Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2185526)

That WAS interesting. I knew that there were folks here that like heat and humidity. I wonder if they are in the majority or do the majority spend summer afternoons parked in front of the TV or maybe they go to Yoga some of the myriad other exercise and self-improvement classes in the afternoon?
......Maybe someone could do a survey here on that?

Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2185021)

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”?

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2185539)

That's still more than a lot of places in the US.

Originally Posted by Mikee1 (Post 2185343)

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

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 (Post 2185575)

I found the people in Twin Cities very friendly for the most part. Other places not so much. We or I lived in the Milwaukee area; Reno, Nevada; Scottsdale, AZ; Provo, UT; Denver, CO; Belmont, CA; Pleasanton, California - Wikipedia; Itasca, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Palm Harbor, FL; and here in the Villages since June or so of 2005.

Originally Posted by kendi (Post 2185402)

Maybe your “gushing” had something to do with it. That would be irritating.

Originally Posted by Wondering (Post 2185409)

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.

Originally Posted by Warcats (Post 2185424)

Wow opinions without experiencing seems to be a southern custom. I get the same thing.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2185448)

IMO there is only ONE MAIN reason to NOT like the Villages and it is NOT even the Village's Fault. The problem has to do with Scientists' predictions for the continuous warming of Fl. , the US, and the whole globe for the next 30 years. I won't beat up this subject more than it has already been beaten up in the recent past. But, personally, I have difficulty being outdoors and doing any activity (except maybe swimming) in the afternoon SUMMER sun. Some other people say that they love the HEAT and HUMIDITY. So, for me, that is about 6 months out of the year and about 8 hours of EACH summer day that I am RELAGATED to the indoors.
......Apparently, people that are snowbirds or full-year residents that LOVE heat and humidity - tend to disagree with me?

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive (Post 2185355)

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.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2185528)

The summer HEAT for one. Others are pretty minor.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2185532)

Right off the top of my head, I would say look into Sedona, AZ. Portland, Or. used to be nice, have not been there in 7 years. Couer d'Alene in Idaho is nice but pricey. Spokane Wa. is nice and more affordable. The Finger Lakes region of Western NY is very nice, but may be pricey now? There is a retirement center southeast of Seattle, Wa. that a friend of mine says is nice with lots of things to do. I have never been there personally.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2185545)

Summer heat and humidity.

Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2185021)

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”?