If you want a wake-up call of big city living, just drive down the turnpike about 55 miles and exit onto 441 north about a mile on the right will be Florida Mall. We made the mistake visiting this past Saturday. I guess with the rain, everybody decided to go there. We've been to Florida Mall about a dozen times the past four years, but this past Saturday was the worse.

First we drove around for several minutes in a downpour just to find a parking spot, so were several dozen other cars on every side of the building. We finally found a space outside of Dillards which we would normally never park at to enter the mall. If you go into Dillards in Ocala or Gainesville you would usually find nobody there. This Dillards had crowds like they were giving stuff away. It's probably one of the most expensive department stores around, it makes Macys look cheap.

Once we got through Dillards and into the mall, it was worse than Black Friday, which we have done, it was worse than Christmas season. You'll also find that if English is your first language, then you're a minority. I've figured out that since Puerto Rico is a short plan ride away from Orlando, most of the people in PR most visit there monthly along with tourist from every South American country.

The old food court has been closed and they have built a new one that opened in June, it is huge and yet was still packed and tables were hard to find. One of the negatives is Dairy Queen did not make it from the old food court to the new one, maybe the rent was too high. There must be 30 places to get food and yet everyone had a huge line.

After making our walking trip through Florida Mall we couldn't wait to get on the road and back to TV. From now on, the Oaks Mall in Gainesville will be our permanent big mall away from here. It has many of the same stores, and have 5 anchor stores and is almost never crowded except at Christmas time.

If the crowds weren't enough, Florida Mall even has it's own hotel attached to the mall. Also nearby are two huge outlet malls on each end of International Drive.

http://orlando-hotels.travelape.com/...AM-exter-1.jpg

I wonder if the posters that insist they are happy are really in denial. I'm not saying they are. I'm just wondering if they are. Could it be they are disappointed, and they can't admit to themselves that they made a mistake, and may even feel trapped with a mortgage that is upside down? Maybe the posters that are being critical of TV, or honest about their feelings regarding TV, are actually the ones that are totally free and happy with their life because they are not concerned about making a mistake or being wrong about something, but in fact, embrace different perspectives and changes in their own opinion about things? Or maybe not...just wondering.

After renting here for just six weeks I bought a house. I really loved it. I am home on Long Island right now awaiting the soon-to-be birth of my first grandchild and will stay for awhile until papers are finalized. Although I will miss my family I cannot wait to start the next chapter in my life in The Villages.

I am going on 11 years in TV and I love it. I would love, however, to have the atmosphere returned to what we experienced when I moved in. The developer was doing all they could in the way of amenities and entertainment to really see that we were living a fairy-tale lifestyle. Unfortunately, that attitude has changed quite a bit. When we moved in, the logistics were such that we could get around to all the places we wanted to drive with little impunity......now?, watch out! The golf courses were in immaculate condition....WOW....now?

I feel that the traffic problems will be solved when more merchants establish south on Hwy44, which will eliminate residents' south of 466A having to travel north for dining and shopping.

And....it is still "Florida's Friendliest Hometown"....that is until you get in the way of some golf cart driver.

After renting here for six weeks I went ahead and bought a home. I am back at home on L.I. now awaiting the birth of my first grandchild but will soon return to my new home in TV. I met so many friendly and welcoming people that I cannot wait to start the next chapter in my life.

[QUOTE=Walt.;1095245]I still haven't figured out the obsession with smiling and waving at strangers and reading negative things into their failure to reciprocate.

Really? When I say good morning to someone, I expect some response other than a stare-through-me kinda look. In the south, it is considered rude to not acknowledge someone's friendly gesture.

They sure changed my life for the better.

I enjoy hearing about the "good old days" in The Villages. Did Harold really think it would be this big or maybe even bigger? If so, did he share how big with you?

I use to think all the unique amenities were put up north and couldn't understand why they weren't mirrored down south. Now I think they were built for 100,000 plus people long before anyone else expected this growth.

Maybe it's the same with the big box stores and department stores. They are not that far away no matter where you live.

You mean you actually get a no-response when you're near somebody, look them square in the face, and say good morning?!? I've never experienced that and can't even imagine it.

Sometimes people don't speak to everyone they pass. I sure don't. That's just human nature. But a simple, friendly greeting is almost always returned in my experience.

From the way some people are talking, I think they found true happiness in their unhappiness!
No offense, but I don't think I want to play golf with them. Probably not an issue, however, since I have not had any trouble getting a winter tee time.

I was responding to Walt who said he could not understand why someone would think anything negative about someone not responding to a smile or wave.
Many times while riding my bike, I will say good morning to someone I pass by, an from them. I think it's a northern/big city thing.

I am a second generation Villager and I love it as much as my Mom and Dad did. So glad that my parents found this place.

I agree. The people from Spanish Springs can be mighty snobbish and distant.

Moved into TV in 2004 and still loving it.

I was talking about Summerfield.

If you are riding a bike past them, how do you know they didn't say good morning? You were already passing by them. They wouldn't even have time to respond quick enough for you to hear them. A northern thing? Kind of a broad statement to make. I'm from Michigan and always talk to people.

:1rotfl:

:agree: Some people just are unhappy people and don't have a life.

Oh that far north ! :)

For some it's a matter of perspective. Someone coming from a rural area where the next home is a long way away, this seems crowded, there is too much traffic on the roads, it's hard to get into restaurants, etc. For someone who has lived in a big city, traffic is not a problem, homes are not too close, waiting for a seat in a restaurant is normal, etc. For people from small towns/cities where they knew everyone, this may seem less friendly. For those from the city, there is less expectation of interaction with strangers.

Another facet is how long ago someone moved to TV. I believe that years ago many residents were grateful to find a place where they could enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle in retirement in the Florida sun. (Recent weather notwithstanding!) It seems some later residents want TV to be just what they left, but with better winter weather. When it doesn't fill their needs for culture, fine dining, private golf course conditions, etc., they are not as content.

He was such a nice man. Talked to everyone. He used to tell us to bring all our Michigan people down. Said they would have plenty of space for them.
He was excited to see Glenview CC getting done.
We met him on our first trip here when we were looking. He overheard our conversation with another couple about how cool the place was. Next thing we knew, we were sitting and chatting about Michigan and here.
He loved to watch the people in the square and said "there will be more of this" with a smile. We knew it was going to be big.

This is so true. When we first moved here, one of our first visitors was a woman who lived behind us. She told us that this was a very unfriendly neighborhood, and that we shouldn't be upset if nobody spoke to us. By the end of the week our house was filled with chocolates and baked goods, and we had already begun friendships that continue to this day. Same neighborhood, completely different experiences. Our dissatisfied neighbor has moved, and I hope she is happier wherever she ended up. As for us - my husband's only complaint is that people he doesn't know keep waving at him [emoji3]

:coolsmiley:

Not Unhappy at all-
 

My Friends are way too busy to stand back and moan unfavorable changes, less desireable folk etc. They are busy performing, volunteering, creating etc. Can't think of another place filled with stimulation, entertainment and activity quite the same. The "senior seniors" 80+ pretty much agree The Villages has given them quality additional years and they are looking to more. Some are here for 18 + years, owned different size homes north & south and feel pretty much the same as in the begining...though with better live theatre offerings now.

Wondering or pot stirring? HHHHHMMMMMMMMM!!!!

BTW - I see this thread is reaching 200 posts. I predict another 300 posts.

I'm going with the pot stirring. :D

Pot stirring. Habitual. Check out Cecil.

I think this one of those "tongue-in-cheek" posts meant to be funny. :confused:
If so, good first post Flora. :ho: If not, I apologize.

I didn't get the "tongue-in-cheek" post feeling. I kind of got a stir the pot feeling. Of course, that could just be me. :icon_wink:

I cannot even imagine how anyone could not be at their happiest here in The Villages.

In snowbird season, things are more crowded but all you have to do is adapt and ajust. No problem!

Of course, anyone terribly unhappy - and we hope there aren't any - can make a nice profit on their house as they wave goodbye.

I so agree with you! We bought and moved in in January this year. We aren't quite full timers yet and we are back in our original state for a couple of months. All I know is that we so miss TV but what we miss the most are the absolutely wonderful people who have become our best friends ever! We so love all the Villages have to offer but it is the great people who live there that are absolutely the greatest selling point!

Am moving to the Villages in Sept. Thanks for all who posted. Can't wait

The ever increasing population of older folks & the limited resources to keep up except fast food places & scam businesses tend to erode the quality of life most expected & did not get. Like Disney, it has lost it's direction & mission. "The Villages is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sumter County, Florida, United States. It shares its name with a broader master-planned age-restricted community that spreads into portions of Lake and Marion counties. The Villages consistently ranks as a very high growth area. The US Census ranked The Villages as the fastest-growing U.S. city for the second year in a row (during the 12 months ended July 2014);[4] The Villages has more than doubled in size since 2010: about 114,350 people now live in the community.[5]"
I doubt this ever gets posted but it's on Wikipedia & more.

Name the scam businesses. I don't think that gets posted.

I've read all the posts and I want to say "thank you" to everyone. You might not agree with each other, but your posts are informative to those of us who haven't moved yet. I can only speak of my own experiences, both in my current hometown and in The Villages. I live on "Main Street" in a medium-sized city in Ohio. We are on a 50 foot wide lot, with neighbors who leave nasty notes on each others porches when someone doesn't live up to others expectations. Average wait at many downtown restaurants are one hour, and that's not during a high season--because we don't have one. People don't wave--or speak--to most of their neighbors, despite the fact that we created a neighborhood organization. Cold shoulders? Come visit my town. Now, when we last visited The Villages, a man got out of his golf cart to ask us if we were lost when he saw we were looking at a map. Another kind gentleman explained the rules of the dog park. No wait for a table at a restaurant, but quite frankly, if you hand me a drink I don't mind waiting. Will I mind houses close by? Nope. I'm used to it. And neighbors can ONLY be friendlier in The Villages. So, it may not be perfect, but I've seen, and lived in, worse.

We purchased a house after renting for 3 weeks. We will be snowbirds so we can be near our family in the summer. My husband likes to golf EVERY day and The Villages allows him to do that. There are so many activities to pick from so if your bored it's your own fault.

I agree. Everyone has different needs. The Villages has changed dramatically in the last 7 or 8 years with the buildup and doubling of population size. It isn't for everyone. And people may leave and go be "happy" somewhere else.

But negativity is still found from the same people. And positivity is still found from the same people.

My dad used to say 'the hardest person to live with is yourself'. My lovely wife was enamored with TV. She even found a villa that was reasonable in price and was not totally enclosed by other residents with a 'water view' ( half acre hole filled with water). So when she put the pressure on me to buy..all I said was the two words us adult men use the most 'YES DEAR'. But When I added 'you pay half' she dropped the subject. (her $$ is set aside for when I'm dead and gone). Keeping up two homes is not a smart move for us. We live on a clear lake in a 36 acre development with 13 homes. Eventually we will sell here and buy....

We know some wonderful people that moved from the Villages because it just wasn't for them. They didn't golf, didn't get into things at the rec centers, were not club joiners & they liked to stay home and cook. They love where they are living now. We still keep in touch.