To the people NOT happy with The Villages....
 

I like many of you have live several different places and to be honoest have loved them all for different reasons.

I see many people on this forum who have appeard to not be very happy with The Village and they live there. I'm OK that there are people who don't like The Villages or aren't that happy with it.

My question is.... Why do you stay when there are places you could live for much less? Or move to a place where you would be happier?

I'm truly perplexed by this.

Thank you for your response.

The wife and I have lived in various locations overseas and 5 different states here and we both find The Villages the best of the best.

Don't be perplexed.:) This happens in every community, not just TV, where some residents wish they were somewhere else. Just human nature I guess.

I love this place as everyone knows and sometimes I think that the discontent that some folks have here really doesn't reflect their negative feelings about the PLACE.

I think other reasons may be;

They are away from family and maybe new grandchildren that have been born since they moved here.

They are in some denial about aging or in some difficult financial situation due to the very bad economic situation right now and feel trapped.

They aren't used to NOT having a say in local government decisions. AND the CDD form of government is NOT democratic.

They are somewhat depressed as many seniors are due to chemical brain changes.

They do not like the conversative political atmosphere that is predominant here.

They are annoyed that the Morse family are so financially successful in these poor economic times. After all they did sell us some cheap land in the middle of Florida. :$::lipsrsealed::wave:

They have always been unhappy.

They think acting happy with everything is not realistic and responsible. Pointing out negatives is being a good citizen.

None of the above and they are going to tell us what it is.

maybe it's just that old people are miserable..

ok, a generalization but then, i saw on here recently that teenagers with tattoos are bad and often criminals...

I think the Villages are pretty awesome!

I'll bet that if you look at relatives, neighbors and other acquaintances who are always complaining and unhappy, they are people who resent having to live with the consequences of decisions they made early in life.....like never going outside their comfort zone to see and experience other places and people; or marrying the first and only person they dated all thru high school without dating others and seeing how personal qualities of a potential mate compare; or quitting school and not finishing a degree of some sort that would have given them a chance at a better career and income track.

The people I know who are like this always have a real or imagined "villain" on whom they blame everything wrong in their life....when really, it was their own cowardly decision that kept them from experiencing all the wonders and opportunities available to us in the United States of America.

I understand they aren't happy with TV. And yes, I do understand there are people who live in my town who aren't happy but the reason they may not leave my town is because they have family close by, they can't leave their jobs, they are afraid to move out of state, the place they want to live cost more. (OK... that doesn't apply in Chicago)

But, I doubt that any of those reasons apply to the people who are unhappy. and as of yet, none of them have come on to say why they don't move.

I'm not saying "like it or leave it" but I am curious. I know there are a lot of places that you can buy a better home then TV. So.... Why do they stay?

Maybe some, or most, of the people that post negative things about TV, are really happy with their lives there overall, but simply don't like the particular thing or things they are commenting on at the time. No place is perfect, and to pretend it is would seem to be rather naive. Some of the folks who have negative feelings may not want to sell in the current soft market, or they may see the negatives of selling and moving as worse than the negatives of continuing to live in TV. I too have lived in many places and always find reasons to like where I live, even if there are some or many things I do not like. I have always looked forward to the next place I will live, which currently would include The Villages. Also some people just tend to focus on the negatives in life, while some, like me, tend to focus on the positives and ignore or downplay the negatives. We're not all wired the same.

"People are as happy as they make up their minds to be". Abraham Lincoln

There are probably some who view things done differently here as opposed to the way they were used to "up north" as being wrong, not just different, and may pick one "pet peeve" to disagree with. A classic example would be an all girl posse with squirt guns.

Now let me be sure I understand you Mulligan.

The all girl posse with squirt guns is not the way things are done up North???

An all girl posse with squirt guns is gender specific and politically incorrect?

The girls posse are the reason most people are unhappy that ARE unhappy in The Villages?

The squirt guns aren't the RIGHT and in now equipment?

The squirt guns are not used until the beating the crap out of the perp is used?

If none of the above, please explain.

Inquiring minds want to know.

:crap2::crap2::crap2::crap2::crap2:

I didn't say I disagreed with it, just that some might find it really embarassing to get home soaking wet after getting beat up by GIRLS.Personally, I think I might enjoy it.

I'm in!

angiefox10, you said people can buy less expensive homes than here in TV, that's true, but remember here you're not buying a house, you're buying into a lifestyle and a pretty darn good one I'd say. If you sit in your fabulous less expensive home and are just looking out, I bet you'd be pretty lonely and missing most of life no matter where you are.

:agree: :agree: :agree:

I know someone who told me his parents had moved to TV but don't go out as they are homebodies. They don't avail themselves to all of the activities.

I agree TV lifestyle is geared to GO, GO, GO out and enjoy activities and the friendly people. I may be wrong and frequently am but I would tend to think one should be active to promote their health and friendships than to stay home and watch television.

If one wants to stay home all of the time, one can live anywhere. :)

Add to "stay home and watch television" "and sit in front of the computer screen".

Oh noooo.... You are preaching to the choir here!!! No one can stop me from moving into TV... .I have my lot secured and will sign the papers to start building in December. We have been planning this for over eight years an NO ONE will get in my way!!!!

I just see many people on TOTV who appear to really hate living in TV. I don't know if they realize they sound like that or if some of the things the have been mentioned on this thread are true....

They just wouldn't be happy anywhere or they just are people who would complain about something!

I've been happy EVERYWHERE I've lived. But if I didn't like a place, I think I would move. Unless something was stopping me. I've seen them refer to people who don't agree with them as "drinking the Kool aid". Well... I guess I've drank the Kool aid everywhere I've lived because the only thing I don't like about were I live is a hard snow.

The market in TV isn't soft. (oh how I wish it was) but the market everywhere else is... They could get a bigger home just about anywhere but they stay in TV and complain? That, is what perplexes me.

Good thinking. :)


Angie;

I'll give it a try.

Maybe some people are just lamenting about when times were better and wish it was the same way now!!!!

Maybe it's human nature to not want to change later in life. Some people stay in a situation even though it's uncomfortable because are afraid to change to a new direction.

Some people may have health problems that makes mobility difficult.

Who's to say. :shrug:

The market in TV isn't soft. (oh how I wish it was) but the market everywhere else is

I beg to differ Angie. I said it was soft, not depressed. In many areas it is depressed but certainly not in TV. It is, however IMO soft, when many resales are for sale for $10K or more less than what they were originally sold for. Also, TV is discounting new homes, which they would not do if the market wasn't a bit soft. I looked at one home last April that I really liked and is still for sale for a bit over 200k. When I looked it up on the tax website it was sold in 2007 for 267K.

Seems to me that I would never gage The Villages by the opinions here. If someone was a whiner he would more likely be at home in front of the computer complaining.
You really have to be here and talk to the people who are soaking up the amenities. I have been here a little over a year and have been involved with many activities and golf circles and i have never heard one person say to me that they do not like it here.
Remember, if somebody was a miserable SOB when he came here, I doubt that anything here would change his situation.

Good point!! You're correct..... I'm wr.... wr... wr.... wrong.... Whew... I thought I wasn't going to be able to spit it out. The marked is "soft" and not depressed. My brain took a right turn when it should have taken a left!

I think you all make good points.

I think that TV is an AWESOME place to retire and even though it might look questionable to people reading this on the outside. The fact remains that "most" people stay because they know that!

Now... about that girls posse!!!!! :crap2::crap2::crap2::crap2:

Well I won the bet I had with myself.

That is, no one is going to respond who are actually unhappy and would like to leave. Pretty tough for a person to admit to don't you think?

Anyway I probably wouldn't come on this forum to explain.

Unfortunately though, the people that live here are not all going to be frogs....

Do I need to get myself a squirt gun???? Just wondering....

I think anyone that comes on this website and thinks the tone is largely negative must be cherrypicking a very few opinions on a very few threads. I have been fairly active on this website for 3 years or so, and I find the tone to be overwhelmingly positive. I also agree that the tendency of message boards is to attract people who have fairly strong opinions one way or another, and the vast majority of TV residents seem to love TV and the lifestyle.

2 quotes on my office desk and something my mom told me about dealing with being happy.
1. "Happiness is not the absence of problems,but the ability to deal with them."
2."Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.It means that you have decided to look beyond the imperfections."
3".Don't pursue happiness,create it."

Naw... I don't think the tone is largely negative. I just think that people aren't as unhappy with TV as "some" of them let on. I also agree that Forums bring in the negative element.

In fact... My hubby used to get upset with me when I would tell people about TV before we secured our property. He didn't want everyone to go down there and buy up all the property before we got there.

Now don't make me draw my squirt gun on you!!! :duck:

I would wear my soiled clothing as a badge of honor.

OK....you asked for it....
 

Since no one else is gonna tell you why they hate this place, I guess I'll tell you why I hate it...

When I left corporate America, less than a year ago, I thought I was finished with email, calendaring and spreadsheets. Seems my inbox is now full with people wanting to know if I can play golf on Wed. or wanting to know if we want to go to the square to listen [and dance] to Yesterdayze or Rocky and the Rollers. I mean c'mon, I came here to retire... If the email wasn't bad enough, I also need to maintain a calendar, so I know which golf course I should be at and the time I should arrive, as well as who's playing at what square, etc... I mean, gimme a break...my calendar is busier now than before I retired. What's up with that???

So, my advise is don't even think of moving here, unless you're prepared to be running and having fun all the time. Don't even get me started on all the friendly neighbors and how they always wave when you cruise by in your golf cart...

Gotta run.....my smartphone just alerted me that I'm supposed to be at Havana in 30 minutes!!!!


Geeezzzzz..... I HATE THIS PLACE! :p

I don’t post much but I try to keep up with the majority of threads. In all the time I’ve been reading this site I can only recall a couple of people who truly seemed unhappy enough here that they wished they didn’t live here. I don’t recall any posts that led me to believe that the poster “hated TV”. Just because someone is unhappy with certain aspects of an area (any area) or they are nostalgic for a less crowded time, that doesn’t mean that they would rather live elsewhere. It doesn’t mean they are old, grouchy, lonely, sick or inactive. No where in the TOTV terms of services does it state that only positive opinions are allowed. For what it’s worth, I love it here and have nothing negative to say about TV, but I support the right of anyone who wants to voice their complaints.

:agree: It starts to feel like cyber-bullying when it goes on too long, IMHO

You make me extremely jealous!. Now I don't have a smartphone, but it's high on my list to buy once we arrive. I do understand there is an app that what you arrive at a location the phone can give you a message such as why you went there in the first place!:wave:

Oh, CRAP... I'm retiring to get away from those people!

I have met a couple of people who are unhappy with The Villages. One was because of the "attitude" of the Developer. Personally, I think the Morse family has done and keeps doing a remarkable job and I wish them every success in the future.

One couple actually HATED the seasonal residents and renters because they clogged up roads, restaurants, and golf courses. Hey, they keep our expenses down, too, don't they? I like that!!

Those are only a couple of people out of all the rest of us who love The Villages.

angiefox I would have left TV one year after my arrival. The reasons are not personal or family related but have to do with TV. TV sells a lifestyle but that lifestyle can be practiced anywhere . I won't go any futher because it will only upset some residents.

So why don't I leave? Because the housing market is down. And I don't suscribe to the belief that you are buying and selling in the same market. Before I was retired whenever I made a large financial purchase I could say I will just continue earning until I replenish my account. Well those days are over and my account is down X number of dollars from my Villages home purchase In addition unless I wanted to settle for less of a house I would take another hit. So like anyone in my situation I adjust and make the best of it. I am not complaining and accept that is is the decision we made , subscribing to that definition of intelligence that says intelligent people refuse to let themselves be unhappy. We all have different values, etc. Many people love TV and I rejoice for them.

Thank you rubicon for that very honest response. That makes sense to me. I know that you have not been happy in TV and I hope some day you find your Shangri-La.


!

Skybo, I like your post. I think most residents have a high level of satisfaction with life in TV. Minor complaints are easy to understand because nothing is perfect. Sometimes I wish TV were closer to a salt-water beach, but I sure wouldn't give up our wonderful friends just to be closer to the ocean.

I think unhappy residents have already sold their houses and moved on, so you won't find them posting on this website. I know at least ten couples that have purchased in TV and then sold and moved on. Missing family, and wanting a more rural lifestyle are the usual reasons I hear. Nice people, not a grouchy whiner among them.

I do sometimes wonder about furnished houses in NEW Villages that are for sale by owner. Some have never been lived in, or just a very short time. Many times they have lovely improvements ... Birdcages or summer kitchens or pools. I know that health is a major "situation changer" in a retirement community. But there seem to be many nearly new houses for sale. I really wonder why.

reminds me of the guy who we flew from asia to the usa non stop...left on time...pampered him in flight....got to sea 30 mins early...he picked up his bag in good shape...got home and ****ed and moaned because the chicken was not to his liking.

I don't love TV. It is not my home. My home and heart is in San Francisco and probably always will be. However, I had to leave SF for personal reasons and the odds of ever being able to go back are slim.

I HATE the conservativeness here, the unwillingness to hear another side to an argument. It goes against everything I've ever believed. I really don't understand preventing a politician coming into an area because they have a different viewpoint. I was taught that all views should be heard and understood to the best of my ability. I dislike the way I see the developer nickel and dime newcomers (once you've been here awhile, you know where to go for what). Those are my two major peeves.

All of that being said, I truly like TV and I'm glad I landed here. I've found a very comfortable way of life, a decent business, wonderful friends and great activities. TV is not my Shangri-La (hope you meant that rather than Shanghai lol) although we all know it is Gracie's, but it is a very good community with far more pluses than minuses.

About 10 years ago, I was hiking a section of the Florida Trail near Ocala and I met a couple who said they lived at The Villages. At the time, I was aware of TV, but had only noticed it while passing by.

We talked for some time about the development, the amenities, the homes and the couple let me know they were very unhappy with their decision to buy. They were looking to sell (they said their home was for sale) and get away from the area.

Their criticism concerned prices, neighbors, rules and, generally, everything to do with The Villages. Since the real estate market was better then (this was late 2001 or early 2002), I am sure they were able to sell, probably at a profit, and move on.

As a result, I'm sure they aren't following this board and answering this question.