Originally Posted by Altavia (Post 2385091)

I say Wildwood (truth) and they ask where in is that in Texas :-)

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 2385024)

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.

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive (Post 2385202)

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!

Originally Posted by Kelevision (Post 2385409)

The locals don’t like northerners. They don’t care about “the villages” they just don’t like people moving to their state!! I went to get a really expensive item at a villages owned place and the owner was a person I grew up with. He said, “give her the non-village price”

Originally Posted by Kelevision (Post 2385412)

It’s funny because growing up here, Wildwood was the bottom of the barrel. You’d stay far away from wildwood, or make fun of it as being a place you’d never want to go. I also now live in Wildwood…. I also find saying the villages when you’re looking for a place, like for example I needed PT so my doctor says, you’re in the villages, how about this place ( Lady Lake) so, in that case I’d say Wildwood or Leesburg which is much closer than Lady Lake.

Originally Posted by Kelevision (Post 2384969)

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?

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy (Post 2385491)

Wildwood is still the bottom of the barrel in my opinion. Our village has a gate on 301, but when I’m with hubby I ask him to take the longer route when we’re heading up to the northern Villages just so we can stay in the bubble.

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy (Post 2385107)

You’d think after this many years (decades), and with how HUGE the Villages has become, we’d now be considered the locals. I’m just wondering who these “locals” are who look down on us with such disdain? Personally, hubby and I say we’re retired in Central FL one hour north of Disney World (since we are Disney fans/passholders). The convo doesn’t usually go beyond that, but if it does we happily say The Villages.

Originally Posted by 4$ALE (Post 2385541)

:confused: If I were going to make a guess..... maybe the people that read that you think Wildwood is the bottom of the barrel! That is what you posted this morning.....isn't it? :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy (Post 2385491)

Wildwood is still the bottom of the barrel in my opinion. Our village has a gate on 301, but when I’m with hubby I ask him to take the longer route when we’re heading up to the northern Villages just so we can stay in the bubble.

Originally Posted by Singerlady (Post 2385210)

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