[Sherkugawa]

I too experienced this phenomenon. One close friend in particular wouldn’t let up in his criticism of my impending move. I told him nicely to stop it. The very next time we were together he made another comment! We are no longer friends! A “I think you are making a mistake but wish you the best” would have been appreciated but was never received. I share your disappointment!
QUOTE=Michael 61;2161076]I’m just 9 days away from my move from Colorado until I close on my new home in TV. I’m a little surprised I am receiving some guilt trips (both passive and a few very direct) from long time close friends about leaving Colorado. There is a sense of betrayal and disloyalty I am receiving from more friends than I though I would. This is zapping a little bit of my joy and excitement of moving to the TV next week - although I knew they would be saddened (I am too), I thought they would be more supportive of my move, and of course I have a guest room for friends to visit, and will be flying back to Colorado a few times a year to visit them and spend Thanksgiving. Would like to hear any comments from those of you, and how you handled the move away from friends to TV.[/QUOTE]

[donfey]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

What does FREE FL mean?

Are you really asking that question? If so, what's your point?

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by crash

we got the same thing when leaving california but glad we did. Your friends will get over it and be glad to visit you in the winter when it starts snowing in colorado.

they can stay at the hotel california

[NoMo50]

That's on them, not you. You know the saying...misery loves company. We were guilt-tripped by some long time friends who refused to believe we would actually move and leave them behind. It is simple jealousy.

Since you are moving to a new village, you will be amongst tons of folks who have moved. You will make a lot of new friends quickly, so long as you're not a hermit. We have found that we do more socializing here in TV in a month than we did in a year in our previous domicile. I don't say "back home" anymore, because The Villages is now home.

[mkjelenbaas]

These are your friends? Time to make a change and your doing the right thing.

[mikeycereal]

Wow angry and angry words, hard to believe. I got all good reactions and fond farewells. My boss bought me a laptop and now I work from home. By best friend still calls me like we were still living in the same state. I don't play pickleball, but I hear you can make a lot of friends and even good contacts via networking though that sport. You may be amazed at all the good people you meet just from taking part in the many activities they have here.

[jleonard]

Welcome to The Villages!
Hope you don’t mind crowds and crazy drivers, being you’re from beautiful laid back Colorado. And please please leave your politics in Colorado!

[Lisanp@aol.com]

I was receiving a lot of negativity around the Thanksgiving table from my friends about living in an "old people" community. Then I went around the table calling out everyone's age and telling them that my Village's friends are all younger then they are. They just don't think that they are old but news flash is they are! People have their opinions and their perceptions, and think that The Villages and Florida is where their grandparents live. Close friends will frequently share those opinions and perceptions with you. Don't let them rain on your parade...you are going to love it and they will still be shoveling!

[mikeycereal]

Originally Posted by Lisanp@aol.com

andparents live. Close friends will frequently share those opinions and perceptions with you. Don't let them rain on your parade...you are going to love it and they will still be shoveling!

And scraping!

From Colorado too and I'm totally done living in a cold state (pun intended). Loved the rainy summer we just had here. Miss those days already but they'll be back.

[msirianni]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m just 9 days away from my move from Colorado until I close on my new home in TV. I’m a little surprised I am receiving some guilt trips (both passive and a few very direct) from long time close friends about leaving Colorado. There is a sense of betrayal and disloyalty I am receiving from more friends than I though I would. This is zapping a little bit of my joy and excitement of moving to the TV next week - although I knew they would be saddened (I am too), I thought they would be more supportive of my move, and of course I have a guest room for friends to visit, and will be flying back to Colorado a few times a year to visit them and spend Thanksgiving. Would like to hear any comments from those of you, and how you handled the move away from friends to TV.

This is a pretty normal human reaction / emotion. You are leaving your friends behind for something you believe is better and something they either don't have the courage to do or can't do for other reasons. They need to distance themselves from you to help avoid the pain of when your gone. It's actually a great complement to you that they are doing this.

[The Chipster]

Perhaps it is the unfortunate politics that is causing this gulf between you and your friends. I know we cannot discuss political details in this forum, but we all know how it affects so many friendships. We moved from The Villages to Asheville, North Carolina 3 years ago, and many really great friends we have made up here poke at us since we are past Villagers.

[toeser]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m just 9 days away from my move from Colorado until I close on my new home in TV. I’m a little surprised I am receiving some guilt trips (both passive and a few very direct) from long time close friends about leaving Colorado. There is a sense of betrayal and disloyalty I am receiving from more friends than I though I would. This is zapping a little bit of my joy and excitement of moving to the TV next week - although I knew they would be saddened (I am too), I thought they would be more supportive of my move, and of course I have a guest room for friends to visit, and will be flying back to Colorado a few times a year to visit them and spend Thanksgiving. Would like to hear any comments from those of you, and how you handled the move away from friends to TV.

I would have a tough time considering them friends.

[sweetemmie6@gmail.com]

Welcome to The Villages. We lived in Boulder for 2 years when my husband was at the U getting his masters. When we left West Point (we were there for 4 years while he taught), we had the same experience. It was like we were leaving the womb and so many were so quick to tell us how difficult life on the outside would be--housing, medical, etc. We stayed happy because we were leaving the Army and never looked back. When you get here, call us at 352-633-0452--Sandra and Jeff and we can talk Colorado. Blessings and safe travel.

[Whitley]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’m just 9 days away from my move from Colorado until I close on my new home in TV. I’m a little surprised I am receiving some guilt trips (both passive and a few very direct) from long time close friends about leaving Colorado. There is a sense of betrayal and disloyalty I am receiving from more friends than I though I would. This is zapping a little bit of my joy and excitement of moving to the TV next week - although I knew they would be saddened (I am too), I thought they would be more supportive of my move, and of course I have a guest room for friends to visit, and will be flying back to Colorado a few times a year to visit them and spend Thanksgiving. Would like to hear any comments from those of you, and how you handled the move away from friends to TV.

I would prefer to think that they are real friends who will be missing you and are sad; they just do not know how to appropriately express what they are feeling. Try and see it from the "they are really going to miss you". What they are doing is inappropriate, but I'd cut them some slack.

[Bobendres]

Our friends were very happy for us. Sure we will miss them and they will miss us. But they want us to be happy