Talk of The Villages Florida - STOP Blaming Snowbirds!

Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)

- The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)

- - STOP Blaming Snowbirds! (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/stop-blaming-snowbirds-355430/)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dano121 (Post 2397354)

I had a Healthcare Worker tell me that the reason I had to wait 4 months to see a Specialist was because a lot of the Birds set up their healthcare down here and then overwhelm the system when they show up for all of their physical needs. Anyone's thoughts???

Since snowbirds are here for 7 or 8 months of the year, you would have to expect them to want and get healthcare while they are here. The problem is on the delivery side of the healthcare equation. The hospitals and medical office budget for employees based upon year-around quantities of patients. So, because they will have fewer patients in the summer they budget their medical staff for that amount. They can't just budget for the number of patients during the winter months because then what do they do during the summer months. They can't "LAY OFF" Doctors and Nurses for the summer months. They can't say take a 3 or 4 month vacation and then come back. medical staff won't stand for that treatment. They either get permanent work (for 12 months) here or they will LEAVE to a situation up north where they can work all year.
........So here in The Villages where there are a lot of snowbirds, the only solution is to budget Doctors and Nurses to staff the summer months and then just struggle with that minimum number throughout the winter months. Then the Doctors and nurses get overworked with more appointments per day. They try to shorten the average appointment time. I imagine sometimes that the medical employers would consider employing traveling Nurses and Doctors, but that would cost a ton of money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlR33 (Post 2396824)

You said the same thing back on 8-25 replying to a similar post but now you have created one yourself to further complain? Just go enjoy the crowed pool and relax already!

The crowded pool means more beautiful people to look at and talk to. The summer is more boring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windguy (Post 2397052)

But the part you are not getting is that they could justify building bigger/better roads to handle the peak traffic if y’all stayed year round. Fewer restaurants would fail and more restauranteurs would be willing to open a business here if they could depend on year-round crowds. This applies to all kinds of businesses.

Since peak traffic is for the greatest part of the year, then yes, they should build the roads for the peak traffic. Having vehicles sitting idling for several traffic lights is a waste of gasoline. That costs money that could go toward building more lanes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2397371)

Many seasonal residents are TENANTS and don't pay any amenity fees at all, ever.

But the landlords do, always.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2397355)

We have one home near us that the landlord has never visited. Every car that pulls in brings neighbors to wonder what the result will be. Sometimes this is 3 times a week.

Would you elaborate a bit, please? What do you mean by "Every car that pulls in brings neighbors to wonder what the result will be." And this occurs three times a week?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucci1920 (Post 2397144)

Snowbirds bring their cash with them when they come for the winter. They pay the many tourist taxes added to the bills. Thank them when you don't have to pay a state income tax.

I just visited TV on a lifestyle tour. I didn't notice a "tourist tax" added to anything. Please 'splain. Thanks.

If a new house is built in TV, it is a fair bet that someone will come live in it, either frogs or snowbirds. Frogs increase traffic year-round, snowbirds only part of the year. Which would you prefer?

On the other hand, frogs tend to be the ones keeping the clubs and other voluntary services running. They also patronize stores, restaurants, medical practices, etc. so they are still around when the snowbirds return in the fall. Both groups add to the wonderful life here.

If you really need something to gripe about, why not complain that your last lottery ticket didn't win $1B. At least that would make sense!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalGal (Post 2397388)

But the landlords do, always.

This fact seems consistently to be overlooked by some here. I'm a part-time owner (don't rent out the house) and don't mind paying year-round for the incredible amenities provided.

Quote:

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!

ok let's look at some facts about snowbirds, aka birds. It's hunting season in Florida, target? Birds - all of them. I'm not a native Floridian and I've lived in other parts of this state not just here. I will tell you we can't wait for birds to leave because everything you seem to think is ok actually isn't. Here's a great example a route that normally would take me 8 minutes start to stop changes to 30 minutes during bird season. Now you tell me what the problem is.

As far as TV, the parking gets worse, the crowds are horrid, and more. What this is really about, as an example, when you buy a new car you start noticing that same car on the road everywhere you go. before that you never did even though it was there. same thing just that we didn't buy or ask for birds.

Complain all you want I will never change my mind about this I've dealt with it since 2006 and every year no matter where in this state it just gets worse.

"Hope I die before I get old."

Too late! But at least I live in The Villages. It ain't perfect, but it's home. Here till I croak!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalGal (Post 2397387)

What does "FROG" stand for?

"Freakin' Reprobate Old Guy"

I read that on a senior living forum so it must be true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalGal (Post 2397387)

What does "FROG" stand for?

I recently read on a health discussion forum that KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Powder Extract is an herbal supplement that reduces stress and anxiety. It helps one feel calmer and more relaxed, helping them sleep better and stay asleep longer. The Physician's Choice brand has nearly 7,000 positive customer reviews. I'm gonna try it for insomnia.

It's not an acronym----it simply refers to that group of people who will live here "until they croak"

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2397690)

It's not an acronym----it simply refers to that group of people who will live here "until they croak"

The guy who posted it on a senior forum, who heard it from his brother's step-daughter's hairdresser's father-in-law says otherwise. Freakin' Reprobate Old Guy.