[jbrown132]

Originally Posted by Chitown

I do love living here in The Villages, but I want all Villagers to stop and think for a minute. The Villages currently has a population of approximately 140,000 people. Considering the amount of land The Villages still owns that has not been developed, by the time the future villages are developed our population will be well over 200,000 people. Remember, The Villages is not a gated community but a community with gates. On any given day at any time of the day anyone from outside the villages has full access to every road every street every business and all the town squares. If for some reason a person or persons with Less than honorable intentions approach a gate at 3 AM in one of our villages and you do not live in the villages you simply press the red button the gate goes up and you enter. The 20% of the villages that have gate attendants are not allowed to ask you what your businesses is and are not allowed to stop you from entering any village at any time of the day or night. Also keep in mind that many of our seniors who live here in the villages are allowing their grand children and children to live with them. Everything I mentioned above including a community future population with over 200,000 people is bound to see a significant increase in crime and traffic. Go to On Top of the World, Dell Web, Margaritaville, or Stone Crest. Try entering the property without authorization and see what happens. You will not only be stopped but you will be asked to leave. I’m just saying.

I think anyone who has been here for 10 ton15 years would definitely agree with you. The original concept of Harold Schwartz and carried on by His son is long gone. The Villagers is a nice place but do not kid yourself, it has turned into nothing but a giant sprawling suburb with no end in site. Along with which comes increased crime, relentless traffic and all the other things that comes with over growth.

[jimdecastro]

Originally Posted by Chitown

I do love living here in The Villages, but I want all Villagers to stop and think for a minute. The Villages currently has a population of approximately 140,000 people. Considering the amount of land The Villages still owns that has not been developed, by the time the future villages are developed our population will be well over 200,000 people. Remember, The Villages is not a gated community but a community with gates. On any given day at any time of the day anyone from outside the villages has full access to every road every street every business and all the town squares. If for some reason a person or persons with Less than honorable intentions approach a gate at 3 AM in one of our villages and you do not live in the villages you simply press the red button the gate goes up and you enter. The 20% of the villages that have gate attendants are not allowed to ask you what your businesses is and are not allowed to stop you from entering any village at any time of the day or night. Also keep in mind that many of our seniors who live here in the villages are allowing their grand children and children to live with them. Everything I mentioned above including a community future population with over 200,000 people is bound to see a significant increase in crime and traffic. Go to On Top of the World, Dell Web, Margaritaville, or Stone Crest. Try entering the property without authorization and see what happens. You will not only be stopped but you will be asked to leave. I’m just saying.

My view is it is not a 140,000 conglomerate but 70+ Villages of 2,000 people each. Brooklyn is HUGE but your neighborhood is where your world is. Citrus Grove and Orange Blossom Gardens are different communities.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by terenceanne

We have County Roads the other places are private roads.....From what I understand the villages used to be private years ago but had to change due to the County. We cannot stop any Tom, Dick & Harry from coming in.......a tad more security would be nice but not sure how that could be implemented at this point.
As far the new building the concern is that the quality of the new building is reportedly way down - cheapo builder specials etc.....yet crazy high prices to boot - not sure what the outcome of it all will be.

We tend to think honest. The gates, do we think a criminal would not simply go around them. Your front door. Do you think someone braking in is concerned about damaging your new paint job that you invested so much time picking out the perfect color?

Increased security? I only have questions no answers. Do we want random stops to inspect your papers?

[GOLFER54]

I found your shaker

[airstreamingypsy]

All the crime in The Villages isn't committed by outsiders, Villages residents can hold their own in the crime department.

[skippy05]

Crime that is a pattern/habitual/commonplace in a community can only a problem in a community that is in close proximity to very high-density housing that allows kids and lots of kids. The Villages will never meet this definition. Traffic, however, you are doomed.

[noslices1]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

I would really hate for someone with “less than honorable” intentions to try to make their way into our home.

Just sayin….

I would feel SORRY for someone with less than honorable intentions trying to break into my home. It would not go well for them.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by jimdecastro

My view is it is not a 140,000 conglomerate but 70+ Villages of 2,000 people each. Brooklyn is HUGE but your neighborhood is where your world is. Citrus Grove and Orange Blossom Gardens are different communities.

Not sure why you mention Brooklyn but I am an ex-New Yorker. People from Brooklyn know or care little about it's history. Brooklyn WAS the suburbs of Manhattan. Few from Brooklyn know that both Brooklyn and Queens are on Long Island. Parking in Brooklyn?
Where can you park? When you find a parking spot you need to look in all the bushes, trees etc for the sign that says why you can't park there. The meter maid, will be out to ticket you as soon as she finishes her one the job coffee. Been there, done that. Why we left.

[noslices1]

Originally Posted by tedquick

Insert smiley face here.

Yes, the Villages has gotten to BIG and pretty soon it will be getting to BIGGER and maybe some day it will get to too big, but it is already the biggest.

[B-flat]

Originally Posted by MidWestIA

In 2019 one of their employees at Sarasota told me a Villages official told them their plan was to have 300,000 people - they just got started on round 2.

I'm looking forward to the day TV is so big we'll be able to buy a home that makes Disney just a half hour drive via a golf cart.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by mkjelenbaas

And your point is?

There is no point.
The OP "joined" last year and I think he/she jus woke up.

Some have said the same for the last 25 years.

Wait until he/she learns about dog poop.

[jmcica@aol.com]

Originally Posted by terenceanne

We have County Roads the other places are private roads.....From what I understand the villages used to be private years ago but had to change due to the County. We cannot stop any Tom, Dick & Harry from coming in.......a tad more security would be nice but not sure how that could be implemented at this point.
As far the new building the concern is that the quality of the new building is reportedly way down - cheapo builder specials etc.....yet crazy high prices to boot - not sure what the outcome of it all will be.

Do you know these things for a fact?- cheaper buildng? Go take a ride out of the northern bubble and see all the ammenities and walking trails for the younger retirees. So very tired of the folks in the North thinking they have “better everything”. Go on- get out- take a walk, ride a bike and clear your mind.

[Trynforpar]

Yes the Villages is growing at a fever pace and that will create problems for owners if the developer doesn’t add sufficient amenities to meet the needs of a growing community. The real concern going forward is the number of apartment complexes that are being built around the villages. The town squares are more crowded than ever before and it’s not snow bird season yet. Navigating local roadways will become a nightmare once all the new apartment complexes are complete. These roadways were never designed to handle the increased traffic that have we will have to endure this coming winter. I’m hoping the powers at be have a plan to address these issues before they become unmanageable.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Trynforpar

Yes the Villages is growing at a fever pace .

Slower than ten years ago.

[Driller703]

Originally Posted by thevillages2013

I went to Margaritaville but spent the whole time looking for my lost shaker of salt. Then I blew out my flip flop , stepped on a pop top, cut my heel and had to cruise on back home to The Villages

Where there’s booze in the blender!