Jealousy?
 

Maybe it’s jealousy- I’ve lived in FL for 49 years, & don’t need/want a home “up north”, but I hear more people in TV complaining about missing family, old friends, old neighborhoods, etc. than I hear griping about snowbirds. Yes, it’s “busier” during the “season”; restaurants & golf courses are full - but to whine about snowbirds is just silly. I remember snowbirds in the 1960’s. There will always be snowbirds - & there will always be those who are jealous of other’s lifestyles. As they say, “Let it go…”!

I think despise is too strong a word.

Gosh that’s news to me. I’ve never heard anyone use the words hated or despised when mentioning snowbirds. We’re thankful for all that live here. Their investment helped to confirm our decision to live in The Villages.

Why are you so fixated on this? I've lived here 25 years and don't despise anyone, snowbird or not? I just don't hear it discussed either. Yeah, it's easier in the summer but don't make it something it just isn't.

I find the most impatient drivers on the paths and roads during the winter months. I theorize that snowbirds try to pack a year’s worth of activities into 3 months and therefore rush from tee time to pickleball to dinner.

It's only about 5% of TVers that do all the griping. If it's not the snowbirds it's the bad parking or the fake sand hill crane their neighbor has in the yard or the ..........yadayadayada. They can't/won't be happy. Fortunately most of us ARE happy and love living here whether it's July or January.

My thoughts exactly.

REALITY- people seem to need to HATE. I do my best to keep my HATE list empty.
First of all it costs me too much to HATE. Secondly if someone enters my HATE LIST,
I can and will give them my full undistracted attention

Consider the source. Some people just like to complain. Ignore them. I LOVE snowbirds. They pay full-time but "use" PART-TIME.

Proud to be a Snowbird!
 

We have owned a second home in TV for 7 years during which time we have enjoyed Winter and Spring seasons. The rest of the year is spent in our Myrtle Beach residence. We chuckle when hearing complaints about Snowbird traffic. Those of you who have lived/worked in the NE or spent Summer in Myrtle Beach, know what “real traffic” is. We take no offense to the “rumblings”:bigbow: of permanent Villages residents and great pride in maintaining our Village home. Have a great Summer and Fall. See Y’all in December!

I definitely wouldn't assume from the 'pot shots' you receive here that the posters' negativity is indicative of how most residents feel about you. I'm not a snowbird but new to The Villages and was surprised at the number of negative comments I received about what I thought were fairly benign posts I made. Whatever, as others have said some people have a lot of unhappiness in their lives and feel free to inflict it on others here. Ignore them.

I don’t know any of “those people.”

I was thinking the exact same percentages. I’ve owned some
Businesses and 90% of my customers were great and then there was that 10% you just were never going to make happy. I’ve met a lot of people in my travels for work, 46+ sports broadcasting career, and 90% were awesome and 10% I’d be fine if I never had to associate with them on anything ever again. I live life enjoying the ‘90% people’ and don’t worry about that 10% group....they aren’t happy unless they are complaining about something or just plain being miserable.

Snowbirds
 

I don't really think permanent residents despise snowbirds. Most of us have many snowbird friends and I, for one, hate to see them leave. We don't like the extra traffic, more crowded golf courses, pools, restaurants, grocery stores and shops. However their business helps keep our restaurants, stores and shops in business and provides jobs for thousands of people. We joke about snowbirds and complain about them, but truthfully, we wouldn't have near as many businesses and options to shop without them.

Happy to report folks in our Village are sad to see neighbors leave for the summer. They look after our homes without being asked and we all stay in touch.
We all help one another out whenever we can.
Isn’t that what neighbors are suppose to do?
After reading so many negative posts, we are feeling blessed to live among such wonderful people. We consider our neighbors to be part of our extended family!

Probably because we pay for all the amenities while the frogs use them while we're away 🤣...

Seriously, snowbirds are God's gift to the frogs since we keep cost level...IMHO

Thank you for asking this question- I too wonder WHY such negativity.

Other than the overcrowding, traffic, aggressive and dangerous driving, no one has mentioned the services and amenities changes affecting the full time residents. The Villages and associated businesses
revise their schedules and services when the snowbirds are not here. Golf courses are closed for repair and the remaining available tee times are harder to get, restaurants trim their menus and offer less discounts and specials and reservations are pretty much required. During the “snowbird season”, rental properties seem to bring in many more people than the traditional 2 person household adding to the crowds. Also the laid back slower pace of everyday life that all retirees cherish is overcome by the “me first” rush we gladly left behind. So I believe it’s not the snowbirds themselves, it’s the resulting changes to the life we all moved down here to enjoy. Wherever you come from, “tourist season” is always looked down upon by the residents.

You are not despised by most. My advice? Stay off this forum! This is where people go who don’t have anything to do but bitch, I read it strictly for the entertainment value, and because I honestly can’t believe how miserable some people can be. When you get here stay off this forum and go out and have fun, that’s where the nice normal people are, living their lives.

Well said!

Have not come across this despise issue when talking with people. Complaint here and there on traffic and busy rec centers but most seem to realize a lot of the activities and the squares we enjoy are because of the busy 3-4 months.

Snowbird Lives Matter.

So do their amenity fees. :bigbow:

There no border —- wall.

Small hearts, big mouths
 

Who said they are?

Just folks with small hearts and big mouths who likely are generally unhappy people.


Live and Let Live!

Agree!!! Seems people are envious others travel north or elsewhere to escape the summer heat or just enjoy other places. BTW.....isn't envy one of the seven deadly sins????:pray:

Give it a few years, and the subject will be, "No one comes here any more, as TV are too popular!"

I would say the biggest reason is that just when the weather is getting really nice for golf, all the part timers swarm down here to escape the cold and clog the courses. We also see a lot more accidents at major intersections and roundabouts, (if you're going to make a left, stop doing it from the outside lane!!!) which is annoying and causing even more congestion.

I suspect that this thread may have been started just to stir up the pot...but that's just MHO

we were snowbirds once (and snow bunnies before that)...all we ever experienced was a warm 'welcome back' and a 'hurry back' when we went back and forth

so what if someone wants to spend part of their time outside the bubble...good for them

if anyone ever told me that someone didn't like me because we travel and enjoy life outside the bubble my response would be exactly like Rhett Butler's "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"

Your questions "assumes" that snow birds are despised and I question that assumption. I do not despise snow birds, and I have never heard anyone say that they despise snowbirds. I have complained, to my wife, about people who seem self absorbed or entitled and appear to not know or care about the rules. But, that is mostly about speeding, parking, etc. and applies to their action. It has nothing to do with whether they are full time residence or snow birds. It is also possible that I have never heard anyone say that because I try to avoid complainers or negative people. I believe there is a parable about a person who had no shoes being unhappy until they met a person with no feet. Best wishes Tom

Maybe it's just jealousy. Snowbirds can afford two homes, one in Florida, one where it's cool in the summer. Fulltimers are stuck here melting in the summer........ There's no logical reason besides jealousy.

In 4 years, I have not experienced “hatred of snowbirds”. With so much hatred and anger in the country, it is also growing worse here. It’s unfortunate since these bad attitudes can be difficult on any community.

Many, myself included, become frustrated by the traffic jams, not being able to take a left turn on even smaller streets, so a circle or stop light is needed, 90 minutes waits for dinner at a restaurant, grocery stores being sold out of popular products by noon, etc.

As mentioned in a previous post, the infrastructure is not built for the crowds that come during the winter months. Having said that, I haven’t ever lived anywhere that doesn’t have its problems. It’s just a matter of what problems one is willing to live with and possibly work to correct.

What a truly sad view. Fulltimers stuck? Jealousy? Truth reality whatever you net worth is you can bet there are fulltimers and snowbirds that can buy and sell you.

Reality is distasteful to many

Enjoy your life!
 

We have been here full time for 29 years. There are always 10% who want to complain instead of enjoying the lifestyle. I believe the over crowding of restaurants and traffic comes from those who do not live in The Villages but are in RV parks and (really don’t want to sit in the RV) all day. Have never despised anyone let alone a snowbird. Some of our business depend on snowbirds. I would say ignore the negative people and just enjoy!

I have no animosity toward snowbirds and, having been here full time for nine years, know of no one who does. If you do, I offer you my sympathies.

There is no place in my world for petty grudges and you should reconsider yours.

The ignorance and the self importance of many villagers leads to this type of divide. Southern hospitality in TV is absent for many because as we know many never possessed it where they came from. One can only hope it diminishes as more and more people move here.

I don’t understand why anyone would be upset about people willing to pay fees 12 months and only being here 6 months or less.
I think it makes the Villages more affordable and also drives home values up.

Try not to believe what you think.

I have never felt any animosity toward the part time residents in TV. I don't know anyone who speaks of them in a bad way. So, I'm surprised that this is 'a thing.' If anyone has said anything inappropriate to you or treated you badly because you don't live here full time than that person is a jerk and just let it go. You don't need them.

Patience is a Virtue
 

I have found with age comes impatience. I work very hard to maintain my inner peace; therefore, being kind when I "get out there" and not be one of those that do not choose to maintain respect for others. I choose to ignore and stay away from those types. I do not dignify their disrespect and rudeness with retaliation of any kind. I move on. I smile, Shake it off and go on with the life I deserve after working so hard for so many years. Yes, I tell my mind to "stop it" all the time when I start down the path of ridiculousness. :) God bless all of you and I hope all learn to cope with the crowded but incredibly beautiful place we live. Have a great day! :) Rebekah

Just reading this thread proves the OP's point...