[xcaligirl]

Unhappy grumpy people seem to voice their opinion every day. They try to stir up the pot and get everybody grumpy and hateful. I pity them since they are missing out on a lot that TV and LIFE has to offer. We've been here for 11 months and still can't get the smile off our faces. Honestly, I've never been happier. We've from California, never moved more than a 30 mile radius from our first home so I was a little worried about moving to FL. I only wish we would've or could've moved to TV much sooner. Some people would've be happy anywhere or they thrive on being miserable ~ don't listen to them and live your own life!

[mcewingg]

We love it in The Villages. Our only regret is as UK residents we can't spend more time there

[dfm1697]

When I lived in Southern California ('89 to '03), people used to complain. I would tell them not to let the door hit them on the way out. Most loved the weather and wouldn't leave until their job transferred them. The same with TV. I never had it so good!

[Geoff Grundy]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Based on TOTV and the online news comments/letters, there seem to be a lot of unhappy TVers. Could it be disillusionment in the reality of living here versus the vacation lifestyle visit that sold them on TV? Could it be TV changing from the "friendliest village" to just another overcrowded municipal area with a lot of stressed out people competing for limited resources? Or maybe, it has to do with world politics and global unrest. It's just a sense I have. I'm not sure it even exists. Just wondering if others sense this undercurrent of discontent.

l live in the UK but visit regularly.... its obviously a very controlled environment lots of you can or can,t do,s there are lots of people who are not happy unless they are on one committee or another (how sad in a way), and why was the murder last year kept out of the Press? adverse publicity not required? the truth must out for the good of all.

[golfing eagles]

[QUOTE=CathyandSteveG;1094744]I have kept up with this thread and i want to share something.

I don't live in the villages....I have visited...I research...and i participate on this forum.

Yesterday...we went to look at the only 55 and over lifestyle community in Missouri called Heritage of Hawk Ridge. It is a Dell Webb Pulte community. There is a 9 hole par 3 executive style golf course, a 10,000 sq ft. clubhouse, a pro shop and a grill, an outdoor pool and 2 tennis courts, a fitness center that had a weight machine and 2 treadmills. There are 14,000 residents. There are 6 models to choose from. The HOA fee is $235 per month and this includes lawn care and snow removal.

This is pretty much what I found in other Florida retirement communities before buying in TV---a single golf course , a single clubhouse with a restaurant, and all activities are only what is offered at the clubhouse. Grocery, gas, shopping all miles away, usually in highly congested traffic.
Del Webb Missouri---9 holes for 14,000 residents??? = 1 hole/ 1555 people.
TV---609 holes = 1/123 full time and 1/189 high season---and we complain about getting a tee time? Plus, their golfing season is much shorter so when you calculate rounds/year it is even worse. But, while the amenity fee is higher, it does include SNOW REMOVAL!!!! yuk---I'd much rather deal with dog poo, roundabouts, saved seats at the squares, a few illegally cut trees, tight fairway lies, buses picking up people in the square parking lots, garden gnome tattletales, cart paths not striped, and all the other "complaints" we see on TOTV so often.
88 days until we move in FT, and counting

[koala]

We've been here 11 years and still LOVE it! We have friends that have followed us here and we are all VERY happy with the lifestyle!!!

[Eugene Hite]

No one mentioned the "Snowbirds". Hmmm!

[banjobob]

Mostly I agree some people are just unhappy always. You see it all the time people with perpetual frowns or scowl on their faces.

[gmracket]

I find people who are unhappy here would be unhappy anywhere. Sure the Villages has gotten larger and for some long time residents this may cause some concerns but overall I think the majority love it here. We have been here over 10 years and it was the best move we ever made. Moral of the story if you don't like it here move

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by banjobob

Mostly I agree some people are just unhappy always. You see it all the time people with perpetual frowns or scowl on their faces.

I think that is where some of my sense of unhappy TVers comes from. But then, I think, maybe the frown or scowl is really more about aging and sagging skin/muscles. Or maybe a particular person has a lot of chronic pain, or is alone after a spouse passed away. I do notice the frequent ambulance runs; I joke about the 5 oclock early bird dinner special ambulance run, a frequent reminder of our mortality. Or how about the Monday morning ambulance siren signaling another heart attack. The all too frequent hospitalization of an acquaintance. Death is in the air. One cannot escape the constant reminders of impending illness and death. But I guess that is common to all 55+ retirement developments. I think I'm going back to bed; I don't feel very good.

[maryhall66]

Dear God, I'm so happy and contented here since2001. I cringe at the thought of moving back North. Yes' things change when so many people swell the ranks. We are still so very safe here in TV.

[ggerskine]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Based on TOTV and the online news comments/letters, there seem to be a lot of unhappy TVers. Could it be disillusionment in the reality of living here versus the vacation lifestyle visit that sold them on TV? Could it be TV changing from the "friendliest village" to just another overcrowded municipal area with a lot of stressed out people competing for limited resources? Or maybe, it has to do with world politics and global unrest. It's just a sense I have. I'm not sure it even exists. Just wondering if others sense this undercurrent of discontent.

I have been here full time since 2001 and still pinch myself when we are driving around on the Golf Cart. Are we lucky too be here or what? Love it and all it has to offer. You have to live to OVER a 100 years old to do it all. I love the diversity of people and the kindness of many. Remember if you are unhappy for any reason you can move. A happy person on the inside finds happiness where they land. It is all up to you to enjoy!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Geoff Grundy

l live in the UK but visit regularly.... its obviously a very controlled environment lots of you can or can,t do,s there are lots of people who are not happy unless they are on one committee or another (how sad in a way), and why was the murder last year kept out of the Press? adverse publicity not required? the truth must out for the good of all.

What murder are you referring to?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Eugene Hite

No one mentioned the "Snowbirds". Hmmm!

Glad they are a part of TV!

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by outlaw

I'm happy to report that our club now has 5300 members, some in good standing.

Maybe we should swap rooms?