Great Info and advice. Especially the last one about stop to smell the roses and spend time with your spouse. I lost my beautiful wife Anni 5 yrs ago and miss her every day. We were considering TV in a few years, she loved people, dancing, and she was the queen of karaoke! She would have had a blast. So good advice, don't put off living life to it's fullest because you never know. Thanks for your videos!
We are coming for a lifestyle visit in May!!! And after watching your informative videos it makes us feel like we know what to expect. We hope to move there later this year! And I’m Jan, and my sister is Deb 😊
Awesome video. So many great tips. The tip about not getting two golf carts immediately really made me think. I hadn't heard that before, but can see why it makes good sense. Thank you again!
Thank you, ladies! Timing was perfect…I’m a new Villager in Richmond and feeling like I should be joining activities or groups, but decided to give myself permission to just be retired for a little bit. I retired in June, sold our lifetime home, moved to Florida, built a new house and now It’s time to just breathe and explore our new place . Truly enjoy your casual chatting and your way of imparting the info
Thirty minutes of facetime with a Dr is virtually unheard of! That's great that they get to really know their patients. Where I live, that just doesn't happen in family medicine and internal medicine clinics.
Thanks for the tips, enjoy your videos and am looking forward to being a snowbird some day. Loved our Lifestyle visit in Oct 2022. So appreciate you mentioning the quilt clubs, so looking forward to it some day, I enjoy quilting and bag making.
Great show and lots to think about. We have visited many times and swam in easily 70 different pools and struck up conversations to see which village seemed friendly. We are coming in July for two weeks and going to check out the Country clubs restaurants usually just eat the squares. Loved the advice to check out a different club if you feel it’s not the right fit. Keep the shows coming. Will make our lives easier when we get to TV and makes a cold day bearable watching you enjoy the beautiful weather.
Great video! Confirmed we don't need to buy 2 carts right away. We won't be retired when we move to TV. From watching RU-vid videos I'm seeing there are people who work remote and are choosing to move to TV before they retire, especially in the new southern villages. I think I saw there are some evening clubs that meet. I don't think we will have any issues finding things to do...at least I hope 😊
With inflation, just about everything is going up in price. Some things you can eliminate or cut back on to get the monthly expenses under control. However, there is no control over the amount the Villages charges for all the amenities. Is there any concern that some folks might be forced out if the monthly fees become unaffordable?
Hi ladies! I love your videos. I live in Oregon and have a 5 year old so am not even eligible to live in the Villages but for some reason I really enjoy learning about it! 😅 Maybe I’m vicariously living in the Villages through you all. ❤
We are a transgender, non-binary, multiracial group. We are in our 60s and we are married to each other. All three of us are Atheists and strong democratic party supporters. Do you have a lot of people in the Villages who support our worldview? Thank you so much.
Hi Peter! According to the statistics we have seen, the political make up of TV is 67% republican and the rest democrat and independent. According to the statistics we have seen 68% of TV is Christian. Hopefully that helps with your question. Thanks for watching!
Hello, Debbie and Jan. Good advice, ladies. Those cocktails 🍸 look delicious. If I were ever fortunate enough to realize my dream of living in The Villages, my plan would be to take my golf cart out and master driving it first in and around my own subdivision by traversing the streets repeatedly until I know everything about the immediate surroundings and then expand my perimeters. You know, I am only interested in the positive side of The Villages. I’m a perpetual optimist so I don’t need to know the negatives. It’s not me. Those negatives will not be a part of my life. You ladies love your life there and it’s why I watch your channel. Sadly, I don’t golf and probably never will, but there are other attractions for me. During my career, I spent little time at home. I often wondered why I even bothered to buy a house. I’m spending my retirement enjoying my home and yard. I’d likely do the same in The Villages. However I do enjoy exploring and meeting new people. We’re you ladies friends before moving to TV or did you meet there? I think you touched on this in a previous post, but I forget. I’m guessing you knew each other before TV.
Hi Cynthia! There is so much to do here outside of golf. The nice thing is that you can absolutely meet and mingle with others if that is what you like, but if you like your privacy, you can find that here too. As I write this, I am sitting out back on my lanai where it is nice and quiet. We have a TV out back, so we watch TV out here as well to enjoy the weather. It is also a great place to try new things if you choose! Jan and I (and our husbands) were paired up to golf together. We started chatting and had a nice time. We went for a drink after. We have golfed once a week each week together ever since. We have gone on many vacations together and have obviously become great friends! Enjoy your weekend and thank you for watching!
Ladies, Thank you for your videos, We will be down for our lifestyle visit May 1 and hopefully will be residents later this year. Are there organized golf leagues that you can join? Also during our visit are there any must things that we should do or see in regards to the villages? Thanks and really enjoy your videos.
Thank you for watching! As far as organized golf leagues go, TV offers Ladies day and Mens day. Most “groups” are organized by individuals. When coming down for a lifestyle visit, we would recommend you check out both areas…north and south. Try to do some of things you may do if you lived here, like golf, bowl, swim etc. They usually provide a golf cart and we would also recommend getting around that way as much as possible, as that is how many residents here get around. Check out the different rec centers too. Talk to people you meet on the squares or in the restaurants. Ask their opinions about things that matter to you. Mostly, just enjoy your time! 😃. Have a great weekend!
Hi William! Groups can be found at districtgov.org. If you put in “search” the word “groups” and it will pull up all of the groups here. The villages-news is an on line blog. They tend to have short articles on some of the happenings here. A few are positive and many are the negatives. We have a newspaper that is called The Daily Sun and that is owned and run by the developer. Thanks for watching and thanks for the questions!
Lake Sumter landing is representative of the Keys, not New England. Brownwood is representative of Florida's cowboy, cattle industry of the 1800's, not the west. If you haven't noticed all of the villages are named for Florida areas such as counties. Or areas such as lakes. Nothing is named after another state or region. Remember it is FLORIDA'S FRIENDLIEST HOMETOWN not the United States friendliest hometown.
THANK YOU FOR YOU INPUT. Brownwood can be anywhere in the southwest as well, no matter the intent. The only thing that reminds me of The Keys in Sumter is the bathrooms. I DO BELIEVE I/we said that it had that New England feel. I DONT BELIEVE WE SAID THAT IS WHAT IT REPRESENTED. We are entitled to have an opinion on how something makes us feel or what it reminds us of. We have lived here for awhile (8 and 12 years) and have owned homes here for 20 plus years, so yes, we have noticed. Have you ever noticed in Bellaire and Glenbrook most of the streets have names that are Chicago suburbs 🤔. Chicago is not located in Florida. No need to be snarky. We always appreciate feedback and input. We welcome conversation but we are respectful of our viewers and are not condescending.
Great video so informative! Are you both retired? And do you find the neighbors in the north are just as friendly as down south? I know they say new neighborhoods it’s easier bc everyone is new, but what about established, is it hard to come in established places?
Thanks Laura! We are both retired 😊. I do think the neighborhoods down south may have more organized get togethers like driveway parties etc because everyone is new and they are all looking to get to know people. Up north though still, many of the neighborhoods are very close and very active together. Jan’s block (probably 10 couples) are very active together. They golf and travel together. Debbie’s is not so much. That said there is a group (this is Debbie responding!) in my neighborhood, but my husband and I are very busy with other activities, we have just never gotten involved. Most areas do get together in some fashion. Some are just more frequent and more involved than others. Hope that helps! Thank you for watching!
There are many many doctors here of all specialties. The best thing to do is to check with your insurance or medicare (whatever you have) to see who in TV is in your plan. There are also docs in Gainesville and Orlando and some people travel to those areas for specialists as well. Thanks Frank!
I would like to see advice about being a “snowbird”. I would never be able to live in Florida all year because I cannot tolerate the heat & humidity of the warmer months there. I have been in Florida several times in August. But, I think that I would enjoy TV during the winter. I know you are both full timers but I am sure that you have met many part time residents.
Enjoy your videos. My husband and I are considering planning a lifestyle visit. Please give advise regarding best time to visit and who to contact. My husband likes going to a gym….I like long distance walking and dancing. Thank You😊
Thank you! Best time is very subjective. Here are some hints to help you decide. The busiest season is from Jan-March. April is kind of mid range and then from May-October it is much less busy. Nov- December we see a variety of people here. Many residents are here and their families are with them. For the weather, the hottest and wettest time would be July-September. So, it kind of depends on what you are trying to evaluate! TV has gyms in about 7 recreational centers for your husband. There is a fee which you can do by day or week or month. There are lots of places to walk and there is dancing at any of the three squares every single night! Here is the link to the lifestyle people www.thevillages.com/lifestyle-preview-plan
You can go to golfthevillages.com for an on line list, or if you go into any of the country clubs or the tee time office they will have them there as well. Thanks for the question!!
I do think it is fairly popular amongst tennis players. Pickle-ball is more popular, but it is a sport that is a little easier to pick up. I just don’t think they publicize it as much! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_HO5W6-MU3w.html Hope that will help! Thanks for watching!
Hi Brenda! We have had some interesting characters reach out to us on this channel, so let’s just say near Spanish Springs and near Glenview 😊. Thank you for watching!
I am looking forward to shopping in The Villages. I was also looking online to find your biggest and best malls near or within an hour or two of the villages. I need your opinion. Please advise. Thanks!
Hi KM! Yes, unfortunately we don’t have any malls here 👎🏼. When I really want to damage, I go to Orlando. The Mall of Millenia is super high end, but is fun to window shop and they have some of my favorite restaurants from Illinois. There is also a huge outlet mall pretty close as well. You can see it right off the turnpike (on the right if you are heading south). That is my fave! There is also a nice outlet mall in Lutz which is toward Tampa. When they say outlet malls, most of it is nice stuff just made for the outlet version. There is a mall in Ocala called Paddock Mall and you could see if they have some stores you may like as well. Thanks for watching and for the question!
Hehe! Don’t repel them! 🤣😂. Honestly, we do see them probably 2-3 times a year in the yard. We have only seen black racers which are similar to garter snakes up north. They are not interested in people, so they scoot away really quickly! They are actually good to keep the geckos under control!
When I was with villages health they were great drs but I went thru 4 drs in around 5 yrs. They all left - still after 5 yrs looking for good dr. It’s the number 1 complaint I hear around here.
Yes, I have lived here for one year. We love our home. The Villages is a retirement community. But, 20% of the residents can be under 55 if they sign a waiver. Young adults are able to live with their parents indefinitely. Also, Air B & B’s are allowed here. Homes are being sold to corporations and they use the homes as Air B & B’s. This corporations are making loads of money at our expense. These homes will have multiple families staying at one time and any age children can also stay. It is like living next to a hotel’s pool. Constant screaming and partying. Yes, retiring to a perfect home and hearing this everyday. Most people will say, “just move.” Sounds easy, but if this is your only home you must wait two years to sell or you will pay capital gains which is no small price. The Villages will not do anything about this situation. So think a long time before purchasing in The Villages.
Ugh, Joanna. So sorry to hear that you are having that experience. And I agree, I hate when people just tell you to move. You planned and saved and made your dream happen, probably came from a long way and were excited to be here. There is definitely a lot of chatter about the air b and b’s. I can make a suggestion. Read your decs and bi laws. I was reading in one area that TV reserved the right to alter them at any time if something interfered with the enjoyment of their property. Maybe something can be presented to TV in that fashion and maybe they could alter them to restrict the amount of time for a rental (like, no less than 30 days etc). Or, if you live in Wildwood, or Lady Lake etc where you are part of a different town, talk to the board members about possibly passing a similar ordinance. I have no idea how successful either idea would be, but….you are not alone. Thank you for watching.
You are two intelligent, articulate, sincere women but after watching about 20 different videos by others, I am so skeptical about that community. Do any residents there read? .At least the honesty given by you two helped reassure me that The Villages is definitely not for me and my friends.
Thank you for watching! If you are truly considering TV, you should really come check it out for yourself. There is a wide range of people here from all over the country and all with different backgrounds. Either way, thank you for your kind words.
Could I please suggest that you two ladies either get better microphones or hold them closer to your mouths. I can barely hear you - and it doesn't matter if I watch on my phone, computer or tv.
