[spk7951]

During our 1st lifestyle visit we still had a list of some six other communities we were going to visit. After chatting every day with folks at the neighborhood pool and also at the town squares we knew this was where we wanted to spend our retirement. We still visited the other six communities but they just did not compare to TV, at least for us they did not.

We have had one neighborhood leave and that was because they missed the kids and grandkids.

[clod]

We lived aboard and cruised the east coast on a boat for many years. You find a similiar number of happy people afloat as in The Villages- that is, it approaches 100%. The constant factor is that few are on a boat or in The Villages by accident- they are here by conscious choice. You will find this very few other places' Be a Nike & "Just do it!"
Steve

[rshoffer]

People who decide to come for the lifestyle visit and ultimately move here already have a fairly firm idea of what their likes/dislikes are and recognize TV meets their needs at this stage in life. For example, my cousin (retired) lives in the mountains of north-central Pa in an extremely private, isolated rustic (and beautiful) setting. He loves to hunt, fish, walk in the mountains with his dogs, etc. He is extremely happy and contented. He'd last about 24 hours in TV. But my point is, he's never come for the lifestyle visit in the first place.

[elevatorman]

We love it. All of my neighbors love it here. A lifestyle visit will show you what is here to do. I would rent for a month to see if living here is right for you. If you are a couch potato, you may find a smaller community more advantageous. If you are an active person TV is the best place to live.

[LisaJ]

Does anyone know where the Village of Buttonwood is going to be?

[Number 6]

Last night someone asked me what I liked best about The Villages. I explained that I moved here from Central New York where I managed a medical practice. We had many older patients, and a good number of them were just plain miserable. When we came down here on the Lifestyle Visit everyone was happy. Well we wanted to be happy as well, so here we are. Like Marv Levy often said, “Where would you rather be than, right here, right now?”

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Honest answer -- it is hard to not love living here. If you're retired, you can fill your days with non-stop activities. If you're not, you can find time to earn a living and still find things to do. The only way to be bored is if you choose to do nothing.

I'm not a gusher, but I've truly not found people as kind and warm as those in TV. It is common to hear and read of random acts of kindness. There truly is a huge generosity of spirit here.

Are there things we don't like about TV? Yup, we all have our pet peeves but it beats the alternative for most of us. Of course there are some that are genuinely unhappy here -- I know of one couple who just sold their home and moved to Spruce Creek for the simple reason they wanted a heated pool they could use at night. Most people who leave here do so because of personal issues (health, finances, family). Some leave because they don't like it here -- too large, too many young people, too much traffic .... TV isn't perfect, but it is pretty dang good!

Enjoy your preview, get the missus to drink the water and plan to enjoy the next phase of your life.

What are folks considering "young people"??? Just wondering because I haven't seen many young folks at all in TV.

I have a neighbor who is basically a recluse.His wife can't get him off the couch to do anything and he's living here in the villages.I guess if you're not a people person or are the type that doesn't enjoy the things this place has to offer than maybe you wouldn't be happy here.I've never considered myself to be a people person but the activities here was what I needed to become one.Up north it was work and home ..now it's nonstop activities and socializing...just what the doctor ordered..I'm lovin' it!!

[ceejay]

Originally Posted by Number 6

Like Marv Levy often said, “Where would you rather be than, right here, right now?”

I remember that quote well!

I live in TV, but work outside in Leesburg and deal with many folks from surrounding communities. I can tell you from experience that they are not one tenth as happy as we are here...as a matter of fact, a lot of them are quite miserable and grouchy...and I will end it here before I start ranting and raving!

All I can say is, again, the absolute BEST thing we ever did for ourselves was to move to The Villages!

[notsoonenough]

[QUOTE= For example, practically every time we go on a vacation we fall in the area and feel we would love to live there full or part time - after all, who doesn't have fun on vacation?:[/QUOTE]

I am new to this site but I have been hovering just reading for a few weeks.
This post got me to join because I have been to visit my parents in TV after they ask us to come and see their home.
So we went to see what this place was like.

WOW!
We loved it. We spent 5 days just walking around and driving the cart, golfing and just visiting with my parents and their freinds. Everyone seemed very nice. Almost too nice. The only people that seemed not so nice were the ones that could tell we were newbes and maybe we did not know all of the cart rules around traffic, so we probably deserved it!
We are not retiring for another 4 years and then won't be looking for a place for another couple of years after so we have a ways to go.
I would go there now if I could. That's why this caught my eye. If I lived everywhere I fell in love with I would have to move every month.

I will be watching and hope that you let us know what you think after your visit in April.
Like I said, I could move there tomorrow. Hence the name "notsoonenough"