Baby Boomers ruining TV ?
 

Growing up in Brooklyn prior to the seventies the "neighborhood" was your world. Nothing existing outside your neigh hood because everyone you knew lived there. All your family and neighbors which were like family. Irish, Italian, German. We all got along and we were all family.
In this new age of play dates and kids driving cars at 16 that concept no longer exists. If you grew up in a rural area this concept may not exist. The "neighborhood" was a close knit group of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and friends who shared the common bond of the "neighborhood".
The gentleman in question did appear to have been of Italian descent with a distinct Brooklyn accent.

As I understand it most of the time when new neighborhoods are built and the first homeowners move in they tend to bond with one another. This occurs in regular suburban developments as well as in 55 and over projects. It can take a while for a new resident to break into an established neighborhood clique if it can be done at all. Although ultimately turnover occurs it can take years.

From what I have read as an active adult community ages and new residents purchase homes the community eventually comprises "young old" and "old old" components. The latter usually do not want to pay to develop new or upgrade existing amenities, or even maintain them. They no longer use many of the amenities and do not want their amenities costs and taxes to rise since they are on fixed incomes. The young old want upgraded amenities and probably new and different amenities. This may result in conflict between the young old and the old old.

In TV, since the developer controls most aspects of it and wants to attract new buyers and earn income from commercial infrastructure it owns, it maintainss, upgrades and builds new facilities. Witness the new homes being built in the historic area. As long as the developer runs the show TV should be able to avert many of the problems other active adult retirement communities operated by their residents face. To me, that is a very good thing!

Good analysis.

I honestly think that the sentiment was likely motivated more by sadness at losing more and more like-aged friends than by any serious dislike for boomers (and let me go on record that I really dislike that term, as if everyone born during a certain span of years can be characterized by such a simple, unthinking stereotype). In any event, I think a bit more compassion for what they're likely going through and feeling is in order rather than jumping to the conclusion that prejudice is involved. That only divides us (more than we already are, if that's possible). I for one would be honored to have anyone of any age as a friend, but would especially value ones wiser than I (Lord knows I could use some more wisdom, and friends for that matter).
--
Bob C

House #1 most residents were older than my parents. House #2 much younger crowd, house #3 mixed age range, but some do seem unhappy as homes are selling to the younger crowd. I am only here one month at a time three times a year. Other half is here 9ish months.

I have only been here for a few years. I moved into an older neighborhood consisting of original owners, many of them frequently passing away or moving to assisted living or home to family. I had a great home in the woods up North, but love my wife enough to realize that she will thrive longer in a social environment. She is radiant and happy here, and that makes me happy in turn. I can live anywhere, as long I am with her. And she loves the Villages social life. Everyone likes my wife and she is very, very active. Me? I kind of stick to myself. I am one of the youngest in my neighborhood, at 66 years old out of a hundred unit community. I do not feel comfortable at neighborhood socials, even though I get along with all my neighbors. I just prefer to putter around the house, working on projects to improve the home. When I play a sport, I do not like the schedule of being in a league so I just wonder in and join the game, such as Pickle Ball. It's not that I don't like people, I just don't feel comfortable with close relationships with groups of people. I realize that this is not a Villages trait, but just a quirk in my personality. I do not mean to be anti-social, but it probably appears that way to my neighbors. I have always willingly assisted my neighbors when needed. I avoid neighborhood socials most of the time, because they seem to only have them when the Snow Birds are here. So, I am happy here and as long as my neighbors accept me as I am, regardless of my seemingly anti-social behavior I intend to spend my remaining years (at least 30 hopefully) quietly content in The Villages.

That said, I also complain a bit regarding traffic in The Villages. I also complain quietly about my cable being weak when all the Snow Birds are in town. I also complain about the long lines at the restaurants when the Snow Birds are here. But, I reserve that right as a "young" member of the senior community here in MY HOME in The Villages. These are things that I willingly endure for the happiness of the love of my life. After being here a year, my wife told me that I could get rid of our house up North because this IS her home.

This place is not for everyone. For some folks, they will never find that perfect place to settle down. This place is not perfect, but I do know that I will have a longer life with my love than I would probably have anywhere else that I can think of. My wife is more important than my neighbors. I have been blessed to have good neighbors though. They seem to accept me as I am and they make my wife happy and accepted.

I am a boomer that has been blessed to be able to live this life style. I am grateful for this and also glad that this place is not for everyone. Regardless of the seemingly rude or less than friendly nature of some folks, generally speaking I have found MOST Villagers to be kind, friendly and helpful.

God Bless You.

If the Boomers don't come, TV will not be able to sustain the lifestyle!!!

I assume any/some who talk about the "older" folks do understand it is a meaningless term. They surely must know they themselves are the elders to those coming from anywhere behind them in age.

It does not matter whether the person overheard was "older", white, black, yellow, right or left, blonde or bald, religious or not, etc, etc...........their comment(s) represented the thinking of ONE PERSON and not to be considered a general representation.

:beer3:

You sound like someone I know, and I totally understand where you're coming from. Very well put.:thumbup:

:ho:

My wife and I have lived here full time four years now. We are baby boomers in our 60s. We like our neighbors and would do anything for any of them, or anyone else for that matter. But we just didn't click entirely with some of them. They are all very nice, respectful people that we are happy to be neighbors with but we don't "socialize" with them. We have made close friends with other Villagers we have met, our closest friends are in their 70s. I don't think that makes us bad neighbors and if someone moves from the villages because they lack socialization, they are not trying very hard. If you really want to find friends to be social with, it isn't really very hard at all.

What I see is the ones that hit the headlines the most are under 70, drunken, arrested, and yes it puts "The Villages" as ugly place to live.

I must be doing something wrong because I do not judge people by their age or color or politics or religion.

In my humble opinion, what a person says and does is the more real measure.

:clap2:
aw, now we "Baby Boomers" are getting picked on.....that's all right, we have been waiting for retirement for a long time!

Age is not the problem....

.....intolerance is.

If Baby Boomers are not welcome in The Villages, who would they build all the new houses for ?

I'm a baby boomer. I live on the historic side (still laugh every time I say that!) and my neighbors on both sides are original owners (my father's age). I love it here. People of all ages are friendly and kind. We have lots in common and plenty to talk about when we meet at the pool, the dog park, the Rec center or the town square. Maybe it's just more friendly here, but I suspect most villages are filled with friendly folks! Oh yeah, we also recently bought here -a manufactured home that we have no plans of replacing with a site built home. Let the next owners address that!

In my opinion, one has to be a friend to make a friend. We live in a neighborhood consisting of 153 villas and we have a very active "Social Club." In fact we have an event coming up consisting of a catered dinner by Oakwood Smokehouse Grill and a Cornhole Tournament. We have 70 reservations for dinner and 42 signed-up for our tournament. We are all looking forward to a good meal and fun time with our neighbors. So living in The Villages is what one makes of it and love living here. - Sam E. Williams

How do those with a need to segregate by age to reach a conclusion handle it in church?

I would say extroverted people are more prevalent here than introverted. The fact you've found your happy place is proof that all who come here to live are accepted by most.

All I ask of the Boomers is to leave the place a little better than they found it. Then if my generation X can do the same TV will be in good shape for generation Y :)

Joe

Clicks
 

I moved here and got involved in a click, not good experience, just be social with a lot of ppl, but stay away from clicks, it doesn't work!!!!

Now you and I could for sure be friends! I agree!!

You know everybody has something they don't like about the Villages but to say baby boomers are ruining the Villages, what's the age of this Villager? What kind of person is this person, a constant complainer, didn't get something their way. I have issues too but if I can't resolve them I'll make sure I don't do what's bothering me again. The only thing that would force me to sell my home & move out of the Villages is someone connected to the Villages taking advantage on my hard earned money!

If in his 70's this guy was a member of the Silent Generation. Ironic!

I am 64 and my husband is 68. We moved here two years ago because we love that there are so many different ages around The Villages. We bought a new home because it's the first (and last) time we will ever have a brand new home! I sure hope the "founding families" stay put. We need a great blend of people here and won't have that if they all move away. Respect is important for all ages and I hope both of us show that we feel blessed to be living here.

You have a great attitude! :thumbup:

I am one of the older boomers here. I am on my second home. I think my inactivity with the neighbors here is because I have been moving, unpacking, having house guests, keeping up with previous neighbors, etc. My solution- in another week or two I am inviting everyone on my street and behind me to my home to meet and greet. It's up to me to reach out first and not wait for someone else to be friendly to me. My destiny and enjoyment of life is my responsibility.

it's kind of funny since the ambiance in west palm, where i have relatives, was the reason i never wanted to move to florida.

Yes
 

You seem to have it figured out. Hope ypu have a good get together.

perhaps the problem is them.

to quote forest gump "life is like a box of chocolates". when you're young and the 'box' is full you just scarf down those goodies until one day you wake up and the box is 3/4 empty. i would rather savor the chocolates left here than any other place i've been. west palm? not so much! it all depends on your own likes, to me west palm might as well be the bronx.

Boomers....
 

I have found that you will always find what you are looking for. If you are think that the area that you live in is full of crabby people, that is what you will see. If you think that people are good and you seek to befriend them, you will find good people. It's a law of attraction kind of thing. I choose to look for the good in people and I ALWAYS find it.

Life is muchbetter than reported.

Whether here on TOTV or the media....all types....they always....ALWAYS....report on the exceptions; the isolated cases; the bleed that lead stories; the nasty things people do to each other; etc; etc.

The other 98% of us have to put up with such biased focus and reporting.

Just remember there is more good going on in the world at any given moment than there is bad. And for certain do not judge others based on the isolated few.

Boomers, younger than Boomers, older than Boomers....whatever. The only problem I have with any are the ones who come here and start wanting to change things to suit themselves or the way it was "back home". The Villages lifestyle is what attracted most, if not all, of us in the first place. Obviously, the developers have found what works. Let's just leave it that way.

As several on here have stated, The Villages is not for everyone. If not, then those who can't/won't adjust are free to go elsewhere. Non of us were forced to move here and are not forced to stay here.

Our force for staying is that we love it here. Do we like everything? No, but respect the fact that others do like what we don't. That's what makes it so great.

We may be older than Boomers, but that just means we were born before them. I know of no one who had any say about that part of life! Age is just a number and uncontrollable. Attitude is not and is controllable or at the very least, adjustable.

How can anyone change the way things are and why would they ? If you mean by changing things through their actions or demeanor there is nothing you or I can do about that. People seek their own level of satisfaction in their own way with or without our input. I'm not sure I fully understand what you are saying.

Excellent attitude and assessment.

Nicely stated.
Attitude; The lubricant that makes it all work!!