[Pairadocs]

[QUOTE=TimeForChange;1856308]Been here eight and one half years. Own two homes. One on a Championship course and a rental. Lots of changes here even in that time. The luster of TV has worn off. More we don't care for than we do. Thinking of taking my equity and moving on. Looking at homes elsewhere tomorrow. Outside realtors say many feel the same way. Not a lot posted about people leaving and why other than grandkiditus! Thoughts? I'm sure the first will be "don't let the door knob catch you"!

Well, you are so right that on a forum like this there will be the "punish" them squad you will hear from first. But, you did not even ASK them to reply did you ? You asked if any of us out here have had been having those thoughts, and so I'll answer you without a smarty holier than thou reply. Yes, I have been thinking a LOT of those same thoughts. Been here much longer, bought the lot and designed every detail, moved walls, added a laundry off the master suite, thought out every detail of day to day living to make retirement a joy. But the changes, which one expects anywhere, have been breath taking in their bredth and depth. Our closest relative here floored us with their announcement their home if on the market. We'd not expressed our doubts about the future to anyone, but are thinking and looking. The haters who may jump on you for your post, could also have some deep fears about valuation here. I have those same fears, if we stay, will things continue to go down hill ? Then thinking that this down hill slide (and keep in mind, many do not even know what the villages used to offer, like the very affordable health club they showed off to everyone as one of the major features, indoor pool, all kinds of free classes, something that could not be found anywhere else, and so much more, now, all gone, parking lots, apartments, offices, and never ending traffic, etc.) but I digress, things change and this is a private, capitalist business, they can do as they wish, we don't own our community, there is no mayor, no city council, etc. That is what we have thought about. But many arguments to be made on all sides, and that is what you asked all of us to write about. Yes, those of us brave enough to say we are "thinking", will immediately be asked to get out, you are right, and that's too bad. Discussions are the only way all of us can learn what others are thinking, how they think, and why they are thinking in the direction they are. One can get caught in a velvet trap, not where they want to be any more but not quite bad enough to move on and possibly loosing money with all the expenses, after the huge amounts paid to agents, storage, movers, and even age plays into it. I am sure the villages owners, being good capitalists that they are (no condemnation, as a business person if I owned land more valuable as an apartment house or factory than a farm, I'd sell it too), have thought about all this. How far can you go and still sell the original dream, the place where anyone can live like a millionaire they said back then. Yes, we are thinking, but where to go, not at all sure. Guess it's like our parents used to say, when you find it, you'll KNOW It....LOL ! Will be interesting to see how many nasty comments you get, I think it could be a fascinating discussion since I know a LOT of people thinking the same thing and not saying a word ... LOL !

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by rustyp

Arrived here in 2005 for our first rental. Rented every year for winter season. Purchased 2011. I totally understand where you are coming from. It no longer is the magic. Influx is so fast you can't remember the neighbor's name. In fact how do you rate the fact you are almost a slave to the system. If you want to move on - where ? What if I can't drive anymore ? Can I still get around in my golf cart ? All I need do is get to doctor's and the grocery store. Am I sharp enough to keep the con artists for home maintenance at bay? Am I a danger to others ? How do I not burden my children ? But what is the alternative / where ?

All so true, you hit it all ! We've had the same thoughts, really don't like the way things are going down and at such an accelerated pace as you mentioned..not the slow loss of first this and then that. But, then we are faced with all you mentioned in this thoughtful post. Looking for a small, golf cart friendly, people friendly, retirement spot with at least some amenities like groceries, medical and dental accessibility, and a department store or two, but is that possible without all the high rises, apartments, transient vacationers, automobiles, etc. etc. ???? Looking..... Looking.... LOL !

[drgregory]

If you do not mind me asking, what championship golf course do you live on?

[CarrieOn]

I thought u meant south of 44 it’s fabulous..SOUTH..

[Coal Miner]

We have looked too. The redo and eventual closing of Katie Belles was a definate sign that the overall attitude of the Villages is going in a different direction than why we came here

[Scott O]

Good luck, everyone has different choices and ideas...mine is to enjoy Florida, but I would never want to be near the coast and the risks of hurricanes and thoughts of having to evacuate, higher insurance ...to each his own...and your assessment of what is better is simply yours..

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by TimeForChange

Been here eight and one half years. Own two homes. One on a Championship course and a rental. Lots of changes here even in that time. The luster of TV has worn off. More we don't care for than we do. Thinking of taking my equity and moving on. Looking at homes elsewhere tomorrow. Outside realtors say many feel the same way. Not a lot posted about people leaving and why other than grandkiditus! Thoughts? I'm sure the first will be "don't let the door knob catch you"!

Blast away!

Unhappy? Move. You should do that whether you live in TV or the Ozark Mts. No big deal

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by marathon man

best of luck. I agree with the other commenters. Don't hesitate to chase happiness and satsfaction.

ditto

[Scott O]

So far your the only one mentioning continued negativity....

[BryanTheGolfPro]

Asking an outside realtor about moving out of TV is kinda like asking your barber if you need a haircut. (Or a golf shop salesman if you need a driver--when your swing speed is less than 80 MPH.) What else are they gonna say? It's how they get paid.

[thevillagernie]

only a period of time when it's good...maybe 50 to 65 yr's.....arthritis plays a big part

[loweglor]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Same here, we been looking but back to Midwest.

I can understand exactly how you feel. We have been here since 2008 and so much has changed. In a million years I would have never thought the Hacienda Country Club would be torn down and APARTMENTS be put there. What a travesty. Katie Belles downsized then replaced by APARTMENTS and more apartments over stores in Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter? Pure, mitigated GREED. The Villages is becoming a city, not a retirement community. When we moved here there were parades on major holidays as well as many free events throughout the year all sponsored by The Villages. People were smiling more and there was a community spirit that is lacking now. Like you, we are considering moving. For us, though, it will be a little different. You see, we retired here because The Villages offered us a lifestyle we could never afford anywhere else. It was such a feeling of freedom and lifestyle that we worked hard all our lives to achieve. We saw ourselves spending the rest of our lives here, rented full time for a number of years and ultimately purchased a patio villa four years ago. Imagine our shock when the developer extended beyond route 44. We had been told that 44 was the end of The Villages. Then The Lofts popped up. Apartments in The Villages? We had been told it would always be residential single family homes. Once all these changes happened, the whole environment changed. Now the developer has come back to the original phases and is replacing established properties with apartments. What's next? That question alone haunts us every day. We live off of Morse Blvd. During "the season" we could wait 5 minutes or more just to get onto Morse from our street. Can't even imagine how long it will take once the apartments go in where HCC used to be. To consider moving to another location in TV is pretty unrealistic for us because of the prices. Here we are at 78 and 74 looking at a change of life. My disappointment is only surpassed by my anger at having to make this kind of decision now because of the greed which has become so prevalent here in "The Friendliest Town In Florida".🤬 P.S. I don't need any sarcastic, nasty comments so please constrain yourselves.

[bluzzman21]

what is the name of the community

[oldguy50]

Change has come to TV......we recently had a friends car stolen from their driveway. Come to find out, they were one of three cars that were taken from here in our area. So beware.....

[Joseph66]

Bought house in villages 2013 was great live Cape cod Ma 6 months and villages 6 months for 6 years best of both worlds ,wife got sick had to see specialist in Boston once a week move back to Massachusetts 55 and over community nice people after 4 months wife died ,thinking going back to villages ,daughter not old enough to live in villages yet got house key west go there for winter temperatures stay 65-90 all year because of being by ocean wild things happen in some parts but rest of keys are normal not for everyone friend my age 70 say I am crazy sent them pics come back to Massachusetts talk to friends that live one place whole life wished they had done more but to late now. I always picked places everyone wanted to be so you can sell easy if you need to move just going to have one house now haven’t decided wear yet but do your research first.