[l2ridehd]

Everything is relative. I lived in Northern Virginia for the 23 years before the Villages. Housing, golf, happy hour drinks and property taxes are cheaper here, but everything else is the same or more expensive. The biggest increase here is groceries. Significantly more expensive here. Even stuff grown here. The weekly grocery bill is at a minimum 25% higher here. And the quality and product availability is not as good. Cost to register a car plus insurance is much higher. Cost to buy most everyday living consumables is higher here. Even the discount places like Sam's and Costco prices are higher here. Sale items are the same, but everything else is higher here. The only reasons I can think why this is, is competition or transportation. Utilities, gas, electric and water are much higher here. Doctors and dentists are cheaper here but the quality of care is not as good. Overall it's pretty much a wash and Northern Virginia is considered a high cost of living area.