Originally Posted by MTHeineken (Post 592540)

Whoa, I just wanted to get your attention don’t judge me just yet.

After visiting friends in TV a couple of times a year, my wife and I decided last December to pack up the cat and do a full blown LV. During our previous dalliances in TV we had always been at the mercy of our hosts who, while gracious, kept guiding us around all the while extolling the virtues of their fine village. Consequently, they never allowed us to just take the golf cart and go out and explore the place on our own. From what they had shown us and from what we experienced what was NOT to like?

The minute we arrived I felt like I was being “taken care of” and in a good way. We were taken to our villa and shown the gas golf cart and told to just have a good time. The housebound cat was now allowed to run free among the bushes in the courtyard and soon discovered the thrill of walking under the vertical venetian blinds. At least the cat fell in love with the place and it made us smile.

Our first excursion in the cart was to the supermarket. It turned out to take longer than in the car but driving the cart was fun and a new experience. Probably not going to take the cart to get ice cream even in December in fear it would melt. The market was wonderful and we purchased a few snacks and went to a rather short checkout lane that was occupied by a rather “older” gentleman. He appeared to be having trouble counting his money out to pay for his purchase. After a while the thought arose that this might be a rather fairly common occurrence but who cared we wouldn’t be in a hurry if we lived there and it may be us someday. No problem

Next we went to the liquor store and stocked up. Arriving back to our villa we made our dinner plans using some coupons we were given. Fixed myself a drink to go and away we went. Upon arriving at the restaurant I found out that open drinks were not allowed inside and oh my … had I broken my first rule? How stupid of me to think that just because they had stands to buy drinks on every corner during happy hour no one was supposed to go into an establishment with an actual drink. As a former Marine I know rules are rules. No problem

The next day we had reservations to play golf at one of the easier 9 hole courses handpicked by my lovely wife. As we checked in with the starter he gave me some sort of smart aleck remark that kind of took me aback. Oh well, having worked with the public myself I know how hard it can get answering stupid questions day in and day out. Boy glad those days are past and hope I didn’t ever come across as bad as he did but I may have. No problem.

That afternoon we went to the Arnold Palmer course to hit some golf balls and had one of the most expensive hamburger plates I have ever had. Later, found out that the locals do not frequent the place as much because of the prices. Oh well, went to a more reasonable club house some one suggested and had a great meal. No problem.

Finally, we went to look at some property and I noticed someone mention on TOTV an address where she had just bought a place where we were looking that afternoon. So I wrote and said I was there and would take a picture of a sunset for her. Lo and behold after my msg two TV’ers advised her that it is NOT safe to post your address on the forum as you never know who is looking/lurking as I could be a bad guy. However, because I was called out on a public forum I never felt so humiliated in all my life. I have learned to not judge people by the actions of a few so No problem.

I honestly think that in TV there are enough nice people that they far outweigh the NOT so nice people that are everywhere. So I think I could probably find some great friends and then find a way to stay out of the way of the not so great people. However, I might get tired of driving a golf cart everywhere or happen to break a few more rules but they are not deal breakers. So why on earth would I NOT want to move to the Villages?




Simply put …


I just cannot stand the oppressive heat and humidity!
I got sunburned in three days in December, for crying out loud.

I hope everyone gets the joke? No place is perfect but if you can forgive and forget every place is perfect.

Keep on defending your Village, enjoy your hot weather and do NOT let anyone tell you that you made a mistake moving there. If you enjoy yourself it is the right place for you and God knows you earned it.

God Bless and may you all have good health for years to come.

Happy Holidays

Originally Posted by senior citizen (Post 592640)

People read these to get an idea of the "climate" and I do not mean weather.
Expressing one's feelings is not necessarily complaining. I really doubt if you've read all of my posts. It's a free country with freedom of speach and the right to express an opinion.

I've had enough private messages from people who are actually afraid to post their true opinions.

You should try living in New England sometime. People are allowed to have varying opinions.......it's welcomed.......and it's what makes the world go around.....not being "clones" of one another.

Originally Posted by senior citizen (Post 592653)

I would venture to say that people who end up posting here WERE interested in purchasing property for their retirement years.

While reading the various posts, a "back story" seems to crop up again and again..........I think I'll have to dig up that book "Leisureville" and read it once again........I probably skimmed through it the first time....before passing it on for others to read.

It seems like there are an awful lot of YOUNG SINGLE PEOPLE looking to make connections on this TOTV..........we are all coming from a different background as far as family dynamics..........

I don't see the posters as being "sad"......I see them as "trying to make up their minds" before making a huge mistake......one way or another.

We have a close knit neighborhood where we've all been there for each other when someone celebrates a milestone or someone loses a spouse.
But yet we all respect each other's privacy........not sure if we could live in a place that was super busy 24/7 without some down time or couples one on one time. We are NOT looking for a resort. Again, wintering in Florida can be changeable.........one coast one winter, another coast another winter.........TV some other time perhaps.

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 592666)

The Villages is close to perfect, that's for sure. At first we found that the "Stepford Wife" atmosphere was a little unsettling. But in no time at all, we got our chips implanted, and now we're happy campers. :D :D

Originally Posted by Skybo (Post 592652)

Semper Fi Marine. May you find happiness wherever you end up.

Originally Posted by perrjojo (Post 592633)

Gracie, I'm with you...just don't get it. It's like voting..if you vote, you can complain. If you don't vote, don't complain. If you live here you can complain. If you don't live here, well, what's it to you anyway?

Originally Posted by ugotme (Post 592680)

Okay, I may be wrong here but . . .

I believe the OP was basically kidding and stating that he wouldn't move here because of the heat and humidity.

I also feel that he was sarcastically putting down those who post negatively on here.

He even goes on to say: "Keep on defending your Village, enjoy your hot weather and do NOT let anyone tell you that you made a mistake moving there. If you enjoy yourself it is the right place for you and God knows you earned it."

Just my opinion!