Originally Posted by go4fpsb (Post 2396871)

So you are saying TV is an uncrowded cesspool in the summer?
:1rotfl:

Originally Posted by MorTech (Post 2396882)

Upside: Snowbirds tend to be younger, sharper, energetic, more interesting/less vapid and more fun. Some of them from the dense cities of the Deep North are just demented/parasitic chimpanzees but they are not the majority.

Downside: General Crowdedness.

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy (Post 2396846)

Fact check TRUE

Humans in general prefer stability, and dislike uncontrollable changes.
Humans also generalize, and find scape goats for uncontrollable changes they dislike. Xenophobia runs rampant in the world amongst cultures.

There is about 100 lbs of sh** for every 5 lb bag on the internet. The internet is a alot more bearable if one learns to ignore/not take generalizations personally when they read posts.

The world has every kind of person from a saint to a devil incarnate and everyone in between, so billions of view points versus your one, you are out gunned and out maneuvered. Just ignore it and move on if you can't or think about why their opinions are posted to understand other's usually selfish or human emotions and motivations. .

check, . . your move . .

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2396791)

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” ranted Peter Finch’s character, Howard Beale, in the film “Network”. I feel the same about the relentless snide remarks & overt negativity directed at and about snowbirds. Let’s look at some facts & common complaints.

We increase traffic congestion.
Hard to argue with that one but we also reduce congestion by leaving for 6 months or more so is the glass half full or half empty?

Snowbirds are bad drivers. Really? Snowbirds come to Florida from all over the U.S. & Canada, driving thousands of miles. How are we able to do this without causing accidents & chaos? It’s really very simple.

We are healthy overall; without vision & hearing problems, coordination deficits, mental lapses or dementia.
We keep our speed at the level of the posted speed limits or with the natural flow of traffic.
We keep to the right lane unless passing.
We use our turn signals.
We can properly & legally park a vehicle (as in between-the-lines & without blocking other vehicles, fire lanes, handicap spaces, etc.).
We put down the phone in order to pay attention to our driving.
We drive defensively.
We practice patience & courtesy.

Floridians seem to think we are clueless as to navigating roundabouts. Newsflash! Florida does not have a monopoly on roundabouts. We have many in my home state & an accident in a roundabout is actually quite rare & never a daily/weekly occurrence as it is here.

Snowbirds living in The Villages pay the same as full time residents in regard to amenity fees, bonds, insurance, property taxes, school taxes & more, yet we are here less than 6 months. We do not vote or influence local & state elections & leave the politics, policies, laws, etc. to the permanent residents of Florida. It is the politicians you have elected who continue to approve new developments attracting more snowbirds to Florida. “If you build it, they will come”

Snowbird money is important to Florida. In 2019, snowbirds contributed over $95 billion to the Florida economy. That equates to 1.6 million jobs in Florida.

To summarize, people love a scapegoat & snowbirds make an easy target but look at the facts:

We are safe drivers.
We pay the same for year-round services.
We benefit the economy.
We leave the politics to you.
We go away for at least half of the year.

Of course there is one way that we snowbirds could put an end to the complaining; we could all just move here permanently. Now, there’s an idea!

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 2396970)

I think there's all types of drivers no matter if you're a full-timer or part-time. I know I spent a lot of time apologizing for my driving the first time I was discovering TV. I was a newbie to 2 lane roundabouts and trying to find any address in seemingly all circular villages. I am now very confident driving here and have to remind myself that the 'bad' drivers I encounter might simply be newbies that also need a grace period!

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2396974)

With all due respect, I have to disagree. Driving is driving and a license to drive implies the ability to navigate all driving situations. "Newbies" get a handout on how to navigate 2 lane RBs, and there is a sign at the entrance to every RB indicating proper usage. I don't want to get killed by a "driver" who is enjoying their "grace period"

If those "drivers" have trouble with the RBs in TV, God help everyone if they ever try to "drive" in a foreign country.

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2396820)

Are the roadways crowded, are restaurants packed, are their ridiculously long lines,….absolutely. The place has become a crowded cesspool in the winter. But, when they all leave for summer, we get paradise back!

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2396995)

Snowbirds are the reason you all are getting a Cosco.

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2396995)

Snowbirds are the reason you all are getting a Cosco.