Pinehurst, NC
 

Before The Villages, we thought of moving to Pinehurst, NC. And since it is 6 hours from Northern Virginia, we thought it would be nice to have two places and less cold in winter than DC. With 6 courses to play golf as a member and 2 more courses if we pay premium, this we thought was better than being a member of one country club. Also, the idea of being able to play No. 2 as member was intriguing. They also have 24 tennis courts, croquet, lawn bowl and a huge lake with a beach sounded all good until we found out about The Villages. Our friend who introduced us to The Villages thought about Sea Pines Plantation in North Myrtle Beach before they found out about TV.

We visited retirement communities near Atlanta GA, Hilton Head, Nashville TN, Jacksonville and Tampa FL and places near the Villages. I had a list of pros and cons for each place. The only "con" on the Villages list was the price of the homes were higher here. Each place we visited had positives, and a few amenities, but many felt like an "old persons" community. Here in The Villages we were attracted to how so many people we met had a real zest for life. We happily traded a bigger home for the villages "lifestyle" two years ago. We love our life here. One thing we didn't expect was how "young" we feel living here. At 65, when not in The Villages, people see our grey hair and wrinkles and treat us like we are old. Here, age simply doesn't matter.

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I love the Northern Neck of Virginia/Chesapeake Bay for 6-7 months a year. TV for the rest of the year! Both are great for golf. Check out Golf Kilmarnock, VA - Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club - Northern Neck Virginia for golf, indoor/outdoor tennis, yacht club and an excellent restaurant! 11-12,000 people per county and close enough to cities.
I am sounding like a salesman....
I guess I am just one lucky guy!

One of the books I read about moving to a retirement community was written by a Florida real estate broker who had been in the business several years. His recommendation based on the experiences of his many clients was to snowbird for a few years. He found that his happiest and most satisfied clients did this. Now this may not be practical for everyone but it is what he recommends rather than selling off everything, severing all ties to one's hometown and moving to Florida - or anywhere else for that matter.

Several native and long term central Florida residents I have known over the years had mountain cabins in North Carolina, motorhomes or other getaway means and removed themselves from the heat of the long central Florida summer when possible.

Back in 1965 one of my aunt's had a stroke in her late 40's. Her husband, who'd had a heart attack a couple years before her stroke, thought the Florida climate might help them so they bought a house in Winter Haven. They kept their home in Towson, MD for a few years but eventually sold it and resided in Florida thereafter. She and he ended up living into their late 80's! I personally believe the Florida climate played a huge role in their longevity. They were able to get outdoors, walk and enjoy life year round without being cooped up. Their only problem as they saw it was medical care. They went up to Johns Hopkins a few times a year to see their long time physicians.

As an aside, maintaining a strong social/support network is very important as one ages. As I see it The Villages provides an ideal environment to accomplish that.

Ever since I stopped skiing, I don't like snow anymore especially when you have to shovel out of your own home. Definitely Northern neck of Virginia is beautiful but we haven't forgotten about our friends up north. If for a week or so, we can stay at our friends place. More than likely, we'll rent a place. Snowbirds are good for a while but for me owning two homes are like having an albatross across my neck. I am so relieved that I don't have to worry about pipes freezing in winter, etc. I love the small village of Cooperstown, NY, not for the Baseball Hall of Fame but for the little town atmosphere but for snow..... Re Pinehurst, the village is very quaint and nice with a small park built by the same fellow who built Central Park, NY. However, in winter the town is dead and people congregate by the various hotel bars nearby. That's like having City Fire place only for entertainment.

I have no desire to maintain two homes. Love The Villages in the summer. Usually a nice breeze in the evening. Can walk on the executive courses. The squares have been busy. I think more people were here this summer. Can travel to lots of different places for the money spent on two homes.