Originally Posted by Byte1 (Post 2149771)

I finally watched it until I got to the interview at the middle point of the total video.
It was better than the other one that had the guy living in a van. I was underwhelmed by interviews of the residents living outside of the Villages, when they complained about the Villages taking over their land and water. Heck, no one is being forced to sell their property as far as I know. And look at the revenue and employment that the Villages brought with it. They complain, but do they realize that the indigenous natives of this state were gathered up and moved out West somewhere before their families settled here? I say "get over it." Otherwise, the documentary was not bad. Before having empathy for the locals, one might want to consider that the Villages is not the only gated, senior living community in Florida. Del Webb is another expansive developer and there are many more in Florida as well as other areas in the U.S.A.

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2149827)

I had the same thought. I felt more empathy for the African-American lady whose living area was being hemmed in on all sides by TV, with people playing golf a few yards from her familial cemetery. They've gotten the short end of the stick from Day One. If what she says is true about being told that she can't add on to her single-wide, because of zoning, while she sees all of that building going on around her, I can see why she might think that's a tad unfair.

Originally Posted by Joe Sacco (Post 2148682)

I was surprised at the Orlando Sentinel reporter’s take on there existing some dark purpose to the developers motives. If you to want publish a newspaper extolling the benefits of your community it is your right; we are not forced to buy. It was also disappointing that they spent five years developing this film and didn’t see fit to note the charitable good The Villages does for surrounding community. I am sympathetic to those folks who feel displaced by the growth of The Villages but this development did not come by razing city blocks and displacing thousands but, more often than not, purchasing large tracts of unused farm land that was not to be purposed in the future. As to the water usage the villages has been recognized for its use of 8.5 million gallons per day of reclaimed water and the use of 5 million gallons per day of storm water, this was never mentioned. On the topic of ageism and the locating of like minded folks in the same community (Bubble) I’m not sure where they want people to live. As a widower with no children my block in a NY suburb had more to offer young and growing families than empty nesters. It also seems a little short sighted to assume that The Villages has some hold on drawing only conservative thinkers to its population. I moved here for affordability, beautiful surroundings, weather, kind people in and outside the community and the healthy lifestyle. I’m not swayed by political bias on either side, I’m more attracted to intelligent thought. In closing I have to say I’m not concerned with the developers success as it pertains to their financial rewards because, for me, they have created a meaningful and joyful life and I wish them only good.