Originally Posted by paminix (Post 2193419)

I grew up 5 blocks from the George Floyd incident in a house my grandfather built. We then moved to the "new" suburb of Richfield. My parents bought a house for $13,500 that recently sold for $350,000. I visit my best friend from jr. high once a year. Her daughter teaches Spanish at Richfield High to students who struggle with English. She spends most of her time breaking up fights among the blacks, hispanics and hmong students. She has 4 caucasian students. No longer are there carefree days and firefly lit evenings for children to enjoy without fear. I go back once a year and love the lakes, fishing, and friends. But the world is different now, and as they say, "There is no there, there."

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2193327)

We moved here 13 years ago. At first I missed "elements" of where we came from. People actually 'knowing' us and being able to get to dr's, shops etc. within 15 or less minutes. We lived in a small midwestern town close to a large city. Traffic wasn't bad neither and people less impatient as well. The seasons I missed---Spring and summer. Fall's could be very wet and chilly with impending winter, that seemed to come earlier and stayed longer. The ice, snow and cold---do NOT miss that at all. It's true you can't go back to what 'seemed' familiar. People we know continued along with LIFE (as they would here) and a true connection seemed missing. This was my interpretation anyway. I'm very content here. We live in the south now---got used to a new culture and cuisine (many can't seem to). We don't dwell on "what isn't" here as others seem to. Nostalgia is nice....memories (for the most part) are nice too. We have been back but the topography has changed as the places are growing there too. The towns (we've lived in a handful over 50-something years) have all changed. The changes don't mesh with the memories.

Originally Posted by Michael G. (Post 2193134)

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager (Post 2193443)

There have been several documentaries about the villages and even I have to admit most of them are way off base. However, I do remember what they said in one of those documentaries.
"The villages is a place you live… The villages is not your home. Look around… There are no cemeteries here. When you can no longer participate in the lifestyle… You will go someplace else."

Originally Posted by Michael G. (Post 2193134)

What do you miss about your northern home state compared to living in Florida?
I think living in Florida is great at my age, but there are times I reminisce after 7 years down here.
We travel back, but it just isn't the same.

For me it has to be the 4 seasons, not the snow and cold, but the change in weather, the fall colors that never seem to last long enough.
The farm fields in summer watching the crops progress from month to month, or the smell of freshly cut hay and miles of corn fields.

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 (Post 2193228)

We have been in Florida since 1996 and here in the Villages since June or so of 2005. So, Florida is home.

Rohnert Park, CA; Reno, NV; Scottsdale, AZ; Itasca, IL; Belmont, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Denver, CO; Menomonee Falls, WI; and Provo, UT would all seem quite different now.

And I have run into people here in the Villages from every one of those places. Or, at least, while in Palm Harbor, FL.