I lost my job in April of 2010 as the company moved out of the country. I collected unemployment for the next year and a half and also signed up for my social security at that time. We decided to move to Florida and stayed at the Villages two different times for a month. We felt we could only affort a manufactured home but really did not want to do that as they are already over 20 years old and not built as well as a sight built home. Also the values will fall eventually fall for sure and the insurance is high as well as we did not want to live in one during the severe storms here in Florida.
We then decided to purchase a home in The Plantation about 15 miles from the Villages. We purchased a very nice home that was recently remodeled for 100,000. That same site built home in The Villages would cost between 160 and 180K. That was the reason we picked to live here. WE still use the shopping and the free entertainment offered by the Villages and enjoy going there. We are living on my SS check alone and a small pension. We do have IRA's and savings, but don't use much of that but live on the SS and pension alone. My wife will receive half my SS check in 2 years so that will help a lot. Our home is paid off, our 2011 vehicle and our 2001 Mitata are also paid off. We are living just fine on our small income. The Plantation is only $85 a month fee, is truly gated, has 3 pools, golf course, many pickleball courts, tennis courts, bocce, shuffleboard, horseshoes, etc. During the winter they have entertainment going on every weekend at the manor for 5 or 10 dollars for musical talent, etc. Very inexpensive to live here. So maybe this helps you to decide if you can make it.
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