[daryll40]

I've been reading up on The Villages and read a lot of GOOD stuff. But I'm wondering about the bad stuff. This board seems to have "selection bias", which, I guess, is to be expected. But what about posts from people who decided the TV was not for them...either they didn't buy in the first place or they lived there then moved out. Where can I get this info. I'm not looking to trash or bash TV, but just rather want to here from those who did not see find it as great as most of you do.

[Avista]

Wish airports were closer.

[buggyone]

I met my first person last week who was so very unhappy with The Villages that she wanted to move away quickly. Turns out the reason she was unhappy was that she had always lived close to family and now she is 1500 miles away. Her husband is 100% happy here. She can't stand it here. I asked if she had visited any clubs or interest groups and she said she just stays in her house all day and all night while her husband plays golf in the day and goes out with golfing friends at night to local watering holes.

[billethkid]

I guess you are interested in what the smallest of percentages of people who do not care for TV.....while the 98% of us enjoy it every single day.

There are the usual minority reports...too big...too small...to uppity...to middle of the road...too hot...to cold...too flat....to good to be true...etc.....etc...etc.....mostly whiny type stuff.

The really good thing is for the most part people who like it here are somewhat alike in what they were looking for.....


btk

[Bonny]

I can tell you what I don't like about the Villages. Here we go..... Ummmm... hold on, give me a minute... I'm thinking...oh yea, I remember. Not a good pizza place around. Oops, never mind, someone said we have one now that Flippers is opened. I guess that took care of that. LOL
Just kidding around. Actually there isn't much not to love here. It really is an awesome place & lots of great people.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by billethkid

I guess you are interested in what the smallest of percentages of people who do not care for TV.....while the 98% of us enjoy it every single day.

There are the usual minority reports...too big...too small...to uppity...to middle of the road...too hot...to cold...too flat....to good to be true...etc.....etc...etc.....mostly whiny type stuff.

The really good thing is for the most part people who like it here are somewhat alike in what they were looking for.....


btk

I have even heard some non-Villagers say that this is a hotbed of Republicans. So what? Rarely, do we discuss politics at the golf course, at dinner, at friend's houses, and only in a light-hearted manner at the watering hole. Everyone gets along mighty well together. Friendships have been made among opposing views and I have not heard of friendships being broken because of politics here.

[dkrhardy]

We have visited 6 or 7 times, just bought a new CYV, and move in 3 weeks. We have found no negative issues. Our friends love it in TV also. There are some folks that need to be close to family, those are the ones that may not enjoy TV as much as the rest of us. That may be the only downside.
Don & Kaz

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by daryll40

I've been reading up on The Villages and read a lot of GOOD stuff. But I'm wondering about the bad stuff.

I could tell you 20 things most people love about TV, but that isn't your topic.

No question, there is a lot of turnover in The Villages. Just look at the number of resale properties for sale on VLS and MLS. You won't hear from people who have moved on because they're not on TOTV! People move on not necessarily for "bad" reasons. In any retirement community you'll get residents leaving for expected reasons: because of medical issues, loss of a partner, or to be closer to family.

Other reasons I hear from people who would like to move: to be closer to the ocean, and to have more privacy. After five or six years, I occasionally hear from friends that they're bored with knowing what to expect each and every day. They've seen the parades, danced in the town squares, and played all the golf courses. When they moved to TV, it was new and very exciting. Now there is a sense of predictability about each day. So they want to experience some new adventures. There is nothing wrong, or flawed, about people who move out of TV. It's not for everyone. But the majority of people who live in TV really love it!

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by daryll40

I've been reading up on The Villages and read a lot of GOOD stuff. But I'm wondering about the bad stuff. This board seems to have "selection bias", which, I guess, is to be expected. But what about posts from people who decided the TV was not for them...either they didn't buy in the first place or they lived there then moved out. Where can I get this info. I'm not looking to trash or bash TV, but just rather want to here from those who did not see find it as great as most of you do.

I have been a visitor. Not a buyer. To really test the waters try and rent a home for as long as you can. From my perspective it was too big. Took to long to go to wherever we wanted to go, if that was out side of our village. I was not there in the winter and was afraid it would be too crowed. But since it is big you can probably find what ever you want.

I have heard a few times that some of the resales are because the individual has gone from being a part time residence to full time and wanted a larger home. Also the size of the garage seems to be a problem and a reason some move. Thus make sure you will be happy with the space in the garage and probably take an option to expand wherever you buy.

[LvmyPug2]

Its tough for me to come up with any big negatives but here are a few minor things:
1) The Villages is sort of in the middle of nowhere so full scale shopping malls, fine dining, professional theater, etc you find in metro areas are over an hour away.
2) Prices (housing, gas, groceries, etc) tend to be a bit higher than surrounding areas.
3) It is a very politcally conservative community. As someone who tends to be more of a liberal, I do at times feel like a fish out of water. Fortunately most people (including me) don't talk politics.
4) Crowds during the winter

As I said, these are all very minor and I happily accept these "negatives" because my list of what is wonderful about this place would be 10x longer.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

. . After five or six years, I occasionally hear from friends that they're bored with knowing what to expect each and every day. They've seen the parades, danced in the town squares, and played all the golf courses. When they moved to TV, it was new and very exciting. Now there is a sense of predictability about each day. So they want to experience some new adventures. . .

BORED? Seriously? With another new adventure just waiting for them in the Thursday Recreation Guide or The Lifelong Learning Catalogue? How can this be?

Daryll, when you asked for the downside to living in The Villages my first thought was... There's too much to do, and not enough time!

Downside:
It's very easy to be overscheduled here. There are so many exciting new things to do & learn & explore that some nights I just fall into bed exhausted.
I have to keep a planner.
I have to set the alarm clock.
And then there are the expenses: I need tap dancing shoes, a jingly hip scarf for zumba, a new cute bathing suit, watercolor painting supplies and paper, numerous tote bags to carry all my things to all the different classes... and the list goes on.

I can understand being bored with the predictability of each day if you retired somewhere else, but I can't imagine where else they would choose to live that would give them so many opportunities for new adventures.

[Ashton]

Snakes, sinkholes, extreme right wing owner, and we were not thrilled with the quality of construction JMHO

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I have even heard some non-Villagers say that this is a hotbed of Republicans. So what? Rarely, do we discuss politics at the golf course, at dinner, at friend's houses, and only in a light-hearted manner at the watering hole. Everyone gets along mighty well together. Friendships have been made among opposing views and I have not heard of friendships being broken because of politics here.

"hotbed of Republicans" buggyone that was funny

[pooh]

Just because one lives in The Villages doesn't mean they are isolated from the world. There are many activities and events here, but there are surrounding communities that offer events, opportunities, too. Some still want to work, some need to help and volunteer, some want to try new things, getting bored is more of a personal choice or feeling than anything else. It is easy to overdo when a new resident. As time passes, one becomes more selective of where to use their time. You don't have to go to the square every night. I wonder what some who are dissatisfied with this area would do in retirement where they left? If there is a downside, maybe it's there is TOO much to do.....

[rubicon]

What are the downsides of TV? The truth> I don't think you can handle the truth?