A gentleman dies and goes up to the Pearly Gates.
Here he meets St. Peter. St. Peter asks him where he's from...
The gentleman says "The Villages."
St. Peter says "We better call the tee-time system and release your golf time"



:a040:

You asked 2 questions - is tv really paradise? And is tv really as great as they say it is?
It really is as great as "they" say it is, at least for "them". There are people here that see a lot of negatives about the place, people that miss family, miss city life, miss 4 very distinct seasons, don't like the developer, don't like the crowds in the winter, or dogs or trains or small lot sizes or kissing lanais. They see tv through a different perspective and tv isn't as great as others see it. You can read every post here but you really have to see it and experience it for yourself to see if it is great or something less.
TV isn't paradise. I don't think people in Paradise would complain about The Developer having too much power, money or control.

Coming from Long Island I think it's great. My taxes here are less then my school taxes were there. My electric bill is a lot lower then LI. I don't need fuel oil,I drive a golf cart that gets twice plus what my car got, gas is cheaper, the weather is fantastic, it's a ton cleaner, the people are very friendly here and it's allowed my wife and I a life style we never would have had on LI. So as far as I'm concerned it's paradise, for those that speak badly of the developer I really don't see why. People told me TV was God's waiting room and or Disney World for Adults. Well hats off to the Schwartz and Moorse family for building both great places for us to enjoy the rest of our lives. JMO

Lots of people here don't complain about The Developer. I'm sure TV is not paradise for those who do.

Sorry, Veronica, but no it is not. Read this forum for a couple days and you will find things are always better "back home". Rather it is the shopping, the pizza, the restaurants, the hospitals, locations of stores or dog parks. Or for that matter even dog poop. Hey, but it's like heaven to me, only without the dying part!

Veronica, you'll find many opinions about The Villages here. I'd guess the vast majority of the people living here are glad they are, myself included, and are happy with the lifestyle. Many will admit that it is not perfect, and you'd need to check it out for yourself to see if it would be a good fit for you.

EXCELLENT POST!!!!:MOJE_whot:

What we saw in our LSV was more than we expected. We made a decision to build even though we knew we would have to snowbird for a few years. Even now as our house is being built I know we made the right decision. Everyone has a different idea of what paradise is. To us The Villages is like living in a bubble. It's not perfect but damn near. I thought about our decision as I read the local paper about the 17 yr old that had to be tazzed ( don't know if that is spelled correctly and don't really care) by a security guard at a gas station/convient store for stealing an energy drink as he screamed he is not going back to jail. This occured 5 min. from home. We currently live 23 miles from a major city in what is regarded as one of the best suburbs to live in!. Then I went into town and looked at all the potholes and road repairs going on. After a while you take them for granted. Oh, did I mention we had a snow squall this morning. We'll take that bubble to live in!

polar bear: in my humble view keeping both feet planted firmly on the ground prevents a whole lot of mistakes. Many posters here describe objectively what they found attractive and also what distracted them.
Sad and disingenious were perhaps not the proper choice of words. Feeling fuzzy all over and emotional outburst are not my style. I prefer to keep my emotions in check and try and remain cerebral and logical. Finally my response was not about how I feel but rather the hyperbolic description offered by some folks concerning living in The Villages because I believe it raises expectation unnecessarily. I hope my original post did not offend you too greatly as that was not my intent . apologies

We moved here from a similair situation - except we literally lived in "the hood" of a historic downtown. Had its charm for sure, but also murders, drug deals, blight, people hangin on the street corners with nothing to do, abandoned homes and I could go on and on. As I said if you could turn a blind eye to the reality there was so much charm - beautiful old homes, cobblestone streets, the arts, great restaurants - but then reality would slap you right in the face. So TV is a bubble for us as well - safe, beautiful, clean, friend and affordable - what more could you ask for???

is it paradise? maybe yes - maybe no - it is what you make it.

but one thing is for sure - you don't hafta die to get here! ;)

Is The Villages Paradise.
 

It depends on what you hoped for.

No Las Vegas show girls.

Not much night life after ten.

No Broadway shows or New York food.

Not much in the way of wonderful driving habits.

Not many people under fifty.

No pizza that we all can agree on.

The parades are disappearing and so has the Buffalo and this causes many to really be sad.

No gambling on site.

Not much crime.

A paper that just doesn't report anything, according to a few.:boxing2:

And if you are annoyed that the great minds that built this whole place and run this whole place are mega, mega, rich and do not allow certain folks to speak on the squares during the events that take place every four years....than you won't like it here.

There is a lot not perfect, and some things wrong, To me the greatest problem is the lack of a very good medical center like we have in Cincinnati, but I cannot see that the powers that be can be blamed for that. Doctors are free agents and many don't want to administer to the aging population for any number of reasons. Including the low fees from medicare.

This place is well run and beautifully maintained.

No city of this size run by traditional methods can come close to this place, The Villages, in my humble opinion.

And on the plus side if folks find themselves disappointed and unhappy, it isn't that difficult to sell a home here and return to whence they cometh.

But those who are hoping to be happy here, you will be as happy here as you are there, only in beautiful surroundings.

Whether you are happy or not is usually up to you.

but we do have the cheerleaders and twirlers - they're show girls 'villages style'! ;)

Lots of positive living in the villages but with positive comes some negative. It is getting very crowded so some classes are closed, waiting lines to get in clubs, some clubs are closed, traffic is hectic, squares get crowded, gyms are crowded. We need more gyms and more of everything especially lately with all new residents.

But it's high energy, lots of clubs (thanks to our wonderful volunteers) and great people.
Oh the homes are close too. Not much property. so come on down and decide for yourself. Good luck

I think you hit the nail on the head! Nicely balanced description.