[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Totally agree, and it’s also very hard to avoid unhealthy carbs at most restaurants. However we very much enjoy occasionally eating out at Costal Del Mar, getting take out sushi from Sakura, or getting an Island Fin Polk Bowl if we’re in Brownwood.

Ever wonder why....in a 55+ retirement community with very limited healthcare options....restaurant offerings seem to cater more to tourist tastes than healthier options in line with the residents it services. Could it be population control?! Kidding

I love to cook and control my own narrative. Eating out will always be a special occasion type of option (friends/fam etc). Between finding healthy dining and the obvious inherent risks in FL with DUI ....I’d rather host than be hosted!

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by LeRoySmith

Sorry, no venison stew or bison there. Barbeque bologna is as exotic as it gets.

I'll attach a pic of my back deck view and of my driveway.

Hmmmm....no medieval Disney like turkey legs in dem der woods?!

[mrsstats]

It looks like I would love it here. However, is it worth it at our age (73 and 75) We are in good health and active people. We relate easily to younger people. We will be doing a Lifestyle visit in July.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Packer Fan

What about Florida don't you like? No income taxes? Low property taxes? The weather? Seriously the only thing I can think of is Hurricanes and the distance to drive to the rest of the country? I am missing something here. Can you expand on that?

As far as infrastructure, seems a LOT better to me than most places, especially Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and New Jersey (the only states I have lived in). Roads are smooth and wide, The water for irrigation is reclaimed, all electric and cable is underground and bulletproof, Energy is cheap, The place is always clean, and the drainage is so good we can get 15" of rain in 24 hours and nobody gets flooded (except the historic section). I am really missing something....
Ed

I don't think you are missing anything, my opinion is just that people have such varying preferences, and prejudices, it's the human condition. Strange as it is to MANY of us, we have relatives who love the ocean, beaches, and golf, but when retirement time came Florida was not even on their "B" list. Why ? "because it's just nothing but bugs and we are not going to live with that when we don't have to due to job location. Been there, done that." And where did they retire ? Near a major forest in Arkansas... guess there are no insects there...but we've never said a word because people have THEIR OWN preferences and they WILL makeup any excuse to support those preferences. Nothing wrong with that. What is disconcerting is the propensity of "some" folks who will not stop at that, but insist on mocking, ridiculing, disparaging the choices of others. Always makes me think; Are they unsure of their own decision, doubt themselves, when they say things like "oh, they have hurricanes there, or it's nothing but bugs I'd never live like that" , or if someone chooses Arizona, I've heard people say "oh that place is so dry, I'd never live there". It's puzzling why so many people just can't accept the decision of another by just saying, "that must be a nice place, I bet you are enjoying it". But somehow it so often seems like a "contest", to "prove" I made a "better" choice that you ! !

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

Hmmmm....no medieval Disney like turkey legs in dem der woods?!

There is a small herd (between 35 and 40) of wild turkeys that wander the mountain top looking for a snack but I've yet to eat one.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

Moving costs can easily be covered by choosing a community where the properties are lower priced. There are many. I truly hope that you consider seeking happiness rather than remaining in a place that you are dis-satisfied with. Life is too short.

I totally agree that "wasting" your last years is foolish, but I also understand that it's very difficult as you age, as you realize you must make the income you do have last, as prices rise (and fall), it is not "easy" to change locations/communities. For some, even for you, it could be. If sufficient money, and support from family or friends, but mostly if money is not a concern, then yes, of course, it is easy to just choose your desired community, have all the packing and moving done by a company you choose, make arrangements for any improvements you desire to be done in advance, and you move in an enjoy. For others, it's so daunting, and expensive, there really is no choice. I agree I too always thought "I have no choice" is just an excuse, but life and experience has taught me that sometimes people do NOT have a choice and just have to learn how to live with their decisions.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

I don't think you are missing anything, my opinion is just that people have such varying preferences, and prejudices, it's the human condition. Strange as it is to MANY of us, we have relatives who love the ocean, beaches, and golf, but when retirement time came Florida was not even on their "B" list. Why ? "because it's just nothing but bugs and we are not going to live with that when we don't have to due to job location. Been there, done that." And where did they retire ? Near a major forest in Arkansas... guess there are no insects there...but we've never said a word because people have THEIR OWN preferences and they WILL makeup any excuse to support those preferences. Nothing wrong with that. What is disconcerting is the propensity of "some" folks who will not stop at that, but insist on mocking, ridiculing, disparaging the choices of others. Always makes me think; Are they unsure of their own decision, doubt themselves, when they say things like "oh, they have hurricanes there, or it's nothing but bugs I'd never live like that" , or if someone chooses Arizona, I've heard people say "oh that place is so dry, I'd never live there". It's puzzling why so many people just can't accept the decision of another by just saying, "that must be a nice place, I bet you are enjoying it". But somehow it so often seems like a "contest", to "prove" I made a "better" choice that you ! !

I had a similar post....taken down.
Many of us do both...but am glad you notice the ones that are all in here....have to use politics to justify their existence in central FL. TV truly is a bubble...you’re in it to win it...because most have already cast their stone. Listen to the way some post on here....that’s not pivoting...that’s who they are no matter where they came from. Some just (think) they do a better job at hiding their traits/slants. As they say....if you build it they will come.....except they’re bringing a lot of ‘baggage’ with them. And we ain’t got a lot of storage space!

[Davonu]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

…For me, it only take one trip outside “the bubble” to realize how special TV is.

Me also. Agree completely.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by LeRoySmith

Sorry, no venison stew or bison there. Barbeque bologna is as exotic as it gets.

I'll attach a pic of my back deck view and of my driveway.

Love it!
Looks like roads we travel in NH, ME and VT. Let’s hope developers don’t swoop in someday and upset that landscape

[FriscoKid]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

It’s possible to get the impression from certain posts on TOTV that some people are less than happy and content to be living in TV. Though no community is “perfect”, The Villages is a one-of-a-kind community beyond compare in my opinion. I feel so fortunate and blessed first of all to been able to have retired early in life, and secondly to be able to reside in such a beautiful and vibrant community, with mostly highly positive residents and neighbors. For me, it only take one trip outside “the bubble” to realize how special TV is.

I bought in the then “new” area of DeSoto ~6 years ago… I was a bit apprehensive about buying in a “retirement” community, both from my personal experience having lived for many years in S. FL and exposed to the many variants of retirement communities down there as well as having read the Andrew Biechman book “Leisureville: Adventures in a World Without Children” as part of my research/thought process. (The latter has not aged well, imo!)

Also, back of mind were the lingering images of my own mother’s aging in place back in PA and I just felt that there had to be a better answer… during covid I WFH as I finished out my career and have now made the transition to retirement and living in the villages. I love it here… I love my village, my house, my neighbors are great, my life is great. My one regret is if I could do it all again I would have bought years ago so that my Mom could have spent some time down here in her latter years!

lt

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

Love it!
Looks like roads we travel in NH, ME and VT. Let’s hope developers don’t swoop in someday and upset that landscape

I doubt if they will develop that area. I built that road up the mountain myself over the past 4 or 5 years, it runs right through the center of a 40 acre plot that's a single owner. It's not a very friendly environment for anything except black bears and 4 wheel drives. I'm fact my little Honda crv (all wheel drive) doesn't have enough engine to pull itself up the hill (too steep). The villages makes a lot more sense for old people, flat and manicured.

[IndianaJones]

Don’t care for it here at all, but the other half loves it, so here we are. Been in FL since ‘64 - this part of the state was watermelons, citrus & wild boar (plus gators & snakes) - pristine land. I know things change - development marches on. Would be nice if law enforcement set up radar on Morse/Buena Vista - they would make a fortune, people going 45-60mph. Crowds & snowbirds are part of the deal of living in FL, so is heat. We always said this part of the state was South Georgia, not FL. Not complaining, just would rather be on the water & further south. Been through 11 hurricanes and still around.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by IndianaJones

Don’t care for it here at all, but the other half loves it, so here we are. Been in FL since ‘64 - this part of the state was watermelons, citrus & wild boar (plus gators & snakes) - pristine land. I know things change - development marches on. Would be nice if law enforcement set up radar on Morse/Buena Vista - they would make a fortune, people going 45-60mph. Crowds & snowbirds are part of the deal of living in FL, so is heat. We always said this part of the state was South Georgia, not FL. Not complaining, just would rather be on the water & further south. Been through 11 hurricanes and still around.

South Georgia....love that!
Nice post

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

I don't think you are missing anything, my opinion is just that people have such varying preferences, and prejudices, it's the human condition. Strange as it is to MANY of us, we have relatives who love the ocean, beaches, and golf, but when retirement time came Florida was not even on their "B" list. Why ? "because it's just nothing but bugs and we are not going to live with that when we don't have to due to job location. Been there, done that." And where did they retire ? Near a major forest in Arkansas... guess there are no insects there...but we've never said a word because people have THEIR OWN preferences and they WILL makeup any excuse to support those preferences. Nothing wrong with that. What is disconcerting is the propensity of "some" folks who will not stop at that, but insist on mocking, ridiculing, disparaging the choices of others. Always makes me think; Are they unsure of their own decision, doubt themselves, when they say things like "oh, they have hurricanes there, or it's nothing but bugs I'd never live like that" , or if someone chooses Arizona, I've heard people say "oh that place is so dry, I'd never live there". It's puzzling why so many people just can't accept the decision of another by just saying, "that must be a nice place, I bet you are enjoying it". But somehow it so often seems like a "contest", to "prove" I made a "better" choice that you ! !

Very well said!!!

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by mrsstats

It looks like I would love it here. However, is it worth it at our age (73 and 75) We are in good health and active people. We relate easily to younger people. We will be doing a Lifestyle visit in July.

I think it is definitely worth it. Enjoy your Lifestyle visit.