[npwalters]

Let me lead with this. We have been here (off and on) for about 4 years. We love it here and stay active.

Having said that and after reading the post about some clubs restricted by numbers or demographics let me relate our experience in an attempt at full disclosure for anyone looking to move here.

My wife is a very experienced glass artist. She taught stained glass classes at our old home. She tried to join 2 fused glass clubs. We have now been on the "waiting list" for 3 years and the phone has not rung.

I inquired about the woodworking club/shop and was told (with a condescending look) the waiting list was about 2 years long but "sure, go ahead and put your name on the list".

My wife recently tried to join another club and was told it is closed to new members.

The country club pools, etc. require and extra fee.

On the brighter side we play pickleball daily and have been welcomed. We joined a mahjong group and were taught and welcomed. Our neighborhood association have included us and encourage participation. I have been asked to join a couple of golf groups. We stay as active as we want to be.

Just know that while all the activities are "available" many may not be available to YOU and it will get worse as the villages continues its explosive growth.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by npwalters

Let me lead with this. We have been here (off and on) for about 4 years. We love it here and stay active.

Having said that and after reading the post about some clubs restricted by numbers or demographics let me relate our experience in an attempt at full disclosure for anyone looking to move here.

My wife is a very experienced glass artist. She taught stained glass classes at our old home. She tried to join 2 fused glass clubs. We have now been on the "waiting list" for 3 years and the phone has not rung.

I inquired about the woodworking club/shop and was told (with a condescending look) the waiting list was about 2 years long but "sure, go ahead and put your name on the list".

My wife recently tried to join another club and was told it is closed to new members.

The country club pools, etc. require and extra fee.

On the brighter side we play pickleball daily and have been welcomed. We joined a mahjong group and were taught and welcomed. Our neighborhood association have included us and encourage participation. I have been asked to join a couple of golf groups. We stay as active as we want to be.

Just know that while all the activities are "available" many may not be available to YOU and it will get worse as the villages continues its explosive growth.

This is not necessarily true as new clubs and activities will be started.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

This is not necessarily true as new clubs and activities will be started.

Correctomundo!!!

And you can always start a new club if one is already full.

Some how we made it from 30,000 to 130,000 population with clubs growing and being added all along the time line.

[npwalters]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

This is not necessarily true as new clubs and activities will be started.

OK, but it is true now and has been for at least the last 4 years (the time I know about).

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by npwalters

OK, but it is true now and has been for at least the last 4 years (the time I know about).

You can always start a new club if one is already full.

Some how we made it from 30,000 to 130,000 population with clubs growing and being added all along the time line.

[Velvet]

Just curious, how do you start a wood working shop? I would love to make frames for my canvasses. Who knows if I’ll be alive in 2 or 4 years.... I hope I’ll be.

[npwalters]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Just curious, how do you start a wood working shop? I would love to make frames for my canvasses. Who knows if I’ll be alive in 2 or 4 years.... I hope I’ll be.

It is often the activities that require hardware (kilns for glass or woodworking machines, etc) that have very long waiting lists. Other long waits can be things like cheerleaders that only need/want a limited membership
BTW -cheerleader is not on our wish list LOL.

I'm sure that if one chooses to start a Blue Tailed French Spotted Warbler club there would be a room available somewhere.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Just curious, how do you start a wood working shop? I would love to make frames for my canvasses. Who knows if I’ll be alive in 2 or 4 years.... I hope I’ll be.

Why would you need a wood working shop?
how to make frames for canvass - Bing video

[Fredster]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Just curious, how do you start a wood working shop? I would love to make frames for my canvasses. Who knows if I’ll be alive in 2 or 4 years.... I hope I’ll be.

A friend of mine applied for woodworking earlier this year
and he recently got a notice to attend the training class,
so it might not take as long as you think!
But you have to put your name in to actually get the ball rolling!

[Velvet]

I LOVE the smell of freshly cut wood, sanded wood, and I also make simple furniture, sculpt wood too. And the chat of fellow wood workers Is great.

You are right though I can have my own cutting tools in the garage for frames.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Fredster

A friend of mine applied for woodworking earlier this year
and he recently got a notice to attend the training class,
so it might not take as long as you think!
But you have to put your name in to actually get the ball rolling!

Yes!

[Marathon Man]

Clubs need volunteers to head them up. Waiting lists will continue to be long if no one is willing to step up.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Just curious, how do you start a wood working shop? I would love to make frames for my canvasses. Who knows if I’ll be alive in 2 or 4 years.... I hope I’ll be.

ME too....I would love to do that to!!!. I can't start a group, which could well be held in a regular art room, because I don't know how to do it.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

ME too....I would love to do that to!!!. I can't start a group, which could well be held in a regular art room, because I don't know how to do it.

Learn how, see post #8.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by npwalters

Let me lead with this. We have been here (off and on) for about 4 years. We love it here and stay active.

Having said that and after reading the post about some clubs restricted by numbers or demographics let me relate our experience in an attempt at full disclosure for anyone looking to move here.

My wife is a very experienced glass artist. She taught stained glass classes at our old home. She tried to join 2 fused glass clubs. We have now been on the "waiting list" for 3 years and the phone has not rung.

I inquired about the woodworking club/shop and was told (with a condescending look) the waiting list was about 2 years long but "sure, go ahead and put your name on the list".

My wife recently tried to join another club and was told it is closed to new members.

The country club pools, etc. require and extra fee.

On the brighter side we play pickleball daily and have been welcomed. We joined a mahjong group and were taught and welcomed. Our neighborhood association have included us and encourage participation. I have been asked to join a couple of golf groups. We stay as active as we want to be.

Just know that while all the activities are "available" many may not be available to YOU and it will get worse as the villages continues its explosive growth.

You explained your experience in a factual way, and you are 100% correct. You can’t just walk in and start your own glass fusion class. I happen to know that the wait lists are about 3 years for this class. Space in the kilns and art rooms is very limited.

I often hear sales people imply that everything is available to everyone whenever you want it. This is simply not true. In their defense, they may not even be aware of limitations that exist with certain groups/clubs.

So your point is well taken. It’s annoying how several posters piled on at your criticism balanced as it was.

And you’re correct, people considering moving here deserve full disclosure.