The Villages: Fascination and Machination
Category: Active adult communities
April 22, 2022 — Journalists looking for a good story hit the jackpot any time they check out The Villages, the giant retirement community in north Central Florida. The community has all the elements needed to fascinate readers: high stakes politics, real estate machinations, Viagra fueled Lotharios, and the latest – voter fraud. Let’s take a look at what’s been happening in this community that stretches over 3 counties with some 60,000 (and growing) households.
Books, Magazines, and Movies
Starting with Andrew Blechman’s Leisureville in 2009, The Villages gained a certain notoriety. Blechman’s youthful vantage point might have made him a little too cynical, but he did produce a good read. His account of Mr. Midnight, a boomer aged Lothario cruising for action among the community’s many single women, was highly provocative and one of the most entertaining parts of the book. He poked a lot of fun elsewhere too, although it actually might have encouraged other baby boomers to move there for the non-stop activities and socialization. Then there is The NY Times version of TV life, published in this March feature: The Disney for Boomers Puts Hedonism on Full Display.
Comments on "The Villages: Fascination and Machination"
Daryl says:
“We’re interested in meeting other people. We like to have fun. We don’t want to be overly political. We like the idea of being happy.”
I read Leisureville, and as much as I love a Disney bubble, the politics scared us away. The quote above is from an article about Latitude Margaritaville. I’d prefer that attitude when I change my latitude.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/03/28/retirement-the-margaritaville-way
Bart says:
There is no place on this earth like The Villages in terms of facilities and activities. It takes two pages of the daily newspaper to list the activities for the day. If you want to enjoy getting out and doing things, this is the place.
Larry says:
For those interested in comments about the film “Some Kind of Heaven,” I posted mine shortly after the film debuted: https://www.topretirements.com/blog/active-adult-communities/movie-review-some-kind-of-heaven-is-more-more-or-is-less-more.html/
keith says:
What's the min price a couple can buy a place there, and are there options to rent for say 4 month stays ?
Kate says:
The Villages was on my first draft of possible places to retire. I studied its real estate listings, HOA fees, insurance costs and taxes. I read Leisureville, and did research into the availability of medical care. The conservative politics and questions about the developer were definitely a huge concern for me. However, I was also intrigued by golf cart living and all of the possible activities. Then I signed up for the local newspapers and newsletters, started looking at public police reports, and monitored Villages-based chat groups online, including on Facebook. They were fascinating. I learned about the sinkhole problems, problems with houses that are abandoned when their owners become too ill to care for them or die, criminals targeting the large elder population, difficulties with medical care, some middle aged "children" with drug problems or criminal records moving in with their parents, resale values of the homes, neighborhood disputes and more. The Villages was one of the first destinations dropped off my list (I watched "Some Kind of Heaven" last year and found its snapshot of the community to be incredibly depressing). Ultimately, I'm very happy with my final decision to retire near family & grandkids, and despite snowy winters here.
Daryl says:
For a while I was determined to get a little piece of paradise consisting of golf cart living, three town squares with nightly entertainment, and more activities than summer camp, and watched many entertaining and enlightening videos by the couple below who enjoy their lives there. If you’re interested, here’s their current video talking about the true cost of living in The Villages.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ke_2KideXt4
Jennifer says:
Daryl:
I watch Jerry and Linda's show every week on Monday for the Question and Answers and then on Thursdays for whatever adventure they are pursuing. It is a very good channel and they are from Indiana originally (my home state too). I know that I will never live in The Villages, however, the topics they cover are also pertinent to my Aunt who lives in Naples in a golf course community. The videos are very entertaining as well...I love their dog, Gizmo!
DenverDan says:
If you want something with lots and lots of amenities like villages, golf cart friendly and better weather… we just found SaddleBrooke Two in northern tucson. Up a little higher so cooler than Phoenix or Tucson and lots of trees vegetation and in foothills of mountains It was featured in a magazine on retirement and we found out some friends moved there. None of the one way drama of the villages. Or lack of different age groups or ideas. Seems very balanced with variety of people from all over the place.
This site shows some of the amenities. https://saddlebrookecommunity.wordpress.com/
BillyBogey says:
Good Morning. Having a Social Life sure helped me in keeping the "Smile" So, yes; do think "The Villages" or similar is a a good thing! & do look forward to moving in. Period!!
As really do wish to keep some "Lite" moments & good "Laffs" in my Life. Certainly makes the Day!!
Cheers.
John Brady says:
James asked if we (Topretirements) offer any vacation packages like those at The Villages "Lifestyle Preview" option.
We responded: Thanks for asking. Many communities do offer these packages. But you would have to ask the community directly. Topretirements.com does not represent any community, we provide a directory where you can find out how to contact communities directly. You can also use our Advanced Search and look for that option under Search communities by amenities. We tried it and found over 150 communities in our database that claim to offer them. See https://www.topretirements.com/Browse.html