Is TV all you thought it would be?
 

I posed this question to a new friend of mine. She gave me a very honest and insightful answer. She suggested that I ask this question on TOTV.

So...here goes: Is The Villages all you thought it would be? Please tell us how long you've been in TV....if you're a Frog or Snowbird/Snowflake. Maybe share with us if your feelings/thoughts about TV has changed with time?

We've only been here six months, but so far the transition has been better than expected. Overall we are very happy here. I was a little disappointed with the overall increase in crowds and with the apparent (my perception) increase in rudeness asociated with the seasonal population explosion, but at least it prepared me for next season.

In another thread - Armyguy said about the same thing.

Why don't you explain that?

Since we intend to be there as birds I want to make sure nobody thinks where rude automatically because of how many months we may live there.

I'll be happy to:

In general terms, usually when you have a higher population with a limited amount of space/resources there is an increased competition for space/resources. This is seen in the animal kingdom and well as in human populations. Most would agree that as a general rule the people in rural areas are less rude than those in major metropolitan areas (and I understand this is a generalization, but INMHO it has been my experience, of course there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule).

Now let's look specifically at TV. During peak season the population of TV swells considerably, but space/resources stay the same. There are more people in the stores, more people in the restaurants, more people on the roads, more people playing golf, more people at the rec centers, and more people at the pools (the list goes on an on). But there are not more stores, restaurants, roads, golf courses, rec centers , pools, etc.

I have found that people just seem to have a "shorter fuse" and exhibit more rude behavior. I see it standing in line at the grocery store, waiting for tables at restaurants, on the roads (this is the one I see most often), at the gym, etc. Speaking with store clerks, servers, business people and other residents (both frogs and snowbirds), they seem to confirm my perception.

How many months someone lives here has no bearing on how rude they are--all I am saying is when the population swells, tempers start to get shorter and rudeness increases.There are rude frogs and rude snowbirds, but there are many more friendly frogs and snowbirds. Bad behavior just seems to spike when the population increases.

That being said, and back to the OP's question, TV is all I thought it would be, and then some. TV is like paradise, but I call it paradise with warts. I love it, warts and all.

Hi, my name is Alan.. and I AM a seasonal resident.....

I agree with this post completely. I can say that I noticed a large uptick in population this year as compared to years past. In fact I am shocked to see the number of cars/carts still here in April.

We have spend 8+ months a year here since 2007 and this winter was the busiest I have ever seen it. With that increase in population also came quite an increase in 'road rudeness'. IMO, the reason is articulated very will in the post above.

I think Cappy makes several valid points. I think too that we are starting instant friendships with strangers thinking that age will negate a lot of other differences. That isn't true.

I think that our geographic origins and the way we were taught to expect or do certain things in certain situations plays a big role.

We easily begin new friendships here or expect friendly behavior from those we've just met and are "put off" by their "strange" responses. One new neighbor on the golf course said I was "fresh". (I had a dickens of a time finding out what "fresh" meant. It isn't a term used in Ohio. Someone bristled over my "Boy Howdy" which simply means "well, I'll be darned" to me and I thought everybody spoke Ohioese.

Midwesterners expect certain things that cause those from the coasts to think we are a little strange. People from certain area's use silence as soft disapproval where other areas HAVE TO HAVE the last word.

On top of this are the internet bullies, the newly affluent, the sick, the tired, the fiesty, the arrogant and the truly kind....all who have been that way for awhile or are trying out new personas.

There are a lot of "fresh starts" here and some invent their pasts to present to others.

In other words, we are older Americans most of us and we are thrown together in a new experience that really is making history on this planet.

I like that about this place and I hate that about this place. Sometimes I long for the way people acted pretty much the same back home.

But considering all that do I love it? You bet your sweet bippy I do.

TV is more
 

MUCH MOREWe are frogs, have been here 6 years....Life is Good!

Been here full time for 5 1/2 years and still wake up in awe at what a beautiful place and wonderful lifestyle we have here. It is more than I expected and improvements continue.

No, it's not perfect, but pretty darn close.

At this stage of life, enjoy every happy, healthy day you have and don't sweat the small stuff.

We truly love it here. I will say that I have noticed some over zealous opinions by folks on Race, Religion and Politics in The Villages, but I equate that to the fact that in most places we lived prior to retirement, we barely knew our neighbors and never heard the three topics brought up in conversation. Here we talk in length to anyone standing in line at the grocery or restaurant etc etc.. Would never have done that back home. That said, We both like it even more than we anticipated prior to moving in.

Great Post
 

Wow. I think that is probably the most sincere and thought-provoking post I've read on this forum.

I can relate to the "back home" part - 'course I'm an (how does Bill say it?) Uh-hiya girl myself. I've been away for forty years now but I think that you always miss your roots.

Well, back to home improvements so I can join all of you.

P.S. Swimdawg where are you?

Where am I? I am here in Wheatfield, NY right now. And a week from Thursday, I'll be at my lovely home in the Village of St. James. I am a Snowflake....here a little, there a little. Kinda enjoying the best of both worlds at the moment. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

This is how things get started. Last night at LSL my wife, brother, who was visiting, and I were in the white plastic chairs watching the band. Two chairs in the row in front of us became vacant, before I knew it some guy comes in between my chair and the next chair cutting through our aisle rather than going down to the end. I guess he was afraid someone would get to those chairs before he would. He hits me in the shoulder as he steps through and then steps on my foot. His wife followed but somehow missed me. He never said a word or even looked at me. After he sat down he never turned around, if he had I don't know what I might have done, I know he ruined my time there because I all I thought about is whether I should get in this guys face.

To top it off, I hurt the foot he stepped on playing softball last Saturday and I was trying to rest it all week so I could play today. Since I play shortstop you need to have your feet in good shape. I believe if I had one more beer this situation would of turned out differently.

I remember going to Buffalo Bills/Sabres games in the past....and some of the conduct was not....the best. BUT....most people...yes, MOST people, are nice and well-behaved.

So John....tell me, is TV all you thought it would be?

Very well said Gracie.....

My short answer to this question of is TV all I thought it would be? is yes.
My long answer is definitely YES!

I can't speak to how things have changed since I've only been in TV for 6 months as of next Tuesday and I had never even been to TV until 1 year ago this past January.

As to the crowds over the past few months, I guess I don't get out much since I didn't think they were bad at all, other than when Rocky and the Rollers play at the square..:shocked::shocked:. But then I am from the Washington DC area where waits to get into restaurants never are under an hour and traffic is always congested with very rude drivers behind the wheel. I could go on but won't bore you. Also I have never experienced a "summer season" in TV so maybe next winter I will see the crowds as a bit more annoying. I hope not though. I hope I just continue enjoying my life in Paradise and all it offers. It's not perfect, but it's pretty darn close!

Suzanne

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