Preconceived thoughts about how you would live in TV
 

I read this post by "Missypie" over in the golf cart forum and it got me thinking.

Here is the part of her post that got me thinking.

"Since moving to TV, my mind has changed on several things that I preconceived needed to happen or that we needed to purchase. Living here gives clarity to your wants and needs."

I was wondering what your thoughts might be and what your preconceived notions and needs were and why you changed your mind about them?

I think this thread may help many who are planning on moving to TV, such as myself.

Thanks!

Preconceived = In a golf cart, I can drink and drive.

Reality = Hell no.

I should think that having a good clear out, and selling excess furniture, before moving here would make sense.

Many people seem to pay to ship everything down here "just in case" and end up with a garage and guest bedroom full of stuff that they don't need, especially if they have down-sized.

I thought everyone had to hire a lawn service and pest control company and we did. Very expensive. We found out we are allowed to do it ourselves and it is very reasonable.

Also thought you had to have a priority membership to play golf. Not true.

We moved into TV in April 2015.

We came with two cars. We just sold one two weeks ago, as we weren't using it. We did buy a golf cart at the beginning of October. Many of our neighbors also (now) only have one car.

We loved our home and expected it would fit our needs perfectly forever. We are currently in the process of expanding our lanai.

We were very surprised how long it took us to get an initial appointment with a new primary care physician within The Villages Health Care system. Now that we are in, (and prior to the changes in what insurance they accept), we really like the health care system and especially how well coordinated they are between primary, specialty, lab work, imaging, etc.

Eye doctors - I started with a doc who opened up a location in a Villages strip center. I had an eye problem and learned that the doc was not there on some days (has another practice location) and ended up at Lake Eye. My husband goes to Ocala Eye. These are large well established practices. I will stay with Lake Eye for all future needs.

Those are the things that come immediately to mind. Last, you will go out to eat in the neighboring restaurants and country clubs much more than expected. Increase your budget now!

I will second that! Our moving van came 3 days ago, loaded with 22,000 pounds of "stuff" Garage, lanai, kitchen, dining and living room as well as 3 bedrooms piled with boxes. Since we got rid of 31,000 pounds of other "stuff", I thought we were downsizing. Epic fail!!! It didn't help that the movers brought 3000 pounds of "stuff" we told them NOT to bring, at least 5 times. Local charities are going to love us:1rotfl:

Also expect to increase clothing sizes as well, if it gets out of hand.

I thought we would need more money than we actually have needed. Golfing is cheaper than we expected since we bought the yearly pass and are not playing many championship courses for the first year. We found the Aldi, and find we buy only what we need. Gas is considerably cheaper than we paid in Wisconsin and since we use the golf cart so much we hardly pay anything for gas anyway. We have been pleasantly surprised on how little we need to be happy and carefree!

Luckily TOTV is a great way to shift unwanted stuff - give full details, a photo and a reasonable price and someone will snap it up

Please keep these posts coming! We have lots to learn and a few more years to plan for our move.

We did not cast off everything. We considered carefully what would fit in the house, brought most of our things down, and haven't ever regretted it. Sold one piece of furniture.

Look at your furniture... if it's dark and heavy, you might not like the way it looks down here.

Also (blasphemy...) not everyone needs or wants a golf cart.:duck:

There is no place like home
 

Our preconceived notion five years ago was and still believe that the villages is absolutely fantastic but we also miss home tremendously in New England. Solution, sold designer for a villa. TV is awesome, best place in Florida but IMO Florida can not compare to were you are from especially during it's long summer

Everything has met or exceeded our expectations

We feel the same way.