Maybe we should redefine who snowbirds are?
 

Maybe we should come up with a word for people that are the root of what full time Villages think is the problem during the busy season.

Let me start out by saying I am a full time resident of the Villages and have been for 6 years. I love "part time residence" They pay their way just like us but only use the facilities part time. Sure they come during the winter but they could be here all year. I really enjoy the lack of crowds during the summer so this is all good to me! After the first year, I am sure they pretty much understand the way the Villages works and know how to navigate not only the roads, multimodel paths, and activities. They blend in easily having resident friends, etc.

Where I think the problem lies is the people that rent for a day, week, month, etc. This is not their home and they seem to treat the Villages that way. They do not understand, for the most part, the concept of the multimodel paths, the traffic circles, the activities, etc. In a way, I totally can't blame them because there is really no good way to learn without experience in the Villages or through some resident programs that are available.

What would be a good name to give this group of people. I do not like that they are grouped with Snow Birds! What would your suggestion be to call this group!

Many of the group you are speaking about rent for 3 months EVERY YEAR. Most rerent the same property year after year. There is also a continuous flow who only rent for a few days, a week, or maybe a month. Most in this group never return. Flybynights? Is this a good name? I have no suggestion for those who rent for an extended 3 month period year after year.

When I lived in a neighborhood with many rental properties, we called those staying for a short time PITAs. But, I dont think they would appreciate that jab.

I agree, extended renters don't seem to be the problem!

Maybe the problem lies with the people who rent out their houses. Just saying.

Not to sound churlish, but since we have snowbirds, snowflakes and frogs, how about mosquitos for the ones you feel are the short-term pests?

Transients, and the shorter the time they stay, the worse they tend to be. We have good friends that rent long term (3 months or longer) who blend right in with the birds, flakes, and frogs. The worse are the AIRBnB’ers renting by the night. I don’t blame the short term renters, they are just seeking out the best deals possible for their $$. It’s the people that rent to them that I have a problem with. They are being bad neighbors, who show disrespect toward the residents of their neighborhood by creating a situation that is not in harmony with a 55+ retirement community. They are selfishly changing the character of their neighborhood, and not for the better, for their own personal gain. I have talked to young families with kids who take an annual vacation in Florida. They used to stay in resort type places on the coasts, but it has gotten too expensive for them. Instead, they rent short term through AIRBnB in the Villages and use our amenities, for a fraction of the cost.

And the problem is more not when they use the amenities, but when they abuse them. Don’t know the rules or the ways and don’t care either. Generally, simply don’t care about people around them. I like the term “transients” or maybe “tourists”.

I totally agree. Hard to understand the attitude of many people who "seem" (?) to resent those who have another home outside the villages and spend time in both ? What makes them so upset ? If they moved here from another place, were they upset if their neighbors did, or did not (?) spend time at a second residence or even vacation cabin (like my parents and grandparents had when they wanted to get away from our home in South Florida). Of course I was a kid, but don't remember the people around us in Wisconsin resenting that we lived in Florida most of the time but owned a small home on a lake in Wisconsin ! I think the poster has a point, maybe it's resentment of those who rent for a weekend, week or month. Have no respect, it's just another resort to them... think, stamping out lighted cigarettes and cigars ON THE GREENS, digging HOLES in the fairway larger than a "divot" and do nothing to repair it, have NO idea who or what has right of way on multi-modal paths, and so on. Many planned communities have much stricter rules, ENFORCED RULES, about renting, length of stay, many prohibit AB&B type rental businesses, etc. etc. Not a cure, but sure does help !

About the stricter rules........I was told that the developers very much didn't want stricter rules because all of us are grown up people and can afford to buy a home and we are not college students or kindergartners or other folks who don't know better. I generally think that the folks who are the ones who don't follow rules are generally a portion of short term renters. When I see trash along the cart paths and that occurs only in the high season or when the "kids" are visiting the grands, I feel personally insulted because this place maintains it's public grounds so well most of the time. I love that most of the folks who live here are of the age that takes great pride in neatness and cleanliness and enjoy keeping their homes and yards nicely. When I see a person park in a way that is not thoughtful I feel disappointed, because I have met very few people at the meetings at rec centers or talking to casually at the square who are not older and responsible and kind and thoughtful. It hurts me to see selfish behavior. I love this place.

With all the rules and regulations around tv, why can't that adopt rules and regulations for short term renters.
Like no rental less that 3 months.
Or for people coming in to check out The Villages, have certain area's set aside for short rentals.
They use to be known as motels.

Makes to much sense I guess

Well said. Short term renters are a problem imo. Airbnb shouldn't be an option unless it's a 3 month rental. I would not want an Airbnb nextdoor to me.

Yes, to me allowing Airbnb in a primarily residential community is unconscionable.

Why not? STR’s can be just as harmful, or not as people who are renting LTR’s. If they are bad people wouldn’t you want them to be gone quickly?

You are right, but people staying for a longer period are more likely to pick up on the ways of TV, especially if they are regularly returning individuals. They get invited to the street monthly socials etc, they have time to meet their neighbors. The fly by night groups and sometimes they come in herds to one home, rarely do.

Either:
1. Florida law does not allow that; or,
2. It is not in the Developer's best interest to limit their customer base.

I'll bet a number of people reading these posts have been short-term renters in other places. I wonder if a number of those so vehemently against airbnbs in their backyards don't search out airbnbs when they travel.