[jcgolfs]

I think the comment about the POA suing Gary Morse was out of line. The POA is doing a great service for ALL Villagers.

[JB in TV]

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[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by jcgolfs

I think the comment about the POA suing Gary Morse was out of line. The POA is doing a great service for ALL Villagers.

It was a joke about the cooler weather we have been experiencing.

[gomoho]

Now that I am here I can be comfortable in my complaints about it being too crowded!!! We are currently working with the plan of renting out our home for a month or two in high season to get out of the crowds. March will be the first time we do this so we'll see how that works; however I agree with several others that in no time at all there won't be a season because we will be crowded like this all year long with the new building going on. Guess the options are to roll with the punches or leave 'cause I don't see any fix coming down the pike.

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by jcgolfs

I think the comment about the POA suing Gary Morse was out of line. The POA is doing a great service for ALL Villagers.

Did you really think Gracie wanted the POA to sue because of the cold weather?

We had some friends that visited the Villages for the first time a couple of weeks ago. They liked some things and even looked a some new houses, but they were surprised that no gas stoves were available because the salesman said that the Morse family had a" problem" with the gas company and at the end of the week they said that the Villages was just to busy for them to even consider coming back. Yikes!

[BarryRX]

I just got back from a great weekend in Delray Beach with some wonderful friends. Delray beach is a vital, happening town with lots of great restaurants and bars with live music and street fairs and farmers markets, etc. It is so crowded there that it is difficult to walk on the streets. It is impossible to find a parking spot. I know it feels a bit crowded here in the winter months, and it even felt a little more crowded this last summer than the one before it, but it's really not too bad considering we live in a prime snow bird location.

[jcgolfs]

I think it was just a little poke a the POA.

[ilovetv]

We've gotten along just fine without ever going to a Chili Cook-off in TV, and by buying groceries at places other than Publix at Colony Plaza between 8am and 12pm. There are lots of other options and hours, if one can muster up some flexibility.

As someone suggested, there are hosts of other nice communities in the surrounding areas. Try exploring outside the bubble during these three peak season months, and be glad you won't have to prepare for a blizzard and being stuck in your car on I-75, freezing and trying to sleep in the car with fuel tank dwindling and being iced in.

[billethkid]

the old saying everything is relative is the issue here as well.
What is the expectation? No waiting? Always get the space you want?
The restruant you want when you want it? The t time you want? No traffic?

Of course not we are all reasonable.....eh?

Some of us who have been here for at least 10 years (and many more) can talk about when there were only 30,000 people here. No shopping what so ever South of 466 (not 466A....466). There were no homes south of 466 (not 466A....466). No shopping centers off Rolling Acres. No Lake Sumter Landing!!!!

Some might say there was nothing here....we and 30,000 +++ others did not see it that way.
Then TV continued South over the next 8 years. Reached a critical mass in size that began to attract national stores like Home Depot, Kohls, Target, etc.

At over 100,000 we are happy to have all that has come during our stay here. Would we do it again now that it "so big" or "so busy"? In a heart beat.

There are very few times over the years we could not do what we wanted when we wanted to do it. Or go where we wanted to go when we wanted to. Very few indeed. And yes the traffic has increased. Just think about it for a moment this years slow season traffic will exceed what was the busy season of only a few years ago.

We all know if there is a quality, desirable place to be, to go to eat to visit, to live, to play, et al it will be very popular and busy. So if some want to go where there is less of "busy" just remember you will get much less of a lot that we enjoy here.

To each his/her own......TV lifestyle....half the size or double or triple the size or whatever it winds up at will still be a unique lifestyle not easily duplicated many locations around the world.

[justjim]

We purchased our first TV home in 2006. This winter is our ninth.

Yes, we have seen tremendous growth in the last 9 years.

Yes, there is more traffic and the Squares are over crowded----especially when they have special activities.

Yes, there could be better planning by those who plan such activities as the Chili cook off and garden show. Why not have them at separate squares?

TOO BIG IS RELATIVE. COMPARED TO WHAT? HAVE YOU BEEN TO CHICAGO WHEN THEY TURN THE CHICAGO RIVER GREEN AND CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S DAY? NOW THAT IS A CROWD!!

OP, your Thread is good discussion. I don't know we can solve the "too big" issue but I sincerely think there are small things that can be done to make "things" work a bit better given our 100,000 plus population during the winter months. Those that post on TOTV are pretty good at suggestions. I'm listening---hope the "planners" are too!

Mr. Morse, if you are listening, sunshine during January would help spread out the crowds a bit. Sir, see if you can do better next year. Thanks!

[vj1213]

I agree with most everything said, but to add a little note about the square and no parking on Sat. It was the 1st of the month and there were also approximately 2000 renters picking up their Id's on that date. Yes, it would have made a lot of sense not to book these things simultaneously...but when different entities book different events.
Anyway, I love it here. Even tho' I am close to colony..there are plenty of other stores besides that Publix. My neighbors and I dine out often...just don't go at 6 or 6:30 and expect to be seated. We do also go to a lot of the surrounding area restaurants. We also have a lot of dinners, cookouts, and parties in our neighborhood.
We golf, go to events and club meetings, and yes they are more crowded. It does get frustrating at times with all the traffic and bad drivers but hey I was never promised the perfect life here. I enjoy and give thanks for what I've got....it definitely could be a lot worse.

[Wing-nut2]

Yes.

[tommy steam]

If you think it's big now, get the new villages map and you will see how huge it's going to be. The villages will extend to 44. There is a huge area south of Hillsborough trail that is being developed now. You also have the area in fruitland park which will be developed. Let's hope they build several more supermarkets in the area. Lots of shopping areas up north on 441 but I think the trip up there will be a pain with the traffic as TVs develops more.

[keithwand]

Yes it's busy and thankfully so. It's energizing to see so many people that want to be here to either live or visit.
It's only a few months.
If no one came then our houses would not appreciate and the services of retail and restaurants wouldn't be here either.
Try Naples in the winter. Busy there too.