Late Evening Loud Music
 

I know that the FL Legislature enacted a Law involving loud music ( if you care to call it that) that blasts out of autombiles. I am wondering if these same anti-noise rules apply to music now being played past 9 PM from Sumter Landing? Use to be that with the right conditions (wind direction, etc) I could hear music from Spanish Springs and Sumter landing up until 9PM. I live more than 1 mile away from Sumter Landing and on some nights can hear the music and drums way past 9PM. What has happened that allows this kind of loud music? Is this exempt from the anti-noise pollution laws? I thought this was a retirement community and not Disney's Pleasure Island.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

These kinds of laws are impossible to enforce. Think about it. Noise travels farther when it is windy, so is it more of a violation if the wind is blowing? Who is going to be steading anywhere nearby with a decibel meter anytime any noise is produced.

If a car goes by with the windows down, blasting music, and there is not a cop right there with a decibel meter, they can't be charged.

If a citizen files a complaint, the court will say, "how loud was the music. The complaintant will say....."ah.....loud."

If a person wants to really get serious about how foolish these kinds of laws are, think about the disabilities act. If a person is hard of hearing can he claim his music was loud so he could hear it?

Further, is it a violation only if it is rap or hip hop music from a car. How about classical music or talk.

Are high school bands exempt? They are pretty loud.

Law makers pass these laws to pacify the voters, then they are impossible to enforce.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

OSH..You crack me up!! :bigthumbsup:

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Earplugs (available at any drugstore) should solve your problem nicely.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Renting in a CEMETERY might do the trick too... :(

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

TOTV is getting pretty entertaining.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Gee thanks for all of the great suggestions. Buy earplugs, move to a cemetery. Surprised no one gave the standard answer, "if you don't like it move out." Just tried to point out that things have changed in the 10 years I've been here. Music was always there to be enjoyed by anyone wanting to go to the Town Square, or if you didn't want to listen you could stay home. So now it goes until 11PM.

Guess I'll just pop in one of my 8 track Chieftain Albums, open the windows and hope that you find my taste in music enjoyable. There's nothing like the wonderful sound of pipes and drums.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

get over it

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

That's not a very thoughful answer to his problem. The villages sold me a house without telling me that it is next to the freight train. It goes by 20 times a day, blowing its whistle. The Villages screwed me on that deal for the rest of my life. Should I just "get over it?"

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Respectfully;

In all fairness Jan you kind of screwed yourself didn't you? If it goes by 20 times a day how did you not notice it? I've only bought a few homes in my life but every time my wife and i scouted out the area - during the day to see what goes on - at night to hear if we were bothered by the highway noise or trains etc. - were the neighbors quiet or did they like to party too much for our tastes etc. etc.

Granted it would have been nice if the developer mentioned the train and made sure it didn't bug you but that is not really their concern. Every home buyer has to do their own due diligence on a purchase.

I'm curious - if it bugged you early on then why didn't you relocate to another spot in TV?

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I have actually had people tell me they like the trains. Reminds them of home or there childhood.

I find that 3 to 4 Vodkas eliminates the annoyance.

:super:

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

LIke most other Village residents, we were living up North during the construction of our home. We had no idea that it was there. Real Estate law says that agents MUST give full disclosure to anything that will materially affect the resale value of the house. They are required by law to say, "there is a freight train that passes behind your house. It is loud, is that going to be a problem?" They didn't do that.

In so far as relocating. I do not have the luxury of building, then rebuilding. I am a normal individual with limited resources. In addition, I am required by law to tell any prospective buyer that "there is a freight train that passes behind your house. It is loud, is that going to be a problem?"

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Jan,
How far is the train from your house, or i should say how close is it?? I can hear it from my bedroom or when I sit on the lanai..I love that sound!! :)
It is a shame that Realtors hide things to make a sale..

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Before we moved here, our home was in the takeoff/landing bath at Tampa Airport. We never minded it. It was fun watch the planes and wondering where they were going etc. We weren't THAT close--about 1/2 hour from airport. Guess who these things bother, is very individual.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

The train is about 400 yards behind our house. We can read the wording on the side of the cars when it passes. None of our neighbors were told about the train either. Several have moved, several cannot sell their house. One lady has had to seek professional help from a psychologist to deal with the way the train affects her. She cannot sell her house because of the noise. Some people down the street had their house up for sale for almost a year with no success, then took it off the market. Last night about 3:30 the train passed and sounded his horn 32 times. The train actually creates little ripples in our pool when it passes.

It is nice for people who don't have this problem to minimize it. I don't find it soothing or pleasant. It is pretty clear to me that the Villages will so, say, or not say anything in order to sell property here.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

It is so funny how some noises are soothing to people and some are annoying, just like smells..I love the smell of horses, they remind me of the country and farms..Some people detest that smell..
That is why there is chocolate and vanilla I guess!! ;D

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Jan..OMG, I didn't realize it was that close..I think even though I like that sound it would also annoy me being that close to the house..Then it becomes a torment as opposed to a walk back in time..
What a shame there is nothing that can be done..
:(

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

We live behind a freight train and what they call a changing station. This means the trains crash into each other - that's what it sounds like. It's not as close as 400 feet - it's more like 3-4 blocks away if I had to calculate. But somtimes it sounds like it's in my lap!

We have a berm (or small hill) that blocks the view but not the sound. After ten years, we have become use to it (to a poiint). I don't find it intrusive as much but when we have company and enjoying an evening outside in our gazebo, and the train comes by; my guests will jump exclaiming "what in the world is that".

So, I can clearly understand what Jan is dealing with.

When we had our home built, the builder never mentioned it but in our walk around the neighborhood and of course, going over the small hill to see what was on the otehr side, we were hesitant and decided to investigate by talking to people who already lived in the area. Not one person said it was a problem and noted that after a while, they didn't even notice it. So, we did our homework and trusted what the neighbors told us. Coupled with the fact that we love our home and got a good deal with the builder.

I admit, I do notice it on a spring night when the windows are open and I'm in bed and the trains passing each other have to say hello by blowing their whistles back and forth for several minutes.

Like I say, we don't find the sound intrusive but people who have sold in our area have said it does become a problem when trying to sell the house. We're in better shape than most of our neighbors because we can't see the trains from our second floor because of the location of our home.

I do understand Jan's dilemma and frankly, some folks are not being fair by saying to get over it. I'm sure by now Jan is somewhat use to it but it's hard to convince potential buyers that it's not that big a deal. So, you have my understanding Jan and I hope if you ever decide to sell, you have good luck.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Jan,
Will trees or bushes help block/buffer the noise? You have my sympathy... ::)

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Jan, I do sympathize with your plight. Your problems can be someone else's cautionary tale. There is another post that talks about buying their TV house sight unseen. I can't even imagine that.

I have even heard of people who find a house they like and then literally camp out in their car in front of the house for some time to catch any Realtor 'half truths'.

If they are required by law to tell you how come you have no recourse against them? I know that you've been there for some time now but back when.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

did this ever come up in discussions with the villages, did u tell them of your displeasure. Were you offered any solace?? :dontknow:

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

I called our agent the day we moved in. Ironically, the train was passing while I was talking to him and he couldn't hear me on the phone. He claimed he knew nothing about it prior to the sale. I sent a letter to the developer asking why I was not told about the train. He did send a return letter. He never did mention the disclosure issue but said that if it is a problem, I could sell my house and move. ::)

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What bothers me a lot is are there seems to be no laws to protect people in TV. Are there no "rules" about disclosure in TV?

Your realtor is a jerk and you would do us service to post his name so we can avoid him/her. Was this a village's agent?

Just curious, have you contacted an attorney about this to find out if you have any legal rights? I say this because we now live in a maintenance free area. This means we can't have fences or outside structures, somewhat like what the mandated in TV.

We also can't have swings, pools, basketball hoops, etc. Although not stated, the area was developed for empty nester's. Most of our neighbors are young with small children. They don't like mowing grass or shoveling snow any more than we empty nester's do.

The couple behind us have two boys. They were not told about the no swing set or pool rule. They were given a copy of the covenants AFTER they passed papers. The realtor was sued and it was favorable to the home owner.

This was a resale by the way. Is there is anything n TV covenants that outlines the train situation?

You may want to consider talking to a lawyer just to see where you stand with this.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Not being told about the train is one issue with me, the other is that the lot was an extra $50,000 because it backed up to an empty field. I paid $50,000 extra to listen to a train for the rest of my life. We moved here from upstate New York, where we had a house on two acres of land and the most noise we heard was the frogs in our pond. I love our house, I love our friends here, but I don't mind telling you that every time I hear that train (25-30 times a day) I am reminded that I was duped. There is no way that you can convince me that neither the developer nor the agent knew about the train. This was a Villages agent and we had the house built. I don't know how this guy sleeps at night.

I want to make it clear that the Villages is a great place. Lots of nice people, clean as can be. Plenty of activites and great golf courses. For the most part it is run in a very professional and thorough fashion. It is just that as an individual, I feel that I was tricked on this deal. I would have purchased elsewhere in the Villages if I had known, but they were pushing to close out Chatham and so the negative effects on the homeowners were not a consideration on the part of the developer. They were the winners.

Every time we have guests stay with us, the first thing they say in the morning is....."Wow, how can you sleep at night?"

I filed a complaint with the Florida State REal Estate board, but never heard one word back from them. I contacted numerous attorneys in the area, but they all declined to accept the case because they were in some way representing an aspect of the Villages.

The thing that I don't believe they realise is that in the course of a year, I am heard on hundreds of radio stations around the United States and Canada and soon to be in England. Every chance I get, I tell this story. My guess is that several million people have heard it, and probably another serveral million will in the future. It does nothing to correct my problem, but it makes me feel better.

Please, once again, do not let my story sway you away from the Villages. It is a great place to live, but don't be fooled into thinking that they care about you. They care about selling houses. That's my opionion.

JLK

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

IMHO, they have the moral fibers of alley cats!

You're right, it is a business and making a dollar is the bottom line. Ethics don't come into it at all.

At least your story has warned others to be diligent in when purchasing a home, new or resale.

I'm sorry that you are dealing with this - our train goes by maybe 12 times a day and night. Like I posted, I am use to it now and don't find it intrusive. Annoying but not intrusive if that makes sense.

I know when we sell the house, it will be a matter of discussion and I know many people who shy away from it so I do feel your pain.

How do your other neighbors feel about this? Have you considered a petition? There should at least be compensation granted to you and others for this aggravation.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

I wonder what the philosophers who say "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" would say about this problem.
If it indeed does pass 25-30 times a day, what do your neighbors say? How many people are actually affected by this? Not meaning to make light of this, perhaps a club could be formed from the people directly affected by this, and then, as a group, something could get done.
How long have you been in the house?

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

If a Village "Club" was formed, and you had a voice, I think TV would definitely listen.
They seem eager to form these clubs, so why not form one under a pretense, say RR lovers of TV; get everyone involved together, and then have some clout.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE 'TALK HOST' PROBLEM THAT HE ENCOUNTERED, I WAS ALMOST READY TO BUY FROM OHIO. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VILLA THAT WE NEVER SEEN. IT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN NEAR A RR TRACK AND NEVER MENTIONED TO ME. THANKS FOR THE INSIGHT. MY WIFE AND ME ARE RENTING TILL WE BUY. NOW WE CAN TAKE OUR TIME AND MAKE SURE IT IS ALL THAT WE WANT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THANKS..... THE KAR GUY

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

The property owners association, POA4us.org, is a good place to find out the concerns of people living in the Villages. It is trying to get better disclosure for prospective owners and also working to get the siding problems solved. I've been reading it for a while and it's good information to have when considering a purchase or for those who already own property in TV.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Am I missing something? Is it only the Village of Chatham that is bothered by the train or are there other areas. We're coming down this month and I want to check it out. We'll be buying early 2008. Thanks for the update.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

The train runs the entire length of the west side of the Villages. The farther east you are, the less you hear it. When you are outside, you can hear it everywhere but it is not as bothersome as when it is in your back yard.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Thanks, we'll check it out. My husband says he has heard it when we were staying in a villa on our last trip but didn't pay too much attention to it. I don't know where TV is putting us when we come at the end of the month but I'll be listening for that whistle. I'm sorry to hear you have that problem. I know I wouldn't be happy about that and also wouldn't be able to turn around and sell and rebuy.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

not being told about a pre-existing active train track is major but being misled about where golf cart entry trails, pools, restaurants etc will be built in one's neighborhood seems to be fairly common.
future building plans in tv are always kept secret til well inderway. i note many tv'ers relocate within tv after their first few years.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

I feel your pain. A train that close would drive me to well something. While searching for a home we found several in the village of Sunset Pointe. An outside agent told us that we did not want to be there because of odors that come from a sewage plant or something that was close by. Don't know the validity of the agents statement, however BUYER BEWARE. Maybe this will help someone.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

I love the Villages but I also know that the developer could care less about how we feel once we have signed on the dotted line. Full disclosure....not gonna happen in the Villages. I could write a book about the things that were not mentioned to us before closing. Sometimes I could shout and scream in frustration because of how we were NOT told everything. No one lied to us, they simply didn't tell us everything.

I never knew that after one year I would be responsible for repair of the Villa walls that surround our property line. I never have understood the bond. I don't get how they could tell us our amenities were frozen at the rate when we moved in and then 11 months later we got an increase. We have gotten an increase every year we have lived here.

Home owners have NO SAY in anything that happens here. If you try to get an issue addressed at a VHA meeting, they stop taking questions and close the meeting.

This is NOT a gated community. We cannot deny access to ANYONE who wants to come into the Villages. The roads are state roads and you cannot deny access to the public thus, NO GATED community!

All that being said, I love this lifestyle so much that I wouldn't ever leave. Just want to say caveat emptor...let the buyer beward. 'nuf said.

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Are we done raggin on the guy that doesn't like music?

Re: Late Evening Loud Music
 

Hey Golfnut, I like your cart.

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I just detailed my cart...Bought the colored tape..It looks cool:)

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Need to see a picture Donna.

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Seems to me you are fortunate to hear the music and be more than a mile away. Some people have to pay to get up close...