[TerriScott]

The friendliest Town around? Well that is a matter of opinion. We have lived here for a year. We love our home and all the things that go on around The Villages. We have a problem with what people think about our age and pets. I have been told so many times at the pool, "you're not old enough to live here. How did they let you in?" We are 55, and take that as a compliment, but we are old enough to live in this lovely place regardless of other's opinions. Because we look younger, we have to continuously heard unrequested comments and after a while one gets tired of trying to explain.

Some residents go out of their way to make us feel unwelcome. It's not just a few people at the pool everyday but it is the people who live around us too. Our neighbors. Oh what a lovely pleasure that can be!!

When you have a neighbor who doesn't like your dogs they can be unattractive in their opinions and try everyway possible to make your life miserable. You can be reported if the dog gets off leash or just barks too loudly. When company arrives of course the dog barks to let you know someone is at the door. If the dog touches a blade of their grass when you are walking, neighbor's are commenting under their breath--comments that we will just leave unsaid.

Why can't we mind our own business and live in peace with each other? Good grief, we are supposed to be adults not petty children wanting to get our own way because we don't like or are afraid of animals or are totally rude and say things about your age. I actually hear these complaints all the time in the clubs and activities I attend. For the most part people are very social and pleasant to one another here but it only takes one to be the sour grape. People on here say, "don't like it here, well then leave." Well that goes both ways. Now, just how is this the friendliest town around?

[villagetinker]

Terri,

I am sorry that you are having these 'problems". While my wife and I are 65, we both look younger, but I have never encountered what you describe, and according the the Florida requirements for a retirement community, ONLY 80% of the residents must be 65 or older. My hats off to you for being able to retire at 55 and enjoy the lifestyle. I would offer you a house near us (we are cat people), but the last house to my knowledge sold 2 months ago.
I hope that you can come to an understanding with the neighbors, and see if you can come up with a cute come back for "your not old enough" crowd.
This is a great place to live.

[Sandtrap328]

How have you tried to make yourself more welcome? Invite neighbors over for a Christmas party and show them you have Villages spirit!

Organize a neighborhood driveway party or neighborhood golf or dinner group.

Keep your dog on the leash and off their yards.

[Buffalo Jim]

Sorry to learn that you are encountering such a " cold " / antagonistic environment .
Where did you relocate from ?

[tippyclubb]

I am sorry you are experiencing this unfriendly behavior. I understand all too well about the neighbors and often said I live on the most unfriendly street in The Villages. It's very odd and I was extremely disappointed after moving here. There's people on this street that won't wave, say hello, or look at me. I am in my late fifties and perhaps it is my age. Who knows, and I can't figure it out and I'm done trying.

I can tell you we have met some wonderful friendly people when we're out and about. There are plenty of nice people around and I wish you luck with meeting some soon. Don't let the rude nasty people get you down as they dislike seeing others happy. Don't waste your energy with them, instead focus upon the friendly ones you run across.

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by TerriScott

The friendliest Town around? Well that is a matter of opinion. We have lived here for a year. We love our home and all the things that go on around The Villages. We have a problem with what people think about our age and pets. I have been told so many times at the pool, "you're not old enough to live here. How did they let you in?" We are 55, and take that as a compliment, but we are old enough to live in this lovely place regardless of other's opinions. Because we look younger, we have to continuously heard unrequested comments and after a while one gets tired of trying to explain.

Some residents go out of their way to make us feel unwelcome. It's not just a few people at the pool everyday but it is the people who live around us too. Our neighbors. Oh what a lovely pleasure that can be!!

When you have a neighbor who doesn't like your dogs they can be unattractive in their opinions and try everyway possible to make your life miserable. You can be reported if the dog gets off leash or just barks too loudly. When company arrives of course the dog barks to let you know someone is at the door. If the dog touches a blade of their grass when you are walking, neighbor's are commenting under their breath--comments that we will just leave unsaid.

Why can't we mind our own business and live in peace with each other? Good grief, we are supposed to be adults not petty children wanting to get our own way because we don't like or are afraid of animals or are totally rude and say things about your age. I actually hear these complaints all the time in the clubs and activities I attend. For the most part people are very social and pleasant to one another here but it only takes one to be the sour grape. People on here say, "don't like it here, well then leave." Well that goes both ways. Now, just how is this the friendliest town around?

You write "why can't we mind our own business and live in peace with each other. A good start to that would be to be a lot more responsible. Don't let your dog get off the leash and perhaps frighten your neighbors, don't let your dog bark excessively and disturb your neighbors, and keep your dog off other peoples property if they have indicated to you that they don't want your dog on their property. It seems to me that the entire tone of your post was that you were annoyed because people were getting annoyed at you.

[TerriScott]

Dog lover I take?

[TerriScott]

We have met great people here. As I said before it is very disappointing to move here and find others so unfriendly. We are from northern Florida and have never had any problems with our neighbors wherever we have been. Here, we have one neighbor that we can't do anything right regarding our pets and other neighbors telling us that we have great animals. Just wanted to vent. Didn't really expect any nice responses but thank you for the time.

[Miles42]

To bad you can not know your neighbors before you move in but isn't that the case in most places? Don't let a few idiots ruin your time here.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Terri,

I am sorry that you are having these 'problems". While my wife and I are 65, we both look younger, but I have never encountered what you describe, and according the the Florida requirements for a retirement community, ONLY 80% of the residents must be 65 or older. My hats off to you for being able to retire at 55 and enjoy the lifestyle. I would offer you a house near us (we are cat people), but the last house to my knowledge sold 2 months ago.
I hope that you can come to an understanding with the neighbors, and see if you can come up with a cute come back for "your not old enough" crowd.
This is a great place to live.

"Only 80% over age 55"----I'm sure you meant. Our last dog passed a few years ago and haven't replaced her in recent years because of traveling. There are some people not only in TV and other places we lived that just plain don't like dogs. It's unfortunate they turn out to be your close neighbors.

We finally won one neighbor over in one place we lived but it took a lot of patience and several dinners. The fact fences aren't allowed makes the situation more challenging. Well, only in a courtyard villa you have an enclosed backyard.

[Allegiance]

No one ever says they look older than their age.

[The20Percent]

Are you living in the northern section of TV or the newer section towards Brownwood? I live in the southern/newer section and find that most folks here are not only new here themselves, but are also generally younger and not so set in their ways. My wife and I are in our 40s and are living here. Other than the occasional contractor showing up my door assuming that my Father called him...lol, I have not had any problems with my neighbors acting this way or anyone else in the neighborhood for that matter. Everyone is extremely friendly to us and even to our bigger than normal dogs when we walk them. If someone did make one of these snide remarks to myself, I think I would probably just laugh and brush it off as stupidity on their part, because I have just as much right to live here (by Florida law) as they do. I don't let people get under my skin and stay clear of people with negative attitudes. I feel for you though in having an immediate neighbor acting this way towards you. Maybe you should kill them with kindness? Perhaps invite them over for drinks or out to lunch...show them who the bigger person is. This may also neutralize any future threats from them. If they still remain nasty after this, just ignore them and act as if they are dead to you...as Mr Wonderful from Shark Tank so kindly puts it!

[Jayhawk]

Wow. We feel like we won the neighbor lottery !!!! Everyone, and I really mean everyone on our street is friendly and never fail to wave, smile, stop to talk and pet our dog, invite us to go out to eat or play cards. This place has been everything we hoped for and MORE. We would do anything for our neighbors and they would do the same.

My advice to you is turn the page and make a fresh start. Like other suggestions, go out of your way to invite a neighbor for coffee or to play a game. We have made new friends at the bocce courts, playing golf, and attending neighborhood parties. I have found that our dog is a GREAT way to meet people. Most want to play with him first Can hardly walk down the street if he is with us because people come out to pet him. We don't mind. Just another excuse to talk to the neighbors.

Hope it turns around for you.

All the best.

[Pointer]

Originally Posted by Allegiance

No one ever says they look older than their age.

I had an aunt who told people she was ten years older then she was just have fun with people who dared to ask and to hear them say how young she looked

[Pointer]

I want to get one of those invisible dog leashes so I can walk a dog without having to actually get one. LOL I think that could be a real conversation starter. Anyone know where I can get one? Humm what would you name an invisible dog?