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Great feedback. Thank you very much for sharing as it sort of captures some of the same reservations I have. |
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We sold our property in New England this past November and rented a place in TV for a couple of months with the intention of visiting numerous 55+ communities. We visited Margaritaville, Webb, Top of the World, and others. You can get nicer houses for your money at some, especially Top of the World, but no matter what they advertise, there are few options for activities. We are now in the process of having a house built here TV and have extended our rental extended until it is done.
You can do as much of as little as you want. Hundreds of activities, clubs and entertainment. Yes hundreds. I have yet to meet anyone that isn't friendly , which is a change that we are pleasantly adjusting to. The only complaint I have so far is the rate that property price increases, which, I suppose for us, is good for the long term. |
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As for the town squares, do you want to dance? Go there tonight and you can easily dance with no one within ten feet of you. You may have to walk a little slower because more people are around the square and in carts and lawn chairs outside of it, but if you cross the street you can go for a run at that time without getting in anyone’s way. It’s not nearly as crowded as walking on TImes Square in New York, much less going to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Is it more crowded this time of year? Yes. But entirely bearable. Yes, restaurants are more crowded right now. I’ve walked away from places that tell me it will be a 45 minute wait. Part of the problem is that there may be dozens of empty tables, but that is due to social distancing, and there are fewer employees, so it takes longer. However, I’ve always managed to go to some other restaurant in the area and get in at once. It helps to be flexible. Also, next winter, when all the tables are available, it will be easier to get seated. The Villages, apart from this, is delightfully relaxed and a wonderful place to retire. My biggest problem is that at Sam’s Club, lots of people seem to be there for a pleasant stroll, whereas I want to get what I need and get out. |
Be sure to visit my YouTube channel. I post episodes about living in The Villages and Florida Fun.
Youtube.com/rcavallaro |
"America's friendliest Home Town : NOT
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With all the amenities available, I enjoyed my time in TV, but what I disliked most was grumpy old men and women who can't wait to correct or chastise others for something they may see someone doing "wrong", whether they are impacted by that action, or not. I have had this happen to me many times, sometimes I was guilty of some minor incident (like going the wrong way in a parking lot and was yelled at), and sometimes I was innocent, yet I was chastised because my actions somehow upset someone else, (like riding my bicycle in the middle of a small street and having a neighbor's dog pull away from it's owner, and chase me). I have my own thoughts of why people are grumpy, but one thing I know that is a causative factor is the crowded conditions in TV. It's really simple, the more people there are in a given area, the more problems occur. So, TV is definitely not America's Friendlies Home Town. TV is like any other retirement community, you will find many grumpy old folks, but you will also find many friendly, happy folks. For me, I prefer Stone Crest, but each to their own. |
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We moved from a sparsely populated area, lived without any neighbors in sight. Moving to TV was not a hard adjustment as far as crowds or traffic, but seeing a house out every window was strange. We quickly adapted to the convenience of shopping, rec centers, banking, restaurants, etc by golf cart. Renting first is a very good idea. Good luck.
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It’s not the same as it was when we moved here fifteen years ago. Your sense of “crowdedness” is correct. Public events are wall-to-wall people and traffic is becoming impossible. Renting for a couple months, maybe for a couple of years, is an excellent idea. Maybe while you’re here, research other alternatives. Don’t be disappointed by just drinking the Kool Aide.
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Check out Lakewood Ranch, which is father south. Decide if you want a truly gated community, closer to the ocean, out of the central FL sinkhole zone, etc. I think the taxes are higher but they have many of the same amenities. You owe it to yourself to ck it out.
On another thread someone suggested searching “best 55+ communities in Fl”, which perhaps you have already. I think TV rated 3rd? Good luck! Enjoy the journey |
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We had the same concerns. We explored multiple retirement communities and after considerable thought purchased in The Villages six years ago. We have never looked back as it was the correct decision. The reason we bypassed other retirement communities and settled here is that in retirement the greater risk is dying of boredom, not having too much to do. You might consider the northern Villages. Rec centers and sports facilities are far less crowded, and you can save a lot of money by buying with no bond. Many homes have been fully updated, so it's not necessary to sacrifice on home quality. |
Dhdallas #12 - right on Rambo I wish you were my neighbor.....
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I think that it all depends on where you come from. Yes, The Villages, and all Florida communities get busier and more crowded in the winter. But I've lived and worked in big cities and it's nothing like that. I think that some people that have come from rural areas think that we have a lot of traffic. While there is certainly more traffic here during the season than in the summer, it is not like a big city. The lines at restaurants and super markets are not bad.
I think that many of the years round residents are also a bit spoiled by the smaller population that we enjoy for 7-8 months of the year. But as I say, no matter where you go in Florida, you're going to find the same thing. I'm originally from Eastern Massachusetts and the people on Cape Cod complain about the excess traffic in the summer time. I can tell you that the winter traffic here is no where as bad as the summer traffic on Cape Cod of the year round traffic in Boston and other places. In addition, left hand turn lanes are currently being added to many of our busiest intersections to some of the crowding is being addressed. If you're concerned, rent a place here in January and February and decide. That's the only way that you'll know. |
100% Agree
Just wanted to say I completely agree. We are originally from NY, then lived in South FL for 38 years. Talk about traffic and crowded restaurants...it's like being "in season" all the time! It depends where you come from, but we cannot think of a lovelier, aesthetically pleasing, friendlier,, active place to be! Coming up for 5 years, living here full time a year and a half. We love it here...true paradise!
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