[JB in TV]

Sorry in advance for this...

Saturday, we were headed to the Home and Garden Show in LSL about 1PM...forget it! Got stuck in traffic entering the area from Morse Blvd. and it took 15 minutes just to get back out. Didn't even try to find a parking place..it was so packed with cars and carts, couldn't even turn around. Perhaps they should have planned the Chili cookoff at a different location? Or make it a two day Garden show?

This morning at 7:30AM, I called Colony Health to see about getting a same day appointment for a medical issue that has been bothering me all weekend, and...no appointments available today. They offered to refer me to an Urgent care clinic. I didn't think that was the way these Village Health centers were supposed to work.

We all know about the terrible parking problem at Colony shopping...with due respect, Publix does a great job of having check-outs open and moving folks thru the lines quickly!

Over an hour wait at most restaurants at normal dinner time (5:00-7:00PM)...many posts (the most recent one I remember is about the new Italian place in Brownwood, also Mezza Luna) have suggested trying to go to dinner at 4:00... REALLY!!?? We (party of 4) waited over an hour at Cane Garden last week..etc. To me, NO restaraunt is worth standing for an hour waiting to get seated at a table. Are there any that take reservations or "call ahead seating"?

These are just a few of the examples of what I see as The Villages getting too big.

It sounds like I am complaining, well, yeah..kinda...but that wasn't my initial intent when I started writing...I'm really looking for ideas on either how to deal with it, or suggestions we can forward to the powers that be. We really like it here, but not being able to enjoy dinner out without a long wait, or being able to even get near the Garden show just spoils it. I must add, that we are not stuck in a mind set that we have to use a golf cart to get where we are going either.

We've only been here a little over a year, (full time residents) and we realize things get much worse during Jan-March/April, but it's getting to the point were we don't enjoy going out anywhere....and isn't that kind of the intention here?...going out and having fun with friends and neighbors?

[missypie]

All the reasons that you have stated are very valid IMOP. On Sat we went as well to the Chili cook off and Garden show. We got there around 11 AM and got a golf cart spot in Sweetbay parking lot. Still way open at that time. Went through the entire place and left at 1:30 PM. Had a really great time until I heard the woman behind me complain about all the "wide bodies" that she had to go around. ( I think it's funny that people that can't hear well speak loudly to the next person thinking no one else can hear them)

The Colony Health Care place I have yet to sign on with but your concern will be a question that I will have for them!

Waiting at restaurants: When we lived in CA, we waited for a min. of 1 hour for a seat in a restaurant especially in Newport Beach. Here, I look at it as a way to talk to others sitting around me. I love to talk and ask peoples opinions on all sorts of things so I find it fun.

So since you the OP are full timers, just wait 8 more weeks and all will be better for you.

I love it here no matter what the season, the wait, the crowds or whatever. I have found my thrill here in TV.

Peace.

[Happinow]

First of all, don't apologize for starting this thread. I agree with all that you have said. My husband and I were just talking about the same thing. We were wondering if this is where we really wanted to live after all. The winter months are just plain horrible. We rarely go out to eat and rarely try to attend any special function that takes place in the winter months. It's simply not worth the aggravation. We keep to ourselves and either go over to friend's house or have them come here. The infrastructure simply can't handle the amount of people. Is The Villages too big??? Yes, but there's nothing we can do about it so you will probably have to change your habits for the winter months. When Spring arrives, you will see that everything gets back to "normal". You will be able to enjoy everything that The Villages has to offer whenever you want to. You kind of have to psych yourself into having to bear the winter months with the thousands of people that flock here. It's a whole different mindset. It's just like living in a tourist area for 6 months. Hang onto your hat because we are still growing and there doesn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. April-May will be here sooner than you think. Until then, enjoy the best you can.

[mrdarcy]

People are moving here for the same reasons most of us moved here. We certainly can't fault them for their good insight and judgement. And, as word of The Villages spreads throughout the country, demand to come here will only increase. I think the way to handle the impact of the growth, especially during snowbird season, is to explore the surrounding communities given that you said you have a car. For example, an Ocala resident I met on the airport shuttle during Christmas told me about an excellent live theater at the Ocala civic center. I plan to investigate that further. The Villages is a great asset to all the merchants and vendors near it. I think the saying "a rising tide floats all boats" is an apt one for the communities near us.

[redwitch]

I love the vitality in the winter. People are so happy to be here; they're smiling, waving, enjoying life. Businesses are thriving this time of year. Without all these extra folks, there would be no restaurants to enjoy during the other nine months; there would likely be only one grocery store in all of TV; we would have golf and rec centers and that's about it. So, to me, it's a fair trade off. I can be inconvenienced for three months and smile when I am out and about during this period for the pleasure of being here the other nine months.

It is a good time to socialize in each other's homes, have more activities on the block. As was said, talk to people when waiting for dinner or go early or late (never have to wait at Cody's after 9:00 pm (when I actually like to eat my dinner). So, try finding the good that comes with the crowds. They'll be gone before you know it.

[graciegirl]

Yes. It is too big right now. Yes. The Chili cook off is crowded with newbies and stalwart souls. Most go ONCE.


Yes, the traffic is horrible and this is the beginning of the biggest month of congestion and new drivers are out in force and in lack of wisdom about how this place rolls.


Yes. there are too many people eating out. There is valid research being done now on you know who and whether they know how to cook...at home...ever.


Yes. but YOU, are one of the nicest and most thoughtful posters of all, OP. And if you are having a glum space, you are entitled to it. I personally think that the POA should sue Gary Morse over this very long patch of winter weather. we were not promised this stuff at ALL.


Yes. But everywhere in Florida is flooded with seasonal residents and it is very busy and crowded with people who have a right to get away from the snow and cold and damp. Now they are here and completely frustrated by the last week of cool, damp, gray weather and they are even behaving grumpily.


Yes. But have you read the first posts just this last couple of days about people who are waiting to move here? They too are deserving of living in lower Paradise, just like us lucky folks.


I hit a rough patch last week, JB. Feel this hug. It will be better soon. The sun will shine.

[George Bieniaszek]

I totally agree with the points made with the posters above. The Villages is very crowded here during the peak 3 month winter season. I have witnessed a noticeable increase of people, traffic, opinions and attitudes over the last 4 years we have lived here. It is going to get more populated as The Villages nears build-out and more baby-boomers and retirees make this their forever home.

The best kept secret is that The Villages is an absolutely beautiful place to live in between April and November. No crowds, lovely weather, open tee times, and the list goes on.

We came to the Villages with the same reasons that the seasonal people come here, to escape the cold and nasty northern winters. We have to put up with these minor inconveniences or adjust out schedules slightly to accommodate the added population, traffic, etc. Because of the "snowbirds" patronizing the businesses around here, we get to enjoy these conveniences year-round.

We have friends that have vacation homes in Cape Cod and rent them out. We have stayed with them before or after the "on" season when the crowds are gone and the weather is spectacular and the restaurants are empty.

We have friends that purchased a home in the Daytona Beach area and say that they have to adjust their scheduled during the NASCAR Speed Week, or Bike Week, but they knew that when purchasing their home.

60 more days and us Villagers will have some much appreciated elbow room

[buggyone]

Oh come on now, folks.

I drove my golf cart to the Chili Cook Off on Saturday, got there at noon, parked in back of City Fire, went with the flow of people around to the chili stations, visited lots of exhibitors, sat in a chair a while on the square - and had a wonderful time.

Where we came from in the DC burbs, we would have to drive in heavy traffic at lrast 40 minutes to go to a restaurant AND wait for a table ANY time of year. The Villages is paradise all year long. Do a little personal adjusting in high season and ENJOY yourselves.

[yabbadu]

Go to anywhere that's popular in Florida during Jan - April and it will be crowded. Relax and enjoy...You are not going to gain anything except an ulcer by being aggravated.
We are all seniors in life and I am not in hurry to leave this beauty here!

[Parker]

Yeah, I'm bummed by the crowds and traffic, and the dreary weather. I can't wait for April. However, I recognize that the snowbirds have every right to be here, and thank God for them as they support the community financially so we can all live here reasonably. In my heart I'm happy for them to come, and I enjoy their joy in being here. But alas, my head can't wait til I can get out of my very own neighborhood without waiting for 20 cars and 10 golfcarts to pass first and give me an opening.

[MikeV]

Yes it is nice here in the "off season" BUT have you seen the number of new houses going up south of Hillsborough down to Rte 44 and now Fruitland Park? With the addition of so many houses and still only 3 town squares etc I believe it will become crowded here even during the summer months.

[JB in TV]

I really appreciate everyones's comments, and agree that it is this time of year that's the most difficult to deal with...and I accept the fact that the winter visitors are part of the reason all the restaurants etc. are here for the rest of us the year round...but my thinking was really in the direction of how can we improve the experience for all, while The Villages is at or near capacity.

I mentioned perhaps having the Home and Garden Show (and Craft Fairs, etc) be a two day event. That would certainly be a new idea for The Villages, as far as I know...All events of this type where we came from are multi-day events, at minimum, a Saturday and Sunday. That would ease some of the urgency and crowding. And why don't the restaraunts accept reservations? I'm not criticizing, but rather wondering why?

[JB in TV]

Originally Posted by MikeV

Yes it is nice here in the "off season" BUT have you seen the number of new houses going up south of Hillsborough down to Rte 44 and now Fruitland Park? With the addition of so many houses and still only 3 town squares etc I believe it will become crowded here even during the summer months.

Mike, I didn't see your post while I was writing my last one, but yes, more growth and how it affects the off season is also on my mind. There aren't any publicized plans for another town square. I'm not really sure we need another one, but perhaps there are better ways of utilizing the ones we have.

[Bruiser1]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Yes. It is too big right now. Yes. The Chili cook off is crowded with newbies and stalwart souls. Most go ONCE.


Yes, the traffic is horrible and this is the beginning of the biggest month of congestion and new drivers are out in force and in lack of wisdom about how this place rolls.


Yes. there are too many people eating out. There is valid research being done now on you know who and whether they know how to cook...at home...ever.


Yes. but YOU, are one of the nicest and most thoughtful posters of all, OP. And if you are having a glum space, you are entitled to it. I personally think that the POA should sue Gary Morse over this very long patch of winter weather. we were not promised this stuff at ALL.


Yes. But everywhere in Florida is flooded with seasonal residents and it is very busy and crowded with people who have a right to get away from the snow and cold and damp. Now they are here and completely frustrated by the last week of cool, damp, gray weather and they are even behaving grumpily.


Yes. But have you read the first posts just this last couple of days about people who are waiting to move here? They too are deserving of living in lower Paradise, just like us lucky folks.


I hit a rough patch last week, JB. Feel this hug. It will be better soon. The sun will shine.

Yes this place is getting too big. The reason :

TOO MANY PEOPLE WANT TO MEET GRACIE!
GRACIE (AS bILLY Joel sang ) "don't go changing'...

[Bruiser1]

As the eminent Philosopher Yogi Berra once said

" No one goes there anymore..it's too crowded"!