Originally Posted by bandsdavis

Pturner, I wonder if TV isn't somewhat unique in terms of the level of positive discourse that comes from TV Frogs, Snowbirds, and wannabees. We have looked at a few other communities over the years, and they all tout their own horns pretty well, but it's the developers doing all the touting, not the residents! TV seems unique in this regard. Just look at this forum! I've never seen anything like it for other communities, although that may exist and I just haven't seen it. So, it would not surprise me that when thousands of people are going around saying things like "This is the best place I've ever seen" and "I can't wait to move there", others who have not experienced a visit, and perhaps who see these statements as a denigration of their current towns, would react more negatively than usual. I know of a number of people in our current community who have heard of TV, but have really only experienced any information about TV from those of us who are sold on the idea already or from "Leisureville" (from which they can all only quote that one infamous statistic). I get the feeling that they are of a mind that it sounds too good to be true, therefore it can't be true, and without the direct expereince, they refuse to believe it, and therefore are as adamant in their negative comments as we are in our positive ones. JMHO.

B.

I agree with you bandsdavis. Some people take our belief that TV is the best retirement community as an affront on their choice and feel insulted.

However, the man has lived here 9 years. He chose to make a negative comment very loudly in a group of people. Either he is an attention-seeker, or is experiencing a bit of dementia, or is a GRUMP. Most people would not want to draw attention to themselves in such a negative way.

Good riddance; makes more room for nice people.

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Don't want to get into politics but...

Why is it "I'm a Democrat or I'm a Republican" - Why isn't it just "This is my opinion on this matter"?

I don't understand why being either (or other) is any more of a concern than anywhere else. Do people really sit around and discuss their political concerns that much? I'd rather talk about you or your issues or your golf game or your grandchildren or what fun TV thing we are going to do next.

There is sometimes a lot of barking about politics at the Doggie Doo Run Run. On these days, you would often find the Democrats under one shelter and the Republicans under another with the various Independents shuttling back and forth from tent to tent like some kind of shuttlecock.

Some of these dog owners were very active in local politics too.

I'm with you gal's. Never felt safer and happier! Happy now that my place DIDN'T sell!

Originally Posted by graciegirl

What Redwitch said.

Originally Posted by laryb

I think this might be a case of this person being a contrarian. You know, get in a group of people, and no matter what the subject, take the opposite view to stir a reaction and bring attention to themselves. We all know that TV isn't perfect, but for the vast majority of us, myself included, it's perfect for us. Just take a look at TOTV. 99.9999999999999% of the posts and posters and positive and are helpful and informative.But every once in a while you'll get someone who tries to tell us how naive and foolish we are for living the lifestyle and believing in the place, even though they have spent little or no time in TV. If there's a problem, I think it should be discussed and not swept under the rug, but not to just stir up a hornets nest and try to make people uneasy. I think we owe it to our selves to listen other opinions, but take them for what their worth.

Very well stated!

Don't be so hard on this guy, Frankly I think he is right on the money....
I CAN'T WAIT FOR HIM TO LEAVE EITHER.......
...........

What is the "real world?" Is it where there is war? Is it where there are gangs? Is it where there is a lot of violence against the citizens, such as rape and robbery? Is it where there are suicide bombers? Somebody please define it.

I think this attitude is why most people in foreign countries tend to hate America. They look at us as not living in what they consider the "real world" and they want to kill us for it. They, like Mr. Grouch, don't mind coming here for what America has to offer, and when they have taken all they can from the American experience, they go home and talk about how horrible America is. I think it's time for Mr. Grouch to go home and hate us from afar.

Originally Posted by nONIE

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.

I wanted to comment about your friend of 58 years who dumped you when you came to TV. Same thing happened to me...my friend and I were friends for only 25 years, but it still hurts. Happened to a neighbor and another friend here, too. Seems like a pattern. Makes me wonder if our long-time, so-called "friends" aren't just jealous because we found paradise...and they didn't?? LOL!

The "real world" is that nothing and no one is perfect. Life can be messy and that it doesn't always go as planned. People will have problems that need to be solved. It's that way for everyone.

A friend of mine has said, "man plans and GOD laughs".

IMHO - I feel sorry for this person because he seems unhappy within himself. If that's the case. he will unhappy wherever he goes. Moving out of TV is not going to solve his problems but if I was there, I would be willing to help him pack-up his truck.

Let the miserable commiserate with their own kind if they enjoy that sort of feeling. Some people enjoy being miserable.

I personally can't wait to move to TV asap, to meet people who are friendly, helpful, caring and want to enjoy themselves.

Party hardy.

2B

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

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.

I disagree. It isn't so much how he feels about The Villages, its how he said it. No one said he was a bad person, just a miserable one. There is a way of expressing oneself without showing anger and bitterness. This doesn't sound like that was the case.

No, The Villages isn't for everyone If you are unhappy, you don't need to announce your displeasure to others in such a manner.

I'm personally glad for debate. I'm glad when someone gives a negative opinion. I'm glad when someone disagrees with me. I'm glad someone would rather eat vanilla ice cream. I'm glad there are different religions. I'm glad there are different politics. I love that America represents cultural diversity. All these differences make a real world. How boring would it be if everyone thought the same way, had the same view and there was never any conflict? We'd be bored, never learn how to tolerate differences and never learn new concepts. Now, the sad part is someone being unhappy for 9 years! See you all soon!

He is a Villager who is married to a just retired teacher from Marion County. He has been here about 9 years I would guess and is eager to leave the Villages to go live near family in North Carolina. He is very active-- or was very active-- in the campaign to elect Obama/Biden in 2008 and did frequently voice his support of Obama and his policies.

Not all people really are a very good fit with the Villages. He was very active in the politics of Marion county though while he lived in the Villages so I would find it hard that he would say he missed reality.

In 2010, it seems like Obama and his supporters are getting too much from reality.

....

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

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


I agree with this statement entirely. If someone is that unhappy here, just leave. There are no wire fences around here. I can't stand the people that complain how bad TV is, but they are busy 24/7. Don't know what they are looking for. I guess complaining gets them some attention.

My wife and I make no excuses for wanting to escape the real world. I am old and smart enough to know that the many people's real world consist of what they see in 30 second video clips on the "news", what they believe to be true without a shred of fact to back it up or what the politicians tell us. In the real world I am expected to gracefully accept what I do not want to accept. I did my tour in Vietnam and gave back to society for many years. Today, "keeping it real" usually means accepting rudeness, inappropriate behavior, etc.. I rather keep it fake for the remainder of my life. I hope that gentleman sells his house soon and gets his wish. All I know is that since moving to TV my stress level has decreased and my health has improved dramatically. The real world was killing me.

What I cannot understand is why the man referred to by the original poster has voluntarily suffered residing in a community in which he has been so unhappy for nine (surely long for him) years. Personally, I would not be so needlessly masochistic. When I graduated from school I took a position in a city in which I was not happy due to the weather although the people were wonderful and the job just fine. I grew up in a sunny, relatively warm climate and this city bordered one of the Great Lakes. It was cold and overcast much of the year and the snowfall reached 144 inches the first winter I was there. I suffered SAD and got pretty depressed. After sticking it out 30 months I relocated to an area I found quite sunny and desirable. I tell people it was the longest 20 years I ever spent in 30 months!

As for living in the real world, I prefer to reside in a clean, green, beautifully landscaped and well maintained, friendly, social, sunny, pleasant, safe (relatively drug and crime free) environment. - Does that sound like TV? - I am now at an age where the thought of living in an active adult community appeals to me which is why am considering a second LSV to TV. I just wish TV was a truly gated community. I have a home in one now and feel safe and secure at all times. It is well patrolled 24 hours a day and if for example a person leaves a garage door up at night he receives a call from security letting him know. I want that lifestyle thank you very much!