[Velvet]

Malta has amazing culture, mixture of multiple continents from the past to the present. Yep, right up there with any one else’s culture I would say.

[tophcfa]

After this dam pandemic is over, you will find that if you can't stay active and meet lots of nice people in the Villages, then you won't anywhere.

[Bay Kid]

If you can't be on the Chesapeake Bay then TVs is fantastic. Soooo much to do, clean and safe.

Originally Posted by RealtorKaren

I just returned from my first visit, and among the other things that were "different", not negative just a change.....were there is very little or no diversity. I live in the Dallas area, and it's like the UN here. I mentioned it to someone I met at pickleball, and she said, "No one moves here for "diversity"! Well, I guess I knew that, I just wasn't prepared for the total lack of cultural diversity. Did anyone else have this same feeling the first time they came to visit?

I worked in the engineering department of an oil company and got to experience many cultures which I enjoyed but cultural diversity is not a factor in where I live. However there are clubs here where you can experience many different cultures if you want.

[RealtorKaren]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

What I first noticed was most folks are here to escape long cold northern winters. We are pretty old demographically so not diverse age-wise.
"In Sumter County, Florida, the oldest county on this list, there are 141 residents age 65 or older for every 100 adults between the ages of 18 and 64. Jul 15, 2019." Retirement hot spots: The oldest counties sorted by state
After all, The Villages is the world's largest 55 and over community. What has driven most of us here is we no longer want to deal with shoveling snow and all that goes with long harsh winters. We also may have been motivated to move here to seek relief from high cost of living states since we are mostly retired. Although some are native Floridians and from the southern tier of states, such as the great state of Texas - Hook 'em Horns - we are pretty much a yankee colony plopped down in the middle of Sumter County, an otherwise rural relatively sparsely populated Central Florida agricultural area. It is more like Manhattan, KS than Manhattan NY, culture-wise. After all TV is not a megalopolis although you might be amazed at the lives many Villagers have lead in careers taking them all over the world and their accomplishments. Some come from Europe or elsewhere around the globe and of course many Canadians enjoy wintering here.

Thank you for your comments and insight! Yes, I know why TVs is the way it is, and I just didn't consider how the lack of diversity would feel, until I arrived and experienced it. I also happened to visit when the Trump rallies took place on the Brownwood Square for two hours, and that was interesting. I think it's a fantastic place to retire, and so beautiful. God will guide me in the right direction! Thanks again.
Karen