[logdog]

Originally Posted by pooh

One does not need $93,000/year to live here. I know many who live in this community with very modest incomes.

What you need depends upon what you want. If you buy a smaller house or a villa, depending upon size, housing costs will be less than a larger home with lots of upgrades. Your television bill will be determined by what type of service you want....high def, movie channels, sports packages. Your water bill is dependent upon usage....same for gas and electric. If you want your lawn cut, it could cost from $40/month and up. Many people tend to their own yards.

I find auto insurance as well as house insurance similar to what I paid in CA. There it was earthquakes, here it's storms.

Not sure where you're living now, but I don't find it any more expensive or less expensive than where I lived in CA. Some things are more expensive, other things less expensive. It evens out.

Remember, you will pay a monthly amenity fee....but all pay and it's about the same for everyone.

I'll bet you paid more in CA state tax than the $135 monthly amenity fee. In NM, I paid about $150 per month in HOA dues and state income tax. I'm saving money on the amenity fee here and most of it goes to support things I actually use.