[Clarinet]

We are pretty long-term Villagers with a home in a fairly safe northern state. We are conflicted about whether we would feel safer staying here (with limited activities) or returning to The Villages in the Fall. We've made this trip 17 times and miss the activities and friends there but are concerned about whether we would be making a mistake in returning this October. We would appreciate some advice from people either way. Thank you.

[hlsboro]

Originally Posted by Clarinet

We are pretty long-term Villagers with a home in a fairly safe northern state. We are conflicted about whether we would feel safer staying here (with limited activities) or returning to The Villages in the Fall. We've made this trip 17 times and miss the activities and friends there but are concerned about whether we would be making a mistake in returning this October. We would appreciate some advice from people either way. Thank you.

It will be extremely dangerous here so please stay away. This also goes for all the snowbirds planning a return this fall. It is very sad every time i go to the pool and i'm the only one there. SAD SAD SAD. This goes for restaurants and stores as well, not to mention the awful times i can drive around without bumper to bumper traffic. So to anwser your ? I would highly recommended staying put.

[rjn5656]

Safer here than most places.

[Gulfcoast]

I think that TV is safe now. But I am waiting until more things reopen before we plan a Lifestyle Visit there.

In the meantime, I will stay in my nearly 4000 sqft home on close to 2 acres in an outer gulf coast suburb. A few days ago, I spent the entire day trimming shrubs, weeding and hauling big cans of yard debris around. Today I have 5 bathrooms to clean and sanitize.

When we retire, I want less maintenance and more fun activities. The idea of spending our days working out, going golfing and swimming, shopping and dining on the squares, going to classes and listening/dancing to live entertainment sounds like a lot of fun.

We are patiently awaiting things to reopen in TV so that we can check it all out. We know that good things take time and eventually things will get back to normal.

[Halibut]

Originally Posted by Clarinet

We are conflicted about whether we would feel safer staying here (with limited activities) or returning to The Villages in the Fall.

Is there a timeline for your decision? My best advice is to wait and see what happens. Things with COVID could change drastically one way or the other in the next 3-4 months.

Currently it appears that plans for reopening TV activities will follow Florida guidelines, so most everything should be available again by Fall. But then, I wouldn't bet more than a nickle on any particular outcome -- we're all standing on shifting sands with no crystal balls!

[davem4616]

Wise to be monitoring what's going on even though your plan is to not travel back until October

TV is as safe as anywhere I believe. Some things are starting to open up, softball, tennis, the pools, restaurants, the movie houses...but the squares still look somewhat like a 'ghost town' compared to what we've all come to love and enjoy

today's Daily Sun talks about an uptick in the number of covid-19 cases in the tri-county area...Lake and Marion counties seem to have the most with 530 and 217 new cases (as you know there are only a few Villages in these counties)....Sumter's new cases I believe were under 50 which represents the majority of the Villages

yesterday the line at a Walgreens that was offering testing was huge....folks are concerned, but no panic. Not everyone wears a mask...so perhaps with all that has reopened and people have gathered w/o masks we may see an uptick in cases within TV

IMHO, once you return I believe that you'd be happy to be back in the bubble, regardless of what's open/not open...after 17 years
it's in your blood...and you can play the game as safely as you choose

We were snowbirds for years....I'd actually be more concerned about how I planned to make the trip back down

We've chosen to stay safe and have told our kid's "please no visiting". They'd all be flying down. We are seeing grandchildren in TV...recent reports are that the virus is spreading quickly among the 18 - 25 age group...and I would expect among the younger set too. With Zoom and Marco Polo you can still 'see' everyone...and there's always the phone

[Bill32]

A lot of sarcasm on this thread....

[Taltarzac725]

Probably depends a lot on the kinds of things you are used to doing.

IMHO the Villages' management is doing a very good job with dealing with the Corona Virus public health crisis. As are many businesses here in the Villages. There are exceptions though. My neighborhood pool, for instance, often has people coming and going without masks on which is supposedly required.

And I sometimes get a close talker without a mask approaching me at one of the local dog parks but most people there are keeping at least six feet of distance.

I try to wear glasses, a hat, and a mask on any indoor visit to local stores. But there are people who do not wear masks nor glasses.

It varies quite a bit.

[Stu from NYC]

Who knows what will be happening in four months would delay decision as long as possible.

Would be more concerned about traveling. Will hotels be safe?

[davem4616]

Originally Posted by nututv

No it isn't safe. People are dropping like flies here in FL and less than half the people here wear masks. Just a matter of time before it's a vast wasteland.

wow, dropping like flies...a vast wasteland

really?

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Gulfcoast

The idea of spending our days working out, going golfing and swimming, shopping and dining on the squares, going to classes and listening/dancing to live entertainment sounds like a lot of fun.

Yeah, we agree. You just described our life.

[Madelaine Amee]

At this time, with the virus spreading as quickly as it is and no vaccine available, I am against anyone moving from State to State. I think I read yesterday that NY, Jersey and Ct., are talking about stopping people visiting their States due to infection rates climbing again.

[Gulfcoast]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Yeah, we agree. You just described our life.

I think we could get used to that no problem. Looking forward to visiting TV, it sounds like a great place!

[VIN574]

Most here are following the advice from the Florida department of health. There are plenty of things to do and we expect more soon. We are using TV's facilities and activities (golf and pools), restaurants, retail stores, and socializing...all with caution. You need to decide what you're comfortable doing and be ready to change your behaviors as the situation evolves. We feel we have more activities available to us than we would up north. I believe there may be a requested 14-day quartine for some when you arrive.

BTW, the last time I looked an American citizen can travel anywhere within the USA despite anyone's opinion to the contrary.

Best

[Aloha1]

By October, the weather up north is getting colder plus it will be flu season. Get the heck out and come back down. You're safer here.