Quote:
Originally Posted by skarra
I'm interested in hearing of peoples experiences in living in TV year round vs returning home wherever that may be in the summer months.
Do you continue with all your usual activities in the summer, or do you tend to remain inside where there is A/C? And how did things change once you made that commitment to live year round in TV.
Thanks for all replies.
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Saved literally a TON of $$$ when I turned loose of "northern" home. Taxes on a designer with 2600 here is one THIRD of the "other" home. Since I like hot weather and the motivator for me was year round golf, that aspect was a prime motivator for me, but the financial drain of maintaining two homes just seemed foolish. If I were to do that again, it would be a condo or villa or some combination, definitely NOT two large stand alone homes. If the money flowing out was of no consequence, I would have to say I still would not do it because of the constant worry; the phone rings in Jan., could it be a pipe froze and broke, or a furnace went out ? I'm definitely NOT the "worry wart" type, but having two large single family homes was not for me I found out quickly.... LOL ! Having said all that, I lived in the mid west farm country where the humidity is beyond inhuman. Florida was like living on an island with the constant breezes east to west, west to east, but THIS SUMMER has been like nothing I have ever experienced since we moved here (which was actually before retirement) to Florida. I have never spent so many afternoons inside in the AC as I have this year. So, take stock of your tolerance for worry, what you are willing lay out financially to have the luxury of having a home in two locations. Also, always (as many of our friends have done) stop to compare the actual stats of what it would cost to own one home and simply rent one for a few months in the other locale. We have friends who are the opposite of "snowbirds", their larger main home is here in Florida and they rent a home in Wisconsin every year for 3-4 months while they visit friends, fish...LOL... and take care of grand children during the summers. No one can really tell you what is best for YOU, it depends on your life patterns ! Have other friends who sold the large "up north" home, built a home here, and the bought a very small, one BR condo near the grand kids. The condo's taxes are very low and it has a very low monthly fee, they say that works best for them. Yet know others who rent the same "extended stay" hotel type place every year back in their same Illinois home town. They get a monthly price over the usual weekly price, and it has saved them a great deal over what they paid to maintain their home there. You have to figure your life style, and then make the decision on the best financial arrangement for you. What makes sense for one, will not fit the life or means of another !