[Challenger]

Moving because you can't have lawn ornaments seems more of an excuse than a reason. Didn't you read the restrictions before you bought? I would not have moved to TV if the deed and architectural controls had not been strong. Drive through the communities that surround us. In general- quite tacky. IMHO

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Tom Hannon

Someone reported a small caramic frog my wife placed in the garden and she was forced to move it. A few months later after extensive landscaping we were reported again for two twin birds set inside the landscape. This was the final straw. My wife wants to move now and we fight about it all the time. It looks like my wife will win the battle and after next summer, I might become an ex villager. So sad that people can be so shallow and need to report their neighbor.
With all the activities available, don't these people have anything else to do with their lives.

Tommy,

I am so sorry to hear this. I think I remember you saying that your wife didn't fall in love with The Villages as deeply as you did. I feel so bad that this happened and in many instances small and "appropriate" ornaments don't seem to bother people who live close by. We moved into our brand new house in Hadley and returned after the summer to find that our neighbor had dozens of ....I don't know if I can spell the word that East coast people use, tstachkes? in their front yard. Lots of urns and some other stuff that was a bit different than what most people like. They were reported and our neighbors were very angry. They barely neighbored much after that.

I have to say that it was a relief to have all that stuff taken down.

I am so used to living with deed restrictions but for many it is a first and I am glad you mentioned it only if it keeps someone else from moving here and being bitterly sad over the fact that they cannot decorate their yard without permission from the ARC. (Architechural Review Committee) There are less restrictions to ornaments in yards in some areas north of 466 and it appears that the Morses learned as they built southward how strong to make the restrictions.

I hope that we have a chance to meet Mrs. Tommy and somehow make her see that the people here are worth the aggravation of this really minor thing happening in the scheme of things. We would hate to think of losing you both.

Very kindest wishes,
Gracie

[Tom Hannon]

AS you know Gracie. I am the poster boy of The Villages. It just get frustrating when you do see stuff more serious than a four inch frog that can't be seen from the road. As we all know, as we head toward Spanish Springs we see all the Pink Flamingos, dogs near fire hydrants etc and this is fine. The dead restrictions also say ornaments in front yard. our were in the back yard. My wife is giving it one more summer. She is the one with the pension so I have to give her a vote also. Gracie, you know I love this place but ...

[coach 67]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

I have to disagree with you on this one. If you break the law pay the cost. What is a silly rule to you may be why your neighbor bought in The Villages knowing he/she would be protected from folks like you. Some folks think big plastic pink ornaments in the yard are nice, where the next guy might like to work on his car in the drive way keeping it up on blocks for a few months. What is small to some is a big deal to others. I am just saying.

"Neighbor bought in the Villages knowing he/she would be protected from "folks like you". That was not very nice. I would not want the villages to protect me.

[rubicon]

First I won't sell because like many here I was use to a capital gain. Now it is likely that unless you buy down that it is possible. Secondly, being on fixed income I do not desire to spend additional monies just to move to another city or Village here . Third I did buy wisely when moving here and have more house than I need, a lovely location and excellent neighbors.

Fourth, I love TV rules because some people just seem to have very bad taste. The northside appeared not to have as many rstrictions early on. If you go by some of those homes you get a flavor of that bad taste.

I lived in cities with no restrictions which resulted in fences being constructed literally against their neighbors fence. I lived in communities where neighbors informally agreed not to erect a fence and to use landscapping to define natural boundaries.

We had that same agreement in with enighbors when we lived in the Minneapolis area but eventually people moved out and those moving in erected ugly fences that destroyed the beauty of our back yards.

Recently played golf at Eagle Ridge and was startled to hear roosters crowing nearby. I love the sound of a train going by but roosters Ugh

There are many things I do not like about The Villages but deed restricion and covenents is not one of them. In that I am thankful

The End

[Tom Hannon]

I am a big fan of deed restrictions. My issue is the small frog was not visable unless you were on the front porch. Its just that some people have nothing else better to do with their lives.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by rubicon

... some folks move from TV because its newness wears off and they come to believe that the amenities hold no value for thm and hence the amenitity fees are an unnecessary expense.

It's true that after a few years, some residents become "disenchanted" with the lifestyle, or miss the folks back home. We rarely hear about them because they don't post on TOTV, and they are soon replaced with new wrinklies who love TV.

In Tom's case, perhaps his wife's disenchantment with TV isn't really about lawn ornaments. Some people find that "living in each other's pockets" is exciting and delightful, and others find it claustrophobic, and don't like having to comply with covenants and restrictions. Each to his own. We enjoy living in TV, but I totally understand that it isn't everyone's cup of tea.

[redwitch]

Tom, I'm so sorry. I know your wife has never been a fan of TV but this time I understand her frustration. To complain about a 4-inch frog is petty. It sounds like something more than just reporting of an infraction; it sounds like someone is seriously angry at you and/or your wife and is indulging in some pretty nasty vindictiveness. Here's hoping something can be worked out and you can find a way to stay. TV would be the loser if you were no long a resident.

[Tom Hannon]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Tom, I'm so sorry. I know your wife has never been a fan of TV but this time I understand her frustration. To complain about a 4-inch frog is petty. It sounds like something more than just reporting of an infraction; it sounds like someone is seriously angry at you and/or your wife and is indulging in some pretty nasty vindictiveness. Here's hoping something can be worked out and you can find a way to stay. TV would be the loser if you were no long a resident.

Thanks Dee. As you know I am the poster boy of the Villages. I want to stay. We agreed to give it one more summer. Here to hoping things change.

[LynnDeb]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Was talking to a friend of a friend the other day. He's selling his home and moving to another retirement community close to here. I thought that was kind of odd and asked him why. Here's his story:

He's into animal rescue (dachshunds). He has three of his own and frequently has six or more in his home at any time. A friend of his also in the same organization was reported by a new neighbor for having more than two dogs and was given two weeks to either find a new home for the dogs or for herself. That was his breaking point. Rather than take a chance of being forced to move or stop doing something he loved, he opted to move. He doesn't sound too unhappy about having to move.

So, some sell their house to upgrade or downgrade but are staying in TV. Some leave for health issues (I'm including the need to be closer to family since that's a mental thing). Some leave because they're unhappy here but I think those are few and far between. Some leave because of financial setbacks. And then there are reasons that make you scratch your head (like being upset that someone might report you for breaking the rules).

That SUCKS!!!! People are People!! The man is doing a GOOD DEED not ABUSING anyone..SAD

[LynnDeb]

Originally Posted by Tom Hannon

I am a big fan of deed restrictions. My issue is the small frog was not visable unless you were on the front porch. Its just that some people have nothing else better to do with their lives.

AGREE

[rmcpklinefelter]

We went to an open house (we're Santiago residents) a couple of weeks ago and the Villages agent told us the inventory of houses for sale is low, also got a flyer from TV real estate about what MLS companies sell compared to TV real estate and stating the inventory is low. According to the agent the "season" has started earlier than last year and people are buying. I know of only one couple who sold their home and moved out of TV, into Harbor Hills, "bigger house for the money and not so busy". Last time I talked with him they are quite content.

[eweissenbach]

One of our TV "neighbors" (they are full time, we are renters), got reported for something similar to Tom's small baubles in their landscaping. They removed the offending items and went on a shopping spree. They purchased yard decorations for every holiday - valentine hearts, easter bunnies and eggs, flags for memorial day and Independence day, etc. They put them out as soon as they are allowed (Is it 30 days prior to holiday?) and keep them out as long as is allowed. They are MUCH more obtrusive than the small ornaments they had for which they were reported, but are "legal". Now I am not condoning their defiance, but that is the way they chose to react, and I am sure their neighbors are now sorry they reported their original transgression. My attitude has always been "If it doesn't affect my quality of life, why concern myself with it?" I cannot for the life of me see how small items in the landscaping areas would adversely affect anyone elses life. Now taken to extremes - yes, but as my neighbor's fulltime neighbors found out, small irritations can lead to bigger irritations if you scratch that itch. Tom, I really do understand how irritating something like this can be, but I would ask your wife to consider if not having those decorative items in the yard is really that significant an issue that she would force as drastic a measure as a move.

[Jhooman]

The cost of living is so much cheaper for us. We are from Southern California. Our amenity fee was $400.00 per month. We only had two small pools to be used by 300 homes. Only one club house and if you needed to use it, you paid a rental fee, cleaning fee and a deposit.

Our utilities were beyond belief. We lived next to the ocean, rarely used the air-conditioner and our average electric bill was never less than $250.00 per month.

Golf courses were so expensive too. A senior discount for 18 holes, with a golf cart is $52.00 per person. To walk $42.00. The Villages is such a deal for us, plus to play the executive courses for no cost. I understand we pay an amenity fee, but the benefits here are Rich!!!

We love this place, it's not for everyone, but it's the place for us.

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by LynnDeb

Why are people selling in TV?

Part of the reason is 30 or 40% of the homes in TV are owned by snow birds and part are rental homes (second and third homes) owned by residents of TV. I theorize the snow birds out grow travel at some point and the landlords grow weary of being rental managers. Both would be raising capital by selling not relocating.