The villages "rich" lifestyle
 

In reflecting on some posts negative to the developer and TV in general it occured to me that, while I cannot deny those peoples feelings, I find much of the criticism to be misplaced. I don't prescribe to the developer's political viewpoint, and some of their financial dealings are suspect at best, but what they have provided for residents is simply incredible, assuming one takes advantage of the opportunities. I was thinking about where one might enjoy the same level of live entertainment and cultural events, learning, and recreational opportunities every single day and I came to the conclusion that only in very large cities would one even have the chance. And to live in the heart of a big city in order to have regular convenient access to those things would require a very large home or apartment outlay. Then one would have to shell out thousands of dollars a month for things such as show tickets, cover charges, country club dues, rec center dues, tuition fees, etc. etc. Even with that outlay there are things that would not be convenient to them that are around every corner in TV. In other words to live a comparable lifestyle one would have to be relatively wealthy, and then be satisfied to live in the heart of a congested city, in many cases in a relatively harsh climate. What has been created in TV is something that even the most wealthy people throughout the world would have a hard time replocating. And in TV it is available to people on not much more than a social security check. It is really pretty amazing when you think about it. By the way, I don't like the way people with negative opinions are often treated on this forum, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it seems that they are not really taking advantage of the tremendous opportunity that has been created here. Maybe something better exists somewhere, but if so, I have yet to be exposed to it.

You got it all right and nothing better exists anywhere in the world. In the end we just may be the most fortunate 100,000+ people on the planet! And, this could very well be the best investment any of us has made in a long time. Can you even imagine the demand for resales here once this place is built out?

Well said eweissenbach! I agree with you completely.

Well said Coach. This place rocks.

Very well said. After visiting friends in the villages twice in the last three years and reading this site daily,:coolsmiley: I have come to the same conclusion

We totally agree. Where else in the world could you afford all the benefits and amenities that the Villages has to offer. Since first discovering the Villages in 1984, we have tried to keep it a big secret...but it seems the word has gotten out!

It is a rich lifestyle but you don't have to be rich to live it.

Agreed
 

Nice post,

My new friends just arrived in Tamarind Grove- I can't wait till I join them.

All places have ups and downs! This is one well organized place.

When I say I'm moving to Florida I get flack! But When I say we are moving to the Villages I often here Ohhhhhhhhhhhh cool my so and so lives there.

Nice to have a Positive Post , Haaaaaaa Bad Joke
Positive( + Battery ) Post vs Negative (- Battery Post )

It's a CarGuy thing!

Wow! I couldn't have said it better! I would like to add that although I have not met most of you yet, I feel as if I had and I do look forward to meeting all of you someday!

Excellent post. Can't wait to meet you Weissenbach.

Nice post. I don't think TV is perfect, in fact we are far from perfect. If I knew of a better place, I would move there. You won't hear any doors slamming behind me because I don't think there is any better place.

You outdid yourself on this one, my friend!

Well done and I agree. Actually, The Villages is less political than I thought it would be from visits here. Since moving in, I have no idea what my neighbors political affiliation are and frankly don't care. As long as sharia law does not go into effect, I will call The Villages home.

Agreed
 

I cannot tell you how many people I have met here (4 in a group of 7 just last night) who chose to move here from another retirement community or area.

I feel lucky that we both agree on where to be retired. Would be hard to have one of us want to be here and one of us somewhere else, and I have friends in that situation as well, although they haven't made their choice yet.

Ditto, Coach! :thumbup: We love it here.

MOST excellant post and well said!!! We ALL are definately blessed to be able to be here and enjoy this lovely place. Try to match it anywhere else...impossible!!!

Well put, Ed! Hence the reason(s) Sandy and I decided that TV was the place for us.

Bill :)

Refreshing, and True!
 

Excellent points that you make! And so true - wonderful place, all in one package

Excellent post
 

Could not have said it better!

Hi Ed,
Very well stated, as usual. It is apparent from the numerous :agree:responses that many of us are in harmony with the chord you've struck.

and where else in the world can folks who have ONLY their social security for income live this life style.

One of the more important advantages found no where else is the fact, regardless of income status, size of the house one owns or the model of car one drives....ALL ARE ENTITLED TO THE SAME LIFESTYLE!! That does and will not exist any where else!!

btk

And I personally have not seen ANYONE here in TV who chose anyone to be their friend based on whether a person had a lot or a little bit of money.

I love this place.

And how about the fact that every resident--regardless of home style and price--is a member of 10 premier country clubs like Arnold Palmer and Nancy Lopez, without paying dues, capital improvement assessments, 20% service charges on food/beverage, spending minimums and dues rising when membership numbers drop in the bad economy....without having to have 3-5 members write letters recommending us....and no membership application that gets posted for other members to black ball or approve based on assets and reputation....and our $135/month/household lifestyle amenities fee covers all that and more, like free golf on 30 executive 9-hole courses!!

Ed:

You not only get my vote for the best post of the day but ever.

Well said and thoughtul. Excellent post. :BigApplause: :bigbow:

Great letter. Thanks. . .:bigbow:

Great play, coach. :coolsmiley:

Terrific post Ed,could not agree more.I do have a hard time agreeing with this post, about taking full advantage of this lifestyle on social security checks.Don't see how that's possible.Must have other sources of income to really LIVE in TV. It is not cheap to live here and living only off social security checks, would make it very difficult to enjoy everything TV has to offer,impossible for me.

I'm a little puzzled because I'm not sure which posts you are referring to. However, I think a lot depends on how long a person has been a resident of the Villages. I think it's something like having a new car or a new house. At first the newness is exhilarating but as years go by the newness wears off.
When I first moved here I didn't like to here anything negative about TV and I tended to think that such comments were politically motivated. But now I realize it's not always the case. Sometimes people just don't like some aspect of TV. It doesn't always mean that they don't like it overall. But then I'm not sure which posts you are referring to.

Does anyone remember the movie "The Stepford Wives"? Do we want that? That would be boring, wouldn't it? I don't remember the movie that well anymore but I remember the general atmosphere of the town. I'm not sure how to describe it. Maybe someone else can.

eweissenbach: This is a great post and for the most part I agree with you. However based on informational cascadence it seems the marketing department has done quite well because some residents seem to believe it is their mission to defend both TV and the Developer.

Whenever there is discussion concerning TV it seems that it automatically includes both the Developer and [t]he Development. This is a mistake and clearly these two entities need to be addressed and treated separately.

You make mention of negative posts concerning the Develoiper and TV in general. I would ask you to consider that these posts may not be negative but may be factually representative of the discussion at hand. I would also ask that you consider that these alleged postings may not be made to malign or to whine but to inform for the betterment of the community

Ostensible I agree with your discussion concerning TV it is a nice place to live. I also appreciate your post because it provides an opportunity for residents to actually engage in balanced and constructive discussion concerning the subject matter; both of which have been lacking for too long. Thank you for this positive and enlightening post

old coach
 

I do not believe you can live in TV on a small ss income TV is for some not all it is just about any place you live some like some don't. One thing about TV it is getting large the traffic is increasing and if anyone thinks that along with the increase of homes that there won't be other problem you are kidding yourself.

I am not a frequent poster but an often reader and this is one of the best posts I have ever read. We searched Ca, AZ and Fl for something suitable but were underwhelmed by all of it. Then we discovered TV and we knew we had found what we wanted but never new existed. As far as political persuasion, I have yet to get into or even hear an unwanted or unpleasant discussion about politics. I feel no pressure to be anything or think anything other than my own good thoughts. Enjoy, Funinthesun