It was nice knowing you buffalo.....

I guess it is mainly TOTV and local news comments. Could be squeaky wheel syndrome. Maybe it is the men I see that, because of their age and facial expression, seem like they are mad, unhappy. But when I interact with them, they usually are nice and accommodating. I honestly have only met a couple of people who were nasty or did not seem happy.

Waiting in line is a fact. The down side to all-you-can-eat buffets is that you always get a lot of people who want everything. A lot of people down here come from bigger, more crowded places. They don't seem to mind waiting in line. I always chuckle when I pass by the sports pools and see the water volleyball people lined up 30 to 45 minutes prior to their activity scheduled time. Here they are; finally retired, and they have to stand in line for 45 minutes just to get a spot. Same with yoga, table tennis, some card games...

IMHO since I moved here 4 years ago, the developer has failed to match the growth with the amenities. 2,400 clubs sounds real good until somebody actually tries to join one (sorry, we have 161 people on a waiting list). Try for a ( exec) tee-time in February early enough to actually be able to finish before dark. Park within 1/4 mile of a square on market night. Is TV utopia? no Is TV a fairly nice place to live ? You betcha, but it's not as nice as it was 4 years ago.

Many people would agree with you, myself included. Its a great place, but not perfect. There are certain compromises to be made.

There is always room for you at Scottish Country Dance - La Hacienda, Thursdays at 11.30am during snowbird season.

For some reason they give the 18 of us the Carmen Miranda Room, which accommodates about 3,000 people.

Good fun though, and always a few beginners learning the steps.

I have a feeling there will always be room for you at Scottish Country Dance.

It's not that bad - we don't play the bagpipes!

Just kidding.

If a person who knew nothing about The Villages would only get their viewpoint based on posts from TOTV, it would be very slanted toward the unhappy Villagers side. Lots of very negative posting and on the Political forum, very nasty postings. Stay away from there!

I have lived here about 6 years. Mrs. Trap and I go to either Lake Sumter Landing or Spanish Springs at least once a week for the entertainment. We enjoy talking to others at the squares and never have had a griper or whiner that we encountered there.

I play golf a couple of times a week, have very little problem getting executive course tee times even in snowbird time, and have met a couple of gripers but only a couple.

The Villages is a great place to live; wonderful amenities, and the Developer has done a stupendous job in planning and maintaining thiw wonderful place.

My new mantra...Don't judge the many by the few.

Let's face it, Florida is crowded. The only part we found that was not that way was where no one wanted to be. Arizona and Texas are the same way. I'm not sure about Cali, but would bet it is the same way too.....

Too late, Outlaw - you've got to come along now for at least one dance :-)

Kilt optional

I appreciate the offer, but I'm more into South Western 1800s Scottish Urban Dance. I'm happy to report that our club now has 5300 members, some in good standing.

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.

the homes are lovely.....and yet the entire time i kept saying to Steve....it isn't the villages....i don't like it....this is not like the villages.

I tell you this because I want you to know that...while no place is perfect....I believe with all of my heart...the the villages is a very special place. It isn't for everybody....and that's a good thing. Maybe sometimes we all need to take a step back and really look at what we have and learn to appreciate what we have all over again.

I cannot wait to be able to call the villages my home.....
my signature contains the link to the listing of our home which includes pictures. I love my beautiful home.....but i think the villages will be a perfect retirement fit for us....and those of you who already live there and get to enjoy it...please know i am so VERY jealous!

Been here 15 years and never had trouble gettin a reasonable tee time in the first quarter of the year.....this is just easy whining!

I agree.

If they are unhappy move. Let the rest of us remain happy.

IMO the malcontents that do all the moaning would do so regardless where they were. They seem to be unhappy people that are at home being miserable and would like to bring everyone else over to their 'dark side'. Just personality (or lack of) disorders.

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!

A happy villager
 

We love it in The Villages. Our only regret is as UK residents we can't spend more time there:a040:

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!

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.

[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

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!!!

No one mentioned the "Snowbirds". Hmmm!

Unhappy TVers?
 

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 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

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.

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.

What????????
 

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!

What murder are you referring to?

Glad they are a part of TV!

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

Maybe we should swap rooms?

//////

Does this mean you are happy or unhappy?

Reality
 

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.

What places are you referring to ?