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Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

Don't bother to ask a certified financial planner outside of The Villages....this place is totally unique in FL and the nation. You would not believe how many people in other FL cities and other states think this is just one big nursing home, or that it's just another condo complex with crappy HOA like the ones they have in other cemetery-like retirement places in FL.

We bought here in our late forties and are still working. I have total confidence in saying this:

Just buy a nice, affordable villa (either patio or courtyard) for about $190,000, now. It's perfect for either seasonal or full-time living, and extremely easy to sell when you finally do retire, if you want a different home here.

I don't think you can go wrong buying a place that oodles of buyers can afford to buy if you change your mind later on. And the taxes and utilities are cheaper, too, than a "forever home" (their dream home in designer price range here) like a lot of people agonize over for years and years before buying here. You could also rent it out for 3-4 months in winter for $3,000/mo., to pay for most of your expenses.

Live your life while you have it. Prices and mortgage rates are only going to go up, so you might as well buy a modest, sensible TV villa now. Over time, even if you don't like it here, you'll have put your money into building equity in a very marketable property.

Like your advise