[Buffalo Jim]

Ok . Here goes after living here for now 2+ years and observing this site everyday I am just going to put myself " out there " and say it .

I only can hope and pray that I remain strong enough to deal with what will be coming back at me .

I relocated here from the Buffalo Ny area just over 2 years ago . I learned about the Villages when an old friend had decided to retire here after losing his wife to cancer . He came here after a couple of years in Texas . I came down to help him move in in July of 2010 and discovered for myself that it was / is a most amazing place .

As a life long Northern resident I never really considered moving to Florida full time . However having visiting twice and seeing / experiencing more attributes each time I became convinced that TV is indeed most unique .

Had I judged the Villages through the " prism " of constant complaining and warnings about this and that day after day I would have thought --- " humm this must not be what I seem to see through my eyes ".

Why are so many of the people who post here so miffed , unhappy , sarcastic and seemingly just so miserable ???

Why do so many people harbor such animosity toward the Developer ?

There are so many other choices of retirement communities in Florida . Why would those who seem to be so unhappy stay . Homes sell quickly here and prices have been quite strong so why stay ?

Why do so many people " pile on " when someone posts pretty much anything positive about the Villages ?

Perhaps it is because the writers can do so anonymously . I can`t help wonder what the landscape on this site would look like if everyone had to post their real name .

Just for what it is worth " The Buffalo News " -- when it went online allowed people to post with a handle . The remarks were amazingly caustic . After a year of much ugliness they changed their policy and one could only post under their own name . And yes , one had to go through a process to verify their name before being allowed to post . WOW what a sudden change in overall attitude and the quality of the comments !!!!

Now back to the Developer . I was in commercial banking for 35 years and a senior exec for 20 of those years . For a few years I was a lender and then managed a lending team . I can say with great confidence that the Developer could have easily spent half as much as they have on the amenities in the Villages and even pocketed more money than they have and are . Seriously , they could have taken a much lower road than they have elected to .

Sometimes I conclude that despite what people express that they feel about our country being a land of unlimited opportunity for those with a better idea and the willingness to take a risk that the majority do not really feel that way .
Because if they meant it they would not begrudge the Developer of " his / their " success . However on this site day in and day out they do .
Some people take a huge risk in business and fail . We generally all know that 80% of all new business ventures fail .

There is a reason why 95% of us elected to make our living by working for others . I had a saying while I was working my 60 hour weeks and it went like this : " The majority of people would like to see their children become an exec at a large company but the same people hate the success of large companies ".

Think about it for just a minute . How many who are so quick to trash the Developer and any other business operating here ever ran a business and put your living at risk ?
You should be sending this family thank you cards and saluting them . They are not evil . They are the embodiment of the American Dream .
I am certain that you are each concerned about the value of your homes but stop to think about the message about this community that many of you put out in public view day after day . The message is pretty much --- STAY AWAY !

My God -- a woman posted on here this week that she had a problem with a driver who she insisted was on their way to a Sarah Palin autograph . Really !!

I have a great driving record and I obey the speed limit . I have lost track of how many times I have been the victim of what I call " predatory driving " along with the " angry Male salute . You teach that to your grand-children ? I feel sorry for your spouses . How many years have they suffered ?

So continue to bitch about every dining experience --- too hot , too cold .

Wet all over the Mens Room , toss your wet paper towels on the floor and blame the owner who is no doubt struggling to recoup his / her investment .And then complain that more businesses do not wish to come here . Do you think that an astute business person or company does not take note of this site when they conduct their Due Diligence ?

I wish that I knew demographically where most of the bitching is coming from . I can only hope that it is not from " The Greatest Generation ".

Frankly , I suspect that much of it might just be from my so called generation " The Baby Boomers " who brought this country not much but whining and doing the least for the most and giving not much back for our future generations in return .
So here goes .
Have at It !!!

[DougB]

Your real name isn't Buffalo Jim?

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by Buffalo Jim

Ok . Here goes after living here for now 2+ years and observing this site everyday I am just going to put myself " out there " and say it .

I only can hope and pray that I remain strong enough to deal with what will be coming back at me .

I relocated here from the Buffalo Ny area just over 2 years ago . I learned about the Villages when an old friend had decided to retire here after losing his wife to cancer . He came here after a couple of years in Texas . I came down to help him move in in July of 2010 and discovered for myself that it was / is a most amazing place .

As a life long Northern resident I never really considered moving to Florida full time . However having recently gone through an ugly and painful divorce from my Trophy wife who is much younger and had no more use for me 2 weeks after I retired I felt that perhaps this would be the right place for me .

I was well known in my area and involved in many charities and was still very active but the pain was too much .

Had I been aware of this site and read it for any period of time I most likely would have thought several times about moving here . This is the truth .
Had I judged the Villages through the " prism " of constant complaining and warnings about this and that day after day I would have thought --- " humm this must not be what I seem to see through my eyes ".
Why are the majority of people who post here so miffed , unhappy , sarcastic and seemingly just so miserable ???
Why do so many people harbor such animosity toward the Developer ?
There are so many other choices of retirement communities in Florida . Why would those who seem to be so unhappy stay . Homes sell quickly here and prices have been quite strong so why stay ?
Why do so many people " pile on " when someone posts pretty much anything positive about the Villages . Why ?
Perhaps it is because the writers can do so anonymously . I can`t help wonder what the landscape on this site would look like if everyone had to post their real name .
Just for what it is worth " The Buffalo News " -- when it went online allowed people to post with a handle . The remarks were amazingly caustic . After a year of much ugliness they changed their policy and one could only post under their own name . And yes , one had to go through a process to verify their name before being allowed to post . WOW what a sudden change in overall attitude and the quality of the comments !!!!
NOw back to the Developer . I was in commercial banking for 35 years and a senior exec for 20 of those years . For a few years I was a lender and then managed a lending team . I can say with great confidence that the Developer could have easily spent half as much as they have on the amenities in the Villages and even pocketed more money than they have and are . Seriously , they could have taken a much lower road than they have elected to .
Sometimes I conclude that despite what people express that they feel about our country being a land of unlimited opportunity for those with a better idea and the willingness to take a risk that the majority do not really feel that way .
Because if they meant it they would not begrudge the Developer of " his / their " success . However on this site day in and day out they do .
Some people take a huge risk in business and fail . We generally all know that 80% of all new business ventures fail .
There is a reason why 95% of us elected to make our living by working for others . I had a saying while I was working my 60 hour weeks and it went like this : " The majority of people would like to see their children become an exec at a large company but the same people hate the success of large companies ".
Think about it for just a minute . How many who are so quick to trash the Developer and any other business operating here ever ran a business and put your living at risk ?
You should be sending this family thank you cards and saluting them . They are not evil . They are the embodiment of the American Dream .
I am certain that you are each concerned about the value of your homes but stop to think about the message about this community that many of you put out in public view day after day . The message is pretty much --- STAY AWAY !
My God -- a woman posted on here this week that she had a problem with a driver who she insisted was on their way to a Sarah Palin autograph . Really !!
I have a great driving record and I obey the speed limit . I have lost track of how many times I have been the victim of what I call " predatory driving " along with the " angry Male salute . You teach that to your grand-children ? Grow Up . I feel sorry for your spouses . How many years have they suffered ?
So continue to bitch about every dining experience --- too hot , too cold .
Wet all over the Mens Room , toss your wet paper towels on the floor and blame the owner who is no doubt struggling to recoup his / her investment .And then complain that more business do not wish to come here . Do you think that an astute business person or company does not take note ? Really ?
I wish that I knew demographically where most of the bitching is coming from . I can only hope that it is not from " The Greatest Generation ". Frankly I suspect that much of it might just be from my so called generation " The Baby Boomers " who brought this country not much but whining and doing the least for the most and giving not much in return .
So here goes .
Have at It !!!

I too am a retired Community banker and worked with Developers all through my career. Jim- I wish I had the patience to write what you did

Right On!!

[raynan]

Jim,
I totally agree. I was a lurker for over 4 years on this website before I moved here 3 years ago. I never did get why people bash the developer. They are not held hostage here. There does seem to be much more whining and pettiness on this site where I used to find it helpful. I really cringe when someone attacks a newbie. Yes, it may be their first or second post but everyone has to start somewhere.
Nancy

[Buffalo Jim]

Originally Posted by Challenger

I too am a retired Community banker and worked with Developers all through my career. Jim- I wish I had the patience to write what you did

Right On!!

Thank you for being brave enough to show me some support .
It`s going to get ugly real quick .

[Pepperhead]

Originally Posted by Buffalo Jim

Thank you for being brave enough to show me some support .
It`s going to get ugly real quick .

Isn't that what you want?

[Buffalo Jim]

Originally Posted by raynan

Jim,
I totally agree. I was a lurker for over 4 years on this website before I moved here 3 years ago. I never did get why people bash the developer. They are not held hostage here. There does seem to be much more whining and pettiness on this site where I used to find it helpful. I really cringe when someone attacks a newbie. Yes, it may be their first or second post but everyone has to start somewhere.
Nancy

Thanks the last time I took the risk of pointing out something positive about the Developer some person who calls them-self " Gomo " or something like that told me to " shut-up " and " butt -out " .

Nice very nice !

[the square]

Wow, I wonder whose writing the screen play to this script????

[angiefox10]

I agree Jim.... I don't post very much any more. It doesn't matter what you post, you will only get beat up anyway. It's more than people posting their opinion. People just get mean. Even the people who post under their own name can be passive/aggressive.

I wonder if as we get older.... we just don't tolerate things like we used to. Too set in our ways?

I don't know.

Good luck with this thread... I'm out!

[DougB]

Just what we need, a 10 paragraph complaint about people complaining.


Other than that, how was your day today?

[Buffalo Jim]

Originally Posted by Pepperhead

Isn't that what you want?

I am seeking some honest dialog . I can only hope that what I sense might be " The Silent Majority " might be inspired to speak up .

[Buffalo Jim]

Originally Posted by DougB

Just what we need, a 10 paragraph complaint about people complaining.


Other than that, how was your day today?

Sorry Doug to take up your time but thanks for reading and for your well thought out input .

[DougB]

Originally Posted by Buffalo Jim

Sorry Doug to take up your time but thanks for reading and for your well thought out input .

I actually didn't read the whole thing. I got bored around the trophy wife segment.

[swimdawg]

Buffalo Jim.....Buffalo Karen here. If you look at my post on the CarGuys Colony thread about an hour ago, I asked where all the fun and cool posters who used to regularly post on this forum disappeared to? We used to have fun!

I think it's good to be realistic...but this forum has become so negative that it has been a turn-off to many.

I'm not saying that this forum should be full of boring fluff but the negativity is ridiculous! Where are the posters with a sense of humor? This forum has become way too serious.

(Hope to see you at the Buffalo Bills-Tampa Bay game at McCall's on Dec. 8th. It's always FUN!)

[bmarlo767]

Right ON!! Great post