[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Eugene Hite

No one mentioned the "Snowbirds". Hmmm!

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[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by sunnypat

It is becoming overcrowded with all this building continuing! The dining n shopping places are impossible due to crowds!

Does this mean you are happy or unhappy?

[gardeniagirl]

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.

Owned my home since 2003. Many changes in the years....density, traffic,
overbuilding by the Villages, which was controlled to the market until
the past several years. Facilities for people in the Villages, and those from outside who use them, is very different now. If you want a reality check,
look on the Villages, and MLS sites to see the number of homes for sale.
Look at how many are empty, buyers have long times on market and have gone. Don't quip a good house at a good price sells.....when there's a glut, it's called supply and demand, about 8 months inventory now, so that drives prices down, our economic system. In 2004, houses were sold within a week. Unfortunately, glut and American greed have sown a seed in the Villages. It is not negative, it is reality.
It also depends on what you are comparing it to.. also have a home in NC,( lived in Callif. and Arizona yrs. ago) NC is my favorite. Lived in Lakeland, Fla. during school years. For everyone who is happy, don't have to defend the Villages...stay and love it. Years ago, eveyone loved it. For those who sense a difference, yes, many feel as you do. Respect that not everyone does now.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by sunnypat

It is becoming overcrowded with all this building continuing! The dining n shopping places are impossible due to crowds!

What places are you referring to ?

[Buffalo Jim]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Does this mean you are happy or unhappy?

I believe it means in the words of that great " Yogi " Berra that :

" No one goes there anymore ' cause it`s too crowded " !

[NotGolfer]

Oh.my.gosh!!! What ever are you referring to re: malcontents??? The only curmudgeons I've experienced are on social media and people stirring the pot. We've been here 6 years and never have regretted our decision to come. I think if folks focus on how their "cup is half empty" then most certainly they'll be unhappy BUT I, for one, haven't met anyone who is.

Someone on this thread mentioned how crowded it is an impossible it is to be served (this was posted today)...I'm not sure what planet they live on but we eat out 2 to 3 times a week and walk right in wherever we go and get seated immediately. During "high season" we just work around the the times by going early. As for traffic...then go to south Florida OR Atlanta or any large city and compare it with here. Our traffic isn't all that bad considering those places!!!

[gardeniagirl]

Winter/spring is overcrowded...my friends and I had to eat at a KFC after church to avoid hours of wait in TV. Still not a KFC fan.....

[gardeniagirl]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

Oh.my.gosh!!! What ever are you referring to re: malcontents??? The only curmudgeons I've experienced are on social media and people stirring the pot. We've been here 6 years and never have regretted our decision to come. I think if folks focus on how their "cup is half empty" then most certainly they'll be unhappy BUT I, for one, haven't met anyone who is.

Someone on this thread mentioned how crowded it is an impossible it is to be served (this was posted today)...I'm not sure what planet they live on but we eat out 2 to 3 times a week and walk right in wherever we go and get seated immediately. During "high season" we just work around the the times by going early. As for traffic...then go to south Florida OR Atlanta or any large city and compare it with here. Our traffic isn't all that bad considering those places!!!

I don't want to go to south Florida or Atlanta....TV is not an Atlanta or large city....so what why the comments "as the curmudgeons, and "people stirring the pot"....can you show respect for others with a different opinion than your own???? some manners, maturity, and tolerance is necessary to have discussions.

[tlsmbartz]

Hello!

My wife and I are moving to the villages in two weeks! WHOO HOO!! We've been working towards this goal for 3 years, and now it's here. I got a chance at an early retirement and jumped at the chance. That being said, we've always believed that a persons happiness...or lack of it... is a personal choice. I'm not saying that we see the world through "rose colored glasses"....but we prefer to be positive. We only get one chance on earth to live the life God gave us. Let's enjoy it! You'll recognize us if you see us. We'll be the ones with the smiles from ear to ear.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by tlsmbartz

Hello!

My wife and I are moving to the villages in two weeks! WHOO HOO!! We've been working towards this goal for 3 years, and now it's here. I got a chance at an early retirement and jumped at the chance. That being said, we've always believed that a persons happiness...or lack of it... is a personal choice. I'm not saying that we see the world through "rose colored glasses"....but we prefer to be positive. We only get one chance on earth to live the life God gave us. Let's enjoy it! You'll recognize us if you see us. We'll be the ones with the smiles from ear to ear.

You will love it here. It's an awesome place.
And trust me, you won't have to go to KFC after church. Lots of places you can go.

[SST778]

I think there is a definite sense of discontent in Villagers now. I have lived here for 8 years and have seen such a big change in the attitudes of residents and I do think it is because TV has gotten so much bigger. Too many people and it has lost its small town atmosphere. It also seems the residents have very little voice in changes that are being made that contribute to our stress. Doubt if it is possible to get back to being �the friendliest hometown�.

[asianthree]

We've been coming since 2007. Even in January we have had very few problems finding a restaurant to eat at. Course we usually go later since were a little younger you know that eight-ish dinner. Our house backs up to a road now and I don't find the traffic in January much different then in April. People still wave as they go by and seem to be laughing and talking as we catch some of their conversation.

[Bonny]

We've been here over 15 years. I don't see any change in people or their attitudes. It has nothing to do with the amount of people here. We have always had happy positive people and those who have a hard time being happy & those few that love to stir the pot and get a rise out of people. That's the way it is in the entire world. I see it everywhere.
I will continue to be a happy positive person. Keeps my blood pressure down too.

[DonH57]

I believe if individuals are not happy here, chances are they wouldn't be happy anywhere they lived and always have something to complain about. Since living here we've never had to go to places like KFC to eat rather than a sunday brunch or stuck in traffic. Sure, there were times we may had to wait a few for a table but we don't eat dinner at 4:00 pm either. Some just stress themselves for no reason over the most trivial thing. Relax and live.

[dittofred1]

For those that are unhappy, there is a simple solution - move. We have been here three weeks and are loving it. We are so busy, our days are flying by. We have met some incredibly nice people. And for those who are not so nice, we simply don't have to hang with them. We create our own happiness!