I’m sorry to hear you were not invited into your neighborhood social circles. That is exactly why I checked to see if I fit in with my neighbors before I moved in. If they are in a newer area, that sounds good too. Wherever your tribe is, it’s good. I find people use the word “friends” quite loosely, where I would use the term “acquaintances”. It takes a minimum of 200 hours of people interacting mostly with each other, same interests, same place, etc to make friends according to a Wall Street Journal article, 1000 plus hours to make “best friends” for most people. But you can see people all the time and if your values and interests are different it’s never going to work.

Real estate people aren’t going to comment on your neighbors, “This one is a drunk, that one is a snob” etc. The only things they can say, location of place, number of rooms, type of kitchen counter - like that is going to matter when you need help which you will as we are older.

When you are young the rule of real estate is; “location, location, location”. When you are old it should be; “people, people, people”. Why do you suppose they advertise TV as the “friendliest” home town, instead of the most value of your money, the safest location or …?

WE DID MEET M before we moved in and we DO know them, so sorry not to clarify that.
We like them okay, but they're all ready for "Assisted Living", so we're helping them and acutely aware of their medical conditions.
That is what I was alerting the OP to be aware of, because we as new retirees have already taken care of 2 sets of aging parents, 2 Aunts and are ready to enjoy a relaxed retirement, which we believe we Earned.

We're very good neighbors, but a LOT can happen in 3 years. People were in great health when we moved in, but are NOT now, due to their age and lifestyle choices.
Half of our family and Good friends are here and very nearby, so don't worry, we're A-OK.
I think the OP realized that New Neighborhoods slow you to age GRACEFULLY together. That's All.
When a neighborhood turns over, new people move in... and that is the cycle of life.
We're newly retired, and have things of friends

When you see them, walk over and introduce yourself. Take walks in the neighborhood and say hello to anyone you meet along the way. Have an open house, wine & cheese party. Join your village FB page (most have them) or get on the social email list...

We did all of those things and have a nice group of friends, despite only being "snowflakes"... Every time we come back they ask when we'll be "Frogs"...

"As soon as possible!", I tell them...

That can be a problem. Going south, I can be on the turnpike (by 470) in 10 minutes. Going north on 75, I shoot out 44 and get on just past 301, maybe 10-15 minutes...

It's one of the reasons I like my location so much... That, and there is only one gate/road in/out. No "pass thru traffic", very few "Lookie Lous"...

I do remember one time, when I was working an a sprinkler head in the front yard, a couple in a rental golf cart stopped and asked "How do we get to Brownwood Square?'" I asked them, "How the hell did you end up in here?"

They replied, "We have no idea!? :1rotfl:

The pools are another great way to meet people. Just strike up a conversation with some questions, telling them you're new. 99% of the people will be more than happy to give you their opinions... Which MAY be a double edged sword...:p

Ignore the poster to whom you responded. He posts the -exact- same post in every thread about buying in the villages south of 44...

I moved here 2 years ago as a 61 year old divorced man and I decided to move to a new area down south (Hammock at Fenney). I enjoyed being in a new neighborhood and meeting new people as they were moving in and also met new friends at the many block parties that were held that first year.

I like my courtyard villa in the old section near Chula Vista rec center and Spanish springs.
It will be for sale in July. You can connect with me at necks2new@gmail.com.
Lanie

As Disney passholders we are thankful to have the turnpike onramp on 301 just 5 minutes or so from our home in DeLuna. Great also for trips to MCO to fly back home to California to visit our kids and toddler grandson.

I am 63, my wife is turning 59 this week. We were looking at new and pre-owned simultaneously. We were consistently told that when buying new, folks are closer to our age and all moving in at the same time, so it is easier to meet people.

We eventually opted for pre-owned near Brownwood. Familiarity with the area, proximity to the town square, and other stores and amenities guided our choice. But we didn't know what to expect regarding meeting people.

The day we closed on our house, neighbors appeared on the Welcome Wagon with a basket of cookies and other goodies. We were given a list of everyone who lived in our village with their emails and phone numbers, at least the folks who consented to be on a distribution list. We were given a handout with the address for the website for our village, the Facebook page, and the groups available on Whats App. We were happy to donate to the fund to buy another AED for the village and will get training in the future to know how to use one. We could not have been more warmly welcomed to The Villages and are very appreciative of our neighbors for having such a community spirit.

Good luck, I am one of the glass 7/8ths full people who think you pretty much can't go wrong no matter what choice you make in The Villages.

I bet, with your attitude, you’d be welcome just about anywhere.

Wow you got lucky, folks here are nice but after 7 pm done for the day for the most part. Luckily for us we are in some great clubs

Sounds like you had a similar experience to what we had. We have some great neighbors, as well...

New vs Older
 

New may seem optimal because of fiber optic internet and brand new infrastructure, these are things that won’t ever be available in the older villages. In addition, neighbor connections are new for everyone and cliques are seldom. On the flip side though, with a new home you have to undergo all those home improvement projects like landscaping, light tubes and painted floors. For me it’s a no brainer if I was new to the Villages. I would go new.

That is an almost 100% true statement , right there. Shared values and interests are what a person needs to focus on when looking for friends or sweethearts.

<< But, if you look on VLS and do a drive-by through that area, you will see hundreds of spec homes are sitting. >>

What does "VLS" stand for in this context?

VLS = Villages Listing Service

as opposed to

MLS = Multiple Listing Service.


VLS is exclusive - it means the Villages own real estate group is doing the selling on behalf of the owner. On new construction, that means you won't see Re/MAX selling those homes, because the Developer owns its own real estate company and isn't interested in farming out or sharing the sales, or profits, to outside companies.

MLS is inclusive. Those are only resales, and only those resales that the seller hasn't contracted with VLS agents. So you might see a Re/MAX agent bringing a buyer to look at a house being sold through a Coldwell-Banker agency.

VLS agents are not allowed to show MLS homes to potential buyers.

<< The person who brings you the AED should something happen >>

What does "AED" mean in this context?

There is a reason. Owners are selling for big profits and buying in the latest village. I know several friends who move every two years.

But you already knew this. You were told this the other nine times you said 'must be a rwason why'.

I really don't understand how some people come up with the things they say.

The unit a neighbor brings to start your heart. You may think you won’t need it. We didn’t either. My husband had a perfect annual medical checkup as needed by his job. At age 62 one morning, just as we were about to go to the golf course, he laid back on the couch and closed his eyes. He never opened them again. The AED came too late.

"Automated external defibrillator"...

Many Villages have several scattered around the neighborhood and have a system set up to act as first responders, hopefully getting there before the paramedics arrive...