The Villages in Florida? - Page 2

Moemg · 02-10-2008, 04:02 PM

I'm sorry if I doomed and gloomed the villages .I think it's a great place for a lot of retirees just not me . I do think the happiest older people are in some kind of community that provides social contact especially if they are alone .

Rich_in_Tampa · 02-10-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg

I do think the happiest older people are in some kind of community that provides social contact especially if they are alone .

I think you hit the nail on the head.

These "socialization-rich environments" are especially valuable for those who, left to their own devices, would sit alone most of the day, slowly collapsing in on themselves. Especially us men, I dare say.

mja · 02-10-2008, 05:08 PM

My father lives there. I visited after he built (1999/2000) and haven't been back.

If you like golf, swimming pools and especially suburban sprawl, you'll like it

Of course, I was in my late 20's when I visited, so it was unlikely to interest me at all, but I *know* I wont want to live there when I retire. I almost hope his wife outlives him so I wont have to go there to deal with the house. Somber thought, but it's just the antithesis of any place I'd like to be.

Orchidflower · 02-10-2008, 07:54 PM

You nailed it on the head, Rich_in_Tampa, as it IS all about what makes YOU happiest. For me and some of us on this board, The Villages isn't where it's at. I do like the idea of a 55+ community, but a little more upscale would be my idea of la vida loca (with more intellectual offerings). But each to his own, and many do seem deliriously happy with The Villages.
Heck...I just wish I were married to the builder. He must have made tons on this idea...lucky dog.

mja · 02-11-2008, 07:38 AM

Yeah, different strokes for different folks. I should point out that my father is quite happy there; I'm just more of a cabin-in-the-woods kind of guy.

citrine · 02-11-2008, 10:23 AM

I don't know.....seems kind of strange and sad to pay a lot of money for constant entertainment.....and I cannot imagine baton twirling at 70!
Not the kind of place for me either....I would rather stick toothpicks in my eyelids than end up somewhere like the Villages.

Orchidflower · 02-11-2008, 10:52 AM

I was thinking last night that I just assumed "twirling" meant baton twirling. Maybe The Villages is more exciting that we thought--what with all the STD's that are supposed to be going around there--maybe they are talking about twirling your TASSELS!!!! WOWIE!!! Maybe the place IS more exciting that we know...ya think

?
Lots of golf there with like 30 courses or some outrageous number. To a golfer, I would think this would be mecca. (I don't golf and have no desire to.)

kowski · 02-11-2008, 07:04 PM

We live 30 miles from the Villages. We have friends that live there as well as a relative. We go there for the free entertainment about once a month. There are 2 town squares that have nightly musical entertainment geared for the over 50 crowd. It's very enjoyable. Happy hour and nice seating all around a gazebo with 100's dancing all the time. One of these squares is located on the edge of a lake with waterfront dining. Now I would not enjoy living there but it is a nice place to live near. We are out in the country on an acre and a half. Going there is like going to another world. Everything in manacured beautifully, waterfalls, towns that have 100's of golf carts fancier that you have ever seen running around. With tiny golf cart angle parking spots all around the squares. Car shows are good also with many old farts with lots of bucks to spend on these toys. Several of the golf courses have restaurants that are open to the public with great Sunday brunches. Remember it is at the upper limits of what is called central Florida so you will get a few freezes a year. This limits the type of vegitation that can be grown.

youbet · 02-11-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchidflower

You nailed it on the head, Rich_in_Tampa, as it IS all about what makes YOU happiest. For me and some of us on this board, The Villages isn't where it's at. I do like the idea of a 55+ community

It is up to each individual...... For example, not only do I not picture myself in a community like the Villages, I can't picture myself in any 55+ community, of which the Villages is just one example.

Moemg · 02-11-2008, 08:22 PM

[quote=Orchidflower;614070]Y I do like the idea of a 55+ community, but a little more upscale would be my idea of la vida loca (with more intellectual offerings)./quote]

Your style is more Lakewood Ranch which is a master planned community east of Sarasota and Bradenton . They have tons of clubs and activities no twirling think investments clubs and book clubs . Their main street has all upscale merchants Chico's, Whole Foods , Talbott's ,Banana Republic ,etc..The prices range from low $200,000 for a townhouse to the millions .They have a huge single's club which is very active .

Orchidflower · 02-12-2008, 09:07 AM

No twirling, Moemg? Hmmm..I'm not sure about that place then...

Moemg · 02-12-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchidflower

No twirling, Moemg? Hmmm..I'm not sure about that place then...

No twirling but I'm sure it's a hotbed for other activities !

Dawg54 · 02-13-2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchidflower

Lots of golf there with like 30 courses or some outrageous number. To a golfer, I would think this would be mecca. (I don't golf and have no desire to.)

I love golf and that would be nice to have so many courses near by, but I want to be able to mix and mingle with all ages. But who knows, I may not feel the same way when I'm in my 70's.

youbet · 02-13-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawg52

I love golf and that would be nice to have so many courses near by, but I want to be able to mix and mingle with all ages. But who knows, I may not feel the same way when I'm in my 70's.

Good point Dawg. A 55+ community might look entirely different through 75 year old eyes as compared to 55 year old eyes!

haha · 02-13-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youbet

Good point Dawg. A 55+ community might look entirely different through 75 year old eyes as compared to 55 year old eyes!

Imagine some 65 year old professor you had in college. Would he want to be in The Villages? Or in any other warehouse facility for older people who no longer work?

IMO, the best of these would be like visiting New York Casino in Las Vegas, rather than New York.

The best oldsters' community I ever saw was at Venice Beach years ago. A bunch of retired people had a shuffleboard, card playing and picnic area down toward the Santa Monica Pier. I got to know some of them because I was swimming most every day, all winter. There was a low concrete wall facing almost due south on the beach; I used to warm up there and they hung out along the wall taking in the rays. These people had it all. Community, social support, good medical care, free clinics, cultural opportunites of one of the world's great cities, topless young women on the beach, and the awe inspiring Pacific Ocean right in front of them.

The cheap living is all gone now, and no doubt this life is too.

Ha

**Want2retire** · 02-13-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youbet

Good point Dawg. A 55+ community might look entirely different through 75 year old eyes as compared to 55 year old eyes!

Definitely a good point.

At 54, I visited some 55+ communities and had doubts about living around only old people.

At 59, I think I have grown less tolerant of kids running around in my yard or playing in the street, playing their radios loudly and making a lot of noise. Still, I am thinking of a neighborhood that has more seniors than most, rather than a neighborhood that is exclusively seniors.

That could change by 75!

Rich_in_Tampa · 02-13-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha

Imagine some 65 year old professor you had in college. Would he want to be in The Villages? Or in any other warehouse facility for older people who no longer work?

IMO, the best of these would be like visiting New York Casino in Las Vegas, rather than New York.

I knew an urban planner in Madison who used the term "NORC" for "naturally occurring retirement community." He was referring to certain neighborhoods which evolved (or avoided evolving) such that there remained sidewalks, walk-to shopping and services, front porches and other things that planned communities strive for. Neo-urbanism tries to restore these elements with varying degress of success.

Places like The Villages probably won't appeal to too many board members given the self-selection process of who posts here. Personally, it's not for me and the DW even projecting years ahead.

But I can't fault the place for making tons of folks with values different from ours very, very content.

HFWR · 02-13-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire

Definitely a good point.

At 54, I visited some 55+ communities and had doubts about living around only old people.

At 59, I think I have grown less tolerant of kids running around in my yard or playing in the street, playing their radios loudly and making a lot of noise. Still, I am thinking of a neighborhood that has more seniors than most, rather than a neighborhood that is exclusively seniors.

That could change by 75!

Some of us oldsters still like to crank the jams...

honobob · 02-13-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR

Some of us oldsters still like to crank the jams...

"Whaaat?"

Dreamer · 02-13-2008, 07:59 PM

It sounds like camp for grown-ups. I have been around "blue collar" people my entire life and enjoy them, games and physical activity. It sounds like a place that I might enjoy going to for a couple of weeks. I don't think that I would like to live there, but who knows. I don't like a lot of rules and would not like anyone telling me how long my future grandchild could be with me. I also need my space at times and would not want people popping in all the time. I don't know if they do that kind of thing or not.

02-11-2008, 10:52 AM	#27
Orchidflower Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Il-Ia. border Posts: 1,005	I was thinking last night that I just assumed "twirling" meant baton twirling. Maybe The Villages is more exciting that we thought--what with all the STD's that are supposed to be going around there--maybe they are talking about twirling your TASSELS!!!! WOWIE!!! Maybe the place IS more exciting that we know...ya think? Lots of golf there with like 30 courses or some outrageous number. To a golfer, I would think this would be mecca. (I don't golf and have no desire to.)

02-11-2008, 07:04 PM	#28
kowski Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 89	Unusual Place We live 30 miles from the Villages. We have friends that live there as well as a relative. We go there for the free entertainment about once a month. There are 2 town squares that have nightly musical entertainment geared for the over 50 crowd. It's very enjoyable. Happy hour and nice seating all around a gazebo with 100's dancing all the time. One of these squares is located on the edge of a lake with waterfront dining. Now I would not enjoy living there but it is a nice place to live near. We are out in the country on an acre and a half. Going there is like going to another world. Everything in manacured beautifully, waterfalls, towns that have 100's of golf carts fancier that you have ever seen running around. With tiny golf cart angle parking spots all around the squares. Car shows are good also with many old farts with lots of bucks to spend on these toys. Several of the golf courses have restaurants that are open to the public with great Sunday brunches. Remember it is at the upper limits of what is called central Florida so you will get a few freezes a year. This limits the type of vegitation that can be grown. __________________ If you think nobody cares whether you're alive or dead, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.

02-10-2008, 04:02 PM	#21
Moemg Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sarasota,fl. Posts: 3,096	I'm sorry if I doomed and gloomed the villages .I think it's a great place for a lot of retirees just not me . I do think the happiest older people are in some kind of community that provides social contact especially if they are alone .

02-10-2008, 05:08 PM	#23
mja Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 50	My father lives there. I visited after he built (1999/2000) and haven't been back. If you like golf, swimming pools and especially suburban sprawl, you'll like it Of course, I was in my late 20's when I visited, so it was unlikely to interest me at all, but I know I wont want to live there when I retire. I almost hope his wife outlives him so I wont have to go there to deal with the house. Somber thought, but it's just the antithesis of any place I'd like to be.

02-10-2008, 07:54 PM	#24
Orchidflower Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Il-Ia. border Posts: 1,005	You nailed it on the head, Rich_in_Tampa, as it IS all about what makes YOU happiest. For me and some of us on this board, The Villages isn't where it's at. I do like the idea of a 55+ community, but a little more upscale would be my idea of la vida loca (with more intellectual offerings). But each to his own, and many do seem deliriously happy with The Villages. Heck...I just wish I were married to the builder. He must have made tons on this idea...lucky dog.

02-11-2008, 07:38 AM	#25
mja Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 50	Yeah, different strokes for different folks. I should point out that my father is quite happy there; I'm just more of a cabin-in-the-woods kind of guy.

02-11-2008, 10:23 AM	#26
citrine Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 455	I don't know.....seems kind of strange and sad to pay a lot of money for constant entertainment.....and I cannot imagine baton twirling at 70! Not the kind of place for me either....I would rather stick toothpicks in my eyelids than end up somewhere like the Villages.

02-11-2008, 08:22 PM	#30
Moemg Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sarasota,fl. Posts: 3,096	[quote=Orchidflower;614070]Y I do like the idea of a 55+ community, but a little more upscale would be my idea of la vida loca (with more intellectual offerings)./quote] Your style is more Lakewood Ranch which is a master planned community east of Sarasota and Bradenton . They have tons of clubs and activities no twirling think investments clubs and book clubs . Their main street has all upscale merchants Chico's, Whole Foods , Talbott's ,Banana Republic ,etc..The prices range from low $200,000 for a townhouse to the millions .They have a huge single's club which is very active .

02-12-2008, 09:07 AM	#31
Orchidflower Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Il-Ia. border Posts: 1,005	No twirling, Moemg? Hmmm..I'm not sure about that place then...

02-13-2008, 07:59 PM	#40
Dreamer Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 850	It sounds like camp for grown-ups. I have been around "blue collar" people my entire life and enjoy them, games and physical activity. It sounds like a place that I might enjoy going to for a couple of weeks. I don't think that I would like to live there, but who knows. I don't like a lot of rules and would not like anyone telling me how long my future grandchild could be with me. I also need my space at times and would not want people popping in all the time. I don't know if they do that kind of thing or not.