[sipops]

Unfortunately New York City never returned to the pre 911 ways. When this is over people will probably not shake hands with each other. Social distancing will be the new normal.

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

I'm just curious...and I ask with no judgment either way. A number of people on this board have recently said they're not interested in TV's amenities. May I ask why you would move to the Villages if not for the activities? Is it because a significant other wanted those amenities? Is it because you just like central Florida? Home prices in TV are higher because of the lifestyle, so if it were me, I'd go with a community with fewer amenities and lower prices.

I originally moved from Long Island to Lake Nona in the Orlando area. Beautiful fabulous area until you left it to go shopping or just wander. Orlando is not all that safe and I needed to get out while I could. TV seemed like a good option. I drove the 55 miles several times and spoke with people in stores, etc. I THOUGHT I wanted the amenities and truthfully the price range for houses was fine and the amenity fees (basically an HOA) are not high at all. I tried initially but quickly realized I was out of place. Hindsight is 20/20. Please don’t tell me to move if I don’t like it. It’s easier to just relax, do what I wish and wait out my expiration date.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

I'm just curious...and I ask with no judgment either way. A number of people on this board have recently said they're not interested in TV's amenities. May I ask why you would move to the Villages if not for the activities? Is it because a significant other wanted those amenities? Is it because you just like central Florida? Home prices in TV are higher because of the lifestyle, so if it were me, I'd go with a community with fewer amenities and lower prices.

Moving here from the Washington DC area caused my living costs to decrease by about 70 percent. So, price was not a factor at all. And, the monthly amenity fee here is less than my previous HOA fee that only included a swimming pool, a clubhouse, and private road maintenance. I have visited several other housing developments around The Villages, but I think that The Villages is just better in terms of safety, attractiveness, friendliness, and maintenance.

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by sipops

Unfortunately New York City never returned to the pre 911 ways. When this is over people will probably not shake hands with each other. Social distancing will be the new normal.

Agreed. New York was not the same. We were so broken. Other parts of the country were aghast but we were crushed and afraid of every plane we heard for a time.

[Trophy25]

This should not be considered a rude message but just an honest question. Why did you move to The Villages?

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by Trophy25

This should not be considered a rude message but just an honest question. Why did you move to The Villages?

For me? Read post #77

[NavyVet]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

I'm just curious...and I ask with no judgment either way. A number of people on this board have recently said they're not interested in TV's amenities. May I ask why you would move to the Villages if not for the activities? Is it because a significant other wanted those amenities? Is it because you just like central Florida? Home prices in TV are higher because of the lifestyle, so if it were me, I'd go with a community with fewer amenities and lower prices.

You have asked a very good question. We moved here in 2003, full time, both of us under 55. (1 disabled Veteran, one retired military, no kids.) We were completely enamored with TV the first few years. (There was nothing south of 466 then.) We were involved with lots of activities, social calendar had never been so full, spouse played sports 5 days a week, etc. It gradually became a number of different factors for us as TV grew and grew and grew; Traffic got bad, everything was crowded, long lines at restaurants, classes and activities at rec centers would fill up - you could get there an hour ahead of time, stand in line only to be turned away because the class was full by the time you got to the door. Tickets for any decent musical event sold out 5 minutes after going on sale. Wall to wall people standing room only at the squares. Could not find a sport pool with lap lanes to go swimming. That was final straw for me. I gave up. Had no choice but to buy a home with own pool. Third one. Had already paid off 2 ridiculous bonds to keep my tax bill low, but got no better price on either house than houses with unpaid bonds. So yes, it's expensive for what you get. Have given more than our share to TV; we're not paying off a third bond. Not in a position to move yet again. Spouse still likes it here and I love my home. I just can't deal with crowds (PTSD). No worries. If I should end up outliving my spouse, I am out of here. Without him here to take care of me, I plan to go to a life care CCRC to be taken care of, but it won't be Freedom Pointe, probably somewhere close to a military base and of course the VA. We are just more realistic and no longer enamored with TV, also getting older, more health issues, and not able to do as much, which is why we believe the more elderly residents don't get their money's worth in the overall big picture of The Villages lifestyle. Peace.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by DianeM

Agreed. New York was not the same. We were so broken. Other parts of the country were aghast but we were crushed and afraid of every plane we heard for a time.

So sorry you and so many others had to experience this trauma. The horror and violence of that event cannot even be spoken. I wish you nothing but the best, Diane.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Trophy25

This should not be considered a rude message but just an honest question. Why did you move to The Villages?

I don't know who you are asking, but for me, it was warmer weather, lower taxes, low cost of living, less crime, less traffic, more older and retired people, and fewer children. The only unexpected negatives have been a shortage of shopping, a lack of high quality restaurants, and a reduced quality of health care.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by NavyVet

You have asked a very good question. We moved here in 2003, full time, both of us under 55. (1 disabled Veteran, one retired military, no kids.) We were completely enamored with TV the first few years. (There was nothing south of 466 then.) We were involved with lots of activities, social calendar had never been so full, spouse played sports 5 days a week, etc. It gradually became a number of different factors for us as TV grew and grew and grew; Traffic got bad, everything was crowded, long lines at restaurants, classes and activities at rec centers would fill up - you could get there an hour ahead of time, stand in line only to be turned away because the class was full by the time you got to the door. Tickets for any decent musical event sold out 5 minutes after going on sale. Wall to wall people standing room only at the squares. Could not find a sport pool with lap lanes to go swimming. That was final straw for me. I gave up. Had no choice but to buy a home with own pool. Third one. Had already paid off 2 ridiculous bonds to keep my tax bill low, but got no better price on either house than houses with unpaid bonds. So yes, it's expensive for what you get. Have given more than our share to TV; we're not paying off a third bond. Not in a position to move yet again. Spouse still likes it here and I love my home. I just can't deal with crowds (PTSD). No worries. If I should end up outliving my spouse, I am out of here. Without him here to take care of me, I plan to go to a life care CCRC to be taken care of, but it won't be Freedom Pointe, probably somewhere close to a military base and of course the VA. We are just more realistic and no longer enamored with TV, also getting older, more health issues, and not able to do as much, which is why we believe the more elderly residents don't get their money's worth in the overall big picture of The Villages lifestyle. Peace.

One is free to believe whatever they think for what ever reason. However...at 84 with 16 years as a resident I "believe" you could be very mistaken.

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

So sorry you and so many others had to experience this trauma. The horror and violence of that event cannot even be spoken. I wish you nothing but the best, Diane.

I sincerely thank you. I know watching the smoke from the parking lot where I worked defined the rest of my life. But many suffered far worse. I’m nothing in the picture 😊

[claricecolin]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

I'm just curious...and I ask with no judgment either way. A number of people on this board have recently said they're not interested in TV's amenities. May I ask why you would move to the Villages if not for the activities? Is it because a significant other wanted those amenities? Is it because you just like central Florida? Home prices in TV are higher because of the lifestyle, so if it were me, I'd go with a community with fewer amenities and lower prices.

Well for my parents they both retired young (48&52) they knew they no longer wanted cold winters. They spent 2 years traveling the country trying out warm weather states. They liked it here and this was one of the last places they visited. They golfed a bit but not many other activities. They moved 3times and enjoyed their neighbors and friends. The amenities were not the draw for them. Dad is still here, still loves the weather and has his friends and happiest memories of Mom.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Originally Posted by DianeM

I tried initially but quickly realized I was out of place. Hindsight is 20/20. Please don’t tell me to move if I don’t like it. It’s easier to just relax, do what I wish and wait out my expiration date.

Fear not, Diane, I'm not the type of Forum denizen that would ever tell someone to move if they don't like something. We grew up in the '60s and '70s - we learned to make changes from *within* - not give up, take the easy way out, and abandon our hopes.

For the record, you won't ever catch me saying "You can't fix stupid" either (nothing to do with you of course, just sayin').

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Originally Posted by DianeM

I sincerely thank you. I know watching the smoke from the parking lot where I worked defined the rest of my life. But many suffered far worse. I’m nothing in the picture 😊

I hear you and I sympathize. I noticed RetiredGuy above said he's from the DC area, as am I. I was in the vicinity of the Pentagon at the time and heard the explosion. It sounded like the old sonic booms we used to hear in the old days, even louder. I saw the smoke billowing out of the building - the Pentagon of all places - for days if not weeks. I know exactly what you mean when you said you feared planes for a while. I remember looking up at them and imagining they were missiles once again. Scary stuff. We have a touch of PTSD perhaps. But you're right, we were luckier than many. And we're luckier still.

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

Fear not, Diane, I'm not the type of Forum denizen that would ever tell someone to move if they don't like something. We grew up in the '60s and '70s - we learned to make changes from *within* - not give up, take the easy way out, and abandon our hopes.

For the record, you won't ever catch me saying "You can't fix stupid" either (nothing to do with you of course, just sayin').

Thank you deeply. I just never fit the TV pattern. And that’s okay. As you said, we change within to suit our needs. So many are cruel and just say “move”. It’s not that simple. And that is somewhat typical and just draws me further inside.