[Mrs S]

I get the same reaction from everyone I’ve told that we are moving to The Villages.

It’s not that I care what they think, it’s just that I’m so tired of hearing the same thing about STDs and swingers and I’m tired of getting the picture of what each colored loofa means. Enough!!

When I’ve tried to defend The Villages saying it’s rumors by some people who don’t even live there they will argue back that they know someone who lives there and they verify that it’s all true.

So bottom line is I don’t care what people think but I’m sick of hearing all the negative rumors so I have started saying that we’re moving to Central Florida just outside of Orlando.

[me4vt]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m still a fairly new Villages resident. I took my first vacation since moving here (two week Caribbean cruise). While on the cruise, I proudly told people I had just moved to Florida, and The Villages in particular. Gushed enthusiastically, as I talked about my beautiful new retirement home. Over and over, was met with people questioning my decision, asking if I had done my “homework” ahead of time, and stating that my “honeymoon”will soon wear off. I asked these folks if they had ever visited the Villages - none of them had, but all seemed to have a very strong opinion, mostly negative about The Villages. It became tiresome, having to dispute the false rumors and erroneous stats that they spewed out. It became evident that these strangers did not want me to be happy with my new community and decision I had made. I was frankly taken back that so many people wanted me to feel bad. I guess this is something I will have to get to used to. After awhile, I just told people I was from Central Florida near Orlando, and left it at that. Has anyone else experience this when traveling outside of ‘The Bubble”?

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[me4vt]

Originally Posted by Retiring

I have encountered the identical situation. Mostly family members. As soon as I say The Villages, they quickly walk me into a corner of the room and tell me all about TV. How this is the STD capital of the universe and there are orgies going on everywhere and people having sex in the square. I did a ton of homework on TV before I built here. I was in my early 50s and knew I had some time till I can live here. I’ve now been here one year. In my search I found the citation about STDs, turns out it was a joke that got out of hand. It ended up in a newspaper/internet and still lives today. The orgy thing came from a book written about TV. The author interviewed bartenders from the squares, these bartenders are often hired for private parties, which were actually orgies. As for sex in the square, it’s true, and the couple was arrested. I remind my cousins or aunts or uncles, TV is a small city with all the goes with the title of city. Yes, there is crime, I don’t recall the village but I remember the neighbor that shot 30 rounds through the neighbor’s front door. Yes, I’m sure there are orgies but no different than any other city. I bought here for the positives which far outnumber the negatives. When someone starts in on how horrible The Villages is. I ask where they got their information, it’s always the internet, then I give a sarcastic grin and say, then it must be true. I too no longer say I live in TV. I tell people I’m just south of Ocala or about 90 mins north of Orlando. If they press, I’ll say The Villages.

If only it were a Sex Utopia 😌

[jparsoneau@aol.com]

No need to defend anything to anybody. if you like it be happy and if you don’t like it move. There’s a lot of people here I’m happy to meet and there’s a few. I wish didn’t live here but I don’t hang out with those people nor do I worry about them. To each their own and there will always be jealousy and hatred no matter where you go or what you do.

[lpkruege1]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m still a fairly new Villages resident. I took my first vacation since moving here (two week Caribbean cruise). While on the cruise, I proudly told people I had just moved to Florida, and The Villages in particular. Gushed enthusiastically, as I talked about my beautiful new retirement home. Over and over, was met with people questioning my decision, asking if I had done my “homework” ahead of time, and stating that my “honeymoon”will soon wear off. I asked these folks if they had ever visited the Villages - none of them had, but all seemed to have a very strong opinion, mostly negative about The Villages. It became tiresome, having to dispute the false rumors and erroneous stats that they spewed out. It became evident that these strangers did not want me to be happy with my new community and decision I had made. I was frankly taken back that so many people wanted me to feel bad. I guess this is something I will have to get to used to. After awhile, I just told people I was from Central Florida near Orlando, and left it at that. Has anyone else experience this when traveling outside of ‘The Bubble”?

People would rather believe the lies than the truth. WE are in the evil state of Florida where politicians are killing the rest of the country. We are in the stone ages of indoctrination, and wokeness. My god, we took on Disney. How could anyone think we'd move here. Tell them all its horrid living here. Encourage them not to come. You and I, and most of the rest of us will be less crowded and happier not dealing with their negativity. Be happy and let them be miserable. Welcome to our happy place.

[MidWestIA]

There is NO PLACE in north America that has more things to do for seniors and where they put alot of effort into keeping it nice. You live in a resort and when they get older the have to go to a nursing home you just drive your golf cart around here.

[Ptmckiou]

I do run in to the negative comments from others. They are always based in ignorance. I just look at them and say, “You know there is a reason why The Villages has continued for a full decade to always be rated at number #1, or #2, on the Forbes best retirement communities and the fastest growing community in America.” That stops them because they can’t argue raw data results, that The Villages is in demand.

[dlebuis]

Right on!

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m still a fairly new Villages resident. I took my first vacation since moving here (two week Caribbean cruise). While on the cruise, I proudly told people I had just moved to Florida, and The Villages in particular. Gushed enthusiastically, as I talked about my beautiful new retirement home. Over and over, was met with people questioning my decision, asking if I had done my “homework” ahead of time, and stating that my “honeymoon”will soon wear off. I asked these folks if they had ever visited the Villages - none of them had, but all seemed to have a very strong opinion, mostly negative about The Villages. It became tiresome, having to dispute the false rumors and erroneous stats that they spewed out. It became evident that these strangers did not want me to be happy with my new community and decision I had made. I was frankly taken back that so many people wanted me to feel bad. I guess this is something I will have to get to used to. After awhile, I just told people I was from Central Florida near Orlando, and left it at that. Has anyone else experience this when traveling outside of ‘The Bubble”?

easily - most laugh or chuckle or make the STD jokes..... and usually I agree with them. It's definitely not shangrila and I'll never defend it. I do understand the entire 'machine' not worth defending I'm just here to make some bucks and leave. Honestly I've found nothing to get excited about like everyone else. it's a place to live that's all. no big deal. has it's good, it's bad, it's real bad. just like anywhere else.

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m still a fairly new Villages resident. I took my first vacation since moving here (two week Caribbean cruise). While on the cruise, I proudly told people I had just moved to Florida, and The Villages in particular. Gushed enthusiastically, as I talked about my beautiful new retirement home. Over and over, was met with people questioning my decision, asking if I had done my “homework” ahead of time, and stating that my “honeymoon”will soon wear off. I asked these folks if they had ever visited the Villages - none of them had, but all seemed to have a very strong opinion, mostly negative about The Villages. It became tiresome, having to dispute the false rumors and erroneous stats that they spewed out. It became evident that these strangers did not want me to be happy with my new community and decision I had made. I was frankly taken back that so many people wanted me to feel bad. I guess this is something I will have to get to used to. After awhile, I just told people I was from Central Florida near Orlando, and left it at that. Has anyone else experience this when traveling outside of ‘The Bubble”?

Yeah, there is a "honeymoon phase" but it is what you make it. The swingers/std negative comments never go away but haters will hate and they're not needed here anyway. The bubble is what it is. You're glad to get out for a while but happier to come back. Just be you and enjoy your experiences! Welcome!

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by Ptmckiou

I do run in to the negative comments from others. They are always based in ignorance. I just look at them and say, “You know there is a reason why The Villages has continued for a full decade to always be rated at number #1, or #2, on the Forbes best retirement communities and the fastest growing community in America.” That stops them because they can’t argue raw data results, that The Villages is in demand.

why is it that everyone in TV counts on Forbes for ratings??? Forbes is rarely accurate in anything like ranking things.

[Mikee1]

When they tell you of the sex parties, sex in the squares, loofahs, key swapping, etc, etc, look them dead in the eye and say, I know, that is exactly why I moved there. Followed by, you eyeing them up and down and saying you look pretty good, wanna get a drink.

The responses should be better than the evening comedy shows on the ship.

Enjoy

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by MX rider

Well said. I hear what the OP describes now and then as well. Most have never been there or know anything at all about the place.

We bought last March and will be snowbirds next October when both of us will be retired. We spend as much time there as our time off allows, and we love it more each time we're there.
We love our neighborhood in Amelia and our neighbors.
TV fits our active lifestyle perfectly. But as with anything in life, it's not for everyone. My SIL lives in Dell Webb/Stonecreek in Ocala and they like it. We visited them there and thought it was very boring.
But they thought TV was too busy. lol

There's a happy place for everyone, you just have to find it. Although some people really don't want to be happy.

There is no such thing as "too busy". You can stay as busy as you like or stay away from the activities if you prefer a quieter lifestyle. It is a choice everyone can make who decides to live here. Other retirement communities don't offer nearly as much so the opportunity is not there to be busy.

[Malsua]

When I bought down here, I got the old "Did you know, TV is the STD...." routine. To which I dispelled it immediately.

That said, I've had friends come to visit us and they come away with "Now I understand".

The best was when my wife's parents stayed at our rental property for a week.

They have been all over Florida for the past 60 years, and my FIL's parents moved to Fort Meyers at some point in the 70s. They know Florida quite well.

They were astonished by TV. They simply had NO IDEA. They weren't the old trope/gossip types, they just figured my wife and I moved to a place with some pools and a couple golf courses.

Now they're planning to come back. It only took us 4 years to convince them to come, now they want to come back . They are in their late 80s, so travel is tiresome for them, but they can come when they want.

The fact remains, you really can't judge TV until you've spent some time here.

[mikempp]

Yes I noticed that, especially from a past owner that sold his property cheap when the economy was down, pure jealousy.