I don't want to rain on anyone's parade regarding some of the costs here, but go to thevillages.com and click on the Homes Icon, than go to the bottom left and click on "check out how affordable..." icon.
Everyone says their taxes are lower than where they used to live. On a typical Designer home ($250k) as they mention on the site, the costs for Taxes+Amenity fees+Bond adds up to much more than many pay elsewhere. They are all "taxes/fees to live here". That totals $587 per month or $7044 per year! Even the water/sewer fees of $62 per month (which we all know is still LOW due to having to run the irrigation systems) is higher than normal. Trash is twice what I paid, and utilities are a bit more for me here. The other basic fees of cable and phone is low ($104) if you also add in internet and other services. Typically a bundled service with HD and internet/phone will run about $138 per month. House insurance is less than $100 here though, about $70. Thus about $1100-$1200 per month on top of any mortgage you may have here. Good news is NO state income taxes here.
Now I know some might have paid more in lifestyles and/or living areas prior to retirement, but that's still a lot of money. It's about 25% more per month I was paying for 3300 sf on a large lake and many extras.
The other expenses such as food, meals out, movies are a wash. Entertainment here is FREE all over here, but don't get fooled by the free golf. Country Clubs will cost per month depending on how many you sign up for, but still cheaper than elsewhere. Executive courses will cost you either nothing, if you walk and use the phone reservation system, or $20 per month for golf cart trail fees and online tee times.
Don't get me wrong though, I still like it here and the other intangibles make up for the differences PLUS some! You will like it here also I would be pretty sure. most do! But as they say in all things material..."You get what you pay for"! We may pay a bit more, but we get a lot more!
Last edited by Roaddog53; 08-22-2012 at 07:39 PM.
|