[wilt2448]

I saw a topic here called Single Women Living In The Villages and I don't want to hijack that thread so I thought I would start a new one.

I am a single, retired guy living in the midwest and getting very tired of the winters. I'm interested in hearing from other single guys like myself who either live in the Villages or winter there or who have just spent some time there. My first love is golf but I also want a way to network socially with other singles (both men and women) and I also like to dance (east coast, west coast, cha-cha, etc). In general, I am a sports oriented person but not a sports nut. I am planning to spent a month in the Villages sometime this summer and definitely open to moving there or at least being a snowbird.

I would like to hear from other single guys who either live in the Villages, winter in the Villages or who have just spent some time there. I would like to hear from both people who like it there and from people who don't like it there if there are any. How well do you like it and if you have tried it and didn't like it, I would like to know that also. Single women please feel free to chip in also.

Thanks.....Wilt

[redwitch]

There are a few single men on the board and I'm sure you'll hear from them. As a single male who dances, you'll be in high demand ... VERY high demand. There are definitely more single females here than males.

TV is very much couples oriented but singles do fit in quite comfortably. Like anywhere, it is what you make it. I'm single and have a great time. I'll happily be the fifth wheel or hang with a group of just females. I'm just as comfortable going to the squares by myself or with a group. Have a great time either way.

So, kick back, have fun and enjoy!

[swrinfla]

wilt:

Redwitch probably anticipated that I'd offer my two cents worth!

First of all, to TOTV. This is a great forum, as you'll see if you explore the various threads. And, we have an amazing time. Witness Thursday's Freeze.

Anyway, I'm a widower of almost 8 years. Came here 3 years ago, from St. Louis, so perhaps I relate to your "mid-westernness." I'm one of the few here who doesn't golf. For that matter, I don't do any of the sports things, nor do I dance at all.

Yet, it was the best decision I ever made to come here. There are singles clubs (several), but I'm frankly a little leery of them (my gut tells me, regardless of what they may say, that they are or may be a branch of eHarmony.com) :joke: I don't want to offend anyone with that description, it's just my perception!

How you fit in depends in great measure on how you cope with being single in a predominately couples world. If you're easy going, quick to make new acquaintances and friends, then this is a place for you. Folks at the squares have a wonderful time every night. And, I suspect, that Red's right in her observation that you'll be in high demand as a single male dancer.

Where in TV you buy may make some difference, although it shouldn't. In my case, I bought at the time when buyers could literally build their own place. All the neighbors (16 houses) on my cul-de-sac save one couple, moved here within six months of each other. Consequently, there's a special bond. We hear tales of folks moving into a well-established neighborhood, and having difficulty meeting the neighbors, but I hope those are few and far between.

Glad you'e going to come try us out. Be sure to be here for the TOTV lunch at Crisper's on the third Friday at 3pm. (I assume we'll keep it up thru the summer, since we have such a good time, and even the few snowbirds wouldn't be upset if we continued without them).

Feel free to ask any questions you want, whether in this particular thread or elsewhere in TOTV. You'll be delighted and excited!
SWR ("Steve")

[bestmickey]

Welcome to TOTV! Like Red, I too am a single female, but will have no problem going to the squares (or anywhere) by myself. I'm open to meeting all people, and found during my visit that most everyone in TV is friendly and they tend to speak with strangers all the time. My current plan is to relocate to TV in summer '09.

I just want to add a thought to a comment made by swrinfla re: difficulty in meeting neighbors if you move into an established neighborhood. While I'd like to purchase a new home, I may end up buying a pre-owned since I prefer gas appliances (new homes being built are all electric). If I find it difficult to meet my neighbors, I'll just have an open-house party and will drop off invitations at the neighbors'. I won't bother them by knocking (in case the're antisocial) but will instead leave an invite by slipping it into the screen door.

Hopefully, the neighbors will attend my party and if not, I'll just meet people and make friends at other events/places (to include TOTV gatherings). If you visit TV, l think you'll quickly find that it is the place you want to be. Socializing is much easier as the place has so many activities to attend. And, the place is beautiful!

[redwitch]

FYI -- I live in a very well-established neighborhood. It definitely took me longer to get to know my neighbors, but get to know them I did. A group of us go to dinner on Saturday and then take turns going to each others' homes for games. I've been asked to fill in for pickleball and golf but had to decline since I play neither game and really have no desire to learn either of them.

Personally, I think it is up to the person to find their niche. Mine is games -- card, board, trivia, I don't care, I love them all. For a friend of mine, it is cooking -- her group takes turns cooking weekly. For others it is golf or tennis or pickleball. For many, it is spiritual. The point is, you'll find your way if you're friendly, open and a decent person. Most TVers are very accepting and, if you find your neighborhood isn't, you can always join the TOTV gang.

[wilt2448]

Thanks to all for the input. I'm really looking forward to the visit. My plan is to rent for a month this summer in the Villages. I also plan to check out other areas of Florida (Naples, Ft. Myers, Tampa Bay area, Vero Beach, etc) during my trip. Who known, if I like the Villages well enough I may not even check out those other areas. If I really like it I will probably try to find a place to rent for a few months this winter. Almost everyone whom I have met either loves the Villages or at least really likes it. A few thought it was just "okay". I guess I need to try it for myself to really know, thus my plan.

I really prefer for the most part to be around other singles. If I'm with a female friend I don't mind hanging out with married couples but if I'm alone, I feel like a fifth wheel when I'm with couples. This could be a problem for me in the Villages but I guess it would be the same almost anywhere since all retirement communites seem to be couples oriented.

If any other singles, especially guys are interested in commenting, I'm will be checking here regularly. Single women, I would appreciate your comments also.
Thanks.....Wilt

[ConeyIsBabe]

I can comment on the "single-life" (although in a relationship). From my perspective it's all about the individual's personality when it comes to making new friends and being accepted in a new environment. An outgoing, gregarious, vivacious single will certainly be accepted sooner than the reserved, shy individual (me). It's been my experience over the years to have made many new friends, but it takes me longer, with a "one-on-one" environment, to cultivate new friends.

From what I have read on TOTV, TV has many opportunities to make new friends through the clubs and activities, but as you have already said........ and I agree ........ the community is couples orientated. Some couples do welcome the 5th wheel, but other do not.

Wilt, your plan is good (mine is similar) and the odds are in your favor that you will receive many casseroles from the ladies

[swrinfla]

Wilt (and others):

I think an open house, as bestmickey suggests, is an excellent plan. After all, 99.99% of Villagers love a party! ;D

Hand-delivering an invitation makes sense, too. I would, however, be prepared in your own mind to do it all yourself. Later, after having met everyone, you'll fall in to the "y'all bring something to share" mode, very common in TV.

Coney's thought that you might be inundated with casseroles brings to mind a story I heard even before I actually came to TV (sorry, some readers may have already heard this): Seems a widower bought a place on a nice-looking cul-de-sac. His research failed to show that there were six widows on the street. After a constant stream of casseroles, etc., over several weeks, our "victim" was careful to plan his golfing late in the day, in the hopes that he could get home late, giving him a chance to see what was happening, then rush into his garage under cover of darkness! :joke:
SWR

[wilt2448]

Hopefully single people in the Villages are out having a good time. Maybe that's why there has been so little response to this topic and it's counterpart topic "Single Women Living in the Villages".

Anyway, I'm still looking forward to the visit this summer.....Wilt

[tkret]

Wilt,
Keep us updated on your visit to The Villages when you take your summer vacation. I'd be interested to read what your impression is for a Single Guy residing in TV. I am not a resident but I have heard about the ROMEO CLUB (Retired Old Guys Eating Out). Although they are not necessarily single (and sure that most are not), they could be a fun group to contact. Good luck and, again, please keep us informed.

BTW, any members of the Romeo Club out there in TOTV??

[tkret]

Sorry - should have read Retired Old MEN Eating Out.