Whis is the real insight in making friends in The Villages?
 

After a number of months of carefully planning, I am finally progressing to find a spot to move to The Villages on a more permanent basis along with the person that will be a spouse-type figure. (No, I am not legally married to the other person, but that is all besides the point!)

I keep reading various written posts as well as viewing imagery that stress the fact that once a couple (even a single person as well, through I can’t voice myself regarding that fact) moves to The Villages community, they will be making friends that they have never experienced first hand before, comparing to what it was like when they lived within the communities they came from. This notion presents an illusion that within a short period of time from the start of their official residency, these new residents will have a number of personal contacts that they can consider as their “friends”.

So I will ask this inquiry as I have yet to discover these facts myself. Once somebody does relocate to this Villages community, can a person and/or a couple really make these kinds of friends this quickly? I understand that if one engages is some form of activity be it playing a sport, becoming a participant is a organized group, or some other factor that requires social activity, one can make friends. But what would happen if this person/couple spends little time in such social activities, but one lives in the area just as a standard resident?

Both I as well as my domestic partner are working full time. (*gasp!*) We are employed outside of the community, meaning that we are away from home during the weekday hours, with an occasional weekend stance on the job. So while everyone is doing something during the weekday daylight hours such as playing golf or participating in a ceramics class, I, along with my “spouse” will be engaged in working at some facility that is far off from all of these forms of play and leisure.

I will state that having all of this leisure on hand is far from being unsettling or nothing to be desired. (In fact, it’s great!!) But let’s face it! I may not have the time to engage in all of these activities as I do have those personal responsibilities I must tend to that hold a first priority for my household.

The reason why I and my partner is moving to this Villages community is for various purposes, mostly because of financial elements. But those specific reasons can and will be discussed not here, but on another discussion thread that will be posted in the near future.

So if anyone can honestly speak up on this inquiry, I would deeply appreciate it as I know I am not the only person or persons that might want to know what they may be facing upon their arrival. So call this inquiry as one that can be considered as a public service.

Thank you to all!

-Abby and domestic partner Terry

First and foremost: meet your neighbors. Not all of them will become your personal best friends ever, but most, if not all, of them will be at least cordial. And they have friends. Arrange a Happy Hour one evening, and invite them over. Weekends or weekday evenings don't matter much to retirees, so if your schedule demands a Friday or Saturday cocktail party, so be it. YOU have to be the catalyst for finding a group to have some fun with, don't expect somebody else to do that work for you! Make an effort and then you may reap the rewards. Make sense?

Greetings Abby! I hope you and your D.A. enjoy the villages as much as my wife and I do.

We've found that friendships can be formed pretty quickly by associating with like-minded people. Many clubs and groups here--not all meet during the day; some are at night so if you work that would be an option open to you. Church is another option.

Don't limit your friendship-seeking to The Villages. We've formed some good friendships outside The Villages proper. Be prepared for a bit of a culture shock though; we were invited to a party last month about 40 miles or so from The Villages. We had directions given by the party-giver but quickly found that some of the roads were little more than paths, and the GPS seemed to be as confused as we were. A lot of fun once we got there but we were the only two non-Floridians there (and it was obvious) so we got quite a few amused looks. But the people were great. I've never been with people who warmed up so quickly to strangers.

Best of luck!

Whis is the real insight in making friends in The Villages?
 

Abbey, Terry;
A lot, in my opinion, depends on mindset. Keep an open mind, even to events/happenings that you don't necessarily love. View all 'events' as opportunities to make new friends.
We've been here 2 months: our neighbors welcomed us with open arms! Cocktail parties, dinners at neighbors in the first week.
Doesn't matter if you still work full-time. There are plenty of social 'opportunities after working hours.
Finally, I believe many of these people will be life-long friends. It's all up to
you !

Took us a while as covid came a month after moving here but joined a lot of clubs and made some great friends via the clubs

How did you make friends where you live now? TV isn’t much different than other parts of the country, just age groups, mostly 50s up to 100, and those under 18 visit for holidays.

I think making friends is very easy here. In a retirement community people have lots of extra time on their hands and willing to get to know and spend time with you. I like the suggestion of inviting neighbours to a cocktail party (it can be outside if needed). If you have a dog, that's always an easy way to get to know people in dog parks or just walking around the neighbourhood. Enjoy "Florida's friendliest hometown"!

I would like to hear Terry’s opinion.

Abby and Terry
We are Brits and can only be in TV 6 months a year.
Every visit we have made new friends and acquaintances.
We have great neighbours - and these have changed since we bought 6 years ago.
Most people are friendly - so say hi and conversations start up.
Our biggest problem is fitting all the social engagements in.
It really doesn’t take much to fit in.
Ray

When people move here most want to start making new friendships right away. So friendships seem to happen at a faster rate.
We became friends with more people in TVs, in one year, than 24 yrs in Minnesota (outside of church & work).
Once you start getting involved with activities you enjoy you will meet people that you want to hang around and vice versa.
We get invited to parties, get-togethers around a fire pit, dinners, Sunday morning breakfasts w/ 15-20 people, cookouts, etc. We invite singles in our groups to have holiday meals with us.
Be friendly, speak to people and it will just happen.

Also...each state has a contact person so you can join the club and meet others from you 'home' state. Our State of Alabama Club meets once a month at a Rec center for dinner and games. Our Alabama Roll Tide Club will have 50-70 people meet each Saturday to watch the football games on the B-I-G screen.

Our experience has been this: In our previous neighborhood, people drove to their homes, parked in their garages and we never saw them again. Here, people are out walking, at the pool, chatting at the postal station, wherever. There, we had a Facebook group but people didn’t utilize it for socializing. Here, they are announcing driveway parties, posting open invites to go to local festivals/events, looking for someone to complete a foursome for golf, asking for recommendations or offering help. There, people were very busy with jobs, kids, schools, just everything. Here, people tend to have more time to connect with neighbors
. Yes, even people who are still working full time. There, friends were scattered throughout the county and even in neighboring counties. Here, friendships often begin in your village. I am not saying that the Villages is a magical place at all, it’s just that the circumstances of people living here have changed and aligned, which is more conducive to forming friendships.

I moved to the Villages as a single, newly divorced. With knowing no one, in a matter of a few months I had made over a dozen new wonderful friends. I think the Villages is the easiest place to meet people. Everyone is new, so most people are warm and friendly. When I first moved in, several neighbors came over introducing themselves. Everytime I went out to a restaurant, I met people. I also joined MVP gym and met many more there. I have since moved, but in my 2 1/2 years there, I feel I made many life long friends. Good luck!

Certain activities and clubs lead to meeting a lot of friends, water volleyball, bingo, trivia, and of course your local neighborhood as well as your church good luck

New Friends
 

Join Clubs that meet when you can attend.
ie: Improvisational Theater - Most Mondays 6:30 - 8:20 PM

Mike