Things to Know Before Visiting The Villages, Florida 

Hi my friend Angela- just though I’d tell you that even though I have no plans to move to FL, I still watched this cuz I enjoy your bright smile & energy!

Not sure why I’m watching this other then you Angela😍😆I have no plans to move or probably ever visit there, but you never know 😄I love hearing what is going on for you and your family. Thanks for sharing. After watching your first couple videos on the village’s, that couple came up in my UTube feed.

Looks like a great place to live!! Such fun!! You mentioned that you are plant based. Was wondering if you could share some recipes on your channel from time to time??

I don’t know anything about the Villages but as a New Yorker is looks too homogenous and vanilla for me. But glad that you are enjoying yourself.

Oh Angela, I'm so jealous of you! I remember years ago hearing about the Villages from a friend who's parents lived there. She and her family would go to visit, her dad has pasted away but her mom still lives there. I thought it was amazing because I am someone who likes to be close to home or at home and warm and this sounded perfect! I am now 62 and have come to the realization that this may not happen for me. I live in Maine and we still have mounds of snow and more coming Saturday! I love all of your Walmart hauls and I really love your videos about the Villages. Thank you Angela. Mary from Maine.

Lol Angela. I’ve been here 3 years and learned a lot from your video. I also laughed about the rumors you discussed. The Villages is a wonderful place to live and visit. We are so glad you’re here.

It's delightful that you two love your home. We are, however, still disenchanted with what we consider to be a senior's compound that would become stagnant for our tastes. It has nothing to do with politics or diversity. The whole idea of people (& pets) & their homes stuffed closely together, traffic headaches to 'escape', (loofahs on cars-cute?) & the general lack of breathing room, space & openess are big negatives. We're seniors, live in the midwest, own our home on a gorgeous wooded lot, love the changing seasons & if winter gets stinky, off we go to our choices of warmer locations for a bit. We have stables/horses close by we all enjoy, family & friends nearby, gobs of shopping opportunities & major, diverse, culturally entertaining attractions, easy to drive to. To sum it up, it's simply differences of opinions....to each their own. Be happy & live your life the way you personally choose, to feel fulfilled & be happy.

Hi Angela, thanks for the info. I am so tired of California and currently working on a VA loan approval to get to the Villages where my sister has already purchased. I was stationed in JAX for a few years and I really miss the Florida landscape and the southern hospitality. Great work.

You are so right, just rumors. Which is a shame, really. I have been visiting The Villages for many years and have not seen or heard those things going on. Also, we have never come across a rude person. Everyone is so friendly. The guy who left his cart behind your car probably isn't even from The Villages. He just shops at the store within The Villages. I love Jerry and Linda. They do have a lot of good videos on The Villages. Thanks for this video.

Angela, do they allow "short term rentals" - like for 3 months - if a person doesn't want to be a homeowner, can you be a renter for the winter season?? If so, is it expensive?

Angela you did a FANTASTIC job! We did a lifestyle visit last September. Planning our move in 21 months. You covered so much and so thoroughly. Thanks!

That’s weird about the pineapple rumor. I’ve always heard it was a symbol of Southern Hospitality. I think I’ll keep ignorant lol That is too bad about the family pool. I hope they realize the problem and address it. It looks like such a great place I have seen Jerry & Linda. They’re very down to earth

Angela I watch another video on the villages, they live there full time, and they said with all the expenses, for living there cost 64,000 a year along side of there house payment..Jerry and Linda did a video on the cost of living there..Its expensive..

Wonderful video, Angela! Everything you talked about was true. It's a great place to live for an active over 55 lifestyle. Taking advantage of the Lifestyle Visit is such a good way to see what it's really like here. We live in the Village of Linden for 2.5 years and have never regretted the move! Even our kids are amazed at The Villages and enjoy visiting. I really enjoy your clothing videos, too!

We moved to the villages, and also spend time in Austin. The difference, is the casual life style and the positive attitude from so many residency. Also there are so many places to explore. Hats off to the landscaping managers and people that keep the Villages so beautiful.

You are a wealth of information about the Villages, Angela. Love that you and your husband have a wonderful new place to live! My parents loved living in Fort Myers and my sister loved Punta Gorda!

You mentioned a dog park, do they have cat parks? Of course everyone would have to wear a shark suit

The Villages would not be in existence were it not for big Federal Welfare programs like Social Security

Hello there!!! And you might be the wrong person to ask. But I need to know if legally owned firearms are allowed to be kept in your home. If you buy a home there or is it like a gun free type of community?

We have only experienced extremely kind and thoughtful people in our two visits to the Villages. On one visit we were driving our rented cart trying to get back to my cousin's villa. We ended up back at the Lake Miona Rec center. We pulled over to try to figure out where we went wrong following the app. A lady in a cart pulled along side us and asked if we needed help. We told her we had gotten lost looking for Carleton Villas. She told us to follow her. She made a U turn and escorted us so the way to the entrance to that villa neighborhood!! Then she U turned and went back to the rec center. Wow! That was going above and beyond. 😊

I’ve been watching the Village Newcomers with Jerry and Linda for several months and enjoy their videos.

Awesome video! I dream to be there one day! So excited you got to meet Jerry and Linda..I’ve been watching them for awhile! Enjoy!! 🌴

Angela, thanks for sharing your awesome village home with us along with suggestions about visiting and buying a home. The first video we watched of yours was when you had your life style visit there. We have watched Linda and Jerry for a couple of years and love them. Have a safe trip home! Bentley certainly loves the FL sun and riding in the golf cart. Marilyn and Perry ❤️❤️❤️

Greetings Angela! I really enjoyed hearing about your experience at the villages. It sounds like you're having a great time! Love and blessings ♥️🙏

Great video. We have been in Florida 29 years and in this area for 19.. Only when I worked at a bank outside the entrance gate did I run into cranky people. LOL. I have seen a few pineapples. And loofas many many but am sure they were for people to find their car. My hubby works at a rec center close to where we live in Fenney. And an alligator came out of the pond when he was working and attacked a man fishing. Lucky the gator got mostly the fishing pole and the man was not hurt to badly. But that gator moved at 20+ miles an hour. Kind is scary. We once did see a hawk try to get a little white dog on a leash. Lucky the lady pulled it down and saved it. It had to get lots of stitches.

Thanks for a great overview of our beautiful community❣️

I will be able to move to the Villages when I begin collecting Federal welfare, SS. I plan to collect in 2 years when I turn 70.

Hey Angela…. Glad you’re enjoying your time In TV. I’ve Followed Jerry and Linda for quite some time. I considered moving down there but I just don’t think it’s going to work out for me. I know there’s lots of singles there but I just don’t think I could do it. But I do love hearing about TV and seeing other people enjoying their time there. If I do end up in Florida which I haven’t ruled out I’ll probably be in the Tampa Bay area somewhere on the coast, near my brother. Thanks for this great video and will look forward to ur next! ❤️😊

So glad Bentley is having fun! ❤️

Funny. When you mentioned the 1 rude person. Thought of the Wal-Mart guy. I have watched that couple on RU-vid. They are great. Wondered if you met them. Enjoy your adventures and watch out for gaters! 😍

Hi Angela, what I heard about "the rumor" was that a journalist had written a phony bologna story about the so-called STD issue down here, and even though it was totally debunked "the rumor" took on a life of it's own.

Ahhh you lost me on the Gators. 😮 when are you heading back north? Looks like a great place!

So glad you did this video. I AGREE 1000 percent...The Villages "crazy rumors" are simply not true. We bought our home in Dec. 2021 and everyone has been sooooo friendly, as well as well-respected by others. I love the ambiance and shopping near Spanish Springs is great.

Well I must say I’ve never been intrigued by the Villages. Until now 😊

no whole foods ??? I am done

I've also heard that the villages do have issues with sinkholes something to look into as well

Thanks, Angela. This was so interesting and informative! Sounds like you are having a fabulous time! Enjoy. 😊❤

Hi we just subscribed. You had some good info in your video. Hopefully you will continue to expand your subject matter beyond ladies fashion. This was a very professional presentation. Jerry and Linda have provided a lot of useful tips. Hopefully we will do a lifestyle visit and housing costs will normalize. Regards Gordon.

You have referenced lifestyle stays often? Could you explain what that means?

I loved seeing Bentley!! This was a great, fun and informative video Angela!

Hi Angela, Bentley is so cute.. sounds like you are having a great time.

Good info, Angela. So happy to have our Yamaha QuietTech2, and love the sunshine and breeze in my hair just like you 😁.

I don't know what loofah or pineapples even refer to. Not sure I want to know though:) I used to visit The Villages a few weeks at a time when my dad would rent there over the winter. I absolutely loved everything about it. What I wouldn't give to be able to be there with my beloved dad again:) It's truly a wonderful place. He loved it so much and I can definitely see why.

Love your videos Angela! Oh my goodness, my parents have a pineapple with their address on it in the front yard and they are definitely NOT swingers! Lol Don’t you just love “fake news”? Although I will say, from my numerous, numerous trips to the villages over the years, there is quite a large singles population and a lot of dating going on… we love it there though. There is so much to do…never a dull moment, and may end up there ourselves eventually. 😊

Is their a site you can look up places to rent? Or an RV Park? Would like to rent before we move from SWFL?

Living in California I don’t see myself getting to the Villages, however I enjoyed your video. I’m glad you explained the luffa, pineapple 🧐 etc. my thoughts on rude people….. you are such a nice person you are not going to come across “those kind of people “ 😜 Enjoy each day beautiful 😊😀🤗🥰

I’ve been coming here over 15 years…12 permanently. It’s a shame people focus on those rumors. What about all the charitable organizations. There are so many wonderful, kind volunteers that help out with the food pantries, thrift stores, schools… etc. for the small surrounding towns. There are so many things to do here! I love it! Maybe I will get to meet you someday Angela! 😘

Sounds like a great place but can’t imagine living in central Florida. Need the water.

Maybe someday I may head to the Villages in FL. But right now that is far, far, away into the future. Enjoy this time and take advantage of what is available to experience.

Hi Angela!!! Great info!!! Yes...I have watched Jerry and Linda..they seem very nice...so are you and your Husband just going to be snowbirds or will you go to Florida quite often???

I have been watching the village newcomers..Mr Jerry and Ms Linda for awhile now..and little gizmo..they are Indiana natives as I am too...I love both the videos they do each week..they are so lovely and full of information on the villages and the different events and areas..and little gizmos jokes at the end are too sweet...

Hi Angela great job on the Villages. What about the mosquitoes and other bugs?

How far in advance did you schedule your lifestyle visit and when did you find out where you were going to stay?

You look stunning today…what fun you have….keep up the good work and stay beautiful and be kind💗🌷😍💐 oh my Bentley is so sweet…not gator 🐊bait 😍😍😍😍

I want to stay at the hotel in Brownwood, but i do not want the lifestyle stay. Will it be more expensive? Will i be able to do this multiple times? I do not want to do the lifestyle for some years down the road.

Can you just rent a place in the villages for 2-4 weeks or do you have to buy?

Sounds like a fun place. Are the units available for rent? How long do you stay there during the year?

Love my free state of Florida❤️let’s keep it RED.

Plan on moving there in a few month and looking for a place closer to the shopping area. Would be nice if I ran into you one day maybe in Walmart :)

We visited last December and was fascinated by the Villages. Everyone was nice, friendly and smiling! We liked it so much, we are moving there soon. Thanks for the video

I’ll never move to Florida but I love to see you enjoying yourself. I still love to hear details about new things.

Great Video! I love Workman Transportion!! ❤️

Thanks so much, Angela and definitely keeping this all in mind as someday I could definitely see my husband and I doing this when the kids are older though. But loved getting the 411 here. Hugs 🥰

Great advice! You covered so much! We watched Jerry and Linda before we moved here!

What about people being raciest ?? I heard that

Hi Angela ~ Ok….I’m ready for a visit!! Great information, thanks so much for sharing! Say hi to Mark for us!

Wow such good information, great video , so glad to know all of this.... Thakyou were moving just 5 minutes from Brownwood village in Wildwood Beaumont.

I snagged THAT pink jacket! Yay!

People are trashing The Villages on line.

Great video! We moved to The Villages last year, and we couldn’t be happier!

Most poeple are nice here, Its a happy place

Another informative video. Thank you.

What a nice and pleasant video!😊

Link for the lifestyle visit?

@9:12 Bed Bath & Beyond. Yes! 😊

Great job Angela! Keep producing good villages content we need some new villages content producers. Hope to see you out and about Joe. P.S good tip on the gators.

Great video. You mentions you were plant based. It would be interesting to my wife if you did a video where people who are plant based could eat out in and around the villages. Also another great RU-vidr who keeps you up to date is the original RU-vidr of the Villages - The Villages Skip Smith - He does the regular video thing but also does a "Wednesday Night Live" (a live stream) the last Wednesday of each month. A large part of it is news about different sections of The Villages. Might worth a look-see if you have not already. 🙂

Angela, do you plan to live in your Villages home when you and your husband retire ?

Hi Angela, You are so delightful to watch and listen to. I love your energy and positive outlook; quite charming. Yes, Jerry and Linda are super people to check out; a wealth of information. I'm guessing, but I think the "rude'" reputation comes from the news stations playing up the political rallies (residents in their golf carts) the Villagers have had for Trump or against Trump. Of course, the TV news showed the very worst of people yelling at each other. I haven't been to the Villages yet (very soon; lifestyle visit) but I'd make a bet that the residents are at least as kind and respectful as the vast majority of the rest of the U.S. Treat people nicely and all will be well I think.

We have a lifestyle visit in July. I saw a video of gators everywhere in the Villages, and it caused me HUGE pause. We have a golden retriever who LOVES water, so I'm thinking that would not be a good thing. Thank you for addressing it.

Is there an HOA or can you hang your laundry out in your back yard? And is the Yoga Or Pilates or Aerobic classes an extra cost or is everything included?

Angela, you did a great job and a great service for The Villages with this video. I was always curious....now I know! Thanks.

I agree with your comments about loofas, swingers, and STDs. Just dumb rumors.

Gram said 1-2 hours away to shop.. now With gas $$$$ 😩 You are an excellent employee tho ! Ohhhh the gators 😭🤦‍♀️😩😳 What’s a loopa.. STD … holy heck 😂 Love the video

Great video.

Would love to see you in Florida…..I’m in Naples….. how far are you….?

Ok yes. Nice. Down. There. Village s. Ok. Bless yall love yall thanks for the information 💓

Glad you like it. I am not a FL kind of person and we will probably stay in SoCal through retirement.

Thank you …. Loved your pet friendly coverage of the villages …. PERFECT

The pineapple comes from Hawaii, it means happiness, welcome, and relaxed hospitality. And it doesn't hurt to reiterate this is a senior living area so you can have people in their eighties at the grocery store, or at the town square, and they can't remember where they parked. The loofa on their antenna helps them to see the vehicle easier from a distance. I just witnessed that at the blueberry festival. A couple was walking around in all directions trying to find their car. Great video, I'm actually sending it to a client of mine who is looking for a home!

Thanks for the info but I think I will just stay with you when I come to FL. Just kidding! You are a really fun person from the Midwest and so am I. Grew up in Southern Illinois and now live in Westchester County NY with CA and TX and TN and KY in between. I get you and I am so glad I found you on here. Keep up the great videos. Say hi to Bentley for me. ❣️

Well now I have to google all these rumors- what could pineapple mean???????? Lol

Actually there is a investigation show about the villages.. that’s probably where all those “rumors” came from.

Loved this! Not ready to move away from NY as yet but I know my husband would like to live in the Villages. I'm not sure yet. Started watching The Villages Newcomers a while back. They are terrific.

THanks for this video!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Jerry and Linda and am so glad you shared more about the Villages, there's so much interest online about it and it's so fun to hear your journey in TV. Thanks!!

Angela thank you for sharing I'm moving there soon as a home comes available Your information was very helpfull.

Hi Angela! I really enjoyed this video. I love learning about different places to live and visit. Thanks!

This video is so helpful! Great job 😊

Pretty sure my aunt and uncle Kathy and frank Wallace live there...they live in Michigan off season also.

Thank you for making this video. It cleared up a lot. You have a wonderful channel. Melodie from Texas