Snowbird and Snowflake primary home question

[upstate]

We are thinking of selling our primary residence and either moving to a 55 and over community or buying land and building. I would appreciate any and all opinions for others that may or have been in our situation. Excellent health care facilities and a continual very low crime rate, both of which we are fortunate to have now are two of our top priorities. Thank you.

[Ruthtomnorma3]

Well,y'all have come to the right forum to get grand opinions to move here...TV...
We have been here a year via my husband's sister's encouragement! They have been here 7 yrs... So what can we say...he listened to younger sister...

Come on down to visit TV and surrounding areas....
Yes, you have begun the next stage of living .....
Lots of decisions....keep a notebook of pros and cons...
Start weeding out "stuff" now....you are starting over...
Moving furniture can be VERY expensive...
Several folks will agree to that ....

We will keep in touch...Ruth Ann / Tom

[upstate]

I forgot to mention we bought a home in TV last year which is seasonal. The question would be regarding our primary home, thanks.

[Bizdoc]

This is a question with about 4 million possible answers.

First is what are your medical needs. If you have significant health issues, you should either locate near your current host of doctors *or* look at continuing care retirement communities. In most (but not all) states, these will include a "buy in" which includes life tenancy in a house, townhouse or apartment. When you need it, you are guaranteed admission to assisted living and skilled nursing at reduced rates. Some (or all) of your buy in *may* (or may not) be refunded to your heirs upon your death.

Second is how attached you are to your current location. If you have lived their for all of your life and all of your friends are their, you may be happiest to keep that area as your primary residence. (warning: Keep in mind that all of those folks will also age, get sick, and die. Being the "last man standing" has its own problems.) Balance that with the reality that you will make friends wherever you move. Honest.

Third is where your kids and grandkids are. You may feel as if you have to be close to them. Temper that with the reality that your kids may have to move with jobs and your grandkids will grow up and have things on their mind other than their grandparents. The "grandkids trap" is over rated by many.

Fourth is the tax situation. You will probably hear all kinds of "stuff" about the tax advantages of A, b, or c. How it fits your situation can be very different from someone else. Also keep in mind that despite the speeches by political types, the cost to operate governments tend to be somewhat similar. Don't assume that a lack of income tax means it costs less. Look at what the total tax burden (income plus real property plus personal property plus sales plus other taxes) is.

Compare the cost of living. This is tricky, but a good example is what will heat plus electricity cost. How much will you eat out and what will it cost you? How far will you have to drive to do the things you want to do?

Finally, what will make you happy? Does your old location have the things you like to do? Will you have to travel long distances from your new home to what you like to do?

If you look at old threads on here, you find many of these things have been discussed seemingly to death. However, in the final analysis, only you know what will make you happy.

[dbussone]

This is a question with about 4 million possible answers.

First is what are your medical needs. If you have significant health issues, you should either locate near your current host of doctors *or* look at continuing care retirement communities. In most (but not all) states, these will include a "buy in" which includes life tenancy in a house, townhouse or apartment. When you need it, you are guaranteed admission to assisted living and skilled nursing at reduced rates. Some (or all) of your buy in *may* (or may not) be refunded to your heirs upon your death.

Second is how attached you are to your current location. If you have lived their for all of your life and all of your friends are their, you may be happiest to keep that area as your primary residence. (warning: Keep in mind that all of those folks will also age, get sick, and die. Being the "last man standing" has its own problems.) Balance that with the reality that you will make friends wherever you move. Honest.

Third is where your kids and grandkids are. You may feel as if you have to be close to them. Temper that with the reality that your kids may have to move with jobs and your grandkids will grow up and have things on their mind other than their grandparents. The "grandkids trap" is over rated by many.

Fourth is the tax situation. You will probably hear all kinds of "stuff" about the tax advantages of A, b, or c. How it fits your situation can be very different from someone else. Also keep in mind that despite the speeches by political types, the cost to operate governments tend to be somewhat similar. Don't assume that a lack of income tax means it costs less. Look at what the total tax burden (income plus real property plus personal property plus sales plus other taxes) is.

Compare the cost of living. This is tricky, but a good example is what will heat plus electricity cost. How much will you eat out and what will it cost you? How far will you have to drive to do the things you want to do?

Finally, what will make you happy? Does your old location have the things you like to do? Will you have to travel long distances from your new home to what you like to do?

If you look at old threads on here, you find many of these things have been discussed seemingly to death. However, in the final analysis, only you know what will make you happy.


This is the best summary analysis I have seen. Well done & thanks!

[gomoho]

This is a question with about 4 million possible answers.

First is what are your medical needs. If you have significant health issues, you should either locate near your current host of doctors *or* look at continuing care retirement communities. In most (but not all) states, these will include a "buy in" which includes life tenancy in a house, townhouse or apartment. When you need it, you are guaranteed admission to assisted living and skilled nursing at reduced rates. Some (or all) of your buy in *may* (or may not) be refunded to your heirs upon your death.

Second is how attached you are to your current location. If you have lived their for all of your life and all of your friends are their, you may be happiest to keep that area as your primary residence. (warning: Keep in mind that all of those folks will also age, get sick, and die. Being the "last man standing" has its own problems.) Balance that with the reality that you will make friends wherever you move. Honest.

Third is where your kids and grandkids are. You may feel as if you have to be close to them. Temper that with the reality that your kids may have to move with jobs and your grandkids will grow up and have things on their mind other than their grandparents. The "grandkids trap" is over rated by many.

Fourth is the tax situation. You will probably hear all kinds of "stuff" about the tax advantages of A, b, or c. How it fits your situation can be very different from someone else. Also keep in mind that despite the speeches by political types, the cost to operate governments tend to be somewhat similar. Don't assume that a lack of income tax means it costs less. Look at what the total tax burden (income plus real property plus personal property plus sales plus other taxes) is.

Compare the cost of living. This is tricky, but a good example is what will heat plus electricity cost. How much will you eat out and what will it cost you? How far will you have to drive to do the things you want to do?

Finally, what will make you happy? Does your old location have the things you like to do? Will you have to travel long distances from your new home to what you like to do?

If you look at old threads on here, you find many of these things have been discussed seemingly to death. However, in the final analysis, only you know what will make you happy.


I think I would move your "finally what will make you happy" to first place. How do any of the other things you mentioned matter if you are not happy?

[asianthree]

since you own two homes now why not close your up north home and stay in the villages for a year...see how many times you want to go home or have to go home.. take it one step at a time..see what fits...we also own two homes and my husband in 23 months will be coming down for 6 to 8 months by himself...i will still be working full time. we both traveled for most of our life so being in another state is just like old time except we don't need a nanny for the kids..our pet will stay with me so less upevil for her

[justjim]

OP, I have seen too many people wait too long to retire and enjoy what time they have left to enjoy their older years. None of us know how much time we have left----best not to delay.

We think we have the best of both worlds in being a snowbird. We get away from the Illinois harsh winters and enjoy the summer and part of the fall with our grandchildren. The majority of the year we enjoy the best retirement community in the world with our neighbors and close friends in TV.

We looked at Arizona, Nevada, Texas and several communities in Florida before purchasing in The Villages. Do you own search but don't take too long to make a decision.

[Lauren Sweeny]

I have found once you move into TV ,you end up selling your Northern home after a few years. Variables in this are; children up North ,dear dear friends, summers and health issues that demand going to live with children. Some may find the close housing a problem but it does go away. Making friends and joining clubs and activities after the first year of settling in clinch the deal.

[The Mountaineer]

My motto is: Embrace every stage of your life. Dipping your toe in the water also is good advice. Don't turn loose of your current world till you've been in the new world for a year or so, to be sure. In my case, I can't stand Florida summers (I once lived in St. Petersburg) so a northern home will always be in my life for the summers. But the winters in The Villages . .. ah! We're coming down to a Rainbow Drive rental January-March 2015. Yes, I'm a snowbird. But also a heatbird. So I like the best of both worlds.But we'll all different. YOU have to do what makes YOU happy. I like traveling (50 countries and 43 states and 11 cruises so far) so my residence is only where I go when I finish a trip.

[upstate]

Thank you for the responses and good information, more to think over.

[graciegirl]

Thank you for the responses and good information, more to think over.


Here are some pictures of our lovely town while you are thinking. NO, I don't work for the developer, I just love it here.

photos of the villages, florida - Bing Images (http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=photos+of+the+villages%2c+florida&qpvt=photos+of+the+villages%2c+florida&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=7BA196A2FFC62DAEDA198E3D581A0265FB794673&selectedIndex=109)

[upstate]

Here are some pictures of our lovely town while you are thinking. NO, I don't work for the developer, I just love it here.

photos of the villages, florida - Bing Images (http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=photos+of+the+villages%2c+florida&qpvt=photos+of+the+villages%2c+florida&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=7BA196A2FFC62DAEDA198E3D581A0265FB794673&selectedIndex=109)

We bought in Pennecamp last year, and yes it is nice.