Quote:
Originally Posted by JSR22
Affordability depends on how much money you saved and where you moved from. We moved from NJ and our property taxes went from $12,000 to $2200. Utilities, car and home
insurance and restaurants are less expensive. I know people who have moved from the Midwest and it was less expensive living there. We are here 5 years and feel TV is a good value. Additionally, the price of golf is much cheaper than belonging to golf clubs up North.
|
In the Midwest, it depends on where you live. I live in suburban Chicago, a fairly high cost of living area, especially property tax wise. In the northwest suburbs of Cook County, a single family home is minimum $180K (and that would most likely be an older, "fixer upper" home) I believe Illinois property taxes are the 2nd most expensive in the U.S. My dad lives in a smaller city in eastern Iowa. The cost of housing and property taxes are much lower . . . you can still get an older single family home in eastern Iowa for under $130K.
Property taxes are a big concern for me, especially looking down the road 10 years. Illinois property taxes will eventually price the state out of the market for me. Wherever I end up in my golden years, cost of living, property taxes and snow free climate will be key factors.
As far as the size of The Villages, I have lived in the Chicago area for 37 years, so dealing with traffic and crowds is nothing new for me. I can understand though, why some long-time Villagers may be less than happy with the expansion of TV, especially the growth/expansion in the past decade.