[SantaClaus]

Hi guys. I know most of you will think I'm a little crazy for looking quite this far down the road, but we need to get a handle on what our retirement is going to cost, so I'm doing my research. My wife and I are at least 5-7 years from being able to leave our current home in NC (we are in the midst of an extensive DIY remodel). We have visited the Villages on many occasions (my parents live just up the road at Spruce Creek), and have even taken the tour. We love the lifestyle. I think the lynch-pin for me was seeing the wood shop. I have a decent shop of my own but could happily sell all that in order to downsize and use a communal shop.

I love the idea that everything is a golf-cart ride away. I can honestly imagine a day where we get rid of our cars altogether and just use a cart (or two) and just rent a car on the odd occasion where we need to drive somewhere too far for the cart but too close for a plane!

I mentioned 5-7 years to finish our house and sell, but the other major hurdle is that we have 4100 sq ft of house (plus attic, basement and a BARN) full of stuff! How in the world do folks cut all that back to fit into 900 sq ft? I feel like we need to have a 5-year-long yard sale!

On the personal side, you may have noticed from my avatar and nickname that I am a professional Santa Claus. My wife and I have two dachshunds who we treat as our children and travel via RV so that we can vacation with them. I am a huge Disney fan and love camping at Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground.

Anyhow, I have about a zillion questions, and realize an introduction is not the place to ask them so I will wrap this up.