[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

In my experience, only unhappy people talk about Kool-aide. I never felt "Kool-aide", and I still love living here after many years.

I feel the same way. I was never smitten by the "kool-aide". Just saw with my own two eyes how gorgeous this place is and the super friendly people that live here.

[MandoMan]

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”?

I READ a lot more negative things here and other places than I HEAR from people who live here. I only rarely hear complaints, except about drivers who don’t use turn signals annd don’t know how to use roundabouts and things like that. I love it here, after purchasing three years ago, and so do most of the people I know. I don’t recall anyone here telling me that moving here was a mistake.

However, when I tell people elsewhere where I live, usually the first thing people mention is the high rate of STDs. What utter nonsense! Yet that is what the media tells people because it keeps people watching through the next advertisement. Never mind that it is false. You’ll have to live with it. Just tell people it’s libel and slander and not at all like that. People are quick to believe lies these days. Fortunately, it’s also easier to do fact-checking and find out the truth.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

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

Forbes has always sucked, professionals no longer read that rag

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

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.

What are the "real bad" aspects of living here? I am curious to see what you think is so bad about this community.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by lpkruege1

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.

Interesting perspective, for sure.

With all the negatives about TV circulating out there, you'd think people would be avoiding the place like the plague. Instead, TV is far and away the largest retirement community not only in America but in the world, and growth continues unabated. There are retirees here from all 50 states as well as many foreign countries. There are well over 4,000 foreign nationals living here: we've met people from the UK, Ireland, France, Canada, Italy, The Philippines, Thailand, and Chile, and will probably meet many more.

So--just think of how fast this place would be growing if only the POSITIVES were included in media and word-of-mouth.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by 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

Absolutely! If they want to believe the crap they read in the wild west of journalism, and the won't believe someone who actually lives there, and the more the cognitive dissonance you create, the harder they will back their beliefs, (human bias 101) you might as well play up their beliefs to the absurd . .

my similar post might have been a bit more crude, but just just human psychology, people have inertia and the same with information bias, so go with it.

Doesn't matter what you believe or that you have actual experience, it's about how they look at their world, and how they are now being proven idiots for believing some conspiracy theory. . . and you now know that they are particularly gullible so play it up!~

near future former corporate guy

[jojo]

Several people I've met or read about are here because someone told them about The Villages on a cruise. I think it's a surprising number.

[ThomasMur]

Great reply

[Psacc0]

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”?

S.T.D. ? Yep, stands for “Stuff To Do’….. yes, there’s lots of that!!!

[msilagy]

First of all YES I have faced that everywhere I go. This is not personal just due to the bad publicity, written and on videos. The villages has a bad reputation if you read these articles and watch those videos. Before I left Illinois to come back in Oct after my 5 month summer break, a lady said "the villages is a terrible place." How awful. It's a losing proposition unless they visit or move here. My one caveat is the word "bubble". I hate that word when referring to the villages!

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

I feel the same way. I was never smitten by the "kool-aide". Just saw with my own two eyes how gorgeous this place is and the super friendly people that live here.

I started coming here as a guest of friends up north, who bought in Largo when Largo was brand new. This was in 2007 (or so). I had seen ads for TV, (on TV), and had formed an image from the ads of basically a trailer park with a 9 hole golf course. However, when I drove up Morse from 466A, up to Largo, and saw the Havana golf course on either side, I was immediately impressed.

We visited a few more times as retirement approached, and when it did arrive we started to snowbird. One thing that struck me about living here long term is that it is really set up as a place to live, not as a resort.

I think that people who've come for a few days, and then move here, may often go through a phase of realization that life is life, and life is not vacation. You still have to buy groceries, and you get sick, and stuff breaks and you have to fix it and you have bills, maybe you miss the kids, or the grandkids, etc. Vacation is about leaving all of the heavy baggage of life at home for a few days. Life is about dragging it around with you. It follows us from wherever we come.

In a few, a relatively small number, some find that disenchanting, and blame it on the wearing off of the Kool-Ade, but most recognize that life is life, and TV is a pretty good place to live it, even if it isn't perfect.

As far as STDs, I tell people that in my experience, unless you can catch one playing cards or pickleball, it's a lot more work to get an STD than it is to avoid one.

[dewilson58]

One Word.................Ignorance.

Two Words...............Who Cares.

[remarks006]

The reality is that there are many good things about the Villages and many bad. That’s reality. Golf cart accessible, lots to do and low assessments compared to many places in Florida.

Downside is the hyped up theatrical stuff. Grown adults trying to pretend they are belly dancers, hula dancers, twirlers, ballet dancers etc. Many just don’t realize how foolish they look but sadly they need to play all over the villages thinking they are stars. Theater productions are a little ridiculous too. Old people playing parts in West side story and grease??? Really? But if we want good theater we go to Orlando and we try to ignore the poor wannabes who need attention. It’s a small price to pay when you get so many other benefits.

[TOMCAT]

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”?

I cannot understand why anyone would say anything negative to anyone about where one lives unless they are trying to make the person feel bad. It is rude to downplay a person’s lifestyle or way of living unless it is hurting that person. The Villages is a lovely place to live. Please do not let these spoilers burst your bubble or ruin your party. They sound like they are miserable.

[Jean G]

I would simply stay at that. It’s only as good as each person makes it. It’s the same no matter where anyone lives. We just have some extra opportunities to make it great.