[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Expectations -expectations- expectations it all begins with expectations and of course your frames of reference. I believed the area I moved down from was the best place in this nation and national survey after national survey supported my belief rating this city the highest and the state the second best in quality of life. A large metro area but so well designed and planned that traffic moved well and the area always kept in pristine conditions. So we were use to a large geographical area and large population but one that was well managed and well planned

We never viewed The Villages as some sort of Disney World, in fact thought such an idea should be discouraged because its a fantasy and sooner or later all fantasies disappear. Nor did we believe all the hype about living like a millionaire on retirement income. We focused on the tax situation and the restrictions that preserve properties. Golf carts for us are used for golf nothing more .

So when I would read these glowing almost mystical reports about TV and the developer my thoughts moved to their disappointments when they discovered this place wasn't built just for them and that the incremental crowding in and around TV would eventually put all those expectations to rest.

Indeed the poster referencing a large homogeneous population as a problem is correct something also we took into consideration

The aptly termed "posse" is correct;albeit my belief is that they believe they are taking the high (positive) road blunting negative and unfair comments. The saying a pessimist is an optimist with experience comes to mind .

Love it or leave it" well in my view when one retires savings/replenishment's become almost impossible so financial decisions must never be taken lightly . We made our move with both eyes wide open weighing out the pro and cons . I miss the place I moved from but one always has fonder memories of the past. So we adjust because the most crucial aspect of life is adaptation

Those who ask should we move to The Villages ought to first ask why is it I want to leave where I live presently?

Personal Best Regards:

Good post.

I would just reiterate what others have already said...rent for a while first.

[Bay Kid]

Still loving TV!

[bbbbbb]

[QUOTE=Cmgregory;1307156]For those of you who have been residents of TV for at least 2 to 5 years:

Is it as good as you thought it would be?

If you had it to do all over again, would you still buy in TV?

We would like to hear both the positives and negatives of living in TV.

We have visited TV several times and walked around the squares but have never stayed there. We have heard nothing but good comments but wonder if it as good as everyone says it is.

Well the community is great in many ways. But for a bicycle person it is not good, not at all. After what happened to me yesterday which is a major thorn in the side of the exercise world of enjoying a bicycle. We do not feel we fit in here and will proceed to make some adjustments. Let me add. There is a bike lawyer named Dotson, if you need help.
Unfortunately it is going to take a major lawsuit and or accident or death to bring this item up for action.

bbbbbb

[bbbbbb]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

Good post.

I would just reiterate what others have already said...rent for a while first.

Yes, rent for about 3 or more months, maybe stagger some seasons, a month or so and then more at a different time. We came here three times for a month each, it was not enough. You have to be here awhile to get the real picture. Only one example, we were told you can ride on the sidewalks when it is safe and unoccupied. Well that is not the truth. We were told that the Multi Modal paths are for bicycles, well not so much folks. So if you are considering this, make up your mind if you do like to see a lot of drinking, excessively or not,,,,,,,,,, then decide.
bbbbbb

[Matzy]

There are always pro's and con's. People are different and have different ideas, feelings, life-styles, taste's, etc. But they have it everywhere they live.
For us, when we visit the first time TV, it was like a dream and we want to make it like the dream came true. Yes, we checked out TV completely, lived for several month there and found the uniformity, the strict rules and we missed some culture events like going to museums, National sites, zoo, etc.
But we know also that it will be impossible to find a place which can fulfill ALL expectations at once people can have. Living before coming to USA at overseas for more than 25 years, then California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, we found the place "The Villages" and we did find out that WE have to change and adapt a little bit more, OPEN the eyes wide and see the BEAUTY of the place, the WONDERFUL PEOPLE (including all what might be different in each person - which make a person wonderful).
We found the best solution for us (in can change of course when we are getting older), living at two (special for us :Wonderful-) places, The Villages and St. Louis, and we still traveling around the world.
May you find your place you like when you are READY for it.
Yes, some people saying it's a BUBBLE, if you want to you can see it as that, others saying it isn't the REAL world, and my answer to that is:
IT IS THE REAL WORLD LIKE PEOPLE CREATED IT, IT IS THE REAL WORLD YOU WANT TO LIVE IN.
Other places might be dirty, full of crime..... call it 'real', it isn't for me and it isn't the natural world either.

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by bbbbbb

Yes, rent for about 3 or more months, maybe stagger some seasons, a month or so and then more at a different time. We came here three times for a month each, it was not enough. You have to be here awhile to get the real picture. Only one example, we were told you can ride on the sidewalks when it is safe and unoccupied. Well that is not the truth. We were told that the Multi Modal paths are for bicycles, well not so much folks. So if you are considering this, make up your mind if you do like to see a lot of drinking, excessively or not,,,,,,,,,, then decide.
bbbbbb

Ah yes, the bicyclers! Obey the rules of the road and all will be fine. However, a group of 15 or 20 bicyclers will come to a stop sign and just blow right through like the sign was not even a suggestion to stop. They will ride 4 abreast taking up the entire MM path. All are equal on the roads and MM paths - but bicyclers are a little more equal?

[outlaw]

[QUOTE=bbbbbb;1308455]

Originally Posted by Cmgregory

For those of you who have been residents of TV for at least 2 to 5 years:

Is it as good as you thought it would be?

If you had it to do all over again, would you still buy in TV?

We would like to hear both the positives and negatives of living in TV.

We have visited TV several times and walked around the squares but have never stayed there. We have heard nothing but good comments but wonder if it as good as everyone says it is.

Well the community is great in many ways. But for a bicycle person it is not good, not at all. After what happened to me yesterday which is a major thorn in the side of the exercise world of enjoying a bicycle. We do not feel we fit in here and will proceed to make some adjustments. Let me add. There is a bike lawyer named Dotson, if you need help.
Unfortunately it is going to take a major lawsuit and or accident or death to bring this item up for action.

bbbbbb

Interesting that you think TV is not bike friendly. In my case, one of the major factors for moving here, was the miles and miles of neighborhood streets for bike riding. I feel much safer riding here than where I lived before. I love riding on the mmp, but I do stay as far to the right as possible and try to accommodate the golf carts. I find that the golf carts are much less a problem than the walkers that insist on walking two and three abreast, frequently walking WITH traffic. I never ride on the major roadways in TV unless there is a marked cart/bike lane. I get all the exercise and lung busting intensity I can handle off of these major roadways.

[Polar Bear]

[QUOTE=outlaw;1308760]

Originally Posted by bbbbbb

Interesting that you think TV is not bike friendly. In my case, one of the major factors for moving here, was the miles and miles of neighborhood streets for bike riding. I feel much safer riding here than where I lived before. I love riding on the mmp...I get all the exercise and lung busting intensity I can handle off of these major roadways.

Totally agree. I ride now much more and feel much safer than I every have previously...anywhere.

[paulascorpio]

We have lived here 2.5 years and LOVE it all, our neighborhood, the friends we've made, the choice to be active or not on a daily basis. Things to do, places to go and lots of new learning experiences. My husband did get cancer July of last year and it was terrifying to be in a new place and not know where to go for good cancer care. Boy was I surprised!! Shands and Moffitt a small drive in either directions with some of the best care in the SouthEast and fabulous doctors. I am grateful he is doing well at the blessed hands of his wonderful doctors. So really there is no need to go anywhere else.

[fb32162]

We moved here 5 yrs ago this week. We didn't know a soul when we moved here. We have made wonderful friends and are involved in many groups and activities. It took us about a year to feel like this was "home". We had several cross country moves during our careers and I can say this was by far the easiest place to meet people and make friends. No regrets!

[joldnol]

We have been here a few weeks more than two years. The first year we rode around with Villages rose colored glasses and were in awe of everything. The shine has worn off but one can't find a better place to be. No regrets.

[vikkip109]

It's better than we thought it would be.
Wish we had moved sooner.
The squares are great but there is so much more.
You will regret waiting.
We moved from VA 3 years ago

[Ray Roberts]

No
No
The Villages Management changed due to a death of the original Developer. Since that, things are changing, not for the better, in my opinion.
Bought in 2010, full time.
It's probably as good as you'll find though, you just have balance things out.
Most villagers are great, but not all, that's for sure. Certainly not perfect.

[Villagesgal]

I've lived here 15 years. I would definitely buy here again. It is an amazing place. Most unhappy people here were probably unhappy back where they came from. I would suggest you take the class offered by the Villages about how this system of govt. works as it is not a town and runs differently. You would then know what to expect and how your money is being spent. It isn't heaven on earth but no place is but if you are realistic it comes close. Snowbird season is congested. The summers are great. There arr rude people here but they are everywhere. There are wonderful people here too, seek them out and you will love it here. There's lots to do here, get out and enjoy the things you love. If one of you gets ill there are support groups to help you. The developer is in it for the money but has built an amazing place. Look for the good and you will find it and enjoy living here. Do take the govt class though it explains things here well. Hope to see you happily living here someday.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by blicata

Just returned from doctor's office located on 441. Receptionist put our names on a waiting list about 10 pages long with about 50 names on each page.
Developer touted the tv health centers (that took my insurance at the time of home purchase) as a selling gimmic. I have health issues & this figured into our decision on whether to buy in the villages. Were members of tv health for 3 years. Now we are forced to choose between my excellent health insurance and medicare advantage(2017 version). Medicare advantage(2018) plan is in the works but agents say they are not privy to the details.
Medicare advantage agent said it would be unwise to drop my plan & go with tv health plan. $0 copay is too good to be true when you analise all the delails of the plan. Moving at this time is not an option.

Must be the largest waiting room ever, 500 people in one day....must be going for worlds record