i think any woman who has had a successful career and has managed to publish a book should be assured that moving here will be a piece of cake! have courage! there are lots of future friends waiting for your arrival!

I'm making the move by myself, as well. And when I first decided to head to tv I was very apprehensive, but, everyone I've met here (on talk of the villages) has been so supportive and ready to walk me through the transition when I finally get there that I've overcome the nervousness. I feel like I have friends there already. I'm sure if you hang with us a bit, you'll feel the same way.

Katie

yes you do Katie, already have friends.
Veronica, share more about why it's scary so we can help with what you really need...
Kitty

Veronica
I just sent you a PM, I know you called me yesterday, so will try to call you back today.
You have friends, and you know me personally. Don't worry. I moved all the way from Alaska with 2 dogs in a pick-up truck only knowing 1 person. Started my life all over and I was nervous and it was a scary. But I couldn't see myself living alone in Alaska for the rest of my life, even though I loved it, and I am somewhat of a loner and I could have really gotten into being a hermit up in Alaska. But I knew this was the best thing for me, moving to The Villages. I have lived here 8 months and have great neighbors, friends, and very good support group from my "sisters", as I support them also. I am busy when I want to be, and never feel "alone". I am your friend and I will help you any way I can. That goes for you too Katie!

Thanks. As the clock ticks down closer to September I find my excitement about the move overshadowed by the reality of walking away from everything that's comfortable. I'm sure anyone who is making this move on their own feels this way. After all, it's a major life change and financial investment. That's why these threads and the other singles I've met here have really helped to reduce the anxiety. And these monthly Meet and Greet parties, that Kitty started, seem to have gone a long way to lessen the likelihood that once in TV we don't end up isolating ourselves, simply because the singles clubs are a little too intimidating. The feedback from those who have gone to these parties have had nothing but good things to say about these more intimate social gatherings. Speaking of that has anyone stepped up for the August party? It would be nice to keep it going. Since I have September and Cha has October it looks like there is the possibility that we could maintain a Meet and Greet social club (albeit non recognized officially) which might help a lot of singles who have not ventured out as yet.

Katie

Kate, edited cuz I said this all wrong...
I feel like you are already one of us...
the parties are great, but just to be clear I'm ok if we don't have a host/hostess for a month here and there. We skipped June..
Hopefully I'm just facilitating group energy and t'would spoil the whole notion for me to be in charge of it and as I have said I'm too lazy.

but I think I'll make a separate thread to see if folks might enjoy a picnic at a park in august, now that you mention it! that way men can grill. I like that. me jane, you grill.

The great thing about using parties and totv like this is that we are starting to get together in small groups spontaneously sometimes with general invites and sometimes, just a pm saying wanna do a movie or lunch and it doesn't matter if it's a guy or gal, we are making friends (not dating).
I think I speak for many of us to say this makes us comfortable getting to know other guy and gal singles with no agenda other than company and fun.

Yes, moving is a pain.

My name is JJ. My friend Salybow showed me this. I am interested in a group get together. I live in Buttonwood. I will tell you my specifics in person. My email is janiehj911@gmail.com Keep me in the loop.

Janie, I've sent you an email.

Kitty, I agree 100% that no one should control it. (Although the truth is, without you there wouldn't be a Meet and Greet for singles in the first place, so there's something to be said for having, at least, a single's ambassador which I hope you will continue to be for all our sake) I really believe it would be a definite plus if, as a group, we managed to keep the momentum going and met regularly. It would be something to look forward to for those of us who may not be quite as comfortable in a structured large group setting and a way for new singles to get their feet wet - so to speak. And from these parties the more spontaneous activities come so much easier. Of course, I am only basing my theory on reading the feedback posts, but, they are pretty convincing.

Katie

Katie, I didn't like the way I put the above so edited it. see if I did a better job...anyway, IMO if we demand that every month we have a party, we become a club like all the rest with someone in charge telling us what to do.

I started this thread just to network us with each other in the hope we can meet each other here safely in small groups, not in clubs, and without agendas.

Parties get a separate thread when someone wants to have one and so can any other meet idea, movies, go to the square, etc. Let's keep this meet and greet thread open for any and all networking and avoid constraining it.
Hugs,
Kitty

I'm nothing if not adaptable.

There was an article in our daily newspaper --- The Daily Sun - about a gentleman from Rochester , NY who moved down here 8 years ago . He became a widower while down here and despite how much he loved it he felt that he should return to Rochester to as he put it " age with old friends and family ".
He sold his home here in the villages and purchased a Town House in the Rochester area . After only a few months he realized that he was not only bored but basically alone . As he said all of my old friends and family were so busy with their own lives that they had no more time for me than when I lived in the Villages .
He sold his Town House and returned to all of his Villages activities and his " Villages adopted family of good friends ".
I believe that his story speaks volumes . Come on down . You won`t be alone or a " stranger " very long . Not even a month . All the best . Jim

Jim, you made my day! I'm happy that you are enjoying social life. It gets us out of having been lonely too long. Dinner the other night, walking the gardens and a small group of new friends....how lovely we can make our lives...

You know, we could try to get tix for the game...cost a fortune, but the kids'll never figure out that's where the money went..

I buy off Stub Hub. The FSU-UF game is expensive but it's so much fun to go to. I've never been to the Swamp, though. Definitely we should look into it. The earlier we look for tix the better.