[merrymini]

Plenty of wonderful people live here both full and part time,
Full time residents can be as stupid and rude as part time residents.
I try, with all my might, to ignore all the dummies and it works beautifully!

[BoatRatKat]

I must not get out enough because I truly had no idea that the snowbirds were hated and I've been here a number of years. Maybe there's a collective sigh of relief come May when the traffic eases up but hate...never have heard anyone say anything hateful. I will say this, I have snowbirds on either side and when the one side comes in it's just like usual but when the other side periodically comes in, it's non-stop commotion and noise for the month or so that they're here. This is their party/vacation home which is great for them but it gets old for us to hear them and all their friends and family that visit too. You don't mind your neighbors having get togethers that last a day or two but after a month it gets old and we do let out a sigh when they move on.

[Ken052671]

I am a new full time resident of the Villages. I don’t understand the despise of a snowbird and honestly haven’t heard any negative comments about them. Traffic is traffic, of course I’m from Chicago so traffic is my norm. My neighbor is a snowbird. I say gob bless you for having the ability to be mobile and have two places.

[Greg L]

Just the loud voices of an obnoxious few. Most of us appreciate the financial support of the snow birds.

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by Becca9800

But if a full-timer was occupying my house, you'd have more congestion all year long.

First off, I think despise is the wrong word. It’s more a matter of dreading your arrival every year.

The reason why everything is overloaded is that infrastructure is not built for the peak. It’s built for the minimum. If snowbirds were here year round, more people would be willing to start businesses. If there were enough to handle peak loads, then many would not survive the summer. The government can’t afford to build roads for peak traffic. Just like major cities can’t afford to build roads to easily handle rush hour.

If you were here year round, you would be depositing more dollars in the tax coffers, so we could build more roads and parks. More businesses would spring up to handle the larger year-round load.

Where you live up north, do you have to eat at a restaurant at 4:30 on a Monday night because you would have to wait two hours to eat at dinner time? How often are you refused a tee time when you ask for one and despite being flexible enough to play any of 15 courses at any time within a four hour window?

And, as far as amenity fees go, I think many of us year rounders would rather pay double fees and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle year round instead of being overwhelmed for a few months each year. I think most of us would be happy if you stayed year round.

[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I heard snowbirds are the reason everyone has their name on their golf cart and house, so everyone remembers their names when they return

I have my name on mine so I can remember my own name.

Originally Posted by Becca9800

I honestly don't get it, why are TV snowbirds so despised? Can you explain it to us and help us understand what the divide is all about? Thank you.

Only fools despise snowbirds Most are neighbors that own homes.

[Hiltongrizz11]

"not part of us"? 😧
How arrogant is that?

I wonder what your stance is on the border wall.

[Eg_cruz]

I think it’s a couple of reason
Over crowded and seasonal renters don’t help the cause
They have a little bit of a different attitude (in my place of business anyway, they seem to use the snowbird card)
I really don’t care one way or the other personally …..just prefer to work with full timers

[Seamus6]

Originally Posted by bandsdavis

So here's my 2 cents. I think 90% of all full-time Villagers do not resent or hate snowbirds. It's the other 10% who have nothing better to do than complain about a number of things that makes it seem that way. No, I can't "prove" the % I used. It's a gut feel after living here (fulltime) for 9 years. I occasionally will have a conversation with someone who disparages snowbirds, but those discussions are extremely rare. I have been the leader for 2 large groups (150 people plus each) that have included both fulltime and snowbird residents. I've never heard of anyone in those groups who have not been excited to welcome our snowbirds back. So take the complaints with a grain of salt, and remember if you are basing your thoughts on what you read here and on other social media, you are getting an extremely small sample size, and one that in my opinion tends overall to be slanted toward the negative about such topics.

bandsdavis and Davonu have hit the nail on the head, only I think the percentages are conservative. You have 130,000+ residents at TV and my impression is you only have a few dozen consistent complainers here on TOTV (though probably many more not on TOTV). Social media always amplifies the most negative portion of it's membership. If TOTV didn't exist, you would still have negative people but their complaints would only reach a few people at a time instead of tens of thousands. I feel bad for them since they don't seem to be happy. Sure, I have my bad days and occasionally have to vent to a friend or two but something has happened in these people's lives to make them this unhappy all the time.

Not an expert!
Not a TV resident...yet
I will now get back to work while waiting for the inevitable replies...

[Shish]

1st I'd say, it's SOME people. All the reasons all boil down to one thing: SELFISHNESS.

[Barb.callow]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Snowbird “owners” are part of this community. Snowbird “renters” are not. They have no vested interest here and use it like a resort. Those are the snowbirds I resent.

Maybe it’s just me, but I differentiate — people (like me) who own property and pay taxes and pay all of our fees are “seasonal residents” (actually, many of us come and go multiple times throughout the year); “snowbirds” are those who rent and have no personal ownership stake in our communities (it is their vacation resort). The Villages is HOME — actually, I am a Florida resident and go back north to visit a home there. There are many like me.

[mydavid]

Originally Posted by Becca9800

I honestly don't get it, why are TV snowbirds so despised? Can you explain it to us and help us understand what the divide is all about? Thank you.

The thing is, those of us who live here year around have a different mindset. Snowbirds are on vacation and they act it. To quote from on of our local publications we have four seasons, Summer, Hurricane, Love Bug and Snowbird season.

[scottiesrgreat@gmail.com]

I have been here almost a year - never once noticed any animosity re: snowbirds, snowflakes - whatever……. Sounds like people just wanting to find yet another thing to be grouchy about …. Go out and enjoy the day! Find things to be happy about - life is short !

[Jean G]

It appears on the surface that full-time residents have more pride of ownership and community spirit.
Under the surface, it’s hard to make good friendships when 1/2 the relationship leaves for extended times.
Then, of course, if you are a golfer, tee-times become much more difficult with the influx of people in the winter.
Add those who rent their places when they are gone to many clueless people who don’t follow rules and regulations nor are invested in the area.