[salpal]

Moving to TV in 3 days and a wakeup. Saying goodbye to loved ones is difficult, but I must say, I am tired of hearing:

Better take alot of bug spray

You are going to hate the summer (I hate the summer here in Northeast)

Florida has lots of snakes

They have pythons now in Florida because during hurricanes they escape from pet stores

After you are settled, you will be bored and miss your friends

You are going to be surrounded by nothing but old people, doesn't that bother you?

You will not like it there, you will be back in a year

After hearing all of this over and over, I got to the point of just agreeing with people to shut them up. I will miss our friends dearly, but enough already!

I try to explain what TV is like, but most people look at you in disbelief, as I used to. It is one of those things you have to see for yourself, once I did, I drank the koolaid.

[Lynn222]

Are you glad you drank the koolaid?

[kb8tpw]

Just completing our first month on the ground in the villages, I know what you are talking about, we heard the same, and all we have to say is don't look back, you will LOVE IT - we do... Ray and Barbara

[Bogie Shooter]

...drinking the koolaid......always reminds me of Jonestown.

[mokey]

We all heard the same thing. Unless people have been here they don't understand. In Va. the weather is hot and humid also. We have never regretted it and I am sure you will not either. Enjoy!

[graciegirl]

I might have thought some of those things, but wouldn't have said them to a real friend. I really never liked Florida. My folks retired to Venice and there just didn't seem like there was much to do but drink and hang out at the Elks club which my folks seemed to enjoy.

I didn't like Florida other than to vacation on the beach and take the kids to Disney World.

Boy was I surprised when I fell in love with The Villages. It is really impossible to describe. I always thought I was a tiny bit articulate but my friends just kind of back away from me after I launch into my spiel.

Funny thing is I haven't seen any bugs in my house but spiders, all clean houses have spiders.(My grandmother told me that) From the car I saw an alligator sunning himself. I don't see any old people...maybe they all got to be my age. I find them interesting and compassionate. I don't think any of us get through five decades of life (the minimum to be here) without experiencing some sadness, pain and disappointment and that usually changes people and makes them a bit more patient and kind.

I don't know how you could get tired of all there is to do ....for a long time.

If you get tired or bored, come over to my house and I will cook you something comforting and I will invite PTurner and some of my other new friends and they will make you laugh.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I might have thought some of those things, but wouldn't have said them to a real friend. I really never liked Florida. My folks retired to Venice and there just didn't seem like there was much to do but drink and hang out at the Elks club which my folks seemed to enjoy.

I didn't like Florida other than to vacation on the beach and take the kids to Disney World.

Boy was I surprised when I fell in love with The Villages. It is really impossible to describe. I always thought I was a tiny bit articulate but my friends just kind of back away from me after I launch into my spiel.

Funny thing is I haven't seen any bugs in my house but spiders, all clean houses have spiders.(My grandmother told me that) I saw an alligator sunning himself driving by in the car. I don't see any old people...maybe they all got to be my age. I find them interesting and compassionate. I don't think any of us get through five decades of life (the minimum to be here) without experiencing some sadness, pain and disappointment and that usually changes people and makes them a bit more patient and kind.

I don't know how you could get tired of all there is to do ....for a long time.

If you get tired or bored, come over to my house and I will cook you something comforting and I will invite PTurner and some of my other new friends and they will make you laugh.

Well said, Gracie. Unless someone has been here, they only imagine what it's like....probably envisioning gray haired men and women, shuffling to the shuffleboard court...lolol. Boy, is that soooooo far from the truth!

All communities should be so well planned.

[macro]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I might have thought some of those things, but wouldn't have said them to a real friend. I really never liked Florida. My folks retired to Venice and there just didn't seem like there was much to do but drink and hang out at the Elks club which my folks seemed to enjoy.

I didn't like Florida other than to vacation on the beach and take the kids to Disney World.

Boy was I surprised when I fell in love with The Villages. It is really impossible to describe. I always thought I was a tiny bit articulate but my friends just kind of back away from me after I launch into my spiel.

Funny thing is I haven't seen any bugs in my house but spiders, all clean houses have spiders.(My grandmother told me that) I saw an alligator sunning himself driving by in the car. I don't see any old people...maybe they all got to be my age. I find them interesting and compassionate. I don't think any of us get through five decades of life (the minimum to be here) without experiencing some sadness, pain and disappointment and that usually changes people and makes them a bit more patient and kind.

I don't know how you could get tired of all there is to do ....for a long time.

If you get tired or bored, come over to my house and I will cook you something comforting and I will invite PTurner and some of my other new friends and they will make you laugh.

I'm curious how that alligator got his driver's license and how he could afford a convertible? Thought the Florida DOT was stricter than that! Hope he's a better driver than our deer up north.
On the subject, I too thought there were no redeeming qualities in movig to FL until I realized that TV, like Disney World, is not really part of FL. Besides, TV is soooo much closer to the cruise ports than WI & IL and an annual pass to Disney World trumps a season pass to 6 Flags Great America anytime.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by macro

I'm curious how that alligator got his driver's license and how he could afford a convertible? Thought the Florida DOT was stricter than that! Hope he's a better driver than our deer up north.
On the subject, I too thought there were no redeeming qualities in movig to FL until I realized that TV, like Disney World, is not really part of FL. Besides, TV is soooo much closer to the cruise ports than WI & IL and an annual pass to Disney World trumps a season pass to 6 Flags Great America anytime.

Nailed again.

Are you an English major too??? Sigh.

The alligator was driving a '57 Plymouth Fury. (The best defense is a good offense) lol

[macro]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Nailed again.

Are you an English major too??? Sigh.

The alligator was driving a '57 Plymouth Fury. (The best defense is a good offense) lol

Not really, (let's not make cruel accusations here ) just that I had to read that line a couple of times to figure out who was driving. LOL Would've thought he would be driving a '65 'Stang. Besides, I was a minor when took english. (so there)

[Yukon Joe]

Originally Posted by salpal

Moving to TV in 3 days and a wakeup. Saying goodbye to loved ones is difficult, but I must say, I am tired of hearing:

Better take alot of bug spray

You are going to hate the summer (I hate the summer here in Northeast)

Florida has lots of snakes

They have pythons now in Florida because during hurricanes they escape from pet stores

After you are settled, you will be bored and miss your friends

You are going to be surrounded by nothing but old people, doesn't that bother you?

You will not like it there, you will be back in a year

After hearing all of this over and over, I got to the point of just agreeing with people to shut them up. I will miss our friends dearly, but enough already!

I try to explain what TV is like, but most people look at you in disbelief, as I used to. It is one of those things you have to see for yourself, once I did, I drank the koolaid.

Hey Don't forget the Alligators as well........We Know what we have here in the Villages...Sometimes when I mention it to people, they react as if It's To Good To Be True! Fine, Deal with the snow, taxes, and "Rude People"..... I'm a pert timer, but counting down the days........

[petenj]

Originally Posted by pooh

Well said, Gracie. Unless someone has been here, they only imagine what it's like....probably envisioning gray haired men and women, shuffling to the shuffleboard court...lolol. Boy, is that soooooo far from the truth!

All communities should be so well planned.

Hey, I learned to play shuffleboard on Monday. Its a great activity. Today I took pickleball 101, another great activity. I am working my way thru all there is to do with golf as a goal.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by petenj

Hey, I learned to play shuffleboard on Monday. Its a great activity. Today I took pickleball 101, another great activity. I am working my way thru all there is to do with golf as a goal.

I'm very proud of you....shuffleboard isn't as easy as some imagine. I've played only once and wasn't all that good at it, but it was lots of fun! Pickleball is really enjoyable for many, I'm not a tennis type person, but so many here are and the courts, tennis and pickleball, really get used. Enjoy all your activities. Hope you get to golfing really soon.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

If you get tired or bored, come over to my house and I will cook you something comforting and I will invite PTurner and some of my other new friends and they will make you laugh.

[kit9240]

SalPal - I'm in the same boat. My retirement date is Sept 1 and I'll be driving down shortly after that. I'm moving down from Connecticut and I will be a frog!

Here are some of the comments I keep hearing from family and friends:
- You are going to be soooo bored being retired
- Florida is sooo hot in the summer you have to stay inside most of the day
- How can you move to Florida and not be near the ocean
- Of course you'll be back in CT for Thanksgiving and Christmas (why do I want to come back for snow, sleet and freezing temps?????)
- How can you move so far away from your family??? (Grandchildren can't wait to come and visit!)

I've stopped trying to explain that I will probably be so busy having fun and meeting new friends, and learning new things that I never had a chance to before. I just say you're probably right! I'll be bored and lonely......right!!!I'm sure if any of these naysayers visit, they will see what I have been trying to tell them for years. Of course, that could mean that they will want to visit more often........maybe I should rethink those invitations!!!

Kathy