[Singerlady]

It’s not our fault that The Villages was built and we live here.

[Margefrog]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Really, we need to come up with a better story. "Actually, that is a cover story so people won't discover it is actually a relocation settlement for aliens from several planets in the gamma quadrant. Some do have long arms, but they don't swing. They, I mean 'we', walk like human earthlings".
What do you think? Can we pull it off? 🫠👽👹🤖

Good one. Absolutely. I would add that we (confidentially) take space trips with the aliens. Just like Cocoon, only ours are temporary.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Margefrog

Good one. Absolutely. I would add that we (confidentially) take space trips with the aliens. Just like Cocoon, only ours are temporary.

hmm, the bubble, the cocoon. . . . aliens, all feels eerily familiar. .

[GATORBILL66]

So proud to say "THE VILLAGES"!

[mikeycereal]

Me: "Wildwood by Okahumpka Lake."

Them: "Okahumpka?"

Me: "Yeah it means 'Wild Swingers' in native American."

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by Laker14

I have no hesitancy to tell people I live in The Villages. When I get a negative response I ask what they found objectionable during their visit. Of course, I've never come across anyone who has actually been here so they have to, typically with some sheepishness, admit that they'd never actually been here, so their opinions are based upon stories they'd heard or read.
I then invite them to have a serious discussion with me about the reality of TV, the good, the bad, the in-between...most people are really very interested to hear what it's really about, or at least, the opinion of one person who actually spends significant time here.

Ignorance breeds hatred. You are doing a fine job of remedying that, kudos! I feel the same way about firearms. So many people "hate" guns, but those same people know very little and have never had a personal need or use for them.

On a side note, with this being a decades long pervasive negative impression of The Villages (the swingers and STD rates), I am surprised someone as vested in the success of The Villages and with the resources to combat the negatives has not spent money on a top notch P.R. firm to combat the image. Maybe selling 10 houses a day is about their max output or a comfortable growth rate and they don't feel the need to widen the market?

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Travel a lot and when we say TV, see a lot raised eyebrows and the usual questions about STD's, swinger parties etc. When asked where this information came from they will respond by saying so and so told me. Now say Central Florida

I just run with that they think and say. TV is party central!
Anyone who knows me knows I DON’T CARE what people think.

[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Travel a lot and when we say TV, see a lot raised eyebrows and the usual questions about STD's, swinger parties etc. When asked where this information came from they will respond by saying so and so told me. Now say Central Florida

I always say "that is not true...so disappointing. I was expecting wild sex parties. I feel misled."

Everyone always laughs.

[Jim1mack]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

I was born and raised right here in Lake county which means I know how much locals don’t like Villagers. Also, how much they take advantage of them. I say I live in Leesburg if I’m local or Orlando if I’m traveling. Where do you tell people you live?

I’ll say central Florida cuz no one outside of Florida knows where TV is. Golfers I end up playing with always ask. If I say Hillsborough most have no idea where that is. Just to be fair, I have only a vague idea where any village north of 466A is.

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Locals only have themselves blame, they sold land, no land, no villages, and no development. But, they just couldn’t pass up $$$$$$$.

Locals would still be doing grocery shopping at Bob’s Zippy Mart

[Ruth Garza]

The original writer’s message makes me sad.

[justjim]

OP, since I was raised in Illinois and retired from there, I tell folks I’m originally from Illinois and now retired in The Villages , FL which is about 45 miles northwest of Orlando. Everyone has heard of Orlando, Florida. Conversations go from there and usually very positive remarks if they are 50-55 or older thinking ahead to retirement.

Do I think some Villagers are taken advantage of by locals? Sure sometimes. But this can happen anywhere to seniors as they age. There are just more of us in The Villages.

[airstreamingypsy]

Originally Posted by Teed_Off

When I was on a vacation recently I said I live in The Villages, which was immediately followed up with their inquiry if there were a lot of swingers living there. They were from a small town in Indiana and that was the only information they knew about TV. It’s hard to believe that the legend remains so many years after it’s been debunked but that’s likely why you didn’t get any further contact.

I hadn't lived here a week, when I was approached by a swinger couple and invited to partake. I declined. It may not be rampant, but it's definitely here.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I did know that a few locals do not like Villagers. But I am unclear as to who is taking advantage of WHO?

I tell people I live in The Villages when I am away from this lovely place. MOST people who live here think it is a really nice retirement area and think that there may be several hundred people living here.

Locals who don't like us often bring up that we cut down "their trees" and "took" their unspoiled vistas. I secretly think that they are jealous they don't live here.......and to be fair.....about ten years ago, almost anyone could afford the price of an entry level home. Now the prices have gone up so much on our homes that it has made everyone who lives here a nice little nest egg.

I find a lot of people are jealous of those who have something they do not and do not realize that we all have the same challenges and heartaches and losses and illnesses. It just is that a lot of people do not realize early on that no matter how little money they earn, they should always try to save some of it, to protect them against terrible disasters and unthought of awfulness. Most of us are still very, very careful with money and always will be. Old habits die hard.

I say to the locals who don't like Villagers that someone else would have built here next to us and this I am sure of. Someone else would NOT have done as good a job as the Morse Family.

It is such a wonderful place to live now as I grow quite old, just as it was when I could be dancing at the squares every night. I am so grateful for all of the people I have met here who have become treasured friends.

I don’t think it’s fair to assume jealousy. Just like long term villagers in the northern section can be frustrated with all the growth, so can the locals.
Hopefully there are more villagers that are considerate of the locals than not. It would be so much worse to also have to deal with new people moving in who are not.

[HORNET]

Because they are to cheap or can’t afford to live here