World's Most Infamous Retirement Community (The Villages, Florida) 🇺🇸
Down in Central Florida is the largest retirement community in the world. The Villages is called everything: from a mega-swingers community to The Truman Show, to an STD superspreader event. Many of the locals call it pure paradise. Join me today to see what everyone's talking about.
► Join our community: www.bit.ly/3HC36EH
► My exclusive content on Patreon: / petersantenello
► Video edited by: Natalia Santenello
SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL ✅
► Patreon: / petersantenello
► Subscribe: bit.ly/3yVXktx
FOLLOW ME 📸
► Instagram: / petersantenello
► KZhead: / @petersantenello
► Facebook: / petersantenello
► Website: petersantenello.com/
► Twitter: / petersantenello
OTHER VIDEO SERIES 🎞️
► Native Americans🇺🇸: • First Impressions on N...
► Alaska 🇺🇸: • ALASKA 🇺🇸
► Cowboys&Ranchers 🇺🇸: • COWBOYS & RANCHERS 🇺🇸
► Amish 🇺🇸: • AMISH
► Hoods 🔥: • HOODS
► Hasidic Jews 🇺🇸: • HASIDIC JEWS
► Muslims in USA 🇺🇸: • MUSLIMS IN USA 🇺🇸
► USA Border 🇺🇸: • US BORDER 🇺🇸
► USA 🇺🇸: • USA 🇺🇸
► Iran 🇮🇷: • IRAN 🇮🇷
► Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦: • SAUDI ARABIA 🇸🇦
► Pakistan 🇵🇰: • PAKISTAN 🇵🇰
► Ukraine 🇺🇦: • UKRAINE 🇺🇦
► Living With A Ukrainian Family Displaced From War 🇺🇦: • FISH OUT of WATER (Doc...
► India 🇮🇳: • INDIA 🇮🇳
► Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬 : • KYRGYZSTAN 🇰🇬
► Belarus 🇧🇾: • BELARUS 🇧🇾
► Kazakhstan 🇰🇿: • KAZAKHSTAN 🇰🇿
MY GEAR 🎥
► GoPro 8: amzn.to/32d87iD
► IPhone 12 Pro (for B-Roll): www.apple.com/iphone-12-pro/
► Laptop: amzn.to/37HRuN8
► SD Cards: amzn.to/2V8Z5kY
► Tripod: amzn.to/2V93LHM
► Drone (I use sparingly): amzn.to/2HHWfeZ
► Hard drives
- Fast/expensive: amzn.to/2PaRvCH
- Slower/less expensive: amzn.to/328XFIS
► Backpack
- Men’s: amzn.to/38HoMNE
- Women’s: amzn.to/2SVX6xQ
NOTE 📝
► This description contains affiliate links for products and services that I believe you my audience might receive value from. Each purchase through an affiliate link gives me a small percentage of the sale.
Thank You All!!!
All rights reserved © 2023 Peter Santenello
Seriously just sent my 75 yr old Mother this video & said let’s sell our houses & buy one together at The Villages. It honestly looks like paradise on Earth to me. And in my 50s myself, & a widow, I’d love to be able to live with my Mom to help her as she ages. Peter, thank you so much for this video. Seriously. Thank you.
The largest concentration of STD's in the US. Be careful of who you hang out with 😂
@@danm5076 😆
@@mtngrl88 Sounds like a personall coincidence?
@@mtngrl88 Thats not true at all. Its actually a city in Colorado.....
Yeah same I jst had a meeting w my Mother
As a long time resident of a different 55+ community, I couldn't help but notice how many couples there seemed to be. Dancing, having fun, strolling, dining... doing things as a couple. I lost my Spouse five years ago after living in our community and the one thing that jumps out at me to this day, five years later is that as a newly 'single" person, I'm... precluded (??) from much of that. The dinner parties, happy hours and get-togethers we enjoyed for more than 15 years, I have been excluded from in the years since. I now sit at home with our small dog and make one attempt after another to be included SOMEWHERE with SOMEONE but find I'm (honestly?) not generally welcome. I'll leave it at that for the sake of brevity but ask that people reach out and make others that are less fortunate and are without a "significant other" be included in your happy retirement lifestyle. We are NOT out to steal your Spouse!!! We would just enjoy some inclusion and have much to offer. Honestly!
I'm so sad to hear this.....funnily enough that happened to me when I got divorced at age 50.....I wouldn't say ostracized exactly, but definitely excluded. Greetings from S Africa. As they say in Ireland," sorry for your loss "
Perhaps you should look into moving to The Villages, as they have a vibrant singles scene - activities, clubs, etc.
My god, are you telling us that women are so insecure still at that age they don’t even reach out and invite single people to par take in the festivities, that’s the mentality of high schoolers or small town bar/dance crowd… you know invite yourself and eventually you will run into someone welcoming
Sorry to hear that, and I wish nothing but the best for you
Date again. If it made you happier being in a relationship then find another.
Peter, this video changed my life. I live in Virginia and have always wanted to live near Disney World but got priced out of a home in Orlando. After seeing this video and learning that the villages is building a community for families my partner and I went down to florida to check it out. We were there for one day and knew we wanted to be there. We sold our home and moved into our new home in February 2024. Thank you for making this!!!
Wow that's wonderful
Enjoy the crazy good weather! (Outside of occasional hurricanes)
Welcome to Florida.
@@astrofish6163 crazy good weather, as oppose to crazy bad weather up north and out west
R u gay? 🎉do you feel supported. My kids are and would have to visit and well with desatan I just dont know.:(
For someone who has only lived there for 3 years, she's really done her homework. They need to hire this woman and she did great explaining.
So basically, if people just learn how to chill, laugh, and be civil towards each other than this peace can exist anywhere.
Sounds good in theory. Fails in practice
No. You need free food and housing. Oh wait. Free drugs too, if they can be found. But, pretty close after that.
Id start with getting rid of social media
peace can exist after you screw over all generations that come after you in this case
Not anymore, NAACP just declared FL a terrorist state. You can clearly see the fear in all the peoples eyes. They are obviously being held against their will and pretending to have a good time.
Most villagers are not wealthy, they are retired school teachers, pharmacists, civil servants and small business owners. They worked for 30 or 40 years, perhaps at a job they were not particularly fond of. They deserve to live their best life.
300k for 2 bed 2 bath is for the wealthy.
@@jamesc2545 Huh? That is as middle class as it gets.
@@jamesc2545 IN DEEP. WHO THE HELL CAN AFFORD $ 300 k HOUSE?
@@irisbaez1972 Those who worked their entire lives, saved and invested intelligently, and made good decisions. That's who. I sold my house up north for more than it cost me to buy one down here.
Many have 6 figure pensions from the NY and CT area..........yes MANY cops and FD up that way walk out with 6 figure pensions as some cities include OT in the calculations
My parents live in the Villages, and this video is probably the best documented experience that matches that of my parents living there, and every time we have been there. Great job.
My dad lived in Piedmont Village. He would often take us kids (adults) to Spanish Springs. Loved Sspanish Springs.
Great video! We moved here 20 years ago when the population was about 33,000. Although it's grown exponentially over the years, it's up to the individual to get out and move around or stay near the area that they are comfortable with. When we first got here we took line dancing lessons and went the squares fairly often (2 or 3 times a week). After a while the newness wore off and now the squares seem be too crowded for us ... but we still go occasionally. We play golf quite a bit, I'm in two billiards leagues, the wife goes to the pool daily, shops and does a lot with her friends. Of course, we are now both in our 80's and don't do as much as before, but we're still walking, talking, laughing and feel that the move here has no only made our lives better, but kept us alive longer. One thing about the video, when the young lady said that the bank was an historic building ... that's just a story. All around The Villages there are signs about the buildings and so on about the history. However, The Villages has been built from scratch and the stories are just a fantasy to give an old feeling to the place. Even Lake Sumter was created by the developers, it didn't exist when we first came here in 2003. All in all though, it's a great place to live. And as we age we realize that this is really just "God's waiting room".
I love it! "God waiting room!" It is, isn't it!😂 nice waiting room. Speaking of which, are there churches within?
I don't think she meant it was "historic" however that it was the 1st bank built there when the Villages 1st opened!
@Karl with a K So I would have to drive 54 miles-at least-to go to church?
@@saltyolbroad2962 Yes, there are many churches, both within, and just outside The Villages. There's even a church you can attend in your golf car!
@@badkarma1289 Do you live there? I'm seriously considering it!
I’m 35 and I work in the Brownwood Village at a private wealth firm and my office has another office in Lake Sumter. It’s nice to walk down to the square after a long day and have a drink and listen to a band on any given day. The loofah theory is a myth. The Villages is an amazing place. Highly recommend.
This was a fantastic tour! Thanks. And Peter, you are doing a fabulous and professional job!
My friend lives there. Lost her husband and she’s made friends there. She’s never lonely and she feels safe. Lots of retired law enforcement and military. The shooting range is always packed.
*Thank you for mentioning Shooters World on Road 44A. The place is an amazing gem among many Villages gems. Cheers!*
Peter singlehandedly is bringing Americans closer one video at a time. Brutal honestly delivered as a gentleman.
well hes sharing all theese interesting places with the whole world xD not just the US
Great way of putting it
If the big media showed the real America to world as it is, it's not just the Americans who would come closer together but the whole world will fall deeply in love with the country.
@@johngeiger3770Unfortunately, I don’t think this is true at all. America is falling apart. It used to be a great country. Not anymore.
Media owned by liberals and they hate America as it was in the 1950s
Seriously, this channel makes me fall in love with America.
Selling our home up north and The Villages bound! Cannot wait!!!
You could not have found a better guide. She's a real credit to the community.
Have to agree with you, she was great!
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ take a nap
@@margaretwalsh852 She organized the SW party's
also really sexy
Agreed
I'm always surprised how good Peter is at talking to strangers. He's so personable and relatable. Perfect for an interviewer.
Peter feels like an old childhood friend
He seems like he was loved as a child.
We’re retired, in our 70s and living in a 55+ community for the past 10 plus years and loving this community. Your videos are the best & I always learn a lot from them.
Peter, I'm new to your channel, but love your interviews and places you've visited. So nice to have found a channel that's not a downer. Just very educational info. Thanks for taking me along. And yes, I've subscribed.
My hubs and I moved from Sacramento to the Villages in Sep 2021 after visiting former neighbors who moved here years ago…each visit we learned more about the amazing and unbelievable lifestyle and the lower cost of living. We dance (over 400 dance clubs), play Pickleball (over 240 courts), golf (45 executive and 15 championship courses), play cards and games, and worship (many churches to choose from) every week! We’re definitely “living the dream” and enjoying our retirement; we’re 79 and 74🥸❤️🌴
That's so awesome God Bless you.
@Karl with a K Why & how??? Your comment actually sounds like you're pessimistic & negative!
Did you sell your home and then buy there?
@@cosettepotozniak7987 I have friends there, I know exactly what it is!
Thanks Candy, you answered what I have been wondering about, if there are churches there. God bless you!
Man...I did not expect the emotional response this video had on me... especially around the 40 min mark seeing all the couples dancing and just....alive. I want to grow old with my wife like that. And it makes my heart break for my pop who was basically isolated the last year of his life because of COVID. What an amazing place. Great video.
I would have to say that my folks lived LONGER being in the Villages because it is an active life style, well you can be as active as you want to be. BUT if they had stayed in OH I'm sure they would have passed away a lot earlier... No question in my mind.
This is amazing. I'm British and I once went to visit relatives who were living in a retirement village in Arizona. It was unbelievable. It was like paradise. Golf courses, swimming pools, golf carts, restaurants, bars. And it was so peacefully quiet. I met their friend who was 96 and you would've thought he was 70. I truly believe living like that adds years onto their lives, rather than spending the last 20 years of your life sat in your house, like we do.
What??? They don't have warm sunny weather, resort communities like that in Britain??
Humans really are social creatures
@@LordKroc Yes, I know. I was only joking. God bless.
People from Arizona are the nicest bunch in the states. I'm from California and I'm always pleased when I'm in AZ the people are just great.
You pay for it. You have to have money.
Thank you so much for making your videos! I learn something every time I watch one. Love how open and genuinely respectful you are to everyone.Thank you!!
Thanks, Peter. This was a great, on the ground, coverage of this development. Looks wonderful!!
Oh my goodness! I need to move there! I’m at a crossroad in my life bc I lost my husband of 39 years to brain cancer. It’s been four years now. I’m selling my house bc living there is keeping me in grief. He passed away in our home and the images are too much for me to even get a good nights rest. I’m going to really consider this
So sorry for your loss
Sry ,she didn’t respond..God Bless her..And you..
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Oh gosh, I am so sorry. Yes, it sounds like a change of scenery would be so wonderful. Sending you healing prayers❤
Heather is just so naturally pleasant & warm. Maybe she has a lot of public relations experience or something, but she just has such an inherent comfortability & familiarity.☺️Fantastic co-host Peter!👌🏼
Heather is from Indiana and it shows!
She’s full of crap about the cost of housing in Florida though! Very expensive
@@amandahumbert9482senior living is far less expensive than regular housing. Lived in FL all my life. Senior housing is standard 300-800 a month. She wasn't lying.
@@amandahumbert9482 It's all relative.
She Nice!! 🤗 because she's NOT!! from Florida.
In Australia, if I had to go anywhere, if I Could Fly to the U.S. I'd Live there in a Heartbeat. Thanks for the videos Mate. Awesome to see things on the top end of the Planet 🇦🇺
Wait until after the election. If the indicted one should, the gods forbid, become president again, I’m coming down there.
Look like a real life 'Truman Show'
I live about 15 miles from the Villages and they are expanding for miles and miles around. I've never felt the Villages was in any way negative, it's an amazing place. Over 1,000 things to do there, from studying languages to tennis, swimming, golf, bridge, yoga, pilates, you name it, they have it. You never have to leave there.
I agree. Nothing negative and some things way over-dramatized.
I go there to shop, Whole Foods, Best Buy, total wine etc. I’m 43 and counting down the years till I can get in myself
I looked on Google Earth and it showed the border of The Villages but I can see it has expanded quite a lot beyond that border already. The Morse family are certainly onto a good thing!
I live close by too & you forgot about the sexually transmitted diseases too!….lmao
If this was California the would shut it down because it represents middle class America and a safe neighborhood which they hate
What a great co host. Her grin was so infectious and genuine. Awesome video. Being Canadian I’ve always wanted to see the lay of the land there. Thanks
Here's the true lay-of-the-land across the Villages -- flat and hot. The artificiality and directionlessness and forced vacuousness of "oldies radio" blaring out of outdoor speakers is mind-numbing like an MK Ultra experiment. This is what Florida has been turned into -- artificial everything, superficial grins in a totally totalitarian environment -- an essential third world dumping ground for America's mostly White consumers who must be entertained constantly. Should there ever be any real moments of silence for any long duration, these people would be losing their minds. The spectator mentality that sucks one's very soul out of you and will ensure one never rises above disposable crap.
I agree, she was the perfect host. Canadian here too 😁
@@sarahd5341 She was awesome. So knowledgeable and a great communicator
She was a propaganda prostitute for the village's
Her energy doesn't say she's old enough to live there. And she looks younger than some of my friends in their 30's and 40's. The lesson? Keep your heart healthy.
I think it's great there are so many people in that area who seem so happy and satisfied and work together to make it mostly peaceful! Great video!
Thanks for taking us along with you! It was a blast!
He is one of the most gracious host I have ever witnessed. No matter where he is, he is never judgemental, just reporting. May God bless this man and his family.
For sure - such good vibes
Ask a pool guy about the condoms he finds in the hot tubs
His wife is the videographer
Finally a positive review of the villages. My mom lives there and it feels like a vacation when I come to visit. It’s a great place and it’s good to see a variety of people being interviewed
I love your videos because you have a totally open mind. You see all different sides of life and let them tell their own stories - good on you!
Love this concept! Definitely considering!
My husband’s grandparents live there. They’ve been there since the late 90’s. We have visited many times. It’s an absolutely wonderful place. It’s so heartwarming to see all these happy, energetic older people loving life, loving it to the fullest. You don’t move there to sit and wait to die, you move there to get busy living! Everyone helps take care of each other. Especially when someone looses a spouse. Think about how hard it is when you are elderly and you loose your spouse and your family lives somewhere else and has their own lives. The Villages has such a strong caring community and so many who have been there who can help in those types of situations. Or health issues, think about your grandmother sick alone unable to drive to get medicine or see her doctor, or prepare food for herself. That’s not an issue there. It really is a wonderful way to enjoy retirement. Heck my husband and I are 45, and we live in a similar community in a different state. We have said for yrs we would love living there once we retire. Thank you for showing how great it is, of course there could be things going on that you mentioned but I’ve never seen or heard of it from anyone who actually lives there.
Peter, never change. Your humility and excellent speaking skills is truly amazing.
Thanks for visiting with the workers, the happy residents, everyone! I've learned a lot!
This looked almost like a dream world. I noticed how clean the streets and grounds were. The buildings looked freshly painted and everyone seemed happy and welcoming.
Conservatism
And it beats the living hell out of liberalism.
It is spotless.
It’s part of living there . There are no families. It’s nothing political.
That's because it is majority white people , aka civilized people. If a ton of minorities start moving in, you can expect crime and filth to rollow!
Honestly, the Villages is one of the most beautifully community-focused communities I've ever witnessed. My 101 year old grandfather absolutely loves it there and it's given him the small-ish town feel he's desperately craved.
101?! WoW! That is so awesome--I love reading about folks that make it to the triple digits-still enjoying life.
It must be a great place if it's helping him live longer. Stress and depression are two of the main human life shorteners.
@@babskaz74 isn’t 10 minute city’s what everyone strives for these days?
@@JBBrickmanI think 10 minute cities is one of the Q conspiracies bubbling up at the moment
@@Ben-ix8ybhilarious 😂 we now have rhem here in the uk 😂 so much for conspiracy 😂
If your active it's a great place to be, just because you are over 55 doesn't mean you have to sit in your old home, assisted living, or apartment and wait to die. People down there still go to church, still volunteer, and YES they "enjoy" NOT HAVING to go earn a living every day. They earned it let them be. Thank you Peter Santenello for a great tour of the lifestyle.
Nope too humid
What are you? 30?? I am 50 and can't forsee retiring anytime soon....
@@skontheroad ?
Who’s interested in “going to church”? Talk about drudgery!
@@PETER394100 I guess we can all sit around and get high on our “medical cannabis”
FASCINATING! I love it. Thank you for this segment, Peter!
Thank You! I now have WVLG on bookmark! What a great station. I grew up in the late 70's-80's.
I was planning on watching 5 minutes but ended up watching the entire video. My sweet 91 year young daddy who recently passed away would have loved this placed as he was very social and loved to dance. He did live a wonderful life and was very blessed every where he lived! How wonderful to see older people enjoy their lives and being active. Today I see young people spending hours watching Netflix or their phones. No matter our age, if we do not move our bodies, keep learning, stay isolated, we will have a lot of complications and illnesses. Lastly, people everywhere have misconceptions of other people and places. That is because they do not bother to visit other places but stay all their lives in one place and repeat whatever they hear without verifying.
As someone that moved to The Villages almost 10 yrs. ago, I appreciate you're review of our neighborhood. Most of us grew up at a time when life seemed simpler. We smile and say "hello" to strangers. We wave people out of their driveways instead of honking our horns. We ask people who seem lost if they need directions or help. We enjoy welcoming people to our neighborhood and are proud of our lifestyle. It's not for everybody but for those who thrive here, it's a lucky find. For so many it's the same story. They came to visit just to see what the place was all about and before they knew it, the hook was set.
I bet you have been to take pictures of Mar a largo havent you. Trumpster
My parents moved out when it became a right wing hellscape. My daughter at the age of 4 was kicked out of the pool for sneezing. Whack place.
@@redsoxmom66 right wing?
Basically what America used to be :)
@@Jose96David Americans did NOT use to wave signs for a demigod , deny science, and support a losing candidate who attempted a coup.
Peter, thank you so very much for this video. Heather, thank you also. You have such a wonderful bubbly personality! This one video has convinced me that Florida and this type environment would be perfect for me. It’s a drastic change from what I originally had planned. I never knew a place like this existed. Thanks again!
As someone with an elderly father who’s looked at some senior centers…..this is off the charts way better an arrangement and lifestyle than anything I’ve seen in senior / retirement centers / communities. .
The guy you interviewed pretty much summed up the Villages in one sentence, “ if you can’t be happy here you can’t be happy anywhere.”
I’ve lived in the Villages for over six years. This was an excellent representation of life in the Villages. The sense of community, great friends, music and dance every night, feelings of safety…..pure heaven.
Do you think a woman of 69 on my own would find a share rental situation there? I am on social security and feel so alone and isolated where I live now, in a small mountain town. I have no children and am divorced. I would live to live somewhere with such a sense of community, friendship and activities. I feel it would change my life to live in such a place.
@@lindascott2008 Of course that is entirely possible, there are probably groups online or on a social platform that could help you out.
If you are a racist.... you'll love it.
ETA they are called "lifestyle visits." I was curious so I searched it just under Villages tours and that came up LOL. Bet if I searched that I would have had more results. YT wouldn't let me edit, so 2 ways to skin a cat lol
@@lindascott2008 Then Costa Rica should be your destination. They have the best retirement communities in the world.
Another great one Peter Thank you 👍
Such a fun video Peter! Thank you for sharing
My father was in The villages Hospital for a short time (although he did not live in The Villages) and the hallways looked like a hotel. The rooms were classy and not like your normal hospital room. more upscale and the care was top notch !
I didn't hear that there's a hospital or medical center on site. I wonder if there's also nursing home or assisted living. Now that I think of it, when a spouse dies what help is there for the surviving spouse or do they move back to where their families are?
The Hospital thing is true. My 87 yo mother was a patient there recently.
Wow Peter! I enjoy all of your content but this one was knocked it out of the park. The joy on the faces of all these "seniors" makes me happy. Thank you again!
I'm from England and I've never heard of this place until now. The sheer scale and size of the place is incredible to me. I'm aware that a tonne of people move to Florida to retire and it's often portrayed as some form of running joke on film/TV...but damn, this is the dream! I'd live here in a heartbeat. And i'm only 38!
There’s probably more money in Florida than the whole of England. I wanna move too 🤣
Don't. Just don't. As someone who is 43, I'd never ever live there. It looks nice now, till you go and they nosy into your business then judge you because your views are different. As someone with different views then them. I was snubbed, even though I am a native. Trust me, there are way nicer places then this to consider. This is nothing.
@@Vitalikisgaynot culture though, England has that
@@springbrown9769that’s a thing about Florida and the south, very unaccepting if you don’t see everything the same way they see it
People are different..some may be snubbed while others may find great friends
I'm 64 year old, 4 years into widowhood, going through the same situation as some here....all the so-called "friends" who always showed up at my Memorial Day BBQ's every year six months after my wife passed away 90% of them disappeared, the other 3% a year later, and now I only keep in touch with 1 because we've known each other for 32 years....now it's just me and my 3 Chihuahua's at the house and their unconditional love....sad that it takes a tragedy to really learn who's important in your life and how important you are in theirs....I told the 1 friend that should any of the others ask about me to tell them she knows nothing and that she hasn't seen or heard from me....
get back in your friend...they may be going through a bad time too...and don't want to burden you..
@@nickieca - although they don't keep in touch as I've stated doesn't mean I don't know what's going on in their lives....
As someone from the UK, this is what I think of when I hear the American dream. Kind, outgoing people with a real sense of community.
It's the American nightmare! Listen to the '60s song, "Pleasant Valley Sunday"!
My wife and I just moved to the US from Europe, and we bought a house in a small town outside of major town in the south - and it's almost exactly like this, in terms of the people. Most people here are retired, they are extremely outgoing and friendly. There's essentially no crime, everywhere is well maintained and beautiful. It's a real sense of community, with tons of events and get togethers. It's honestly a bit of culture shock for us, but in the best way. It's like living in another time, it's very bucolic.
The American Dream is all across America. just not in the cities. once you leave the cities the people are the nicest people you will ever meet.
@@DoubleD72 the American dream was a lie for everyone after these people who rode the coattails of the new deal and the American labor movement they destroyed.
Just how kind are the people in the Villages? About 70% of them voted for Trump, one of the kindest individuals ever to live on earth. Villagers have essentially seceded from any responsibility for their fellow humans, except for themselves and others who think like them.
Everyone is entitled to what makes them happy, but at 72 this sounds like Hell to me.
I’m going to be the only one writing a negative review..sorry. I lived here for 5years and found it a cross between “Stepford, The Prisoner & Cocoon’. My husband really loved the golf. At first we thought it was super fun but gradually got so fed up with the falseness. We felt we had to conform with all the ‘fun & silliness’ and the ‘ I don’t have to think anymore’ attitude. And, it became so claustrophobic; everywhere we went was overcrowded, esp. by the ever increasing Snowbird invasion. There seemed nowhere to be quiet and contemplative. Someone needs to produce an informative, truthful video of the cons of living here. Obviously The Villages is paradise for thousands, but people do move out. We found our paradise moving up to the Blue Ridge in North Carolina.
Excellent video! So informative
After almost 18 years living in The Villages I'd like to clarify a statement made about the town squares. None of the buildings have been preserved from the past. They were all built new but made to look like the theme of that town square. Many do have signs in front with a phony history of the building making it seem like it has been there for many decades. That's just part of the fun.
This was so enjoyable to watch, thank you!
Thank you for sharing, that was amazing, live in Clermont now. Plane to visit and look into moving to TV. Well done.
I lived ten minutes from Brownwood . If you need something to do you never get bored. Now being a Floridian the downfall is traffic . But that's the only down side . It is a Disney world for seniors . And the atmosphere is contagious and always uplifting .
I'm a Tampa native. You're right, the only downside of Florida is the traffic and the summer weather (some like the heat I guess). I'm happy you're enjoying Florida and all we have to offer!
I have lived and worked in The Villages for the better part of 20 years now. I always like to say that I’ve met 100 of the best grandparents anyone could ever want but there is also a very large negative underside of this “happiness”. There is a very large sense of entitlement here. There are a larger than I would like to say amount of Villagers who don’t want the “outsiders” i.e. people that work in, tend to, live near, or simply do not live in “their” community to never step foot inside of it. Like we are good enough to serve them and take care of them but how dare we socialize with them. Like I said, it’s definitely not the majority but it’s enough to give the community as a whole a very bad reputation that has been proven time and time again. I love all of your videos Peter and I would love for you to do one on the other side of this so called Americas Friendliest Hometown. Thanks for all you do!
But there are plenty of rentals, or is there a wealthy section where the entitled live?
Serving Boomers and Silent Gen, you have my sympathy man.
I was just thinking as I was watching this video, there's some significant privilege and entitlement expressed several times.
I find it fascinating that they live in an artificial version of the world they grew up in. That is no longer around for the rest of us. The bubble indeed.
I want to move there, but I feel that way outside of there. I don’t think our generation gap is helping. If I ever move there, you can be my grandchild also! I just want to have fun lol!!!!
Great video Peter! We always wondered about The Villages and now we better understand the flavor!
Live here in TV for 14 years. We love the curb appeal of the various villages that comprise the community. There are over 4,00 clubs to enjoy . This is a safe, friendly , affordable place to retire .
Thank you so much for doing an honest video on my community. My husband and I relocated to The Villages a year ago following our retirements after living our entire lives in R.I. We did not want to have our outdoor activities limited by long cold winters and that was our incentive to move to The Villages which was one of the best decisions we ever made!!!
R.I. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?
@@irisbaez1972 Rhode Island…
@@irisbaez1972 Rhode Island. Looks like your caps lock is stuck.
It's like a cruise ship on dry land.
Thanks again Pete for providing insight into another community! I learn so much watching your videos! This one was great! I would love to visit TV and meet Jim with the motorcycles! He seems like a fun dude. Definitely going to consider this place! I do have concerns about the quality of construction of the homes. I’ve lived in North TX the past 30 plus years ready to move but not ready to retire! Nothing keeping me in North TX, where the temps and climate are similar to central FL. Will research how to make a visit tour! I suppose the website will connect me to someone that can assist with this. Or if Heather reads the comments maybe she can hook me up! As I watched this currently on a vacay in Madeira Beach Fl. Love this place! And if they really do have single clubs… just a plus! Thanks again!
Thanks Peter, nicely done. We took a tour of the Villages about 10+ years ago. It looked then, and again from your video - like a nice place to live. Certainly a lot to do.
In planning our retirement, I have vowed that I'd never live in a 55+ community, particularly in Florida. But this gives me pause to think twice. I will definitely show this to my hubby. Something to think about. Thank you for shedding new light on this place.
Life's a journey, short one at that. Don't ever close your I mind off to anything! You may miss many gold mines
The greatest selling points would be a sense of community that is sadly missing in other places and no crime.
My husband and I are in our 50’s. Just retired here and love it. Its really fun and to be fair a heck of a lot less expensive than where we lived previously.
Just make sure to visit. Spend time there. Same for any location.
@noreenn6976 Great advice! Thank you.
I honestly can't tell you which episode(?) of Peter's channel is the best one to watch. Watch 'em all! This channel is far and away my favorite thing to watch, either on TV or streaming video. If I had to describe this channel in one word, I would say: authentic. This is real America, and an honest look at the diversity of the people and cultures found within. Cheers, Peter! Yet another excellent video!
Thank you for sharing. I have heard of and knew people that own properties there, but had no idea it was that massive!
Thank you for sharing.
Peter, Thanks so much for doing this video, us Villagers really appreciate it. There have been other people that have videoed us here, but all he did was find and report on a few negative pieces. We are 140K strong city and with that, you’re going to have some problem people. There are so many rumors that go around about The Villages and we just get tired of hearing them. All they have to do is come out here to visit for themselves, but I can almost guarantee that they won’t want to leave. We have music 365 at 3 squares, 1 stage/restaurant area and they are continuing to build more. We have over 4000 clubs to join and you can create a club as well. For the most part, everyone is nice and caring. Fuel pump went out on my golf car, so I was parked on the side of the multi-modal path. Only one person didn’t stop and ask if I needed help and the one person that didn’t stop, was probably someone that was visiting family here. When I’m too old to drive my car, I know that I can still drive my golf car to get around and meet up with friends. This truly is paradise for us. Thanks Again. ❤
Can i visit
This place is absolutely beautiful and it's true that everyone seems really happy and laid back. Do you guy's have any churches there? That's the only thing I didn't happen to see or hear about. What an amazing place, I'm just blown away about this place. GPS would be a necessity lol
Question? I have sxs with AC/ heat and seats 6. Is there a restriction on what is considered a cart?
Really well-done and entertaining video, Peter. And special thanks to Heather for being such a great tour guide. You guys make a great team!
Love the video ~ you are a great interviewer ! Shadow
Excellent video on The Villages …..another quality video.
Heather was a wonderful host! Never expected to watch this all the way through and enjoy it as much as I did! Great video!
they are about to hire her.
I second that! She’s just so naturally pleasant.☺️
California resident all my life and about to turn 50 this year. I was finally able to finally interest my wife in moving away from here in a few years because of this video. Thank you.
Please don’t vote Democrat. Florida is great because it’s a republican state. Vote republican.
Remember the movie The Stepford Wives. It kinda gives off those vibes. I can see problems arising the larger it becomes. Paradise will be invaded as it becomes more generational. She said they were open to the public??? There are a whole lot of public crossing the boarder in Jan. Large amount. They have a wonderful habitat on these premises and truly a FUN place.
I think she was saying the businesses are open to the public
I've been tuned into your KZhead recently. It's always a pleasure because of your thoughtful choices on people and interesting questions. 👍
Parents lived there for 20 years. Place is great for retired adults who want to stay active. I will say the place has multiplied in size over the last 20 years so it doesn’t have that small town feel anymore. Still a great option for those who want it.
Name a place that is great to live or holiday where this doesn't happen? People say that about the city I live in all the time, yet thousands still move here and enjoy their experience.
To me, The Villages feels like a really huge, more permanent cruise ship; it is highly curated, safe, and everyone is pretty much having a good time. And some people really like cruises. To each their own. The Villages are not for me (I'm 46), but I can definitely see the attraction for some. Who knows? Maybe in 20 years I'll see things differently and get my own golf car [sic]. :-)
It’s like a reservation for respectable, hard working people.👍🏻
Ah-ha, the very reason I would detest living in a community like this. I detest cruise ships (took ONE cruise in my life, and hated it - I will never do it again.) But yeah, I can totally see that this has a cruise ship vibe. Enjoy it, ya'll, but I'll never step foot in a place like that.
@@lisalu910 I don’t think you can equate villages with a cruise ship. It’s horses for courses. Sure neither would appeal to many people, because everyone’s different.
@@lisalu910 the villages have nothing to do with a cruise they are cramped and overloaded with people the villages are despite what the video suggests not that crowded if you go to the square and a good band is playing of course there is gonna be a crowd
Not for me
Peter, once again, another awesome video.
What an eye opener. Thanks for your travels!
As an urbanist who prefers places like NYC, London and Paris, I opened this video thinking I'm going to hate this place. By the end I forwarded the link to my retired parents letting them know about it. The people look happy and there seems to be a true sense of community. What more do you need?
London & Paris are like old-time versions of The Villages, in that most everything looks picturesque, if not charming too. Newer development in general is more like that, whereas many (most?) US communities built in the early 1960s, 1950s & before then (or after the 1930s) often look dreary or dismal. There may be a Truman-Show-type homogeneity about the Villages, but that's way better than the burned-out urban-America look.
cities before cars were probably like the villages
Cities are disgusting. Having lived and visited major cities never again
@@Hmfirestormz Not sure if you're only talking US cities or all cities in general. But worldwide I would say it depends on where. Prague, Vienna, Edinburgh and Budapest are incredible. Montreal is pretty awesome too. Swiss cities are clean enough to eat off the sidewalk. Never been to Japan but I hear their cities are super clean. If American cities are bad, it's because Americans made them that way.
@@rexx9496 Every major american city unfortunately has become a living nightmare in terms of how things have become... LA, NYC, SF, SEA, Austin, Detroit, Chicago, Boston, ATL, i would say of all the major ones Miami might be the only one that has skirted the plague but its there too. Im gonna go with this as the reason because there are many and who can really pinpoint it in a YT comment... but we went from the 40'50'60s where you grow up in small towns super safe and the whole big city was like that too, just a different culture where things werent so crazy like today, if there as a homeless guy he either got ran off or given work or just show compassion cuz thats uncle/gramps Jonney... as time went on 80'90'00s thats when everyone and their brother/sister were getting abducted or murdered or just the panic fear set it with the parents especially the moms, no longer did kids ride to city on bikes or all that... nowadays you take a street in any US place, really it doesnt matter north, south, east, west coasts... rich poor, X, Y, Z... no one knows or is wanting to know each other... that allows homeless, crime, drugs, all types of shit that attracts more of it the worse it gets... ive been to sketchy places or in situations where i shouldve thought twice about that, shit ive been hassled and roughed up in Mexico city like 4-5 times now from the cops they will stalk you and find the right moment to claim a petty crime like drugs and run your pockets taking everything, first time scared me but now i know the game and they can only get like 20-30usd if i have that and i keep a burner phone too when im there. the scariest city i never expected was LA 5-6 years ago right before covid. i went there for a few weeks to visit friends before my Japan trip, super clean yes but go visit Osaka blows all the sterotypes wrong i saw homeless tons trash everywhere just gritty japanese city with the coolest and friendiest ppl you will every meet there imo... even got to hangout w this local yakuza guy he never said that but it was obv i went to a bar and he was wasted buying me beers and making me chain smoke LOL, the waiter and i were using a translator app thing along w him but he just like teaching me cuss words LMAO he said the guy is very known guy his father owned this building like 3 4 story with some restaurants bars small little intimate spots but he was impressed by nature, i wasnt scared like the other "gaijins" that he has met... i said why should i be scared and showed him my knife i keep tucked and he was like a little kid... ohhh my goddd this is SUGOI cool in japanese. he ended up showing me a world id never have even known or found, a literal cultural open legal prostitution area that was like a throwback to the early days with mamasans and girls in outfits, an underground casino, just soooo cool ill never forget that, but osaka ppl dont care about the tokyo shit being in suit, super clean, they have a grimey rough style to them... i highly reccomend you go if you ever get the chance. shit i just moved to small town TN to chill out and live under my means i got some family here and wanna get back to nature all that. even tho the guy i rent this house from knows the guy accross the street we are only 2 houses for like 1/4 mile... we literally have the same name LOL, they have yet to knock or say hi to me, we've waved and said it kinda a few times but you'd think he walk over to check out who moved in or i would but even then id feel weird... ppl are soooo closed in terms of life a the "outsider"...
I like Heather's personality a lot. She did great demystifying The Villages. I'm glad everyone is living happily with each other (and the gators).
😊😅😅
My mom lived in the Villages from 2000-2015. Her best friends have lived there for 27 years. My younger sister was married in Spanish Springs. It’s a beautiful place to visit and live if you choose to.
This was such a great video. Love it
My parents live in one of these communities in Florida, dont think its no where near this size but it really is so amazing. Everyone is so active and has so much to do. I was a emt for a few years and seeing older people in nursing homes or assisted living homes was always so depressing
As sad as this may sound watching this made me see how hard the last 3 pandemic years have been on my wife and myself How we lost friends stopped travelling and just stopped having fun in our sixties This really showed me community and human interaction and if I wasn’t financially wiped out from the pandemic I’d probably enjoy the lifestyle of the Villages Hats off to ya all Canadian Chris
Grow. Up.
This Canadian Cristina hopes to retire in The Villages - it looks awesome!
@@healthyb-fu5zdwhat's with your comment?
Florida is not governed by a pro mandate lock down tyrant type of Governor, He made sure people had the freedom to do what they want and that included freedom of health decisions.
There are houses here under $200k. Small but still a house.
One thing that wasn't mentioned--but is a problem all over FL--is that mega-developments are sprouting up at an alarming rate. It isn't even a question of trying to keep ppl "out"--but current residents know all too well the flooding issues that exist statewide. When major developments (think small cities) spring up, the counties invariably give the developers whatever they want (think kickbacks). Developers then change swamp into residential communities. sounds great--EXCEPT that developers raise the elevation of the land by several feet, thus flooding out existing communities. In my neighborhood, which is low density and an older subdivision, the county is allowing a new development to raise the elevation 9-10 feet. Yes, they do that. Now whose house is going to flood? There's a second reason why high density development esp causes flooding: they pave over wetlands. So where will the water go? we need wetlands to absorb the high amounts of rain, esp with hurricanes. Developers also clear cut all trees--even though there are ordinances against that 😞 FL is basically a sandbox and can't sustain high-density development. There's a reason why The Villages area is also known as "Sinkhole Alley": too many ppl using limited groundwater resources surrounded by sand leads to massive sinkholes.
This!!!
That is a problem everywhere in Florida in low lying areas. Not just The Villages. There is nothing you can do. You’re in Florida it’s going to happen when you build .
@@evhvariac2 Unfortunately not
😔 I was so excited watching this. Now I read your comment, and I'm having doubts. I retired last year, and I'm planning to leave for FL.
Enjoy while it lasts.
Very informative for those of us looking to move to TV. Thank you.
I’m a 62 year old that is living in an older retirement community farther south on I-75 in the Tampa area called Sun City Center. I’ve lived here for 21 years and provide musical entertainment throughout my community. A few months ago, I got a call to provide music for a New Years Eve 2023 event in The Villages. It’s an hour and 30 minute drive one way. Looking forward to the event and the possibility of more performing opportunities there. The Villages are 20 years newer than SCC and has 110,000 more people, so there will be more opportunity for gigs in the Villages. You never know til you try! Both communities have a lot of activities and dancing so I’ll know what to expect.
What is this rambling nonsense?
@@steelflexWhat's wrong with you? The OP is just sharing that they live in a similar community and has been asked to perform at the Villages - this gives them a nice little insight into what to expect. Why be rude and nasty? Did it make you feel powerful attacking a retiree? Get a life - or better yet, come back after your 13th birthday. Idiot 😠
@@steelflexwhat do you mean? 🤷♀️
@@Nan-1017 sucks
@@steelflexyou sound like you need to be in a nursing home
Your guide was so refreshingly positive in the most honest and natural way that I don't think the official The Villages PR could match her. If she is representative of the people who live there, what a terrific place this truly is.
Very beautiful! Lots of things to do. I'd be dancing! Very positive. Love it!Thank you for sharing!
A really great look at this community in the villages. Thank you!
Peter you never disappoint! Keep ‘em coming