[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Cheiro

Hi, If you enjoy living in The Villages, that is all that matters. Other folk's opinion is just that. As with any kind of massive development of this kind, The Villages has had an equally massive impact on what was originally a rather rural area. While I do not live in The Villages, I have lived next door to it for the past 15 years and have seen the changes to the area it has created, the good, the bad & the ugly. I cannot say my view of The Villages is a positive one because of that impact. I suggest you read a book called "Leisureville," by Andrew Blechman. It was written over 10 years ago, but it does lay out the nature of what The Villages is all about. Best wishes for your retirement years.

It's about population per square mile. And when IS too much, too much. I have been in Alaska in the summer. You can have a wonderful time anywhere around Anchorage. They had multi-use paths 20 years ago. Bikes and rollerblades in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. I don't remember any Golf Carts there, but it has been about 15 years ago for me. Saw plenty of bears, moose, wild goats, and wild sheep. Lot's of insects in low areas and no snakes or gators. Also, the fishing was good, and Arctic Grayling taste better than trout. And it is possible to find GOLD still today.
......My point is that increased human density does NOT equate to increase "quality of life". And Alaska has great secondary schools for children. In many ways, Alaska is more like Europe than the lower 48.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Wondering

You said it best at the end of your post - you live in a "Bubble". That's why people you met questioned your choice. I've lived here since 2005. I was enthusiastic about living here when I first arrived but over the last ten years, I see the Bubble downside about The Villages. Just take a look at the Daily Sun "newspaper". Most residents are on Social Security and Medicare, yet support representatives who want to cut those programs.

We stopped the Daily Sun about 6 years ago. I only read the comics and the paper did NOT even have the best comic........Doonesberry. It was too controversial for our TV Land FRAGILE minds.

[billethkid]

The alleged unending growth of TV has devolved into an urban legend that is feeding upon itself.

I sometimes wonder what those who dislike the "growth" thought about or knew or expected when they chose to move here.

Academic thoughts no answers required...jeers as usual will be ignored.

____________________________________________

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by billethkid

The alleged unending growth of TV has devolved into an urban legend that is feeding upon itself.

I sometimes wonder what those who dislike the "growth" thought about or knew or expected when they chose to move here.

Academic thoughts no answers required...jeers as usual will be ignored.

____________________________________________

Other communities have stopped the growth of the Villages east and north; but it is still growing to the south and southwest.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by LuvNH

Has anyone ever wondered why this retirement experiment has never been tried in other country. There has to be a reason that the USA is the ONLY country with a massive retirement community. I would have thought Spain or Portugal or even Italy would have been interested in this experiment in living into your old age.

Is it something to do with the fact that other countries like living around family into their old age. OR is it the huge difference in weather from north to south in this country. For instance, you make your income in the big cities and then move to the sunshine State. There must be plenty of other people who have actually studied this ..... interesting to hear what you think.

Why would people in the US enjoy living in a retirement "bubble" more than say people in Sweden, Denmark, or New Zealand? I would say that it is BECAUSE the US has more DIVERSITY. Diversity has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is better circulation of IDEAS - mainly during people's employment years.
.......The disadvantage of living in a diverse neighborhood is LESS safety and security, which are prime HUMAN needs. Retired people living together gives primarily safety and security, but also allows people of very SIMILAR age and economic status to function better with like-minded retired people. A yoga class, for example, has participants at about the same skill level. Also, for sports activities, each participant is COMPETING against similar-age players. A 25-year-old softball player would be MUCH too superior to a 60-year-old player. For 25-year-olds, they would have to move the fences back 30 yards.
.........I believe that Sweden, Denmark and etc have a more homogeneous (less diverse) SOCIETY which allows them to function more smoothly in DIVERSE age groups than COULD the GENERAL (ALL AGES) population in the US. So, the US has formed RETIREMENT communities and The Villages is larger than any European equivalent.

[Tblue]

My brother in law brought up the STD thing about 8 years ago, he was serous. My response was, well those old people are not just sitting around playing Bingo or knitting. It took him back a little, then a more reasonable conversation followed about how it was a very old story, and the STD rate here is similar to other communities with our age group.

[Garywt]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

The summer HEAT for one. Others are pretty minor.

Up north we stay inside during the winter, in Florida you stay inside during the summer.

[tophcfa]

We need a vender at market night in the town squares that sells t shirts that say “defend this” with a middle finger sticking up : )

[Shelby62]

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”?

When I hear those ridiculous STD comments, I tell them that's why The Villages puts Penicillin in the beer! We both bust out laughing and they realize how absurd their opinion was!

[Bitsee]

Unfortunately the Villages Euphoria for us wore off in about 5 years.

Continually expanding, overcrowded, supply and demand , boisterous rude drunken people , rising Political intensity, senior scams, cranky self centered old men, cranky self absorbed old women, rising crime in that area, sub-standerd Healthcare, exorbitant dental care.... just to name a few of the current red flag reality checks.

We often invited our friends and family from Wisconsin to come down to TV on several occasions and even offered to pay thier Air fare believe it or not.

Answer always...No Way, not for us !
Alot of folks perceived our giddiness over TV as " Bragging Rights " and they could of cared less about Florida, much less The Villages lifestyle.

We ultimately decided not to disclose to strangers that we lived there, we just state that we are from the Central Fl area if anyone asks us now.

It is so sad but true, we had some wonderful times there ...15 years ago....

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Bitsee

Unfortunately the Villages Euphoria for us wore off in about 5 years.

Continually expanding, overcrowded, supply and demand , boisterous rude drunken people , rising Political intensity, senior scams, cranky self centered old men, cranky self absorbed old women, rising crime in that area, sub-standerd Healthcare, exorbitant dental care.... just to name a few of the current red flag reality checks.

We often invited our friends and family from Wisconsin to come down to TV on several occasions and even offered to pay thier Air fare believe it or not.

Answer always...No Way, not for us !
Alot of folks perceived our giddiness over TV as " Bragging Rights " and they could of cared less about Florida, much less The Villages lifestyle.

We ultimately decided not to disclose to strangers that we lived there, we just state that we are from the Central Fl area if anyone asks us now.

It is so sad but true, we had some wonderful times there ...15 years ago....

We have been here since June of 2005 and I still like the Villages. Mainly because we got very lucky with our neighbors.

[Sheri]

For over a decade I’ve dreamed of buying a home in TV and that dream became a reality 3 weeks ago. Whenever I was asked where I wanted to retire and spoke enthusiastically about TV I received “that look” or comments about STD’s, orgies and swingers. I came up with the perfect response and it works every time. With a big smile and a laugh I say “I’m so glad you heard that rumor! Please do me a favor and keep spreading it because it’s getting really crowded and I wish less people would move to TV”.

[thevillagernie]

Originally Posted by Hardlyworking

I haven’t, but I’ve found that some people lead miserable lives and can’t stand to see anyone be happy.

I've been gone from tv for 3 years ..when I tell people I lived there I watch there expression and there all negative,....I loved it there If you like it don't worry what they say .

[bowlingal]

I wish we were having as much fun as these other people think we're having

[MidWestIA]

Let em prattle on - there is NO PLACE with more to do than here. And golf carts mean even when you are old and can't drive a car you can still get by on a golf cart. I have to admit seeing a bunch of old people in one place kinda shocks me sometimes - it's like oh yeah I'm old