[bamafan]

The decision to move is relatively easy. We purchased our home in TV after 2 years of research and soul searching. Our son is single so there are no grand children yet. We are keeping our fingers crossed. We felt that moving to Florida and TV was the correct thing for us. We sold our home last may and purchased in TV. We have been living in an apartment for the last 7 months. We have moved part of our furniture to our home, and have been visiting for a week about every four weeks. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with new TV friends, and a great Christmas with old friends in our new home.

We are now one week from finishing our transition/permanent move to TV, and the butterflies have been mounting. Did we make the right decision? Yes But finishing the commitment is tough. Our son is now visiting us more than ever. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder. I can now understand why I observed so many preowned homes that appeared to be half lived in, or were still new and vacant. The home was purchased, but the hard part was the final move. Yes we are leaving behind family and lifelong friends. We will make and already have made a lot of new friends. Will they be close? Time will tell. My wife is already making plane reservations for my son.

Next week we will load the truck and head south. I know when I turn the corner and see the golf course on 466A and the villages water tower in Duval that I am home. I get all giddy like a child who is on a new adventure. The villages is right. Just look at all the many many people who have come before us. The villages is filled with happy friendly people who enjoy life. We only get so much time and it is up to us how we spend it. No, it is not selfish to leave loved ones and friends, and want our own life. If it is meant to be it will happen. God does have a plan. It is easier than ever to stay in touch. We just have to reach out for old and new alike.

When we started this move I told my wife that we would give it a minimum of 2 years. It takes her 1 year to settle down and say this is home. As for me I already sleep better in my bed at TV. Like I said making the decision to buy is easy. the follow through gets a little tough. SEE YA ON FEB 2ND TV / DUVAL

[lm01]

Start early letting everyone know of your idea and plan for it to take place in a year. Ask yourself...... if you really want to make the move because you deserve it and you don't.....who really wins. At my age I began to think a little differently while still loving my family.

Sorry but just my view.

[Just Susan]

We did just what Im01 suggested, we started telling our children we were moving to Fl. as soon as we retired. They were not happy.

The idea has been sitting with them and us for two years. We vacillated, as did they on whether this was a good idea.

We found the Villages last April, the house goes on the market Mar 1. (lake property sells better when buyers can see the lake and not mistake it for a snow covered field) we are moving to TV as soon as it sells.

Everyone has had time to adjust to the idea of separation and while it will still be hard with pre-school aged grandchildren and our kids, that we are close to...left behind...we know TV is where we are meant to be. It is our reward for a job well done. We just can't wait to begin.

[Avista]

The one thing I like about being away from our grandchildren is each is able to visit us one at a time and become an only child for awhile. We love doting on each child alone and as an individual. Each loves coming to spend time with us without without his or her parents. We also make frequent trips to visit our families, but the individual time we spend with each child is priceless.

[beady]

Avista, looking forward to doing just what you do with the grand kiddo's. They are all a bit young right now. Great idea for a couple of years from now.

Barb1191, also a brillant idea. Next birthday that is just what I am going to give my kids.

Thanks for sharing.

[The Great Fumar]

BSLINY:
You've got to get hold of yourself....."I think what we have here is a failure to communicate." First you have to remember that " life begins when the kids leave home and the dog dies". Now in my case I came up with in ingenious plan, I sent my kids to summer camp and then moved away.... My biggest fear is that they will find me....but for now I having the time of my life here in
The Villages.....
excuse me while I reach for another beer fumar ;D ;D ;D ;D

[travelstiles]

:bigthumbsup:
Fumar,
Very, very funny! Life is too short to worry, vascillate and take things so seriously. If our ancestors didn't move away from family none of us would be here!
Personally, my parents would never have left their home town, regardless, and that was the right decision for them. But to those undecided who may really want to make the move, did you ever consider that if you never leave the kids, they may eventually want to move and feel that after all you did for them, now they can't leave you?
Hubby and I were single parents for a long time before we met and married 8 years ago. He raised 7 kids on his own, I raised 2. We've got 13 grandkids between us, and perhaps out of necessity all of our kids are very independent, yet close.
Of course when we first told them our plans (both about getting married 8 yrs ago and just this past year moving to The Villages from NY) a few were really surprised, but they've adjusted.
One of the first words of advice my husband gave me when I was worried about what now looks like a minor problem with one of the kids was "They'll get over it!" And he was right, they did and are very happy for us now.
You can live next door and not be close. We are thankful that we talk frequently and visit with all the kids, from Spokane, WA to Ithaca, NY. And while we've only been residents for 2 weeks, we already have 4 of our kids (plus grandkids) scheduled to visit in the next 3 months.
Regardless of where you go I have the feeling you'll also remain close.
Good luck in your decision making!

[The Great Fumar]

Travelstiles
Actually I have three children (one of each) and at first they were not thrilled about the Florida thing but now they love coming from the north in the dead of winter and seeing the mouse and playing in the pools and soaking up the palm trees.....or vice versa , When they come , they come to play and we enjoy it too. They love their new names , Exectutor #1 #2 #3 and they have the bond that makes all families close , Its called GREED.....

I love them all fumar

[MMC24]

Main reason for moving TV. Now they are just a phone call away. They come down in the winter during school vacations in Dec, Feb and April to visit the mouse and soak up some sun and fun. Best part. . . they always go home!!