[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Ugh - I‘m sorry I posted this question - I should have realized it would turn ugly - I simply was asking at about what time do many of the snowbirds leave, and nothing more than a simple answer would have sufficed without the commentary. I’ll know better next time.

There isn’t a specific date when they come and go. Snowbird owners may stay longer than snowbird renters. The owners come any time they like and leave any time they like. Snowbird renters are more likely to be here in monthly blocks and be here during the worst of winter.

Snowbirds start trickling in at the end of October, and like migrating birds, the increase is heavier week by week and through December. Plenty come right after Thanksgiving or right after Christmas. January and February is when we have the best golf weather and the most snowbirds. A sizable number leaves at the end of February if they are renting by the month, and a much bigger number at the end of March. In April most of the rest flock North and West.

The traffic now is already much less than it was a month ago, and this time next month it will be much less, nearing the low point. I spend a lot of time playing music in jams in The Villages, and throughout this month various friends have left for the summer as their summer homes warm up. I miss them. It’s always nice to have them back.

[ehendersonjr]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I’ve only been here a few months - was just wondering at what point do most snowbirds return North?

The Villages is the closest place to heaven I’m ever gonna get. Judging from some of the comments, I suspect the same is true for some of you. So I can’t fault anyone else for wanting to be here. If I had my way, The Villages would encompass the entire state and I could take a golf cart from Pensacola to Key West, with nightly stops at tiny home rest areas. So let the part-timers come. I’m happy, they’re happy. All is well.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by Garywt

Not a very nice way to talk about grandchildren, sorry you think so little of them. I love my grandchildren and they are the best medicine for me including the one that lives with me and the one that was born yesterday. I would take my grandsons over just about anything.

Well, how sweet…teach them some manners! Something we find SORELY lacking in “birds.”

Originally Posted by Gpsma

My observations are the first flock of restaurant clogging snow birds leave the emd of March. Probably renters who rent by the month and arent renting for april.

The second big flock of these entitled birds leaves after Easter.

Good bye and good riddance.

Agreed!

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Your house would be worth half as much and your amenity fee would be double if it weren’t for the snowbirds.

Ahhhh, no.

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Oh please with the nonsense argument about snow birds paying their amenity fees..big deal. They own a house, they pay. How about the renter snowbirds? They pay just rent to enrich home owners that arent true Villagers.

Snowbirds are merely vacationers, renter snowbirds are tourists.

Harold Schwartz never intended the Villages to be like this. Snowbirds should be shunned by all true full-time residents.

Doubt A B n B s were his vision either.

[dschneider]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

You are looking at the Snowbird population backwards. They aren't in TV clogging up everything for 1/2 a year- they are AWAY for 1/2 a year making things less crowed. If they were year round residents it would be crowed all the time. During the months they are away- and NOT using the amenities they are still Paying EVERY month. If they didn't pay while they were gone your amenity fees would possibly double. So, they pay year round, every month, and stay away freeing up space for half a year. Thank you Snowbirds.

Finally someone talking sense.

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

You are looking at the Snowbird population backwards. They aren't in TV clogging up everything for 1/2 a year- they are AWAY for 1/2 a year making things less crowed. If they were year round residents it would be crowed all the time. During the months they are away- and NOT using the amenities they are still Paying EVERY month. If they didn't pay while they were gone your amenity fees would possibly double. So, they pay year round, every month, and stay away freeing up space for half a year. Thank you Snowbirds.

I would gladly pay more for amenity fees if it meant I could get into restaurants and other venues year round. I’ve had to go outside TV for dining since last fall. I avoid the squares other than going to the gym, which is so crowded this time of year that it’s difficult to get time on the equipment—even during the (normally) slower afternoons.

The number of restaurants available is determined by the off-season population—not the peak population. If y’all stayed year round we would have more choices and they would have better staff because more of them would have permanent jobs. The best employees are ones with permanent jobs. Better employees make for a more-pleasant dining experience.

Infrastructure would be greatly improved. Roads might have more lanes. We might have more golf courses and they wouldn’t get so overused until they have to close them for repairs. We might even get more than two tee times per week.

No. You aren’t doing us any favors. Please stay year round.

[Akremer]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

My observations are the first flock of restaurant clogging snow birds leave the emd of March. Probably renters who rent by the month and arent renting for april.

The second big flock of these entitled birds leaves after Easter.

Good bye and good riddance.

Sounds like someone has a case of the crabbies

[Beyond The Wall]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

My observations are the first flock of restaurant clogging snow birds leave the emd of March. Probably renters who rent by the month and arent renting for april.

The second big flock of these entitled birds leaves after Easter.

Good bye and good riddance.

No snowbirds equals high fees everywhere, less business and Resturant’s . Yes it gets a little and hectic at times but we’ll worth it.

Originally Posted by hoot2602

Most of the permanent residents in TV are ignoring the fact that the permanent population of TV is increasing rapidly. This means that, on average, demand for services is going up daily. Then, add the Snowbirds and you have peak population and demand during the winter months. Ever wonder why there are new grocery stores, restaurants, etc., coming into TV? There are a few businesses that rely on the Snowbirds for survival/profits. But, you don't build a $100 million grocery store hoping that you will make a profit during 25% (3 months) of the year. The simple fact is that the population of TV is now more than 130,000 and it takes a lot of businesses to satisfy the needs and demands of that many people. Hence, growth begats growth. Thus, don't look forward to a significant drop in traffic or restaurant occupancy, etc., when the Snowbirds are gone because there are more of us permanent residents than ever before.

Would love to know how many homes actually sit empty when snowbirds head north. I am sure most put renters or A B n B their homes. To say full time residents should be grateful for snowbirds seems pretty inflated. Owners using A B n B to make money have little if no regard for their full time neighbors. They are simply covering their costs to be absent. In the end its all a wash.

Full time residents experience the waves of people year round coming and going. There is a definite noticeable change that snowbirds don't experience... until they eventually stay year round when the shoe is on the other foot.

T V expanding number of houses faster than the local area can handle... that's a whole other thread.

[MayaC]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Oh please with the nonsense argument about snow birds paying their amenity fees..big deal. They own a house, they pay. How about the renter snowbirds? They pay just rent to enrich home owners that arent true Villagers.

Snowbirds are merely vacationers, renter snowbirds are tourists.

Harold Schwartz never intended the Villages to be like this. Snowbirds should be shunned by all true full-time residents.

What DID Mr. Schwartz intend? From what I can find, he was a shrewd businessman who knew how to sell property. He ended up creating a unique business model and was (and continues to be) successful.
Anyone who lives in The Villages has come from someplace else. Why divide people up between ‘snowbirds’ and ‘“True Villagers”? What is the point?

If you want no traffic, fewer lines for restaurants, open tee times and perfect weather year round - not sure that really exists. However, The Villages is as close as you can get if one looks at all the good there is rather than all the ‘inconvenience’.

Embrace the SnowBird.

[jtmedma]

Originally Posted by GizmoWhiskers

Would love to know how many homes actually sit empty when snowbirds head north. I am sure most put renters or A B n B their homes. To say full time residents should be grateful for snowbirds seems pretty inflated. Owners using A B n B to make money have little if no regard for their full time neighbors. They are simply covering their costs to be absent. In the end its all a wash.

Full time residents experience the waves of people year round coming and going. Their is a definite noticeable change that snowbirds don't experience... until they eventually stay year round when the shoe is on the other foot.

T V expanding number of houses faster than the local area can handle... that's a whole other thread.

Sounds like you should be mad at "The Villages" for building more houses than the amenities can handle, not the snowbirds.

[Pgcacace]

I am not a snowbird, but the Villages would be hurting if there were none!

[cphague]

Well said regarding the snowbirds paying their amenity fees year round. I'm not a snowbird, but I appreciate them making it so I can afford to live here.