[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Sorry you do not like it here but great amenities, met lots of good folks, joined quite a few clubs and never have socialized as much as we do here.

A lot of the great people I met have moved out of the Villages. The Souths, for instance, moved North.

[Ruger2506]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

Can you be more specific? California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho?

Montana, Wyoming, even SD and ND (but those are more Mid-west)

[Ruger2506]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Sorry you do not like it here but great amenities, met lots of good folks, joined quite a few clubs and never have socialized as much as we do here.

I've been told by a number of people I talked to they didn't like it the first year or two. I'm stuck here for 8 years so I've got time to like it. I've go to say the Charter School is amazing.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Ruger2506

I've been told by a number of people I talked to they didn't like it the first year or two. I'm stuck here for 8 years so I've got time to like it. I've go to say the Charter School is amazing.

We got here as covid was started and mostly stuck home for first few years.

New we had to join lots of clubs to make a social life and has worked out great.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by Ruger2506

I regret moving to FL and the Villages. Too many people, FL water is DISGUSTING, apparently FL hates nature (loves development, poisoning lakes/ponds, etc), auto insurance rates are insane, and healthcare is mediocre at best.

If I could get my spouse on board, we' d be living somewhere with better water quality, a lot more nature, fewer people, much lower property taxes and lower car ins rates.

Enjoy your life (and winters) in Maine.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The past month or so, getting involved in [things we're not allowed to talk about here] and meeting so many like-minded people (especially on April 5) has given me more hope about my future here in The Villages. I'd still rather be in New Mexico, but I'm less regretful about our moving here than I was.

[AMB444]

I absolutely love it here!

I've meet a lot of fun and interesting people. There is so much to do in TV and in surrounding areas.

Only thing that concerns me still is hurricane season but I'll have to read up on how to be better prepared going forward.

[jimjamuser]

Some minor regrets .....recently people have been SPEEDING through the supposedly quiet neighborhoods - both cars and golf carts with their governors illegally modified. But, the biggest problem is that in the last 10 years the summers have kept getting more and more HOT. You burn your hand on a car door. It is too HOT to do anything outside from noon until about 6 PM. Also, the high pollen causes allergies in the Spring and Summer. Other than those things, it is functional here.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jswirs

1 - I miss my life-long friendships. In the 5 years I have been here I have made new friends, but there is a difference in short term vs long term friendships.
2 - It has taken years to find quality medical / dental folks. I have been through a lot of pain and frustration on this particular journey.
3 - Summers seem to be getting hotter, or maybe it's just me.

Summers and other seasons ARE getting hotter. It is easy to Google that.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Gerrys

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.

The best advice I have seen. Even better than mine.

[Velvet]

As I drove home to Mallory yesterday at sunset from the grocery store, looking at the beautiful golf courses, enjoying the pleasant weather and the amazing sky, with thoughts of preparing cocktails for tomorrow’s MahJongg at a neighbor’s home, I thanked the great Lord for allowing me this privilege.

[BigSteph]

Originally Posted by Full-timer

Yes, we do. We thought we would be happy here so we gave it a go. We have been full timers for 7 years. We don't golf at all but, that is OK. Over the last 7 years, the head count here has seemed to double.

This is great for business, not so much for residents in our opinion. Let me explain a bit.

The traffic on main roads (if you use them) is almost unbearable. Bumper to bumper most of the time, 7 days a week with a mix of workers and retirees.
This is multiplied by 3 when the "snow birds" come back. Ugg, that dreaded time.

Most of the "working class" know how to drive. Most of the "residents" suck at driving but, they "think" they can drive just fine. The answer is no they can't. Not a car and not a cart. This is a big issue for us. Drivers often smashing into other vehicles (or people),due to hitting the gas instead of the brakes or just unaware.

Dining. One would think the dining out here would be fantastic, but it is mediocre for the most part at best. Why? Because you have to eat somewhere and with so many customers, restaurants don't need to be "the best", they just have to make food.

There are a few good places but not many if you like good food. We tend to leave TV when we go out to eat or just go to the few that are consistently good, not hit or miss.

Entertainment. The squares are chuck full ALWAYS. If you don't go early, parking is an issue.
If you don't mind walking a bit, all is good.

limited yard space, (small lots). Again, we thought we could handle it. Neighbor's are way too close. If your windows are open and you fart, they know.

If you can deal with all of this or find OK, you will love it here. But, all of this is getting worse by the day with all the "new" places going up.

FYI, we plan to move out. Just not for us, even if we are getting old.

Where are you considering?

My wife and I think about it -- more a thought exercise than anything. The issue for us is there are not too many other compelling places we would like to live.

Most interesting places are either beyond our economics or require enduring harsher winters.

I'm honestly interested in knowing what other good options you've discovered.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Stone yards are horrible. They radiate heat in the summer and choke living things underneath them.

It'd be better if we used natural fertilizers like chicken manure and worm casings for our flower beds, and replaced grass with low-growing plants like peanut plant, that needs little to no maintenance at all and no mowing. And grew plants that were natural insect repellents, while at the same time attracting pollinators.

Peanut plant yard would be great, but would take more water than stones. Plus water is expensive. As far as" stone yards radiating heat"......which would radiate more heat - stone yards or grass yards cut by GIANT , MASSIVE , LOUD pollution-producing tank-like IC engine, lawn massacre, riding machines. If ALL the commercial lawn massacre types rode on electrical lawn mowers - they I could agree that stone lawns MIGHT be less superior. Also, if we are talking an ideal world, then ALL golf carts would be ELECTRIC.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Peanut plant yard would be great, but would take more water than stones. Plus water is expensive. As far as" stone yards radiating heat"......which would radiate more heat - stone yards or grass yards cut by GIANT , MASSIVE , LOUD pollution-producing tank-like IC engine, lawn massacre, riding machines. If ALL the commercial lawn massacre types rode on electrical lawn mowers - they I could agree that stone lawns MIGHT be less superior. Also, if we are talking an ideal world, then ALL golf carts would be ELECTRIC.

Love how you tell people electric is the way to go. Just curious buy your EV vehicle yet?

asking for a friend

[AMB444]

Originally Posted by Velvet

As I drove home to Mallory yesterday at sunset from the grocery store, looking at the beautiful golf courses, enjoying the pleasant weather and the amazing sky, with thoughts of preparing cocktails for tomorrow’s MahJongg at a neighbor’s home, I thanked the great Lord for allowing me this privilege.

This is such a wonderful statement! I have the same feeling driving around sunset. Such a beautiful place and I appreciate it everyday.