Golf, Booze & Guns: Inside Boomer Paradise | The Bubble (Full Film) | The Short List
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- The Bubble examines often-surreal senior citizen life within The Villages, America’s largest retirement community. Leisurely retired life beneath the year-round Floridian sunshine, however, is not perhaps as idyllic, or as welcomed, as viewers may imagine.
The Bubble intimately examines the exclusive retirement experiences, beliefs and mindsets of six memorable Villages residents; Toni and Roger, Jeanie and John, Terry and Toni. Interweaving these satisfied retiree existences with the anxieties of several residents from surrounding counties, the documentary reveals how those beyond the community’s sealed gateways are being profoundly displaced by The Villages’ endless desire for land, water, and regional control.
Florida’s Friendliest Hometown, by welcoming senior citizens at the expense of nearby county residents, illustrates many of the nation’s most combative dialogues regarding class imbalance, racial inequality, healthcare privatisation, political affiliation, state responsibility, and
civic obligation.
The Bubble offers viewers an engaging, provocative yet compassionate contemplation of American ways of life, aging, and death.
A film by Valerie Blankenbyl.
----
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00:00 Intro
01:04 The Bubble
01:26:30 Interview with the Director
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This is the last generation that will have money like this for retirement
The rest of us will be fighting for survival playing The Hunger Games!
Capitalism was work wonderfully for the top 30% of Americans. Because as they tell us every chance they get, they’ve “worked so hard” and “aren’t lazy.” They’ve “pulled themselves up by there bootstraps.” We all know that’s bs. Everyone else has become poorer and poorer. End stage capitalism.
Yes and some of these people have been retired since the 80s 🙄
Very true. Also the place has had any wildlife sanitised out of existence.
Like the woman said "There are no bugs.....what's a mosquito?" And when nobody can afford to live there, what nature will there be left? So selfish and disconnected to the "real" world. I'm only 57, but if this was what retirement had in store for me, I'd despair.
Perhaps wilfull ignorance, moral bankrupcy and a lifetime brainwashed by Fox TV is neccesary (not to mention the vast sums of wealth stolen from future generations)
Retirement is going to be a lot more divided along economic lines. Most people will have to keep working into their 70-s just to keep the light on, on the other hand there was an article today that in Paris, France, the 3 million dollar + apartments are overwhelmingly bought up by American (early) retirees.
I don't think this was complete. I work hospice in the villages and a reality that needs to be touched on is dying in the villages. End of life usually includes using up your last dollars since you've spent so much to the villages itself. Most patients go bankrupt at death and end up in an oven. Being away from family, it's usually up to us to sit with them and they're by themselves. It becomes an end of generational wealth or leaving something behind, because they sold their homestead to move here. Everything you have left gets taken for your healthcare. While you're living it up and spending money on restaurants and nonsense, you still have to pay your healthcare costs. Your house gets sold to someone else and it's like you were never there. After your death there's usually HOA fines or fees that have to be paid and that gets taken out of your home sale because you didn't upkeep your home in the hospital and interest compounded. I've seen so many of these people completely broke at their death. All of them usually end up getting cremated and there's stacks of them. It's a fun life, but the end is very lonely and sad; if you can handle that.
it was interesting reading. thanks for writing that
I have not put a single thought into the end of my life so it's interesting
Nobody who is dead, cares that they are broke. But definitely the end to generational wealth....which is what these boomers were able to use in order to accumulate their wealth. This is really one of the last generations that will get to enjoy their retirement. Their kids are screwed.
That was expected entirely by old selfish old people to leave the planet in maximum Poverty as the party and drink soon much...
I would have asked, do of some of them die early or without medical care as money dries up?
Is it mandatory to deposit money for the crematorium before you can move in to keep you from creating a problem?
@@kitecattestecke2303 most of them have a pretty good sized retirement, like a couple million. However, they're not wealthy by any means. Mostly just middle class themselves. With a lot of people here it's not uncommon to spend $500-$1k a day with golf fees, bar tabs, hoa fees, lawncare services, home care, restaurants, entertainment, travel, amenity fees and so on. Once you have long term health issues; my services are $25k a month itself and it goes pretty quickly. It's a world of consumption here. Especially with inflation, property taxes and services are going up. I'd expect a simple lawn cut to be $75 - $100. It's probably best if they die early so there would be something left. We have 3 crematoriums in the villages and they're each receiving 3-5 bodies a day. Some go to Tavares and Ocala as well. Those numbers are rising as the villages keeps expanding.
What is healthcare cost? I’m Canadian we have the evil socialism here
I’m 75 years old. I checked this place out about twelve years ago - I’d still rather stick needles in my 👀 eyes.
Viva Le difference?😅
All the sheep must come down here
We are living the Lifestyle down here .
Me too! Needle in the eye
We keep out the rift raft
I'm old enough to be able to move to the Village, but it's the last place I'd choose to live.
I'd much rather live somewhere I can enjoy people of a wide range of ages, interests.
I live in a city with a large public university, a lot of young career people, families, as well as retirees.
I volunteer at a nonprofit with a wide mix of ages, ideas, perspectives, learn a good deal from the younger generations, and enjoy most music genres, because there's many musicians, bands who come to town for shows.
Up to each of us how we choose to spend our retirement years, and my preference is to stay active in the wider world.
Do some research before painting with such a broad brush. There are many children/grandchildren in The Villages, as they come to visit all throughout the year, & any under 19 can stay for 30 consecutive days at a time. 19 & above can live there full-time. There are many events for the younger crowd, including a summer camp. The charter schools have been there for years (& are some of the highest rated in Florida), & an entire community built just for parents with kids is almost finished (Middleton). So there are "people of a wide range of ages, interests", and "young career people, families, as well as retirees".
Villagers do an enormous amount of volunteer/charity work (& not just writing checks, but giving their time & energy), as well as really looking after each other as neighbors.
There are 3 Town Squares, & there are live bands playing a variety of music at all 3 every night of the year, and it's free.
Don't make assumptions about a place or its residents based on 1 video.
As everyone has said, this is an excellent documentary. But I have to say, it made me sad for a million different reasons. I am a senior myself. I have no desire to live in a place where my main focus is recreation. I want to cove back to my community for as long as I can, not because I have to but because I want to. I have skills and talents that are a valuable asset to the community. I have time to do things younger people don’t, like helping to plant vegetables on a community farm to donate to local food banks (our group, mostly elders 65 and above), typically raise over 20,000 pounds of vegetables a year. I help raise money for a variety of causes, run a memoir writing group for seniors, and volunteer with the local historical society. For fun, I ride my bike, kayak with a Meet Up group, hike, camp, swim. I enjoy working and socializing with people of mixed ages. Seeing seniors segregated off in their own communities-voluntarily or otherwise- is sad to me. Communities need their seniors. Seniors need to stay in touch with the generations coming up behind them. A place like the Villages seems as real to me as Disneyland. People stay busy, true, but for me, such a life would have little meaning.
Great comment! I have felt this for a long time. I've always thought older people had a big part to play in a community, to teach, be it their kids or in community lessons, things like trades and skills, childcare, and a whole host of different life experiences. Not for profit but for society. I also see the appeal of the villages though and why it is a thing.
You seem like you have your head "screwed firmly on" as they say where I am from. more power too you.
Towanda, I am so happy to read your comment. I have learned so much from my elders and it makes me sad to see our society segregate generations like this- as though after someone stops working, they stop being 'valuable' to society. People are not equal their economic productivity, and i think the things you do like gardening and teaching are much more important. All generations loose when we are segregated like this, I'm so thankful for seniors like you who are truly the backbone of our communities
OH THANK YOU! Big kiss!
Think the role that y’all play is so immensely valuable to the community and also to kids. Think kids and seniors both have time to do stuff, but many kids don’t have the wherewithal or wisdom to realize all the stuff that makes an impact that they could be doing. Think seniors are the ones who really have both the time and the knowledge- and the impact they can make is immense. I’m abroad right now, and even a lot of the conservation/bush regen groups are predominantly made up of seniors!
beautifully put, i’m only 20 and i hope one day i can embody this kind of life you describe of when i reach that stage
My parents lived there for 6 years before my mom passed away. Very conservative, lots of drinking, lots of golf and pickleball. I didn't come across too many gun enthusiasts though.
The big thing about The Villages is that it's about convenience. You don't have to be active and it's not a small community (about 110,000 residents) so you don't have to worry about everybody knowing your business. But if you have plans for the day to go see the doctor in the morning, play golf and have lunch afterward with friends, go home take a nap, then go to the pool and then have dinner...you can do all of that with a simple hop in a golf cart.
The one thing I do wonder about is how sustainable all of this is. Younger generations, even my generation (Gen X) either don't have the wealth or have far more debt than the boomer generation and the Millenials and Gen Z are going to be even worse off. There's also the generational conflict of what works for Boomer won't work for Gen X. It wouldn't shock me if The Villages is a ghost town in 25 years.
The statistics say that Millennials are going to be the richest generation in history when their parents pass away and they inherit.
My parents bought in the villages a few years ago. I’ve wondered the same about it potentially being a ghost town once all the boomers die off. I don’t think this type of living will interest the younger generations.
@@nicks748 I tend to think it would interest the younger generations as they get older, but being able to afford it is another issue. Hell, they'll probably be still paying off student loan debt.
We're not at a shortage of old people. By 2040 there is supposed to be 80,000,000 Americans over the age of 62. Unlike many Western nations, the US has plenty of young people coming, we won't see the population implosion that other countries are going to see. As Gen X, the millennials, and Gen Z get older, they'll make more money, and they'll also eventually retire- just like every generation before them. And they'll be looking for active age-restricted communities- just like every generation before them. The Villages will be just fine.
interesting analysis
The juxtaposition of the town meeting discussing the water crisis with the clip of that woman complaining at length about how painful her elective surgery was.... just perfect
@@happywifeofmyheroFound the boomer 😂😂
@@Cody_Handsome😂😂😂 he really typed a whole paragraph lmao
@@happywifeofmyherookay boomer
@@happywifeofmyheroboy, you sure don’t sound biased in your comments at ALL! It doesn’t seem tonedeaf and brainwashed, I hope you enjoy life nonetheless 👍🏽
@@happywifeofmyhero in 1987 it the median price of a house was 3x the median yearly income. in 2022 the median price of a house was 8 times the median salary. our generation is working on average 400 hours a year more than your generation did in 1980. your generation is taking all of the money you "earned" when the economy was booming in the 70 through the 90's and move to these hedonism clubs and give it all to the private equity funds that own all the commerce in the area. the PEF's then hoard this money in offshore accounts and refuse to pay taxes on it to maybe benifiet the society they are milking dry. people like you are exactly why our generation is poor, you want to call us snowflakes yet throw a screaming crying temper tantrum when you are asked to something so simple as to wear a mask. you want to call us entitled, but when people call you out for hoarding your wealth you "earned" when the economy was working in the middle/lower classe's favor you cry "i earned this its MINE" like a toddler.
The juxtaposition between Florida's natural verdant landscape and the lifeless identical concrete mass of 'The Villages' is astounding. 'The Villages' is an environmental nightmare, striping the land of its Biodiversity. It is so sad to see moss covered trees that have stood for hundreds of years replaced by identical concrete houses and roads stretching for miles.
I'm totally agreed. Somewhere, someday, developers will realize there's just as must profitability in providing for wildlife as putting in golf courses.
We know that islands of wilderness surrounded by housing doesn't work.
Wildlife corridors are the answer, uninterrupted, with priority of right-of-way for wildlife just as we do for railroads and freeways. It just needs to be legislated in advance of development.
The system of local gov't, planning& development controls described in this video allows them to keep adding phase after phase without interruption. Pretty much the same everywhere.
People buying into the Villages have spent most of their lives in similar suburbias.
Was disappointed that so few viewers took note of your observations. Thanks for speaking up!
Relax Greta, they know what they're doing.
I agree. And as a bonus, it's full of Stepford Wives & Husbands. Sheep, and it's full of a majority of pro trump, pro moral majority, which will end up being the death of liberty, freedom, and democracy.
So agree, it’s absolutely heartbreaking and infuriating
@@badkarma1289 of course they know what they're doing, they're just clueless and don't care
Here's a fact most people probably wouldn't know. I've seen this in aged care situations where everyone is quite ill and not nearly as active and astute as the ones shown here. The high school and bullying mentality runs rampant and it would shock y'all to know how badly they'll treat each other sometimes. I've seen a group of three 80+ ladies drive a fourth to tears because she dared sit at their table at lunch on her second day at that facility. Literally a scene from Mean Girls. Not to say it's all like that but watching some of the ladies classes I picked up on it in the background.
That’s because that is what they were taught. They are just reverting back to the toxic things they did in the past. Stupid is as stupid does.
Oh yes. I worked with the elderly for years, the boomer generation tend to behave like bullying teenagers towards eachother, it's embarrasing to watch and gives us an idea as to how society has become what it is today.
Being harmed means theyre ill?
A scene from the Sopranos actually
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. “
If so, then perhaps the opposite is also true. A society grows weak when old men plunder trees to build a golf course, whose water table won’t even last the duration of their own myopic vision
You hit the nail on the head with this one!
A lot of young men have made the money that they fed their families with off of the building boom. So, there's that.
@@stevecariggillio4139 Exactly, I sincerely doubt any of the old men living in this community had any part in the planning & construction of the development. It was built & they came.
Well said
Man, well said. Made me think about my own legacy.
This generation defines success as working your entire life and at the end playing a lot of golf and games and eating. Other posters here made sense. Future generations may see playing golf pickle ball and drinking all the time as soulless and the Villages could become a ghost town. There are some here who mentioned the accumulation of wealth in the boomers does may not extend to future generations who may not be able to afford “The Villages.” This an excellent point. The assumption of “The Villages” is that this lifestyle is perpetual and, in fact, it is not. People get old and sick and die. Someone has to replace them and be able to fund the life too. If people are strapped with debt and pensions are not what they once had been then how can “The Villages” succeed? Like the collapse of Malls “The Villages” is not immune to changing times and you can only be old so long before it’s time to leave this earth so what happens when growth slows? “The Villages” is like a movie set. Every good story has a beginning, a middle and an end.
That's a really good point and something they failed to mention in this documentary. I doubt these retirement complexes will last another 50years, the younger generations simply won't be able to afford it. Maybe they will be turned into regular housing to accommodate the "new" Americans
This is why we need independent journalism
I expected this to be kind of a "Hey, look how weird this place is," but instead I found it surprisingly sad and depressing. The part where the guy talks about how he has no family left in his hometown. He says "the house where I grew up is gone, the schools I went to are gone, the store I worked in is gone, everyone I used to know is gone." Damn that's depressing as hell. You scratch the surface and get past their bluster about how much they love retirement and you find many of these people are depressed and angry.
One of the biggest problems facing our nation (and the world) is that almost all of the economic opportunities are in only a few places. Younger generations are having to move out of their hometowns to find those economic opportunities. This is draining America's heartland and severing generational ties. It makes me sad for my parents who live in small town Florida. My sister lives in the NE, I live in the NW. They rarely get to see their kids and their grandchildren. Life keeps you busy and maintaining those ties over such a long distance is hard. It's sad that so many people feel estranged from their kids and grandkids.
You have to put the effort in. I don't have kids so I concentrate on my siblings, nephews and close friends. They all live on different continents than I do so I travel a lot every year (subject to covid 😕) and visit. It always amazes me how many people go through all the effort to have kids and then seemingly cannot be bothered to keep in touch with them when they grow up. What the hell are they thinking? If I had kids I would move heaven and earth to see them and maintain close and loving relations with them. If not why bother having them in the first place?
@@person.X. I am doing just that - couldn’t leave my grandchildren in a million years. They are more important to me than recreation. It may be fun for a visit occasionally - but I want to be with my children & grandchildren - just had my identical twin 6 year olds over for a sleepover last night. Love them dearly & we had a lot of fun.👧🏼👧🏼 I will sleep well tonight, LOL.
@Crack Shot based
The guy who left Cinci hit me the hardest. I grew up in one of those little towns nearby Cincinnati at the tail end of the millennial generation. Almost none of those towns are the same as what his generation saw, for better or worse depending on the place. I've heard my parents and grandparents lament over what's changed, but we still had our whole extended family. I can't imagine seeing the very drastic changes with nobody left.
I am 63 years old and I get it: "There *was* good in the good old days." (citation is left as an exercise for the reader ;-) )
And now it's gone, and it's right to mourn good things that are gone. You'd be right to mourn the death of a friend or relative or pet, so why not a home or a neighborhood or a way of life?
But if you kept on mourning the death of a friend or loved one, so that you withdrew from the world and grew bitter or despondent, people would tell you "get out and get help, you idiot!"
What I see here are a million little Mrs. Havashams, glooming about their mansions while the wedding cake ossifies under the cobwebs. Get out and get help, you idiots!
It feels so ironic to me that some of the residents are complaining of their hometowns not really existing anymore, at least compared to how they were and yet that is the exact thing that the villages are doing to a bunch of local communities
Despite not wanting to defend these people from such tame criticism, I’d say that’s probably toward the bottom of the list of factors responsible for these failing small towns. As someone who lived in a small midwestern city that’s still at about half the peak population it had in the 70’s most of my life and I’d say the main reasons are the farm crisis of the 80’s, nationwide urbanization and population shift to the south over the past century, brain drain, big box stores/online shopping, lack of jobs outside the service industry, etc. (not to mention that winter weather seems to be getting worse by the year). These towns are dying with or without the extra boomers, while there’s plenty I’m sure I’d disagree with these folks about, I honestly think they’d be stupid not to have moved south.
The villages aren't doing that. The elite & wealthy realty companies and land management firms do it Same companies that also own news and television stations like the one you watched this documentary on .
Of course they will spend their money lying to you about their own nefarious deeds that make them unlikeable. Instead they continue a campaign of driving division between us fellow Americans. As well as fear confusion panic uncertainty.
They dont call it “trauma based mind control “ for nothing.
The more we are demoralized and confused about who to blame , the easier it os for them to continue producing horse$h!t like this
Im not trying to act like those ld people are saints. But its sickening to watch companies lie poison cheat and hurt us daily. And then to top it off we are mad at each other instead of them
I think all older folks feel that way about societal changes…I won’t live in my hometown again, because it has changed so much…🙌
@@Acidlib - right?!?!
Folks get tired of the burdens Winter heaps on everyone who lives up north…🙌
👍👍👍…. Hypocrisy is a key ingredient to cult-like organizations, behaviors and the like. #1 ingredient for anything Trump!
The homage to Edward Scissorhands at the beginning is brilliant.
Bravo - The cinematography !!
I think one of the things I find most disturbing about this is the way it acts as a distraction from the inevitability of death. Preparing mentally and especially spiritually for death is super important, and if you’re living out your golden years in a fantasy it ends disastrously when death finally comes knocking, either for you or the people around you. In my culture it’s common for the elderly to retire to a monastery in their last days so they can prepare for death and what comes after it. There’s a well loved grandma in my church who’s getting ready to leave for a monastery in Scotland. Ultimately I think a lot of America’s weird obsession with death stems from a lack of comfort with the concept. Memento mori.
In my culture (Latin) we take care of our elders and a long term care facility is our last resort. I was my grandpas caretaker until he passed in his 90’s. He was surrounded by 3 generations that loved and supported him. He was active in our Senior community and had a girlfriend after my grandmother passed away. Family is extremely important to us.
My Italian family is the same I also took care of my grandparents. I wish more families were like this 👍
These people dont want to be with their families. And their families are mostly happy with that.
A lot of cultures do the same! Everyone I knew growing up in Hawaii lived in multigenerational homes!
I respect that. I don’t know why other cultures have forgotten the simple wisdom of not throwing people away when they reach a certain age. The have a lot to offer us.
@@erc9468 the people in the villages threw the world and their families away, not the other way around.
I am a retired nurse who worked for a period of time in Nursing Homes dedicated to Alzheimer's care and the whole Villages setup reminds me of a giant Alzheimer's unit. Super Creepy.
Just wait until they discover Virtual Reality headsets...yikes. no one can evolve this fast.
As a former nurse I just see all the opportunistic infection brewing like one giant Petri dish in this place! Yuk!!
Yeah, that's an accurate assessment. When I attended a Bingo game at one of the recreation centers recently, I looked around and saw that I was - by far - the youngest person there. I am 64.
I just don’t see it, in fact I guestion your experience with Alzheimer’s
The dark and depressing part about watching this for me is that it's just an extended hotel with a rotation of guests that move in, die, and get replaced, all masquerading as looking and feeling like a small residential town to keep everyone comfortable and sedated.
LOL! Why do you think alcohol, weed, and anti depressant drugs are easily available anywhere in the country? It's not just this community. Nanny government want all it's subjects sedated. You're free to participate......or not.
I lived in Florida for about 10 years and a common term used to describe the state by locals was "God's waiting room."
it’s really unfortunate that the villages is expanding so so much because there ARE still young people (such as myself) who grew up here and live here (here as in lady lake, leesburg, fruitland park, etc.) it truly saddens me.
I grew up in belleview trust me they leave nothing for us
@@jaywilliams8327 oh boy, i know. it sucks. :/
it's a land grab in disguise
i saw a comment somewhere on this video, it was a boomer saying "if the younger people in the area don't like it then they should stop selling their land then" its so bizarre how almost an entire generation can be so delusional.
This documentary is truly emblematic of the issues boomers have created for younger generations. As the woman said at 1:22:26, "I'm one of those people [who are creating these issues]. Maybe there is cause for concern there. It wont affect me in my lifetime...the 40 year olds should be worried about it [laughs]." Truly living their lives without any regard for the younger generation.
A friend sent this to me because I was one of the women singing, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" as I waved my flyer. On the one hand, I was surprised to see myself and some friends of mine in the video. Then as I watched the testomonies of those who lived here before, it made me sad. I did not know the history of this land. I just knew I wanted to live out the rest of my life in a beautiful, active community where I could continue to play softball, golf, etc. However, as someone who has now lived here for 9 years, I wonder if the expansion will ever stop? Too much of anything is not necessarily a good thing.
No, the humans will never stop coming.
There are alot of people moving to FL in general. It is fine. The main issue besides the residents havin more change around them is the water rights issue. That is disturbing that water is starting to get scarce ... I wish more water conservation was done.
@@mushroomtits8387 Conservation, leading a life with minimal impact on the the planet are issues that are lost on most conservatives(most of these folks are clearly). Topics most of these people have no concept of because of how/when they grew up.
Well just make and buy more to keep that capitalism waste machine running. Yea try that when there's 10billion+ people on the planet. We're gonna find out how poorly that's gonna go.
Alot of us live in beautiful parts of the country where development is rapidly increasing. I feel bad that the cost of living in my town is so expensive. Because me and others chose to move here it's caused the outskirts to become developed in order to meet demand. They just singled you out as you are having way too much fun. It stop now!!
I dislike the fact that they'll allow terrible dog breeds in that community. Only labradors and golden retrievers should be allowed. Other dog breeds are not labradorable enough.
This was fantastic! That gentleman at the end singing Radiohead, “Creep” 1:24:08 was absolutely incredible! What a voice and a unique song for him to sing. He really belted it out. Good job on documenting this place.
I fought not to hit ffw & I am glad I didn't
Such an ironic song for him to pick - I see why they highlighted it in production.
1:24:24 for those that want to jump to it
@@BaconCruiser thanks! I’m going to edit it to add the time stamp
No disrespect.
My grandparents are all retired. They live in the communities they lived and worked in Michigan and California. They have the resources and the time to be very active in their communities. They are valued and beloved. I could never see my grandparents living in this selfish environment.
How do you know they're selfish? Many of them may donate large sums of money to worthwhile charities.
@@miket7184this is Sodom and Gomorrah!
How is this selfish ?. Selfish people live off of our tax dollars these people earned this
@@williamwalters1184 Lol by doing the bare minimum and expecting everything handed to them?
Where's my check?!?!
You have no idea what you're talking about.
And the boomers dare to call the millennials spoiled and entitled??? As a GenXer, all I can think about is how I can help repair the damage that has been, and is going to be, foisted upon my children, and grandchildren.
Boomers don't care about us. They never did.
I do not like The Villages . It’s destroying the environment , among other problems. But i get sick of hearing how my generation is selfish . Im 68 , cant retire completely anyway .
As a native Floridian, this sort of thing is happening all over Florida. The influx of people from out of state, has put such a squeeze on the housing market that locals are having trouble finding housing they can afford, let alone the impact on home ownership. I know I can't afford to buy a house in my home town of St. Augustine.
@Crack Shot yea. Exactly that.
Same with Texas - but we’re getting the young ppl and Florida is getting the old people.
In South Florida, you have all these yuppies coming in, buying up flashy real estate while the state refuses to build more low-income housing. The Gulf Coast and Big Bend are drowning in poverty and drugs. In Tallahassee you can’t find a single bus stop or park that’s not inhabited by a homeless person.
DeSantis struts around like he’s the best governor in the country, when in actuality he’s easily one of the worst.
Florida is a business friendly state . Which means for young people low pay and little in the way of benefits. Most of the people in the Villages come from the northeast and parts of the north Central America, even some Canadians. Most have good pay , pension’s and social security . They also are very active . So they get all that money from taxes and union support. Then move to Florida to become republicans and not pay as much in taxes. YOU CANT MAKE THIS UP . 🇺🇸🦅✌️👍
Just wait, I'll the illegals being allowed into our country without going through the process, bout to get wayyyyy worse. All for the left to secure more votes..that's the only reason they are letting them in.
"Lack of contact between the generations... We need each other to create a successful society "
Preach THAT!
✨💜✨
Gonna have to put the phones and social media away for this to happen
People everywhere want to hang out with their own kind.
Exactly right. These people are already dead they're like kindergarten controlled children. The richness of life does come from relationships across the generations. As a 65 year old woman I have friends that are in every age demographic. The younger ones want the wisdom of our lessons learnt and through their lives I've learnt that they have brilliant innovative ideas for the planet and are more self aware than most older people. They are more open and because of technology more informed. I'm generalising offcourse. I hope there's a planet left for them after the damage we've done. I hope my legacy is hope for them in them.
One thing that deeply saddened me was when we would go out to a restaurant or event with my 85 year old father is that young people were not at all aware of/sensitive to him being in a somewhat fragile condition (not robust) and would nearly knock him down when he was visiting the rest room or simply entering or exiting the place. I think that this is a sign of our times that older people walking or driving is not tolerated and certainly not well supported in U.S. culture, generally.
The way the couple talked about "fitting them in" when discussing their DAUGHTER and GRANDKIDS at the 42:00 mark hit me in the gut. It was just so stereotypical of the Boomer parents of GenX/Millennials who are now estranged from our parents. Our grandparents were clamoring to have us. And even if they were not, our parents dumped us on them whenever they wanted to be rid of us for awhile anyway. To hear her brag about being intentionally that far from her child and grandchildren spoke volumes about the childhood that daughter had to those of us who had the same.
Not only that, but I am certain that couple, like most in the Villages, are squandering inter-generational wealth bestowed on them by their descendants.
@@rbeeler81 oh wow. Now using their own money to enjoy the end of their life is squandering? So you far left filth don't like social security huh
She definitely creeped me out, then when she talked about not being around to deal with the negative affects of her choice, with a grin…. 😵💫
Yep me too. In fact this is what my mother and step-father did. Just moved away to Florida from PA without any warning. They might as well be dead as often as my kids see them or talk to their grandkids. So effed up.
@@rbeeler81 no bloody wonder these elderly move away. They worked for it. Their kids ain't entitled to it.
1:09:36 "It's so hard to watch the news today and really have a good perspective of what really is goin' on because it's so biased one way" as he sits and watches Tucker Carlson on Fox News. He then goes on to criticize ABC, NBC, and CBS because he feels that their coverage is biased. Wow. Just plain wow.
I’m 55, and I’m always interested in quality documentaries.
This was actually world-class. Seriously, I can’t say that I’ve seen 20 documentaries that were better made than this one, in my whole life.
I come away from watching this, the doc and the long, thoughtful, open conversation afterwards, with a sense of having seen a number of perspectives. Without any heavy-handed judgment or framing.
Just the desire to show the broadest perspective on The Villages, the inhabitants, their motivations, their daily lives, their fears and loves. Their blind spots, simply the fact of not having had to notice the consequences on a macro scale of their individual choices.
Yet also the broader situation, with compassionate, caring, yet not schmalzy or overly emotional highlighting of the people around The Villages. Their discomfort, their sense of relative lack of impact, their sense of being overwhelmed, bowled over.
This is exceptional film-making, and I’m a richer person for having watched this.
Thank you so much Valerie, your team, @Vice 🙏🙏🙏
I couldn't agree more
Are you joking? Have you ever seen a documentary by some one like Ken Burns or Charles Ferguson, or Alex Gibney?
@@nomedia2009 yes, Ken Burns is great.
@@nomedia2009 thanks for your answer. No I’m not, and yes, I’ve seen documentaries by both Alex Gibney and Ken Burns. I seem to detect a certain disdain in your “Are you joking?” But I could be misinterpreting.
@@hexistenz I figured you are overstating the quality of this documentary. I think the subject matter was of interest to me since I study group, social and economic behavior from a professional perspective. Compared to such documentaries from Ken Burns and the like professional award winning documentarians this very much pales in comparison. Unfortunately Vice News doesn't have the budget required to compete with those types of documentaries. Vice News seems to do an ok job of trying to bring out stories that are not covered by entities such as PBS Frontline. Frontline of course is a not for profit operation but receives very considerable donations from large companies and family trusts. That type of reporting requires budgets in the millions. I am certainly not criticizing your enthusiasm for this particular documentary.
She does a good job on explaining some aspects of The Villages retirement community in Florida. She was only able to interview a few residents. How she picked those particular residents was rather vague. It seems she was overly controlled the The Villages management. Since she wasn't able to get more of the residents views it seems she became overly interested in those that she picked or were picked for her. The editing job is amateurish. Very much overly repetitive. However she did tell a good story about those few. This film needs to be scaled back to remove the repetition. Since I'm sure it was made on a shoestring budget it is what it is. Great subject matter and very interesting to one who has no understanding of how these retirement communities operate. I certainly learned some things which I probably have already known or should have known. I will give her an 'A' for describing this community.
A long term good friend of mine purchased homes for his wife's parents in Leisure World, California (near Seal Beach) Leisure World is probably the oldest community of its kind. He told me more about than I feel I will ever need to know. I think the more honest reporting on these type of facilities is a good thing.
I know this area well. It is it's own world. Through the 2000s. I've built 100s of homes there, post offices, fire stations, rec centers. Shopping plazas, etc. It came to an abrupt halt in 08. a year before a home that cost 300000.00 was worth half the next because of the housing bubble. 100s of well established businesses just disappeared in less than a year. It's rebounded now but backthen 1000s went from doing very well to 0 income almost overnight. Its the only place I've seen golf cart accidents. It's amazing to watch two vehicles going less than 10 mph not be able to miss each other.
What a busy and amazing life Eric 👍✨🎉
I'm flat out renovating my home
lol 😄
Age plus booze = crash
Are there any golf cart DUI checkpoints? I assume you can get a DUI on a cart, right?
@@usmcmma Yes you can get a DUI on a cart. Also a bicycle, horse, segway (careful Paul Blart), even a child's toy vehicle because it's battery operated with power steering.
Fantastic work by the filmmakers. Makes me nostalgic for the great work done by Johan Van der Keuken back in his day. Outstanding and I hope many people take the time to see this.
Absolutely top quality. Gorgeously filmed, amazing shots, very indepth and full of well crafted and well thought ideas. Enjoyed every minute. Thank you for making this. Pure talent. Pure craftmenship. Pure Vice. Thank god you exist to bring this together ❤️
That guy singing Creep was outstanding ! I'm retired and I have many guitars and I sing . I can relate totally to this vibe as long as I can play loud once in a while . I'm 71 and I'm still 15 in my mind and my wife agrees . My wife says my music room smells like a teenagers bedroom !
Good on you! Keep on rocking!!!
I'm 59 but three other guys in my band are 66 and we still play paying gigs.
Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed my rendition of creep
@@stephen8745 you nailed it! Well done.
@@stephen8745 Stephen, this was the most emotionally powerful part of the documentary. I'm teary-eyed after watching it. It really had an effect on me. Not sure if I'm reading too much into it, but my take is that as in the lyrics of the song, most of the residents don't belong there. They belong where they came from (ie. New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, etc..). And that's why the documentarian placed it at the end. Aside from the masterful editing, you did a tremendous job on the song. You deserve a lot of credit. You could be a poster senior for an anti-ageism campaign. I wish I could congratulate you in person.
The stylism, the whole range of perspectives, the pace, the hands-off story telling; this film was perfectly executed. Respect
Absolutely: the stylism, the pace and the story telling were flawless.
Yeah....no super heavy opinionated bias attttt allll. jeeesus🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️
Agreed & really no better example for this than at the 48:02 mark in the documentary when this crow iflying in one direction, diverts in another direction all together, & then attempts to fly into this window & “control” in The Villages is being discussed. Just masterful 🤌🏽 Mwwaw indeed!! !!!
I know, what the hell has gotten into VICE?? I expected this to be some showpiece about white supremacy or some such, which has been driven into the ground.
A very sad example of far the USA as sunk. No wonder tRump was able to CON them.
I'm 62 so in their age range. The sign at the entrance says 'Welcome to the Villages America's Friendliest Hometown" Yeah unless you are a person of color, LGBT, liberal. So yeah if you are like them they are friendly.
You have no idea what you're talking about. Go parrot that BS somewhere else.
I'm 64, and I am not a person of color, LGBT or liberal and I don't fit in here. Just didn't work out for me. And I miss the sounds (and sights) of children. A lot.
My high school friend lives in the Villages with her wife. She is also liberal. She always seems to be involved with LGBT activities taking place at the Villages. The video just overlooked those groups, but they are there.
One of the best offerings for seniors here is the fact you don't need a car. This is ironic since they are the generation that basically made all our cities/towns car-dependent. If more places allowed people to safely move around without a car, we wouldn't necessarily need bubbles like The Villages.
👏👏👏
The cinematography and visual storytelling in this documentary is spectacular. Fantastic job!
Now that you mentioned it, it does have a lot of quality, movie like.
But it takes experienced cameramen and story telling to achieve it.
I agree, but... too bad the audio channels (left/right) are swaped. Have to wear my headphones backwards so to not get dizzy.
@@450Chicagop😅😅p
😅
I feel like it kinda copied The Stepfprd Wives or something similar tho
Having lived in The Villages for over 7 years, I found this documentary extremely well done and very balanced. When I started watching, I was expecting to just see a few minutes, but I was hooked and ended up watching the entire piece. Kudos to VICE and to Valerie and her team for an amazing film
Why do you no longer live there? Of course this is a personal question that you need not answer. I'm sure everyone that moves or stays has a different reason.
@@albertmarnell9976 I still live there and am very happy to be there.
So another question Mr Gray. We all as 50 something’s are watching and trying to figure out where to retire:
Husband and Wife early 50’s. This seems like a cult to us trying to make a decision. Any elaboration about the community would be appreciated for us.
@@ragtag222 Thank you for responding. I'm glad that you are happy.
@@ragtag222 Hey Rick, whats your favorite kind of food to eat around The Villages?
You’ve done a great job of portraying the community of the villages. Kudos to you and your production team. I enjoyed listening of how happy and content they are. But it also saddens me to know that there are other people hurting from all this land developments. And as far as the “Management “ well you can call me crazy but there must be something else a little sinister going on🤨 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ i give you 5 stars on the film👍🏽
I watched the film previously without my parents (Baby Boomers themselves) and I felt that they needed to see it in its entirety. As retirees living in Florida, they really related to the protagonists of the story and appreciated the complexity of the impact of retirement communities. Great job Valerie about shining light on such an important social future issue!
I'm half way through, in my late 30's and thinking to myself "I'd rather die young having spent my money living a life worth living than attempt doing a piss poor job in my 70's". Honestly, this docu fills me with dread.
Honestly as an early adult I'd rather work the shitty job in my 70s than live in this place. Sure it might be miserable but I'd still somewhat be living and I could still find a greater purpose to work towards (like all those old people in the anti-villages meeting and the ones putting up signs). In the villages it just seems like fatalistic hedonism. No making the world a better place for the next generation, no real struggle. That might sound good for some people but it's a big nope for me.
My parents moved down there for about 5 years. It seems like a cult. They came back north when the grandkids started being born. Now, when they go back there to see friends, they can't believe they lived there. It's like the lifestyle there is such that you forget about the real world. I'm gen X, and I find most things about my parents' generation confusing. But this place embodies everything about that generation, for me.
38:51
😳
It is a cult. Just because you love your parents doesn’t make the villages okay in any way, shape, or form. Sequestering yourself from reality is always a terrible idea, and that’s what these oldsters are doing. They’re all sick.
I also can’t believe that the developer is able to carve up Florida like that, literally destroying tens of thousands of acres of natural habitat.
They are causing permanent damage to the ecosystem.
This is a disaster.
@@daytonabeachUSA you're being dramatic. they're a little weird but you're acting like they're torturing people over there when they're really just weird
What’s so great about reality? This Tik Tok world is reality? The older folks lived more reality than the newest generations I believe.
If you can afford it, and you’ve done your duty to your employers, family, country and community…..you deserve this bubble if you want it. Death’s around the corner, enjoy.
the singer lady might be bonkers but I must say her surgeon did a great job and also her song about getting old was cute
@1:14:33 "The very thing they sought to leave behind is the thing they've created again, and the very thing they desire to have is the very thing they've destroyed."
The most succinct, poignant, and accurate description of the boomer generation I have ever heard.
Not to worry. When you get old, the younger ones will be saying that about you!
Yep. Nice catch.
@@miket7184Correct!
I’m European, and most of American standards of living seem surreal to me. The US suburbs seem already isolated enough. I wouldn’t be able to exist without proper public transportation, but no matter how good The Villages look, and it looks perfect, it would have been very depressed living there
get a car
@@TheRogerhill1234yikes you need to experience the European life the American system makes you think that you always need a car, but in Europe you almost never need a car to get around.
I actually have 5 vehicles, one is a truck, that can haul things that can't fit on any bus or car. Three are SUV types, but only one is actually used for off road exploration of mountains and deserts, that we have so much of in the USA, oh, and also to pull the boat or trailers. The fifth car is a small sports car, for driving around in the sun.@@HCproductionsss
I have one but in NYC it is a waste. I only use it upstate, We all should use public transit..Learn the subway!@@TheRogerhill1234
It is so dystopian, I swear america isn’t real
I go on wilderness kayak trips just outside the villages and it’s a completely different world. Totally untouched landscapes. Unfortunately, much of it is being ravished by development but we’re trying our best to fight it.
Don't worry, most humans will be dead eventually but we won't be around to see it. And one day, humanity will cease to exist. Facts
My dude, I feel ya but development is everywhere. Do you live in a detached house? You're part of the 'problem'.
@@tybaltyrant1 I know. I do live in a very old home and reuse everything I can to prevent more land to be developed, but ultimately understand some development has to happen, it can just be in places that aren’t pristine wilderness. That’s my hope
@@theadventuresportspodcast6651 Those shots of the Florida wilderness were beautiful.
I live in Australia and it so happens that people want to live where it's beautiful. Those properties are extremely valuable. So long as people want a nice house in a nice area, this is gonna happen.
If there's money to be made...dang it.
As someone who dearly loves nature, diversity, and admiring the beauty of the land.... these villages are positively dystopian. I'm all for fostering community and livelihood for our elders, but this kind of development is destructive and unsustainable.
Fantastic documentary. It's important to live outside your bubble and have civil discussions with people with different opinions.
Why
@@IdkhowtofkinreadOne needs to keep learning new things, especially the truth. Read widely ska so as to not be/remain ignorant.
@@Idkhowtofkinread because otherwise things like The Villages happen.
The Villages is designed to consume every last dollar these people have to their names by the time they pass. It is a huge wealth-transfer scheme above all else...as is all things capitalism, of course.
It is predatory in nature, though...but for the dying population, they've come here not to care about anything else on the planet besides themselves. It's an outstanding business model and capitalist venture...but it's so sad in terms of the cost to humanity & the environment.
They’re too stupid to understand that, and they wouldn’t believe you even if you logically explain it too them.
Personally I feel like this whole setup is strange;
However, I’m not at that age yet and can’t predict how I’ll feel about it then..
I do think these folks are entitled to spend their money how they see fit;
What would they do otherwise? Keep it on a jar, buried in the backyard of your rural Midwest home they’ve lived in for 50 years?
Life goes by quickly and we’ll all die regardless of what we did with our money the last decade of our lives, or how we ‘thought about the environment’
That comment just illustrates your youth and naivety
I’m at 42:00 and haven’t seen a pet yet. No wonder they’re bored and need scheduled activities. I’ve been very independent my entire life and this planned situation would drive me nuts. I love the house and yard where the guy was putting up signs…that’s what living has always been for me. Tropical paradise food forest with dogs, cats, bunnies, box turtles…that’s what I’ve always enjoyed with ballroom dancing or visiting with family on occasion. This seems like a movie with dumb and dumber. Soon the butterflies will be gone with the bees and dragonflies. That’s real living, but greed and zombies are ruining the Mother Earth I love. I did see one lil white fluff …
There’s one within the first 5 minutes of the documentary😂
This is a bubble of UNREALITY for it shields them from what really is happening beyond the confines of their artificial community. For when a real SHTF OF AN SHTF hits them, they are all helpless.
I visited my late uncle a few years ago in Sun City AZ, where he and my aunt moved to a 55+ community. I can see the draw for retirees, quiet, no kids, the ability to stay engaged with your peers and simple convenience. But what I also noticed was how they were surrounded by death. My uncle was giving me a tour of the neighborhood one evening and 6 of the homes were summed up as "Oh and that's where so and so used to live but they just died." And that's the issue with concentrating old folks like that; it's damn depressing, and there's no vitality, and it is very much a bubble.
55?! Where I live in London, UK I know 55 year olds with kids in elementary school.
What I really don't understand is they can live with that constant reminder of one's own mortality and still retain such a selfish and greedy mindset.
They live in a protected bubble of comfort but still they hate, fear and want revenge for vague perceived grievances.
They're simply failed human beings.
I bet covid really ravaged these people before the vaccine was out.
@@Libby78 hahaha, fair enough! 55 is just the minimum in the US, but the overwhelming majority of people were 70+. Also: I was in London last November; had an absolute blast there.
@@Teeveepicksures I didn't see many if any "selfish" or "greedy" people that harbored "hate, fear, revenge" in this video. To label people go through their final chapters as they chose to as "failed human beings" without one example of a better way is shallow at best.
“ *This is really a weird social experiment* “
the way she said it where she almost wanted to laugh but she’s dead serious at the same time. I felt that
On a smaller scale, there are 55+ communities all over Florida. Are they all social experiments?
@@beckypetersen2680 I wouldn’t say they’re _all_ social experiments. But this one is. And if I happen to watch a second 2 hour documentary about another Florida community explaining how it’s systematically a social experiment, then I _might_ think that as well.
That lady just seemed jealous because she probably can't afford it when she retires....I could feel her envy!
You can be active and lead a full life no matter where you live, you don't have to move to this organized community to enjoy life. I worked my entire life, but found time to do a lot of traveling, sports, etc. There are activities to do no matter where you live, you just have to make the effort. I'm not about to leave lifelong friends to move out of state to play pickleball, or have an HOA tell me I can't plant a begonia in my front lawn because the color of the bloom doesn't match the neighborhood. If you can live like that, I tip my hat to you, I could not. I'm happy for these people, they found their niche.
THE NAME SAYS IT ALL. | The small-time mentality of "The Villages" is so true about these people who know better.
I would rather die young than live like this, in some IRL version of a local news Facebook page comments section. When my wife and I inherited some money unexpectedly, we used it to subdivide our land and build two houses, one for each of our kids to move into when they're ready to start their own families. I want to spend my last few decades of life seeing my kids and grandkids every day, not slurping syrupy cocktails in some geriatric fantasy land staffed by undocumented immigrants who get treated like house elves.
How many of these people don't have families and just wanted to live in a community where they can have social interaction? Or do you just making assumptions? By the way, every time you go out to eat or pay for other activities, there's a GOOD chance you're being helped by someone in the background, who is as you say, staffed by 'undocumented immigrants who get treated like house elves'.
You have no idea what you're talking about.
Wait, even the Village’s cheerleaders are senior citizens? Who staffs the restaurants? Who does the cleaning? Is everyone a senior citizen? That would make for a cool Twilight Zone episode.
As someone who cares for my elderly mother, I can assure that it would be like Lord of the Flies.
That’s where you’ll find the minority population and migrants. 30:47
The "laborers" are all hispanic in Florida just about. There are no 70 year olds working at the back of a restaurant.
@@carson911yeppppp
@@carson911 It fits their conservative, boomer world view that dark skinned people only do the menial labor.
During the tai chi section, the one guy asking me “Is this supposed to be easy? I don’t think so.”
I’m in my 30’s and can attest that tai chi can be difficult. Just like any new exercise it takes time to get used to and there is a learning curve. My teacher was on me about being so precise with my movements.
There are even tai chi competitions that are quite beautiful and stunning to behold. The competitors have amazing balance and precision of movement.
The lady with the Martin guitar and the man singing the karaoke version of Creep made this doc for me, nice going vice. Binging for days on yall thank you for that
I love the tree nursery guy. He is giving off good vibrations. I am bias as I also love trees 🌳😍
He was so refreshing!! I loved him and his whole vibe
Thank you for this excellent documentary. As someone nearing retirement, I’ve seen many of my cohorts leave for their new Florida home. I’m glad that they’ve found some level of happiness there. I did think about doing the same, but your film has given me a wider perspective towards that decision what ever that may be.
Hopefully, you children will not kick you out, and you'll spend you senior life being a good and useful grandparent.
@@TinLeadHammermy grandma on my dad's side is staying the part, thank God 😊❤
Ok, I'm 46 and grew up with the song "Creep". I'm impressed with that old guy's singing ❤
At 62 years old and retired, one of my most favorite things to do is to help the elderly with their groceries. I hope that in The Villages there are "clubs" where people can help the elderly and the sick. Help out on your own or with a group. We are all going to get there and we all know someone who could use a helping hand.
Maybe the most telling thing in this documentary is that they didn't like hearing negative news about the community so they just started their own newspaper that would only tell them what they want to hear.
It sounds like a company town.
@@GR8APE69 a step away from corporate village.
Of coarse they don't want to see the negative news because most of the problems in America was created by their generation. The USA debts, drugs epidemic, wars, manufacturing decline, greed and increase of everything was done by them
My grandparents helped settle the first neighborhood in the villages in the 1990s.... It has changed so much since then. I used to visit my family there in the early 2000s, and there was more community. However, as the Villages was growing, I remember my grandparents noted: "they aren't making more town squares, just more homes." There are new neighborhood communities that are MILES away from a town square, and has potential to be isolating.
Additionally, while it was a retirement community, I did not have any knowledge of the history of the community that was there prior.
The Villages has made more town squares - they have a specific formula they use to determine where and when to build the next one. Villagers live within a short golf cart or car ride from a town square (many live between two town squares). Some who purchased a new home down south may be a bit more isolated at the moment, but that will change once Eastport (the 4th town square) opens.
I lived there before The Villages existed - contrary to what the ignorant, uninformed hippies here in the comment section say, "the evil developer" didn't swoop in, destroy all local wildlife, flora/fauna, and drive off every land owner by force. it was pretty much just farm land and orange groves, and everyone who sold their land did so voluntarily, and was paid fairly. The Villages has invested a great deal of time and money into preserving as much wildlife habitat, old oak trees, water features, etc. as they can - it would have been much cheaper and faster to just flatten everything in their path.
I think this a problem created by suburbia. In other countries where communitities are more integrated and close, older people don't feel like they are excluded by society and thus don't have a desire to be in a retirement community sorrounded exlusively by other old people. It is a real problem in the US where old people just sit inside all day, especially when they can't drive anymore and are really isolated from the rest of the world.
No human can want places lied about as retirement communities or the fiction itself.
OK, I have over a quarter century of experience with The Villages, so mine is a personal perspective. In a nutshell: I learned exactly how I *don't* want to live out my later years.
My parents first moved to near Orlando from the Mid-Atlantic when dad retired. He thought he'd live where it's warm all year round; playing golf every day for the rest of his life. My folks started out in The Villages, but moved to another planned community five miles up the road. The Villages simply became too crowded for dad. If he could only see it now.
To me, the greatest shame of The Villages is what the name of this documentary says. There are upwards of 200,000 seniors walled off from reality. When The Great Recession hit, the local area was devastated, but life went on, relatively uninterrupted in and around The Villages because many of the residents are drawing on retirements. Sadly, there's an immense treasure behind those walls and gates...if only they'd invest their time and talents in the community.
As is implied in the documentary, with a concentration of older people, with myriad illnesses, cancers and on a never ending quest to look younger, you'll find some of the best healthcare anywhere in The Villages. This is just one facet of how The Villages is one massive built environment that's designed as an economic engine.
One thing the documentary doesn't show is how, while The Villages expands to the south and west, it's not doing so to the north. Unlike the area surrounding The Villages, Ocala is horse country. Instead of single wides and chain link fences, there are miles upon miles of fenced in pastures, ranches and mansions. The city of Ocala is a thriving mid-sized city.
Further north, there's Gainesville, home of the University of Florida. So The Villages is content to buy up all the land they're able to down south and out west.
It used to be that The Villages didn't have a hospital, or assisted living facilities. They wised up, and now they do. The one thing The Villages doesn't have as part of their master plans are cemeteries. The joke is that you have to die to leave The Villages.
Being too crowded is the only negative thing I read that you said. New York City is crowded and plenty of old people live there.
Other than that the only thing you said negative, which is something you can say about every suburb vs urban area across the country, is that it is as if they are hoarding some sort of “immense treasure”.
The Village is not special in the way you made it out to be. From what the doc showed me in it’s first 40 minutes, the only thing special about the village is the amount of community and purpose of life that is missing not just from elder Americans, but Americans as a whole, hence the suicide, drug addiction, and crime rates. The lack of the sense of community everywhere else is what they should be making documentaries about.
@@Siteez4869 I've lived in NH, DC, VA, and now NV, and I've never had an issue finding a community, although it takes about a year to get fully settled in my experience. I'm not saying that everywhere is great, but people can find communities or create them if they put effort into it.
That’s the same analogy actual racists use. “I was able to get out of a rough time and all I had to do was put effort into it”, while overlooking the societal and historically causes that keep racial minorities at an economic and health disadvantage. Just because you have found it easy to find your community, isn’t the same for everyone else, hence as I said before, drug use, suicide, obesity, mental health issues are out of control and worse than ever.
So great for you, so happy you’ve been able to find your way, but the state of our current society says it is not the same for the majority. The majority of people work and rush home to sit on their ass to watch tv.
@@Siteez4869 It takes a lot to make me cry...
Thanks for sharing your perspective on this place. The first thing that occurred to me when I started watching was that somebody is getting rich off these folks. It's the perfect formulation of getting a captive audience of wealthy, easily manipulated people locked into a system that tells them they are happy while steadily siphoning away their life savings. I mean, if these people are truly happy, then great. I'd rather be dead than run out my days in a beige concentration camp like that.
To those younger than the generation shown in the documentary please know their attitudes do not represent the entire generation. Each generation has members of varying levels of maturity, interest and financial means.
These people seem driven by their fear of death and their selfishness. If you have lived your life with meaning then you don't feel the need to hide from the inevitable. Being fit, active and continuing to explore new things can be pursued without hiding from the realities of life, the wider community and world events. I can think of nothing more lonely than becoming ill in a place where your "friends" and neighbors are so in denial that you become invisible. Life is made up of good & bad, happy & sad. True maturity allows you to see the value in the whole and accept it all. These people are not comfortable with authenticity i any shape, form or fashion.
You don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about.
Lmao hearing Boomers unironically called "the Village People" was something I didn't know I needed in my day
i grew up right outside the villages and watched it grow. this doc is spot on. villagers are often very unaware of what is happening outside of their "bubble."
Yeah and it shouldn’t be made to seem like they’re culpable for the negative side of their residency in that area.
I am not claiming these people are innocent angels. But i can guarantee you that the financiers of this doc (vice is partly owned by Mickey mouse) probably have their money invested in real estate all over the world. Possibly theyre financial partners in this community.
Point being, i can guarantee , some skümbag at vice (whose job is to keep us all distracted and arguing with each other) is probably on the land management board there. And they knew darn well it would effect the prior established community’s entire world.
But these deceptive snakes will have you hating old white people before they ever admit to any shady business deals.
But it isn't them being unaware. It's about them not caring out of a sense of spite and selfishness.
Lucky them.
Bubble applies to Hollywood, Politicians, RICH, Washington DC, USA, Poor, Liberal Cities, Homeless, Workaholics, Students @ College, Silicon Valley, Beverly Hills, NY city, The Hamptons, Ghettos, Burrors, All Areas where the Concentration is HIGH!!!
@@MarcosIsABaritone - and their ability to insulate themselves from what they don’t want in their lives…
Thank God that we can choose where and how to live our lives in the USA…🙏
The use of the large screen TV propped on the couch for the interview with the filmmaker, Valerie Blankenbyl, is genius. She appears to be sitting in the same room, directly across from Suroosh Alvi.
I keep hearing the mantra that these people have worked hard and deserve to live the good life. Well no, they don't. Life is a struggle to the end. Fight for where you grew up, worked and lived, don't abandon it. You can't escape America's problems, even in Plasticville USA. Everyone needs to chill and stay where the heck they are and fight to save your towns, neighborhoods and country! Do it for your kids and grandkids!Forego the noon time Martini's and your silly tai chi lessons and fight!
Im 70 yrs old and totally agree ! You couldn't pay me to live in the Villages...
Fitting that the residents outside of the villages are called the locals because the villages residents don't assimilate with the area they just live in their bubble
My in-laws lived in the villages until they both got cancer and almost went bankrupt. Between their healthcare costs and their monthly and yearly dues it took 90% of their retirement. I always said the Villages is where Mom and Dad retire so they don’t have to leave their kids an inheritance. Lol
Are they around, now?
@@jjr1728 Yes, in a nursing home in Ocala.
The self centered generation ..most republican any way sad but true..
I ask this in a truly non-confrontational way, would you have preferred to have them closer and taken care of them as they progressed in their age?
I find the Villages are a wonderful place to go and give your children space to grow on their own. But then sometimes the children feel little sense of connection or obligation to "deal" with the parent at their end period.
@@cliftonbowers6376 Who's self centred? The parents can't live in a nice house in Florida so the kids get an inheritance? lol
Watching this documentary reminded me of the movie, "Stepford Wives". I am 71 years of age and the idea of living like this would be my nightmare come true. The conformity alone is mind-numbing. The people that I went to high school with would love The Villages. They were all the same, loved to gossip, run down anyone else who didn't fit the mould, very WASPY and boring as hell.
See you missed the point, she said some people live here and are very active, and some don't do anything, Conformity exists everywhere, most people live it everyday, work, and family, it's not that much different.
I know the feeling. That lifestyle reminds me of an episode of the 1980s Twilight Zone about this creepy suburb. I forgot much of the story, but the community reminded me of The Villages. I'd prefer to just live on some land in a traditional house...not even in a subdivision and certainly not in some extensively planned region.
@@TheEnd-eg6wq Nah it's just white colonialism and deforestation
lol its run by the southern communist party
very stepford and sloppy drunk
I thought the same thing, that The Villages reminded me of The Stepford Wives. Ugh, not for me and I am old enough to live there. I want to be around people of ALL ages, races, religions...don't remember seeing one black in the whole place!
This doc will be VERY interesting to watch again in 20… even 10 years. The water use, sinkholes, extreme development, ecological damage will look a lot different. I’m the first to admit that living in a bubble is really fun but not sustainable.
The Villages has been thriving for more than 30 years, new homes are purchased as fast as they can build them, and they have the land/plans to continue to build for at least 20 more years. They'll be fine for a very long time to come.
The interview with the filmmaker at the end really tied the film together for me. Loved it, wish there was more long form (with filmmaker interviews at the end) like this on VICE.
This is absolutely amazing, Wes Anderson levels of cinematography at times, beautiful shots, music and storytelling. Well done Vice and Valery!
Especially the butterflies 🦋
Very kitsch “Edward Scissorhands” kinda vibe; I love it
I like how they only show the good side it's totally biased.
if Wes directed a horror movie
they dont?@@dirkdiggler1242
the thing she said about not wanting to babysit kinda hits hard. For essentially every culture for all of time the cycle went; your parents take care of you, they help take care of your kids, you take care of your parents, then your children go on and have kids you help with, then youre taken care of. Many of these Boomers have too much money and no sense or traditional family values like they think they do.
Are you implying that these conservative, family values voters, who overwhelmingly supported Trump, are selfish hypocrites? How dare you! 😂
Thanks, that hit home, seriously!
Not what she said. She said that it needs to be planned. She lives two hours away, sees them regularly, and babysits often. Just not on a moment's notice.
They’re hands down the most self centered, entitled and destructive generation in American history. I hope on their death bead they realize how much of their life they wasted.
Lol. She probably didn't take care of her children. Not all parents are nurturing. No surprise.
I mean, they've lived a privileged life most of their existence. Why would anyone think the "me, me, me" generation would suddenly start thinking about someone besides themselves.
This is a masterful piece of art. My granny lives in the villages. I laughed. I cried. I will watch this again.
OMG, the story about the lady who had cancer and became isolated is so sad. These are the final moments of that woman's life and no one wants to acknowledge someone is dying. Just the level of denial, which she herself admitted to engaging in. I am keeping my mom close to me. You can't have her, Villages!
Yeah, it seems like an enclave where denial and right wing tribalism are the unwritten rules. SAD :- (
No one wants to acknowledge someone is dying in the real world either.
@@omcincy7622 Beats living in Chicago where the left wing destroyed a beautiful city, Now that's SAD - (
@@susanclark2756 Death is life. It's natural. I don't know what to make of this place it looks like a distopian capitalists hell. Something a zenophobian would dream up as heaven.
@@Spiritlife01 it depends on your age how you see this place. I have lived at my current location for 22 yrs and I had a neighbor that would put her trash out the night before in plastic bags - this pretty much trained the wild birds into ripping it open and spreading it all over. Currently I have another neighbor that leaves their trash can at the edge of the road all week, and another neighbor that doesn't mow his grass, tears apart vehicles in his front yard and will probably never finish any of them (he's not a mechanic) and thinks its ok to pee in his yard and shoot his guns and rifles whenever he feels like it. Yes, death is natural and can happen to anyone at any time - IDK why you thought you needed to tell me that.
Fun fact: The Villages are known as the STD capital of America!
My new, favorite quote is from this film, "At some point it became more profitable to plant Yankees vs watermelons".
Incorrect.
My friends said Viagra is delivered by the truck loads at the villages. Sick old geezers. Pervs
Go away forever
That's a myth
A friend lives in an over 55 just above Clearwater. He told me of several communities known for it. Imo, it happens, but it's also an exaggerated stereotype.
Ending on 'Creep' by 'Radio Head' sung by one of the residents shook me up. I did the math (slowly) In my head and realized...I'm not so far from that fate...I just hope I can travel and see the world when I retire and leave something for my family. I started watching this so I could get wound up about these selfish 'boomers' but found myself appreciating the points that they were making. I especially appreciated the honesty.
The Truman Show, Levittstown, Pleasantville. Every suburban in 1960 America!
Initially I felt confused because I thought it was a US production and it was sounding very balanced in it's portrayal of all sides.
...Then I realized the film was made by a European. Well done Valerie.
Just came from two other Vice docs about trans kids and their families having to move across the country to avoid legal persecution and high school girls grappling with the life-changing fallout of having their assaults covered up by their high schools... and then to see these people living without a care in the world, having their parades and their games and parties, completely ignoring what is going on right outside those gated walls... it's sickening.
And as they say - they have 80% of the wealth in this country. But 0% of the concern for collective wellbeing.
😊👍🏽 I just came back to watch this one cause it was saved to my Favorites and I forgot to watch it. Please post more stuff like this.
golf courses gotta be the biggest waste of space possible, shouts out to the mf planting native tree's tho, actually helping local wildlife
This definitely has a The Truman Show vibe to it. Beautifully edited and put together.
So true
So true, man…
yes...look at the credits of the truman show...they used a community just like the villages for filming....the drone filming was amazing...what i heard in my mind was the folk song "little boxes"....i'm in my 70's and i wouldn't feel comfortable living there. it looks a bit spooky...no offence to all the "happy" villagers.
@@shevalazaros4427 I think the town that the Truman Show used, or was based on, is called Celebration, Florida. It was literally built by Disney but kept as separate from theme park side of Disney for several reasons. It definitely has the manufactured, carefully curated, sterile "paradise" type of vibe that we find in the Truman Show and in The Villages.
YES!
I just turned 64. Looking at full retirement within a year to 18 months. Wifey and I are selling everything, keeping 1 small house on the Jersey shore for a home base. We are buying a 52' Krogan Express yacht and are planning voyages from Nova Scotia to the Caribbean. This video showed up in my feed, I watched it all. I think it was very well done. However, the lifestyle that these subjects enjoy so much is like the 7th Circle of Hell to me. No way.
Sodom and Gomorrah!
That’s because you’re educated enough to know what the 7th circle of hell is! People in the villages aren’t so much, shallow is what comes to mind…
I agree, but would definitely not take a yacht in the Caribbean these days with all the illegal aliens and traffickers south of the border.
This place just gives me the creeps. It’s like it’s straight out of some bizarre movie. It gave me ‘The Truman Show’/‘Downsizing’ movie vibes. Give me a cabin in the mountains so I can live my life out until the end in peace and tranquility’s over this hell hole any day.
Calm down Unabomber, it's not for everyone, and that's o.k.
LOL, it's also kinda like that creepy community called CELEBRATION, which was built by Disney.
The Truman show was filmed in Florida for a reason.
They should get the life they want.
We, (Charlottesville Virginia and Crozet Virginia) have communities, like a city of homes,apartment homes and apartments, and a wide diversity of people people from young to old, living together, with stores, restaurants, cafes all included, like the bubble, but more open. You should come here to see.
the cinematography of this film is spot on, so stunning and surreal to look at. credit to the crew they did a fantastic job with this!
Well said -- there were times it really looked like these people live in a simulation. I suppose in some ways they do
Being almost 70 I couldn't imagine not living around and interacting with young people & just having old fossils living it up in a endless mid life crises as a surrounding reality.
Sounds a lot better than being robbed by those young people, be honest you couldn't afford to live there anyway. im only in my 40's but id live there in 20 years if i could.
@@TheEnd-eg6wq you have a responsibility to help those lost youth. It takes a community to raise a child.
@@Dr_MKUltra Didn't for me just parents.
@@TheEnd-eg6wq cool, you and your parents going full tarzan in jungle somwhere outside any communities.
I'd love to set up an illegal gambling operation in this bubble for the badasses, wonder how fast I'd get snitched out by an old lady. Sometimes gotta break some fingers too.
I wonder what happens to places like this when this generation dies but future generations can't afford to retire. Will these types of communities turn into ghost towns after they've sucked all of the life out of the areas in which they were built?
One of my favorite Vice videos. Shout out to this filmmaker. Gonna save this and watch more of her work
I think this documentary is one of the best I've watched all year. I think I had two main concerns that came to my mind from it: 1) Ignoring those who are ill within the village & 2) not embracing the local elderly.
When they mentioned the lady that was battling cancer and how she felt alone in that fight, I felt like that community would hypothetically be the perfecting setting for the lady to feel supported and welcomed, but she wasn't. Ignoring illness could be extremely isolating, almost shameful for those who can't participate in the dance classes they offer, or the 3x weekly group golfing. My great aunt was the life of the party for many years, always hosting parties, making strong cocktails, or teaching art classes in high schools. Once she got sick and her health declined, she didn't have many visitors and couldn't partake in the many activities she enjoyed over the years. Had she been in a community like The Villages, I wonder if it would have helped or hurt her.
Presumably the local elderly people in that part of Florida do not come from the same wealth as those living within the Villages, it almost guarantees that they will not be welcomed into the community. Maybe the locals should be offered discounted housing rates since many are being displaced. Much of the land has been sold, but not everyone wants to relocate elsewhere. I think it might be a conversation to have. I feel for those who see their childhood neighborhoods or swamps being swept away. I didn't consider the environmental impact either, the man who spent decades planting native trees and cultivating the land is a godsend. I hope they can come to a reasonable compromise.
its a demographic of individualists, they act accordingly.
Because those old fucks don't care about what's going on with anyone but themselves. They have a short time left, and they are going to use it being as ignorant as the generation before them.
@Amanda Medina
When your sick and battling a disease, you will always feel alone regardless whose with and around you.
i hate being this blunt and what not... BUT in reality... WHAT EVERYTHING HERE COMES DOWN TO IS MONEY, a lot of old people around the western world have a lot of money put away, and they have NOTHING to spend it on, so when they see a place like this they are willing to spend A LOT of money, I would BETTTT you ANYTHING that living here is more expensive monthly/yearly then living in a place like I do, (downtown Vancouver City, British Columbia Canada, which by the way is one of the MOST expensive places to live) anyways what I am trying to get to is the fact that in any "wealthy" neighborhood setting you have the "doing just fine" then you have the "wealthy" and then you have the "we have to much money we have no idea what to do with it" and what happens when you get into places like that is they band together in groups, ALMOST like a high school setting where you have the "jocks" and the "band kids" and then the "math club kids" and so on, which to some people there is nothing wrong with that, but when you have a community where in this situation has very healthy retired people with a lot of money, and then you have the unhealthy/sick retired people who have just enough money to be able to stay there and get by, and SADLY as it is ANYWHERE in the world, those people more often then not get forgotten about, especially in a place like this, which unlike normal old people or retirement homes is mainly oriented on simply "getting as much money out of these people as they can before they die" this place can say ALLLLL IT WANTS TO that it is there to "help elderly and retired folks live a more active life" but what they REALLLLYYYYY MEAN IS , they are there to offer them AS MANYYYYY SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES THAT THEY CAN DO "FOR A FEE" to simply get AS MUCH money as they can from them before they are gone, because when people are HAPPY aaspecially older people who know they dont have a lot of time left, they are MORE WILLING TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON BEING HAPPY, which to be fair theres nothing wrong with elderly people spending money to be happy, but it causes a divide like I was saying earlier with the whole highschool concept because im sure within this place there are people who can not afford to do all the activities and such, and those people are sadly the people who end up being forgotten about and end up dying alone. which is very unfortunate.
Oh yeah, if you’re sick, it’s just too depressing. Besides, you must’ve done something wrong. If you’re under 50, you can’t go into a department store. Purse on arm, shades on head, the oldies think you’re a clerk. They sail right through red lights, stop signs. The man who founded Ethan Allen Furniture did so, hitting a fire truck.
This was a fantastic, beautifully edited, well balanced documentary. Oh, and the guy at the end? That may be the best cover of Radiohead's Creep I ever heard.
Right? That cover blew my mind on a number of levels.
The Creep cover was legend!
end? you mean at 1:25:34?
That was so good!
yep, he killed it
Was the Swinging mentioned in the Documentary? Look up the the Loofa Color Cides at The Villages.