Years ago,when first moved in I was doing home visits as a nurse.I was advised when I got my tags not to put any identifier on them so people wouldn't know where I lived. I was also told if asked just side step or say Ocala area. Now the moment I uttered hello the pt and family knew I was a northern transplant.I understood the advice I was offered was becaithere was tremendous anger towards The Villages growing and usurping the beautiful farm land. I thought how silly progress is economic growth. Fast forward 20 plus years..I fully understand the disappointment and anger. So I just acknowledge I am a long time northern transplant living in a very unique part of central Florida. Many people ask The Villages?Depending where i will say yes.And it is a very interesting world!

Their loss!
Your Gain!

The Villages.

We both will say The Villages. But sometimes we'll add "we're originally from SW Indiana".

Central Florida is what I say which is good enough

Don't quite follow. Who takes advantage of who?

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.

I live in The Villages, and if someone does not like that, they can deprive themselves of friendships and business opportunities.

Locally I say I'm from the villages. For people outside the state, I say the villages, which is about an hour north of Orlando.

I've been here about a year and a half and I have not personally experienced any hostility from the locals when I tell them where I'm from. I think a lot of that depends on how you treat them. It's usually reciprocal.

If they ask me about swingers I tell them that was based on bogus information that was picked up by the media.

As Sir Winston Churchill once observed, "a lie can make it halfway around the world before the truth can get its pants on."

I tell people I moved to TV for the swinger parties and have been sorely disappointed. Not one invite since becoming permanent in June. lol!!

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.

That is pretty much our experience except we usually just say Central FL, then either Leesburg or Wildwood if pressed. Seldom new meets press beyond that. If they do we end up saying TV. Get mixed reactions. Always have. It is unfortunate that the STD bit still persists. Even from people we have met in Scotland

I understand that is the perception of some. My own experience has been totally different.

We moved here four years ago. In that time we've gotten to know many locals. We've farm-sat for a couple with a farm near Weirsdale several times (and loved every minute of it). We've been invited to parties given by locals (we did get some curious looks when we showed up in shorts and many of them were wearing jeans and sweaters). We've attended churches some distance from The Villages. I make it a point to engage the service people (sanitation workers, mail center workers, critter control folks, etc. etc.) in conversation whenever they're around. On hot days I'll offer them a cold mineral water which is ALWAYS appreciated.

Almost to a person, I've found the locals to be friendly, polite and altogether nice: people that in all honesty are a lot more enjoyable to be around than some Villagers I know!

I’m sure it’s everywhere. If you look I’m sure you’ll find it no matter where you are. People are people no matter where you live.