Indeed.

Big and best
 

As we heard TV past the 100,000 mark, I paused when I read it because to me it doesn't seem that big. Obviously, it's not for everyone but it is the largest planned adult retirement community in the world. We did have some friends that "passed" on TV for a community further south. It only hurt for a little while!

If he survives...

I did catch a nice bass from his lake.

( I let him go )

A whole new world
 

When I tell my good friend from childhood about TV he refers to what I do as "forced get togethers." The fact that I go to a ladies group at the local rec center,another social club for my village at the rec center, plays and shows at The Church and Savannah Center, a dine around club, continueing ed classes at LLLC, a movie club, more restaurants than I can try (I'm tryin'), these are just forced get togethers to him. He lives 3 miles from NYC and you can see the NY skyline. He does not understand all this "palsee, walsee" stuff. He's so NJ and this is not the type socialization he is used to. It's new to me too, but it sure has been nice. I just have to try to fit in one of those 200+ exercises classes. But I want to make pine needle baskets. What is a girl to do???? He doesn't know what he's missing.

We are originally from N.Y. and moved to Tampa due to a corporate transfer
15 years ago.
We came for a LSV 3 years ago and my DH hated T.V.
Why? He wasn't mentally ready to be "retired".
We have been to a lot of 55 communities in FL.
I told him we needed to revisit The Villages 2 months ago.
Result? We just bought a spec house in Gilchrist and my DH
CANNOT wait to sell our house and move to T.V.

So sometimes I wonder if it's just the timing?

Beach communities
 

How do you mean "forget"? I remember them! SC has the BEST ocean waves. Places like Edisto Beach are just lovely. And NC... Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks... (drool). If I won the lottery, I would have a summer home there.

I don't think it is a matter of forgetting them but rather a desire to be retired somewhere that there is more to do than walk the beach.

:agree:
We know others that live on the beach in Tampa area. They love the beach but as he says, one can only sit there so long. Sure there is the night life, but not all the other activities. We like the idea of living here, and than driving the hour to so many beaches of choice on either coast for the day when we feel we need a beach fix.

"They love the beach but as he says, one can only sit there so long"

The only time I ever sat on it was early am and late pm, as their is no better way to begin or end a day. Any other time, I am walking on it (preferably with my goober dog), jogging on it, riding bike on it, working to protect it or best of all, crossing it to swim in mother ocean (preferably with surfboard under arm!)

I do know that I miss it being a part of my daily life more than I can express.

We have loved living in Tampa but the TRAFFIC
is a nightmare. We live by Univ. South Florida
and there are 40,000+ kids driving (speeding)
around us.

Taxes are high, congestion, etc.
We feel like NY/NJ followed us here.

Can't wait to move to T.V.

And although we're closer to the beaches,
my beach experience is SPF 50 and sitting
under an umbrella!

Yes, Some people would not move out of their comfort zone in small town American, or move away from family, like I did. Being Italian, I am the black sheep of the family for moving away 50 years ago.

Would like but
 

Would like but too big now and warmer in North Fort Myers area.

Also, got a lot more for money and have everything we need at our
finger tips (but not right in our 55 community which save $$).

All and all very happy we decided on this area, but that is just
our opinion.

We had friends visit the Villages and they couldn't stand the congestion, waiting in restaurants, etc. They ended up moving to the Lakes at Mt Dora. Lovely home, pretty setting but they don't have the amenities we have. But to each their own. I've heard many people remark that if they want congestion and having to wait in line, they can get that up north!