I LOVE living in Solivita mostly because of the lifestyle! Having been born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, I knew nothing but “the fast lane”. My husband Joe and I did not have much of a social life. You see, in New York we have alternate side of the street parking, and if you were to go out during the week or on a Sunday night, you’d better get home early enough to get a parking spot on the right side of the street, or …. TICKET! Living here in Solivita, we finally have a social life (seven days a week if we choose)! We are as active as we want to be, or as laid back as we wish. However, there is so much going on that many times we have to decide which activity must go to the wayside.
Loving our home .. and community!
We have established many new friendships with individuals that really seem like friends we have known for YEARS! I believe the bond that exists between us, is due to the fact that most of our friends have a common characteristic – most of us moved to Solivita around the same time, and… our families are living a distance from us. So, not only are we friends, but we are extended family. Making a major move, such as the one Joe and I made, it is comforting to find genuine friendships. With those friendships come involvement in clubs, sports activities, opportunities to expand yourself personally ( through the arts, through volunteering, through workshops,…).
As my nine year old granddaughter Jada told us this past summer during her visit, “Why would you even think about moving back to Brooklyn? Solivita is the most beautiful place in the world!” Jada, you are ABSOLUTELY correct!
I LOVE Gabrielle Howe. I met her in High School, in Brooklyn New York in the 1970′s, and I knew her husband Joe in Elementary School! These are two fine people from beautiful families. I’m delighted to be part of this, and I hope Gabrielle and Joe, and their families enjoy only wonderful times in the community. They will only enhance the community with their spirit, intelligence, energy, humor, and good will. Two wonderful people. Wish I could live there!
Gabby, I felt melancholy when you spoke about alternate side of the street parking in New York. I know it WAS hell, but it was a natural part of our lives that we’d adapted to…I miss New York a whole lot, too!
All the best, your friend,
Rosemary LaManna (Mendelsohn)
Would love to hear from you folks when you have a moment. Solivita sounds lovely.
We love living in Solivita. Gabby and Joe are friends of ours. We met through Pickleball and R Gang and Mah Jongg. I look forward to our time together. It is so real and so genuine. We live together, laugh together and are active together. Love my friends!! Love Solivita
My first two responses came from one “new ” friend, Phoebe, and one “old” friend (as in longtime, NOT age! LOL), Rosemary! Yes, Phoebe it is wonderful here not only because of nature’s beauty, but the beauty of the people! We have been fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful friends and neighbors – you and John being a couple of those individuals! Rosemary, I never imagined living outside of Brooklyn, or even New York! But, we have found such comfort and peace of mind living here in Solivita! We will definitely have to talk! You too, could find this a GREAT place to live after the offspring have either turned 18 or have left the nest.
You are a natural selection for this role – I will keep watching for your updates, my friend! Ginny
Gabby:
We share your feelings about our friends here in Solivita. We were ready to pack up and leave. We were not worried about the loss we would have to take on the house. It just wasn’t working for us. Then my dear wife started playing this silly game called pickleball and met a wonderful group of ladies in the process. From there it blossomed in to friendship with a wonderful group of friends who in some ways are like family now. The only thing that would make living here better, is if our children and grandchildren were closer. Emphasis on grand children.
Gabby, I agree, it is so easy to make friends in Solivita. Since we are all putting down roots in a new place, people are more receptive to new friendships. I really like that aspect of living here.
I’m ready to buy. Sounds great.
great. i’ll be back!
Sounds like the good life! We will be in the area in August for a few days. Maybe we can visit your lovely Solivita! Where does the name come from?
Hi Gabby…sounds like you’ve truly found the good life! I retired in August 2009 and can finally exhale. Hoping my hubby will do the same very soon. Looking for a retirement community in Fl. Solivita seems like a great possibility.
Take care,
Rebecca
You are so totally right Gab. We love it here. We love our new friends and all the fun things we do. Would not want to live anywhere else. Plus, not a day goes by that I don’t need a Gabby HUG!
You are so totally right Gab. We love it here. We love our new friends and all the fun things we do. Would not want to live anywhere else. Plus, not a day goes by that I don’t need a Gabby HUG!
Gabby, I totally agree with you and more. When I moved to Solivita 3 years ago, I was dealing with serious medical and I led a seditary lifestyle and was over weight. Through the Fitness Center programs, My wife and I began to bike ride and swim in the indoor lap pool. We both lost weight, 40 pounds for me, and felt much better. We both started playing Pickleball. My wife on a social level and me on a more competitive level. These are activities I never would have attempted prior to moving to Solivita. Like you, we have a large circle of close friends here. More than we had up north. I can’t imagine a better community to live in.
@ Rosemary, I will be contacting you to fill you in on what’s been going on since HIGH SCHOOL!! Oh boy, do we have a lot to catch up on! Should you guys be in the Central Florida area, you MUST come by and see it for yourself!
@ Deb, you know when I left Weeksville, I told the staff that we were going to Florida, and door was always opened. Well, I expect to see you guys in August! I am TOO EXCITED!!
@ Rebecca, good for you! CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement,YOU SURVIVED! There are a couple of other NYC retired principals living here in Solivita! As a matter of fact, you know one of them (District 16)! You and your hubby are welcomed to come and visit anytime. As a matter of fact, all of you Rebecca, Deb, and Rosemary, should you want to truly experience Solivita living, you can check out the Solivita website (Solivita.com) and read about Discovery Days. This program gives prospective buyers a chance to experience Solivita firsthand by living here for, I think, three days and two nights. Read about it. But, that doesn’t mean that you skip visiting our home. The blender will be whirling with pina coladas, and the wines are already chilling! Hope to see you all soon!
Ginny, thanks! By the way, when are you coming back to cardmaking class? Hope to see you there soon! ; -)
Ginger, we ARE living in a friendly place! This is a place that is great for any and everyone. If you are a social type of person, it’s fantastic! If you like peace and serenity, it’s a place like no other!
@ Mark – there’s a spec home right next door that has your name on it! LOL!!
@ Phoebe & John – Pickelballers and friends ’til the end! Hugs!
@ Sheila – Mucho hugs for you girl! I am SO happy that we met and are now friends! @ Tom – WOW! I didn’t know that you lost THAT much weight! That’s fantastic! Okay Tom, NOW you are my incentive! There is no excuse, I MUST try harder! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a response, not only Tom & Sheila, but …..THANKS, TO ALL OF YOU!
Gabby is simply the best……….she has put SOLIVITA on the map….
gabby for president of Solivita
Great job, Gabby!
It sounds like a wonderful community.
I love you guys! I have met the best people in Solivita, and I know that my friends back in NY would love you guys too! Hey Northern friends, you must come to see what I’m talking about! Hugs to all of you!
I am no where near retirement but Solivita sounds like a paradise. Awesome neighbors, engaging activities and beauty.
Gabby is a wonderful neighbor and friend. I too have to agree with Gabby, Solivita is a wonderful place to live. My husband and I visited many over 55 communities, but when we visited here we knew this is the place we wanted to be. What struck me first, was whoever we passed while looking at the grounds said hello.
Hi Gabby-
Thanks for your blog. I am Carol Kocur’s cousin and am coming down in Novemeber to look around. Looking forward to meeting you.
Len
Carol, the feeling is totally mutual! IT’s neighbors like YOU that make Solivita the wonderful community that it is! All I needed to do was to lift the phone and say that I needed some help with that CPM machine after my knee surgery, and … you and Donna P. were there in a flash! I KNOW we made the right decision in choosing SOLIVITA!!
Len, come on down …there’s a house with your name on it! You will LOVE the clubs, amenities, and the people!
Thanks Gabby- I am really looking forward to my visit. Your blog and everyones comments and insights make me feel at home already.
Gabby,
My husband, Tom, and I met you and Joe last week…we were down from Massachusetts looking at Solivita and we loved everything we saw…it is truly a wonderful community! Everyone we met, you and Joe, Michael and Ilene, Larry and Sarah could not have been nicer…we feel like we have friends before we even move down! We still have a year or so before picking up roots here, but are looking forward to a new start!
…I told you I would look for your blog!
Beth
How do you play pickle ball?
Gabby-
I’ve been looking at some houses on-line and sometimes reference is made to a specific neighborhood. Could you tell me about the neighborhoods and which are the newer ones. THanks.
@ Beeth – I’m SO glad you found the blog! I am looking forward to you guys moving down! Should you have any questions,give us a call! @ Deb – Check out my next few posts. One of them deals with the pickleball league I play with. There should be a link you can check out (it’s a video link). @ Len – Some of the newer neighborhoods are Vizcaya (our neighborhood), Valencia, Portofino, Mira Vista. Portofino has the Estate homes, they are the largest homes (2545 – 2980 sq. ft.), then Vizcaya has the size homes under that (2105 – 2343 sq. ft.), Valencia is next, and Mira Vista has the smaller houses (1319 – 1608sq. ft.)
Gabby- Thanks for the info.
Gabby, JUNE 09, 2011
It sounds like to me that you and Joe are very happy where you are in Solivita. I told Cleon about your new home and he,too, seemed excited. His first comment was,” Maybe we should think about making a move to a place where there is excitement!” Here in SC, there is nothing to do. We have to travel to Columbia for fun, Coming from NYC to the south is a whole new world for me(smile). Hope to see you and Joe when we venture to Florida soon. Love you aiways Brenda