[jalopy54]

The more the merrier!!! LOL

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by janmcn

The snow birds are the lucky ones. They get to drive/fly off somewhere and get good medical care, eat in upscale restaurants, shop in top shelf stores, while full time residents are stuck here picking love bugs out of their teeth.

Keep your windshield up. No love bugs then. Been a full timer since I moved and never had love bugs in my teeth.

And I get good medical care, eat in upscale restaurants and shop at top shelf stores. All right here in TV!!!

Z

[perrjojo]

I don't know anyone who really dislikes snowbirds. I think they are a lot like Christmas Holidays...lots of excitement, rush and hustle bustle but when it's all over we sit back, relax and enjoy a quieter pace until next year.

[kathymar528]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I feel we spend too much time bashing the snow birds.

I agree. People are people. Whether they are renters or homeowners, they deserve to be here just like anyone else. So what that life is more crowded for a few months of the year? If we truly value the financial boost they give to our local economy, there would never be comments about being glad when snowbirds are gone.

[VT2TV]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

I agree. I love my Snowbird neighbors and friends. The slower summer pace is nice too.

Originally Posted by Modigliani

If those hundreds of houses that are being built in TV were occupied by all year round residents you might be wishing you had the Snowbirds back since they aren't there year round - just saying.

Originally Posted by BarryRX

I can't believe all the people who think this is bashing snowbirds. I love my snowbird neighbors! But yesterday I was enjoying the quiet and the reduction in traffic. Saying that there is a difference here when the snowbirds leave is not bashing. It's just enjoying two very different situations in different ways. I love the energy when they are here, and I love the quiet when they're gone.

I have to agree with the posters who enjoy the decrease in the numbers of people/traffic for whatever the reason. In my perfect world, I would love to see the Villages stop being essentially a time share resort. I am sure that comment will ruffle a few feathers, but I would love to see the villages totally sold out, and no renters. I have heard more than once that when build out is complete , we would have enough people to justify more and/or better restaurants and stores. And, no, nothing specific has been said. As far as having 100% non renters (and "snowbirds" could buy every house in the Villages, I don't care who buys the houses). I have nothing against any specific renter, but if only the owners lived here-like most neighborhoods in this country-I personally think we would see far less destruction. People who own the property are far more concerned about keeping everything looking nice because any repairs are probably will be coming out of their pockets. They are more familiar with rules/regulations, and I can only hope-more familiar with how to drive in a roundabout. We wouldn't have this constant back and forth about people who like or don't like snowbirds. They owners-- and again I am speaking broadly in the whole post, for the most part don't have the attitute of "I am only vacation, and I am going to just go wild" which I would hope would decrease accidents, confrontations when they have had too much to drink" I could go on and on, but will stop now. I have talked to a few servers in the restaurants, and while they enjoy the money they get in the winter, they would rather have TV full of people who actually lived here, because they could be fairly sure of a nice steady income year round, not to mention they would rather be hired year round and not just seasonally. Obviously I am sure many of you will disagree with what I have said, but I am talking about my perfect idea, not yours, so I don't expect , nor care if you don't agree. I would like to get back to the idea of a "hometown" and not just rental property. I also doubt it would ever happen, but again, my thoughts.

[Bay Kid]

Greedy

[Happydaz]

I like The Villages just the way it is. I have many friends who are snowbirds or renters and I enjoy their company when they are here. I lived in New England for over forty years and I was used to increased traffic during the warm summer months. Who was I to tell people to stop traveling to the beautiful beaches during the summer because they slowed my travel time getting to my sales calls? I usually just adjusted my routes in the high season to avoid extensive delays. We are full timers here in The Villages and we do enjoy the summer when crowds are smaller, but we also enjoy seeing all our snowbird friends in the winter. Adjustments have to be made,(e.g.leave early for church.) but that is AOK. The world was not made just for me. I have to learn to share the good things with others.

[gomoho]

Is it okay for me feel relief that the crowds are gone - or am I not supposed to acknowledge that for fear of someone being offended. Me thinks we are getting to PC around here. Please allow folks to have an opinion and enjoy the change of pace.

[karostay]

Whew Snowbirds are gone !
Trash on the trails still appearing
Bad golf cart drivers on a daily basis are encountered
Now who are going to point the finger at

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Happinow

I was just saying that after all of the hustle and bustle with so many "extra" people in our communities, it felt good to get back to some sort of normal.

The thing is .... those of us who are Seasonal Residents don't consider ourselves "extra people".
We pay property tax and amenities twelve months a year just like you do.

[asianthree]

since we are snowflakes and come and go when we want mostly in the spring and the fall. That way I don't think we can be counted as extra people in the winter

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by VT2TV

I have to agree with the posters who enjoy the decrease in the numbers of people/traffic for whatever the reason. In my perfect world, I would love to see the Villages stop being essentially a time share resort. I am sure that comment will ruffle a few feathers, but I would love to see the villages totally sold out, and no renters. I have heard more than once that when build out is complete , we would have enough people to justify more and/or better restaurants and stores. And, no, nothing specific has been said. As far as having 100% non renters (and "snowbirds" could buy every house in the Villages, I don't care who buys the houses). I have nothing against any specific renter, but if only the owners lived here-like most neighborhoods in this country-I personally think we would see far less destruction. People who own the property are far more concerned about keeping everything looking nice because any repairs are probably will be coming out of their pockets. They are more familiar with rules/regulations, and I can only hope-more familiar with how to drive in a roundabout. We wouldn't have this constant back and forth about people who like or don't like snowbirds. They owners-- and again I am speaking broadly in the whole post, for the most part don't have the attitute of "I am only vacation, and I am going to just go wild" which I would hope would decrease accidents, confrontations when they have had too much to drink" I could go on and on, but will stop now. I have talked to a few servers in the restaurants, and while they enjoy the money they get in the winter, they would rather have TV full of people who actually lived here, because they could be fairly sure of a nice steady income year round, not to mention they would rather be hired year round and not just seasonally. Obviously I am sure many of you will disagree with what I have said, but I am talking about my perfect idea, not yours, so I don't expect , nor care if you don't agree. I would like to get back to the idea of a "hometown" and not just rental property. I also doubt it would ever happen, but again, my thoughts.

I think you misunderstand what a "snowbird" is. It has nothing to do with renters. Some renters are here year round. A snowbird is someone who comes during the peak winter months only. It makes no difference if they own or rent. And what makes you think that renters are the ones that drink too much and destroy property???? We are all seniors. We are not criminals, drunks, etc. RENTING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SNOWBIRDS!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by VT2TV

I have to agree with the posters who enjoy the decrease in the numbers of people/traffic for whatever the reason. In my perfect world, .... I would love to see the villages totally sold out, and no renters.

As Modigliani said, "If those hundreds of houses that are being built in TV were occupied by all year round residents you might be wishing you had the Snowbirds back since they aren't there year round".

[EnglishJW]

We have a place at the New Jersey shore. In the summer, everything is jam packed - just as TV is in the winter. In the summer, everything is open and busy. During the rest of the year. many of these places close or barely survive (like restaurants). It is comparable to retail sales in the holiday season. The income from the peak season is what attracts businesses. I would assume snowbirds in TV are similar to people at the beach in NJ in the summer. Yes, they don't all live there and most of them do indeed see themselves as on vacation. That is one of the major reasons they are willing to spend money. If there was no "peak season," I wonder how many of these businesses would simply close or never open in the first place. If there were no snowbirds, what would the impact be? I have heard that 20% to 40% of the homes in TV are filled with snowbirds. If that income went away, would it be worth the peace and quiet that exists during the other 9 months of the year?

[Halle]

Originally Posted by onslowe

I shy away from negativity toward the snowbirds. They own homes like us and they pay year round for goods and services they only use part time.

However, I agree with Gomoho's post. In my opinion, this wonderful place has become a serious vacation rental destination year round, and that is a real problem. I come from a vacation/resort area on Long Island, NY. I saw, year after year, the problems attending the "I'm paying good money for this vacation - so watch out" attitude. Increased year round traffic, ignorance or negligence in driving, impatience and rudeness and all too often an obnoxious and mistaken sense of 'entitlement.'

I agree with The Villages becoming more of a vacation destination. We have seen the change in the 7 years we have owned here.