[Lea N]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Our house had a sump pump in the basement and it never switched on. The house was built in 1957, a ranch on 1/2 acre corner lot. There were a few true sumac trees (not poison sumac plants) and five sugar maples in the back yard including the "mama maple", which was over 250 years old. She was the "mother" of all the maples in the neighborhood, which was originally a farm. The houses across the street from us were all cape cods on concrete slabs. Our side of the street was mostly ranch homes, plus the original farmhouse next door to us, made of brick and timber. The farmhouse was built in 1912. Down the street from us was a vintage home that had originally been an inn and carriage house. It was listed on the historic homes registry, because Paul Revere was somehow affiliated with it. Maybe he stayed there at some point, or the guy who made his coffin brought wood up from somewhere and stayed there. I don't remember the exact history.

During one winter, our neighborhood got over 6 feet of snow in total within just a couple of weeks. Plows broke, one guy parked his car on the side of the road the day before the storms hit, didn't move it back to his driveway, and the plows didn't realize there was a car there since it was completely obscured by the drifts. His car ended up halfway onto his front lawn, crushed. A few days after the last of the snow that week, everything started to melt. Ice dams on roofs caused massive damage and in some homes, complete roof collapses. There was a lot of basement flooding and foundation cracks in the neighborhood. We got a little water damage to our kitchen floor and some minor damage to the guest bedroom wall. Our basement stayed dry.

One downside to our house was we had no central air conditioning, and the layout was such that we would need an A/C window unit in every room to keep the whole house cool. It was too impractical and noisy and expensive and it'd mean loss of daylight in two of the rooms, since they only had one window each. So we mostly suffered in the summer.

Interesting history, especially the Paul Revere connection.

The house I grew up in was built in 1924. My grandfather bought it in 1927 after my grandparents were married. It was the only house on the street at the time. My father told me when he was a kid (he was born in 31') that he went across the street and picked wild strawberries.

It was a pretty, old colonial home on an acre of property. My grandfather grew veggies in the summer and beautiful flowers for my grandmother. He put in paths so my grandmother could walk and look at the flowers he planted for her.

The house originally did not have a basement. My grandfather built it himself, I believe with the help of some relatives.

When our neighbors bought there home down the street their kids discovered an extra room. One of the kids discovered an opening of some kind in a closet. When they opened it there was another BIG room. When they purchased the home they had no idea it was there. If those old homes could talk the stories they could tell.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Overall, I'm happy.

Pros:
My cost of living decreased by 75 percent.
Warm weather
No children

Cons:
Inadequate transportation
Mediocre restaurants

Agree about the restaurants. More and more we go out side the bubble either north or south

[Glowing Horizon]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Infrastructure maybe but I was born and raised in Wisconsin for 75 years and there's nothing like the Midwest in spring, summer, and fall.

Just to bad the good Lord made 6 months of spring, summer, and fall up there
and 6 months of winter.

In my younger days in Wisconsin I own 6 boats, fished Lake Michigan, wolf and Fox rivers.
Iced fished, hiked and camped the state parks, cross country skied, rode my Goldwing everywhere, raised our adopted son, made a good living, attended many Packer games and now it is a change of scenery in my old age, no more snow to drive in, walk in, or drive in.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...tar17979_3-gif

I love to LOOK at snow but stress out about having to drive on slick roads so the only way for me to enjoy winter is to hibernate. I love sunny Florida’s heat & don't mind the humidity with afternoon a/c breaks. Beach time is unparalleled. Very grateful to have my health & enough wealth to cover all my needs & some wants too. Seriously never dreamt I’d have both! Would love to have my kids nearby but that's not for me to choose. TV is a fantastic blend. It’s as if they took all the very best of midwest suburban living & made it just for older folks like me! Other age-restricted communities are kinda creepy IMO. I’m glad for the nearby areas for families since too much sameness can foster contempt.

[Glowing Horizon]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Agree about the restaurants. More and more we go out side the bubble either north or south

100% agree about the restaurants in TV. They make bland uninviting food. Its weird how the same ingredients can be used to make a delicious dish in the hands of a skilled cook/chef!

If you ever want a fantastic steak (hard to find in FL?) we found an oldy but a goody: Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa. You’ll need reservations. Their extra tours are awesome! Who knew there could be a cavern full of wine there? Took us years to find out about it. Love love love their mushrooms too!

[Snakster66]

Originally Posted by Packer Fan

Please be nice to OBB. She responded to my question about what she did not like. Open and honest communication is a good thing and she stated her opinion and really did not attack anyone just why she did not like certain things. We should applaud that not condemn it.

I don't think I was being 'not nice'. I just point out irony when I see it. It amuses me. I harbor no animosity toward OBB or anyone else.

[graciegirl]

The restaurants aren't as good as when the country club ones were started and run by the Morses directly. That is very true. The cost to eat out is really high now and that and the not wonderful food has made us continue to cook at home that we started during the pandemic. It is a common problem not to be able to employ help for the kitchen or as servers. (EVERYWHERE...in every state and nook and cranny.)....... I have my view as to the cause of that too.

I have found that Villagers are generally careful with their money, no matter how much they have, and that may be the reason they have it. After the pandemic we went to Arnold Palmers to get one of their delicious grilled over the open fire cheeseburgers with brie. They now cost twenty five bucks, are not cooked over the open fire, no brie and an hour wait.

We eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and lower fat and we can control our portions better if we eat at home and fifty years of cooking has made us pretty good cooks and savvy shoppers.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

We eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and lower fat and we can control our portions better if we eat at home.

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.

[ThirdOfFive]

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.

Best for me to list pros and cons. So...

PROS

NO STATE INCOME TAX. Minnesota, where I hail from, has the 5th highest income tax in the nation, plus they are one of the few states that tax SS and pension benefits. Florida remains blessedly free of such things.

THE WEATHER. Growing up as a kid, I remember many sub -40 mornings. Didn't mind 'em then. Can't even conceive of 'em now. Plus, I love heat so summer here in TV is by far my favorite time of year. Storms? Well, thunderstorms here are kinda wimpy compared to what they're like up in prairie country.

HELPFULNESS. I do a lot of walking. On hot days I can be assured of at least three folks offering me A. a ride; B. water; or C) both. How many of us can remember times back home, since about 1980 anyway, when we either offered or accepted a ride from a total stranger? Here, it is strange when it DOESN'T happen.

LAW ENFORCEMENT. Saw an article recently of the cops here tracking down and arresting two guys for shoplifting about $450 worth of stuff from a local Wal-mart. Again, thinking of back home, what are the odds of that happening? I can guarantee that if it happened in Minneapolis the only thing a call to the police to report such a thing would get you is a belly laugh. Lots of similar reports here on an almost daily basis. I carried routinely back in Minnesota. Here, in four years--not even once. Just don't feel the need.

MANICURED DITCHES. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. I was impressed by that my first visit here. No less so today.

CONS

THE DRIVERS. Don't get me wrong. Minnesota had a lot of road cowboys too. But for different reasons. I have little problem with folks who bend laws if they're fully capable of handling their vehicle and have sufficient reflexes and skills to handle situations. But it is different here; lots of folks out there driving (cars, golf carts, whatevers) in traffic who because of age and diminished abilities, should not be. Signal lights mean nada here, and a lot of the folks herding their vehicles down the road obviously don't even see other traffic. I had my motorcycle shipped here when we first moved here, rode it for a month and sold it. I had more close calls in that month than I had in the previous 10 years in Minnesota.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ON PALM TREES. That is just wrong!

BIASED "NEWS" SOURCES. The two main sources seem to be The Daily Sun and V!llages-News: the former being nothing but rainbows and unicorns, while the latter is all sleaze, all the time. Anything between those two polar opposites seem occasional and haphazard. Yeah, I know it is that way most other places too. It just gets tiresome.

PEASANT BLOUSES ON OCTOGENARIANS. C'mon!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Best for me to list pros and cons. So...

PROS

NO STATE INCOME TAX. Minnesota, where I hail from, has the 5th highest income tax in the nation, plus they are one of the few states that tax SS and pension benefits. Florida remains blessedly free of such things.

THE WEATHER. Growing up as a kid, I remember many sub -40 mornings. Didn't mind 'em then. Can't even conceive of 'em now. Plus, I love heat so summer here in TV is by far my favorite time of year. Storms? Well, thunderstorms here are kinda wimpy compared to what they're like up in prairie country.

HELPFULNESS. I do a lot of walking. On hot days I can be assured of at least three folks offering me A. a ride; B. water; or C) both. How many of us can remember times back home, since about 1980 anyway, when we either offered or accepted a ride from a total stranger? Here, it is strange when it DOESN'T happen.

LAW ENFORCEMENT. Saw an article recently of the cops here tracking down and arresting two guys for shoplifting about $450 worth of stuff from a local Wal-mart. Again, thinking of back home, what are the odds of that happening? I can guarantee that if it happened in Minneapolis the only thing a call to the police to report such a thing would get you is a belly laugh. Lots of similar reports here on an almost daily basis. I carried routinely back in Minnesota. Here, in four years--not even once. Just don't feel the need.

MANICURED DITCHES. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. I was impressed by that my first visit here. No less so today.

CONS

THE DRIVERS. Don't get me wrong. Minnesota had a lot of road cowboys too. But for different reasons. I have little problem with folks who bend laws if they're fully capable of handling their vehicle and have sufficient reflexes and skills to handle situations. But it is different here; lots of folks out there driving (cars, golf carts, whatevers) in traffic who because of age and diminished abilities, should not be. Signal lights mean nada here, and a lot of the folks herding their vehicles down the road obviously don't even see other traffic. I had my motorcycle shipped here when we first moved here, rode it for a month and sold it. I had more close calls in that month than I had in the previous 10 years in Minnesota.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ON PALM TREES. That is just wrong!

BIASED "NEWS" SOURCES. The two main sources seem to be The Daily Sun and V!llages-News: the former being nothing but rainbows and unicorns, while the latter is all sleaze, all the time. Anything between those two polar opposites seem occasional and haphazard. Yeah, I know it is that way most other places too. It just gets tiresome.

PEASANT BLOUSES ON OCTOGENARIANS. C'mon!

The peasant blouses hide the sagging boobs, flabby bellies, stretch marks, and back fat. Be grateful for those peasant blouses. We're doing you a huge service.

[ThirdOfFive]

"We're doing you a huge service."

[Stu from NYC]

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.

Restaurants seem to compete in how unhealthy can we make the food we serve

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Best for me to list pros and cons. So...

PROS

NO STATE INCOME TAX. Minnesota, where I hail from, has the 5th highest income tax in the nation, plus they are one of the few states that tax SS and pension benefits. Florida remains blessedly free of such things.

THE WEATHER. Growing up as a kid, I remember many sub -40 mornings. Didn't mind 'em then. Can't even conceive of 'em now. Plus, I love heat so summer here in TV is by far my favorite time of year. Storms? Well, thunderstorms here are kinda wimpy compared to what they're like up in prairie country.

HELPFULNESS. I do a lot of walking. On hot days I can be assured of at least three folks offering me A. a ride; B. water; or C) both. How many of us can remember times back home, since about 1980 anyway, when we either offered or accepted a ride from a total stranger? Here, it is strange when it DOESN'T happen.

LAW ENFORCEMENT. Saw an article recently of the cops here tracking down and arresting two guys for shoplifting about $450 worth of stuff from a local Wal-mart. Again, thinking of back home, what are the odds of that happening? I can guarantee that if it happened in Minneapolis the only thing a call to the police to report such a thing would get you is a belly laugh. Lots of similar reports here on an almost daily basis. I carried routinely back in Minnesota. Here, in four years--not even once. Just don't feel the need.

MANICURED DITCHES. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. I was impressed by that my first visit here. No less so today.

CONS

THE DRIVERS. Don't get me wrong. Minnesota had a lot of road cowboys too. But for different reasons. I have little problem with folks who bend laws if they're fully capable of handling their vehicle and have sufficient reflexes and skills to handle situations. But it is different here; lots of folks out there driving (cars, golf carts, whatevers) in traffic who because of age and diminished abilities, should not be. Signal lights mean nada here, and a lot of the folks herding their vehicles down the road obviously don't even see other traffic. I had my motorcycle shipped here when we first moved here, rode it for a month and sold it. I had more close calls in that month than I had in the previous 10 years in Minnesota.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ON PALM TREES. That is just wrong!

BIASED "NEWS" SOURCES. The two main sources seem to be The Daily Sun and V!llages-News: the former being nothing but rainbows and unicorns, while the latter is all sleaze, all the time. Anything between those two polar opposites seem occasional and haphazard. Yeah, I know it is that way most other places too. It just gets tiresome.

PEASANT BLOUSES ON OCTOGENARIANS. C'mon!

Wait a minute. The first Christmas took place among palm trees! It’s the other trees that see out of place (historically). The rest of the stuff I agree with.

[GoRedSox!]

My wife and I just completed our first three months here. I told her that The Villages exceeded every expectation that I had. I cannot think of one representation that was made to us that was untrue or misleading. I am not drinking any Kool-Aid, I am 63 years old and I hope that had enough hard knocks in life to not be that gullible.

In no particular order....

Our home is great, no issues, great location right next to Brownwood;
The Villages is safe, one of the safest places I think we could be and I do not worry about my wife going anywhere in the Bubble;
The weather has been great. Much better than Connecticut in February, March, and April;
The people are generally friendly, helpful, smart, and fun;
This place is a paradise for dogs and our dogs loved it;
The word I would use to describe the condition of The Villages is "pristine." Everything is mowed, trimmed, pruned, and edged. There is natural beauty everywhere, particularly in the trees. There is no litter. This place is beautiful.
The bands that play in the Squares are very good. They are not hacks, this is good music.
So much to do....so much to do....so much to do. There is something for everyone.
I am 63 years old, I am still in good health, my wife loves me and is still with me, and I still have my sense of humor. How can I not be happy?
We found St. Timothy's Church and found a community of faith that we enjoyed being part of
Traveling via golf car is lots of fun. I'm not in a hurry. Where am I going? See above about being 63 and retired. We loved to go out for rides on the golf car with nowhere in particular to go, it's relaxing.
Politics....I did not experience people talking about politics....it was not an issue at all....people are too busy having fun
Edna's is a nice place to have lunch
Golfer's paradise....I know there were complaints about some of the courses, but they looked a lot better in March than the courses in Connecticut
I have previously put up a post about all the contractors who did a great job for us....everyone was very polite, everyone arrived on time.
Beautiful places to walk and very flat almost everywhere.
I really enjoyed watching the rockets take off on my TV on YouTube and then going out on the lanai and watching them go up with the naked eye. There were so many Falcon 9 launches, some weeks there was 3-4.


The biggest concern I have is getting good medical care if and when we need it....
I have never seen any statistics on this, but things really thinned out after April 1...and every week thereafter. I don't know how many snowbirds and snowflakes there are, but I think the answer is A LOT.

I think I try to make the best of things, but this is our honest experience and my wife loved it, too.

I really hope that everyone is enjoying this beautiful place. I know life can change on a dime and throw some curve balls and some folks who are not happy have difficult circumstances. But even in difficult circumstances, I think The Villages is a great place to be because there are so many folks who are willing to help.

Best to everyone and have a great summer!

[lawgolfer]

Some people are happiest when they are unhappy and do their best to make the rest of us unhappy (my mother-in-law). It's the difference of seeing the glass as being half-full or half-empty.

We could not be happier with The Villages. Both of us wish we had first retired here instead of the 11 years we spent in another retirement community.

Our only complaint has been the condition of the golf courses, both Executive and Championship for the last year. That is being addressed. We played Palmer this week and it was in the best condition of our playing it over the past 4 years. That said, my fondest wish is that the greens on at least one course be kept at 10 or above on the stimpmeter

[npwalters]

I admit that I did not sort through all the responses to this thread so this may be redundant.

I enjoy my life in TV. I can see how it could be better. It is possible to like one's current lifestyle and residence and still see how it could be better or how it is being degraded. To say "if you don't like it here...." is just foolish.