Love the Villages.I have been there twice for a few days each time.Sadly,I do not have the income to buy the house worth moving to Florida.But,I will wait till the housing market takes a down turn.I presently,live in Northeast Ohio in a very friendly and up scale neighbor.My house cost me under $200,000.The viability score for my neighborhood in Ohio ranked 92.The Villages was ranked 79. Expense ranges from $100 to $500. In order to keep up with rapid growth, The Villages is always expanding with an average of 250 new homes and 200 pre-owned homes sold per month. It's a hotspot for women dressed in sexy tops, inappropriately short skirts and flat comfy shoes to line dance together hoping to attract some of the single men hovering near the cheap booze stands. And the management certainly doesn't encourage dwelling on the suburb's downsides. ', For many people, The Villages are an opportunity to re-invent themselves. Matured oak trees covered in Spanish moss line the quaint streets. ', Remarkably, Oppenheim feels the same way. Various ticket prices and movies can range from $8 to $30, maybe more. But, what happens when that Utopian fantasy becomes a dystopian nightmare? Text Zoe Whitfield. Kitschy downtown areas were meticulously crafted to feel more like a theme park. The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community According to Village lore, 'Spanish Springs' is the location of Ponce de Leon's long-sought Fountain of Youth. A paint job every 5 to 7 years at around $2,000 to $3,500 per job. So strong is the gravitational pull of nostalgia - The Villages were imagineered to imitate old town squares like a theme park, complete with phony histories. Good article, but you missed that we have all underground utilities, no interstate noise (for almost all of us) and no airport noise. A nearby radio billboard reads: 'Boss Hogg Radio: No Rap and No Crap.'. Most of the places we have lived, we have not been connected to our neighbors. 'That's easy,' he said. Lol! In doing so, Oppenheim reveals the dark undercurrent of loneliness, willful ignorance, intolerance, and insularity beneath sheen of 'America's friendliest hometown. Sometimes dubbed as 'the widower's paradise,' the club president told the documentary: 'When they become single, whether it's through divorce or whether it's through death, it's like a new awakening. N Marco Rubio? With a thriving swingers scene, the sexual proclivities of villagers are no secret. Even the grass isn't what it seems. Cheerleaders at The Villages, America's . He prowls the swimming pools, town centers, churches and polyurethane pickleball courts (friendlier on the joints) while looking for a gullible girlfriend that will take him in and he's not embarrassed to admit it: 'I came down here from California to meet some wealthy women and get set up for life,' he tells the camera. Success is impeded by individuals who refuse to comply. By 10pm it's hard to find anywhere open as the oldest residents - known as 'Frogs' because they've come to the Villages to croak can't stay awake. About 115,000 people live in the villages in Central Florida, dubbed "The . Why is it such a shocker?" 'I was looking for people who were on the margins, who didn't exist inside of the same marketing brochure that everyone else did,' he told Vox. Money that you can use to pay for your big move. The Villages has one of the lowest crime rates in the state. Oddly, said Blankenbyl, this optimistic side to The Villages was one that a gerontologist an academic that studies ageing said was also one of the most troubling. ', Some Kind of Heavenplunges into this surreal world of argyle socks, heavy drinking and Viagra-fueled promiscuity with no shortage of situational comedy that borders on absurd. Letting your shirt tag stick out tells people that you're open for business. PGA golf tournaments have also featured these golf courses for championships on live television. It's really worrying," said Blankenbyl. Then there is 81-year-old Dennis Dean, a life-long bachelor and drifter; who, like so many others, was drawn to The Villages' allure: 'The reason I came here is because I honestly figured this would be the last hurrah. Golf courses are available for all levels, from advanced to beginner. Remember that cult TV show from the 60s, The Prisoner staring Patrick McGoohan?? Where Is The Best Place To Buy Moving Boxes? Generation appropriate retail is also on hand for the picking: Panera, Chilis, Olive Garden, Applebees and TGI Fridays. Restaurants include Ruby Tuesday, Margarita Republic, Flippers Pizzeria, Katie Belles, Gators Dockside, and more. It's not - anyone can enter - but it fooled many locals for years who thought they were barred. His optimism is a common thread among his grey-haired neighbors,'Everything here is just so positiveso I'm lost for words,' said one resident in the documentary. The Villages in Florida: Shangri-La or Shameful? - New York Times The Square at Spanish Springs is best enjoyed Child Free, as most of the residents are 55+ years old with health issues that go along with this age group. Villagers must make sure their lawns are properly edged at all times and hedges can be no greater than four feet (planting new ones will require Home Owner's Association approval). ', With over 20,000 single residents, The Villages 'singles club' is one of the most popular extracurriculars on campus. Boasting 100,000 residents over the age of 55, The Villages may be the fastest growing city in America. They have par three holes with an occasional five, with players enjoying three sets of tees. Like a theme park, music is pumped out of the lampposts, fake rocks and time-tattered signs of yesteryear decorate the ersatz town squares. Congratuations. What a sick disgusting cult of deranged trumptards this place is. The kitschy downtown areas that are meticulously crafted to simulate life in an old Western, the antebellum south, or crumbling Spanish colony feel more like a back lot at Universal Studios than real life. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The Dark Side of Florida's Most Famous Retirement Community Aug 2019. Insurance companies are available in the Town Square plazas for further assistance. Though politics and Trump are never mentioned, Oppenheim said: 'I wanted to make something that was more engaged with the ideas of the Trump presidency, or a body of people who do believe in those kinds of ideas that Trump believes in.'. Other residents subscribe to the Orlando Sentinel, which can be more expensive. "She thought The Villages was the most ageist place there is in the world. These are scary times so you need to take the action that reduces your fear. Brownwood Paddock Square features Tommy Bahama, with other miscellaneous services such as financial groups, banks, and insurance. Political division in the senior mecca reached fever pitch in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election. Typically $100 to $200 a year. Spanish Springs Town Square: Very weird, verging on creepy. 'I came down here from California to meet some wealthy women and get set up for life' he tells the documentary, Dubbed 'the Disneyland for seniors, Anne Kincer said everyday in The Villages is 'like being on vacation.' There's a saloon with Wild West accents, faded advertisements for Charlie Chaplin's The Pilgrim are painted on the wall outside the Rialto theater and an old-timey western jail says 'Established in 1792.'. This can be an additional $3,000 to $4,000, maybe more, depending on your needs, budget, type of home you buy, and the neighborhood you occupy. Lastly, there have been various scandals around the Villages and regard it as Disney World for old people. Also, the atmosphere likens to that of a college campus, but for seniors. Nothing like making a visit to decide for yourself. Free from work and with the kids all grown up, residents revel in doing whatever the hell they want to. That is, until she develops a crush on Lynn Henry, a charming golf cart salesman and Jimmy Buffett fanatic who invites her to his Parrothead party. To see a catalog of homes to purchase, you have to work with the developer directly and not have a personal realtor. Outraged residents take to online forums to air their grievances. But a hardcore crowd of 60 to 70-year-olds hang out in the twee town squares openly drinking booze in plastic cups. Its a welcoming environment with live entertainment and professionals around the vicinity. Open-play, tournaments, and clinics are available throughout the community. A thriving swinger's scene has created a black market for Viagra and randy couples meet at each other's houses for key parties. Unfortunately, visitors have mentioned the immense sales pressure to purchase newly built homes, which are expensive and more than the average home established in the Villages. Yes, there are three local libraries in the vicinity: The Villages Public Library at Pinellas Park, Mark Twain Library located on Paradise Drive, and The Villages Public Library at Belvedere. But most of all, it's The Villages' general desire to split itself off from its neighbours. I completely agree with Frank. Fran Miller from the 'Village of Country Club Hills' didn't mince words in her Letter-to-the Editor of Village-News.com, when she said the youth are: 'Taking up space and not contributing either volunteering or financially to the community and being a parasite to society, unhealthy for all. I truly regret moving here and cant wait to get out. It may not be as blatant as The Villages, but it could be just as much a bubble. Possible expenses of $200 to $500 a month. Designed in consultation with golf pros such as Tommy Aaron, Hubert Green, and John Mahaffey, this 27-hole course features scenic views, bunks, and challenging elevation. This is great if you like The Villages. One of the main attractions of the Villages is their 12 championship golf courses. The Orange Blossom Hills is an 18-hole course in the Villages, with majestic trees, bridges, and rolling hills. The Villages Homeowner Advocates (VHA) is $25 per household for two years, and the Property Owners Association (POA) is $10 per household for one year. For existing home sales they can be listed with a Realtor and in the MLS. The Villages FL Real Estate & Homes For Sale - Zillow An elusive billionaire family lords over the master planned community that boasts 100 recreation centers, 89 swimming pools, 11 dog parks, one polo-field, 14 grocery stores, 2,700 social clubs (from bingo to hot-air ballooning to golf cart drill team) and even its own radio station, newspaper and television channels. Shirley Schantz, a resident of Sanibel outlined in a Letter-to-the-Editor of VillageNews.com, all the reasons she feels 'afraid to live in The Villages.' 90.6%. Its These racist white priveleged farm animals who shouldnt be allowed to vote. Where else can you party seven days a week with live entertainment? "Happy whatever day this is," says one of the residents to his wife in the documentary as he sinks another cocktail on the veranda. It has its own radio station and newspaper which provide a constant infusion of positivity with never a word against the suburb itself. Yes, especially the residents grandchildren. Meanwhile, the six-figure property prices and exorbitant Home Owner's Association dues create an entry barrier that separates Villagers from the chaff. The Village Daily Sun is about $70 a year. How a 20-something director made a stunning, uncanny film about The Villages. Barbara Locciatto is an outlier in the community in that she still works full time and struggles to find joy in the manufactured happiness of her surroundings: 'I think that when you live in The Villages you're acting the part, every day, every night, you're a part of the fantasy.'. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Did not get a opportunity to see any of the shows. There are an array of things to do in the Villages, such as: There is entertainment for residents all year round, featuring performing arts, movies, and theater. Did you know that we can help you save a lot of money when selling your house? better get them the plan, flower information, pictures, etc. There was a community there and it was where people used to gather and now it's just all gone.". Giant swathes of ready-made track homes and manicured lawns dot the pre-fab neighborhoods in Stepford-like uniformity. 1.73. Learn the Insider Secrets About Selling Your Home That Agents DO NOT Want You To Know. "The Villages is a place that is so honed towards perfection that it cannot uphold that perfection, it's just not possible," Valerie Blankenbyl told news.com.au.. She spent time living in the community shooting her documentary The Bubble, which is screened this week at Sydney Antenna film festival.. And she likens it to the Jim Carrey movie The Truman Show, about a man trapped in a . Over 18 of the 27-hole course provides elevated scenery at the highest points of Sumter County. Herein is the focus of Hulu'sSome Kind of Heaven, a debut documentary by 24-year-old filmmaker, Lance Oppenheim who peels back the gated community's artificial veneer by following the tribulations of four different seniors who live on the fringes of The Villages mainstream. Hi my name is Elaine. sure go ahead it usually starts at noon because every day is happy hour then they complain about people driving drunk in a golf cart (yes there are golf cart DUIs) yet there is only 1 (maybe) Uber. Things turned sinister in June when 2,000 members in the 'Villagers for Trump' group hosted a golf-cart rally in the presidents honor. About the worlds they've constructed and the people they choose to surround themselves with and the people they knowingly or unknowingly exclude. A 27-hole layout that features the Tequesta 9, that wraps around water and the Villages only island green. 'It hasn't been the fantasy land I thought it would be - CCFJ A mandatory $164 monthly 'amenities fee' provides Villagers withunlimited recreation. Your email address will not be published. Softball facilities are a popular team sport for residents to compete, friendly to beginner and advanced players. Restaurants like Bravo Pizza, Subway, Johnny Rockets, Guy Fieris American Kitchen & Bar, Starbucks, and Panera Bread occupy this town square. Happy hour serves up half price cocktails with names like 'Green Nipple' and runs straight through 9pm. TV antennas and satellite dishes are forbidden; as are clothing lines, window air conditioners and commercial vehicles. When you move into The Villages, you also buy into a lifestyle - a ready-made identity that leaves very little room to be different. Failure to abide by these guidelines will accrue fines; or perhaps worse make you a pariah among your fellow neighbors. 'It's like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon.'. ', Some Kind of Heaven is a new documentary that plunges into this surreal world of argyle socks, heavy drinking and Viagra-fueled promiscuity at the world's largest retirement community. While her husband Reggie descends into a drug induced spiral on the documentary, Anne said it's a place where one can reinvent their identity: 'It's like going off to college, since nobody's from here, everybody can be what they want to be down here', The Villages has its own fire department, hospital and 100 recreation centers with 89 swimming pools, 11 dog parks, one polo-field, two archery ranges, 47 tennis courts, 200 pickle ball courts along with numerous basketball courts, baseball fields and bowling alleys. About 115,000 people live in the villages in Central Florida, dubbed The Villagers. With a community of 60,000 households, this active-adult retirement community provides countless activities for retirees, including recreation, shopping, golf, dining, and more.