[rshoffer]

My 30 yo son and his wife flew in from L.A. on Christmas Day. They were our first guests since we moved to TV in June of this year. Since they arrived I heard my son calling his older brother plus other family members... the calls sounded something like this: "you should see this place... there's golf courses in every direction... it's beautiful... there's a swimming pool around every corner.... they have a million things they can do.... they're on a permanent vacation... Christine (his wife) and I feel like we're on our honeymoon again"
Anyone else out there get that kinda response when their kids visited for the first time? This really made us feel good because when we told the boys (Zak and Mac) a year ago we were moving to The Villages they were sure we'd flipped our lids. Now Mac's saying at age 30... "this is where we're gonna retire". Ahhh, the sweet taste of validation from your children.

[Cassie325]

Well.....my story is a little different....but when my parents arrived they said and acted the same way!! They bought after being here for less then 24 hours....

It is indeed a wonderful place to live, retire, vacation.....

So glad you were able to have them visit!! What a nice reaction...

I am sure it was nice for them to see how happy you are...and what wise people you are for choosing such a place....validates their thoughts on how smart mom and dad are....

[KathieI]

I know what you mean, but it doesn't only have to be your own kids. I had visitors from Los Angeles today and the young couple were raving about this place saying that they've never seen anything as good as this and that they couldn't wait to retire.

PS, they are only in their 20's, so they have a LONNNNGGG way to go.

[Barefoot]

I've had the same reaction from various friends who have visited from Canada. They were expecting to find a moth-eaten geriatic trailer park .. (God's Waiting Room).

Within a few days of arriving, they're always out going to open houses and bragging to their friends back home about TV. "You wouldn't believe this place" is probably the most common comment.

[graciegirl]

I have been a crashing bore at every party I attended in Cincinnati this season. I can see people begin to back up and their eyes seek refuge beyond my shoulder.

I can't describe Paradise and appear as a raving idiot to dear old friends. I thought I had a gift for words.

Oh well.

[Karen83]

I have been unable to describe TV to people so that they understand exactly how wonderful it is.

We picked our 27 year old son up at the Orlando airport and as we drove through Wildwood and passed a CVS, he remarked that "I see you have a drugstore". I said, "OMG David you really do NOT have a clue do you??"

Needless to say, he didn't have a clue and now understands what made his Mom and Dad take leave of their senses, sell off the old homestead and move to TV, where they are acting like little kids again!!

Life is good!

Karen

[Belle]

My oldest daugther (the princess) drove down from job training in Georgia. She had planned to go to Disney to fill the weekend. Was a little concerned about why I had chosen TV when she drove down 441 from 75. Then she hit TV, spent the whole time in TV and never went to Orlando. We had a ball together. She's very happy for me in choosing TV.

[faithfulfrank]

Great stories.......congrats!!

Two of our three boys have been down here since we bought. They gave their stamp of approval....I'm looking forward to the oldest one to visit sometime soon.

Frank D.

[swrinfla]

A month or so after I moved in in late Feb '05, my younger daughter came to visit. Aside from being a big help in hanging pictures and finishing the unpacking, she and I explored all around. At the time, Rolling Acres Plaza was just in the earth-moving stage. But, we knew pretty well what was coming there. When my daughter learned that Pier One was going to have a store, she said, "Cool, Dad! That makes it all worthwhile!"

She's been here since a couple of times and is equally excited about all there is for me to do and shop and such!

My other daughter has been here, too, and was most excited because she added at least a dozen birds to her Life List on her first visit! Very important to an avid birder!



SWR

[SteveFromNY]

My son came down right after we closed in July 05. He was 21 at the time, absolutely fell in love with TV, and said "I'm going to live here" (mind you, "live here", not retire)
We had the home in the rental program until the contract ended in June of '08.
In July of 08, he found a good job here, and is now living in the house.
My wife and I are still working up north, and only get here for vacations for a few weeks or long weekends at a time (until we retire in the first quarter of '09).
Now we have to figure out how to get him out (again!!! we went through that already!!!)
He loves it!

[rshoffer]

Uh-oh... things are spinning out of control.... my daughter-in-law has called her parents in Long Island telling them..., "you needta move to The Villages" (we took the kids to Orange Blossem pool today.... that did it.... "Mom, it's like a resort in the Carribbean").