[scrapple]

I'm still searching for Truth, Understanding and the TV Way
During my quest I had one Realtor tell me that TV is very crowded, and there are lines for everything
"There are so many homes down there that no matter where you go you have to wait in line. Even though there are tons of restaurants, stores, golf ect ect [sic] there are also 100,000 people more or less. A lot of people like it down there but it depends on your personality."

So, how close to reality is that? I've gotta believe there are tons more people in Winter, so it must strain the infrastructure some during that time?



3 weeks 3 days and a couple hours (not that I'm counting, mind you)

[Talk Host]

I have never been delayed on my starting time at a Championship course.

[njbchbum]

Sure, it's crowded in winter - but you adapt! You go out to eat during the week and host a dinner party or go to one on the weekends; you change your tee time for the winter; you go to a movie the week after it opens; join a few clubs - club meeting times don't often change; go out for lunch instead of dinner; and only wait in line for the 'must haves' - you can meet the nicest people in line!

[billethkid]

Like any size city anywhere, the popular places, events at the earliest of times or best seats is always "crowded" or has a line. On either side of those times there in little or no waiting.

What bubble or 2 horse town is the realtor from? Or she gets a better commission for sales outside the TV.

T-times....are an urban legend. We have been here 5 years and have NEVER ever not got a t-time to play. Most of the complaining comes from those who do not understand the system or think they should always have a "right" to their favorite time or course.

Narrow minded, mis-information!!!!!!!!

btk

[barb1191]

Scrapple.... I would venture a guess that your realtor does not live in TV and that was merely a pitch for opening up the field of sales choices.

Having lived here in TV for eight years and seeing the vast growth in this "paradise" I have never felt it to be overcrowded. The developer has done a remarkable job in accommodating each group of "villages" with an area of their own for shopping, entertainment with the most beautiful club houses you will ever see, and even the street traffic isn't so bad when one considers that many, or most travel by golfcart which relieves the motorways.

Other than the commercial centers such as Disney World, I doubt you could find a development as complete as what we have here in TV for the entertainment and activities are boundless and definitely not expensive, to boot.

The expression, "It's a beautiful day in The Villages," is absolutely so, in every way, and even during the cloudy or stormy days, it's still beautiful!

barb1191

[ricthemic]

fort meyers, boca, ft lauderdale, pompano, vero etc.
january thru april, please ask your realtor what he/she thinks the wait times are in good restaurants there and while your at it ask what the winter population is... my first winter here and the only restaurant problem we had is when we had 14 try to get one table at cody's around 6 pm.

[zcaveman]

May to September is the no crowd time. No lines and no crowds and no snippity people. Both inside and outside of TV.

Like the Porgy and Bess song - Summer time - and the living is easy.

In a way I disagree with billythekid on Tee times. It is no an urban myth. I might not have a "right" to certain times and courses but I have a want. The more you play, the less time you get your choices on the Request system. I like certain course and times and have to work to get tee times. And I usually do. It just takes a certain dedication.

[villages07]

Barb's post said it all, perfectly. It is busier here in the wintertime but still quite manageable to get around and do the things you enjoy.

We vacationed in Vero Beach area one February and the traffic was horrendous.

Current population is somewhere around 75K.

[Pturner]

Scapple, I would not use that Realtor as (s)he seems more interested in her/her own welfare than yours.

[swrinfla]

My gauge of crowds:

When there are more than 15 cars at the light on Morse at Rio Grande!

Or, when I have to wait through two cycles to turn left from Buena Vista to westbound CR466.

Over time I and my usual "eating buddies" have learned that, in the winter, you don't expect to eat before 8:00pm unless you show up at your restaurant of choice close to 3:30pm! In summer, you can usually arrive about 7:00 and walk right in!

Considering that I almost never ate out before coming to TV, I think I've adjusted quite well!

SWR

[Mallory]

Seems like your realtor is trying to sell you Summer Glen or, worse yet, OTOW. Ouch!!!!!!!!!

[pooh]

Not sure how crowded it is where you live, but even though there are 75,000 residents, the community is set up in such a manner that it doesn't seem that congested. In the winter there is considerably more traffic, but it's not nearly as bad as where many people have moved from. I'm from southern CA and lived fairly close to one freeway. Talk about traffic! Waiting at a restaurant could happen in the winter and it does, but when you live here, you learn to adjust to more people and some of the waits.

Golf....if you are willing to put in a wide enough time range and a good number of courses, you shouldn't have difficulties getting out to play. Each Friday we have a group that varies in size from 12 up to 24 players. I think we've only been "shut out" once in a year. Hubby plays with groups on Thursday and Friday and they don't have trouble either. His groups are large, also.

A lot of people do love it here, there is so much to love. It might take some adjustment because the community is planned, set up with some pretty small lots, but the people are great, giving, friendly and enjoy all that the community and the surrounding areas have to offer. I'm not sure that your realtor really knows or understands what The Villages is like or about. You can do or not do so many things, some for recreation, some for emotional growth, some helpful for those who need someone to help. Only you can decide if this community is right for you.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by pooh

Not sure how crowded it is where you live, but even though there are 75,000 residents, the community is set up in such a manner that it doesn't seem that congested. In the winter there is considerably more traffic, but it's not nearly as bad as where many people have moved from. I'm from southern CA and lived fairly close to one freeway. Talk about traffic! Waiting at a restaurant could happen in the winter and it does, but when you live here, you learn to adjust to more people and some of the waits.

Golf....if you are willing to put in a wide enough time range and a good number of courses, you shouldn't have difficulties getting out to play. Each Friday we have a group that varies in size from 12 up to 24 players. I think we've only been "shut out" once in a year. Hubby plays with groups on Thursday and Friday and they don't have trouble either. His groups are large, also.

A lot of people do love it here, there is so much to love. It might take some adjustment because the community is planned, set up with some pretty small lots, but the people are great, giving, friendly and enjoy all that the community and the surrounding areas have to offer. I'm not sure that your realtor really knows or understands what The Villages is like or about. You can do or not do so many things, some for recreation, some for emotional growth, some helpful for those who need someone to help. Only you can decide if this community is right for you.

Excellent post, as usual, Pooh

[pooh]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Excellent post, as usual, Pooh

Thank you, you're so kind....

[redwitch]

Okay, I'm going to try to bite my tongue and give this realtor the benefit of the doubt. I think crowded is a matter of mind.

I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area, where a 30-minute non-commute drive can easily take you 3 hours. I've waited for up to two hours to get into one of my favorite restaurants (if I hadn't known the owner, my wait would have been more like go away and come back tomorrow around 2:00 pm for an 8:00 pm seating). So, even at the worst of times, I don't find TV crowded even though I've been known to drum my fingers trying to turn left on Morse from my house, especially during the high season.

One of my dearest friends in TV is from a small town in Michigan. She loves it here but really hates the crowds. She tolerates snowbirds as a necessary evil. She refuses to drive to Leesburg during the winter season -- too much traffic. You can't get her on Morse (she lives in Tall Trees) except during the summer. To her, TV is extremely crowded but she loves it anyway.

I have other friends who won't go south of 466 because the "newcomers" are too pushy and LSL is too crowded.

So, maybe your realtor is from a small town and perceives TV to truly be overcrowded. And it is something to consider if you're used to small towns with no traffic and no waits. If, however, a little bit of waiting doesn't bother you or is seen as an excuse to talk to the person standing in line with you and maybe make a new friend, then you're rarely going to consider it crowded. The other alternative is to change your lifestyle a little during high season -- eat out earlier or later; entertain at home more; be willing to accept less popular tee times; etc.