[ElDiabloJoe]

Tustin714, We are from OC also. Brea and DP. Moved away 4 years ago. The only regret: good Mexican restaurants. I mean really good, like South of Nick’s, Javier’s, or even Avila’s El Ranchito. Been to Taqueria de Anda in Santa Ana? Excellent! I was w 18, if that means anything to you. My wife spent her entire life in LA/OC. Also zero regrets. Hope this helps.

[oldtimes]

We love our snowbird neighbors. We bid them farewell when they leave and welcome them back. They are an integral part of our neighborhood and when they are here we include them in everything.

[yporter]

Originally Posted by Tustin714

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

We spent 4 years renting in different areas to see what location we liked best, and where was most convenient for the activities we like to do. We made friends during those years, but it was mostly friendly acquaintances - pleasant, someone to pass the time with, but not true friends. We would pick up the friendship when we returned, but did not keep in close touch while gone. Some of these folks were full timers here and some were fellow snowbirds.

We finally bought 2 years ago, and since I have an elderly father and am an only child we split our time north and south. Our experience is that some of those friendships matured into folks who I would consider real friends, and we continue to meet and make connections with people. We do own both homes outright, so the cost of maintaining two homes isn't as high as I thought it would be so. The ability to travel from home to home is significantly better than renting - less packing, less stress. If you haven't tried renting, you might want to do that for a season or two, trying different areas. TV is growing large enough that it will get difficult to easily travel to all of it for events/activities, so where you settle will matter on making friends and go to places/activities. Our neighbors are friendly but our closest friends we've made from activities, since we spend more time out and about than in the house/neighborhood.

We can see a day where we sell our house up north, but until we spend a summer or two here we aren't sure if we will stay year round or become 'reverse snowbirds', spending June-August somewhere cooler, whether that is renting a place or just taking a lot of summer trips.

[ahrens fox]

Originally Posted by Tustin714

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

Seasonal residents return with interesting stories and adventures. They bring a different perspective to our social gatherings. Besides, their economic contribution during the on season enables full time residents to enjoy great amenity accessibility in the off season.

[MidWestIA]

I think it has to do with what you do and probably doesn't happen much if you don't do much

[lpkruege1]

Originally Posted by Tustin714

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

A good friend of mine, a snowbird, brought mom along to save her from the winters. They spend half the year here, with additional trips here in the summer. During the Northern summer she lives at her home, and them at theirs. She loves the time together yet has the independence too. They love the arrangement. They don't have to worry about her slipping on the ice, they spend quality time with her, yet enough time alone. (My question is how well do the two of you get along with MOM?)

As far as friends, I have great friends in both places and keep in touch with them no matter where I am.

[Conniehar]

Been here 2 years - We found a great group of friends here - more than we could ever have imagined or hoped for. Two of the couples leave for the summer. We miss them but they come right back into the fold upon their return. We left last summer and decided we would never do it again. Much more fun here! We barely have any free time in The Villages! Love it here!

[merrymini]

If you are speaking about a villa, they seem to have a higher rental occupancy, so may be more difficult in the neighbor arena because of increased transience. Otherwise you make many friends with neighbors and, especially with people with whom you share activities. I found that we just spent more and more time here and eventually make the move to full time. Elderly parents change everything, however. I lived in NJ and the cost of maintaining a home there was exorbitant for the small amount of time there even though I had no mortgage.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

[QUOTE=LuvNH;2207340]

Originally Posted by Tustin714

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?


Thanks.[/QUOTE

It is just MY opinion, and we all know what an opinion is worth l think you are expecting an awful lot from her. To have lived a 60+ life in one area, add to that leaving her Mother, very difficult. You could end up with a house of cards that just collapses altogether. If you can afford it, do six and six and see how that works. From my perspective, there is no friendship which could replace the love and connection I have with my Sister, or for that matter, my children.

So very well said and so true , much of my life was outside USA but when I retired I was able to split my time for the last 10 years of my mom and dads life , now my sister is gone and many of my old friends, but my connections to Boston the city is like an old friend and I’ll never give it up , I’ve loved Florida but I’ll be turning 85 in December and.the plan was always to go back to my old friend soon after ,, if you can split the year please do you won’t regret the time that’s shared with your family

[DonnaSt]

Originally Posted by Tustin714

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

We went to the Villages for our first time this year. Fell in love with it along with many people.! I developed relationships quickly and I know they will be long term.!! We will keep in touch over the year until we get back next year and will pick up like I never left! If you get involved in classes, groups etc, you will find your pack! Enjoy!!

[OhioBuckeye]

Well we lived there but moved for family reasons. Once you move to TV you won’t ever have to go anywhere else, TV has everything you want to do, but if you don’t mind paying for amenities you’ll love it there, but if your a couch potato, amenities will be a extra expense. So find a hobby there. I loved it & miss TV!

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Tustin714, We are from OC also. Brea and DP. Moved away 4 years ago. The only regret: good Mexican restaurants. I mean really good, like South of Nick’s, Javier’s, or even Avila’s El Ranchito. Been to Taqueria de Anda in Santa Ana? Excellent! I was w 18, if that means anything to you. My wife spent her entire life in LA/OC. Also zero regrets. Hope this helps.

I miss Acapulco, Taco Mesa and Wahoo's - Wing and Mingo are great guys!

Over the years I have resided in several communities and maintain a few long term friendships in each. As I still have a business in NM, where I grew up, I get over there every couple months and spend time with friends from childhood and other friends I made there over the years as well as devour New Mexican food (red or green?). Maintaining friendships is important to me. One can make new friends but one cannot make new old friends.

[Tustin714]

OP here, and thanks for everyone taking the time to share their experiences -- it's very helpful heartening. And as for Mexican food, I was already aware of the loss but BBQ can make up for it sometimes (Oakwood Smokehouse was really good!).

[RICH1]

I love going “ Up North” in the Summer. Visiting Michigan & the Rust Belt States can be so beautiful. Enjoying the fresh Ethnic foods up there, rather than eating at Chain restaurants can tickle the taste buds…a nice dip in a lake without looking for alligators can be exhilarating . I’m not ready to give up just yet & leave my Empire to beneficiaries. See Family and spend it! You are not going to live as long as you think you are

[NewRealms]

Of course we make lasting friendships with snowbirds. The problem is you guys will never know The Villages in the off season, only the hubbub of a crowded winter season.