[senior citizen]

...........

[Mikeod]

I agree with the posts that advise you to take your time; perhaps try out TV by snowbirding. But let me add this perspective.

We were contemplating retirement in CA, and our son, an executive chef, was working in Tampa and living in Sarasota. We came out to visit him and visited TV, immediately deciding it was the place for us. It was only two hours from our son and grandkids instead of cross country. After two years, he took a job in Jacksonville, living in St. Augustine, still only about two hours away. Great! Two years later, he got an offer for a great position in Chicago and away they went. We looked at each other and agreed right away that we were NOT going to leave our home here. We have too many friends and too much to do that gives us joy.

And, as others have said, the grandkids have grown, have their friends and interests, and are busy with school. We use FaceTime to visit electronically, and talk on the phone regularly. They visit us and we visit them. Compressing the time we have together seems to concentrate the enjoyment. Do we miss them? Sure, but I wouldn't want my son to decline an opportunity because it would cause them to move away. And it would do us no good to uproot and move multiple times to stay near them.

[dotti105]

We have 4 kids, 11 grandkids and they are spread out from Ca, Ut, NC and Fl. No way to be near them all. We have stressed and stressed about where to retire. We want to see them all a couple of times a year for a week or so, and hate to have them so spread out.

We finally decided to check out TV and by the 2nd day we had our answer. WE will be very happy in TV and the kids will visit, or we can escape the summer heat by visiting them.

Things change, the kids did all live close by when the grandkids started to arrive and soon jobs took them elsewhere. That is just life these days. We wanted to keep the "family home" which is large enough for all to come for the holidays etc. But for the young families it is very expensive to buy airfare for a family and pay for a rental car etc. So the "family home" hasn't had the whole clan at one time for a couple of years now.

I think that has just prepared us for the fact that WE need to choose a retirement location that works for US. We feel like newlyweds again making plans to strike off on our own! We are both very excited and found everyone in TV to be VERY friendly.

The kids will come and LOVE it and we will be living the retirement life that we never thought possible. No hesitation here!! I am just so glad we found TV, as all the other alternatives we looked at were just buying a downsized home in a typical neighborhood without all the fantastic amenities TV has.

We just can't wait to get there and start our 2nd honeymoon! Haha!!

[JP]

There are already enough people that want to move here without being "convinced" by current villagers. If you don't want to move here or don't really think you want to move here or don't have good reasons to move here than don't move here.

[Happydaz]

Originally Posted by JP

There are already enough people that want to move here without being "convinced" by current villagers. If you don't want to move here or don't really think you want to move here or don't have good reasons to move here than don't move here.

Nicely phrased! You are too kind.

[zonerboy]

When we were looking and considering moving here, our realtor advised us to buy in a new neighborhood rather than an established one. She said residents of older neighborhood would have already established their circles of friends and would be already participating in activities they liked. In contrast, in a Village still under construction all residents would be in the same boat. Looking to establish new friends and relationships, eager to explore and try out new activities, etc., etc. This turned out to be very wise advice.
If you are renting in an established neighborhood, this might explain why your neighbors seem a bit unfriendly.
As far as missing grandchildren and other relatives, you'll have to evaluate that situation for yourself.
Best wishes.

[Blessed2BNTV]

We bought last year in Duval and are not full time yet. We have met so many fine folks of all ages in the pools, classes and restaurants. While buying in a new area has everyone in the same "making friends" mode it is not impossible to make many long lasting relationships. We made the effort to met people and am so glad we settled in Duval. Love the location!

[wendyquat]

You will meet many wonderful people and stay as busy as you'd like to be but NOTHING can replace the hugs of those grandchildren! I was very close to my 4 grands that lived nearby in NC and spent as much time as possible with them but when they grew into teens their lives became full of other things (as it should) and only then did we decide to make the move to TV!

[lpkshop]

We moved to Fernandina in dec. we received advice from several villagers that we might be better buying a new house rather than in an established village. Several had neighbors who bought resale only to find the same situation you are describing. They were ready to head back north.but They sold and bought into new village and have been happy. My neighbors are GREAT everyone is trying to make friends . Most everyone is in your situation with the Grands up north. Good luck!

[gocubsgo]

We bought in Silver Lake 4 years ago and are actually toying with the idea of moving back to northern Illinois. We miss family, seasons and the Midwest. I actually miss seeing field after field of soybeans and corn! So, the next year will tell the tale. Hubby and I both think it just gets too crowded down here in the winter.

[CharTalk]

I have one grandchild down here and one up north. My kids down here asked if they were transferred back north would we follow. We didn't hesitate and said "No." I figure God gave us airplanes so we could fly north to visit our families. Luckily, it easy to get cheap, non-stop flights out of Orlando and Sanford to practically anywhere.

I know a lot of people have a hard time leaving their families and if mine had stayed up north, we would never have looked. However, my son was transferred down here and when we came to visit, we fell in love with the place. We analyzed whether we were moving here to be close to him or whether we wanted to live here, because we knew he could be transferred again. We decided that this was the place we wanted to be. It was the BEST decision we ever made.

It's more than the golf. Even more than the pickleball. It's more than the entertainment. It's more than the blue skies and lack of sleet and snow. It's more than the variety of clubs, organizations and volunteer opportunities - although all of these contribute. For me - it's having so many vital, friendly, fun people who have become part of my life. Living here makes me feel young again - and so very, very alive.

Here's my piece of advice. If you want to quickly become part of the community - buy a NEW home. We looked at both new and pre-owned homes and decided we wanted to build so we had to move to a new area. It was only after we got down here that I realized what a fortunate decision this was. When you buy into a new area - everyone is new. Everyone is looking for new friends. It's like freshman year of college (without the 8 o'clock classes and exams!)

I've talked to people who bought into established communities and it was harder for them. It's not that people aren't friendly. It's just that people have established networks and are busy - so they are less likely to reach out to someone new. You can still make friends. You just have to find activities that interest you and join. You will find like-minded people. It will just take longer.

I have been here almost 2 years. Probably 90% of my friends are from my neighborhood, but I have a few friends that I have met from my exercise classes at the MVP Sports Club and others from a volunteer organization called Tutors for Kids. I also have friends of friends.

I am very out-going, but many of my friends aren't. They have lots of friends as well. It doesn't matter if you are a bit on the quiet side. There are so many people like me who will take the initiate to introduce themselves to you that if you are warm and genuinely interested, you will make friends. Down here - once you make one friends - they will introduce you to others.

And you don't have to go-go-go all the time. You set your own schedule and do as much or as little as you want.

My family has a history of Alzheimer's so I read a lot about how to prevent, or put off the symptoms of the disease. Everyone agrees that you need to have a close social network, to stimulate your mind, to stay physically active and to have a sense of purpose in your life. If you don't find all of these things in The Villages - shame on you. This place in unbelievable. I hope you give it a try.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by Chris123

This is the 2nd trip for my husband and myself. I must say that our stay in the Sullivan Villas was more friendly with the neighbors than our current stay in Mallory Hills. When we are out and about in TV everyone is very friendly and more than willing to provide us with info about The Villages. But here it seems everyone puts their heads down when we ride by. As far as I know I know absolutely no one down here and i'm friendly but not extremely outgoing and I am concerned that it would be a while before I would join in, in the activities. The hardest part about considering to move is leaving my 7 kids and 13 grandchildren. How do you make the break?

I have to ask. What are you driving? We have found every part of the villages more freindly than any place we have lived and that includes several countries and 6 states. Come on down, I promise you will like it.

[Joe Tomaselli]

Originally Posted by Chris123

This is the 2nd trip for my husband and myself. I must say that our stay in the Sullivan Villas was more friendly with the neighbors than our current stay in Mallory Hills. When we are out and about in TV everyone is very friendly and more than willing to provide us with info about The Villages. But here it seems everyone puts their heads down when we ride by. As far as I know I know absolutely no one down here and i'm friendly but not extremely outgoing and I am concerned that it would be a while before I would join in, in the activities. The hardest part about considering to move is leaving my 7 kids and 13 grandchildren. How do you make the break?

Like the Nike commercial says: Just do It.
My wife & I arrived 3 weeks ago. We have been very busy unpacking, etc. but then found quick friends on the golf course, in our neighborhoods, at the mail boxes, etc. It really is so very easy to strike up conversations; and they lead to friends. Try it-make that Do IT!

[Garden guru]

Originally Posted by Chris123

This is the 2nd trip for my husband and myself. I must say that our stay in the Sullivan Villas was more friendly with the neighbors than our current stay in Mallory Hills. When we are out and about in TV everyone is very friendly and more than willing to provide us with info about The Villages. But here it seems everyone puts their heads down when we ride by. As far as I know I know absolutely no one down here and i'm friendly but not extremely outgoing and I am concerned that it would be a while before I would join in, in the activities. The hardest part about considering to move is leaving my 7 kids and 13 grandchildren. How do you make the break?

My best advice to you would be to try The Villages for an extended period of time before committing to buying. If we'd been smart enough to rent for, say, 6 months, we wouldn't be living here. One week trips just don't give a realistic impression of the place. We moved into our new home in Fernandina in April 2013 and are very disappointed. Our neighbors say "hello", but that's about it. We meet people at clubs or in classes, but they're only acquaintances. There are no golf leagues here, so finding ongoing golfing buddies is problematic. Previously, we lived within a half hour's drive of a metropolitan area of 1+ million people, and we miss the amenities of the city: the shopping, the parks, the large library system, the sporting events, the theatres, etc. It wasn't like we took part in city events on a daily basis, but they were there when we wanted them. We also miss the diverse population of the city. Frankly, we're tired of dealing with nothing but well-to-do, self-absorbed, old, white people day after day. We could kick ourselves for being so gullible and believing all the propaganda we were fed. I encourage you to think for yourselves.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Garden guru

My best advice to you would be to try The Villages for an extended period of time before committing to buying. If we'd been smart enough to rent for, say, 6 months, we wouldn't be living here. One week trips just don't give a realistic impression of the place. We moved into our new home in Fernandina in April 2013 and are very disappointed. Our neighbors say "hello", but that's about it. We meet people at clubs or in classes, but they're only acquaintances. There are no golf leagues here, so finding ongoing golfing buddies is problematic. Previously, we lived within a half hour's drive of a metropolitan area of 1+ million people, and we miss the amenities of the city: the shopping, the parks, the large library system, the sporting events, the theatres, etc. It wasn't like we took part in city events on a daily basis, but they were there when we wanted them. We also miss the diverse population of the city. Frankly, we're tired of dealing with nothing but well-to-do, self-absorbed, old, white people day after day. We could kick ourselves for being so gullible and believing all the propaganda we were fed. I encourage you to think for yourselves.

Originally Posted by CharTalk

I have one grandchild down here and one up north. My kids down here asked if they were transferred back north would we follow. We didn't hesitate and said "No." I figure God gave us airplanes so we could fly north to visit our families. Luckily, it easy to get cheap, non-stop flights out of Orlando and Sanford to practically anywhere.

I know a lot of people have a hard time leaving their families and if mine had stayed up north, we would never have looked. However, my son was transferred down here and when we came to visit, we fell in love with the place. We analyzed whether we were moving here to be close to him or whether we wanted to live here, because we knew he could be transferred again. We decided that this was the place we wanted to be. It was the BEST decision we ever made.

It's more than the golf. Even more than the pickleball. It's more than the entertainment. It's more than the blue skies and lack of sleet and snow. It's more than the variety of clubs, organizations and volunteer opportunities - although all of these contribute. For me - it's having so many vital, friendly, fun people who have become part of my life. Living here makes me feel young again - and so very, very alive.

Here's my piece of advice. If you want to quickly become part of the community - buy a NEW home. We looked at both new and pre-owned homes and decided we wanted to build so we had to move to a new area. It was only after we got down here that I realized what a fortunate decision this was. When you buy into a new area - everyone is new. Everyone is looking for new friends. It's like freshman year of college (without the 8 o'clock classes and exams!)

I've talked to people who bought into established communities and it was harder for them. It's not that people aren't friendly. It's just that people have established networks and are busy - so they are less likely to reach out to someone new. You can still make friends. You just have to find activities that interest you and join. You will find like-minded people. It will just take longer.

I have been here almost 2 years. Probably 90% of my friends are from my neighborhood, but I have a few friends that I have met from my exercise classes at the MVP Sports Club and others from a volunteer organization called Tutors for Kids. I also have friends of friends.

I am very out-going, but many of my friends aren't. They have lots of friends as well. It doesn't matter if you are a bit on the quiet side. There are so many people like me who will take the initiate to introduce themselves to you that if you are warm and genuinely interested, you will make friends. Down here - once you make one friends - they will introduce you to others.

And you don't have to go-go-go all the time. You set your own schedule and do as much or as little as you want.

My family has a history of Alzheimer's so I read a lot about how to prevent, or put off the symptoms of the disease. Everyone agrees that you need to have a close social network, to stimulate your mind, to stay physically active and to have a sense of purpose in your life. If you don't find all of these things in The Villages - shame on you. This place in unbelievable. I hope you give it a try.

Read other posts by same posters, and decide who speaks to your heart.