[zcaveman]

Things To Think About When Moving To The Villages
Updated 4/12/2015
By zcaveman
Senior member
TalkOfTheVillages.com

After I moved here, I compiled a list of things to keep in mind when moving to the Villages. Most of these are strictly my thoughts and experiences. Check with the sales reps, neighbors, insurance reps, financial advisers, etc before making any decisions based on these items.

After I first posted this list, I received input from many TOTV members. I have added their input to my original list. My thanks to them for their input. After reading some of the posts in other areas, I sensed some confusion so I have added info about amenity fees, bonds and property taxes.

These are just to help you when you move. They have been helpful to friends that have moved to the Villages. I do not personally endorse any companies that I mention in this document. How is that for taking the fifth!

MOVING INFORMATION
Banks
When we were down here to sign the contract for our new home, we also started a checking and savings account. This is important as some places will not take starter checks. We also started with a high number, 300, so that it looked like we had been here awhile. When we got here we had already changed direct deposits. We transferred all of our savings to our checking account in our home state and then wrote a check down here to move the money to our Florida bank. This was a lot cheaper than a wire transfer. We closed the account in our home state after we were sure there were no more outstanding checks. We used the telephone system to check on the account there.* Don't forget to change all of the EFT accounts that you already have set up with your financial institutions. Don't forget to empty and cancel your safety deposit boxes.

Change of Address
Don't forget to go to the post office and get the change of address kit. You will also have to figure out how to change all of your magazine subscriptions, etc when you move. Do not forget credit cards.

Checklist
One thing I found very helpful when I moved to The Villages was to make myself a very detailed checklist/spreadsheet of all the things I had to do at the old residence and all the things I had to do at the new residence based on any action items listed in this document. Review the list occasionally and if you think of a new item or a detail to add, add it so you do not forget to do it. When I scheduled an item, I put the date scheduled and the expected date of completion. After I completed an item, I put the date completed next to it. Believe me that this will make things go so much smoother. It is a lot of fun to look back over this list after a couple of years to remember what a lot of work went into the planning and completion of some of these items.

Clubs/Organizations
Many clubs/organizations (VFW, American Legion, KOC, etc) have their own change-of-address procedure to keep current. Many of these can be done on-line. If you decide to transfer your membership, make sure that any paid up for life memberships can be transferred.

Current Services
Make arrangements with your cable, telephone, heating oil, etc companies to cut off these services the day you leave the home state. Don't worry about the electric, as the new owner will get it switched to their name when they close.* In Florida, the day of the closing belongs to the buyer, so start up services will want to be transferred the day before closing to insure you do not have as service interruption.

Doctor Appointments
Be sure to make doctor appointments with area doctors ASAP so things will go smoother should health issues arise during your first months in the Villages. There are lots of doctors right here on Village property but some only see patients one day a week as their main office is in Leesburg or Ocala.

Email
As long as you stay with your current ISP you should have no problem with EMAIL and those places where they use your Email address for a sign-on. I had to switch ISPs and it was really a pain. If you do have to change your ISP, don't cancel your old ISP before you switch any Internet accounts that use your email as the USERID as they won't swap you if you try to change it with your new ID.

Immigration
For those with green cards, a change of address must be filed within ten days to USCIS or you are deportable.

Medical and Dental Records
Before you leave for The Villages, ask your medical/dental providers for your files.* If they won't give you the original files, ask them to give you a photocopy of all documents.* Same goes for x-rays, if you have need for continuing care with these medical issues. * These files could save you the time/costs of having some tests repeated when you find your new medical team(s).

Papers
Be sure to bring your birth certificates and other ID with you. You will need them to get Florida driver's licenses. You should also bring your car titles. If you are still buying your car, bring the name and address of the car loan place and the account number. You will have to have proof of Florida car insurance before you can change titles and get tags. I stayed with my original company but they had to write me a new policy and cancel the New Jersey one.

Pet Records
Don't forget to stop by the vet and get the records for your pets - especially if they are on some kind of medication.

Voter Registration
Once you make TheVillages your permanent residence, don't forget to register to vote in the state of Florida.


FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Banks
I have my banking accounts with The Citizens First Bank. They have online access and their debit card is free at all of the ATMs in the Villages. They also have safety deposit boxes. The ATM machines are conveniently located at all of the mail stops in the Villages. The Villages also has branches for other major banks (Wachovia, Sun Trust, Bank of America, Colonial, and Community Bank and Trust) to name a few.

Florida Financial Information Dinners
After you move in, you will start getting requests to come to a meeting (includes lunch or dinner) to hear spiels about taxes, wills, trusts, Florida Intangible taxes, etc. It is well worth it to attend at least one - maybe two. It is free and there is no obligation. But be careful – I read an article in a newspaper recently that some of these are high pressure sales pitches. Do not sign anything or give any money to these organizations until you check out everything!!

Living Costs

There are a number of posts out in TOTV requesting the monthly costs for living in TV. The numbers vary between full time residents and part time residents. I am a full time resident with a 3 bedroom ranch on a base lot with 1392 Sq ft of climate controlled area (added 2/13/2013). Some of the numbers are close to mine. Some are from some of the other posts. This is an attempt to try and put them in one place. Remember, as with many of the other items in this post, this is just an estimate. Actual numbers will depend on your life style and size of residence. The numbers are monthly except where noted.

Water/Sewer (depends on size of yard) $40-80
Garbage $17.90 - (changed 2/13/2013)
Electric $80-225* - annual average $142 (updated 2/13/2013)
Gas $23-80* - annual average $34 (updated 2/13/2013)
Telephone $39.95 (Comcast) (updated 4/12/2015)
Cable (Premium/Digital – No HBO, etc.) $119.30 (Comcast) (updated 4/12/2015)
Internet (broadband) $63.95 (Comcast) (updated 4/12/2015)
Other charges, taxes and fees $22.22 (Comcast) (added 4/12/2015)
Telephone (TracFone – Cell phone) $104/year ** (updated 4/12/2015)
Amenity Fee $145.00 (updated 4/12/2015)
Property Taxes $200-400 ***
Homeowners Insurance $600 and up per year
Automobile Insurance $500 and up per year
Golf Cart Insurance $125 and up per year (added 4/12/2015)
Golf Cart Trail Fees $142 per year
Golf Tee Time Online System $8.00 (added 4/12/2015)
Lawn Care (mow and edge) $45-80 (depends on size of yard)
Shrub and tree trimming $90-$150 – three times a year (my lawn services does this for me) (updated 4/12/2015)
Pest Control ***** $200-300 per year (added 4/12/2015)
Lawn fertilization and treatment ***** $500-600 per year (added 4/12/2015)
Termite treatment $150-$175 per year (added 4/12/2015)
Daily Sun $61.42 per year (updated 4/12/2015)
Dining out (for 2 – no liquor):
Breakfast $15-30 (added 4/12/2015)
Lunch $25-35
Dinner $25-$$$


* This is an average. Electric will be higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Gas will be higher in the winter and lower in the summer.
** Cell phone costs should be about the same as you are paying now. It depends on the plan.
*** Florida resident with Homestead Exemption. No bond. This depends on the appraised value of your home. You can get the millage rate from the county appraiser. In 2013, this included the non-Ad Valorem (CDD4 ($454) / fire ($165) / water/waste ($98) charges.* If you have a bond, it will be included in your taxes. It is a 30 year bond at 6 or 7%.* You will have to calculate that number yourself.
**** Some insurance companies have monthly payment options.
***** Some homeowners prefer to do these treatments themselves.
****** You can do the termite treatment yourself but if you get termites, the expense to correct the problem might be costly.

Money
Be prepared to have your checkbook ready. You will be hit with the lawn mowing services, insect and pest control services, water softener, landscaping, awnings, lanai vinyl windows, not to mentioned food, kitchen stuff, cleaning and lawn stuff, ladders, etc.

Wills
You might want to check with a lawyer once you settle in to verify that your wills are valid in the state of Florida. I think that the check is free.

(Continued in Part 2)