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Originally Posted by createquilts

just got home after a week lifestyle visit.
Everyone was so nice and helpful. People gave us their phone numbers if we had any questions, as we were driving around the neighborhoods some people came to the car to talk to us as we were obviously looking at homes on the market. While I am sure there are some grumps somewhere, we did not run into them. We did see someone at an adult pool playing loud music, which I thought could be annoying to some, luckily it wasn't something awful.
We heard from several people outside the villages that if you live close, you can enjoy all the villages has to offer and not pay the price. That statement could not be further from the truth. Normally we don't eat out much and the music on the squares, while fun, is not something we would go to regularly. We would move there for the lifestyle that only residents can participate in.
We did feel some frustration at not being able to participate in some things as guests, but of course understand the reasoning and want to be given the same courtesy when we become residents.
Everyone feels their village is the best and were happy to tell us why. That was a lot of fun, hearing this over and over.
I am not sure how you are able to build from scratch, we were overwhelmed looking at sandy plots being able to envision what the area would look like.
Everything was very well maintained, we saw no garbage anywhere, we did not see one unkempt home after driving through numerous neighborhoods.
We had a lot of fun.
we visited several other developments and actually stayed at two others. One had homes that were very nice, but I had an uneasy feeling about the future of the development. The other was a well known developer but there were too few people and the houses were all the same. Both had long lists of activities and clubs, but when you went to the activities, there was no to little participation. One development had few younger people, and one seemed very unfriendly to children visiting.
So after our jaunt around Florida, once our house sells we'll be coming down. Most likely a resale or standing home, but you never know.

createquilts: "While I am sure there are some grumps spmewhere, we did not run in to them."

I feel I must defend the grumps here since they serve the community well. First there is no sense in being a grump unless you can act like one. Secondly grumps sometimes provide other residents with information they might have missed otherwise. Third grumps may not be grumps but good residents having a bad time of it. Fourth whenever I run across a grump I usually hold my tongue and at the proper time, if afforded, suggest that my gut tells me they are having a time of it and I hope it works out well.

My impression of The Villages after 6 years is the same as the first week.
My wife is a little slower to decide. For instance we have been together for 57 years and she is still debating with herself if I am the right guy for her. Jus kidding she like TheVillages.

I know you will make the right choice for you.

Ciao

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by createquilts

rjm1cc, I would rather not name the other developments, only because what is not right for us might be exactly right for someone else. We went with an open mind, and I would suggest everyone do the same.
ugotme, we found the best information by just asking people. In pools, in clubhouses, in restaurants, all over the place. We would ask what do you like about living here? how did you make your decision? What would you do differently? Any downsides or regrets? Outside the villages we asked if they considered living there, and most had never even visited but said things like "it is too stepford wife-like" or "we heard you can't get a tee time".

Believe me, people are more than willing to talk about themselves and give their opinions when asked and it was very useful info.

createquilts -- the questions you answered were excellent questions for TV wannabees to ask TV residents. On each of my visits to TV, I make it a habit to ask residents what they like and don't like about living in TV. Just about every person I have talked to was very willing to share his or her experiences (both good and bad, but mostly good, about living in TV). Sounds like you had a very good visit. Good luck with your home search.

[senior citizen]

Amazingly, we had the same experience of chatting with folks we met in various places who were more than willing to share their positive and negative impressions after living there awhile.

Some folks we'd meet on the veranda of The Waterfront Inn following breakfast........just sitting out chatting; either in the front or in the back by the lake. Others we'd meet further down at Lake Sumter Landing while waiting on the boardwalk for restaurants to seat us.

Again, every place on earth has it's positives and negatives. But, it was good to hear varying opinions from a neutral group of folks.....from all over.

Everyone we met was super nice and down to earth.

Re our young visitors who were only there for one week out of the six weeks, both had a very positive impression of the entire place, which really surprised us. That's saying quite a lot for TV. They both have excellent taste and are YOUNG.

Whereas, another "peer" of ours in his mid 60's thought it was "phony" and the same old same old catch phrase of "An adult Disney World" which truthfully we didn't see.....and we went faithfully to Disney World, Epcot, etc. for at least 15 years straight. My opinion of his comments is that he was just repeating some sour grapes. His "phony" to us was neat and organized, beautifully landscaped and attractive.

The only place we thought that didn't look like the video representation was "Spanish Springs" town square.

We preferred Lake Sumter Landing a thousand percent.