What is Wildwood like?
 

I've heard that it's a place to be avoided.

Hmmm.....kinda...well, you know, not wonderful.
 

I asked Sweetie how he would answer "What is Wildwood like" and he said...kinda crummy.

He also added "Very high unemployment".

Every Visitor Has a Memory ...
 

Of the first time they drove through Wildwood on their way to The Villages.

My thought, "what have I done." If this reflects The Villages, we're out of here. But when we finally turned onto 466, all my concerns melted away.

In retrospect, I believe Wildwood is struggling to improve. In time with the advent of Brownwood, this town/city will dramatically improve and force many old term residents to move on. Hopefully, the crime, drugs, etc. will move also.

An Over Reaction
 

I'm not sure why you'd want to "avoid" it. Like much of the state, it is economically depressed. But I don't think you need to fear it, if that's why you're thinking of avoiding it.

The Sumter County Office Annex is there - where you can get your driver's license and auto registration. There is an attractive looking furniture store there called the Veranda (I've not gone in, but pass it often). There's a Beef O'Brady's there, gas stations, the blinds place lot's of people rave about (Pink house on 301 & 466A). There's a few stores in the strip mall with the county offices. And some small shops on the west side of 301 as well.

It's not a tourist mecca by any stretch, but it is on the way in and out of TV when you take either the turnpike or get off I-75 at exit 329. So getting gas there or picking something up at the store can be convenient as well.

I'll bet that once TV build out is complete and the Brownwood town square is up and running, it'll be a thriving area. Possibly a good place to invest if you can stand the wait.

Unfortunately most from TV only know what they hear 3rd+++
 

hand from others. And the rest only know Wildwood from driving 301 South to get on the turnpike or to 44 to 75 south.

Too many from TV look down their nose at Wildwood just because it is not where they would live...as best they know. To get a real answer you need to ask Wildwood natives.....there is no way to get a truthful/real answer from the transplants from Elsewhere, USA.

Wildwood's stated reputation (without authority) is about as valid as the reputation of TV for being a center for STD and promiscuity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

btk

Well put
 

As with any state in the grand USA there may be some spots to stay away from. I went there for my drivers liscense, I've gone to the Dollar store, O' gradys is a good little resteraunt. We've driven thru there both daylight and at night. Also very early in AM on a recent trip home. I didn't notice people lurking on the side of the road as I have in my old home town on Long Island. Besides after lining in TV just about anyplace looks so so. Just my opinion!!

So, we are crummy, and several
 

other not so nice comments. I have lived in Wildwood since 1979, so not a native, but long enough to raise two now college educated children who both went to Wildwood Schools. My wife and I both worked in WW and are now retired and still enjoy the area. Has it been all wonderful, or course not but from what I read on the web site, your side of the tracks has it share of problems. Wildwood has a proud history, maybe you should get to know us better, if you dare to leave the reservation.

Gee, by some of the comments I am reading about Wildwood sounds a little like the town I was born & raised in. But guess what, it was my hometown. Were there better places to live? I am sure there must have been but better to whose eye? Funny how the world has so many experts in it who can place judgement by looks & impressions.
Recently we had a WONDERFUL dinner at the Cotillion in Wildwood.....loved the dining experience and definetly will be returning.
Buddy's was one of our favorite spots.....still miss it.
Hopefully our Wildwood TOTV members don't take offense. How many times have we all said " we have EVERY walk of life amongst us"? And BTW, I am not implying that in a negative way.

It is appropriately named. My experience with Wildwood only goes back to 1958, however.

We attend The Assembly church in Wildwood, and the people are wonderful! Friendly, loving and caring people who are willing to accept us into their lives without hesitation. We should all aspire to be that wonderful.

Wildwood
 

I have been going to the Wildwood farmer's market on Saturday morning and found it a great source of plants and produce as well as crafts and baked goods. It is fun. The Ace hardware store is very well stocked and employs very friendly and helpful people. The Cotillion is a wonderful restaurant, the
Red Door and Decades shops are unique and the St Vincent thrift shop all are reasons to visit Main Street. There is also a garden shop on the way into Wildwood from 466A that has some things of interest besides the plants. I plan on going to the plaza on the way out of town in the future as I want to see what the Veranda is about and then possibly down to Traditions antique mall, I need to spend more time on the golf courses....

Hey, should we resemble some of the Wildwood remarks?
 

We bought a ranch home (now rented out) with 6 acres on 462 in WW a year ago just before our two in TV. (is that dual citizenship?)

Nice people down yonder. There are some nice developments and seven figure places as well as the lower scale, too, even a few homes obviously built by Villages builders.

TV club bike rides even take us to the 'other side of the tracks' and while it looks like the Appalachia where I attended college, the townies wave and are never rude.
Our real estate agent sold us and friends several $m, and he's a bumpkin from WW and has his offices there.
Many churches going in on 462 and WW will rise with the tide when the new town center materializes, or so we are hoping. 301 will get widened and they are doing some greening, 'scaping, and adding bike lanes.

Leesburg and Summerfield have some highs and lows too, but then so does our native DC, with some boarded up rowhomes in close proximity to the First House, the 'Casa Blanca' at 16th and PA, but that by no means makes our old hometown a place to be avoided. Well, maybe we will discuss THAT part in Political Talk!!
L&L

You forgot to mention Tin Can Pam's discount grocery store!

.

In addition to the Cotillion, lets not forget about Polly's Pantry which is a very nice little Restaurant on the Mail St of Wildwood just before Hwy 44.

Sorry to see some of my fellow Villagers dissing your town.