[Bill & Carolyn]

I understand your wife's feelings. We have three great kids (if 28, 30, 32 can be called 'kids') and my wife had the same reservations about 'leaving them'. One has since moved from the DC area to Raleigh-Durham and one most likely is going to relocate (can't say where because he's going to work for NSA and they're like the military, they send you where they need you). So, my wife realized that moving to TV wouldn't necessarily reduce her time with the 'kids'. That and we figure our place will be a 'grand kid' magnet.

We bought a home in Pennecamp last March and have been using it as a 'vacation' spot for the last year. We had all our kids and their respective spouses/fiances visit for a week at New Years. They love the place and were very happy that we wanted to move there. They plan to visit often, plus, we'll be able to travel to visit them as often as we want as well.

My wife is happy and looking forward to the move (this November when I retire) as much as I am.

Of course our decision was helped by the fact that we live in the DC area and simply cannot afford to live in the area after we are both retired.

[eweissenbach]

Another option may be to keep the best of both worlds to a degree. We would not consider living full-time in TV because all our children and grandchildren live in this area and probably will till they die. Two of our children own a very successful business, and the other child works for them. My wiife's mother and sister both live nearby, as do my niece and nephew and their families. We have moved many many times over my working years and are now settled back in the area from which we both came. However, we are going to sell our home and buy a smaller, less expesive home that we will share with our divorced son. He will pay the mortgage and we will make the down payment and the utilities payments, gradually turning full ownership over to him. This will allow him to have a home and quit renting and it will give us a permanent resident to take care of the property, leaving us free to travel. We will then purchase a small home or villa in TV which we can go to when we choose, purhaps with another couple, though that is not an option for most people. The result will be a cash-flow advantage over our current situation and the ability to live near the family, but enjoy TV whenever we want. One thing I have learned in thirty years of moving and buying and selling homes is -- don't lock in on one solution, but think through the options. Sometimes the most obvious option does not turn out to be the best. Good luck!

[travelguy]

we bought here and never looked back. our kids are independent and have their own lives, as we also do. when we asked the kids if they minded us being so far away they told us that they were surprised that we would 'ask' them as if is our life and whatever we would decided would be alright with them.

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by Phoneman

My wife and I have visitied TV twice and love the area, weather and concept. TOTV is a great resource. My wife is hesitant and is wondering if there are others that had second thoughts before they moved to TV, leaving their children and friends behind. We only have one son, single, mid-thirties who is well established. Many of our friends have parts of their families spread out throughout the country and they seem to have no issues. Anyone out there that can help my wife with her concerns?

I had a tremendously hard time leaving family and friends. I was homesick for a long time. We just had the kids down for 10 days and I felt bad again, but they all say, "don't ever move from the Villages!" That helps.