We're wannabees but it looks like I'll have to settle for renting two or three months each year. My wife won't leave the kids and grandkids - which isn't all bad. If we can keep coming down Jan thru Mar, the cold months here in Missouri will be covered. We love TV and the surrounding area. We have our annual "day trips" planned well in advance and even have golf courses from Mt Dora to Ocala who know our group and expect us each year. Enjoy what you have there because it's a one of a kind place.
Irish Rover:eclipsee_gold_cup:

Oh yeah, Definitely "wanna be"
 

I plan to purchase in 2011 at the latest after a 3rd visit this summer and renting for 3 months in 2010. I discovered TV 2 years ago after visiting "newly found" relatives who have lived there for over 10 years (isn't that what family reunions are about?) and was speechless! Retirement was the furthest thing from my mind, and I never thought of moving after retirement, but Katie Belle's, and dancing "open air" in Spanish Springs were the clincher for me. After reading all the posts on TOTV about other retirement communities, I didn't even bother to do any more research - you guys did it all for me, and based on what I read, I am confident that nothing beats TOTV for my high-energy, love for physical fitness and dancing. Can't wait to see you all and meet in person! Never played golf though, so guess that's what I am going to spend my time doing the minute I move down. Hope there will be others like me so I am not the only "novice" out there trying to learn or find folks who never held a club either.

Can't wait!!!
 

After seeing the commercials for several years we decided to make a life style visit last May. We had received the marketing material and watched the video and expected it to at least an ok place. To our surprise and delight it was better than we ever expected. After returning home I mentioned to several friends that we had found the perfect place to retire and that if I could sell my business we would moveto TV. From that conversation I had 2 people approach me about purchasing the business 1 made an offer that I didn't feel comfortable with. Because of going through that process my accountant knew someone who might be interested. In the mean time we did another LS visit in October, upon returning I received an offer that was I felt was fair. We settled on New Years Eve and made 1 more LS visit January 6th at which time we bought a lot in Amelia that we had seen in October and never thought it would still be there. After we returned from TV we put our house on the market. As soon as it sells we are headed to TV to rent until our house is built. Can't wait!!!:pepper2:

Awwwww, Kate, it was easy to give you a hug!! http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/grouphugg.gif
If the cuter half is lonely, have him contact us and we'll show him around... I promise I'll behave!!!! http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/evilgrin.gif

We definitely are wannabees! The house is up for sale and we are just waiting to sell so we can get to TV. How long in advance does it take to set up a preview visit?

We are in the almost wannabe club. Visited Florida (Naples, Palm Beach, Tampa, Terra Vista at Citrus Hills, Harbor Hills and TV) the past two Summers. Lots of beautiful golf communities all over Florida but TV was the best match for us. Planning a few more Florida visits (just to be sure) before we retire in 3 years. We have a different view of the weather in Florida. After living in Hawaii since 1967, we are concerned about the chilly Winters in Florida. Leaving Hawaii will not be easy, but we feel that it's time.

May I please ask why you would want to leave Hawaii?

Coconuts,

Neither of us have family here in the islands (California, Texas). The cost of living in Hawaii on retirement income, traffic, crime all come into play. The long flights to visit family and friends get longer as you age. Absolutely love the island beauty and weather but there are a lot of sacrifices.

F16 1UB

Actually it's 1144 days 11 hours 24 min and 27 sec right now;)

Why, you're just a youngster, Russ...but you've got a great plan.

I understand completely. A few years back, my son worked for the Gov't near Pearl Harbor. He lived in Eva and Honey and I had a wonderful time visiting him, the grands and that beautiful place. Still, the traffic in and around Honolulu was quite a shock and the housing prices for a young family were difficult. Six months out of New England and we find living in The Villages quite a bit cheaper than up North and I know that it will compare favorably with prices in Hawaii. Good luck, BATMAN.

After being wannabes for several years and renting the last 2 winters we purchased land in Amelia when we were down in February- now we are gonnabes. Hope to start building sometime this spring.

We have learned so much from TOTV and want to thank all of you for the great information you have shared.

We were told you can't reserve outside of six months from when you want to visit. You can sometimes push them along by telling them you are visiting other retirement communities.

Dirigo

We're definitely in the "gonnabe" club! We just put the house back on the market 3 weeks ago, now it's just a matter of how soon we can sell! Hope to be there sooner than later!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Discovered the Villages about 4 years ago. Have done two LSV and have bought two homes there. One in Poinciana and one in Sunset Pointe. Was planning to be there this year, but the stock market and housing market have delayed those plans for a while. Perhaps next year. Need some time to recover from the financial downside everyone took this past year and build up the reserves a little more. But we spend as much time as possible there and enjoy it every time. Be there again next week. So was a wannabee, moved to a gonnabee, and am now back to a wannabee. Will set a date by September this year and stick to that plan.