[pokeefe45@aol.com]

Massachusetts born and bred here-Bought a few years ago, moved here full time last July. One thing to prepare for-you WILL continue to be overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with choices, decisions, conflicting advice-negatives, positives, happiness and homesickness. Do I play softball, or platform tennis, or that 'pickle' thing. Do I shuffleboard, or bocce or play volleyball in the water or just relax and save my knees? Do I buy a gas or electric cart or stove, do I buy north or south, do I become a serial joiner or just wait until a social life happens organically. Do I have my driveway painted or sealed or coated or power washed or just swept. And what the hell is Mah-Jong anyway? For all of this and more, my advice, in the words of the immortal 'Cat Stevens' (aka Yusuf something or other) is-"Just relax, take it easy......You're still young....There's so much you have to know....Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy"
Just enjoy the hell out of the journey-You can live your best life here!

[Mass288]

HI , and thank you. so many folks responding makes me feel right at home already..and for you whiners about my spelling and Grammer well I guess I fail english class please don't introduce yourself to me I am leaving massachusetts due to folks like you..to the rest can't wait to meet cha ..Mark and Michelle

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Mass288

HI , and thank you. so many folks responding makes me feel right at home already..and for you whiners about my spelling and Grammer well I guess I fail english class please don't introduce yourself to me I am leaving massachusetts due to folks like you..to the rest can't wait to meet cha ..Mark and Michelle

Welcome!

We've been here three years now, and our expectations of TV, which were high to begin with, have been exceeded in almost every way. Great people, wonderful recreational opportunities, convenient shopping for just about everything you can imagine, and people who genuinely care about one another. I take regular afternoon walks and the number of complete strangers who offer me rides (often a bottle of water as well) is impressive. I've never been to Massachusetts but my guess (correct me if I'm wrong) is that up there, offering a complete stranger a ride in your vehicle is considered the height of folly. Down here, in my experience, it is something that is done with regularity.

As for the naysayers--TV is like everywhere else. We have our share of folks who aren't going to be satisfied until everyone is as miserable as they are. But they, though admittedly noisy, are few and far between. Ignore them.

[Bbrant]

Originally Posted by Mass288

Hi not sure if I am doing this right but here goes..here now lifestyle stay with my wife till Monday. The stay not my wife..love it here so far exciting and overwhelming...moving here from south of Boston in August. I have been following this site for about a year lots of nice folks helping out .we won t know anyone here so I will be asking a ton of questions . Get ready. Lol.

From south of Boston also! Just purchased home in April, part timer for now, can't wait to spend more time there. Love it

[brewbob]

10 Important things...
1. Best to get south facing lanai. We are on a retention pond. Its like living in a zoo with daily entertainment.
2. Take the cart diving class. Its once a month at Colony Cottage rec center.
3. Get seat belts for your cart.
4. Learn gps driving before you get here. You will need gps as everything looks the same at every turn. I like Waze for car nav. Get the paid cart gps app for your phone. Cart navigation app Villages-GPS.
5. Learn about the medical choices BEFORE you get here. I recommend a Medicap policy rather that Advantage. Know that doctors are hard to find. Do a lot of research about medical care here before you arrive.
6. Leave most furniture behind, but be aware it might take months to get new furniture. Like sleeping on an air bed? Yep we did it for several months.
7. Forget your xxx favorite food. Its not here.
8. Buy a home that doesn't NOT need remodeling. Yes you will pay more, but worth the extra cost and way less stress.
9. Buy a low maintenance landscape home. Paid landscape care is not the same here as other areas. Ask your neighbors who they use.
10. Its very different here. Some good, some bad. Just roll with a the differences and enjoy life in the bubble!

Cheers
Bob

[rogerk]

Get the free Villages App (not the app that charges). Your Sales Rep can help. It has a ton of helpful information and guidance once you get used to using it.