[villages07]

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.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by villages07

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.

[pbeinetti]

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."

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by pbeinetti

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.

[salpal]

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.

[Bruiser1]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

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.

I agree with you on the "construction project" on 27 . In Minnesota it would have been done in 6 months tops. We've had a twenty mile (2lane to 4 lane) completed in 3calendar years (18 months of construction) .

[Golfingnut]

The Villages is crowded, but far from over or too crowded to enjoy. Now that the economy is doing so much better than back in 08 when we started looking, I predict bigger and better things to come. Our home has came up in value in this short time to compensate for the loss when we sold up north before coming down. The big difference is that folks in the Villages go out to dinner, party with friends and get involved in sports at a rate ten times the rate of doing these things up north. Can you imagine your home town if everyone was out and about like we are here.

[collie1228]

This is our second winter in TV, and there is no doubt in my mind that the traffic has increased since last winter, and everything is much busier, especially restaurants. That being said, I am still able to play championship golf twice a week at a reasonable time, and we are able to play executive courses 1-2 times a week as well. I arrange a neighborhood couples scramble on executive courses north of 466 every week for 24-32 golfers, and we haven't had to miss a week yet due to lack of tee times (the villages.net tee time system is excellent). We tend to go to lunch instead of dinner over this three month period, which works for us. We went to dinner early on Friday (5:00PM) and were immediately seated at Bamboo Bistro - By 5:30 the place was full. My point is that you need to be flexible, and just get through this "difficult time". We are very happy to be full-timers, so we get 8-9 months of peace and quiet, good tee times, lots of activities, and great weather. We sometimes complain a little bit about the crowds, but we realize that without the snowbirds, the cost for us to live in TV would be a lot higher. Thanks to the snowbirds for paying for all twelve months but only using 3-4. It's a great deal for us.

[Polar Bear]

Coming from Pinellas County (St. Pete/Tampa area) I chuckle to myself when I read about the unbearable crowds and traffic in TV. It simply isn't that bad IMHO...especially for only a few months out of the year.

I think collie sums it up pretty well.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by collie1228

This is our second winter in TV, and there is no doubt in my mind that the traffic has increased since last winter, and everything is much busier, especially restaurants. That being said, I am still able to play championship golf twice a week at a reasonable time, and we are able to play executive courses 1-2 times a week as well. I arrange a neighborhood couples scramble on executive courses north of 466 every week for 24-32 golfers, and we haven't had to miss a week yet due to lack of tee times (the villages.net tee time system is excellent). We tend to go to lunch instead of dinner over this three month period, which works for us. We went to dinner early on Friday (5:00PM) and were immediately seated at Bamboo Bistro - By 5:30 the place was full. My point is that you need to be flexible, and just get through this "difficult time". We are very happy to be full-timers, so we get 8-9 months of peace and quiet, good tee times, lots of activities, and great weather. We sometimes complain a little bit about the crowds, but we realize that without the snowbirds, the cost for us to live in TV would be a lot higher. Thanks to the snowbirds for paying for all twelve months but only using 3-4. It's a great deal for us.

Excellent post.

[manaboutown]

The Villages is a high growth rate development. Having experienced this in Phoenix and another area infrastructure development typically lags population needs. I remember the children in Phoenix having to go to school in shifts because there were not enough schools for them. In The Villages the developer seems to pretty much be on top of and even ahead of growth in many ways. The streets and highways are another matter and not under the developer's control (except for the interchange being built). Similarly the retail, restaurants, service stations and other businesses probably lag growth.

On the happy side, as a community grows, normally more businesses establish themselves. I consider this a good thing. More competition brings more variety as well as perhaps lower prices. The Villages started in a rural area lacking much in the way of retail and restaurant choices. As it continues to grow more businesses will move in to service the needs of the populace. Who knows, maybe a Maserati or Lamborghini dealer may give The Villages a try!

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Our home has came up in value in this short time to compensate for the loss when we sold up north before coming down. .

Lou,
I don't quite understand the above part of your post. I understand selling your previous house at a loss and the increase in value of your home here - but isn't that just "on paper". You don't profit in the increased value of your Villages home until it is sold, do you - and we sure don't want you thinking about moving out. The Bud Lite sales in The Villages would plummet if that ever happened.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Lou,
I don't quite understand the above part of your post. I understand selling your previous house at a loss and the increase in value of your home here - but isn't that just "on paper". You don't profit in the increased value of your Villages home until it is sold, do you - and we sure don't want you thinking about moving out. The Bud Lite sales in The Villages would plummet if that ever happened.

Your right on point, and I hope I never benefit from the increase in value, but our children will certainly benefit from in increase in sale value from our 2009 purchase price. They will have no idea about our loss up north, just a warm and fussy from a half million dollar sale after we frog out in florida.

[mickey100]

It seems that those who come from tourist areas or busy metropolitan areas have less trouble adjusting to the high traffic and population in The Villages, particularly during high season, than those who might come from smaller communities or rural areas.

We came here about 10 years ago, from a rural area, and obviously TV was much less crowded back then. But even then it was an adjustment for us. We could get through it knowing that the crowds would die down and be gone by the end of April. However with the large growth and expansion, and little to no expansion of transportation conduits, traffic is becoming a problem year round. I hate going out on Route 27/441 or Route 466 in the afternoon. Its brutal. We counteract that by traveling on the busy roads at non-peak times whenever possible. We've been avoiding local restaurants and dining away from The Villages, or mostly eat at home or party at friends' houses during this busy time. I love the snowbirds, but it is really difficult to deal with the crowds and heavy traffic this time of year. When we originally bought, we had no idea it would reach the level it has.

[Matzy]

Hmmmh, yes, TV get's too big! Sorry for that to start one question in case of that.
Actually, I do not want to complain because I already knew very well it what it could happen before we decided to come to The Villages.
I was born during WWII in Germany, remembering bombing nights and days, grew up in ruins, nothing to eat, occupation by Red Army before we went west. I spent my whole life helping others, teaching and medical help,very often voluntarily, Army (NATO), and so I saw a lot of things I don't want to explain (because it is so bad and sad).
And then I found a place which is wonderful, have wonderful neighbors and a lot of very nice people around me, almost a super perfect place to live after a very busy life. Yes, this place has sometimes high seasons, sometimes are things I do not agree because it does not fit 110% that what I am expecting, but it is still a wonderful place to live.

And now, after thinking about me and this place - it is not NYC - I can't complain, just be happy every day with a smile for everybody, even I have to wait for a seat at restaurants, I am just HAPPY here. I hope you can understand me.