[charmed59]

In general I think responders self select topics they know something about. When someone is responding to questions on golf carts they usually mention the golf carts they have or had in the past. It doesn’t matter to me if they own their house, or even their golf cart. When they are giving opinions on restaurants they mention whether their own experience. I know some monthly renters may have eaten at some restaurants more than I have, so I give their opinions quite a bit of weight.

Occasionally I’ve seen odd responses, like someone responded to a question about where to find high end liquor by say they don’t drink. But there are many more helpful responses.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

I personally enjoy reading the opinions of everyone who posts here...whether they meet an 'arbitrary qualification' or not.

Some I agree with...some I don't.

It's kind of analogous to the early days of this nation when only white, adult males who owned property...could vote.

It's hard to fathom that anyone in this day and age, would like to regress to a similar exclusivity...for posting on this great site.

The highlighted statement is nonsense, of course. The OP did not suggest any such thing. Rather it was suggested that in weighing the opinions expressed on TOTV, it is worthwhile to consider how often and/or how long the poster has been involved in life at The Villages.

For me it brings to mind the varying opinions about Mt. McKinley that might be expressed by visitors to Alaska in the Winter as contrasted to visitors in the Summer, and to those who live there year around. And remember that even in the Summer, only about one-third of the visitors to the area are able to see the entire mountain because of the pervasive cloud cover on the mountain.

Many are enchanted by the view of the highest mountain in North America; others are disappointed that they never get to see the peak; and still others are so preoccupied with the frigid outside air that they have little interest in being there at all.

Personally, I love The Villages, with the broad variety of activities for active seniors, the numerous clubs and special interests for more sedentary seniors, the wide array of medical specialists for ailing seniors, and (my favorite) the extensive network of multi-modal trails which can be utilized by golf cart operators.

I don't think anyone can learn about, and come to fully appreciate, this multitude of features in a short time. Accordingly, I tend to give more weight to the opinions of long time residents, than those who have visited only briefly or periodically.

THIS has nothing to do with qualifying to post on TOTV, only on how much weight I give to someone's opinion. I think this was what the OP was saying.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

The highlighted statement is nonsense, of course. The OP did not suggest any such thing. Rather it was suggested that in weighing the opinions expressed on TOTV, it is worthwhile to consider how often and/or how long the poster has been involved in life at The Villages.

For me it brings to mind the varying opinions about Mt. McKinley that might be expressed by visitors to Alaska in the Winter as contrasted to visitors in the Summer, and to those who live there year around. And remember that even in the Summer, only about one-third of the visitors to the area are able to see the entire mountain because of the pervasive cloud cover on the mountain.

Many are enchanted by the view of the highest mountain in North America; others are disappointed that they never get to see the peak; and still others are so preoccupied with the frigid outside air that they have little interest in being there at all.

Personally, I love The Villages, with the broad variety of activities for active seniors, the numerous clubs and special interests for more sedentary seniors, the wide array of medical specialists for ailing seniors, and (my favorite) the extensive network of multi-modal trails which can be utilized by golf cart operators.

I don't think anyone can learn about, and come to fully appreciate, this multitude of features in a short time. Accordingly, I tend to give more weight to the opinions of long time residents, than those who have visited only briefly or periodically.

THIS has nothing to do with qualifying to post on TOTV, only on how much weight I give to someone's opinion. I think this was what the OP was saying.

Molehills to now mountains?

As I said, I enjoy reading everyone's opinions...even if they're wrong or I don't agree.

[thomp679]

What value does this thread contribute to TOTV? IMO - zip. Close and move on.

[Gpsma]

Originally Posted by thomp679

What value does this thread contribute to TOTV? IMO - zip. Close and move on.

This is the best post on this thread

[Trayderjoe]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

There is a difference to me if someone posts an opinion about The Villages, whether they have lived here for say five plus years, or just arrived, or do not live here at all.

There is a difference to me if someone posts an opinion about The Villages who owns property here rather than rents here on occasion.

How do you feel ? Have I just committed a politically incorrect faux pas?

My opinion is not on the worth and integrity of the poster but whether they really "know" about The Villages in the way people do after having lived here year 'round for several years.

I have visited New York many times, but I don't pretend to know it (or love it) the way people do who have called it home for a very long time.

No Gracie, you have not committed a faux pas, you are merely providing your perspective on how you view the posts.

Years ago (sigh, make that many years ago....) I had a test in a high school English class, and my teacher posted a question along the lines of, "In your opinion, what is the turning point for the main character is this book"? I provided my opinion, but was marked as having a wrong answer. I asked if I could review it with her at her desk (rather than calling her out in front of the class). I asked her why my answer was wrong, and she told me what she felt was the turning point. I looked at her and said that was her opinion, mine was different, so how could my opinion be wrong? She might not have agreed with me, but that didn't mean I should get a lower grade on the test since she asked for my opinion in her question. She mulled it over for less than 10 seconds and corrected my grade. She never asked for an opinion on a test question the rest of the semester......<g>

I look at the content of the posts and form my opinion/response accordingly. There are posters who may or may not agree with my comments, but I never let it bother me. Where I can learn something, I appreciate it and where I feel that the message is merely diatribe, I ignore it because any time I spent to read such dreck has been permanently lost to me, and I choose to not lose anymore time on those posts.

[JoMar]

The fact that we have posters that have no clue goes to the credibility of the site. Those that own it don't have concern and I don't think, an interest in how useful this site is, only that it has advertisers and activity. We who do post on here accept that so it will continue. Personally, I take most of the opinions on here with the perverbial "grain" but do appreciate the informtion that is given by knowledge, not opinion and can be verified.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by thomp679

What value does this thread contribute to TOTV? IMO - zip. Close and move on.

I'll have to respectfully disagree.

I think it is kind of interesting to see the varying responses and the not-so-subtle implication, that some type of superiority is derived from seniority...based primarily on the time someone has lived here.

Given that the site has everything from people who have been here for quite a while, to those who have only rented, to those who have never lived here but want to...it makes for a nice cross-section.

Quite frankly, I had a pretty good idea of what TV was about within the first month, of the first time I rented back in 2009...and that opinion hasn't changed much in the over 5 years I've owned.

I just wish I hadn't waited so long to join the fun here on TOTV.

Given that we are all simply offering our 'opinion,' who is to say that someone who has lived here for 10 years should be given more weight than someone who rented and then bought...say within even the last 6 months?

I'm sure that there are people who have lived here 5 years, that have done less and taken in less of the 'experience'...than someone only renting during peak season.

Maybe we need a stat near our user name (verified by a notary and three witnesses of course ) of the total time spent in TV...so certain people can put the 'short-timers' on ignore?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

I'll have to respectfully disagree.

I think it is kind of interesting to see the varying responses and the not-so-subtle implication, that some type of superiority is derived from seniority...based primarily on the time someone has lived here.

Given that the site has everything from people who have been here for quite a while, to those who have only rented, to those who have never lived here but want to...it makes for a nice cross-section.

Quite frankly, I had a pretty good idea of what TV was about within the first month, of the first time I rented back in 2009...and that opinion hasn't changed much in the over 5 years I've owned.

I just wish I hadn't waited so long to join the fun here on TOTV.

Given that we are all simply offering our 'opinion,' who is to say that someone who has lived here for 10 years should be given more weight than someone who rented and then bought...say within even the last 6 months?

I'm sure that there are people who have lived here 5 years, that have done less and taken in less of the 'experience'...than someone only renting during peak season.

Maybe we need a stat near our user name (verified by a notary and three witnesses of course ) of the total time spent in TV...so certain people can put the 'short-timers' on ignore?

I so agree with your post and absolutely liked everything until the last line. AND the first line. But in between, it warmed my heart.

[Nucky]

OH BOY. We have a Christmas miracle. It's like two middle eastern countries just made peace. But I'm not standing in the DMZ.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I so agree with your post and absolutely liked everything until the last line. AND the first line. But in between, it warmed my heart.

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

I'll have to respectfully disagree.

Hmmmm........

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

My opinion is not on the worth and integrity of the poster but whether they really "know" about The Villages in the way people do after having lived here year 'round for several years.

It's quite possible that people who live in The Villages year 'round have a different perspective
than migratory humanoids who are seasonal residents.
I've lived in The Villages for 60 months but only winter months.
I bet that living in TV during the summers offers a completely different perspective.
An interesting thread!

[rubicon]

The thread's topic is: Full time Villagers. Part time Villagers. Non property owner posts and appears to make the non-sequitur claim that the validity of opinion about TV is tied to the status of the poster.

I made two visits to TV before buying a home. What I viewed as good and the bad of TV both times remain the same after living here for over 11 years.

What you will find on these pages is an ubiquitous refrain, and that is if you disagree with me then you are wrong.

Again a non-sequitur claim but a realistic one especially when it comes to the topic of The Villages and those who built it.

We all have our reasons for being here. Mine were simple. first, relative to other areas in Florida deed compliance offered the best hope that the area would remain relatively clean. Secondly Florida's tax situation Third no snow. My preference had been the colonial look of Charleston area but I did not like the tax situation

[Madelaine Amee]

In my opinion this is a polarizing thread.

Do we really need more polarization in this country? We all have our own opinions and most of the time it is wise to keep them to ourselves, but a chat site such as this gives people the chance to "let it all hang out" and it becomes noticeable that there are major personality differences between posters.

As for me, what do I think .............. well, I mind my own business and just enjoy my life and let those that want to argue get on with it!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by asianthree

I do agree with you Gracie sometimes when I read a post it’s hard to understand if they live here full-time, part-time have just visited or Long term renters. One of us is here full-time. I am still part time. We first started coming to TV in 2007 but did not purchased our first home until 2010. So we are Relatively new only almost 8 year owners.

I think however there is a difference between those who come here and rent year after year ( our friends have come to the same house for over seven years) Staying 3 to 7 months at a time.They have stayed here enough to know the village as well.

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish those who have just flown in spent a week or so and and then have negative comments to make about where we live. So that’s my opinion if this is political will get dumped out in this forum in a minute.

Seems like common sense to me. Did this really have to be stated?

It doesn't mean that some people should not post here or that some people are right and some people are wrong. It just means that we evaluate what is being said based on the experience of the person talking.

Don't we do this every day with everyone we communicate with? if you're talking to a WWII veteran about something and a 15-year-old high school student about the same thing, would you expect the same ideas to come from both of them? If you're talking to someone who has lived in this country all their lives and then to an immigrant who has been here for a few weeks, would you hear the same thing from both of them?