Originally Posted by Cheiro (Post 2185404)

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.

Originally Posted by Lisanp@aol.com (Post 2185410)

My response is always “If you never tried ice cream, you would say it looks slimy, I’m not eating that! And, if there really are all these sex parties going on how come no one is inviting me? The villages is too much fun! You should come see!”

Originally Posted by Darield (Post 2185413)

We've now been here 51/2 years. We came from Monument, CO although we lived in Co Springs for quite a few years. I've had both positive and negative responses. If someone comments that they are looking at the Villages to retire, my cheerleading attitude comes out. I finally borrowed the book that started all the rumors and stopped about 3/4 the way through.

There is no perfect place, but for us, it has been a great place to live. The most positive thing I can say is the hundreds of choices available to live an active and interesting life. I have pursued old hobbies, I have learned new hobbies, there are numerous places to volunteer or just donate to worthy causes. And most of all, it is a wonderful place to meet people and make new friends. Like any other place in the US, we have some crime and rude and unsavory people, but a large percentage people here watch out for each other and their neighborhoods.

Originally Posted by LarryD (Post 2185425)

I think people that have not been to the villages for a visit often read or see one of the hit pieces floating around that depicts the villages in not a good light and believe the nonsense. It is not perfect but it has exceeded our expectations and we have not seen any community we like better so far.

Originally Posted by coleprice (Post 2185433)

Since moving to The Villages 2 years ago, my wife and I have visited two resorts for 4 to 5 day stays. We didn't meet anyone that had anything negative to say about The Villages. However, we found that the lovely resorts that we visited weren't nearly as nice as the resort in which we live - The Villages. I suspect that the people that you met that had negative opinions of The Villages saw the ridiculous documentary released a couple of years ago that featured people that were far from the typical Villages that we are acquainted with. The documentary's producers were so desperate to negatively depict The Villages that they even featured a homeless guy living in his van looking for a rich woman to take care of her.

Originally Posted by coffeebean (Post 2185438)

What you consider a "downside" is an upside for me. I don't do any of that stuff you mentioned but it certainly is wonderful for those who do partake in that "theatrical stuff". Think about it. Those folks who you feel look silly are moving and not sitting stagnant like so many seniors wind up doing when that "theatrical stuff" is not an option for them.

Yes, it is sort of weird to see a senior Danny and Sandy but what the heck? It gets people out of the house and enjoying something other than watching TV. Believe me, I know what great theater is. Hubby and I lived in the NY area many years and we went to many Broadway theater productions, mostly musicals. I still enjoy the pro am productions here in The Villages. That is what is so wonderful about this place, if you don't want to partake.......you don't have to.

Originally Posted by miharris (Post 2185451)

I've pretty much given up trying to describe the villages. I just invite them to visit via the lifestyle visit. I have run across several people who have negative pre-conceived notions. I don't bother arguing, I just try to correct any false information and leave it at that.

Originally Posted by Garywt (Post 2185483)

Good for you for loving where you live. We love being in the Villages as well. We have spent our entire lives in Massachusetts. No matter what others might think about it, the Villages is what you make of it and everyone likes different things. Not really sure why people don’t like it there. You get a nice house with more activities than anywhere else for a lot less money. Think about the house you have lived in your whole life, you probably had a house, yard and a driveway and maybe 1 pool. Most people did not live in a place that you could drive a golf cart on the streets. With everything that is offered, what is not to love.

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy (Post 2185488)

I love your response to the std comments...gonna have to try that. You hear that comment all of the time, just a wild rumor that won't die. It's crazy!

As for TV..
Does everybody wish it was a little less hot and humid in the summer? Does everybody wish there was less traffic? I mean, no place is perfect but this place is pretty darn good. Easily the best place we've ever seen. If we knew of a better place we'd move there, right?

Joe

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2185063)

I am not a fan of Florida. I lived in Florida years ago for a brief period of time and hated it then too. I've visited Florida almost yearly from the time my grandparents retired here in the 70's. I was mostly a-political (disinterested entirely) up until only the last decade or so.

My reasoning for not wanting to move to the Villages had nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with Florida.

That said, we ended up in The Villages, despite my objections to the state. Living here three years, I can say, quite objectively, that the Villages is a lovely facade. It is a beautifully painted picture. I am very happy with the idea of the Villages. I also love my particular neighborhood, and its proximity to everything I need. I love that it's a golf-cart community, and in fact I consider driving around in the golf cart to be one of the biggest highlights of the "Lifestyle." Getting out into the cart even for mundane tasks like going to a doctor's appointment always puts a smile on my face.

I love dancing in the square. I love that overall atmosphere, of healthy active older adults just getting together and having a wonderful time.

Sometimes the less attractive aspects of the Villages demographics is hard to get past. Sometimes - it is ugly. And actually there is an undercurrent of ugliness all the time. But most of the time it's easy to overlook and not be reminded forcefully that it exists.

As long as we can do that - overlook the thin film of ugliness that pervades beneath the surface - it's easy to really love living here. When that underside breaks through and becomes pervasive, I find it difficult to enjoy living here. Thankfully that doesn't happen often.

I even like the rain during rainy season. I hate hate hate the hotter humid summer temperatures which can last several months (as opposed to heat waves up north that might last a few weeks).

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 (Post 2185128)

Lately I have said "Hello" or "Good morning" to people when I was walking and only about 1/3 bother to even respond.

Originally Posted by coffeebean (Post 2185354)

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

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”?

Originally Posted by Cheiro (Post 2185404)

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.

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 billethkid (Post 2185599)

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.

____________________________________________

:censored:

Originally Posted by LuvNH (Post 2185461)

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.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2185528)

The summer HEAT for one. Others are pretty minor.

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”?