[Polar Bear]

My wife and I will be moving to TV within the next six months or so (+/-). One of our sons may be coming with us. He's twenty now, going working and going to e-school, both part time. He hasn't really found his niche yet, and he may live with us for a while, continuing his schooling and (hopefully) working.

I'm just wondering generally about young folks who reside legally (is that the right word? ) in TV. About how many are there? Just a few? Quite a number? Is there a reasonable potential for a social life with members of their age group? Is there work available? I'm really looking for any insight/information at all regarding life in TV for the younger crowd.

Thanks.

[paulandjean]

You may have some problems. I would further research your situation.

[Down Sized]

I sure would not do it to my kids. If you were twenty, would you want to live with 90% old people??? Why don't you move to a collage town instead. Sounds like he might need a better education?

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by sdavis44

My wife and I will be moving to TV within the next six months or so (+/-). One of our sons may be coming with us. He's twenty now, going working and going to e-school, both part time. He hasn't really found his niche yet, and he may live with us for a while, continuing his schooling and (hopefully) working.

I'm just wondering generally about young folks who reside legally (is that the right word? ) in TV. About how many are there? Just a few? Quite a number? Is there a reasonable potential for a social life with members of their age group? Is there work available? I'm really looking for any insight/information at all regarding life in TV for the younger crowd.

Thanks.

TV is really not a big nursing home!!!! There are communities nearby that would offer plenty of opportunities for your son to socialize with other twentysomethings. He may not find your neighbors to have much in common, but that could well be true in older neighborhoods in any metro area. You could join a church in Wildwood or Leesburg or Lady Lake which might offer him an opportunity to meet others his age. I would not have seen TV as an obstacle to my enjoyment of life at his age.

[MLBellis]

There are yonger folks living in TV with not problems. It all depends on the person.... Margurita Republic is where the yonger generation hangs out (if he is a drinker) they have music & a pool table there too! I suggest you come for a week or so with him to see if he would like it..... Keep in mind that the sidewalks turn up at 9pm, so there is nothing after that he could do (just to go out into the local area, which there is not much to do there but drink but he has not hit that drinking age)

[KARENNN]

Work here = minimum wage
I think it is a bit of a dead end for someone starting their career, unless they are a doctor or nurse. Healthcare is THE industry around here.

[Ooper]

There are 2 families on our street that have a child living with them but the children are in their 40's, a far cry from 20. I think this is also the exception. I have not seen many residents living here with children unless they are there to help take care of them. Your son will probably have to find companionship in the surrounding cities such as Leesburg Lady Lake or Ocala. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[jane032657]

I would hope your son would be welcomed as a part of your life and in your village for as long as he needed your support. Peope 19 and over are allowed to live with their families in The Villages. With surrounding towns, businesses in The Villages, and all the young crowd I have seen in the squares at night, I am sure there would be opportunities in surrounding areas to meet peers, and lots of activities to enjoy in The Villages. Anyone could have an adult child in need and I woud expect that those who wanted to help their adult children by having them come stay with them would be accepted. No young adult will most likely end up making The Villages their long term residence, but parents have obligations to children when they have need and I would welcome my neighbors chidren with open arms, they will all be 19 or over and I am sure will be delightful additions to the neighborhood for the time they need to be there. How the young person adjusts, socializes, adapts, and finds fulfillment is another question.

[Polar Bear]

Oooohh...a bit harsh.

I probably wasn't clear enough. We're not doing anything TO our son. We're moving to TV to live our retirement. We're not trying to move somewhere to accommodate his needs. He may just need to join us for a while. That's all.

Originally Posted by Down Sized

I sure would not do it to my kids. If you were twenty, would you want to live with 90% old people??? Why don't you move to a collage town instead. Sounds like he might need a better education?

[Polar Bear]

Thanks for the replies, just the sort of information I'm looking for. (And Jane has pretty much hit the nail right on the head. We simply want to help our son out a bit until he gets settled on his own.)

More replies welcome...keep 'em coming.

Originally Posted by jane032657

I would hope your son would be welcomed as a part of your life and in your village for as long as he needed your support. Peope 19 and over are allowed to live with their families in The Villages. With surrounding towns, businesses in The Villages, and all the young crowd I have seen in the squares at night, I am sure there would be oppottunities in surrounding areas to meet peers, and lots of activities to enjoy in The Villages. Anyone could have an adut child in need and I woud expect that those who wanted to help their adult chidren by having them come stay with them would be accepted. No young adult will most likely end up making The Villages their long term residence, but parents have obligations to children when they have need and I would welcome my neighbors chidren with open arms, they will all be 19 or over and I am sure will be delightful additions to the neighborhood for the time they need to be there. How the young person adjusts, socializes, adapts, and finds fulfillment is another question.

[krash]

I sent you a P.M.

[ducati1974]

Our daughters are in their twenties and love to come see us at TV. They enjoy the atmosphere. I'm not sure how they'd feel about living here though. I agree about the dismal prospects for jobs, but I know sometimes kids need to stay with their parents awhile before they get back on to their own feet.

We also have twenty something sons. Two of them. They are working and going to school also, however they don't live with us. (Again yet. LOL.) They are a little older than yours. I inquired on her recently, about T.V., and our 9 year old daughter. The response was varied. Some said no kids ever, but I found out, that there are villages with kids, and a school for the kids, so there are young people there. My sons would enjoy living there. There's always stuff to do, all over Florida, for all ages. They like to keep the tourists entertained. Beaches are everywhere. Besides, doesn't everyone like cruising in a golf cart? I don't understand the people, who say, its cruel to take young people there, for the above reasons. Good luck to you and your son.

[redwitch]

There are kids over 19 living here and they do manage to find their own social life. Some even live here voluntarily without their parents (renting a place). Sadly, work is an issue and the salaries are dismal regardless of where they work. Most work in the restaurants in some capacity.

Some of those staying with parents are here because they truly have no options due to prison records, drugs, etc. Some are here on a temporary basis until they can finish school or whatever or employment situations change. Some are here to help their parents. The reasons are as varied as the people.

As was mentioned, Margarita Republic is the big hang out and Applebee's on 441 when MR closes. I don't know the name, but there seems to be a website for TV where kids living here can hook up. At least I know of one who started dating a guy via this website and another who met a few new friends. Possibly part of Big Fish?

You will occasionally see some of these kids participating in some of the clubs and activities. Some of the residents have issues with it, some enjoy seeing them.

This may be a community of those over 55 but that doesn't mean it is a community limited to that age group. TV really does run the gamut from 19 to 90+.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by sdavis44

My wife and I will be moving to TV within the next six months or so (+/-). One of our sons may be coming with us. He's twenty now, going working and going to e-school, both part time. He hasn't really found his niche yet, and he may live with us for a while, continuing his schooling and (hopefully) working.

I'm just wondering generally about young folks who reside legally (is that the right word? ) in TV. About how many are there? Just a few? Quite a number? Is there a reasonable potential for a social life with members of their age group? Is there work available? I'm really looking for any insight/information at all regarding life in TV for the younger crowd.

Thanks.

I kinda sorta get the feeling you are looking for us to make you feel better about this impending move with a 20 year old, and I don't really think anyone can do that for you.

Make the move, bring him along - probably kicking and screaming - and he will either settle down here, or find his own way elsewhere. We were forced into doing something very similar to this due to an overseas promotion and we all survived, but it was a REAL bumpy ride. Good luck with this.