[Safe Home Watch Mary Edwards]

Hi hope you have a safe trip,TV will make you a very happy person everyone is so nice and helpful. Mary

[Whalen]

Originally Posted by linandvin

Garden City South? Say goodbye to the best pizza in the world, changing seasons, no humidity and access to the best culture in the country. Florida is nice, but NY is New York!

Not to sound trite but as the saying goes, been there, done that.
I grew up in Brooklyn and have gone into the City and worked in midtown every working day of my life, which are many.
I have seen everyone from the Pope at the UN to Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes at Carnegie Hall. Have been to the theatres, the museums, the stadiums, the arenas (saw the 69 knicks and the 69 Mets), The Filmore East and Studio 54. Even went to CBGB's.

As to humidity, there is no humidity compared to a subway platform in August, and after all these years sometimes the change of seasons are
terribly overrated. Especially after this winter.

I am now looking forward to a new cultural experience, that of life in The Villages with the people so beautifully described by GG.

Gail

BTW, I have also come to the conclusion that Good Pizza is a state of mind.
Whenever 2 or more friends have a laugh over a slice & a soda there is no bad pizza.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by bargee

Boston Red Sox and Modern Pizza on State Street,it doesn't get any better than that.

Oooh Bargee,

Have you ever got that right!

Kate

[linandvin]

Please post again in a few years and let me know how the transition went. I, too, spent a great deal of time working/playing in Manhattan, had two daughters living there, and grew up in the suburbs of the city. KB's, compared to NYC restaurants and activites, is a matter of choice. I would wonder how a survey would go of people who have left NY and are content in Florida (or the Villages). It just seems that more people are leaving Florida now than ever before. Perhaps it is the family they left behind, the environment, the medical care, or the cost of living here now. Time will tell. I wish you the best in your choice and hope it continues to sparkle.

[chuckinca]

You are soooo lucky.

If we could sell our house we would be here in a New York minute

[sschuler1]

Congrats!!!! We are hoping to be selling our house and joining you down there this year. Good luck with your move!!!!

[chelsea24]

Originally Posted by linandvin

Please post again in a few years and let me know how the transition went. I, too, spent a great deal of time working/playing in Manhattan, had two daughters living there, and grew up in the suburbs of the city. KB's, compared to NYC restaurants and activites, is a matter of choice. I would wonder how a survey would go of people who have left NY and are content in Florida (or the Villages). It just seems that more people are leaving Florida now than ever before. Perhaps it is the family they left behind, the environment, the medical care, or the cost of living here now. Time will tell. I wish you the best in your choice and hope it continues to sparkle.

Well, coming from Chicago, I can tell you this move was the best thing we've done in our lives. (BTW, Chicago does have the best pizza!) But, what New York and Chicago does NOT have is the specular view I get from my lanai, the beautiful sunsets behind the palms, the fragrance of fruit trees blossoming, the freedom from gray concrete and gray days, the absolutely fabulous people from all over the country uniting as a community, and so much more.

There are wonderful places to visit, New York being one of them, but as the saying goes...

I hope you are as happy with your choice as we are with ours.

[linandvin]

Chelsea, you are absolutely right! We only go around once and we have to be happy with our decisions. I know to many, shoulda...woulda....couldaaas! When I go, I want to hit the wall running. I wish NY and Florida were just a little bit closer! That 1000 mile leg slows down the choices! Everyone has their own agenda, but I still wonder why so many people are leaving Florida.

Yes, I DID hear about that Chicago pizza and being a pizza lover, I look forward to tasting it one day! I hear it's awesome!

[graciegirl]

For a very long time I believed Cincinnati, Ohio was the center of the universe with it's wonderful Symphony Orchestra, Art Museum, Ballet, Tall Stacks on the Ohio, third rated Children's Hospital in the country, the BEST German food, Flying Pigs Marathon, and the smartest and most beautiful grandchildren.

I didn't mention the sports teams, sigh.

However, I have found that it is a two hour plane trip to The Villages. I am now not quite as sure. East, West, HOME is best.

Where is home now?

[linandvin]

We visited St. Augustine since 1987 and thought it would be paradise to live here. So we sold our home in 2002 and after the kids graduated, we headed to Sunny St. Aug. Although it is beautiful and friendly here, we still miss the culture and the New York lifestyle. It always feels like vacation here, which sometimes isn't a bad thing, but as my principal in NY said, "How can you have Spring without Winter?" This year was unusually bad for the northeast. Home is still NY and always will be. We have visited the Villages a few times but are not totally sold.

[Whalen]

Originally Posted by linandvin

We visited St. Augustine since 1987 and thought it would be paradise to live here. So we sold our home in 2002 and after the kids graduated, we headed to Sunny St. Aug. Although it is beautiful and friendly here, we still miss the culture and the New York lifestyle. It always feels like vacation here, which sometimes isn't a bad thing, but as my principal in NY said, "How can you have Spring without Winter?" This year was unusually bad for the northeast. Home is still NY and always will be. We have visited the Villages a few times but are not totally sold.

Didn't mean to sound snarkey the other day, but I've lived & loved the city life and really feel it's time for a change.
Sitting here in Emporia, Va on our way to TV, and really looking foward to our new life.

If you miss NY so much, why not just go back for awhile. Take a vacation or rent a "summer house" in the spring or the fall, when they are cheaper,
and find out if that is the life you want.
If it is, then do it, it's never too late.

As to your principal, San Diego has spring all year, what's so bad about that?

[linandvin]

Not snarly at all. We all have strong beliefs when we do something. We do it because at that point of our life, it is the right thing to do. Our lifestyle and families/friends have changed, which happens in everyone's life. Many people we know have moved back to NY. Maybe I was snarly because I saw GCS, and have fond memories of that area. Our dearest friend owned Cavcor and we spent many a dinner at Gum Ying. I realize you can't go back (even though we spend all our summers in our second place on LI). I'm just saying I wish the two places were closer so WE CAN HAVE IT ALL! In retrospect I would have kept the house on LI and the condo in Fl. We have great jobs (but we will see what happens with education down here! - again, it's not going to be NY-but that's a whole other issue) here, beautiful sunshine/warmth and friends, and it's a nice lifestyle. But NY is NY. I wish you the very best in your new, exciting adventure! I think my principal meant if it's sunny every day...how can you appreciate the sun. You need a gray day to appreciate the blue. Have fun!

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by linandvin

................ I think my principal meant if it's sunny every day...how can you appreciate the sun. You need a gray day to appreciate the blue. Have fun!

I lived in Southern CA for 30 years and I appreciated the sun every day!! IMHO!

[Whalen]

Arrived Sunday, safe & sound.
Plan on going to the luncheon on Friday.
Can't wait to meet everyone.

Gail & Dave

[Donna]

Whalen...Sorry we are going to miss you and the luncheon..

Hope to meet you very soon...