If you don't like a bunch of strangers monitoring your every move and gossiping about you non stop then don't move to the villages.

Thank you for the assessment of The Villages. I don't think I will any longer consider it for a few reasons. I wouldn't be making use of the amenities that I would be paying for. I don't golf because my dermatologist told me to always seek the shade. I don't drink and don't like being around people who drink because they think that they can get away with insults. That kind of "get together" is a special kind of torture.

What a great list of cautions and presented with balance - thank you

Thanks for posting this. These are well defined considerations for anyone thinking about moving after retirement. I've thought a lot about it but so far stay here because of the kids and grandkids.

This is such a nice, thorough, thoughtful video. The honesty, without a doubt, #1. Well done ladies!

I moved from Brooklyn to south Florida in 1979 when I was 19. Then they started over-building and paving over the "semi-country" areas. I went back for a visit in 2000 and couldn't believe what the place had turned into. It's 90% New Yorkers and just about as overcrowded as New York is.

Thank you ladies. Such good info all the time!

Thanks for a candid and informative video. My husband and I have some apprehension about moving to the Villages. So we are looking into the East Coast of Florida, Melbourne area. We like the Villages but everyone needs to do their homework lol. Thanks ladies really appreciate your honesty need more of it ...

Thank you for a fairly honest assessment of The Villages. Born and raised in Florida. We’ve been here for over 18 years and still love it. Still in the original house. Retired downsized and at the time could custom build, so we got exactly what we wanted. We enjoy the fact that you can do as much as you want or as little, it’s up to you. We’ve always felt due to all the activities and active lifestyle it has added years to our lives. We could never do a fraction of the things we do here, in South Florida where we were grew up. Our family is all in Florida so travel is not an issue.

You are right about Tenn . I am a half back. Moved to Tennessee from Florida about two years ago . Home.prices,are reasonable taxes cheaper ,weather is not bad in the winter

Spend a whole summer there before buying. We lived in Texas for 19 years. The long summer can really get oppressive and tiresome. We moved north and are very happy.

I enjoyed watching this. We visited The Villages once and had a blast. We are happy here in NC but it certainly is a fun and nice place to live in Florida. You both are really pleasant and gave lots of information.

I find it interesting to hear about other people's life styles and i can see why people flock there however i grew up in NJ and i couldn't tolerate the humidity. I live on the west coast of Canada now and the weather is better for me. I'm an introvert and not into people around me all the time so the villages sound far to crowded and exhausting but it diffinately would be a good place for those people who are more socially oriented and all that goes with that.

Extremely interesting and informative.Thank You ladies!

I'm 74 and live in MI which I LOVE, winters and all! I could NEVER live in FL due to the heat and humidity. For me, it's unbearable! FL is a nice place to visit and I love the ocean but just couldn't live there year round.

Thank you ladies. A very nice insightful and well thought-out presentation. It was very helpful.

Lived in Italy for half of my life before moving in US and all you are saying makes me wanna move there . If you love life and have lots of friends looks like the place to live in US

Born and raised Floridian 1964 I loved that whole area back in 70's 80's when it was such a beautiful wooded land before it turned into a sea of rooftops ,concrete and humans!

Your video is very helpful. Helps put things in perspective.😊

We were at the Villages on vacation awhile back and stayed in a nice house we liked how well kept everything was but disappointed not many trees. Would definitely not like the constant flow of alcohol. A drink now and then is fine but when it is everywhere that is very unappealing. I learned over time alcohol often cause trouble with people.

Thank you ladies . I enjoyed your views of the Villages. My wife & I were there checking the place out right after it was first started. I lost her 2 years ago from cancer. We have been living here in this retirement center for some 17 years now since we got off the road. We lived in our RV on the road for 6 years. Thanks again for the update.😎

Nice job ladies. I am not sure how old this video is. I use to live close, I would visit the squares, always had fun. I will say the Villages have lots of activities, however, now I am reading alot about families being priced out. The residents driving the golf carts, many are fine, others get drunk and should not be driving, many gates broken, and some accidents when people have been hit.

Tks for sharing! We're just beginning to look at The Villages videos on KZfaq & they are very tempting, but the cons are starting to add up! We'll keep watching videos, but this is the best video yet as you are so open & honest. I think expenses will be our next area of focus. We know homeowner's insurance will be very high with the added/necessary hurricane & flood insurance we don't need in CT. And, the higher cost for Medicare supplement plans, due to the large FL elder population will be a burden. I remember comparing the rate of our (CT) supplement plan (F) 5 years ago to the same plan in Florida & FL was several hundred dollars higher monthly. So planning and researching is critical before making such a move!

I would not live in the Villages for two major reasons. First off the houses are so close together its a fire hazard (especially when you are dealing with that many senior citizens being so close together). The second reason would be the lack of privacy again because the houses are so close together. Some of the positives would be the beautiful environment and amenities. As far as drinking that’s a personal choice that I don’t indulge in no matter where I go. Thanks for your perspectives!

The two of you are very helpful with great information I am coming down early September for a lifestyle visit and bringing my Mom so that she can see why I am so interested in buying and moving down I hope to maybe meet the two of you

Maybe the alcohol consumption aids in the rumors that are being spread. Thanks for sharing these observations! Interesting. As someone who is FROM FL but living in Poland, I've always thought that staying busy is vital for seniors! Glad to hear that you all stay busy! It's so much better than just staying home and watching tv all day.

Thank you ladies. Very informative 👍🏻

Great information ladies! Thank you

We just completed a lifestyle visit and really enjoyed everything about it except flying into and out of Orlando International Airport. Thanks for the videos.

You know, some of these things happen wherever you go. People who complain about geriatric Disney, we ALL are going to be old or are already there. I think that you guys helping with your neighbors is fantastic! I helped neighbors wherever I lived and they have helped me. Being in Michigan and watching your vlog, makes me want to be in warm weather. And, if you have your health, WHAT A GIFT!!! Enjoy your time ladies.

Thank you for your "observations" about the Villages.....FANTASTIC!!!

It's always good to hear more than one side of things.

Moving there has never been on my radar. Nothing about it appeals to me. In fact nothing about Florida appeals other than Disney. Thank you for your honesty.

Great honest video ! We live in Iowa and wife wants to move to Florida. I think I am convincing her that Florida is to expensive. I want to buy a big diesel motor home instead, that way you are never tied down to 1 area !

Good explanation and presentation …answered a lot of questions I had 👍💯

Great video, ladies! Very informative & helpful!

Thanks for sharing about life in the Villages ! I stayed for months (and my pug with me) with my friend who moved there back in 2017 and loved it ! We had peace at her home and at night we went out dancing hours to all the excellent bands and met so many great people both in the Villages and others visiting the area. I would not live there because it is too far from the beaches - I would leave and go to Sarasota (which I truly love) or Smyrna Beach driving the car on the sand (met the best couple who lives in that area trying to convince me to move). I am in NY and felt like I was high on life every day while in Florida - sunshine, happy people and it was a shock when I took a flight back into Kennedy for daughter's graduation. My mellow state of mind quickly altered back to high stress........... and here I remain trying to figure out life and where to move as a single divorced. I don't see my kids much and wherever I move to, they can visit me and enjoy quality time as you mentioned. Perhaps you can do a video on the healthcare system at the Villages........ access to quality care, physicians, hospitals?

Great video! We're one of those younger people that had to get a waiver when we bought- we're 52 years old!

You're a very sweet couple. The breeze makes a big difference. Thank you for taking the time to share.

I've spent a few months in the Villages about 3 years ago. In the newspaper I couldn't believe the number of AA meeting announcements! Also, I don't golf and I hate dealing with the golf carts in the road. And the damned roundabouts? Don't get me started!

It makes sense that people would drink more when they're not having to get up for work the next day or get the kids to school. I suppose any place as big as the Villages would be talked about a lot.

Great insights, thanks so much

I have a second home in aNorthern state because I love the mountains and skiing, the Summers are gorgeous and the Winters are too, I enjoy cold weather people, they aren’t big drinkers and love winter sports, I’m glad to see different perspectives, but I’m so happy I invested my idea of fun.

Thank you ladies for an excellent video. I'd like to expand a bit on the rule against school age children in the community. You talked about some of the "soft" reasons, but the "hard" reason is the Property Tax treatment granted to 55+ communities by the taxing authority. My mom's 55+ community (not TV) recently took legal action against a homeowner who rented to a family with a child in the local school system. The result was the homeowner was forced to sell their property after the renting family revealed in deposition that the owner knew of the child. The legal issue was the entire community was granted partial exemption from local school taxes, estimated to be over $1000 savings per residence per year. The local govt taxing authority stated that the entire community would lose their exempt status, to the estimate of over $1 million in school tax revenue per year. Needless to say the other homeowners in the community supported the legal action nearly unanimously. While what I describe happened in another state, I'm quite sure that similar risk exists in Florida law.

These would be all the reasons we want to move to the Villages, lol. Except, that the beach is so far away. We retired to Pompano Beach, a few years ago. We are still going for a Lifestyle visit in November, to check everything out. What’s drawing us, is all the activities, socializing, and dancing in the squares. We don’t play golf, however. If we love it after our visit, we will rent for a month, to check things out further. We are really happy where we live in Florida, but not a lot of amenities, etc. can’t wait to see what it’s all about in the Villages.

You’ve made some very good points. Thank you

Enjoyed the video, read all the comments and decided you ladies have the most patience on all the internet.

I'm 67. Seems to me that I'd be too young for boring old people activities like that of The Villages. Golf, oldies concerts, no kids?? And, I'd miss the melting pot of people where I've grown up: The United States of America. The Villages reminds me of a place where the Stepford wives would be comfortable. Stepford wives and drunken bigots.

I think this is the place for seniors that love golf, socializing and conservative politics. I live in a downtown St. Petersburg condo and can walk to 2 theaters and many restaurants. I enjoy the wide variety of ages of my neighbors and the lovely gulf beaches and breezes are close by.

Great video! Good points! We’ll be come acrossers, lol, when we move from Calif. 😂

Hello. Thanks for the sharing of info in your video. I'm a bit confused on something I saw online...It appears the Villages has their own High School? You stated no one under 18 can live there so why did they build a High School in the Villages?

I was thinking in moving to The Villages, now I can see that is not the place I want to be. Thank you for the information.

My dear friends moved to the Villages some 15 years ago. For the first few years they loved it and thought they had found their Shangri-La! As time went on, they began to realize that many of the neighbors they met originally had passed away. And as new people moved in, my friends got to know them, only to have them pass away. My friend said that it didn’t make sense to make sense to get to know anyone because before you know it they are gone. And as fate would have it my friend passed away.

Can you clarify if the homeowner who holds the mortgage has to be 55 plus, or does the spouse who lives in and older over 55 enough to qualify residence

P.S. Thank you for great videos!

Not sure if it is true or not but I lived in Lakeland FL for a short amount of time and was told the Villages has a lot of "Swingers." I lived in a 55 and older community and I was one of the youngest and one thing I didn't like about it was the death rate, it seemed like we lost at least 1 neighbor a week. I didn't need a constant reminder that death could be around the corner. The Canadians were very friendly, the neighbors from the East Coast not so much. Childish mentality sometimes within the community. I didn't like the traffic, the crime rate, homeowner's insurance costs, my car insurance doubled moving to Florida, snakes, and alligators in the community. Too many negatives for me! Best wishes to anyone moving to Florida.

It’s not for everyone, but there seems to be a lot of happy people living there! We chose to live on the coast south of Cocoa Beach, and we love the cool breezes coming in from the Atlantic..😊

Before my husband died we had a place south of The Villages in Leesburg. Staying from just after Thanksgiving until just before Easter - it wasn't bad. Then after he died I had 10 acres in Live Oak for a couple of years - again about the same time limit - but one year went down in August - - I thought I would die. For health reasons I'll just stay up here in West Virginia - winters aren't bad and summers have their good and bad times.

This is the most helpful video I’ve seen on the Villages! So much sounds wonderful, but I did have concerns which you addressed. Thank you so much! 💙🙏

We lived in Lady . Lake for 3 yrs and 3 yrs in Leesburg. The heat, bugs, Northerners made it unbearable. We lived through a hurricane. The gators and cranes were the only birds that we saw when we lived in Leesburg on Lake Griffin. We were from Ohio. I grew up in Texas. I have always loved the Southern Lifestyle and people. I also have always wanted to live in the Mountains. We moved from Florida last April to Morristown, Tennessee and couldn’t be happier. We are surrounded by the Smokey Mountains and are on Cherokee Lake. The summer was warm , but not unbearable. The Fall was gorgeous with all its color. The winter only had a trace of snow, but it was refreshingly cold , but not bitter sub zero. And now this spring it’s so pretty with all the flowering trees and new growth. The wildlife is plentiful and I’ve become an avid birdwatcher now. I enjoyed your video and your honesty about the Village lifestyle. You were right The Villages are getting bigger and bigger. !!!!!!!

we are on the younger side of residents here and we love it! so much to do. so friendly. and safe. as I've told some people, if you're retiring in florida, what place is better than this one? A 55+ community or tower on the water where people don't know each other and there is little to do? I think that's the point. TV rocks even if it isn't perfect but where is?

Great info! Thank you!!!

Are there any apartment complexes in The Villages? I have a condo in St. Pete but would like to sell one day and switch to renting there if possible.

We rented in The Villages for 5 weeks and decided it definitely was not for us. We found the Tavares and Mt Dora area and fell in love with the laid back atmosphere and the progressive attitude. Cute downtown areas with shopping and entertainment and both towns are on Lake Dora. We decided on Royal Harbor community in Tavares which is located on Lake Harris. Water volleyball, pickleball, tennis, boating and loads of other activities. If you are a progressive minded person you will fit right in here and will find liberal friends waiting for you!

I think I have the best place to live in Florida! I live in the middle of Hollywood Beach right in the middle of the Broadwalk on the fifth floor overlooking the ocean on one balcony and on my side balcony I have Margaritaville hotel and resort! Miami is 20 minutes away. Ft Lauderdale is 15 minutes away And the Bahamas a short plane ride away! I can get to the Florida Keys in an hour and a half and go snorkeling. There's nothing in the villages for me there because I like nature and the ocean and to me that's just one big development of houses, but to each his own!

Thank you for posting this helpful video

As a newbie, I agree with everything you said in this video. THIS PLACE IS HUGE! However, as you briefly mentioned, if you stay at home, it's nice and comfortable. I'm an in-betweener. I get out, but most of the things I do are pretty much isolated between 466 and 466A. While that's still a lot of area (and a lot of golf courses), I don't even consider heading south of 466A. To me, it's really just more of the same for my interests. To me it's no different than living in a city. Yes, there are multiple Targets and WalMarts, but I never went to them all--I went to the ones I'm used to. The big draw here is the weather and there are SO many things to do.

You're going to have all these problems in Florida no matter where you go. Whether it's the villages or not. We live outside of the villages we love going over there for the restaurants the entertainment walking around, it's absolutely beautiful and I would say anybody that wants to move there will really enjoy it, as long as they don't expect it to be where they're leaving now. It's definitely different there, definitely conservative, but a beautiful place to live.

The Villages are also a Trumper, extremist, “conservative” Hellscape.

Excellent presentation...Thank you

Yes we have visited and liked it but now it’s getting expensive. We have a daughter in Tennessee but that’s crazy expensive now too. Guess you have to pay to play. Great informative video!

Thank you for the honesty and straight talk. Much appreciated.

Good job pointing out the pro and cons of moving to The Villages of Florida. Debbie wastes little time in debunking the myths and the validating the truths. I happen to like the idea of living in a mature senior community. There are many good things to occupy ones time but one of the best is the availability of people especially older 60+ single women. If you looking for great senior friends and dating opportunities. The Villages is your place.

Hi girls. Good tips. Jan, I didn't see many true smiles and you weren't looking at the camera when you were talking, almost like you didn't want to be presenting. Thank you for the info.

Very nice job ladies. A few of our friends just bout in Bonita. My wife and I are going to be visiting a few times before we decide. Your observations mirror some of our questions about Village life. But I have to say we love what we saw and will move down when we can. Who can beat a Happy Hour let alone a happy day! LOL

Sounds perfect for 55 & over singles who do not have kids or family & who are active & looking for friends/neighbors with similar interests.

I wish I could move there today, thanks for information. I am not a golfer, at all. Can it still be a fullfilling place to live if you don't golf?

Sounds lovely people everywhere are the same -to each their own…..everywhere in Florida have seen tremendous growth in other states in the US it’s hot and humid in the summer

I’m born and raised Floridian. I live in Brevard County on the east coast. Regular quiet subdivision. Only leave home average of once per month. 72 not interested in crowds. I’m very happy here and love our Governor . Thx for the info. Plus all our families are here.

The villages has destroyed what little was left of Central Florida. I absolutely despise everything & everyone responsible for that large scale destruction of wildlife.

Moving to AZ about 25 yrs ago, most of what you said about The Villages was said about Sun City and the surrounding communities. It goes with this type of community.

Thanks for making this video. I have always wondered about many of the things you mentioned. I wonder if most 55+ communities are the similar. If so, I don't we will ever move to one. Just not into many of the things you mention.

I live next to Lake Superior, a giant freezer. It’s exactly like living near the ocean, but it doesn’t smell like the ocean and generally doesn’t have many sandy beaches. That’s what I would miss most in Florida. No way would I live near the ocean or the gulf in Florida nor any body of water, but that’s fine with me. Hot weather? What’s that? It’s beautiful here for the 6 or so weeks we have summer. It’s already snowed here twice this year the second week of October and snows into May and sometimes in June. I just want to be warm. I’m freezing all the time.

If you’re a Trumpster or Republican you will fit right in.I find it interesting politics are not mentioned here when at this time it is a major consideration for many retirees.

That's sweet that People help each other and are friendly and neighborly. That's great that people are active. I'm pretty sure the golf cart hussle bussle would be a welcome change to the workday Freeway hussle bustle backup. 😅 🚗 🚘 🚔

I live in the Emerald Coast. I visited. It is a horrific place to live. Is busy. The alcohol seems to be the only fun thing they do. Everything is organized around alcohol. Boring. Here the adult community is very active and people more oriented to healthy at times. Good video. Tks!

The Villages was a lot prettier when it was pasture. A swingers club for GOP geriatrics is how many Floridians see it.

I am new to The Villages. I love living in The Villages. My neighbors are wonderful, successful, accomplished, kind, polite, friendly people. Thank you neighbors. I love the Village Squares, they are fun. I love the people and the live bands. I am from Arizona, The Villages are not hot to me.

Do you have recommendations for similar communities on the beach?

I live in Florida and the Villages is way too expensive. I live in an old condo complex. My father lives in the Valencias. I like that better and there’s always so much to do, as well. I also don’t like to drink. Though, I don’t mind others drinking. I don’t do rumors about neighborhoods, that I don’t live in. My father is elderly and has disabled friends. I help them. But, they are sharp and help me out. I also am a senior citizen. I used to be the youngest one, everywhere. Now, I am one of the oldest ones wherever I go. I think if you are active, you live longer. But, not everyone can be active if disabled, have mental illnesses.

Do the older or mature women like younger black men around 30 to 40?

Retirement is to have your own life, not to keep raising kids.. sooo I'm glad there are rules if you wanna keep raising your kids Go somewhere else. I'm sure the residents will not miss you Bye!!

First timer here. We are doing a lifestyle visit next month to check things out. Curious as to where in Illinois? Can't blame us for wanting to avoid the Winters!

Thanks for your honesty!

Good video.. very informative. Thanks 😊

Before moving to Florida you need to worry about property taxes and insurance cost first.

Hi ladies. Thanks for this video which I happened to stumble across. I see lots of videos of all the pluses of The Villages but I figured there has to be something out there of the drawbacks and here I am. My husband, 21 yr. old and myself live in Sebastian. We are very happy there and really have no intention of moving to The Villages. What doesn’t appeal to us the houses are way too close, the rules of what you can have and not have on your property, the need to get approval for this or that, we like plants and landscape novelties(we have a painted turtle made from old car tires in our landscaping, pineapple plants, gnomes, old apple picking baskets with plants in them, and my husband’s sports flags). I think The Villages or a nosy neighbor would wave the red flag. Our yard is neat, but not like residents have in The Villages and from my understanding, most pay for a service. We are from NY and since we have no basement, we had to get a garage placed in our back yard for our stuff and lawn tractor. There are way too many fees and overall, the cost of a home is way over what we can handle. Plus we feel there’s always competition for the best golf cart. I do like the neatness there. I wish the city of Sebastian would go through some of these neighborhoods and get people to get rid of junk cars, and anything on the front property that makes it look horrible. At least where our house is we don’t have that problem, just the people across the street need to trim the front trees. They stick out in the road and you can’t even see the house, just the garage. Whatever, thanks ladies.

Is it true that there is a lot of STD's being passed around down?

it's like living in a Disney controlled environment. Houses are literally feet away from each other, no privacy and so crowded, everything looks the same, no mature trees, no breeze. I'm sure the HOA rules are very strict and controlling, faux town centers. That part of inland Fla just cooks with humidity in summer.

This info dsnt apply to just The Villages, all southeast states are uncomfortably humid.