Overcrowdness....
 

As one who is planning a move to The Villages, I always read with great interest the positives/negatives, likes/dislikes of people living in TV.

I've been pondering the threads talking about crowds, etc., and I wonder...do you think the overcrowdedness will even out some when Brownswood town square and the supporting restaurants are open? I've been "following" and researching The Villages for several years, and it seems like people had the same concerns back prior to the 2nd town square being created.

I hope it doesn't get too bad because I'm still looking forward to the day we can move there.

Personally, I don't find TV over crowded... There are certainly more folks around, during the winter months [Jan ~ Mar] and you need to plan a little better for restaurants, golf, etc.

Ironically, we find TV to be a little too quiet at times...

Different strokes...

Great Post!
 

Again.... Everyone knows how I hate to give my opinion... but here goes.

With the new villages will come more clubs, more stores, more restaurants and even when the build out is completed, I believe there will be even more of these amenities.

I wouldn't want to go if it wasn't crowded. I want to be where the people are! What I'm trying to say is... It's crowded because it's great!

Do people have disagreements.... Of course they do! But you are going to get that EVERYWHERE! I live near Chicago and we have to wait to eat and it's not always easy to get into different places. That's why I LIVE where I do. I think I could probably get seated immediately in England Arkansas.... But why???

I LOVE to go where the people are! You just learn to work with it and not fight it!

What do you say Betti??? Let's go have some fun! :MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

example of point. i do bang bang shrimp with a group every wed at bonefish and never wait. its a simple thing to do, just 'make a res on your pc a couple days before!!! every wed we chuckle at the people waiting in line to get in!!!!!!!!!!!

Angie, you need to learn to speak your mind more often........ :shocked:

:pepper2:

Bill :)

Yeah... I know... I'm going to have a stroke someday holding it all in the way I do!!! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

It's not "overcrowded". I would not want to move to a place where people are introverted and holed up in the house. We've had enough of that after decades in the cold, gloomy midwest.

I like it here where people are out and about and doing outdoor activities year round. If the town squares get crowded during the winter, I like it because it shows that we've moved to a fun, friendly place!!

My 2 Cents
 

I don't think the negatives you are hearing here are about the crowding/overcrowding but about certain peoples' attitudes about it, like they are special and everyone else should cater to them.

As you say, waiting in line or whatever is just an opportunity to encounter people you don't already know which in turn, just might lead to new friendships.

Once the "new" wears off, many places calm down. Everyone is always anxious to explore new territory. The more places we have access to, the lesser the crowding will be a problem. Of course, there are those (such as the ones I mentioned) that will always have a problem when things don't go their way. They just don't realize that they are the problem...not the other way around.

Don't get discouraged. Just continue to look forward to being here. We're frogs and proud of it. We are thankful to our non-frogs because they are what keeps the wheels oiled during the off-peak times.

In April we went to some open houses in Stonecrest. We had played golf with two women who lived there and they raved about it, so thought we would explore. We were there on a beautiful sunny April Saturday afternoon, and virtually NO ONE was out and about - the pool was almost empty as were he tennis courts and even the golf course. Almost no one on bicycles or golf carts.......it was just, well, dreary looking. We came to a quick conclusion that the slightly lower home prices could not replace the lifestyle and go-go atmosphere of TV. We later played with two men at Spruce Creek and one lived at Del Webb. When I asked him why he chose Del Webb, he said his wife said she was willing to live anywhere in Florida BUT the Villages. When I asked why he said she thought it was just too busy!!!! To each his/her own.

There was a place we used to go to in the burbs of Chicago, Bogarts in Tinley Park. You couldn't make a reservation and the wait was NEVER less then an hour and you were lucky if you got in then. They had a large horse shoe bar and everyone would sit or stand around the bar and have appetizers and drinks and chat! We had soooo much fun there. It was said that when you went to Bogarts for Dinner, it wasn't a part of the evening.... It WAS the evening!!

Dillywho, you are so right. The opportunity to meet new people. Who cares??? We are retired? :MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

We had a similar experence at TOP O THE WORLD. Went there in March/April last year. You'd think this would be the 'high' time. It was weird how dead it was at noon in the area of their downtown restaurants & shops.

The "crowds" during the winter are a necessary part of TV. Without the people we would not have things like Bonefish, Fresh Market, Outback, 2-Walmarts, all the Publix, Bealls, Belks, etc etc etc. And TV staff and personell do an excellent job of adjusting schedules of clubs and rec dept functions as needs change.

My biggest complaint is the traffic especially north of 466. The roads are slightly inadequate but use caution and drive defensively there should be no problem.

Com'on down and ENJOY!

:welcome:

Small world. My office was behind the original Bogarts. Yes they had some lines that's for sure.

I think overcrowding is in the eye of the beholder. It all depends on what type of crowds you experienced where you are coming from. I admit I've only been here one week which is not really long enough to be a good judge of the crowds, but compared to the metro Washington DC area TV in my eyes is virtually empty and traffic nonexistent. I'm used to on a Friday night not having less than a 90 minute wait at most restaurants and during rush hour which runs from 6am to 9:30 am it can take up to an hour to go 20 miles on the highway.

Besides I'm currently retired so what is my hurry..........

Suzanne

Yes, we are spoiled in the areas south of 466. But the speed limit IS 30 on Morse, because the golf carts paths are right on the road. I DO have to admit I like the golf cart paths separate from the traffic on the busy main roads, but TV didn't realize this 10 years ago when the area N. of 466 were planned. Connie

Only time I feel overcrowded is when we have too many guests staying with us. Other than that it is way quiet most of the time

:clap2: :a040: :clap2:

During January through the end of March is a great time to play golf on all the surrounding courses and to eat out outside the bubble. Do day trips to all the neat places around here. Take the Ferry down to Key West for a couple days. Take a vacation. Take advantage of the bubble when it's available and take advantage of the area when the bubble is full.

I am with Angie, if a place wasn't popular like the Villages, I doubt I would want to move there. I like people, most of the time, and make friends easily. I can work around the crowds. I just want to get there.

I have had people tell me on occasion "Gail, why don't you tell us what you really think?" Is this a problem? :a20:

Momesue,

100% agree with you. My wife and I moved to The Villages 2 years ago from Silver Spring. We really enjoy being able to get in the golf cart and be at entertainment, church, shopping, or restaurants within a leisurely 15 minute golf cart ride. No need to get on the Beltway, Rockville Pike, Georgia Avenue, or Columbia Pike in rush hour traffic to get anywhere.

Where in the DC area were you?

I would have to agree with other poster's here that "IF" we didn't have the amount of folks we do...we wouldn't have all the spots for shopping, eating out etc. TV has been a boon to the area, economically and we're also reaping the positives. Talk to folks who were here early on and you will hear that there wasn't nearly the amount of "amenities" that we have now. Yes, there was more of a small-town feel but everyone HAD to go to Ocala, Leesburg or beyond for many things. I moved here from a NIMBY (not in my backyard) attitude and it's refreshing to live in "The Bubble"!!!! I can't wait to see what happens on 466A and south of it!! Bring it!

Exactly, last January to March we visited all around here and it was fun. When the snowbirds left we decided to try one summer here to see how it really was. I think the summers here are one the best kept secrets. Walk onto the golf courses almost anytime from noon till dark. Going out to eat? No problem and no waits.

Waiting in line means having a chance to strike up a conversation. People come up from all over including beyond the "pond". People here enjoy talking with other people. There won't be people cutting in line like the college days in cafeteria. In general people here are very civilized. Even visitors to TV get TV "Koolaid" and they enjoy the atmosphere. Yes, it may get crowded but come on down.:welcome:

I agree. Outside of the high season, things are pretty normal here in The Villages. But Jan - March is incredibly hectic. All the tee times are pretty much taken up, waiting lines into all the restaurants unless you think ahead and make reservations, loads of traffic out on Rts. 466 and 27. I plan any excursions to avoid rush hour traffic which means I go out really early or really late. You can work around all the business, and I do enjoy seeing my snow bird friends, but it is very busy and crowded at that time of year.

Crowded?
 

I grew up in NYC, if you go to a restaurant you make reservations or expect to wait. I think it adds a nice seasonal flow as the 'flocks' alight and then return to Capistrano(?). I still ride around in my cart and wave because it's the best way to say how ..er..DARN happy I am to be here!

:a040:

I agree....I lived in a very large city area and felt less crowded then I do here from October to May Tee times are hard to get, resturant waits too long, town square too crowded, stores seem to run out of certain inventory and The Villages is not yet finished. And as The Villages increases its population so does the surrounding area which adds to this problem. And on top of all that you have the tourist aspect (renters, residents 'guests,etc) and you really swell the ranks. Its the price you pay for florida living

not too bad
 

We've lived here three years and the only real time it seems crowded is from December through April when the snowbirds are here. You get use to making changes in your schedule for dining out, etc. Hope you make it here someday.

I'm glad so many people here can afford to dine out and cause lines in the restaurants Jan-March.....it speaks volumes about the sensible prices at most places, and about the financial health and sensible money management of TV residents.

One of the things we like most about TV is that people are good citizens and live within their means.

Been here 10 years. I hate the traffic and the lines and the crowds in the winter months - October thru May. The reason you do not see any complaints on this thread is because we will be bomblasted with comments about why we complain.

Just my thoughts.

I didn't know we could bomblast in TV... ;)

People aren't shy about complaining on this board, at least in my estimation. You've stated that you're not thrilled with the crowds and no one is beating on you...well....... not yet,... :icon_wink::icon_wink::icon_wink:

Even at it's most crowded it is not even close to the every day crowdedness I moved away from.

I would hope not. If this place gets as crowded as NYC, I'm outta here!

Positive thoughts to me...or being positive....or trying to find the bright side....or just plain enjoying this life and thinking it is near perfect...

Well.....gosh. That doesn't seem like bomblasting.

It may be arguing...or disagreeing or debating..............

But call it pride in ownership. School Spirit. Esprit de Corp...

Giddyness in feeling young again.

If I bomblast....I am gonna quit right this minute. It doesn't sound nice.

Four of us
 

Four of my friends retired before me. They all knew of the Villages

One wishes me luck and is envious that I have made this decision, He lives in Pawleys Island SC. Why because " The Wife" say's he will. He would move to TV in a heart beat.

My second friend tells me your gonna like it there. There are many people you will make friends and you will not be stuck home bored like me. He lives in New Bern NC

My third friend would have moved here but " The Wife " had to have her beach 10 minutes away. So he now lives near Holden Beach NC. Spends his day looking for something to do bored wishing he never left central NY/

My fouth friend visit's the Villages and while he likes it " It's to busy for him" He lives in Florida on a lake and it takes him 45 minutes to go get anything! His 2 acres of land, nice house garages, unlimited well water and fishing lake make him very happy.

I visited and fell in Love with TV as did my wife. I will admit The Talk of the Villages and it's numerous Posts have made me wonder if we did the right thing.

As I type I am still pondering if we made the right decision.... Time will tell.

Wonder how many out there have had the same thoughts?:welcome:

You and your wife both "falling in love with TV", united, is a key factor for being happy, and that your other friends apparently don't have. One spouse forcing the other to live in a place they don't like is not conducive to happiness.....marriage takes compromise and flexibility.

And about TOTV making you wonder about your decision.....only a tiny percentage of the population posts here on a regular basis. It's not representative of the whole population.

Would anyone guess what percentage is a member and what percentage post?

Manhattan - 22 square miles ... 1.6 million people

The Villages - 31 square miles ... 80,000 people

Don't think you have to worry about TV getting as crowded in your lifetime!

New York- Hundreds of roads, mass transit, tons of restaurants,business, all ages and huge parks. New York is not privately owned and controlled with one family with closed books etc. etc. etc.

Lets be fair. Not one new road, or town center built since population boom. I see walls and walls now where I use to see fields. More and more expected to squeeze on the same roads, same town centers with less parking. No voice or control ( voting) over growth or population.

I think people who came here early had a nice small town atmosphere with no worry of getting into a sport, exercise class, parking space, chair at the town square, or chair at the pool etc. etc. etc. We knew the developer was trying to keep this a beautiful , place to retire. I fly over the Villages once in a while and it looks like a never ending sea of roofs touching each other.

Lived in suburbs all my life with lots of drive time and didn't want to retire to no parking and crazy traffic like NY city. As I say, I've been here long enough to remember the good old days.

I think if you you come from a busy city, this place is fine. Everything is relative. But if you like to not hear sirens, if you want to find parking, not hear your neighbors and traffic, this place may not be for you.

Like someone said, different strokes for different folks.
I find beauty in many places and good about every place. I liked this place better when I saw fields of buffaloes and it was very friendly.

I meant walls to town center. I know someone will pick out something in my post to argue. Sorry but I'm in a hurry so I may not make everything clear !!

What kind of new roads are you talking about Larry?

Town squares take time to build and we really have no idea at what stage things are in Brownwood? Or do you have information you can share?

Yes, this community has changed quite a bit in the time you've lived here...it's changed quite a bit in the 5 years I've been here. Strange thing though, where I came from, CA and even in New England where I grew up, things have also changed. The city in CA was at about 5000 people when we move in...it's now has a population about equal to TV. Granted it took a bit longer to get to that number, but it's not as well planned and laid out at TV is.

Trying to find a nice quiet place like we remember is becoming increasingly more difficult.

I miss the buffalo, too, Larry.

We all remember the good old days! Whining about what you cannot control can take years off your life expectancy.......

Appreciate Balanced Feedback
 

Well, I am probably in the minority, but I really appreciate balanced feedback. It is honest, and I learn from it. What I do with it is my choice. I don't want TOTV to be a place that discourages sincere honesty, whatever the opinion.