Hoping you’re right, but honestly my comment was mostly in jest, lol. I don’t mind the young folks at all, just the very crowded parking lot and market with the stock very low a lot of the time. 😊

I apologize to you for the negativity in the responses you are receiving on your post. I've only been here for about a year, so the "newness" has not worn off for me - yet. But there is this little thing. I tiny thing, really. It probably won't help anyone. It's called GRATITUDE.

We all make choices every waking moment of our lives. For example, I have (obviously) noticed the increased traffic as the weather's "sweet spot" is upon us. This is true even in a golf cart, which I choose over my car whenever possible. When I find myself behind a slower golf cart or a bicycle that is not traveling as fast as my golf cart will go (using this example to make a point - I seldom go as fast as my golf cart will go), I have a CHOICE.

(1) Complain and feel frustrated that the universe does not bow to my every desire -- like a child.
(2) Slow down even more and take in the fresh air, sunshine, and beauty. See the people on the golf courses enjoying their lives. Listen to the music. Remember that I am blessed beyond measure and that, like most people, I live a lifestyle that even kings and queens could not enjoy a couple of centuries ago.

Here's another example. When I come to TOTV and read the posts, I always comment, "And here we go!" to my wife before reading the content. I do this because I have a CHOICE.

(1) Join in on the complaining, moaning, and whining about how poopy the world is and fear for the future of humanity.
(2) Laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, using it as a form of entertainment. Then, post something that will help me to be the change I want to see in the world.

In conclusion, when I see someone else's dog's poop while walking my dogs, I pick it up. Complaining is a lesson in futility.

And in answer to the questions asked in this post: "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?"

Yes.

"This thread is awesome-awesome. Over 35 replies and, thankfully, not one person has lamented about the loss of Katie Belle's."

Really don't understand why Katie Belle's disappeared. Best food and fun in TV.
FMK - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgha

In Virginia you should visit the Northern Neck. Surrounded by miles of water on the Chesapeake Bay, creeks and rivers. Beautiful and rural area. The Villages is my other favorite place to be. I'm a lucky guy!

Moved here in ‘14. Live near Brownwood. Perfect location. Everything is a golf cart ride away - except medical. Love it.

:1rotfl::1rotfl:

Yes Michael, it seems the people who post on this site are negative people who just want to complain.
My husband and I have been here for six years and we feel exactly the same way you do when we leave The Villages and when we return. This is a wonderful place to live and blessed to be here and we do NOT take it for granted.

If you are a year around resident, then you MUST be aware that the summers here are very HOT. With a simple Google you can see that temperatures have been going up for the last 10 years. They will keep increasing. You could spend 4 summer months in Ct. Then you would have the best of both worlds. It would also help in your decision of which is best for you.

Well, obviously some of us feel that the summers are too HOT and getting HOTTER. That is nothing against The Villages. There are good activities here.

True
 

It does get hot here in the summer, but then the heat also generates more open spots for golf and restaurants aren’t as full.

That's interesting to me - love bugs. They don't bother me at all. In the summer the HEAT bothers me a lot. And the fire ants bother me a little bit.

Absolutely
 

Sure, and not everyone consistently has the cool aide half full view 100% of the time. That’s just reality. It’s good to hear a good reflection on occasion though, when reality has really hit you hard.

Well I have been to Alaska in the summer and I would be glad to spend my ALL summers there IF MONEY were no object. Also, I would look into living in Australia, Sweden, and Finland. Maybe even Spain. Again that would depend on having plenty of money. The Villages has many good features and some small bad features - like many other places. The main problem for me is that the whole Florida CLIMATE is getting warmer. That is NOT The Villages fault.

I enjoyed Katie Belles!

I think I have this figured out. You all are quarreling over "I love The Villages more than you love The Villages". What did I miss ?

I am always glad to return to the Villages. We will have been here since June of 2005.


I do not like the closings of the Rialto and the Barnstorm theaters but there are a lot of very good things about the Villages.

I will have to see what the future brings but if it comes that I have to leave the Villages I will probably be right outside of it .

Is the 'Northern Neck' the peninsula? Or is it just Northumberland County? Thanks for any information you can provide. -Someone who has never been there, but is interested in maybe visiting.

An honest attempt to help you understand others
 

Personally not at all disposed to be a "negative" person, thus, we've accepted our decision to build here when we retired. But, disappointed, yes, of course, saddened, yes of course, but not letting that ruin retirement years for us. The old "most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be" definitely applies to us. Now, how did some disappointment set in over the years ? Well, we were advised that building in a designer/premier area would give us some advantage that the neighborhood would not become an AB&B or other short term rental area. That did not turn out to be true, 3 of 5 homes across the street are AB&B's, and 2 of 5 on this side of street are part time residents. We just make the best of it, really like and miss our part time owners (snowbirds who also have several other homes so not here the entire winter season), but the AB&B people, regardless of who they are rarely speak even when spoken to ! ? Usually just kind of nod and obviously don't want to take up any of their long weekend getting acquainted with people they will probably never see again. So to explain the sadness that sets in, it was tough to see the weekly "drive way" parties go away, sad to see the often empty houses (does make for a very quiet neighborhood), and of course the daily chatting with everyone working in their yards, or planting flowers, trimming bushes, etc. disappeared as the complexion changed. If we had expected things would never change, we'd be devastated, but don't know of anywhere we could move where changes would not be the reality. So hope this helps you understand, not all long time residents are unhappy, but there is definitely a loss that you will probably experience at some future date. People move, pass away, homes are sold to anyone of any age, so really no way to control if it becomes one of a string of for profit AB&B's with new people in and out every week or long weekend end. By investing in a larger home in an area of similar homes, we believed we made the best "bet" possible for stability, but there is no guarantee no matter where you live in ANY state. Hope that explains the difference in a sadness setting in, and actual unhappiness and depression ! You just have to join new groups, or go to some new activities, and not spend your life regretting how your once friendly neighborhood has changed ! We all have a choice in HOW we feel (emotionally) everyday !

If you want to LOVE Florida summers....
 

Try a couple years in central Illinois's corn country as we did for a few years during our careers ! As Florida natives of SOUTH Florida, we didn't realize that the midwest is much more uncomfortable than any Florida summer. Should have been able to figure out that a completely land locked state, with that many acres of unbelievably humid land (corn, soybeans, and other plants that produce a jungle like humidity) with temps in the 100's, something we never experienced growing up on this LONG, slim, Florida peninsula that benefits from the trade winds nearly always moving the air from one side to the other. In such midwest states the hear is so intense and there is no escape to the beaches, to natural springs, or even evening breezes for relief. Different strokes for different folks I guess, but it sure was not for us. And never ever growing up in Florida had the number and size of mosquitoes they have in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin ! All places we lived for a short time. Experiences elsewhere sure helped us see "love bugs" and "no see 'ums" as "nothing burgers"....LOL ! But, everyone has their own perspectives and opinions. That such a great thing about a HUGE country, plenty of choices to suit everyone !

Thank you for posting and explaining your situation. I first-hand understand your disappointment with what has occurred in your neighborhood with short term rentals and the lack of full time residents.

I am in a villa neighborhood (purchased December 2022), and I was quite surprised to find out that once I moved in, of the 85 villa homes, over half were snatched up by investors. Although there are a few full time renters, the rest are AirBNB. Of the remaining villas, I’d say half of those are part time snowflakes or snowbirds, so that leaves about 25% of my neighbors as full time residents. This did come as a shock when I first moved in (if you want to hear my story in detail, Jerry and Linda did an entire episode on my situation, interviewing me in my home, and did a follow up episode about 7 months later.)

This all has a very happy ending though, and since I had very few neighbors to bond with, I immersed myself in many activities, and quickly assembled dozens and dozens of very good friends (a few from other parts of Richmond, but many from places like Fenney, Hawkins, Newell, Dabney and Moultrie Creek). My entire social life revolves around all areas south of 44 along with Brownwood. I was able to find friendships outside of my immediate neighborhood.

Though it would be wonderful to have a tight, close knit group of neighbors that live on your same street, if that doesn’t work out, there’s always plan B.

I realize people have different needs and different expectations for what they want The Villages to be. I can only speak for myself, and that is The Villages, though not perfect, nor did I expect it to be, checks quite a few of my boxes for what is important to live a happy, healthy, and engaged retirement.

Koolaid: I love my neighborhood here in the Historic Section. A decent variety of personalities, people who look out for each other, close to amenities and shopping but far enough away to avoid traffic or commerce if we stick to our neck of the woods. Walking distance to the rec center, the postal station, and the country club. Bicycle distance to the entire side of the Villages and out to Walmart, and if I ever get up the nerve, also bicycle distance to Spanish Springs across 441 (no way would I ride my bike over the golf cart bridge, but I'll eventually get across 441 down by the Wales Gate.)

What I don't like about the Villages is that it's in Florida. I just really hate Florida. There's nothing about it that I like.