Travel has been my greatest joy in retirement, so I relate well, thank you for the article. The only part I find surprising is RoadScholar mentioned as a nonprofit. I have been looking at their offerings and find the tour prices often greatly exceed the prices of profit oriented tour operators offering comparable trips - so I guess I am missing something and scratching my head.
I'm with you on this. I just left The Villages - literally a few weeks ago, after a 15 month stay in a rental to try it out, so I am a first hand account lol. For me, the pros were: safe, clean, eye pleasing community, easy access to banking, USPS, groceries, some interesting forms of entertainment etc.
The cons for me were many: I threw my hands up when I could no longer stand the unrelenting humidity - literally only a few weeks out of the year were bearable. I found the people to be insular, provincial, narrow minded, extremely gossipy and clique-ish. Not a good place for free or critical thinkers or independents. I was surprised an appalling lack of professionalism and competence with respect to nearby medical, legal and financial professionals. I ended one interview with a local financial advisor when he claimed to be unfamiliar with umbrella insurance. That's probably enough dumping on the place. I also spent some time checking out other parts of Florida. Some interesting and beautiful places with great entertainment, sports, nature, etc.....but better for a vacation in my view. I am visiting my hometown up north and enjoying the change of scenery - all kinds of scenery. PS/I just received my Mexican permanent residency! Snowbird options :)
Comments
Travel has been my greatest joy in retirement, so I relate well, thank you for the article. The only part I find surprising is RoadScholar mentioned as a nonprofit. I have been looking at their offerings and find the tour prices often greatly exceed the prices of profit oriented tour operators offering comparable trips - so I guess I am missing something and scratching my head.
Post: On the Road Again
Link to comment from December 31, 2022
insurance. insurance. insurance - elephant in the room.
Post: Not My Place
Link to comment from November 22, 2022
Given the long wait lists, how does one begin to research and find these types of communities? thanks
Post: Not My Place
Link to comment from November 22, 2022
I'm with you on this. I just left The Villages - literally a few weeks ago, after a 15 month stay in a rental to try it out, so I am a first hand account lol. For me, the pros were: safe, clean, eye pleasing community, easy access to banking, USPS, groceries, some interesting forms of entertainment etc. The cons for me were many: I threw my hands up when I could no longer stand the unrelenting humidity - literally only a few weeks out of the year were bearable. I found the people to be insular, provincial, narrow minded, extremely gossipy and clique-ish. Not a good place for free or critical thinkers or independents. I was surprised an appalling lack of professionalism and competence with respect to nearby medical, legal and financial professionals. I ended one interview with a local financial advisor when he claimed to be unfamiliar with umbrella insurance. That's probably enough dumping on the place. I also spent some time checking out other parts of Florida. Some interesting and beautiful places with great entertainment, sports, nature, etc.....but better for a vacation in my view. I am visiting my hometown up north and enjoying the change of scenery - all kinds of scenery. PS/I just received my Mexican permanent residency! Snowbird options :)
Post: Not My Place
Link to comment from November 22, 2022