My only comment to him from the streets of Brooklyn, NY is

"don't let the door hit you in the a**"

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.

This person's feelings could apply to any town, city, etc.

I know pople who do not like living in our little town due to high taxes, proximity to shopping and a variety of reasons. As others have said I hope he finds someplace that he likes.

Glad to hear you and your wife are happy with your decision. That's the important thing.

The fellow quote in the 1st post has a very different reality than I do!
He will be himself wherever he is, just because he is there.

I live in the “real world” wherever I am.

I know how I live up north and how I live here. I find that the lifestyle here will keep me younger longer, keep me happier longer, and keep me alive longer.

Ditto, Redwitch and all the rest of you great folks.

Maybe he is correct ---TV might not be the real world

But maybe we would all be better off if the real world was TV

Cant wait to get there ---10/27

choosing not to dwell on all the unhappiness and grief that is in the world is not a bad thing and is a personal choice. People in the Villages are fully aware of everything that is going on in this world. They have just made a choice to try and live a good life with a cheerful outlook.

all grumps need to give a great deal of thought before moving to TV. pessimism and nastiness will not be tolerated!!!

What is "the real world"? The real world that I left was one of suburban America where neighbors did not really know each other, where being in a friendly neighborhood meant that they would wave to each other as they drove by. If somebody up the street had a death in the family or a serious illness, you probably never knew about it, and if you did, you would just say some platitude like, "Oh, that's too bad".

Contrast that with my TV neighborhood where I know and regularly socialize with many more neighbors than I even knew the names of in my old "real world". In my new real world, neighbors not only know of life's tragedies that hit the neighborhood, but go out of their way to express condolances and chip in for memorials/flowers. On the other side of the sad events are the happy events of kids getting married or grandkids being born. The neighbors are there to help celebrate those times as well.

So, which "real world" one lives in is his/her choice: the insular real world of most of the rest of America or the real world of neighbors caring for their fellow neighbors. I'll take the latter. I'd say that those who choose the former may be doing so to really escape the real world - the real world of sharing life's joys and sadness within your community.

You will learn as we have that there are some people (in EVERY group) that no one can satisfy and go thru life being miserable. We too have come here to "escape" the Real World and it's miserable and rude people and have (on the most part) found that The Villages has some very nice courteous and delightful people. Then again.... I (we) try to overlook the jackass people that make the "Real" world a place that is only getting worse with it's spiteful and bitter people. Welcome as we appreciate you and commend you for sharing your ( + ) positive attitude. If more people were like you then we would have no problem with the "others".

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.

Maybe, these grumps are hardcore Democrats who feel really lonely!


I am a Democrat and really like the Villages even if it is a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of life in some of out bigger cities with their pollution, crime, traffic, politics, and the like.

I have met some Democrats though who really feel out of place with the Villages. I just keep my mouth shut for the most part when the discussions get to God or politics. Except on TOTV that is.

Originally Posted by NJblue

What is "the real world"? The real world that I left was one of suburban America where neighbors did not really know each other, where being in a friendly neighborhood meant that they would wave to each other as they drove by. If somebody up the street had a death in the family or a serious illness, you probably never knew about it, and if you did, you would just say some platitude like, "Oh, that's too bad".

Contrast that with my TV neighborhood where I know and regularly socialize with many more neighbors than I even knew the names of in my old "real world". In my new real world, neighbors not only know of life's tragedies that hit the neighborhood, but go out of their way to express condolances and chip in for memorials/flowers. On the other side of the sad events are the happy events of kids getting married or grandkids being born. The neighbors are there to help celebrate those times as well.

So, which "real world" one lives in is his/her choice: the insular real world of most of the rest of America or the real world of neighbors caring for their fellow neighbors. I'll take the latter. I'd say that those who choose the former may be doing so to really escape the real world - the real world of sharing life's joys and sadness within your community.

Nice post NJblue. It is so true about losing community spirit now a days. People ask what I'm running away from. I tell them I am not running away, I am running to a better life.
If people did not look for a better life, we all would be on the East coast and there would never have been a wild west.

As for politics: I get my fill online and rarely talk about it in real life. I especially avoid the subject on family get togethers. Life is too short.

The real world is too scary for me anymore.

How I agree with NJblue!

In my five-plus years here I haven't met even one grouch! I have, on the other hand, met a small handful of folks who "hate" TV.

The grouches should never have settled in. Those who "hate" it aren't even trying!

In my many travels, I spend a lot of time trying to persuade skeptics that TV is "paradise." Most of them have a hard time believing me, but I have managed to convince a few to come and partake of our joys!

SWR

If the real world was like The Villages, IT WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER WORLD!!

Originally Posted by sista

The real world is too scary for me anymore.

Amen, Sista!

Maybe the guy is a "grouch" and will be unhappy anywhere he goes. On the other hand, maybe TV truly is not his cup of tea, and he is otherwise a happy well-adjusted person. TV is paradise for many, including me, but it is not for everyone, and to presume this guy is a grump or a bad person for stating his opinion is rather narrow-minded. Hopefully he sells to someone looking for what TV has to offer and he finds happiness elsewhere; a win-win.