If you move, “ next to” instead of “in The Villages”, you will not experience the many benefits that the city has to offer. The clubs, etc., require a card that you get when you pay the amenity fee. Just a thought.

No regrets, fits us perfectly.

Rent for a few months in the summer. If you can stand the heat, you will be fine. Summer starts in late April and ends in October. Good luck.

Like many have said, it all depends on how you want to spend your retirement. I tell friends that ask about TV, it's a wonderful place but not a good fit for everyone.

If you just want a place to hang out and chill, you're wasting your money here since you do pay more for the lifestyle.
But if you want to live a fun, active and social lifestyle, there's no place like TV to retire. There's way more things to do than you'll have time for, which is a good thing.

We love it here, but since we've only been here for a couple years we still kinda miss the kids and grands. My wife more than me. lol. But that's getting better with time.

But like everything in life there's trade offs. For us it's been well worth it.

No more Indiana winters. I get to play softball, run outside, golf, ride my Harley, mountain bike, and my dirtbike year round. Lots to do, inside and outside the bubble. For us life is great here.

We've made some great friends and had some from Indiana move here.

We live a bit south of Lake Sumter in Amelia and love it. Check out the northern, middle, and southern areas to see what checks the most boxes for you. We all have different needs and wants.

Good luck!

We've lived here for 21 years; came from West Hollywood Hills, CA, to TX for 8 more years, and have never regretted ending up here. Had a large home w/pool backed up to a nature preserve, and everything else we wanted. After 21 years we moved into Watercrest Senior Living, and even tho it's an enormous down-sizing experience, it was necessary and to our advantage. SO many opportunities here! Take advantage of the thousands of activities offered between sports, crafts, education, exercises, performing (music, dancing, acting), etc., etc. If you can't find what you want here, I don't know what more I can say.

Been here 24 years north of 466. No regrets. It gets better and better every year with more to offer, more classes, more rec centers, more shopping, more friends. We moved here in our late 40s and so glad we did. Yes there's more traffic, but that's true back home too, yes prices have gone up, but that's also true back home. Summers here are not as humid as some areas up north and along the gulf, so we find that they are very liveable, especially in the evenings and early morning hours. We would do it again in a heartbeat. Look at resale homes up north of 466 and 466A if you want a larger lot and to be near shopping. You'll love it here.

No privacy,even a courtyard Villa is nosy and lack privacy as well as lousy parking.23 year has seen lots of changes.Centralized mail stations where people park as they wish with no regard to others. Over an hour to the ocean.So frequent trips outside the bubble. Fair to poor health care, although that seems true all over now. As we have aged here it is very different. No easy transportation to airports.
All that being said. It is still relatively safe here. It is well maintained at the public places Plenty to keep busy if you enjoy those activities.After all these years the recreation activities are same same and aging body parts prefer strolls on the walking paths.Definitly enjoy areas to travel outside of the pink walls. Where in Tennessee are you moving from? Good luck. People are people all over most nice and some real good ones. Others, well guess it depends on circumstances.

regrets
 

I had a few.

Too Cold but Decent Compromise
 

TV is much colder in Dec/Jan than I expected. Can’t golf in shorts year round. I probably wouldn’t want to pay the taxes and suffer hurricanes and crowds found in Southern FL tho. I probably wouldn’t like the politics in AZ/NM/NV either. TV is good as it gets.

We did (and still do) had problems with our Designer house. Should have bought spec (NCH) or pre-owed.

Otherwise no regrets - FL is awesome and TV keeps me busy.

Our only regret is we wish we hadn’t wasted valuable years living elsewhere. Now that we are here it would have been much more enjoyable had we been here 10 years earlier while our bodies were still able to do so many activities. My husband would have been on the softball leagues, pickleball leagues, and a lot more golf. Unfortunately, his body isn’t able to do some of those things due to his lower back issues. Enjoy while you can because you don’t know how things can change tomorrow.

My only regret is I didn't move here sooner!

After moving several times in my life it seems each place had its pluses and minuses. I find that I remember the good and tend to gloss over the bad in my memories. We mostly choose our happiness IMO.

The JOY of the Villages. The best part of the Villages is the great people who are here. People you want to live with. Not like some of those other places. People are happy, no fake JOY around here. 👍🙃

As you have seen the list of regrets is a small one, and likely to have many of the same regrets if you stay put. Retirement is what you want to make of it and The Villages lifestyle provides more opportunities than all other communities.

No regrets!!! None - We LOVE it here . . . My wife and I moved to The Villages 4.5 years ago from Southern California and we can't imagine living anywhere else. We stay active golfing, playing water volleyball, swimming, enjoying the town squares and sailing. We drive about 30 minutes from our home to go sailing once a week on a local lake. Our drive takes us through "farm country", where we enjoy seeing cattle, orange groves, etc. for 20 minutes of the drive. If you enjoy being active, The Villages is a great place to live. If you golf, shop for homes in the Northern and Central areas of The Villages, which have an abundance of Executive Golf Courses.

We just sold our Villages home and are moving to Knoxville next week!
Different strokes for different folks. 🙂

Here 5 years very happy to be here. Never gone out as much as we do now.

Only regret is further from kids and grandkids so do not see them as much as we would like.

Look at your own expectations and personalities. Do you golf? Do you need to attend a club meeting, activity, or event every single day? If yes, the TV will probably suit you just fine. You’ve already heard about the summer heat, and we’re about to go into the season where it feels like we’ll be living in a blast furnace for the next 7 months. We were snow birds for a decade; been full-time for the last 5 years. Getting used to the brutally hot was probably the biggest adjustment for us. Remember to examine TV through the lens of living here every day, not just for a lifestyle visit or vacation.

Ironically enough, after being set to drink the kool-aid and coming thisclose to purchasing inside the bubble 8 years ago, we ended up buying in a border community. We don’t golf and have enough in our community to keep us busy. Contrary to popular belief, one can still have an active lifestyle outside TV. As mentioned, look at your own wishes and expectations. As for us, no regrets.

I didn't see it mentioned so far, but if you're a Coast Guard retiree like your handle suggests, don't forget that The Villages is home to around 15,000 Veterans and the largest American Legion Post in the world. Also, since we have a Coastie for a son, I notice many Coast Guard license plates and bumper stickers all around here. I think there's even a Coast Guard Club.

Zero
 

Zero regrets.

Can you mention the "best" border communities? I'm unfamiliar with the area but looking for a house to buy.

Private message if that makes you feel safer.

Thanks.

YES,
the shear amount of Daily Events and 100’s upon 100’s of Activities certainly can be considered “Adding Years to Your Life”.

I myself Love to Use the Analogy of
The Twilight Zone, “Kick the Can”

“We become old
when we stop playing…”

HOWEVER,
My Wifey and I have not become Locked
into the Perimeter of The Villages …

… as Central Florida is Horse Country.

Not to mention that 30-40 minutes
north is the Amazing City of Ocala

with an active Shopping Mall, an abundance of Classy Restaurants,
a City Square in the Heart of Historic Downtown - filled with Gorgeous 1800’s Victorian Architecture Homes and did I mention we are in the Heart of Horse Country ??

As for Water and Forestry …

… the first place that comes to mind is “Silver Springs State Park on the East end of Ocala and straight up CR 35, Baseline Road.

We moved to The Villages just 13 months ago, and are now exploring 30-40 minutes south into Leesburg as well.

And from our initial exploring, have found it to be a little more of a Quaint City …

… known for it Huge Lakes with plenty of fishing - as the Lake Griffin boat slip parking lot overflows on occasion.

And also from our initial exploring (actually by my Lovely wife), just learned that Leesburg also has a bustling Shopping Mall as well.

AND FURTHER
beyond The Villages Bubble …
we are situated about 90 minutes from both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf !!

THERE IS ALSO
a website that focuses on “Day Trip” activities that include History, Water Falls, Natural Springs, and so much more.

LETS NOT FORGET
Saint Augustine “the City of Lights” with Incredible History, Sightseeing Tours, Restaurants, Beaches, and more !!

POINT IS
one may very well be losing out on
Fantastic Exploring Opportunities
if they are not willing to …

… “KICK THE CAN”
beyond the confines of your
home base known as The Villages

YES,
the shear amount of Daily Events and 100’s upon 100’s of Activities certainly can be considered “Adding Years to Your Life”.

I myself Love to Use the Analogy of
The Twilight Zone, “Kick the Can”

“We become old
when we stop playing…”

HOWEVER,
My Wifey and I have NOT allowed
ourselves to become Locked into
the Perimeters of The Villages …

… as Central Florida is
known as Horse Country

Not to mention that 30-40 minutes
north is the Amazing City of Ocala

with an active Shopping Mall, an
abundance of Classy Restaurants,
a City Square in the Heart of Historic Downtown - filled with Gorgeous 1800’s Victorian Architecture Homes,

and did I mention we are in
the Heart of Horse Country ??

As for Water and Forestry …

… the first place that comes to mind is “Silver Springs State Park on the East end of Ocala and straight up CR 35, Baseline Road.

We moved to The Villages just over 13 months ago, and are now exploring 30-40 minutes south into Leesburg as well.

And from our initial exploring, have found it to be a little more of a Quaint City …

… known for it Huge Lakes with plenty of fishing - as the Lake Griffin boat slip parking lot overflows on occasion.

And also from our initial exploring (actually by my Lovely wife), just learned that Leesburg also has a bustling Shopping Mall as well.

AND FURTHER
beyond The Villages Bubble …
we are situated about 90 minutes from both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf !!

THERE IS ALSO
a website that focuses on “Day Trip” activities that include History, Water Falls, Natural Springs, and so much more.

LETS NOT FORGET
Saint Augustine “the City of Lights” with Incredible History, Sightseeing Tours, the famous Pedestrian Shopping Street, Restaurants, Beaches, and more for a fun filled weekend retreat !!

POINT IS
one may very well be losing out on
Fantastic Exploring Opportunities
if they are not willing to …

… “KICK THE CAN”
beyond the confines of your
home base known as The Villages

Lightning

We still have our Knoxville house. No intention of selling it. What part of the 865 are you considering?

If Mr. Coast Guard ever returns to this thread, he is welcome to DM me re: pros/cons.

Just checked your website: Wow! Your art is incredible!

I have few regrets about moving here. I miss family the most so we try to help $$$ them come and visit. Our friends and/or neighbors are a work in progress. We don’t have 15-20 years to become better at friendship. Some friends are toxic so we try to be better at social skills and preferences. I love sunshine so here I will stay.

You said: "The month upon month of heat and humidity took some getting used to for me.
Also lack of high end restaurants, substantial distance to a major airport and finding good medical care. On the plus side I find most people friendly and easy going.
There is a lot to do here which is a huge plus.
All in all living here is quite pleasant."

Those are certainly 3 big ones consider for us, especially the airport and med care. We fly alot and although we don't have many medical needs now, it stands to reason that a region with an above average number of elderly would need increased medical care.
Thanks.

We still have our Knoxville house. No intention of selling it. What part of the 865 are you considering?

If Mr. Coast Guard ever returns to this thread, he is welcome to DM me re: pros/cons.
===
That is interesting. I think we're a little surprised (moved to TN from ID) at the amount of "Appalachia" that runs in Tennessee. I know Florida will have its downsides, like all areas, but we seek more interaction and activity. I'd DM if I could figure out how. PlummerInTennessee@Gmail.Com.

See honey! It's not just me! :a20:

Thank you for your thoughtful and specific reply. I think that's really great advice.

Thank you for your kind and helpful reply. This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to garner.

Thank you Letitia. Lot's of really practical information.

Don’t get rid of all your warm clothes. There are several winter days when you need them.

Great information. Thank you.

If I were in your place, I would ask what my expectations were. Before you make life changing decisions you must have criteria and goals.

My main regret is that the summers are too hot. This began about 10 years ago. The increased heat also makes the Gulf and ocean water hotter. So, a greater chance of a hurricane.

Agree that the lakes are polluted with pesticide and fertilizer runoff. That could improve if more people had stone yards instead of grass.

# 3 I think summers are getting hotter and they are. Scientists have measured world temperatures getting hotter for the last 10 years. And the heat is increasing each year.