Changing times in The Villages
 

I have lived here about 13 years. Temp lived in Tampa for 3, but even then traveled here many times. I only tell that as a way of introduction....many here longer and shorter.

I have been struck by changes....

We have a thread concerning younger folks moving here (think I saw in 40's in one case). Not speaking of temp residents but homeowners.

We have a thread concerning whether another "retirement" community should have access to The Villages by golf cart.

I have noticed more of a resort attitude than a retirement attitude everywhere in the last few years. This is MY observation that people come here more and more to vacation.

There are rentals everywhere, and those who purchase homes have probably a fifty fifty chance of NEVER living here, just renting their property.

I am not passing any personal judgement,but in conversations many do.

What do folks think who have been here a few years think about all this. I NEVER could have predicted any of the few changes I mentioned years ago.

I live in Pennecamp and I am a year round resident. We have a CYV and I would venture to guess that about half the homes in our little courtyard neighborhood are rentals or are empty during the summer months.

The whole concept of The Villages has changed since Harold Schwartz and Gary Morse started building around Spanish Springs in the late 1990's. Schwartz and Morse planned a community where everything any retiree needed or wanted was easily accesible.

This included shopping, churches, recreation centers, restaurants, golf courses, country clubs, the hospital and other medical facilities, bowling alleys, softball fields, RV parking, and on and on and on. Schwartz and Morse were a class act that ran a first class operation, just look at the country clubs they built compared to what's being built today.

The new plan, implemented by the next generation, seems to be to build more and more houses, recreation centers, golf courses, and the new medical offices and not much else. It looks like they are converting all their commercial property into residential and are not much interested in any more commercial ventures.

JMHO based on watching The Villages expand since I moved here on Nov 4, 2000, likewise almost 13 years ago.

Bucco, I have lived here less then two years. IMHO your observation is correct. The Good news for residence is this place has so much to do it feels like a resort and is often referred to as a Disney World for Retires. The Bad news for residence is this place is like a resort therefore, it is appealing to short term vacationers.

The Villages is big enough for those who like resorts and intimate enough to feel like a small town. I think it all depends on where you lived before buying in TV.

Life is good and so is . . . The Villages! :spoken:

I have friends who bought here twelve years ago and visited for just two weeks each year, renting it out in the busy season to defray running costs. They have now stopped renting it out and moved here. Maybe a lot of the "younger" buyers have the same plan?

I live in a neighborhood that was built around 2000 and most residents have been here since then. However, there have been a number of deaths/relocations in the past few years resulting in those in their 70's and 80's being replaced by people in their 50's and 60's. It has given the neighborhood new life and vigor.

The biggest change I envisage is the separation of The Villages from one amorphous area into several - especially now that development south of 466A is proceeding in leaps and bounds. Living north of 466, I doubt that I shall visit Brownwood more than once or twice a year; likewise, many living south of 466A may rarely visit Spanish Springs.

One sign of this change is the withdrawal of the airport shuttle from Spanish Springs. I expect it will start calling at Brownwood in the not-too-distant future.

[QUOTE=Bucco;729260]I have lived here about 13 years. Temp lived in Tampa for 3, but even then traveled here many times. I only tell that as a way of introduction....many here longer and shorter.

I have been struck by changes....

I have to agree with much of your post, but thankfully my little area has not been impacted (so far) by these changes. We are a very settled area, maybe three homes with seasonal residents, but they are only gone for three months at the most. We are not a party neighborhood, but we all know each other and give help and aid when it is needed.

But, like everything else, things will have to change with age and then I imagine we will get younger residents moving in, although I think the boomer crowd are moving south of 466A.

I'm a new resident - only 3 months - and to be honest - the jury is still out on whether I'll be staying. I cannot rave about life in The Villages. It's just okay - no better or worse. Perhaps for golfers, it's nirvana. I don't know about that. I admit that I drank the koolaid and bought into the whole "Village" concept and was lured by the promises of stuff to do. And..there is tons to do. But I'm giving it a year. Next June, there may be another house for sale.

I think the % of partial year residents is highest in the Villas.

I started this thing, so going to jump in and say that I welcome much of the growth, and hoping I do not offend anyone, but I notice a different attitude than was here when I moved in.

A small example and it is small, is a neighborhood that a friend of mine lives in...a courtyard villa.....the folks across the street are here maybe 5/6 months and when they are here, they and their visitors use their driveway as if they owned it for a turn around. Hurt anything...not so much..a few marks on the driveway but what kind of attitude has no respect for others private property...maybe one who does not see this as a HOME but a resort ? Not looking to share advice for my buddy..he can take care of himself..speaking to the attitude !

When we first moved in The Villages, the individual respect was there...everyone was retired and starting anew...this WAS their new home. That is not as apparent anymore to me anyway !

Been here 4 years. Love it and I'm going nowhere, except maybe another home. There have been changes many bringing more additional stores, doctors and medical facilities which I think is a plus. As for younger persons no problem it's legal providing they don't have children under 19. We're out and about for or so nights a week, have met plenty of very happy people. If your house goes on the market that will make room for another happy person. JMO

This thread reminds me of my parents generation saying that the world is going to he'll Ina handbag because of the younger folks like us that are ruining it. Now we are old and saying the same thing about young people.

How many generations has this been repeated.

Since I began this thread and said nor inferred any such thing, please explain how you came to that conclusion on my behalf ??

That is true Golf.

Bucco didn't blame young people. It was me;)

Well not really, but I didn't realize until just a week or so ago that I had become an old biddie.

I thought I was a hottie.

We had new neighbors move in two years ago. Our original neighbors had been so kind and helpful when we moved here that we were sad to see them leave. However, the new couple are just as nice and have been instrumental in organizing many neighborhood activities, including our all going off campus for a monthly dinner.

As Forrest Gump might say, "Changes are like a box of chocolates..."

Um, Gracie, you are not an old biddie. An old biddie is mean-spirited, jealous of those younger, healthier, richer, etc. An old biddie does her absolute best to make those around her feel inferior. BTW -- I've known old biddies who are in their 20s. It just happens that this go round I mentioned old biddies in their 60s and 70s. It ain't an age thing, it's a behavior thang.

Bucco, I've been here 7 years and have seen changes. There's more vitality with Baby Boomers buying here. At the same time, there's less patience. There are more houses that are being rented or standing empty for most of the year -- these folks purchased today to live here tomorrow. Works for them. When they're here, they're thrilled to be here and live every day here to the absolute fullest. (Frequently reminds me of a teen-age boy after his first sexual experience -- has no clue when to stop and give it a rest.) As Baby Boomers age and truly retire, I think things will go back to more of the way it was when I first moved here, except TV will be divided into North of 466, the North of 466A and the South side and that I truly hate to see. Villagers need to come together and be Villagers, not just members of a village or part of an area. That division is one thing I have found to be truly sad.

Diane, thanks for sharing your opinion. Most of us love TV. For us personally, it's the best decision we've ever made. But TV isn't for everyone. I've certainly known people who tried life in TV, and it wasn't a good fit for them. Whether they wanted more privacy or to be closer to the ocean or to live in a smaller community or just missed their old neighborhood, whatever. It doesn't make you depressed or a bad person, and I don't think you'll scare anyone with your comments.

As far as the expansion of The Villages changing it's "character", even in our brief six years, there has been huge growth. But the clever design of each individual Village within a huge city, still makes us somehow believe we live in a small and friendly community.

Good post and very very informative.

I was not aware that I should " stop and give it a rest." This will be a long long winter :)

I have been a "lurker" here for a few years after I came to visit a dance teacher friend. I also taught AP English online. I think DianeM's comments are allowable. As one who had to read students comments from all over the world, I learned that discussion boards are powerful learning tools but they should not be used to abuse others personally, everyone should stay on topic.

Not this thread but other threads I have read here are similar. If we are in a retirement community we should all be adults and we should respect each other as adults.

If one is displeased, then one should be allowed to say so. There are no perfect worlds or communities, anywhere.

I am coming in October for 6 months, before I make a choice that The Villages is right for me or should I stay on Cape Cod. I am sure DianeM thought through what she was doing before she moved. With that said, reality often does not meet one's expectations, and that is all DianeM is saying.

JannD

I for one would like to know from someone with great insight why so many people can unfairly disparage the villages, name-call, moan, groan and constantly complain about so many things about our wonderful community, the Morses, the alligators, the weather...but when I try to defend our community and way of life here and give my own perspective, I am attacked and humiliated? Why do people want to just complain about this place when they live or visit here? To me, it makes no sense because it will just tend to bring down our quality of life if left to continue. If you dish it out you should be able to take it back in the form of a response.

That's what I taking about. Very well stated.

We have lived in TV since August 2011. Before that in a nice neighborhood in Orlando. We love it here. We don't even golf, but there is such a great attitude for fun and fellowship and doing charity work and indoor and outdoor activities, not to mention entertainment at 3 different squares every night!

Works for us.....:pepper2::pepper2:

Don't see why someone saying that TV is not for them is a negative indictment. If it were for EVERYONE then prices would be even higher for new homes etc. TV is no different than anywhere you move. Sometimes you plant something in a new location and it thrives - sometimes you need to move it to a new location.

For us, 3 years almost and we have no thoughts of moving anywhere.

We have done 3. Years and love it more every day. The larger it gets, the more wonderful opertunities come with the expansion.

Thank you

Russ, don't you get tird of being right all the time? Only kidding. We have had one couple down for a look. He loved it and she hated it. So there ya go. Me and my wife love it here and that is very important to us.

Lol
 

Today I was contemplating whether to stay in MA and open a dance studio again or move, then I read the threads here. I think I'll come in October and open something to teach technology to Boomers. I am not tooting my own horn, but after working for Gates and training school teachers, I may have a new business in The Villages. Boomer Tech Visions

Bio is here
Dance Studio By Design

:pepper2::pepper2::pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

We have been here for 10 years and lived the lifestyle we chose while TV more than doubled in size. We were here befor TV had "critical mass" enough to attract national chains of any kind. Once that happened I believe it was sort of perpetual motion of growth begets more goods, shopping and services.

The beauty of TV is it's decentralized design of villages/rec centers/regioanl rec centers etc so there is no crush to use the facilities that in fact constitute the life style.

As TV heads toward being 3 times what it was when we built our home, we have no complaints and look forward to the evolution that adds to the quality of what we had 10 years ago through today.

Yes there is traffic, but is that not true of every where?

I think we are fortunate to enjoy the best of what larger populated areas enjoy without having to deal with the negatives that also seem to accompany large population centers.

Yes, TV has changed. Some things have gone by the wayside (buffalo/cowboy statues, new years at the squares, etc) but the final conclusion is TV is a great place to live and enjoy the latter years of one's life that is just not attainable in very many "retirement" venues.

btk

Come on down and be sure to advertise on TOTV. This is a very nice location for tech support.

I think change and an evolving plan are a good thing. Just think what the world would have been like if it hadn't changed in the last 15 years. The Villages has changed to keep up with changing expectations, lets not forget the developer is running a business and if what they are doing was not what people wanted they will vote with their pocket book and buy elsewhere this also includes not buying pre-owned homes not being in demand

Please address the topic and not each other. Take personal disputes offline.

Everyone is entitled to express their opinion about places and things. Others may disagree with your opinion but should not make their disagreement personal.

Numerous posts were deleted...let's get back on track.

Moderator

agree
 

agree

:pepper2::pepper2::pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

I Love the Villages
 

I and most everyone here love the Villages, and we have lived many places in our lives. Anyone contemplating moving here should research it long and hard and spend quality time here. It is much easier and less expensive to do that then try to sell a home and move quickly again. The Villages and even Florida is not for everyone, but it is a wonderful place for most retirees. I for one thank the Morse family for creating such a wonderful place to live out our lives.

Agreed.

I have said many times, that I could come up with many many places I would rather live, than central Florida, BUT......

I would never move from The Villages because of the lifestyle. We love it here

Funny but MA has been on my mind a lot lately.

Well said, billethkid. The portion I highlighted is exactly what we tell friends when they ask if The Villages is crowded.

Lol
 

I will I just have to figure out what it would be and of course find the advertising rates. Want to advertise a children's dance team event instead?

:girlneener:

Things change. Opinions change.
Opportunities arise, or circumstances happen... and plans/ options change.

Numerous friends I know here intended to live here full time- they can't do that yet, things have happened.

I planned on moving to New Mexico solo- then I married again.
WE decided to retire to The Smokey Mountains- then we found The Villages.

We thought we'd only be free to be snowflakes for a few years- the opportunity arose to make it permanent quickly.

Hubby thought he'd retire- the company wants him to stay, so he commutes and DOES feel like he's in a resort when he's home.
I retired, when I never thought I'd have that luxury- and every day feels like I'm on vacation now. Incredible.
Just examples.

When we purchased 2 1/2 years ago, we did understand that a % of homes were available to those under 50 years of age. Perhaps that is something that wasn't in place originally, but that is today's (non-discriminatory) political correctness.
"Retirement" means different things to different people. I am a senior citizen (so they tell me) but I don't feel any different on the inside than I did at 40.
My body may be aging, but my core spirit is not- and as long as I have my wits about me, I believe it will stay that way. To me, that is natural.

I think it would not be surprising to find that there are many who feel the same way.
As to 'golf cart access from other retirement communities'.... it wouldn't bother me one way or another. I don't think it would harm the quality of my days.

And that's the brilliance of the Developer's unique vision! To develop a huge city with a zillion amenities, restaurants, and shopping opportunities, yet still make residents feel secure and able to identify with their own individual neighborhoods.

Diane, one thing I found that it is harder to find your niche here as a single. It takes longer and more effort than it does for a couple unless you're seriously outgoing and like to party a lot. I think for the first year I was here, I did almost everything myself. After some time, I found friends and activities that truly suited me. Give it your year. You may find that magic fit and, if you don't, you happen to have purchased in a community where it is pretty easy to sell and move. Either way, I wish you the best.