[Normal]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

We have been here ten years. We still have that "What a great place this is." feeling. Please do not let the unhappy minority put a dent in your happiness. Comparing anything to the 'good old days' doesn't matter. Find your happiness. They may or may not find theirs. There is so much to do and so many great folks to do it with.

Well put. I can’t picture life any better.

[Rwirish]

Oh boy, and no one feels the same.

[bark4me]

Originally Posted by hlsboro

That's what newbies use to say around 12 years ago. Never here them saying it now.

You still say it. Just not out loud

[La lamy]

I'm with you Michael, being grateful for this retirement heaven. There will always be change in life and like you, I prefer to be flexible and find a way to be happy. When my home pickleball court stopped being all advanced in early morning, I chose to join a bunch of leagues to get more consistent level of play. Much harder to do that up north where there are much fewer courts and organized leagues, but I consider that my "off season"! There's so much diversity of activities here. Truly blessed retirement.

[JStyles]

[I feel so lucky to live here! My life has changed in such a positive way. I have met so many people and developed some true friendships in less than 1 year. I also miss it when I’m not here and I get that same excitement you describe when I return. 🩵

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by NYBob

We're in the process now of deciding between TV or just going back up north, most likely to Avon/Simsbury CT. TV in and of itself is very nice but driving through 'No Man's Land' to get there and back leaves much to be desired.

They have airplanes now, that fly over all of "No Man's Land". 😂

[RICH1]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

My excitement level has leveled off now, mostly due to the restaurants, but I am careful not to blame TV. The developer did a magnificent job putting it here, it’s up to the people to make it something special.

I wake up every day thinking whatever did I do to deserve this place!

I feel the same, so I bought another house in NC. Fresh air and mountain view's aren't for everyone. As life's clock ticks away, it's time for reflection not roundabouts..

[opinionist]

TV provides a greater sense of community than some rural locations up north.
A complete spectrum of people could be viewed as negative, but I see it as normal.
The unique benefit is the variety of activities that cannot be found elsewhere.

[Switter]

I've been here a year and eight months. The main things I like about Florida are the weather, the beaches, the abundance of lakes in this area for fishing, and that there's no income tax. I also am more suited to the political climate here.

The rest of it is meh. The topography of the interior part of the state is pretty much the same everywhere you go. Aside from the beaches and ocean I don't consider Florida a beautiful state. It kinda has a disheveled look to it.

As for the villages, the development itself is beautiful, unlike any place else I've been. I also really like having access to the swimming pools and multi modal paths (for biking). I have zero interest in the town squares and entertainment.

The one downside for me personally is the lack of a diverse age demographic. Yeah, I know. Duh, you live in a retirement community, lol. I didn't really consider that when I moved here though. I don't know why but I really miss seeing young families and kids. I guess sometimes you don't miss something until it's gone. I have nothing against baby boomers or even Gen Xers (which I am) but when that's all I encounter everywhere I go, it has begun to wear on me.

As for the people here, most I have met seem friendly. I think the problem for me is that I still work and they are on perpetual vacation. Those are two completely different mindsets. And to be honest, I don't know if I will ever have the mindset of being on perpetual vacation. So in the end, I just have a hard time relating with people here.

I have contemplated selling my place in the next couple years and maybe moving over to Inverness. It seems like a nice town. Or possibly to Deland. Clermont looks really nice too but there's too much traffic and it looks too expensive.

The search continues…

[Bay Kid]

It will be 12 years this Sunday that I bought my 1st house. I'm still excited! Nowhere in the world like The Villages.

[Rzepecki]

An irritating thing my mother said to my teenage self was “Life is what you make it.” Very irritating to me then, but very true. Attitude is a choice made when you wake up everyday.

[GATORBILL66]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’ve been here a little over two years now as a full time homeowner. I still can’t wait to wake up early each morning, and see what new adventure will come my way, through activities, meeting new people, and enjoying all The Villages has to offer.

When I leave “the bubble”, even for a great road trip or cruise, I find myself missing The Villages, and I look forward to getting back home. Even when I leave the bubble for a few hours to shop or dine in Ocala, Orlando or Tampa, there is something so comforting when I return and see “The Villages” welcome sign. It’s like I feel safe and secure again.

Does anyone else feel the same? When you start to take The Villages for granted, do you realize how special this place truly is when you leave it for a short period of time?

We are all truly blessed to be residents in this special, one-of-a-kind community.

Lovin the lifestyle, Livin the dream!

[coleprice]

My wife and I moved to The Villages 5 years ago and love all that there is to do here. We never golfed before and now golf 4 or 5 days a week. Also, we enjoy the music at the Town Squares, the variety of things to do at the Rec Centers and the people we meet here. We've ventured outside the bubble but we've come to realize that resorts that we've stayed at don't compare to The Villages. We are grateful to live here!

[rpalumberi]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’ve been here a little over two years now as a full time homeowner. I still can’t wait to wake up early each morning, and see what new adventure will come my way, through activities, meeting new people, and enjoying all The Villages has to offer.

When I leave “the bubble”, even for a great road trip or cruise, I find myself missing The Villages, and I look forward to getting back home. Even when I leave the bubble for a few hours to shop or dine in Ocala, Orlando or Tampa, there is something so comforting when I return and see “The Villages” welcome sign. It’s like I feel safe and secure again.

Does anyone else feel the same? When you start to take The Villages for granted, do you realize how special this place truly is when you leave it for a short period of time?

We are all truly blessed to be residents in this special, one-of-a-kind community.

We feel the same way. Wish there wasn't some cranky folks but you find that anywhere.

[Brynnie]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

The only real negativity about The Villages I encounter is by a few here on Talk of The Villages (or that other so-called “news” site that I no longer subscribe to). All my friends and neighbors are happy and engaged people who are still as excited to be a part of this unique community as they were a few years ago when they moved here. Lots of smiles when I pass most people, and so many friendly, content folks here. Is it just my area of The Villages? Are there more disgruntle people in other parts of The Villages? I’m very interested as to why some here on TOTV seem disillusioned with The Villages. Are these folks naturally dispositioned to be negative? It just seems those few people are so miserable and unhappy with what they post. I feel sad for them. Not how I want to live out my retirement years.

Your positivity is great, but it's not unusual for new Villagers. We've been here since 2005, and we and our neighbors felt the same for the first 10 years or so. By now, it has worn off. When we moved here, there were 35,000 people living in all of The Villages. Traffic was bearable, the squares weren't crowded with people from everywhere, and it was fun to go listen to the bands, dance, and socialize with neighbors/friends. Not the same anymore. Too many people, too much traffic, and too much chaos. Not the peaceful "retirement community" that we envisioned. Sure, we could move, but that becomes a hassle the older we get. Enjoy yourself! If you're a "young" retiree (between 50 and 65), your generation may feel different about the crowds, traffic, and chaos.