[EdV]

Before considering a lifestyle preview, I would recommend that you get a hold of the book Leisureville by Andrew Blechman available online at [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Leisureville-Adventures-Americas-Retirement-Utopias/dp/0871139812"]Amazon[/ame] and elsewhere. It’s the true story of a small town Massachusetts author who spends a month in The Villages with his recently retired neighbors who abruptly sold everything and moved to TV.

It’s a great read from a historical perspective not only of TV but on the development of the retirement community lifestyle and includes a trip out west to visit the granddaddy of them all, the aging Sun City community in Arizona.

Keep in mind that Blechman is overly critical of those of us who have abandoned their civic responsibilities in the north to live out their lives in ‘Leisureville’. Also, in an attempt to add a little color to the book, he spends a fair amount of time dealing with some of the more titillating activities of a few isolated groups, including detailed activities of a Viagra engorged male named “Mr. Midnight”.

Never the less, by reading this book first, I think you’ll be better prepared to deal objectively with your Lifestyle Preview when you take it.

[Russ_Boston]

St. Louis: we rented and vacationed in TV 6 times before we made a purchase. There are many rental homes that can be had in 'off' season (we usually came in May) for just a week or two. In the 'on' season you might need 1-3 month minimum.

When you rent from a third party (try www.villages4rent.com) you can get their resident pass transferred to you ($50). That way you can live just as if you owned here and try out everything TV has to offer. If nothing else comes of it you will still have a great vacation with golf/pools/fitness/shopping/golf cart rides/pickleball etc. etc.

Enjoy!

[LvmyPug2]

My impression is that folks who have handled change well throughout their lives seem to adjust very quickly. Skype, cell phones and cheap air fares make staying connected to family pretty easy. Those who don't do so well with change seem to be constantly comparing life here to "back home" and struggle with being in unfamilair surroundings. For me, this is "home". We loved our life "up north" and we now love our life here. Come with an open heart and and open mind and I think you will find this is a great place to live.

[duffysmom]

Originally Posted by Jhooman

Dear Dave

I understand exactly how you feel. We started visiting The Villages six years ago, my Dad lives in Virginia Trace. We fell in love with this dynamic community. Fast forward, we finally sold our home in California, we are officially residents of The Villages. We move into our new home Jan 3. Husband and I visited The villages frequently even though we could not retire, but we continued to dream our dream of TV.

Bitter sweet news about the husband. A month before moving here, he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. We saw the oncologist, told him we were moving to The Villages. The doc said you are moving to the right place, The Moffitt cancer center is where I get all my info, plus The Villages has an off site facility.

Even with the husbands diagnosis, we refuse to give up on our dream. I'm sitting up here in Tampa caring for the husband, grateful that we have chosen to live our dream. Our kid and grandkids are so okay. I ordered their Christmas gifts online and will Skype them later.

Tomorrow we will return to The Villages, play golf, dance, maybe slowly, talk to the many friendly people. But most of all, I can say to the husband and myself, we made a choice to live abundantly.

Please keep the husband in your thoughts and prayers, I really want this guy around for many more years. The guy is my best friend too.

You are both in my prayers. I love your attitude.

[St Louis Dave]

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts on how to get through the emotional process of leaving your loved ones. I think the idea of starting slow and renting a few times makes a lot of sense. We can then make bigger plans as time goes by.

I will continue to visit the TOTV site and see all the good things that are happening, and sit back here in the cold and dream a little.

Happy Holidays to you all!

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by Jhooman

Dear Dave

I understand exactly how you feel. We started visiting The Villages six years ago, my Dad lives in Virginia Trace. We fell in love with this dynamic community. Fast forward, we finally sold our home in California, we are officially residents of The Villages. We move into our new home Jan 3. Husband and I visited The villages frequently even though we could not retire, but we continued to dream our dream of TV.

Bitter sweet news about the husband. A month before moving here, he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. We saw the oncologist, told him we were moving to The Villages. The doc said you are moving to the right place, The Moffitt cancer center is where I get all my info, plus The Villages has an off site facility.

Even with the husbands diagnosis, we refuse to give up on our dream. I'm sitting up here in Tampa caring for the husband, grateful that we have chosen to live our dream. Our kid and grandkids are so okay. I ordered their Christmas gifts online and will Skype them later.

Tomorrow we will return to The Villages, play golf, dance, maybe slowly, talk to the many friendly people. But most of all, I can say to the husband and myself, we made a choice to live abundantly.

Please keep the husband in your thoughts and prayers, I really want this guy around for many more years. The guy is my best friend too.

I hope they caught his Hodgkins Lymphoma in the early stages.

I think it is very wise of you bought to go forward with your dreams.

I pray that he will be treated successfully so you do have many more years of quality life.