Yesterday, I was standing talking to a group of men that I had never met before when one asked me how long I had been in The Villages. 3 months I replied adding that my wife and I really enjoyed it here. One of the men loudly stated " I have been here 9 years and if my house ever sells I will be gone." He followed that immediately with "This place has nothing to do with the reality of the real world and I want the H++l out of here." Well, silence was obvious over the group and as I thought about what he said for about 15 seconds, I said in an almost questioning tone "We moved here and enjoy this place because of the reality of the real world." I guess the questioning tone to my statement was there as I was questioning whether we had made the right decision for us.

Now this morning, still thinking of the strange conversation, I still feel the statement I said reflects my feelings. My wife and I spent our lives in many different places around the world to include my 22 years military service. Now understand, we are not trying to escape the Real World, but at our age, our contributions to the real world and simply because we do love this place, I cannot accept that we are being less than genuine in our choice of location for retirement. I also do not feel that we are fleeing responsibility to the real world for living here.

There is no point or moral to this post, just to say that we as a couple feel this is right for us.

I totally agree with you Lou. TV is the world in my view as it should be.

Army Guy

The guy has a point -- TV is nothing like most of the world. That's why we chose it. We've not turned our back on the outside world. If we had, there would be no volunteers here, no willingness to help others, no political discussions. Most of us have paid our dues plus some.

Like almost everyone else in the U.S., we have the right to choose where we want to live. Our choice is a community that gives back to others; has activities for everyone; a place where people smile because their world is right. That's not a bad thing, just not for everyone.

Here's hoping that man sells his home quickly and finds a place more to his liking. For me, I'll take living in this wonderful little bubble. It suits my needs perectly.

Originally Posted by Lou Card

One of the men loudly stated " I have been here 9 years and if my house ever sells I will be gone." He followed that immediately with "This place has nothing to do with the reality of the real world and I want the H++l out of here."

I wish him luck selling his house and hope it happens really fast!

Good point about volunteers Red. I think I read somewhere that the Villages hospital (TVRH) has the highest volunteer to patient ratio in the country. So I guess that guy is right, TV is not the real world. Good for us.

I frequently see the term "inside the bubble" used here.

we just choose to make it real pleasant. It's real, real people live here and do real stuff. Sorry I don't get why people think it is so unreal or in a bubble. It's just a time in our live to sit back and contemplate and maybe be a more pleasant person.

Originally Posted by Lou Card

Yesterday, I was standing talking to a group of men that I had never met before when one asked me how long I had been in The Villages. 3 months I replied adding that my wife and I really enjoyed it here. One of the men loudly stated " I have been here 9 years and if my house ever sells I will be gone." He followed that immediately with "This place has nothing to do with the reality of the real world and I want the H++l out of here." Well, silence was obvious over the group and as I thought about what he said for about 15 seconds, I said in an almost questioning tone "We moved here and enjoy this place because of the reality of the real world." I guess the questioning tone to my statement was there as I was questioning whether we had made the right decision for us.

Now this morning, still thinking of the strange conversation, I still feel the statement I said reflects my feelings. My wife and I spent our lives in many different places around the world to include my 22 years military service. Now understand, we are not trying to escape the Real World, but at our age, our contributions to the real world and simply because we do love this place, I cannot accept that we are being less than genuine in our choice of location for retirement. I also do not feel that we are fleeing responsibility to the real world for living here.

There is no point or moral to this post, just to say that we as a couple feel this is right for us.

There is some truth to TV being like a Disneyland for Seniors..but, that's why we came here. We can go OUT into the world anytime we want to. This is a safe place to have our home and when we go "out into the world", we know that our abode sits beautifully there waiting for our return. I guess that's why people have two homes. They can return to their hometown, visit with the grandkids and be in "the real world" and then come back here to enjoy the beautiful, manicured areas that our ammenity fees take care of. If we had bought a condo in Minneapolis, our homeowner fees could have been $200 - $500. No thanks. I'm happy here in our island.

Originally Posted by redwitch

The guy has a point -- TV is nothing like most of the world. That's why we chose it. We've not turned our back on the outside world. If we had, there would be no volunteers here, no willingness to help others, no political discussions. Most of us have paid our dues plus some.

Like almost everyone else in the U.S., we have the right to choose where we want to live. Our choice is a community that gives back to others; has activities for everyone; a place where people smile because their world is right. That's not a bad thing, just not for everyone.

Here's hoping that man sells his home quickly and finds a place more to his liking. For me, I'll take living in this wonderful little bubble. It suits my needs perectly.

What Redwitch said.

What Redwitch said too!!

I can hardly wait to live in TV. I long for a peaceful and dynamic life by my choosing.

J

Good for you Lou that his unhappiness didn't affect the way you think and the decision you made.

"People are as happy as they make up their minds to be " - Abraham Lincoln

IMHO - TV is a place that has many happy, caring people who are willing to help others and want to enjoy their remaining days. It feels like stepping back in time to a gentler world.
Where a person chooses to live is their own business. I will choose to move to TV.

Tell this guy not to let the door hit him the a$$ on the way out. No one has him tied up.

I bet this guy is one of the Grumpies (as I call them) There are a few here--thank goodness not many. He will not be happy no matter where he lives. It's just his nature.
You know the type.

We visited for the first time 4 years ago. When I walked onto the Square, I knew I was "home". We have been here a year and I still feel the same way.

The Villages isn't perfect, but darn near!!

And what is so wonderful about the "real world" ???:

I had a lifelong friend who decided she wanted nothing more to do with me after a 58 year friendship. Her reasoning was that TV was nothing but a fantasy land full of" brain dead space cadets! "(her exact words)

I believe the Villages is place where people are constantly helping others in one way or another. Every day the paper is full of articles about volunteers raising money and helping charitable organizations in and around TV. We just believe in having some enjoyment while doing it. I feel truly blessed to have found this wonderful place to live out our golden years.

Originally Posted by Lou Card

Yesterday, I was standing talking to a group of men that I had never met before when one asked me how long I had been in The Villages. 3 months I replied adding that my wife and I really enjoyed it here. One of the men loudly stated " I have been here 9 years and if my house ever sells I will be gone." He followed that immediately with "This place has nothing to do with the reality of the real world and I want the H++l out of here." Well, silence was obvious over the group and as I thought about what he said for about 15 seconds, I said in an almost questioning tone "We moved here and enjoy this place because of the reality of the real world." I guess the questioning tone to my statement was there as I was questioning whether we had made the right decision for us.

Now this morning, still thinking of the strange conversation, I still feel the statement I said reflects my feelings. My wife and I spent our lives in many different places around the world to include my 22 years military service. Now understand, we are not trying to escape the Real World, but at our age, our contributions to the real world and simply because we do love this place, I cannot accept that we are being less than genuine in our choice of location for retirement. I also do not feel that we are fleeing responsibility to the real world for living here.

There is no point or moral to this post, just to say that we as a couple feel this is right for us.

I have a first cousin who would never leave the Bronx, NY because that is "the real world" and mocks the fact that Rudy Giuliani cleaned up Time Square because the pornos, hookers and street freaks were the "real Times Square" and gave the place its character.
He can keep the real world and I'll watch it from here. I'll be on the front nine if you want to continue this conversation