[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

To correct the OP....the correct trademarked marketing slogan is 'FL Friendliest Hometown'....not 'Americas Friendliest Hometown'. The latter...distinction is widely reported as Savannah GA*

*Conde Nast Traveler

Chances of Becoming a Victim of a Violent Crime in the Villages is 1 IN 3,766, a 0.03% chance.
In Savannah it is 1 in 45, a 2.2% chance.
You are about 100 times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime in Savannah.

You have a very different view of friendly than I have. To each their own, though.

[Dusty_Star]

I agree with some of the others who said The Villages is like America 60 years ago. Maybe the tag line America's Friendliest Home Town helps to self select helpful & friendly people who want to be with others like them.

[Micizel]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Update - turned out something called my “quick disconnect line” to my battery became loose, which caused the power to my cart to die. Apparently, they see quite a few cases of this with their 2023 Yamaha models. Easy repair (basically just reconnect and tighten) - glad it turned out to be something so minor, and glad I had the tow coverage.

We have the same issue with our 2023 cart. The connection loosens up so just keep an eye on it. We forget to check it and once in awhile the cart just dies or doesn’t go when we hit the gas pedal. We just pull up the seat and tighten the connection and we’re good to go.

We’ve been on both ends of needing help and provided help numerous times. It’s nice to know someone will probably offer help if/when you need it.

[DebGoen]

What a nice post! Thanks for sharing and hope your cart is all good soon! We share your perspective on feeling blessed to have a home in TV 🎉

[Robojo]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

As luck would have it, my 2023 Gas Yahama Cart without warning, completely shut off while coming out of a tunnel under Meggison, just south of the Brownwood bridge. Has a full tank of gas. A kind lady was behind me and assisted me in pushing it away from the tunnel entrance, and near the ramp of the path. I called Villages Golf Carts, who advised me I was still under warranty, and called my cart tow insurer (American Golf Cart Association), who were very punctual, sending out a tow about 25 minutes after my call.

While waiting for the tow, I thought it would be interesting to track how many cart drivers would check-in with me or offer assistance while I was broken down at the entrance to the tunnel. Almost 100 carts passed me during this waiting time. About two-thirds of the carts either stopped or asked if I needed help as they passed me. Several offered me water. Several were willing to wait with me until the tow came. One offered to meet me at Villages Golf Carts and drive me back to my home.

Of the remaining third, half of that group did smile and wave at me, but kept on driving. The other half of that third did not make eye contact with me and kept driving past me.

Overall, I was very impressed with the friendliness and willingness of the vast majority of those who came upon me while I was waiting for a tow. This is truly an extremely friendly and caring community. I don’t think you’d have that many good samaritans stop in other places in this country. I’m very grateful to those who stopped and offered their encouraging words, and I am so blessed to be here in The Villages. It truly is America’s Friendliest hometown!

Just wait until a bush dies or something on your property. They'll be out there taking pics and sending complaints.

[Two Bills]

My wife and I have travelled by car since the early 80's over much of the US and Canada.
We are not city comfortable types and stick to the small towns, open highways and countryside.
We have some wonderful memories and stories of the people we have met, unsolicited help and hospitality from total strangers, and sites we have seen
We once even had an escort of over a dozen hairy great lumps of terrifying looking Nomad Bikers escort us to our overnight stop, when we were a little off course.
Over the years, we have found that if you greet people with a smile, a friendly word, good things happen.

[rsmurano]

Savannah GA! Not even close. Crime is terrible, gangs all around. Used to be a very nice place to visit many many years ago. Check what people and the mayor have to say about Savannah;

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson responds to claims of gang activity | WSAV-TV

https://youtu.be/CLo8bb9rAJE

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Robojo

Just wait until a bush dies or something on your property. They'll be out there taking pics and sending complaints.

The fact that they may not like your property going to the dumps does not mean they won’t be there when you are in need. Completely different situations.

[azcindy]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

As luck would have it, my 2023 Gas Yahama Cart without warning, completely shut off while coming out of a tunnel under Meggison, just south of the Brownwood bridge. Has a full tank of gas. A kind lady was behind me and assisted me in pushing it away from the tunnel entrance, and near the ramp of the path. I called Villages Golf Carts, who advised me I was still under warranty, and called my cart tow insurer (American Golf Cart Association), who were very punctual, sending out a tow about 25 minutes after my call.

While waiting for the tow, I thought it would be interesting to track how many cart drivers would check-in with me or offer assistance while I was broken down at the entrance to the tunnel. Almost 100 carts passed me during this waiting time. About two-thirds of the carts either stopped or asked if I needed help as they passed me. Several offered me water. Several were willing to wait with me until the tow came. One offered to meet me at Villages Golf Carts and drive me back to my home.

Of the remaining third, half of that group did smile and wave at me, but kept on driving. The other half of that third did not make eye contact with me and kept driving past me.

Overall, I was very impressed with the friendliness and willingness of the vast majority of those who came upon me while I was waiting for a tow. This is truly an extremely friendly and caring community. I don’t think you’d have that many good samaritans stop in other places in this country. I’m very grateful to those who stopped and offered their encouraging words, and I am so blessed to be here in The Villages. It truly is America’s Friendliest hometown!

Really nice to see posts like this. Thank you for posting Michael.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by maistocars

Widely reported? Are you kidding? Come on now....Savannah is a city - no comparison. The Villages is a special place with a lot of special people, 99% who are super friendly. I've lived all over the U.S. and nothing compares to what we have here with the 150,000 people who are enjoying life and each other.

No comparison? Savannah pop. is 2K less than TV (148K). Pick your own source....OP called the TV "America's Friendliest Hometown"...the other poster asked if there was any other place in the country like TV...so based on those posts, you will see that Savannah tops most lists using those search specifics. As far as you vouching for '99%' of 150K Villagers 'super friendly' mannerisms and their opinions on quality of life....i'll let that one stand on its own 'merit'!

Nobody is arguing that TV is a 'special place'....but enough with the 'ive lived everywhere in the country' and 'this is the friendliest place in the country' narratives. Enjoy your life and stop marginalizing areas....and people you've never lived....or met.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Michael, what was wrong with your cart? Hope it is all fixed.

I keep hearing from folks on this forum that carts that are broken down on the side of the road are mostly electric because the cart ran out of "juice".

Rarely does anyone post that their electric cart is broken down on the side of the MMP. It would cause 100 posts about which is better, and why you should or shouldn’t own one

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by CybrSage

Chances of Becoming a Victim of a Violent Crime in the Villages is 1 IN 3,766, a 0.03% chance.
In Savannah it is 1 in 45, a 2.2% chance.
You are about 100 times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime in Savannah.

You have a very different view of friendly than I have. To each their own, though.

The OP post was specific to 'Americas Friendliest Hometown' ....i have several posts now in response to his...and others, on that premise. If you now want to pivot to crime....maybe one of our ToTV members can repost the 'friendly' neighbors video...of her being rag dolled by her bf in her Villages driveway...under her Ring camera. The point, on your newest submission to this topic...no one is immune to violent crime...not even those that live in 'gated bubbles'!

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

My wife and I have travelled by car since the early 80's over much of the US and Canada.
We are not city comfortable types and stick to the small towns, open highways and countryside.
We have some wonderful memories and stories of the people we have met, unsolicited help and hospitality from total strangers, and sites we have seen
We once even had an escort of over a dozen hairy great lumps of terrifying looking Nomad Bikers escort us to our overnight stop, when we were a little off course.
Over the years, we have found that if you greet people with a smile, a friendly word, good things happen.

Which the dismissive wing of To TV...cant wrap their collective heads around. This is a great, objective post!

[La lamy]

Thanks for this Michael, good to know the majority in TV are nice people!!!

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by La lamy

Thanks for this Michael, good to know the majority in TV are nice people!!!

The overwhelming majority, in my opinion.

Those who aren't stand out because of their rarity.