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 ThirdOfFive (Post 2185034)

Of course. But consider the source. Of course people whose only experience about The Villages comes from reading or watching media are going to have a negative opinion, for a very obvious reason: negativity, sensationalism and (perhaps most of all) sleaze sell publications and generate hits, both of which make money for the author and the medium involved. You will never read articles, other than an occasional local blurb, about a certain church, through "Operation Christmas Child", filling over one hundred THOUSAND shoe boxes filled with hygiene items, school supplies and "fun things" that are then distributed to needy children in many third-world countries. You won't read about the regular donations many area churches make to the food shelves of the surrounding community. You won't read about neighborhoods organizing to help one another with tasks such as pet-sitting, helping with various tasks, arranging and/or offering rides to fellow community members for necessities such as shopping, medical supplies, etc. That is merely the very small tip of a very large iceberg when it comes to all the positive things that happen here on a regular basis.

So--keep on gushing the positives. I do, at every opportunity.

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 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 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 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 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 Wondering (Post 2185409)

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 remarks006 (Post 2185365)

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.