[sallyg]

We were not "joiners" when we moved down here, and we are not especially out-going. We started going to some activities and met some very nice people who generously included us in their activities. Our neighbors were nice to chat with and then we moved south of 44. As someone else said in a separate post maybe because everyone is new in a newly built neighborhood it has been much more social. Lots of folks are making an effort to meet and get acquainted and have fun. You will do fine. Just participate in something you enjoy and you will meet people. It is pretty hard to make new old friends. So just keep in touch with your old friends and you won't be alone. They will likely visit you here. Good luck.

[KathB]

Deleted by writer.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by KathB

Can we delete a post?

I've never tried to delete a post here, but I would think that hitting the "edit/delete" button would do the trick. You might want to put "post deleted by writer" in place of the erased text. I've done that on other message boards.

[allsport]

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 truly depends on your neighborhood and some are better than others. If you live in villas they may be more attuned to snowbirds and that makes relationships a little harder. I have found that having dogs and walking every day through a couple of neighborhoods, I have made many lasting friendships with people I see and do things with several times a week. If your neighborhood has golf groups or ladies luncheons or social clubs, that helps build friendship circles. I have found that since retirement I have a larger social circle than I had when it was dependent upon kids sports teams and school functions while working full time.

[Queenie504]

It has absolutely nothing to do with your neighborhood. It is up to YOU to make friends and relationships no matter where you live and how old you may be. I've met some wonderful friends here and some duds, but YOU have to make the effort.

[kendi]

We have neighbors who have become great friends and have relatives in TV. Even if it takes awhile to find good friends, it’s good that in TV you can at least be around friendly people on a daily basis.

[Freehiker]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

But add "without swinging"

Why? They can be great friends!

[TandHSTAR@AOL.com]

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

Well if you had a hard time making friends in your old neighborhood of course you will have a difficult time coming into a new community whether in an established area or new area of The Villages. No one is going to come to you door and say hi do you want to be friends. Unlike in our younger days when we met people through PTA, Scouting, etc. that does not happen here. Go out and play golf, learn to play different games at the rec centers. etc. The friends you make here are different than the ones you made or did not make up north. There are no lines, no one cares how much money you have, what kind of house you live in. What matters is your attitude and you are already being negative about moving here by even posting this question. This is not like shopping for a car but making connections with people. GOod luck.

[Gizemo33]

Toymeister, Peanut and Acccchmed are my two pals, we are inseparable.
Little Jeff, Bubba Ray, and jalapeño on a stick or in another group that we do not get along with.

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Let me summarize the question.

How many of you have developed true friendships here?

[Gizemo33]

Toymeister, peanut and Ahmed are my two pals, we are inseparable.

Little Jeff, Bubba Ray, And jalapeño on a stick do not get along with us.

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Let me summarize the question.

How many of you have developed true friendships here?

[SusanStCatherine]

IMHO, if you can't make friends in The Villages and you want to, examine yourself. Put a smile on your face and be positive. Don't complain about anything. Talk less and listen more.

[Grunt 1946]

If you can find one or two things in common with someone or a group, they become your acquaintances, and you'll have someone to share your common interests with. A real friend takes a lifetime to develop, and most people don't have that much time left in The Villages. Unless your lifelong best buddy moves in as well.

[KRMACK55]

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

I also purchased a home here after unscrupulous marketing. That’s all it was. My neighbors are all married couples and I’m single. Ive not made one friend here other than another person from my home state. She moved and now I’m moving too ! The friendliest home town I’ve never experienced. It was a costly mistake. I regret it everyday and am grateful I sold and am leaving in a few weeks.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by TandHSTAR@AOL.com

Well if you had a hard time making friends in your old neighborhood of course you will have a difficult time coming into a new community whether in an established area or new area of The Villages. No one is going to come to you door and say hi do you want to be friends. Unlike in our younger days when we met people through PTA, Scouting, etc. that does not happen here. Go out and play golf, learn to play different games at the rec centers. etc. The friends you make here are different than the ones you made or did not make up north. There are no lines, no one cares how much money you have, what kind of house you live in. What matters is your attitude and you are already being negative about moving here by even posting this question. This is not like shopping for a car but making connections with people. GOod luck.

Our experience was opposite. During our first week in our new home a lady from in the neighborhood stopped by to introduce herself. She was the chairperson of the social club that anyone in this village can belong to. $5 per year per person. There are monthly get-togethers, potlucks, etc. Most of the neighbors on our block stopped by to introduce themselves as well. My wife was invited to join the ladies' golf group which she gladly did.

I had my motorcycle shipped here from Minnesota this past spring and had it parked under a cover in the driveway. Turns out that another guy in our village rides too! He stopped over to chat, and we ended up riding together.

[KRMACK55]

Originally Posted by DAVES

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.

That’s simply not true. I loved my old neighborhood and moved here after life changing circumstances. My neighbors here are very clannish and gossip in the middle of the cul de sac which is sophomoric and I want no part of. Very few people wave and the nicest folks are the ones with dogs. When I began my search to leave here I discovered it’s just that this place is all the same - retired much older - I needed a mix of society where people don’t feel or act entitled. I met folks north of Florida that were friendly nice and of every age. I’m going to rejoin the general population. That includes leaving here.