[Happinow]

Originally Posted by philnpat

2BNTV:It's not perfect, but nothing is. It's as close to paradise as you can get without having to die.

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 "Uh oh...you're not going to like it up here."[/QUOTE]

That's cute!! Just about sums up The Villages!

[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by Veronica

I am a tv wannabe. Is tv really as great as they say it is?

Don't know if I'd call it paradise in the true sense of the word. You can have a good life here but like any other place it's not perfect.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Parker

Gomoho, you are quite right in your defense of the "energy of youth" here. I misspoke in my prior post. What I meant to say, having just returned from a visit with my glorious grandchildren, is that we don't have toddler energy here. But there are many highly energetic people here who could give my grandchildren a run for their money! I stand corrected.

Parker, thank you for saying so, but I was in no way trying to correct you - simply sharing my feelings.

[CFrance]

I miss being in a big city. But the times we've lived in a big city, we've found it harder to do all the things we like to do than it is here, because in the big city they are spread out and it takes longer to get to them. We loved the energy and the cultural variety, but oftentimes more advance plans had to be made to attend a function--how will you travel to it, where will you park, how far in advance should you leave for it, what is the traffic like that day, is it going to SNOW on your parade??

Pickleball is one direction, library miles in another direction, symphony miles in a third... and so on. Parking in a big city is an issue, and if mass transit isn't up to snuff you will need to face driving and parking. It takes a lot of TIME to enjoy a big city. Sometimes just going to the post office is an hour-and a-half chore.

So... we had to decide what was most important to us in our later years, and although we've never cared for living in suburbia, we chose TV for the ease of getting around and the proximity of our house to the majority of things we like to do. And there's beauty to be had here too, not to mention wonderful weather.

Now we travel to different big cities for vacations. It's a good compromise for us and is working out well. So while we wouldn't call TV paradise exactly, we sure are happy to be here.

[Golfingnut]

I spend half my life in Atlanta Georgia and Washington D.C. Considering those two places, this is by far a major improvement for us.

[BettyCrocked]

Veronica, I don't know if you've visited or not but it doesn't take renting for a year to figure it out. I was limited to a one night visit because we are self employed. So we visited, looked at about 10 houses, came home and 5 days later made an offer. Closed a month later. I did plenty of research and got a lot of info from reading this board. Let's face it, if there is anything to gripe about, it will be addressed here. LOL. I found some gripes to be legitimate, others, not so much. My biggest issue is the postage stamp lots, but I found one that is on the water and that solved the privacy issue. I've been down twice since closing and find it harder and harder to come home. Like others have said, it's not perfect and it's not for everybody. But it doesn't take a year or even a month to figure out if it's for you.

[Laker14]

I am visiting here for the second time. First time was 2 years ago. I am fortunate to have good friends who bought in TV about 5 years ago, and have invited us down. We are all still working, and I have a few more years to go before my winters are my own.

People here are friendly, the staff is friendly, and the grounds are well taken care of. I have played a few courses, Palmer,Cane, Mallory, Havana as well as Pelican par 3 with the ladies. The courses are fair, nicely kept. Are they perfect, like a $50,000 private club? No. But they are very nice, IMHO.

Neighborhoods are neat, pretty, and quiet. I haven't eaten at any restaurants I would call "haute cuisine", but everything I have had has been tasty, and priced well, and served with a gracious smile.

Ambassadors on the courses, as well as staff behind the counters at the courses have been friendly, helpful, and have made all reasonable efforts to help us enjoy our time.

I just can't think of a thing wrong with this place, other than I don't have a place here, and I have to go back to work.

I have gotten lost (not really lost, just didn't know where I was-Amelia Earhardt was lost-) several times, and someone has always stopped to help.

Is it paradise? Definitely not. It rained here this morning. And I hit a ball out-of-bounds on 18 today, which never happens in paradise.

DanL

[senior citizen]

We were impressed with the impeccable grooming of the entire landscape; no matter which quadrant of The Villages we drove through in our rental car.
We didn't attempt to do the entire tour in a golf cart; only used it "locally" in our rented home's neighborhood...........however, for those who love their golf carts........TV is all golf cart accessible and once retired, with all the time in the world.........I can understand why people would want to go everywhere in them.

We've enjoyed raising our family and living in the beautiful Green Mountain State of Vermont for 43 years and it was great when we were younger. Now, we'd much prefer the smooth roads and lack of pot holes in The Villages........the flat terrain which makes walking easier (than going up and down hills, whether they be our streets, roads or driveways)........we are definitely looking forward to a FLAT home with NO multiple levels nor lots of staircases to go up and down all day long.

The Town Squares are very attractive.....our favorite being Lake Sumter Landing and vicinity..........but the others are nice as well.

Tons of all the "services" that any senior citizen would require.........without having to leave the premises of TV...........
We're not into line dancing or going to bars, so the entertainment, although a nice addition for those who love to dance.......to us it would not be a selling point........anyway, I've been told that so many of those who frequent the nightly entertainment don't even live in The Villages.

We've enjoyed four seasons our entire life.............

Now, one season of sunshine most days would be greatly appreciated, and preferable.

Once we find a lot or a home with a lot of space around it, we will be all set......but first we have to put this home on the market for sale........it will all happen in good time. For now, we are narrowing down our choice of villages as we recall them.......using online sites for homes, plus our Villages map.

We met a lot of nice people during our visit.......found the neighborhoods we were in to be nice and quiet. Other than the summer heat, I don't think the adjustment will be difficult at all. In our minds, we just need to flip the winter season cold with the summer season hot/humid........

[justjim]

Paradise does not correctly describe TV. An Active Adult Retirement Community it is! If you are looking for a retirement community, you certainly want to put TV on your list to visit. We visited several places before making a decision-----not just in Florida----but also Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and yes, even Arkansas. Texas and Arkansas had their pluses but were too cold for our preferred activities in the winter months. New Mexico and Arizona had their pluses but too many "brown tones" and not enough foliage to suit our environment needs. Having visited Florida on vacation a number of times, we settled on Florida as the logical place for our retirement years. We looked at a number of retirement communities in Florida. The best, for us, was TV. Not everybody in TV did as much "searching" as we did but a lot of people have found TV a great place to spend their retirement years.

[sjdjmd]

It is what you make it...except in T.V. you have the most incredible amount of help and support, friendship and activities while living in a fabulously beautiful retirement community. We have no regrets about moving here and are grateful each day for the blessings we have found here. All the best to you!

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by philnpat

2BNTV:It's not perfect, but nothing is. It's as close to paradise as you can get without having to die.

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 "Uh oh...you're not going to like it up here."[/QUOTE]

Loved it.

[mainlander]

Of all the places I have visited, I can honestly say that I have never met so many who are very comfortable with their decision to move, very happy to live there but most of all, I get a sense that most are just feeling real lucky to be there. Just my opinion.

[Irish Rover]

We decided to rent two or three months a year rather than move here permanently. Granted we have two homes that currently keep us and our children occupied with all the benefits of city and lake side living. I really wanted to be in TV 12 months a year but I have utopia at Lake of the Ozarks 6 months a year and St Charles MO t for four months - then we do two or three months at TV. Our kids are here, our doctors are here, and more importantly we stay young by being near a large percentage of young people around us. You really need to be sure TV 12 months a year are your thing. It is a wonderful thing but it's all subjective. Good luck.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by rubicon

I believe it is sad and disingenious when residents describe The Villages as a DisneyWorld for Adults, shang-ri-la paradise, etc....

I can understand that some people may not like TV. I can understand them expressing their disagreement with those who do. But calling it "sad and disingenuous" when those folks who like TV voice their praises? That I just don't get.

[jojo]

We have been here 5 years. The Villages is an incredible place to live. I never imagined that I would enjoy this phase of my life this much. I have made good friends and enjoy the friendliness of Villagers throughout. Love the landscaping, the amazing scope of activities, golf cart access, the convenience of having everything you need easily accessible. You do need to spend some time here to see if it is for you.