Three types of responses.
 

One type lists all negative changes, one type lists all positive changes and the third complains about one and two.

Why keep focusing on negatives, lots of positives living here.

And the fourth comments on the other three.

I don't miss Katie Belles or the Buffalo. I thought of one as a pick up joint and the other as not cuddly or snuggly.

I don't notice the amount of bars, because I no longer drink liquor. I was never any good at it.

I don't worry about the police increasing, because we really have no problem with increased crime here at all. For now. Hopefully that won't change, but if it does, I am sure that the various agencies that protect us; Marion County Sheriff, Sumter County Sheriff, Lady Lake Police Department, Fruitland Park Police Department and Wildwood Police Department will all see to it that we will continue to be protected. (Many Thanks to them)

The increase in traffic and especially during high season happens all over the State of Florida, from the Keys to the Panhandle, all the way to Alabama. Our main industry is tourism and that is how we roll in this State.

I love the new friends who came with the new homes. I love that we have some mighty fine groups at the rec centers teaching us fun and interesting things. I like the way the lovely green places and common areas are kept and the trash barely ever seen. I love the way the public buildings are maintained. I love The Villages Health.

But most of all I love old friends here and new ones too.

The residents already run “this place”, all the cdds except 13 and now 14 have boards of elected residents. Within the legal limits, we have complete control of what happens to our community now, and in the future, the developer has virtually no say except for cdd13/14 and the commercial property they own.

The true fear of the developer stopping building is the loss of thousands of construction jobs that would devastate the local economy, result in high unemployment, higher crime, and the closure of many businesses. This country has 2 minor pillars in its economy-agriculture and the prisons, and 2 major pillars- construction and the wealth of the resident retirees. Damage any of them and the roof falls in.

Apparently in category one.

I have not seen any negative things that effect me. Know nothing of a dance hall, no nothing about buffaloes and not sure how that would change a lifestyle. I like the expansions as it gives us more places to drive to. New restaurants and bars are a good thing. I have never seen any traffic in The Villages, I know people complain about it but it does not exist. So all in all things are great and I look forward to every minute I get to send here.

Your opinion of the OP's post is duly noted. What is your answer to the OP's question?

Here's my answer - and as a reminder, here's the question:

What has changed since you moved in?


The angrier people seem to have been given permission to express their anger more, usually by way of bumper stickers, torn upside down flags, signs on their windows and golf carts, threats of violence, actual violence, people yelling at each other, and so on. In short - the "friendliest" hometown doesn't seem any friendlier than the town I moved from, which was more of a "neutral" not friendly, but not unfriendly either.

The oldest folks who've died, have passed their homes to their kids, who seem disinterested in caring for the properties they've inherited. Or they've moved in, even though they're not old enough to qualify as 55+. So the 55+ are being replaced by 54- - and they can, because they inherited the property and didn't have to buy it.

A country club has been torn down. There seem to be more people overall who visit Sumter Landing town square area, and LOTS more traffic even during the off-season. Great for business, not so great for people who want to avoid car accidents, according to police reports. I'm sure the hospital, urgent care centers, auto collision and body-shop centers, and various doctors in the area are enjoying the added revenue.

A restaurant that didn't thrill me was replaced by another high-end restaurant, which seems to be superior quality. Another restaurant opened in Spanish Springs that focuses on fresh southern farm-to-table foods (Farmshed Diner). Neither of these are "chain" restaurants, and that's awesome!

Supermarkets have implemented routine sanitizing procedures that I hope they'll continue, because a clean store is good for business, even when there is no pandemic.

A couple of roads received much-needed repaving; mostly courtesy of the three counties our community resides in. Our road, sadly, has not received the repaving and some of it is starting to show obvious crumbling in spots.

Our trash pick-up no longer requires recycling, since we're on a waste-to-energy system now. I consider that a huge bonus to our community even though this isn't a Villages decision, it's a Lake County decision.

Another change - the Villages development changed their mind again and chose to build south of 44.

Also, there are a few new golf cart bridges. The one going into Chitty-Chatty is really neat, and walkable.

A hopeful change: they started painting the facade of the Rialto Theatre in Spanish Springs in the past month or so. That means maybe they're going to finally finish the renovations and take down that horrible exterior construction wall that's been there since the year -before- the Pandemic.

Davey Crockett was a TENNESSEAN.
Kentucky has NEVER had 7 million residents.

There is no 55 age requirement to buy a pre-owned home in TV. I bought my first at age 40

The best change I have experienced is me, we are here. We used to live in a community where taxes were much higher, crime much higher, roads and property maintenance much worse, far fewer activities to do, and most of the time friendlier people here-although we old farts do complain a bit. The new bridges and expansion gives us more choices. I do miss all the clubs listed in the weekly recreation magazine but completely understand and can go online. I miss our Canadian friends and hope they return soon and safely. I do like the energy the new people in the new areas are bringing. One change is that our favorite performers are showing their age and slipping a bit, just like me. Garfunkel just couldn't hit the high notes like he used to. But it was good to see him.

It is better !
 

Changes for the better south of 44:

More nature trails for walkers and bicycles

All CY villas have inside laundry

Most CYV now have 2 car garages and no curved driveways

Outdoor fitness equipment at most all Rec centers

45 new holes of championship golf being built or coming very soon

2-3 Pitch & Putt courses

2 Putt & Play courses

Cart accessible shopping and restaurants now.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the area north of 44 too and there are advantages there too. You can’t go wrong anywhere in TV. It’s the best place in the world to retire if you want to stay active. Believe me, we have looked around !

Change happens. That’s life!! I adjust to it and move on.

Totally agree!!!! Like this post about changes.

When I moved here I bought a home in the South part. Haven’t moved and am now in the North. :pray::confused::confused::confused::bigbow::shock ed::shocked: