We only go to restaurants that take reservations or call a heads this time of year. That being said, you need to make your reservation at least a week in advance

ilovetv: :1rotfl: I know I am so biased when it comes to that city, I loved living in the Minneapolis area. Hey I should change my username to ilovemn. It looks cold there but its a dry cold

We are from Southern California, it's seriously congested 100% of the time. The Villages is a delight to us. Drove by Sumter Landing Saturday, I noted the crowd and thought how nice to see folks having a grand time. Golf carts were parked everywhere, people smiling and enjoying the day.

Going to dinner at prime time, not for us. We usually try to eat early to avoid long waits or have friends to our home or theirs.

This place is simply amazing, it truly rocks.:bigbow:

I believe the OPs original intent was to see if anyone had suggestions to make the situation better. Lots of people going on about it's in season, this is like a tourist destination, not as bad as where I can from. But is that any reason to accept the status quo??? I ventured out to Kohl's, Sams, and BofA at Rolling Acres and 441/27 and thought I was going to lose my mind. I hope someone is looking at this situation because it really will be like this and worse once build out occurs. Then you will really see property values drop cause people will only take so much.

JB, just take it more easy. I learned as more I am expecting crowds they will be there, as more calm you react as easier it will be (old Chinese saying: "If you are in rush, take your time").
Yes, it is more crowded in this time of the year, but it will slow down soon, and as long we are not in a working process, we have the time to enjoy THE TIME.

Who is the someone you think will look at your concern of all the shoppers at the stores you mention.

Bogie - I have no idea, but I am smart enough to know I can't figure it out. How about you??? And I wasn't only referring to "the shopping" it was the traffic, the stores, the bank.

Boogie, Boogie, Boogie

Urban planners. Infrastructure: Transportation, public works, etc. Ease of access and egress. It's a constant process managed, depending on jurisdiction, by local, state, and federal agencies.

Also, when stores max out because of demand, more stores are built. Law of supply and demand.

Government agencies and the private sector strive to provide the goods and services as the pendulum swings.

It's a constant process of harmonization.

So many questions, so little time.

Mr. Kris.


It is Bogie Shooter, like one over par. And this is the Magic Kingdom for seniors not your usual town. This is a CDD form of government.


My thoughts are that it will always be kinda like this with the big population in January, February and March and the older of us quietly leaving for the village of Heavenly.( St. Timothy's alone had over 200 funerals last year) and the younger of us retiring and taking their place. And so it will continue pretty much the way it is.


Anyway, a boogie is something you dance or pick out of your nose and a bogie is a senior par.


Kindest wishes.


Gracie.

Sorry about the misspelling. Obviously my spell check is not working.

But, other than what you have pointed out, I believe my posting is accurate.

Kindest wishes to you also.

Mr. Kris - I agree with your posts and hope the surrounding area that we use for shopping and getting places are bigger than The Villages and some urban planner will wake up and smell the coffee!!!

And here in the Villages , events such as bike rides will be canceled because it will only hit 82 (ABOVE ZERO):BigApplause:

Yeah...Many of the replying posters got the intent of my post...thanks!

I get it that it is crowded this time of year. I never said I was in a rush. I was really trying to figure out ways to improve our experience here...ALL of our experiences. I am happy that there is so much demand and homes sell so fast. It's nice to see so much appreciation in home prices. I truely believe that the Morse family has done a fabulous job here. I think it is time for "them" to re-think some of the scheduling of events...

I hear all the time about how hard it is to get tee times...and read about folks getting in trouble for ghosting or some such thing! LOL....I don't golf yet, (a few neighbors have graciously offered to teach me) I really have no idea what is involved with the process of scheduling to go golfing,

Speaking of scheduling...To call at 7:30AM and not be able to get a same-day appointment at THEIR highly prompted as "Marcus Welby" type of neighborhood health care centers is just...well... wrong. EVERY general practice doctor's office I have ever been to keeps some time each day for "same day" appointments, that are not urgent enough for an Urgent Care Center. At least for those that call early in the day. I didn't need to see MY doctor.

So really, I am frustrated by a few things here that I see can be improved...And maybe frustrated is too strong word.

There are plenty of things to do in the surrounding communities if TV is too crowded. For example last weekend was the Mt Dora art festival what a good time!

lol!

Now don't get me wrong, I love the Mt Dora Arts Festival. It is one of the premier art festivals in the SE USofA with VERY high quality artists and I have gone every year for as long as I can remember .... but to suggest it is a "non crowded" alternative is not exactly true. Considering that it annually attracts over 150,000 people in 2 days!



and as to the subject of the thread ... if anyone wants to know why this part of North Centro Fla is crowded ..... look in the mirror. :icon_wink:

Buggyone makes a good point. I too went to the chili cookoff at 1 p.m. Plenty of parking, no lines for the chili, and easy access. So even special events can be navigated if you don't go at what is likely to be peak times.

Part of the overload is that one of the doctors is out of commission after surgery. That means that his load has to be covered by the rest of the docs.

And yes, doctors get sick and injured, too. I suspect that they will be back to their usual same day routine shortly.

After a year of care at Colony, I can report never getting put off regarding an appointment.

After a year and 2 months here in wonderland, I can honestly say that the crowds get to me now and then. That having been said, a few observations:

1) Everyone seems to want to be at the same place at the same time. If you go early or late, it is pretty easy to get seated at many of the restaurants. If you aren't flexible, you will wait. Or, you can always make reservations...

2) We took company to R.J. Gator's at around 6:30 on Saturday and walked right in.

3) there are well over 100,000 of us. Any event held (regardless of time of year) is going to be busy. Look at the crowd for the Christmas parade.

4) Popular bands pack the squares regardless of the time of year.

5) Colony Publix is busy (yes, we all agree on that one). why not go to the one by Spanish Springs? It was virtually empty at 4 pm today?

We have the events and concerts which we have because we are large enough to attract the talent. If we had 5,000 residents, we would not have a fraction of the shows.

Flexibility helps deal with much of the overcrowding.

It's not too big for me. In fact, it may not be big enough. The development and building of the infrastructure, including restaurants, shopping, roads, doctors, etc. can't keep up with the demand for housing. Everyone (Baby Boomers) wants to be a part of The Villages. The infrastructure will catch up. What we know about capitalism is that demand will bring supply. With more people there will be more of other stuff to take care of those people. Just have to be patient and wait for everything to catch up.

Regardless of the influx of population here, the nationwide shortage of primary care doctors (due to limits and too few residency training slots) will continue to affect the ease/dificulty of getting in to see one's doctor, as we baby boomers reach age 60-65 now. See:

Physician Shortages to Worsen Without Increases in Residency Training:
https://www.aamc.org/download/286592/data/

Is the villages too big?
 

We are here 4 yrs. now and every winter it is very busy here, when April comes you see a difference and by May it is back to a normallcy but this year the traffic has really increase and it is due to all the new homes south of 466a so it will continue to be more congested until the build out ends. I really wish the build out would end as originally planned as we were told when we built here, I now take the attitude it is what it is. The thing that really upset me was that the original poster said he could not get in to see his dr. They should be keeping spots open for their patients that are not feeling well. You should not be told by your dr. to go to urgent care. Marcus Welby never would have done that.

I empathize with OP. We are full timers as of 2 years ago, and rented 2 years before. The change over those 4 years is incredible. If all the building were to stop right now, and the infrastructure were to stay the same, I wouldn't be concerned. Yes, there are times when I would like to get into a restaurant, and can't. And, get a tee time, but can't. But, not a big deal -- I can deal with that. My concern is the future. Experiencing the growth over the past 4 years, and then projecting into the future -- yes, I DO believe there is a problem just over the horizon. Janet Tutt said recently that the stop light at Colony Cottage may not be sufficient in the future. But, that they (I assume the developer) want to see what it will be like when the traffic has 'settled', after the 8000+/- people south of Hillsborough, and Fruitland Park Villages move in, and future commercialization is done. I don't know what she is referring to about 'future commercialization'. Maybe there is something on the drawing boards that none of us know about. I do know that the 8000+/- people will be here within 2 years which will add incredible strain to the existing amenities and infrastructure. I wrote Janet Tutt an email after I read about her 'commercialization' comment, and she wrote me back that it's not her department -- she would forward my email to the right person, who I never heard from. Will TV get it right over the next few years? I don't know. The Colony Plaza, and surrounding area, design is a mess. For those of us who use Micro Racetrack road, to Rolling Acres, to Home Depot, etc., it has already become a nightmare. Imagine when 4000 more people are in the Fruitland Park Villages, and south of Hillsborough is built out. IF there are not places for these people to shop, Microracetrack/Rolling Acres will be chaos. I have spoken with the person who is in charge of future road planning in the Sumter and Lake County area. I asked him what the plans are for north/south roads. His answer was that they are studying a new north/south corridor. When I asked his opinion on when this might be built, his answer was in about 20 years -- no joke.

Are we too crowded now? I don't think so. But, I do believe the handwriting is on the wall.

Two things:

From 466-A, it's much slower and more clogged to get to Rolling Acres on Micro Racetrack Rd than it is to go--continuously without stopping--on Morse Blvd.

Fruitland Park new villages will be accompanied by more shopping centers and commercial properties along 466-A, which the developer will surely fund for widening.

If anybody has a grip on city planning, it is The Villages and the Morse team. They get things done, and the funding is in place before starting. (What a concept!)

I love it here and the crowds don't bother me too much. When we go out for dinner we go early and skip our at-home lunch. It works. It's like ghost town here in July; I kind of like this better.

The road planners don't sit around for years to make something happen.
I been here for 12 years and when a problem comes up it is attended to.
Intersection of 466 & 301. I noticed this fall that traffic was beginning to back up for those wanting to turn south on 301 going west on on 466, and those turning east on 466 going south on 301. Guess what construction will start this week to provide two turning lanes for both turns.........problem solved.
Did you know that 466A is being widened from the County Service Center west to 301?
If Lake County could get their act together 466A would be 4 lanes from Colony east to 441/27
If there is a north south corridor being studied, it will not take Mr. Morse 20 years to make it happen.
BTW if you cannot get a tee time add more courses and widen you time window.....been bumped 2 times in the last 4 years.

I'm sorry, but demanding a same day appointment in my mind is an emergency unless you pay for concierge medicine. I am happy if I get an appointment within a week.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

It is what it is so just...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP1TWcILbcg]Simmer Down Now - Simmer to down to now - YouTube[/ame]



:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

The developer keeps doing what he can do to slow down growth by raising home prices but the homes just keep on selling!

That tells me that we made a good choice by choosing The Villages.

Prices of houses
 

So that is the reason prices of homes have increased----I've been wondering!

Can *anyone* explain to me how they believe there are going to be 8,000 more year-round residents when the build-out is complete...as opposed to many new owners - many of whom will be part-time residents? I just don't see that *every* house in *every* village will *ever* be inhabited with 2 year-round residents!

gomoho - What is causing you to lose your mind about that area? I have been driving up and down 27/441 between Ocala and Leesburg and the *only* area driving me nuts is that road re-construction from F.P south that is now in its *3rd year*!!!!! A project like that one would never take 3 yrs to complete in NJ - where crews cannot work all year round even!!!! The worst traffic light we have encountered is turning left from 466 onto Rolling Acres Rd or turning left from 466 onto Morse to go to LSL. So in the first example we now use Morse Blvd instead of Rolling Acres Rd and in the second example we either avoid going to LSL or we use Morse Blvd again.

Being here only a short time, I have noticed an increase in traffic when travelling about. The restaurants seem more full, and crowding in general, seems to be on the uptick.

I love when there are a lot of of people in restaurants, that pump money into our economy. I would plan accordingly, if one wants to go to a restaurant, and be seated in a short time span. Eating at home is another option, if one doesn't want to deal with crowds.

To me. it's a matter of tolerance. Those of us that come from big cities are use to crowds and expect wait times at restaurants and shopping.You go with the flow. For those that have moved here from small towns, and expect to be able to go about their business, as if they are the only one's that count, is unrealistic.

My doctor leaves a couple of appt's open for emergencies, as opposed to going to urgent care, is one solution that needs to be explored. One must find a doctor who's policy is to get patients in on an emegency basis, if at all possible. It's difficult, but it can be done.

It's a matter of tolerance and perception. Those of us who have come from big citites are more tolerant of wait times, as patience is the key. Those who love the small town feel, will grow more disenchanted, in the size TV, will grow to. Only Mr. Morse knows when build out will end. As gets bigger, the corresponding changes that need to be made of terms of stores and shopping will be addressed by Mr. Morse. He has done a wonderful job and I will be always amazed at his vision, and acumen for getting things that need to be done, in a timely fashion.

Patience, grasshopper. :smiley:

You are right as usual Bogie. Some day I hope to shake your hand.

it's kinda like having a bushel of apples with only one that has a bad spot on it and all that gets talked about is the bad apple!

It takes maybe 15 minutes to get anywhere in TV.....no matter what the season. Relax...take your time and allow for the extra car or two or minute or two here and there.

Let's talk about the other apples in the bushel!:wave:

Definitely more busy over the years, but, coming from a major metropolitan area, still way better than city living and probably much better movement than many Florida cities in high season.

When we arrived in 2006, we did most of our shopping at Southern Trace....that Publix was a zoo. Now, it always seems to have a manageable volume. When Colony opened it was a ghost town, checkers at Publix were literally begging you to come into their line. With Pinellas now open and work starting on a commercial center west of Brownwood that is supposed to include Publix, things will smooth out and traffic/shopping should spread out more. Not perfect but better.

I enjoy all the seasonal residents/renters and their visitors and the life and energy that is injected into our hometown. I also cherish the other three seasons where the pace is calmer and the weather is warmer. The cycles of life. Still nowhere else I want to be than here.

:agree:

I stand by my last sentence -- "Are we too crowded now? I don't think so. But, I do believe the handwriting is on the wall."

AND I stand by my reasoning that people have the annoying habit of dying and their property is then sold to younger folks who snowbird, usually.

Yes too crowded. We just adjust -- leave at least ten minutes earlier than we normally would off season, eat out less, grocery shop at odd hours, visit restaurants outside the bubble --and don't ask me their names, not telling, we can still get in without a wait in January.....

Also, we quiit some activities at Rec Centers until April or May and spend more time with friends, hobbies, household repairs, etc. We actually considered renting out our home during Jan/Feb & March and renting someplace warmer and smaller. We have not done this yet, but it is an idea for those of you who it REALLY bothers.

Otherwise, just chill, this too shall pass. We need the birds & flakes.