Why I actually like TV but will NOT move there!
 

Whoa, I just wanted to get your attention don’t judge me just yet.

After visiting friends in TV a couple of times a year, my wife and I decided last December to pack up the cat and do a full blown LV. During our previous dalliances in TV we had always been at the mercy of our hosts who, while gracious, kept guiding us around all the while extolling the virtues of their fine village. Consequently, they never allowed us to just take the golf cart and go out and explore the place on our own. From what they had shown us and from what we experienced what was NOT to like?

The minute we arrived I felt like I was being “taken care of” and in a good way. We were taken to our villa and shown the gas golf cart and told to just have a good time. The housebound cat was now allowed to run free among the bushes in the courtyard and soon discovered the thrill of walking under the vertical venetian blinds. At least the cat fell in love with the place and it made us smile.

Our first excursion in the cart was to the supermarket. It turned out to take longer than in the car but driving the cart was fun and a new experience. Probably not going to take the cart to get ice cream even in December in fear it would melt. The market was wonderful and we purchased a few snacks and went to a rather short checkout lane that was occupied by a rather “older” gentleman. He appeared to be having trouble counting his money out to pay for his purchase. After a while the thought arose that this might be a rather fairly common occurrence but who cared we wouldn’t be in a hurry if we lived there and it may be us someday. No problem

Next we went to the liquor store and stocked up. Arriving back to our villa we made our dinner plans using some coupons we were given. Fixed myself a drink to go and away we went. Upon arriving at the restaurant I found out that open drinks were not allowed inside and oh my … had I broken my first rule? How stupid of me to think that just because they had stands to buy drinks on every corner during happy hour no one was supposed to go into an establishment with an actual drink. As a former Marine I know rules are rules. No problem

The next day we had reservations to play golf at one of the easier 9 hole courses handpicked by my lovely wife. As we checked in with the starter he gave me some sort of smart aleck remark that kind of took me aback. Oh well, having worked with the public myself I know how hard it can get answering stupid questions day in and day out. Boy glad those days are past and hope I didn’t ever come across as bad as he did but I may have. No problem.

That afternoon we went to the Arnold Palmer course to hit some golf balls and had one of the most expensive hamburger plates I have ever had. Later, found out that the locals do not frequent the place as much because of the prices. Oh well, went to a more reasonable club house some one suggested and had a great meal. No problem.

Finally, we went to look at some property and I noticed someone mention on TOTV an address where she had just bought a place where we were looking that afternoon. So I wrote and said I was there and would take a picture of a sunset for her. Lo and behold after my msg two TV’ers advised her that it is NOT safe to post your address on the forum as you never know who is looking/lurking as I could be a bad guy. However, because I was called out on a public forum I never felt so humiliated in all my life. I have learned to not judge people by the actions of a few so No problem.

I honestly think that in TV there are enough nice people that they far outweigh the NOT so nice people that are everywhere. So I think I could probably find some great friends and then find a way to stay out of the way of the not so great people. However, I might get tired of driving a golf cart everywhere or happen to break a few more rules but they are not deal breakers. So why on earth would I NOT want to move to the Villages?




Simply put …


I just cannot stand the oppressive heat and humidity!
I got sunburned in three days in December, for crying out loud.

I hope everyone gets the joke? No place is perfect but if you can forgive and forget every place is perfect.

Keep on defending your Village, enjoy your hot weather and do NOT let anyone tell you that you made a mistake moving there. If you enjoy yourself it is the right place for you and God knows you earned it.

God Bless and may you all have good health for years to come.

Happy Holidays

Stealing from Gracie......Boy Howdy!!

God bless you also and have a fantastic Holiday!!!

Are you sure the liquor store was not the first stop? CHEEECH!

Like I've said before, TV is not the place for everyone. And it is a good thing it isn't, with 50 million seniors in America there is not room for all of them! Sounds like your opinions have changed since your lifestyle preview trip almost a year ago. Good luck in finding your paradise.

mt - good of you to post your latest thoughts...did it take you a year to come to your conclusion?...are you still coming to tv to visit your friends?

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Never lived south of Atlanta in my life except for a month (SEP) in JAX with the Marines and even the summers here are almost too bad. I just never knew it was that hot in that part of the country most of the time until the visit and seeing how hot it was in December. I was just saying there is nothing wrong with TV as I can see. If it makes you feel better I couldn't stand paradise if it was as hot and humid. Take the compliment, you live in a paradise.

Have been reading some of the "stuff" on here and wanted to lighten up the feelings for the holidays. The cat votes YEAH so you never know.

Different Strokes...
 

Different strokes for different folks. Sounds like this worked out well for everyone. MTHeineken avoided coming to a place that would so clearly make him unhappy. And those of us that love it here will be spared the complaints of someone who would obviously be unhappy about a wide variety of things.

Congratulations on a sound decision, one that will be beneficial for all concerned.

His piece was a backhanded slap at the Villages but what I fail to understand is why he would write such a long winded piece a year later about a place that in the final analysis he is moving to because he does not like the weather? BTW do you think the restaurant owner who males his living selling food and drinks is "big brother" because because he would-not allow someone to bring drinks or food (they sell hot dogs in the square as well) into his restaurant? How about the knock on the so called older gentleman who was counting his change? Was that nice? This guy or gal seems ti have had problems wherever he went. IMO he will always have issues no matter where he goes because he will always bring himself with him.

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The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.


Robert Frost

I can't decide, and I kinda guess neither can you if you like it here or not. You have typed a lot of things on this forum to not be interested in this place.

I would never venture any opinion on living in Vermont unless I lived in Vermont. I can read about it, I can visit it, I can join a forum and read what others think and feel, but unless and until I live there, I cannot truly know how people act, react, interact and live. I cannot really make any valid decisions as to why anyone would say that it is perfect and bucolic.

I would be a bit sceptical until I, myself, had laid down the cash and adopted a place as my home place. So that it was mine to identify with and to grow used to and to enjoy and ultimately to defend.

I love The Villages. It is my home. You love Vermont it is your home. No place is perfect, but most people grow to love the place that is home to them.

Gracie, who doesn't have her head in the sand anymore than you do.

If he was writing about the weather, he could have said it in many fewer words. It was not about the weather. I do not think anyone said it was not hot in Florida so no one as you said LIED about anything. This was a very transparent hit piece by someone that seems to have problems, even with the generous host family who put him up, no matter where he goes.

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