[dwbevan]

Hello Everyone,

I have enjoyed lurking for the last few weeks and decided that it is now time to jump in. My husband and I were there in April for a 4 day lifestyle preview. By the 4th day we realized that this may indeed be a place we might both LOVE as much as all of you.

We are returning for a month in late October until just before Thanksgiving, renting in Poinciana. We thought a longer time would help us decide if we should buy, rent or never return (I threw the last one in for laughs The plan is to try out some of the activities - we don't golf, but would like to try, have never played pickleball, but might like to , the different dance classes look like a great way to get exercise. I read a thread about water aerobics being almost impossible to get into, but would like to try it. Are we able to try out everything as if we were Villagers? Are there things that we can't? Are there things you would suggest we do before others? If guests visit and we get guest passes can they do the same things we do (except laps from a previous thread). How do you attend a club meeting etc. - Tim is active in our Lion's Club here.

Right now neither of us have developed passionate interests other than children and grandchildren. I spent my life in education and know that not being with people or becoming active in a different way will kill me. I realize that winter in the Berkshires could put me right over the edge. The Villages has so much to offer that we can pursue new things together and separately.

I am looking forward to any input and to meeting many people as nice as those we met during our preview and who have kindly shared on this forum. You are a wealth of hospitality and information.

I am so envious.
Thank you,
Debbie

[bandsdavis]

Hi Debbie. We are wannabes also from New Hampshire originally, now in VA. Like you, we don't think we could go back to New England in the winter, and can't wait to be in TV. That being said, here's a little reminder for all former New Englanders who might occasionally miss the white stuff. It's about as close to it as we care to get anymore!

Now the first of December was covered with snow.
And so was the turnpike from Stockridge to Boston.
Though the Berkshires seemed dream like on account of that frosting.
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go.
B.

[villages07]

Debbie.... If your landlord transfers his resident ID to you, then you can do everything a resident can. This does entail one $50 fee for both you and your husband - combined, not each.

The only thing a resident can do that a guest cannot is use the sports pools. A guest can do most other things but may incur a higher fee than a resident (movie tix, golf fees, clay court tennis fees). Since you said that you don't play golf, the $50 fee may not payoff.

When we rented in July 06, we paid the $50 fee and were not golfers. I don't think we recouped that cost.

Your other option is for the landlord to get you guest IDs for the time you are here. If you are guests, you probably cannot get guest passes for any guests that come visit. If you have the landlord's resident ID, I believe you can get guest passes for others.

Hey, for $50 why not just do it.

[l2ridehd]

Hey bandsdavis. I to grew up and lived in NH for many years and now live in VA and headed to The Villages at some point in the near future. Lived lots of places in between, also would probably not go back to NH until I am carried back in a box. Have already bought our home there, just have not retired yet.

[bandsdavis]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Hey bandsdavis. I to grew up and lived in NH for many years and now live in VA and headed to The Villages at some point in the near future. Lived lots of places in between, also would probably not go back to NH until I am carried back in a box. Have already bought our home there, just have not retired yet.

I get the impression that there are a lot of us in a similar situation! I'm a Keene native, how about you?

B.

[l2ridehd]

Grew up in ski country. Conway and lakes region area.

[elevatorman]

If you rent through The Villages I think they include a pass that lets you act as a resident. We rented 3 or 4 times and the private owners included everything including a resident pass. We always had to go to the sales office to pick it up. If the home you rent does not have a golf cart find one that does or reserve a cart ahead of time. On another note, most equipment is supplied for rec center activities, softball only requires a glove.

[dwbevan]

We are renting through The Villages so will have the resident pass from the sales office. Beyond that, do we just show up to a class, club etc? I know when we were there we visited a few rec centers - everyone was very friendly and helpful, but I never asked - is there a sign up or is it show up? We do have a cart reserved - thanks to all who gave out a couple of recommended golf cart rental people.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by dwbevan

We are renting through The Villages so will have the resident pass from the sales office. Beyond that, do we just show up to a class, club etc? I know when we were there we visited a few rec centers - everyone was very friendly and helpful, but I never asked - is there a sign up or is it show up? We do have a cart reserved - thanks to all who gave out a couple of recommended golf cart rental people.

Hi Debbie,
Welcome to TOTV. You can just show up for the classes. For the clubs, I think I would call the contact person and ask. I'm betting you'll be most welcomed! I think you're doing the right thing, trying different activies to see what you like. That might even help you to choose a location-- when you decide that TV is the place for you.


Enjoy and keep us posted.

[Ohiogirl]

look at thevillages.net for lots of info and thevillagesdailysun.com and on either site, click on the link for The Recreation News. All the indoor and outdoor rec schedules are there, along with info on beginning pickleball classes, etc. Call the individual rec center you think you'll be using for a particular class if you have specific questions.

The Recreation News comes out every Thursday and is available at all rec centers and online. It's only in the home delivery of the the Daily Sun, not at the kiosks. The pool schedules (volleyball, lap swimming, water aerobics, etc) don't change very much from month to month. Lots of the clubs/interest groups have a contact number or email address for further info.