[AbbyPye]

Some time ago, I placed a post within this portal that spoke about the notion of creating new friends once someone has moved in to The Villages.

I am in the process of moving to a smaller home within the Villages domain. However, I tend to make note about the aspects of making friends with other residents here in TV since most (if not all) people that live here, be it full or even part time, come from somewhere else in North America. I don’t know if anyone lives here who are natives to anyplace within a one hundred mile radius. But for this post’s sake, let’s state that those that live here come from somewhere else.

My question is, how many of you from the time you have settled here made some friends that you speak with, get involved with activities, or are just “chummy” with one another. I don’t mean people you see on occasion only to engage in small talk or just say a few things just to be polite. I mean somebody who you could feel comfortable inviting them for a simple meal, or to engage in some form of sporting event, or even have a frank discussion on a specific topic.

And is there anyone out there who has limited to even no friends that live within TV? Your only contact is with family members, or with others that do not necessarily live in TV. In other words, you just exist here, perhaps take part in some public event, maybe use some of the amenities that are available, and so on.

I just ask these questions because I know that the sales and marketing department here in TV push the “lifestyle” one can be part of. And what I mean by “lifestyle” refers to being involved in clubs, groups, and so on. I always referred to somebody living “the lifestyle”, which means that one engages with what is affectionately known as “swinging” a.k.a. “wife swapping”. However, I wouldn't be too surprised if such an activity such as "lifestyle living" exists within these parts, but I will not go any further on that topic.

Again, I just want to know what I may be getting into before I make a full commitment to relocating here. My old neighborhood where I come from held more diversity in terms of people’s stages in life. And because of this, making friends was rather difficult, if not totally impossible! People just had to take care of other things that held a larger priority to them (Work, school, family, etc.), and sometimes taking a bit of time off for just a quick cup of coffee wasn’t worth their effort. And so it goes....

Many thanks for your what I hope will be your honest input to my inquiry.

-Abby

[Toymeister]

Let me summarize the question.

How many of you have developed true friendships here?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Let me summarize the question.

How many of you have developed true friendships here?

But add "without swinging"

[Tom52]

We have been here about 2-1/2 years, didn't know a soul here. We are not extroverted people so we knew we would have to put in the work to make friends we could socialize with. We immediately joined three clubs but have made only a few friends that way. We made an effort to introduce ourselves to surrounding neighbors with some limited success. We found that joining into the neighborhood couples, mens, and ladies golf groups yielded the most connections to new friends. We have a group that plays cards in our neighborhood. DW took up mah jong and has a weekly group here in our home. We have a good group of really nice friends now and are fairly active. You have to take the first steps and put yourself out there to develop new friendships. Good luck!

[Stu from NYC]

We knew one couple that we would socialize with when we moved here.

Best way we found to make a good circle of friends is to join a bunch of socially active clubs.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Tom52

We have been here about 2-1/2 years, didn't know a soul here. We are not extroverted people so we knew we would have to put in the work to make friends we could socialize with. We immediately joined three clubs but have made only a few friends that way. We made an effort to introduce ourselves to surrounding neighbors with some limited success. We found that joining into the neighborhood couples, mens, and ladies golf groups yielded the most connections to new friends. We have a group that plays cards in our neighborhood. DW took up mah jong and has a weekly group here in our home. We have a good group of really nice friends now and are fairly active. You have to take the first steps and put yourself out there to develop new friendships. Good luck!

I agree. It takes time for people to know each other well. It is sometimes difficult to not have "old" friends around us here that have known us for years and years.

It isn't easy to find COMFORTABLE friendships.

[spd2918]

If you don't make friends where you currently live, then you won't make them here. You are you no matter where you go.

That being said, there are lots of activities in which to make friends here. An introvert could challenge themselves to make friends.

[raynan]

I think it depends on your neighborhood. We moved in almost 11 years ago into a newly built neighborhood so no one knew anybody. Right off the bat the neighborhood had driveway parties that grew to socials at our rec ctr and a neighborhood website was set up. One girl had a girl's coffee at her house and everyone brought their own mug. That was a real ice breaker and got the women comfortable with each other. The website invited people to lead golf groups, card groups, book clubs etc. I started a "chick flick" outing once a month followed by lunch and that is going on 11 years. New groups start up as the neighborhood changes but the website is critical to keep everyone in the know of what's available for all. Smaller groups start up with people who have made closer friendships such as dining out together. I think it is harder to move into an established neighborhood especially if it is not an active one or does not have a website. Our neighborhood goes out of its way to welcome new people in. We are the Jacaranda Island section of Pennecamp and homes in our "hood" sell fast.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by AbbyPye

Some time ago, I placed a post within this portal that spoke about the notion of creating new friends once someone has moved in to The Villages.

I am in the process of moving to a smaller home within the Villages domain. However, I tend to make note about the aspects of making friends with other residents here in TV since most (if not all) people that live here, be it full or even part time, come from somewhere else in North America. I don’t know if anyone lives here who are natives to anyplace within a one hundred mile radius. But for this post’s sake, let’s state that those that live here come from somewhere else.

My question is, how many of you from the time you have settled here made some friends that you speak with, get involved with activities, or are just “chummy” with one another. I don’t mean people you see on occasion only to engage in small talk or just say a few things just to be polite. I mean somebody who you could feel comfortable inviting them for a simple meal, or to engage in some form of sporting event, or even have a frank discussion on a specific topic.

And is there anyone out there who has limited to even no friends that live within TV? Your only contact is with family members, or with others that do not necessarily live in TV. In other words, you just exist here, perhaps take part in some public event, maybe use some of the amenities that are available, and so on.

I just ask these questions because I know that the sales and marketing department here in TV push the “lifestyle” one can be part of. And what I mean by “lifestyle” refers to being involved in clubs, groups, and so on. I always referred to somebody living “the lifestyle”, which means that one engages with what is affectionately known as “swinging” a.k.a. “wife swapping”. However, I wouldn't be too surprised if such an activity such as "lifestyle living" exists within these parts, but I will not go any further on that topic.

Again, I just want to know what I may be getting into before I make a full commitment to relocating here. My old neighborhood where I come from held more diversity in terms of people’s stages in life. And because of this, making friends was rather difficult, if not totally impossible! People just had to take care of other things that held a larger priority to them (Work, school, family, etc.), and sometimes taking a bit of time off for just a quick cup of coffee wasn’t worth their effort. And so it goes....

Many thanks for your what I hope will be your honest input to my inquiry.

-Abby

It is no different here from anywhere else. Friends, I take that term seriously. Perhaps, like so many other overused words for many it becomes meaningless. A simple example,"awesome." I think, I HOPE, it is fading but, when everything is awesome, the word means nothing.

I recall speaking to a real friend who said his daughter has ???? 2,000 friends on facebook, my reply was and she knows three of them.

[MrFlorida]

Join clubs, or groups , that's the best way to meet people here.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by AbbyPye

Some time ago, I placed a post within this portal that spoke about the notion of creating new friends once someone has moved in to The Villages.

I am in the process of moving to a smaller home within the Villages domain. However, I tend to make note about the aspects of making friends with other residents here in TV since most (if not all) people that live here, be it full or even part time, come from somewhere else in North America. I don’t know if anyone lives here who are natives to anyplace within a one hundred mile radius. But for this post’s sake, let’s state that those that live here come from somewhere else.

My question is, how many of you from the time you have settled here made some friends that you speak with, get involved with activities, or are just “chummy” with one another. I don’t mean people you see on occasion only to engage in small talk or just say a few things just to be polite. I mean somebody who you could feel comfortable inviting them for a simple meal, or to engage in some form of sporting event, or even have a frank discussion on a specific topic.

And is there anyone out there who has limited to even no friends that live within TV? Your only contact is with family members, or with others that do not necessarily live in TV. In other words, you just exist here, perhaps take part in some public event, maybe use some of the amenities that are available, and so on.

I just ask these questions because I know that the sales and marketing department here in TV push the “lifestyle” one can be part of. And what I mean by “lifestyle” refers to being involved in clubs, groups, and so on. I always referred to somebody living “the lifestyle”, which means that one engages with what is affectionately known as “swinging” a.k.a. “wife swapping”. However, I wouldn't be too surprised if such an activity such as "lifestyle living" exists within these parts, but I will not go any further on that topic.

Again, I just want to know what I may be getting into before I make a full commitment to relocating here. My old neighborhood where I come from held more diversity in terms of people’s stages in life. And because of this, making friends was rather difficult, if not totally impossible! People just had to take care of other things that held a larger priority to them (Work, school, family, etc.), and sometimes taking a bit of time off for just a quick cup of coffee wasn’t worth their effort. And so it goes....

Many thanks for your what I hope will be your honest input to my inquiry.

-Abby

In terms of the Villages, I recall the ad for the Sunday Times newspaper-it was huge.
There line was you do not need to read it all but it is nice to know it is all here.

Different stages of life? This place is a Disneyland for seniors. I regularly laugh. Today is Saturday food shopping day. I recall when I was younger, working my xxxxx off. If, I went to the bank for example, why all the old folks needed to hold me up while they get their interest posted. Now I wonder why these old folks are in such a rush, all bent out of shape are they in a rush to get to THEIR funeral?

Another ad campaign, If you can't be happy here you will not be happy anywhere.

[manaboutown]

I have found it easy to make new friends and acquaintances here as I have most places I have resided. However I am mindful one cannot make new old friends. Deep human bonding takes time.

[GrumpyOldMan]

I believe this is called The Villages and not Stepford.

My point is everyone is different. I expect MOST people that. come here come for the social opportunities, not us.

My wife and I are hermits. We don't do social well if at all. So, we don't have many/any real friends here.

We moved here for several reasons, amenities, the rapid response of EMTs, security, etc. Previously we lived about 15 miles outside of a small town on 11 acres. Our closest neighbor was 1/2 mile away. We had a pond and heavily wooded acreage for our dogs.

We gave up a lot to move here. But, we gained a lot that we feel is important at this point in our lives.

We are just on polite speaking terms with our immediate neighbors, and that is fine for us.

[Kenswing]

We're in a new Village. We already have several friends that we go out with on a regular basis. We talk with our neighbors almost daily. And when I say neighbors I pretty much mean any house that's visible from ours.

Since it is a new village most people are new and looking for friends to share activities with. That's why a lot of us moved here. We also have many scheduled neighborhood meet & greets where we can meet lots of new people.

There's pretty much something for everyone. You only need to be as active or inactive as you want to be.

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by spd2918

If you don't make friends where you currently live, then you won't make them here. You are you no matter where you go.

That being said, there are lots of activities in which to make friends here. An introvert could challenge themselves to make friends.

I disagree with that. Where we moved from we were on 4 acres as were most of the properties around us. We worked full time. Had a large yard to keep up. Had parents that needed lots of care. We simply didn't have time for many friends. Here we do, and have made many.