[deb133]

Hello, my husband and I just bought a home in TV. He is much older than I am. I just turned 50. Although I love the lifestyle, I am fearful that I may not "fit in." Any suggestions?

[cashman]

Just give it time.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Not a problem. There is a good mixture of age groups here.

[redwitch]

My "game" of choice is bridge. We have several members under 55 and several over 80. That's one of the beauties of TV -- there is a nice mix of adults.

Find the activities/clubs you enjoy and you're bound to meet at least one person close to you in age. Yes, you'll be a minority but you'll still be welcomed with open arms (at least at most venues).

[l2ridehd]

Lots of us robbed the cradle. So you will find many close to your age.

[rshoffer]

It'll be an adjustment... especially if your current life involves contact with younger people. Here's what I found that made the transition easier: keep your former hobbies and interests active here. Don't give up what you love to "fit in". If you loved going to a gym (that's me), keep doing that here. You will find a lot of very kind and well meaning people inviting you to activities (such as cards) that may not be your cup of tea. It's OK to say no thanks. Be patient, go to the pools, dances and parties (such as the Halloween party at Katie Belles) and you will meet a lot of younger people who love to have fun. If you and your s.o. golf sign up to play each week with new couples.... you'll meet zillions of great fun and some younger people. Get familiar witjh the geography... for example, the grocery stores up on and around 441 and the historic section naturally have more residents that have been here a long time... many are now in their 80's and still loving the lifestyle. But, if you spend most of your time there you will be less likely to meet the newer/younger people moving in near 466A. Consider getting a job you enjoy. Don't get discouraged and don't panic... but you are one the younger end of the age curve.

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by deb133

Hello, my husband and I just bought a home in TV. He is much older than I am. I just turned 50. Although I love the lifestyle, I am fearful that I may not "fit in." Any suggestions?

If your husband is much older than you, he probably has a lot of friends/relatives his age. Do you fit in well with them? If so, the adjustment will be very easy here. At any rate, there are a fair number of younger people here, but as stated earlier, under 60 is the minority not the norm. However, there is entire club for baby boomers that can provide you an outlet for people our age.

[TallerTrees]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Lots of us robbed the cradle. So you will find many close to your age.

I've seen her

[CSilvestrucci]

I am younger than 50 as my husband was older than me but I have found that age is just a number. I have friends my age who act much older and friends much older that act 30. I don't worry so much about age as attitude and outlook. I will be moving down late December. If you want to pm feel free.

[new peeps]

deb133, Although we just bought a new house in April and only come down part time, me and my wife are both under 50 (44 & 48) and neither of us find fitting in as an issue. Not having time to do all of the things we would like to do would be more of the issue. Everybody we have met and went out with have been very nice. Our neighbors are all 65 and over and I could not imagine better neighbors and friends. We have been asked if we were visiting family before as we are very young. We just politely say no, we are planning out our retirement early. You will see that when you go out in the Villages, everybody is having so much fun age is nothing but a number. Attitude and enjoying life does not require you to be a certain age. We feel fortunate to be living the dream.
If you see two peeps in a black golf cart with a Duval tag with a golden retriever in the back seat, stop us and introduce yourself.

[Ooper]

My wife and I both were 49 when we bought. We had no problem "fitting in" with an older crowd.

[handieman]

Growing old is mandatory, however growing up is optional
Even though I am ancient, i love socializing with younger folks. They keep me "young" thinking
Relax, age is just a calendar thing, here in The Villages.
Handie

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by deb133

Hello, my husband and I just bought a home in TV. He is much older than I am. I just turned 50. Although I love the lifestyle, I am fearful that I may not "fit in." Any suggestions?

I have thought a lot about your post. I wonder if you have been here long. I also wonder what your thoughts are on how "older" people act and live. I am 17 years old and I will always be 17 years old and most of the people I have met here are either in their teens or early twenties, but....But the difference is that they have been young for a longer time. Some for 60 or 70 years. My good friends husband runs five miles every day after he plays two separate nine holes of golf. He is 74. My good friends mother is active checking her investments on the computer everyday, cooking, cleaning and gardening. She will be 98 next week. I have watched single friends and their dating problems, and other friends struggle with learning new activities. Many "older" people are still involved in active and successful careers, flying in and out of TV all of the time. They could retire. They like what they are doing.

Life is life.

I haven't run into much knitting and rocking. But hey....my granddaughter knits and rocks. She is young too.

Age does not seem to be a barrier unless you let it be.

Welcome and enjoy life in Paradise. (Your older husband will be getting younger and younger...it happens all of the time here)

[doster]

We are 45 and 47. We bought in the villages last year. We come down as often as we can from Georgia. We fit in just fine. My husband golfs with his dad who has lived here since 2001. I go to the pools and have wonderful conversations with the villagers there. I ride my bike all over the place. I feel very comfortable here and never want to go back home to Georgia. Our son is 13 so we have a few years before we become permanent residents.
Remember life is what you make it.

[Tweety Bird]

Originally Posted by deb133

Hello, my husband and I just bought a home in TV. He is much older than I am. I just turned 50. Although I love the lifestyle, I am fearful that I may not "fit in." Any suggestions?

That's what happens when you marry "older". You will be the envy of all the old and wrinkled chicks. I would wear your youth proudly my dear! I'm sure there must be many "older" men who have married younger. You'll sniff it all out eventually. Actually, it would be fun having you around!!!