[Bigben007]

Originally Posted by RedChariot

Do you all believe this accident may be a reality check for all of us? We enjoy living here, but over the last 4 years we have seen the myth chipped away. It's a great idea to drive around in a cute golf cart. But the reality is that perhaps it has become just too crowded here. The roads where the golf carts are right next to the cars on the same road is just plain dangerous. I thought the MM roads set back from the road is a better design. Now this. This is not a cutesy retirement community. There was a time I'm sure. Not any longer. I believe the golf cart driver needs to think twice before taking a spin. Think where you are going, the season of the year, the time of day. Never Colony Plaza area. Never. It's dicey there even in a car.

Another accident just came to mind. Remember the man who had a "medical event" and hit a women on a bicycle? It was on Morse north of 466. Anyone know how they are? Especially the woman on the bike.

I agree with you about The Villages are too crowded. We also have lived here 4 years but have been visiting 7 years. The difference in the crowd and the "attitude" of the larger crowds is quite noticeable. We were out Saturday afternoon and I was overwhelmed with the crowd it's no longer Florida's friendliest hometown. It is a busy city. .
Tic

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Bigben007

I agree with you about The Villages are too crowded. We also have lived here 4 years but have been visiting 7 years. The difference in the crowd and the "attitude" of the larger crowds is quite noticeable. We were out Saturday afternoon and I was overwhelmed with the crowd it's no longer Florida's friendliest hometown. It is a busy city. .
Tic

It is the high season and it is crowded all over Florida. There are folks staying here during the high season who have no interest vested or emotional in this community and they act that way wherever they are. That is NOT to say that all people who own here are nice and pleasant. That isn't true. It is crowded now and I don't like it at this time of the year. I like the other nine months so much better. AND this was not a jab at snowbirds like our wonderful Barefoot and many others. It is crowded, Florida is enjoying....or suffering through one of the busiest tourist times it has had in YEARS....according to Wesh 2. Gas prices down and employment up may be the reason.


Watch out...incoming................

[debow]

I avoid the Colony Plaza. area at all cost. Would never consider taking my cart there. Too crowded and people too impatient (if u know what I mean). I stay north of 466.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

It is the high season and it is crowded all over Florida. There are folks staying here during the high season who have no interest vested or emotional in this community and they act that way wherever they are. That is NOT to say that all people who own here are nice and pleasant. That isn't true. It is crowded now and I don't like it at this time of the year. I like the other nine months so much better. AND this was not a jab at snowbirds like our wonderful Barefoot and many others. It is crowded, Florida is enjoying....or suffering through one of the busiest tourist times it has had in YEARS....according to Wesh 2. Gas prices down and employment up may be the reason.


Watch out...incoming................

Very nicely put!

[Bigben007]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

It is the high season and it is crowded all over Florida. There are folks staying here during the high season who have no interest vested or emotional in this community and they act that way wherever they are. That is NOT to say that all people who own here are nice and pleasant. That isn't true. It is crowded now and I don't like it at this time of the year. I like the other nine months so much better. AND this was not a jab at snowbirds like our wonderful Barefoot and many others. It is crowded, Florida is enjoying....or suffering through one of the busiest tourist times it has had in YEARS....according to Wesh 2. Gas prices down and employment up may be the reason.


Watch out...incoming................

I agree with you 100% that it is high season and tourism is at its peak, and my comments have absolutely nothing to do with snowbirds, nothing. It has to do with the size The Villages have become, Fruitland Park. Labelle, and Osceola Hills and how knows what's too come. Those Villages will not be snowbirds only, they will have permanent residents, hence more crowds. I love it here, I'm not going anywhere, I'll just accept change and fondly remember how it was in 2006.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by hulahips

...Accidents of course happen but it is the Duty of authorities to let the family know exactly what happened...

I agree. But there is far less urgency or obligation to make that information public. Curiosity or simple desire-to-know by uninvolved parties is not the same as family grief and potential recourse.

[hulahips]

Also agree. It is not just the snowbirds but the addition of more and more and more residents. Snowbirds do get tired of going back and forth and eventually settle here. I know several. Think the point being made was the villages w

[hulahips]

A nice friendly safe community but at some point should have been capped off. I would have liked them to stop before going across 466a and took the concept, idea, building into other states such as Texas, Arizona, etc why not allow others to enjoy our lifestyle also without cramming us all in and losing that friendly atmosphere that the original founder had in mind

[hulahips]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I agree. But there is far less urgency or obligation to make that information public. Curiosity or simple desire-to-know by uninvolved parties is not the same as family grief and potential recourse.

Yes completely understand your point. But down the road would like the truth to come out so we can all make decisions on whether we have reached a point where we have become so crowded, we may no longer be safe. But your point is respected as should everyone's be on the website. Tks for sharing

[Polar Bear]

I also respect your opinion. But I don't share the opinion that growth is reducing The Villages' appeal.

Nothing can be done...anywhere...to eliminate all accidents.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

It is the high season and it is crowded all over Florida. There are folks staying here during the high season who have no interest vested or emotional in this community and they act that way wherever they are. That is NOT to say that all people who own here are nice and pleasant. That isn't true. It is crowded now and I don't like it at this time of the year. I like the other nine months so much better. AND this was not a jab at snowbirds like our wonderful Barefoot and many others. It is crowded, Florida is enjoying....or suffering through one of the busiest tourist times it has had in YEARS....according to Wesh 2. Gas prices down and employment up may be the reason.


Watch out...incoming................

January, February and March are busy months everywhere in Florida. A very good point. This terrible accident had little to do with how busy it was or how many were shopping at Colony Plaza or that residents were driving around in their golf cart or a man was on a practice run to train for a marathon. Rather, it had everything to do with a 58 year old man suffering a medical emergency while driving his SUV and unfortunately it resulted in a horrible accident that was unpredictable and unintentional.

There is no need to become paranoid about driving our golf carts because of a "one in 10 million freak accident". My prayers go out to family and friends of all affected by this tragedy.

[hulahips]

Hi polar bear. No one loves the villages more than me but if being honest, I do believe we are losing the appeal because of the size and crowd. I constantly have eyes and ears open and listen to others. I hear women complain they have to wait an hr go get in exercise class (I go to gym and waited today for treadmill but not an hr). They can't get into clubs that are closed because of large number of people or even be seen in the hospital w/o waiting 10 hrs. I still love it here but let's see IF I can get parking or a seat tonight for Rocky and the rollers? Looking forward to it, but if I have to turn around and come home due to large crowd, what's the point? Hmmm. Shall see.

[Taltarzac725]

Disney World was smaller at one time I suppose. The Villages does seem to be modeled on it at least the Villages as seen by the Morses.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Disney World was smaller at one time I suppose. The Villages does seem to be modeled on it at least the Villages as seen by the Morses.

There is no such thing as a slow week in Disney World any longer either. Build it and they shall come. We are living on a finite sized planet and the human population continues to grow unchecked. We don't need smaller houses or smaller cars or conservation, we need less people to be born and then attrition will take care of our future needs without any need to go "green" which is only a stop gap measure anyway.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by RickeyD

There is no such thing as a slow week in Disney World any longer either. Build it and they shall come. We are living on a finite sized planet and the human population continues to grow unchecked. We don't need smaller houses or smaller cars or conservation, we need less people to be born and then attrition will take care of our future needs without any need to go "green" which is only a stop gap measure anyway.

Georgia Guidestones???????