New to Weston (Tequesta: fit in, home, neighborhood)

[eripperg]

I have recently relocated to Weston, FL from Bergen County, NJ and I have some questions to those who have moved here from up north.

1. It seems difficult to make friends here, and it seems like people are just not that friendly. They do say hello and smile when you walk by, but no one has welcomed us to the neighborhood, or invited us to dinner. What is the best way to meet people here for a couple in their early 30s with no children?

2. The community is very nice, and well manicured, but at times it feels like the movie the Truman Show. What is here that is authentic? Authentic Restaurants, local things to do...

3. At first, I felt a little culture shot, as I realized quickly that I am one of the few people within the community that does not speak fluent Spanish. Are there any places to find people of European decent, or are all people here from Latin America?

4. I noticed that although there are great common areas in a majority of the developement, none of them have tennis courts. Is there anywhere in Weston to play tennis, without paying for a country club? Where is a reasonably priced place to play golf?

5. What exactly live in the marshes that surround many of the developements in Weston? Are their aligators in those waters? Can you fish in those waters? Where are good places to freshwater fish? Is there any risk in canoeing in these canals?

I guess we can start there. We do have twins on the way, which I believe will help us get comfortable here as we will meet people through our children. But, after 2 months here, we have not settled into the community at all.

[tonyc]

I'm familiar with Bergen county as I had family that live there ages ago in Fortlee/Hackensack. Very different from SFL....

Try doing a search and you'll find some good info' http://www.city-data.com/forum/searc...rchid=12050389

Momabear on here lives in Weston and I'm sure she'll chime in later with good info'.

[acegolfer]

Originally Posted by eripperg

I have recently relocated to Weston, FL from Bergen County, NJ and I have some questions to those who have moved here from up north.

1. It seems difficult to make friends here, and it seems like people are just not that friendly. They do say hello and smile when you walk by, but no one has welcomed us to the neighborhood, or invited us to dinner. What is the best way to meet people here for a couple in their early 30s with no children?

2. The community is very nice, and well manicured, but at times it feels like the movie the Truman Show. What is here that is authentic? Authentic Restaurants, local things to do...

3. At first, I felt a little culture shot, as I realized quickly that I am one of the few people within the community that does not speak fluent Spanish. Are there any places to find people of European decent, or are all people here from Latin America?

4. I noticed that although there are great common areas in a majority of the developement, none of them have tennis courts. Is there anywhere in Weston to play tennis, without paying for a country club? Where is a reasonably priced place to play golf?

5. What exactly live in the marshes that surround many of the developements in Weston? Are their aligators in those waters? Can you fish in those waters? Where are good places to freshwater fish? Is there any risk in canoeing in these canals?

I guess we can start there. We do have twins on the way, which I believe will help us get comfortable here as we will meet people through our children. But, after 2 months here, we have not settled into the community at all.

Let me try to answer your questions. We moved here last year from north too.

1. I'll be surprised if my neighbors invite me for dinner. Did you expect it? Anyway, if you don't have kids, you have less options to make new friends. With kids, much easier.

2. Weston is a planned community so there's nothing authentic to it. For local activities, get information from Weston Community Center. Lots of activities.

3. I'm an Asian decent, so not all ppl are from Latin America. I have no idea where you can find European decent. Initially, it was a shock to hear Spanish everywhere, but we are 110% okay with it now.

4. There are 2 free tennis courts: Tequesta Trace middle and Emerald park. For reasonable membership, try Weston Tennis Club near Vacation Village. For higher end, try Midtown Athletic club.

5. Haven't explored the marshes.

[westondailyphoto]

1. not to us, our neighbors were very friendly when we moved in, they came to say hello, but no invitations to dinner...lol
2. everything is authentic.... lol Weston authentic that is!!
3. there are europeans all over Weston, I'm Italian btw, but you won't find a place where they all hang out...
4. yes there are aligators in the marshes, yes you can fish and you can canoe and of course there is a risk like in any other place...

[newmommy7890]

Originally Posted by eripperg

I have recently relocated to Weston, FL from Bergen County, NJ and I have some questions to those who have moved here from up north.

1. It seems difficult to make friends here, and it seems like people are just not that friendly. They do say hello and smile when you walk by, but no one has welcomed us to the neighborhood, or invited us to dinner. What is the best way to meet people here for a couple in their early 30s with no children?

2. The community is very nice, and well manicured, but at times it feels like the movie the Truman Show. What is here that is authentic? Authentic Restaurants, local things to do...

3. At first, I felt a little culture shot, as I realized quickly that I am one of the few people within the community that does not speak fluent Spanish. Are there any places to find people of European decent, or are all people here from Latin America?

4. I noticed that although there are great common areas in a majority of the developement, none of them have tennis courts. Is there anywhere in Weston to play tennis, without paying for a country club? Where is a reasonably priced place to play golf?

5. What exactly live in the marshes that surround many of the developements in Weston? Are their aligators in those waters? Can you fish in those waters? Where are good places to freshwater fish? Is there any risk in canoeing in these canals?

I guess we can start there. We do have twins on the way, which I believe will help us get comfortable here as we will meet people through our children. But, after 2 months here, we have not settled into the community at all.

Hi eripperg:

I am not living in Weston just yet, however, I thought I'd chime in as I will be in the same boat soon. My husband is currently living there during the week because of his new job and we hope to fully relocate there within the next couple of months. (I just got back from a visit there and plan to go back in a couple of weeks to check out some more preschools for my daughter).

1) I come from the northeast but have lived in florida for about 13 years. It was hard for me to make friends without children and I've found that people tend to stick together (not just in Weston) and do not want to reach out to 'newbies'. I think that's just Florida in general. However, once I had children I met MANY people so when your twins arrive try to join a playgroup which will be more for you to meet friends. I am a stay at home mom and this is what I plan to do once I move. I've already located some playgroups so if you are interested, please DM me and I will send you some information. I also plan to sign my daughter up for some classes at the YMCA and dance studio and hope I can make some friends that way. Unforntualtely, I don't think you'll get an invite for dinner any time soon....I don't think that happens much these days, although, when we get settled we'd love to make some new friends so come on over!

2) I visited Weston this past week and yes it is very manicured but I personally like the look and feel of it. I did sense a bit of snobbiness in the air but I'll ignore that for now.

3) I had the very same concern. I am white (an italian christian) from NY and my husband is an englishman from London. He's only been in the country for 8 years and neither of us speak spanish...maybe Hola and Adios but that's it! I was concerned if we'd "fit" in also since Weston has a large jewish and venuseulan population. I posted a thread on here called "Weston-Will I fit in". Search for it and read the posts. After hearing the responses from the folks on here I feel a lot better and know that it will take some time but we WILL fit in.

4) No idea.

5) I asked the realtor about the alligators in the lakes and he said there *probably* weren't any, but I wouldn't take my chances. I personally stay away from them, especially during mating season.

I know I'm not living there right now but I have been doing tons of research on the area (schools, activities, shopping, housing developments, etc) and the folks on here have been extremley helpful so I hope this helps you a little.

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions and congratulations on your twins!!

[newmommy7890]

Alligators:

http://www.westonfl.org/media/docs/m...s_Brochure.pdf

Go to page 30 if it doesn't open to that page.

[westondailyphoto]

Originally Posted by newmommy7890

5) I asked the realtor about the alligators in the lakes and he said there *probably* weren't any, but I wouldn't take my chances. I personally stay away from them, especially during mating season.

i guess she didn't want to scare you, just sell you the house...lol
this picture is from my backyard about a year ago, and is not the only on I have seen.... so there you have it....

Weston, FL. Daily Photo: Visitor

[tankev]

Westondailyphoto,
Do you mind me asking in what development that was taken???
good photo!

[newmommy7890]

Originally Posted by tankev

Westondailyphoto,
Do you mind me asking in what development that was taken???
good photo!

Very good question Tankev!! I'd like to avoid THAT development. LOL!

[westondailyphoto]

the Ridges, but keep in mind all lakes are connected.... aligators travel.... lol
I have seen them in Savanna too