[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by keithwand

Guess you really weren’t at LWR then.
No slumping here. More young than old folks.
Even Del Web people are extremely active.
I chose not to do 55 and over here.

Is there a social media site like TOTV at LWR?

[Ken D.]

Originally Posted by keithwand

Guess you really weren’t at LWR then.
No slumping here. More young than old folks.
Even Del Web people are extremely active.
I chose not to do 55 and over here.

I suggest you read prior posts here regarding Lakewood Ranch. Many who left TVs to move there are back here, or wishing they never left.

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Not angry at all, you just missed the point.

I'm trying to understand why the Developer would change the most successful residential construction business model in the USA and cater to a different demographic.

Are you saying the developers model is no longer successful

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Not angry at all, you just missed the point.

I'm trying to understand why the Developer would change the most successful residential construction business model in the USA and cater to a different demographic.

Maybe because the demographic of those buying south of 44 is in most cases an entire generation younger than the older areas of TV.

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Not angry at all, you just missed the point.

I'm trying to understand why the Developer would change the most successful residential construction business model in the USA and cater to a different demographic.

You are going to take a lot of flack from people on here because your tone was aggressive. Your point is not entirely off base imo.

Yes, what third 3rd or 4th generation is creating is a draw for outsiders to come play golf within T V at Champion courses while still prividing basic executive courses, and minimum mvp nature excursions. They can't create what was done up north in what used to be beautiful flat grazing meadows. All the moving of dirt they do won't ever equal the rolling hills and shadey paths North of 44. They would go broke.

People buying houses online from out of state, who have never been to T V don't know the difference, they don't care about visuals or price is appealling or they fall for "the new center" verbage used to sell all new areas near public squares.

I have lived in Cental FL since 1987 and grew up in New England. The FL landscape is a whole different "animal" than say even NC. FL is for the most part bone flat accept Clermont (lol the new T V shopping district).
When I saw what was created up by Sumter, down through Brownwood I was sold. I longed for rolling hills and shade trees like up north in the US.

What is being built in what T V is SELLING as the new center (verbage is all it is) is typical FL development. Flat, stripped out moss covered SCRUB live oak trees. T V did impressively moved a very old majestic oak tree to the sunset island. They replaced scrub live oaks with a few palms trees and put in very basic plants, and other little elements that do not even remotely demonstrate what T V used to be capable of North of 44.

To someone thawing out from harsh winters its quite lovely - to a long time Floridian the area looks almost barren (water bills for irrigation not so much fun lol). Some will say be patient, the plants will grow. Not even close.

Count the actual TREES being planted in Sawgrass/Eastport area... palms are considered weeds lol (Palm Beach is removing them to appease "climate" verbage). Scimping doesn't fill in a landscape but after all we are in bad economy right now lol.

There is a difference but in the end T V is a very special place. Freedom via fun golf cart riding amungst many many other things. While its not as over the top creative, the concept behind the lifestyle makes still makes T V, even in the new "center of T V", have to laugh, a great place to live.

Btw, one of your findings for sure is indeed off. I just sold my home within walking distance of Ednas (moved closer to Sumter Landing). True fact, when the snowbirds are here you can't park to get your mail. Very popular place. Close to Brownwood. The location sold my house.

[airstreamingypsy]

I like the far north because of all the trees....... I like the far south because of all the nature. There literally is something for everyone. It's odd to me that you took a ride and a golf cart one afternoon, and got to bashing a whole section of TV, and then didn't keep it to yourself. No one is ever making you go there again, so don't. See that, I'm a problem solver.

[Blueblaze]

When in the history of mankind have the kids who inherited their father's dream ever successfully kept it alive?

The South isn't bad. It's still superior to any of the dozens of other retirement communities we looked at all over the country and Florida. But it's undeniably a shadow of what Schwartz and Morse built.

And that's a crying shame, when you realize that we're only halfway through the Baby Boom retirement!

The sad fact of life is, without benefit of "The Dream", the children of every inherited successful endeavor inevitably order their accountants to squeeze every last drop of profit from the enterprise -- as it slowly fades away. There is no profit in building another Sumter Landing south of 44 -- not when you need cash now to support your Florida ranch and your hobby polo field, or your faltering Hollywood career.

It's just a fact of life. No point in whining about it. It's totally out of our control, anyway. Instead of dwelling on it, lets just continue to enjoy The Dream while it lasts -- which will be longer than any of us.

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

In my 3 years in TV, my exposure to the "South" has been limited to 1 trip to look at some furniture & 1 trip in my golf cart, to play Southern Oaks.

Today, giving my back a rest from daily golf, I took the opportunity to cruise the entire southern area.

The next person who tells me "the South is going to be the "Center of The Villages", I'm going to ask what they're smokin', 'cause I want to buy some.

What the Developer created in the Orange Blossom, Sumter Landing and Brownwood areas, is the envy of residential real estate developers, around the world. What Mr. Morse's heirs have done with the South, is appalling. It is "The Villages" in name only.

I also took the opportunity to visit Sawgrass Grove. It makes OTOTW's "center" look like a thriving place. The "Market" had less than 30 people in the entire building (3 pm). The only restaurant (McGrady's), was about 1/3 full and mostly just drinkers at the bar.

I've heard a lot about "Edna's on the Green". Stupid me, I thought it was a restaurant. It's a ugly food trailer ... and no one was there.

If folks were required to look at Lakewood Ranch, prior to buying in the Villages South, home sales would grind to a screeching halt.

It was like being in a foreign country.

FLAK jacket on.

Nasty, unnecessary post

[gbs317]

We live south of 44 now for 5+ years now. My wife likes it, I like it, my children like it and are happy for us, my grandchildren like it, and my neighbors like it. I guess if myself and my family are happy for us and are excited to visit us in the southern part of TV that’s what makes me happy.

[keithwand]

Originally Posted by Ken D.

I suggest you read prior posts here regarding Lakewood Ranch. Many who left TVs to move there are back here, or wishing they never left.

I don’t know everyone here so have no way of knowing.
People move about all the time.
Some of my old neighbors have moved back to where their families are.
Some to other places in Florida including nearby the villages like harbor hills and on top of the world.
I do know of 1 that moved back to TV and is now in the new area south.

[Driller703]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

In my 3 years in TV, my exposure to the "South" has been limited to 1 trip to look at some furniture & 1 trip in my golf cart, to play Southern Oaks.

Today, giving my back a rest from daily golf, I took the opportunity to cruise the entire southern area.

The next person who tells me "the South is going to be the "Center of The Villages", I'm going to ask what they're smokin', 'cause I want to buy some.

What the Developer created in the Orange Blossom, Sumter Landing and Brownwood areas, is the envy of residential real estate developers, around the world. What Mr. Morse's heirs have done with the South, is appalling. It is "The Villages" in name only.

I also took the opportunity to visit Sawgrass Grove. It makes OTOTW's "center" look like a thriving place. The "Market" had less than 30 people in the entire building (3 pm). The only restaurant (McGrady's), was about 1/3 full and mostly just drinkers at the bar.

I've heard a lot about "Edna's on the Green". Stupid me, I thought it was a restaurant. It's a ugly food trailer ... and no one was there.

If folks were required to look at Lakewood Ranch, prior to buying in the Villages South, home sales would grind to a screeching halt.

It was like being in a foreign country.

FLAK jacket on.

What are YOU smokin’?

[Dond1959]

I am truly amazed and amused at the north vs south arguments on social media. It usually starts (like this post) with someone from the north bashing the south and then the retaliation from southerners.

But if people are really honest it isn’t the location or amenities. The issue is some people in the north do not want any growth. They feel the developer “promised” there would be no growth past whatever landmark (466, 466a, 44). They believe the Villages is “too big” and they wanted growth to stop as soon as they moved in.

Then people will bring up Mr Schwartz and Gary Morse and that they would never betray them. I have to laugh, they were very good businessmen. They would of jumped at the chance to buy up the land south of 44 from failed developments. I encourage you to look at the latest goldwingnut video update. He does a great job explaining the land purchases. The bottom line is the land was going to be developed by someone and the Villages doing it will make it much nicer than most any other developer.

Now go enjoy your day no matter where you live and stop complaining about where someone else chose to live.

[Wilson02852]

People retire to one of the best places in the country and still bring their my world is better than yours attitude with them. My car, my house, my lawn, my pool, my neighborhood pool are all better than yours.

Get real, your hourglass is running low. You need to sit back and enjoy what "you" have instead of what your neighbor has. Now I'm putting the clubs on our one cart and driving 10 minutes to play a round of golf with friends.

[bsloan1960]

Like the rich man looking down with contempt on the peasants from his house on the hill. Lucky that you got one of the beautiful spots before all the commoners moved in and excepted life in their ghetto.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by Dond1959

I am truly amazed and amused at the north vs south arguments on social media. It usually starts (like this post) with someone from the north bashing the south and then the retaliation from southerners.

But if people are really honest it isn’t the location or amenities. The issue is some people in the north do not want any growth. They feel the developer “promised” there would be no growth past whatever landmark (466, 466a, 44). They believe the Villages is “too big” and they wanted growth to stop as soon as they moved in.

Then people will bring up Mr Schwartz and Gary Morse and that they would never betray them. I have to laugh, they were very good businessmen. They would of jumped at the chance to buy up the land south of 44 from failed developments. I encourage you to look at the latest goldwingnut video update. He does a great job explaining the land purchases. The bottom line is the land was going to be developed by someone and the Villages doing it will make it much nicer than most any other developer.

Now go enjoy your day no matter where you live and stop complaining about where someone else chose to live.

You bring up many good points.

Development between 44 and Clermont is going to occur regardless of the developer. Would you rather have that developer be “The Villages” or a non-Villages entity?