Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

AJT

(5,240 posts)
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:00 AM Apr 2017

Anyone here live in "The Villages"?

I went down to visit my aunt who lives there and I really liked it. I would seriously consider moving there. My aunt is a liberal and is doing fine, but I know that the area is overwhelmingly republican. How do those of you who live there like it?

87 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Anyone here live in "The Villages"? (Original Post) AJT Apr 2017 OP
i would rather do time on a chain gang in the swamps of florida spanone Apr 2017 #1
I felt the same way until I went there. AJT Apr 2017 #2
The Villages gave $250,000 to Trump inaugural committee spanone Apr 2017 #11
The Villages suck but there are progressive bastions in Florida. DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2017 #13
There are? Atman Apr 2017 #77
I lived CT for 10 years and I lovef it. It is too expensive AJT Apr 2017 #83
No doubt, it's not cheap to live here. Atman Apr 2017 #85
I like your style BannonsLiver Apr 2017 #40
So, am I the only Duer who has no idea, where (state, community, country) "the Villages" are located hlthe2b Apr 2017 #3
Outside Orlando Florida HAB911 Apr 2017 #9
thanks... I guess the are a "thing"? hlthe2b Apr 2017 #14
It was a housing development that grew into a town with its own zip code. SticksnStones Apr 2017 #28
it's a giant planned development that takes in parts of 3 Florida counties steve2470 Apr 2017 #71
The Villages, Florida left-of-center2012 Apr 2017 #24
Holy crap, I thought that was a joke! Atman Apr 2017 #78
My brother used to live there left-of-center2012 Apr 2017 #86
Lower Manhattan. pangaia Apr 2017 #31
It's near Ocala FL voteearlyvoteoften Apr 2017 #63
I was looking at the area a friend has a house there... Historic NY Apr 2017 #4
It's a retirement village and a lot of people are snowbirds. AJT Apr 2017 #12
I was looking for a winter condo and they had several.... Historic NY Apr 2017 #22
Regulations? They regulate EVERYTHING in the Villages csziggy Apr 2017 #32
Perry native here.... millijac Apr 2017 #54
Yeah - we used to call Perry the armpit of Florida csziggy Apr 2017 #59
Here's the billboard on 19 as you enter perry they have another one going south as you enter perry juxtaposed Apr 2017 #79
Gainesville is 60 miles north A HERETIC I AM Apr 2017 #73
I think of Gainesville as being northwest - but you're right, it is more north nt csziggy Apr 2017 #80
Are the regulations published anywhere? JustABozoOnThisBus Apr 2017 #75
In Florida homeowners covenants are public record csziggy Apr 2017 #81
Well, there's reportedly a lot of sex parties and day drinking, so what's not to like? RedWedge Apr 2017 #5
There's also a huge incidence of STD's! nt COLGATE4 Apr 2017 #36
Oh, my BainsBane Apr 2017 #46
Yep. With the population well past child-bearing COLGATE4 Apr 2017 #48
I am friends with a married couple that live there. NCTraveler Apr 2017 #6
Do they have a group of like minded friends there? AJT Apr 2017 #17
They do. The Villages, while right leaning, is a very large community. NCTraveler Apr 2017 #18
My aunt says people don't talk about politics unless AJT Apr 2017 #19
Hotbed of Republicanism HAB911 Apr 2017 #7
My late brother's wife just bought a place there MANative Apr 2017 #8
I don't live there but my parents used to go there for the day Phoenix61 Apr 2017 #10
It would be my personal version of hell CanonRay Apr 2017 #15
Joining you there. Been to FL once; even owned (now sold) property. 105 degrees. NO, thank you. WinkyDink Apr 2017 #87
Florida is the only place I've ever visited that I hated worse than Phoenix Coventina Apr 2017 #16
I hated Phoenix more, erinlough Apr 2017 #35
DUers should invade it and take over. nt Ilsa Apr 2017 #20
That would be great, seriously. Many of us are retired or AJT Apr 2017 #29
You could volunteer to be election monitors and workers. Ilsa Apr 2017 #55
Yes please, pretty, pretty please Phoenix61 Apr 2017 #53
I live in Orlando OriginalGeek Apr 2017 #21
My brother lived there for a few years. left-of-center2012 Apr 2017 #23
I have a friend, ex-neighbor, who lives there and loves it DrDan Apr 2017 #25
It might be good if left leaning retirees moved there to AJT Apr 2017 #27
it would probably be a great place for a single to retire . . . plenty of activities to keep one DrDan Apr 2017 #33
My folks lived down the road from The Villages, at Stonecrest SticksnStones Apr 2017 #26
The East Village or West Village? pangaia Apr 2017 #30
The Village! csziggy Apr 2017 #34
Can I be #6? AJT Apr 2017 #39
lol -- I thought of this, too obamanut2012 Apr 2017 #45
Frightening RobinA Apr 2017 #37
My wife learned through family there, ExciteBike66 Apr 2017 #38
second to none - as is the rate of venereal disease and the demand for viagra DrDan Apr 2017 #44
I guess they don't really care about VD ExciteBike66 Apr 2017 #68
certainly not concerned about pregnancy DrDan Apr 2017 #72
The golf courses are terrible. AngryAmish Apr 2017 #41
I think Dave Barry's latest book (about Florida) has a chapter on it renate Apr 2017 #42
Skip Orlando, go to PBC to retire obamanut2012 Apr 2017 #43
Orlando is an hour from the villages GulfCoast66 Apr 2017 #47
I am a native Floridian OceanChick Apr 2017 #58
I can say that is not like that where I live obamanut2012 Apr 2017 #61
If I said "fake ***s, someone would report me. When I first moved to FL 21 years ago rzemanfl Apr 2017 #67
I live about 30 miles away mcar Apr 2017 #49
Have friends that live there now.......they love it, not sure of their political a kennedy Apr 2017 #50
They do have a Democratic group there mcar Apr 2017 #51
where is that exactly? sounds like an M Night film. samnsara Apr 2017 #52
Paul Ryan fl2020 Apr 2017 #56
One reason I am looking at The Villages is that th e US is AJT Apr 2017 #57
It's very white and very conservative... Phentex Apr 2017 #62
I hear you. We've got new apartments/condos going up downtown/gentrification LeftInTX Apr 2017 #65
Where I live crazycatlady Apr 2017 #74
If you love right wing politics, move on in. sarcasmo Apr 2017 #60
I bet the Villages has displaced mucho gators. nt raccoon Apr 2017 #64
They are crazy up there. Lot's of drunk old white people partying and crashing golf carts kydo Apr 2017 #66
I have "friends" in the Villages...I wouldn't live there. Sancho Apr 2017 #69
It seems to be a magnet for conservative retirees. Tommy_Carcetti Apr 2017 #70
The STD capital of america juxtaposed Apr 2017 #76
Make sure you have an ark in the back yard randr Apr 2017 #82
redumbliCON infestation. Forget it! democratisphere Apr 2017 #84

spanone

(135,636 posts)
11. The Villages gave $250,000 to Trump inaugural committee
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:13 AM
Apr 2017

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

Dozens of corporations and companies gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to President Donald Trump’s inauguration – and so did The Villages.

According to documents filed this week with the Federal Election Commission, the massive age-restricted community development district in northeast Lake, south Marion and east Sumter counties contributed $250,000 to help fund Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

That amount was equal to the contributions of companies such as Charter Communications, Comcast, Pepsi and Ford Motor Co., according to a summary of the filing by The Center for Public Integrity, or CPI.

The $250,000 given by The Villages was also more than the individual contributions of companies such as Anthem, MetLife, Travelers, Verizon and Qualcomm, each of which gave $100,000.


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-the-villages-trump-inauguration-20170420-story.html

Atman

(31,464 posts)
77. There are?
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 09:53 AM
Apr 2017

I grew up in Florida, in Cocoa Beach. It used to be a hip surf town where everyone was a scientist and pretty progressive. Now Brevard County is something like 87% Republican. It is literally painful to go home. It is bigly Trumpsky territory, and despite Elon Musk and the renewed space industry, science takes a back seat to nearly everything God and/or Trumpsky. My friends always ask why I don't move back to the supposed "paradise" since I live in cold icky Connecticut. I feel like I live in paradise, and we say it all the time, driving through the hills, around the back roads in farm country. This is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, not flat scrub-brush Republican jerkwater haven. I could never move back to Florida, and regardless of where it is located (Disney is trying to create a town in Norther New Hampshire, too, out of a struggling ski resort), I could never live in one of those Truman Show communities.

AJT

(5,240 posts)
83. I lived CT for 10 years and I lovef it. It is too expensive
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 10:30 AM
Apr 2017

for me to retire in. I am just looking for a place to grow old in that is prepared for a rapidly aging population. I take care of my mom, and I don't want to do that to my kids. People live into their 90s and you can't do that alone .

Atman

(31,464 posts)
85. No doubt, it's not cheap to live here.
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 10:41 AM
Apr 2017

But I go back to Brevard County and people I know who once worked in the space industry are happy to get a $7 an hour job at the Dollar Store. Up here, even freelancing in competition with kids and new grads, I can easily get $50-60/hour for design work. Yeah, I used to get upwards of $120/hour, but we all know those days are gone. But back "home" in Florida, there is no market. Saturated market with too many kids willing to give away work for a bag of weed or a Sonny's BBQ gift card.

hlthe2b

(101,730 posts)
3. So, am I the only Duer who has no idea, where (state, community, country) "the Villages" are located
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:05 AM
Apr 2017

??????????????

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
86. My brother used to live there
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 10:44 AM
Apr 2017

His Facebook site is full of links to Tea Party pages,
and support for 'the Donald'.

I'm the only one among six siblings who isn't an evangelical Christian right wing nut job.
My theory is that I was dropped on my head as a baby.

Historic NY

(37,449 posts)
4. I was looking at the area a friend has a house there...
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:08 AM
Apr 2017

but they rarely use it. Seems that a lot of residents are from UK.. They have lots of regulations of what you can and cannot do.

AJT

(5,240 posts)
12. It's a retirement village and a lot of people are snowbirds.
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:13 AM
Apr 2017

Maybe that is part of the appeal for me. It is almost a literal bubble. It's pretty much enclosed and I am overwhelmed with reality these days.

Historic NY

(37,449 posts)
22. I was looking for a winter condo and they had several....
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:50 AM
Apr 2017

that were within reason. Lots of Canadians are selling now that the loonie ($) will let them make a profit. My brother is in Largo and in his community many are selling to make investment elsewhere.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
32. Regulations? They regulate EVERYTHING in the Villages
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 11:24 AM
Apr 2017

For a mostly Republican area, it is amazing that the residents put up with the restrictions on just about everything.

Aside from the politics, the area is/was beautiful. I don't like it as much now as I did before it was developed but the land is on part of the Central Florida Ridge, has rolling hills (Florida style hills, at least) and is high enough to have nice hardwoods.

On the other hand, there are places near there with just as nice land, just as low prices, and without the homeowners association restrictions and the encapsulated nutty politics. I know people that live closer to Orlando in the Altamonte Springs area which is getting bluer. Gainesville is not much west of the Villages, is much bluer and has the advantage of the University of Florida and the cultural events that a university provides. Leesburg, which was the main town between North Orlando and I-75 before the Villages, seems to be a pretty decent place to live.

For a lot cheaper prices, Polk County has a lot of small towns with declining populations that are nice places to live. Bartow, the county seat, has lost a lot of its industry as phosphate moves out and houses there are really low in price. The disadvantage is that it gets a lot of pollution still from the industries that are left - but anything south of Perry - including Perry - seems polluted to me!

millijac

(85 posts)
54. Perry native here....
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 02:17 PM
Apr 2017

I left that godforsaken place when I was 19. I do not recommend FL to anyone, but to consider voluntarily living in Perry is insane.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
59. Yeah - we used to call Perry the armpit of Florida
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 03:25 PM
Apr 2017

Because it stank so much when we were driving through. A friend of my sister's bought some acreage outside of Perry for his retirement home. Now he regrets it and his wife hates it but they can't get enough for it to move anywhere else.

I grew up in Central Florida in Polk County but moved up here outside Tallahassee in 1972. Leon County is different than most of the state and unlike the Panhandle it is not a continuation of Georgia or Alabama. The worst thing about Tallahassee are the dipshits that the rest of the state sends up here.

 

juxtaposed

(2,778 posts)
79. Here's the billboard on 19 as you enter perry they have another one going south as you enter perry
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 09:55 AM
Apr 2017

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,283 posts)
75. Are the regulations published anywhere?
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 09:35 AM
Apr 2017

And do they change often? Who creates them, is there a Villages government?

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
81. In Florida homeowners covenants are public record
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 10:07 AM
Apr 2017

It would take some digging, but if you go to the Sumter County Clerk site, they should have them on record. Sumter County is small and I am not sure if they have documents online or if you'd have to go to the county seat to look them up.

I know with one local development near me in Leon County I read their HOA papers and they were pretty draconian. The intent was to protect the environment for two endangered species that live on the land - gopher tortoises and fox squirrels. They restrict the type of exterior lights so the tortoises are not disturbed, require little dividing landscaping and fences so the fox squirrels have the wide open spaces they prefer, and other provisions. I just hope those regulations are enforced as time goes by - but I would not live in a community that had that control over my land.

COLGATE4

(14,732 posts)
48. Yep. With the population well past child-bearing
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 01:12 PM
Apr 2017

age there's little to no incentive to use birth control. So, STD's rule...

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
6. I am friends with a married couple that live there.
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:09 AM
Apr 2017

Very very left leaning couple. They love it.

AJT

(5,240 posts)
17. Do they have a group of like minded friends there?
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:23 AM
Apr 2017

It would be great to have a group to meet with for support.

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
18. They do. The Villages, while right leaning, is a very large community.
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:28 AM
Apr 2017

They also have things in common with some of the righties. Many people in the Villages are about an active lifestyle. My friends are big into staying in shape. That said, they do have many left leaning friends there.

AJT

(5,240 posts)
19. My aunt says people don't talk about politics unless
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:32 AM
Apr 2017

they are at a political event or with people they know very well.

HAB911

(8,811 posts)
7. Hotbed of Republicanism
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:09 AM
Apr 2017

Have never visited, physically i'm sure it's nice. Planned communities are not my personal cup of tea.

MANative

(4,105 posts)
8. My late brother's wife just bought a place there
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:09 AM
Apr 2017

partly to be near her parents, who are in their early 80s. My brother passed unexpectedly just a year ago, and she wanted to be near her family for the emotional support. She's 56, and says she's - by far - the youngest person in her neighborhood. She's also very right-wing, as are her parents. Fits right in. She tells me that I'd hate it. (Despite our political differences, we get along well and she knows what I'd be able to tolerate!) She says there are lots of things to do, and the weather is usually better than New England.

Phoenix61

(16,954 posts)
10. I don't live there but my parents used to go there for the day
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:12 AM
Apr 2017

The ability to get around on a golf cart and never have to leave the property can be pretty appealing. It is strongly repub, as is much of Florida. I'd visit in the summer, say around August. I'm not sure where you live but the heat in central Florida, that time of year, is something you have to experience to really appreciate.

 

WinkyDink

(51,311 posts)
87. Joining you there. Been to FL once; even owned (now sold) property. 105 degrees. NO, thank you.
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 11:24 AM
Apr 2017

Coventina

(26,874 posts)
16. Florida is the only place I've ever visited that I hated worse than Phoenix
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:21 AM
Apr 2017

I get that a lot of people love it, but it is NOT for me.

erinlough

(2,176 posts)
35. I hated Phoenix more,
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 11:34 AM
Apr 2017

But Texas and Florida are a close second and third. It's the heat, I hate it. When everyone goes south I go north.

AJT

(5,240 posts)
29. That would be great, seriously. Many of us are retired or
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 11:13 AM
Apr 2017

approaching retirement and creating a large enclave of liberals there would be fantasic.

Ilsa

(61,675 posts)
55. You could volunteer to be election monitors and workers.
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 02:24 PM
Apr 2017

Help make certain the machines get replaced by a verifiable system and elderly shut-ins don't lose their right and access to vote!

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
21. I live in Orlando
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:42 AM
Apr 2017

but my company has a branch in the Villages so I visit there several times a year to fix stuff (I'm in IT). It is nice and some areas are newer than others and some are more spendy than others but they keep the whole thing up pretty well. I imagine that's because of some draconian HOA activity which can be good or bad depending how you like your neighborhood and how much you like to comply lol.

I have a couple leather-working friends that came down to classes at the Orlando Tandy from up there and they were good guys - not shy about being liberals even though they were certainly outnumbered.

I've had a LOT of good food up there as it's usually a whole day trip for me to go up there so I'm always looking for lunch. My wife and I have been there on weekends too as she likes to shop at little craft and antique stores and such and they have a fair number of those in the surrounding area. There's also a shoe store up there that actually carries super wide women's shoes like she needs. A lot of nice little pubs and restaurants and such.

You can't beat the weather almost year-round if you like it hotter than colder. That's why Flying Spaghetti Monster invented Air Conditioning. If you can find a liberal group of friends to hang out with it might be fun to spend retirement aggravating the numbskulls.

I find it kind of charming that there is golf cart parking everywhere - you can just about get anywhere in the Villages on a cart. They have paths and many of the regular roads have very low speed limits. You see some pretty fancily tricked out golf carts that have probably never once hauled a 9 iron but it looks like a fun way to get around.

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
23. My brother lived there for a few years.
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:52 AM
Apr 2017

While he was there I heard it described on one of the network evening news as "the most conservative residential area in America".
Romney went there a few times to raise money for his Presidential run.
My brother liked it, but he's a Tea Party guy.

My brother moved to Myrtle Beach, SC thinking it would be cheaper.

DrDan

(20,411 posts)
25. I have a friend, ex-neighbor, who lives there and loves it
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:59 AM
Apr 2017

always something going on - lots and lots of planned activities.

We pass through often and could not live there because of the RW-leaning.

AJT

(5,240 posts)
27. It might be good if left leaning retirees moved there to
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 11:08 AM
Apr 2017

push the area left a bit. As people in their 80+ start to pass and more people 60+ start to retire and move there the area may begin to become more mixed. I will say that the sea of white was disturbing, but again the very old will pass and a more diverse population will follow.

DrDan

(20,411 posts)
33. it would probably be a great place for a single to retire . . . plenty of activities to keep one
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 11:28 AM
Apr 2017

active.

We have lived in Florida for around 35 years. Living near the ocean (or gulf for some) is a great benefit of living here. We had a house on the beach for 15 years or so - now about 3 miles from the beach. The Villages is quite a drive to either the Atlantic or the Gulf. That alone would keep us from moving there - not to mention the politics of the majority.

Side note - the Villages is a Florida leader in venereal diseases and viagra is in great demand. So I guess a lot of folks find plenty of activities to keep them occupied.

SticksnStones

(2,108 posts)
26. My folks lived down the road from The Villages, at Stonecrest
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 11:04 AM
Apr 2017

Which is lovely by the way.

We spent ALOT of time atThe Villages. It can be crowded during the snowbird season. The Catholic Church, St. Timothy's gets packed to the rafters if that tells you anything. But it's always jumping. Very republican. Often the presidential candidates will stop right in The Villages for a stump speech, it's a very vocally republican area.

There are many social activities, everybody travels by golf cart. It's huge and was still expanding last time I visited. Every development has a town square with live music and alcohol served every weekend. That can get lively.

A few years back they had the distinction of being the one zip code in America with the highest rates of STDs. It was rather scandalous at the time.

Every development is decorated in its own theme so that can get a little stepfordy but the themes are done well, not tacky.

All in all a nice place to retire. My folks preferred Stonecrest because you were close enough to The Villages to enjoy it's amenities but it wasn't so crowded.

Oh, also some people didn't like that you can't have mail delivered to your door...you had to go to a central row of mailboxes. Just something I remembered ~

RobinA

(9,878 posts)
37. Frightening
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 11:50 AM
Apr 2017

My sister and nephew were down there visiting for a few days and found it quite frightening. I think it's perfect for some people and toxic to others. Depends on where you're from and what you want. Good idea talking to people who might live there. Even better if you could visit to see how it plays to you in real time. I'm thinking you wouldn't want to be there all settled in and decide you hate it.

ExciteBike66

(2,280 posts)
38. My wife learned through family there,
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 12:17 PM
Apr 2017

that many folks in The Villages believe that airplane contrails are actually "chem-trails" that the government (and or UN) uses to spread harmful chemicals over us all.

Also, apparently the singles scene is second to none...

ExciteBike66

(2,280 posts)
68. I guess they don't really care about VD
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 07:23 AM
Apr 2017

since they have much worse health problems to worry about, at their age!

renate

(13,776 posts)
42. I think Dave Barry's latest book (about Florida) has a chapter on it
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 12:44 PM
Apr 2017

I had to get the book back to the library so I only had time to skim that chapter, but it looked like you might actually get an idea of what it's like to live there by reading it.

obamanut2012

(25,911 posts)
43. Skip Orlando, go to PBC to retire
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 12:45 PM
Apr 2017

Boynton, Delray, Boca. All much nicer, much bluer, and it's warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than Orlando. With a huge amount of retirement places for all incomes.

Orlando is built on a swamp. A red one. And isn't close to beaches.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
47. Orlando is an hour from the villages
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 01:00 PM
Apr 2017

Which are built on the central Florida ridge- high and dry.

That said I would not live there if you paid me. But just north if there is Gainesville a blue oasis in a sea of red.

Have a nice day

OceanChick

(83 posts)
58. I am a native Floridian
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 02:48 PM
Apr 2017

I spent my whole life in Palm Beach County until I moved to Colorado two years ago. Why did I leave Florida? Because the huge influx of people ruined what used to be a fun beach community. Now it's full of beach condos, Bentleys, Ferraris, special snowflakes with fake tits and lips and I just couldn't take it any more. It's also very expensive to live there unless you go way west of town to the swamps full of mosquitos and faux-Spanish cookie cutter homes. I see the same thing happening in Denver with swarms of new people invading (including me but I try to blend in!) what used to be a laid-back town nestled in the Rockies. Cranes are everywhere building new modern houses and apartments. Why does the human race ruin everything? Rant over.

obamanut2012

(25,911 posts)
61. I can say that is not like that where I live
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 03:56 PM
Apr 2017

Although I agree parts of Boca are like that. No one I know drives a car like that or looks like, we are all normal folks who don't live out past 441.

I love it here.

I live about two miles from 95, and my condo cost less than the place I moved from, which has a lower cost of living than here.

rzemanfl

(29,540 posts)
67. If I said "fake ***s, someone would report me. When I first moved to FL 21 years ago
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 07:39 PM
Apr 2017

Last edited Wed Apr 26, 2017, 08:16 PM - Edit history (1)

I was surprised at the prevalence of breast augmentation, particularly on younger women seen with older wealthy-looking men.

mcar

(42,210 posts)
49. I live about 30 miles away
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 01:35 PM
Apr 2017

The three town squares have really nice movie theaters. Otherwise the place creeps me out. It's way too Stepford.

Then there's the STD thing.

Also the golf carts.

a kennedy

(29,467 posts)
50. Have friends that live there now.......they love it, not sure of their political
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 01:46 PM
Apr 2017

persuasion, they both worked for the State of WI when they lived here. The villages do have condo's people can rent for a time to see if you'd like to move there. Lots and lots of regulations is correct.....and my friend is busy all week long with stuff to do, dance classes, pickle ball, golf all kinds of yoga and exercise classes. Everyone has golf carts to get around. Some are pretty fancy, http://www.wesh.com/article/photos-golf-carts-of-the-villages/4328479 and these: http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/extreme-golf-carts/.

mcar

(42,210 posts)
51. They do have a Democratic group there
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 01:50 PM
Apr 2017

That sometimes meets with my local Dem group and the Indivisible group.

One of my biggest objections to the Villages (aside from my previous post) is that they structured their taxing district so that it does not benefit the three counties in which it resides. One of those is among the poorest counties in the state. You go a mile outside the Villages in Sumter County and its squalor.

fl2020

(1 post)
56. Paul Ryan
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 02:25 PM
Apr 2017

I believe Paul Ryan's mother lives in the Villages. My parents are in a big retirement community just north of the Villages. I cringe every time I go down and see all the signs of support not to mention the entire area is filled with GOP rednecks.

AJT

(5,240 posts)
57. One reason I am looking at The Villages is that th e US is
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 02:37 PM
Apr 2017

not prepared for the baby boomer retirement tsunami. Cities ate not set up for the needs of this large population. Easy access to medical care, transportation, social interaction, shopping, housing, graduated needs like assisted living and nursing care. Rural areas are even worse. Some areas have a hodge podge of services that require a lot of paperwork, etc., but The Villages seems to be set up specifically for an aging population.

It would be great if there were other places set up like The Villages so one could choose a more liberal area, but I haven't heard about any place else like it.

Phentex

(16,330 posts)
62. It's very white and very conservative...
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 04:30 PM
Apr 2017

but people there love it for many of the reasons you list.

I have family there and have visited several times. It seems very surreal to me. But I live in what Trump would consider a ghetto.

LeftInTX

(24,560 posts)
65. I hear you. We've got new apartments/condos going up downtown/gentrification
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 06:09 PM
Apr 2017

Where I live (San Antonio) It is a step in the right direction, but the bus line is soooo limited that the only route that will work would require living right smack downtown where it is very expensive. Although outlying areas have bus service, it comes only once an hour or every half hour.

Other cities in Texas have better mass transit and I'm sure other cities in other states fare better than here.

Although these gentrified communities aren't "senior" living areas, they can be vibrant places for seniors.

crazycatlady

(4,492 posts)
74. Where I live
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 09:31 AM
Apr 2017

55+ communities are sprouting up like weeds. It is to the point where you're priced out if you're not a millionaire and under 55. My friend (in his 20s) couldn't find an apartment in this county due to his age that wasn't super high-end.

kydo

(2,679 posts)
66. They are crazy up there. Lot's of drunk old white people partying and crashing golf carts
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 06:39 PM
Apr 2017

For real. It's a huge issue. For a while a few years back you couldn't make it a week without hearing of another drunk villager crashing golf cart into the gate or wrecking something or some sex scandal or wild party. Well as wild has old people can get I suppose.

I am in the unincorporated part of what they call Winter Park.

The closer you get to civilization (Cities. Towns with universities.), the saner politically the population becomes. Sadly The Villages is closer to Ocala then Orlando. Ocala is typical north Fl small city/big town. They are more like southern GA, ALA, and Mississippi then Miami.

Gainesville is not far. University town. Very nice. Orlando is not far either. Lots of blue or at least purple areas that are not really far.

Sancho

(9,065 posts)
69. I have "friends" in the Villages...I wouldn't live there.
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 07:41 AM
Apr 2017

Florida has some liberal communities with the same weather and entertainment.

Go due west from the Villages to the Gulf Coast - it's better.

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,085 posts)
70. It seems to be a magnet for conservative retirees.
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 07:50 AM
Apr 2017

If you like the area, I'd highly suggest Gainesville, less than an hour north.

University town, liberal and far more authentic an atmosphere than what you'd find at the Villages.

Great food (just had some of the best sushi of my life yesterday) and the natural areas outside of town are incredible.

randr

(12,408 posts)
82. Make sure you have an ark in the back yard
Sun Apr 23, 2017, 10:24 AM
Apr 2017

There is no Florida after the lsos is done with the planet
Here is a graphic projection of 40 years from now

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Anyone here live in "The ...