[justjim]

We are in our 15th year owning property in The Villages. Recently I was told that I was a Sunbird. (Apparently a person who owns in TV and owns or rents up north for three months during the really hot and humid days of summer in Florida). We like being a Sunbird but to each his own. My only fault with The Villages is the Medical as I have posed on other Threads on TOTV. The medical community just hasn’t been able to keep up with the overwhelming fast growth of The Villages and Central Florida. They (medical community) are doing their best but continues to fall further and further behind. Enough said….we love The Villages.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by waynehal55

You can't be serious!!! I live in Del Webb and this community of 3250 homes is
surrounded by fencing and 2 gated guard shacks. These PRIVATE roads are patrolled 24/7 by residents in marked trucks. Nothing in life is guaranteed, but after living here for almost 2 decades we feel very safe. There are no buttons to press to gain entry.

I was responding to the OP's comment that you need authorization to enter the community. The restaurant is open to the public, and you can drive to it without presenting any identification or authorization. I have done it many times. The Villages has Community Watch vehicles that patrol the housing areas.

[Koapaka]

Originally Posted by Ritagoyer

One problem I see with all the expansions is that people south of 44 are having problems with services like a reliable company mowing your yard, landscaping, and the list goes on. There are not enough people that want to work or even do the work. The lead time to get even material in or a qualified contractor is difficult.

Newsflash...that problem exists above 44 as well.

[tvbound]

"Too big" is simply an individual opinion, that is moot until house purchases start to decline and the consensus by those not buying is because - "it's too big." So far, we haven't seen any indication of that happening anytime soon. The growth since our first rental over 6 years ago, until now, has been quite eye-opening. It is however, a bit annoying from both those who have the attitude of "if you don't like it, move" and those who imply "I got mine, you should go somewhere else." I'm also guessing that the slogan for TV will not be changed anytime soon to - "The Villages, we used to be really small and friendly." LOL

[Villages Kahuna]

From someone who’s been here for over 16 years, my answer is YES, WAY TOO BIG!

We moved here from north suburban Chicago. We loved the ‘small town feel’ of The Villages back then. Only about 35,000 people, never over-crowded, all the amenities accessible with no more than a 20- minute golf cart ride.

Now the population is near 140,000 and still growing quickly. The relationship of residents with the Developer is non-existent. The length of The Villages from CR 42 on the north to where new homes are under construction is already about 5-6 miles longer than the City of Chicago (from the Evanston border to the south suburb of Dixmoor).

That’s too big for me, way too big. I moved from a large metropolitan area. Now the crowds, traffic, etc. have followed us here.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by billethkid

My ONLY complaint about TV is those who continually complain about TV.

Built our home here when TV was around 30,000......now that it is 130,000 I can honestly say our lifestyle has not been negatively affected.

On the positive side as the population reached critical mass more outside businesses have been attracted to TV and surrounding area.

In 17 years have never not been able to play golf when we wanted to play.....flexibility of courses and times is all it takes.

Those who thought they were buying into a gated community had/have no idea what a real gated community is and how it operates.

If we were coming in for the first time today we would make the same decision to live here.....it is ONLY better than it was 17 years ago......in our very humble opinion.

Once again the voice of reason.
I agree 100% with this post, in my 19 years.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by Dantes

You are correct 20 plus years in The Sheriffs Department, Corrections, K-9- ICE if you only knew what is really walking around out there you would not be taking late night walks and it’s getting worse by the day just watch the news

Seriously?!?!? Do you really think it is not safe to walk around The Villages at night???? When was the last time you saw or read a Villages resident was assaulted, raped or robbed inside of the Villages proper????

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

What news ? Where is this news , I have not seen one report of someone being mugged while walking around at night on any path . Maybe it’s secret news only known to those who stir the pot ????

[Tom M]

Growth means more options. More clubs, more courses, more dining, more entertainment, more shopping, more of everything. But if you don't want to venture out, stay in your community and nothing has changed.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by waynehal55

You can't be serious!!! I live in Del Webb and this community of 3250 homes is
surrounded by fencing and 2 gated guard shacks. These PRIVATE roads are patrolled 24/7 by residents in marked trucks. Nothing in life is guaranteed, but after living here for almost 2 decades we feel very safe. There are no buttons to press to gain entry.

You should feel safe, since there is nothing to do there other than sit at home and watch TV

[joelfmi]

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 would have to crazy to live in a community that was not gated. Their are so many others that are that are gated AND PRIVATE JUST AS GOOD.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by joelfmi

.

I would have to crazy to live in a community that was not gated. Their are so many others that are that are gated AND PRIVATE JUST AS GOOD.

Just as good????? Name them.

[Taltarzac725]

They need to work on getting the three movie theaters open and operating as usual by hiring more workers. They seemed very short staffed at the Old Mill Playhouse.

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by joelfmi

.

I would have to crazy to live in a community that was not gated. Their are so many others that are that are gated AND PRIVATE JUST AS GOOD.

Why are you even on this site? Why spend your time watching people comment about their community that's "not any better" than yours?

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

They need to work on getting the three movie theaters open and operating as usual by hiring more workers. They seemed very short staffed at the Old Mill Playhouse.

There are no workers. That’s the problem.