Need real truithful answers about cost of living

[davidgolfcrazy]

Hello, we just looked at the lifestyles portfolio video and are ready to move today. Problems are we are only 51 years old, have a mortage, job, etc. We do not make or have very much money, but love what we see. We need to make a plan for retirement. We currently live in central N.C. in a 4 bedroom house on 1.25 acres of land. Too much yard to mow. I would rather play golf. we make less than 50K annually.We would be interested in a small home with 2 bedrooms. Definently a pre-owened home. stick built or manufactored. Hence my questions.

1- What is the true cost of living at The Villages?
2- Is local employment available?
3- The portfolio shows $961.00/monthly for a $250,000.00 home. Not my price range, what about more like $100,000.00 range?
4- Are the prices in the stores competitive or inflated for convience?

Not trying to sound negative but if you can help with some real numbers then we can start developing a real retirement.

Thank you for your help.

PS- Is it really as good as it looks?
David & Kathy

[ijusluvit]

First, since it's WAAAAYYY better than it looks, you are not wasting your time planning to come here. You are also wise to plan now, and maybe do what lots of folks do - move in before retirement and work here. You are still one of the bazillion boomers, many who are keeping The Villages economy a lot stronger than most other places. So...

Go to the search box here and type in "nuts and bolts". You will get lots of good stuff, notably zcaveman's Things to Think About, a list of all regular costs of living here.

Go to the New Members Forum. Look at the questions from newcomers and read the answers from vets.

Look in the Employment Forum. Depending on what you do there might be a job or business opportunity available the day you get here.

Come here for a visit. There is so much, it's so big, you cannot comprehend it till you see it. The Lifestyles visit is a good way to do it because it costs a little less than renting on your own and the sales people will NOT pressure you. While you are here make sure you travel throughout the entire complex. There is great diversity in housing, but every area is beautiful and friendly.

Pat yourself on the back for finding perhaps the finest place to live in the US!

[inda50]

I agree with the previous poster.What I'd like to add is now is a great time for excellent bargins on a pre owned homes, especially on the lower end of the market. Housing values are sure to increase here. Move while you are young enough to be competative in the job market. And keep in mind the job market stinks here,as i suspect it does just about any place else in the country. Hope this helps1

[NJblue]

Not to be negative, but you need a dose of reality. You say you don't have much money saved. You also say you make less than $50K per year. The latter figure is irrelevant since it is what you can make down here that counts. While the job availability is not great down here, the real issue is the pay scale. I'm not sure how it relates to NC, but it seems VERY low down here with what few jobs that I have seen posted, paying at or just a bit more than minimum wage. You are also many years away from Medicare so I'm guessing that you will have to deal with either paying for your own health insurance or finding a job that covers you. In the case of the former, it will put a significant drain on your income. In the case of the latter, I suspect that available jobs that includes health benefits down here are few and far between - especially in this economy.

My advice is to forget the positives of living down here for awhile and look at the realities. Search the local job markets for availability of jobs for which you are qualified. See what they pay and whether they include benefits. If you can convince yourself that you could find a job to cover your expenses, then go the next step.

As far as actual cost of living, I have found some things cheaper down here, but others more expensive than New Jersey. I can get a haircut for a lot less money than NJ. However, a case of beer is more expensive here than NJ. Food appears to be roughly the same. Property taxes are lower (but everyplace is lower than NJ in terms of property taxes.) There is no state income tax but I don't know how that compares with what you are currently paying in NC.