Originally Posted by MDLNB (Post 1214093)

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.

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1212961)

While noshing at Panera in LSL we overhead a 70ish couple telling an acquaintance why they were moving from TV back to West Palm. Apparently it's the unfriendly neighborhood boomers that although may be personable are not neighborhood social. " they have ruined TV" he complained in not too low of a voice. The acquaintance turned to leave and gave us a somewhat understandable look. Well, I was a bit taken back but composed myself knowing it wasn't personal. But, it got me thinking ? Was his experience isolated to his neighborhood or is it widespread ? Being here only 4 times a year for a week at a time doesn't give me a true sense.

Originally Posted by billethkid (Post 1214155)

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.

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1212961)

While noshing at Panera in LSL we overhead a 70ish couple telling an acquaintance why they were moving from TV back to West Palm. Apparently it's the unfriendly neighborhood boomers that although may be personable are not neighborhood social. " they have ruined TV" he complained in not too low of a voice. The acquaintance turned to leave and gave us a somewhat understandable look. Well, I was a bit taken back but composed myself knowing it wasn't personal. But, it got me thinking ? Was his experience isolated to his neighborhood or is it widespread ? Being here only 4 times a year for a week at a time doesn't give me a true sense.

Originally Posted by DigitalGranny (Post 1214189)

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!

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1212961)

While noshing at Panera in LSL we overhead a 70ish couple telling an acquaintance why they were moving from TV back to West Palm. Apparently it's the unfriendly neighborhood boomers that although may be personable are not neighborhood social. " they have ruined TV" he complained in not too low of a voice. The acquaintance turned to leave and gave us a somewhat understandable look. Well, I was a bit taken back but composed myself knowing it wasn't personal. But, it got me thinking ? Was his experience isolated to his neighborhood or is it widespread ? Being here only 4 times a year for a week at a time doesn't give me a true sense.

Originally Posted by rosemaryly (Post 1214547)

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.

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1212961)

While noshing at Panera in LSL we overhead a 70ish couple telling an acquaintance why they were moving from TV back to West Palm. Apparently it's the unfriendly neighborhood boomers that although may be personable are not neighborhood social. " they have ruined TV" he complained in not too low of a voice. The acquaintance turned to leave and gave us a somewhat understandable look. Well, I was a bit taken back but composed myself knowing it wasn't personal. But, it got me thinking ? Was his experience isolated to his neighborhood or is it widespread ? Being here only 4 times a year for a week at a time doesn't give me a true sense.

Originally Posted by Chi-Town (Post 1212991)

Baby boomers are anywhere from 52 to 70. That is the major Villages demograpic now. There is a difference between boomers and those older, but chalk it up to having different perspectives growing up. But we all came here for the same reason, and that is the major unifying factor.