am a FROG.....here till I croak.

I have 1 big regret: why did I wait so long to move here? I also hear this talking to friends. Some came down here to check it out but thought they would do the move in the future, 1 or 2 years from now. Then after visiting for a few days, they decided to move now. We came down for a visit and after the 3rd day, we were checking out the model homes, which caused a lot of talking|discussing on our long trip home.

17 years and love it. There is more traffic but a trade off is that we have more options--golf courses, recreation centers, performing arts venues etc. etc. Absolutely no regrets. I feel like I'm living life to the fullest.

rent
 

Our timetable was spring 2026 but the wife just got laid off, so retirement has moved up. Plan now is to move sometime this summer, (I know it's going to be hot) we plan on renting for a year just to make sure we like it.

We have been here 8 years. Our only regret is that we didn't come sooner. We are definitely more active, we are happy with our healthcare and we've both had some serious issues.. We loved our Michigan home on a lake, but this is better.

We have no regrets. The one thing I don’t like is the really hot summers, so I find myself using the pools more than I thought I would. I also do anything outside in the early morning or evening. The trade off for that hot summers is the beautiful weather we have 9 months out of the year! Even when it’s cold here it’s nothing like it was in Ohio or Pennsylvania.

We have had no problems finding healthcare, new friends or things to do to stay active.

I miss the ocean. Moving from Cape Cod and being near fabulous beaches was a change for sure. I know people TV complain about the snowbirds but they pay the same price and fees year round residents do. I don’t miss the snowbirds, ice and dreary winter northeast winters. Yes it’s a change but change can be good

I only miss my old special chicago friends, my son and family, and convenient boating on Lake Michigan. Other than that, I’ve made so many Florida friends and would not live anywhere else. I do not even have a problem with the summers and I feel that the humidity is so good for my skin etc.

I agree with all of this!

What I miss
 

Walk-out basement, storage space!

No regrets, both my husband and I love it here with all its activities and friendly folks! We are very social and have met lots of good and genuine friends. Living here has also increased our activities and I’m sure it will increase our lifespans. What could be better here? Definitely the healthcare system! Our local hospital for some reason is sub optimal at best. We need better doctors, pay nurses more to be competitive, etc., etc.

Have had a house here for 10 years and have lived here permanently for 3 of those. Love it and all it has to offer, too much to mention and that says it all. There are always things about your old life that you will miss, but there is no place like this place. You can visit all that you love on occasion, like a vacation and still come back here to live in a terrific place.

I agree, our 2100Sf walkout basement had a gym with mirror wall, a ballet bar for granddaughter. Storage, pantry Hugh screen TV with theater seats, pool table, air hockey. Bedroom, full bath, tiny kitchen.
Walk in fully equipped climate control wine cellar. (Most important)

With a view of the pool, our kids and friends spent more time there than in their 2nd floor bedrooms. Company used as a guest area, which put a damper on kids entertainment. Every time we stay at the house I sit in the wine cellar for hours, and the big screen is just fun

we lived in Cleveland Tn for 16 years and loved it there. But this is better and warmer. so no regrets here

I wish I had not thrown out that bottle of odd nuts and bolts when we moved, but had brought them with me.

Moving to TV
 

No regrets. Love it here. Moved here for a more active life style and to be with people of common interest. Miss the Fall so we make a trip north for a week or so.

We have lived in many places. All had their pros/cons. As a middle class couple from modest beginnings, we can't think of a better place to live out our golden years. If you're searching for an active place to be active - it's the tops.

Definitely miss a larger home... basement, pool room, bar, etc.... BUT.... it is what it is here. And, I imagine as we age we don't necessarily want so big of a home. I don't enjoy having "guests" as the walls are paper thin and you can (as well as they) hear everything... even someone peeing. Other than that.... wish we would have come sooner but we didn't. Only been here 4 years and yes it seems as if it has doubled in that short of time frame. It is only going to get larger and eventually the "south" will have all that the "north" does but until then you may be in your car more than golf cart... all depends on where you live. Like others I highly suggest you rent a month or two or more and get a feel of #1 if you even want to live here and #2 where you want to be..... this place is HUGE now and not near the size as even 10 years ago. Lastly- if you like it just do it.... you can always go back to TN... you won't lose any $$ on your re-sale. Or maybe better to rent a year and try it out..... Good Luck!!!

The extreme heat and humidity, overcrowding, poor restaurants, shopping and more importantly is the lack of good Healthcare. They'll also want you to switch to Medicare Advantage, big mistake, Don’t do it.
Don’t make a second mistake.

10 years plus for me. Like others above I miss a few things from up north, but no real regrets.

At age 63, you're in the cusp of being full-time villagers. The Villages is by far, the most "active" lifestyle community....or sit and do nothing.

It's not a wide open country sort of place. It's not rural, but is set in central Florida which is indeed rural horse ranch country and farmland. Kind of like Las Vegas in the middle of the desert.

Don't get too swept up in where you might buy in The Villages. The lifestyle sales agents will push you to look South of the Florida turnpike (Eastport and beyond). But there won't be much there realistically for 5+ years, maybe ok for your timeframe. Check out rental info and more at The Villages 101 The Villages 101 You've come the right place for renters and snowbirds to learn about The Villages "Florida's Friendliest Hometown". Neighborhoods, house rentals, activities, and pointers to the many other resources.

Not one single regret, it's everything that my husband imagined and more! FYI just be sure to rent for a couple months or more and choose where you want to be. In the very beginning of our arrival we thought we really wanted to be near Brownwood between the 6's . Then we continued to venture out looking for homes , met all of our neighbors in the Polo Ridge / Glenbrook area where we were renting and fell in love with the area .Three months later we found our perfect home in Santa Domingo! We're moving in in a couple of weeks 😁 I got the home I really wanted and my husband got his garage space,( a 20×24 and enough space to build a 15× 20 on the side of our home)a view and wonderful new neighbors. We are very pleased with our decision. Don't settle and take your time choosing. Good luck and welcome to the Villages.

It's a subjective question that bears many answers. We moved here 15 yrs ago and no regrets for us. We're from the Upper Midwest and do NOT miss the winters there!!!! We used to go back to visit but friends are now scattered, many family members have passed away. We don't feel we'd like to drive up there anymore and air-lines keep having issues. So we'll stay here---guess we're FROGS!! Our kids/grandkids seem to be too busy with their lives, so if they'd like to see us the road goes both ways.

I knew the houses were close together, but I do miss not having a larger yard (but not mowing). Also, I am disappointed that there are so many hours reserved for private groups on the Pickleball courts. Unless you get up early you are not going to find open play most days. The Pickleball Community group takes up way too much court time throughout the Villages.