To OP's question -- i spend a lovely evening at Brownwood last night and there were no wandering teens in sight. Just a good crowd of mostly 55+'ers as usual, enjoying good music. If you have been up north for the summer you will be amazed by the progress in building out the town center. The two villages closest to Brownwood are nearly done and will bring lots more people into the square. So don't worry, you will be able to relax and enjoy yourself.

Senior, I enjoy reading your posts and recipes and I think we have learned much about you.

Those of us on TOTV that are not constantly ringing the alarm bell are not in denial. We are the people who live in the real world here and realize that life in not perfect ANYWHERE. Most of us live as we have always lived, Utopia does not exist on earth. Anyone of us that wants to enter Spruce Creek or Stonecrest, (the gated communities) can do so at anytime, there is not a 12' fence with barbed wired atop. They have the illusion of security but can easily be accessed.

Do you honestly think your hometown in Vermont is safer than The Villages? Of course it isn't and that logic is not realistic. What makes you feel safer in your hometown is familiarity.

I'm not a teacher but I am requesting you do a little assignment today. Reread every post you have made on TOTV regarding moving to The Villages or any retirement community with the perspective that someone else posted them.

I think there's a pretty clear picture from those posts, you and your husband should really take a few years before making a move here or anywhere. Downsizing to a smaller home in Vermont and wintering away in a warmer climate may be the ticket for the two of you.

My husband and I have much family left in our original home state and they would never be happy moving away from their roots. They love to shoot out of their "bubble" for brief vacations but moving out of state for them would be unfathomable. There is no state in the union that can compare to theirs, (not even Vermont) and they recognize that fact.

This type of arrangement would allow the two of you to live in Vermont most of the year and choose the area in which to winter where you would feel safest. I don't think another permanent move to Florida is your solution, it would be like breaking off the tap roots of two strong Vermont oaks.

As for the safety in Brownwood, there is an excellent sheriff's department and if major issues do occur at some time, we feel they will be nipped in the bud promptly.

I like Patty 55's statement: "There is no reality, only perception".

You are correct about the disgust, Patty, I have learned to use the ignore button so I do not see the words of some people unless you quote them in a post. Words are powerful.

I don't know about any of those bad things in The Vilages. I DO know there are 40+ golf courses, 60+ pools, 20+ rec centers, 1000+ clubs, tennis, pickleball, bocce, shuffleboard, miles of transportation paths, music every night and churches for every interest.

I am glad before we bought, we didn't pay any attention to the 10 or so Negative Nellie's who thrive on TOTV. The other 99,990 residents seems to know the real truth.

Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

:pepper2::pepper2::pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

I very much like you Peachie, for saying things so clearly and so kindly and I so hope that Senior will decide that The Villages is a wonderful place to visit frequently and for long periods of time and that she grows to feel that it is her home away from home.

Well stated!!
And a reasonable dose of common sense goes a long, LONG, LONG
way.

btk

Patty's statement "THERE IS NO REALITY, ONLY PERCEPTION." seems to me to be somewhat analogous to The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, Werner's, not Walt's.

Ben Franklin said something to the effect that while you are courting a woman keep your eyes wide open. After you marry her keep them half closed. I find that analogous to people choosing where to live, whether in retirement or otherwise. Prior to making a choice they evaluate the pluses and minuses. After they have made their decision they make their move and choose to be happy with it rather than miserable thinking about the I coulda's and the I shoulda's.

That is why once a person chooses to relocate to a particular community if they wish to obtain and maintain serenity and remain content with their decision and enjoy it's attributes they put on their rose colored glasses, draw up a comfortable chair on their lanai, sit back and relax with a glass of Kool Aid. They no longer want to dwell on the cons, only the pros for their continuing happiness and contentment. They want to look at their new life as a place in Paradise, not Purgatory. From Abe Lincoln, "Most folks are as happy as they choose to be."

I still don't understand the connection with Brownwood and Wildwood? It's not like Brownwood is right next to a large downtown urban area. If there are 'kids' hanging around they sure as heck aren't walking there. They could (and are sometimes) easily be in LSL or SS as well as Brownwood.

Golf clubs get stolen from the back of carts everywhere in TV at some points. Don't leave them unprotected anywhere or face the possibility of losing them.

I see the Wildwood 'issue' as one of racism and elitism. I hate both attitudes equally. Unfounded fear of those that might be different than you.

Why would Wannabes buy and subscribe to and believe like gospel everything published by a guy who doesn't even live here (Erisman)???

Just the title of that article, "Wild, Wild West" told me he was gossiping and sensationalizing.

And what's REALLY laughable is for somebody whose mailing address is Daytona Beach (it is on his web page) to be printing horror stories about KIDS on the prowl!

As for TV and its society that includes kids and educates 2000 of them in the public charter scools here in TV.....I think we who live here know quite a bit more than those who do not. We have never let our guard down about crime potential. TV is not crime free but it is safer than most places simply beacause most adults are retired and are out talking to neighbors every day, and most of us have a neighborhood email and phone list we can use to notify neighbors immediately if we see something suspicious. Our neighbors call or text or email us immediately and we do the same. That is what a "Hometown" atmosphere is!

Being PRESENT is a distinct advantage over those who are not, in forming an opinion about this place!

Also, nobody has mentioned the fact that at Brownwood during the bands nightly, there are CDD event staff workers monitoring in their blue uniform shirts at each entrance to the dance floor and by the bar line. Surely they are there to monitor behavior of kids as well as adults. And the police are there too.

over 10,000 hits......:icon_bored::popcorn::popcorn:

Hi ilovetv: Teenagers became a real problem at the Mall Of America in Minneapolis. so the Mall instituted a curfew and in addition insisted that any child under 14 be accompanied by an adult. Now you see police constantly monitoring the Mall.

I have read or re-read every post here and what I discovered is confirmation bias. Every statement that basically said The Villages is utopia, not Utopia but close or something to that effect was termed an excellent post, wise or good counsel, etc. Conversely posts which were critical, showed concern or something to that effect were consider to be negative, unrealistic, whiners, or just plain complainers who might want to consider living some place else. .

So one could conclude that the primary way to be popular is to always send good news irrespective of its validity.

I disagree and think this is too broad a generalization.

Some of us are talking about facts taken in context, and others are stereotyping the whole community with a very wide brush by taking rumor--not fact--out of context--out of the context of LIVING here.

Somebody even implied, based on the rumor herein, that the Sanford, FL tragedy could be repeated here because of the hysteria....to which that very comment added fuel to the fire by bringing murder into it!!

I think the critical concerned posts of residents were treated with respect. Perennial tire kickers who apparently want to kick up some drama-NOT SO MUCH.

I think we all have concerns from time to time. Hardly a week goes by where I don't say "OMG, I'm living in Central Florida, I can't get a decent haircut, I'm on my last decent purse and I think the brain is being sucked out of my head". I have plenty of negative thoughts about this joint, but I keep them to myself. I don't think I have the right to intrude on everyone else's fun.

I have to say though, it has been a learning experience. The diverse population has helped me see things differently. Thanks to GG and last election I now know where Iowa is.:thumbup:

POPULAR? Man I didn't know that was the goal here, let me dust off my ta-tas and get to work.

That's a very wise and reasonable observation, manabouttown!