A late start....

[RayinPenn]

My daughter, son, wife and I are 14, 10, 53, 56 respectively -yes we had a late start. the trouble is I am not sure how many Pennsylvania winters I have left in me. I love florida, we visit the father-in-law in Sarasota often and I am sure the villages would be a great place to retire to and make new friends. Does it make sense to buy a place now and rent / hold for 4 years until my daughter starts college and send my son to a private high school? Maybe the villages charter school?

I am sure others have faced this dilemma I would appreciate anyones feedback thoughts on this.

[dillywho]

My daughter, son, wife and I are 14, 10, 53, 56 respectively -yes we had a late start. the trouble is I am not sure how many Pennsylvania winters I have left in me. I love florida, we visit the father-in-law in Sarasota often and I am sure the villages would be a great place to retire to and make new friends. Does it make sense to buy a place now and rent / hold for 4 years until my daughter starts college and send my son to a private high school? Maybe the villages charter school?

I am sure others have faced this dilemma I would appreciate anyones feedback thoughts on this.

Ray, you still won't be eligible to live within TV in four years because your son will still be under the age allowed. No one under the age of 19 can reside permanently within TV.

[RayinPenn]

Thanks dillywho...bad news but I appreciate the info..I searched around and someone mentioned a family villages..I'd appreciate it if anyone reading this post had info they would pass it along to mr.

[dillywho]

There is a family section within TV, but they do not get the ammenities. Off-hand, I can't remember the name of it, but it's just off 466 by La Zamora Village. I'll think of it and let you know.

[villages07]

Oak Meadows and Spring Arbor are two older neighborhoods adjacent to the Villages that, I believe, were developed by the Villages. But, as others have said, you would not have access to the Villages amenities. But, you would be in Florida...near the Villages to enjoy the entertainment and special events and potentially be eligible to send your kids to the very excellent charter schools. You or your wife would have to be employed by the Villages or other qualified employer that supports Villages properties/businesses.

Buffalo Glen is a newer neighborhood, very close to the charter schools, that is built for all families. It, too, was developed by the Villages but has no access to amenities.

Villages of Parkwood is a new all age community close to the Villages that is slated to have pool, recreation, etc but is not affiliated with The Villages developer. Someone recently wrote a post with some warnings about dealing with this developer.

The advantage of coming down now and buying into the family villages would be to get away from the cold winters, potentially get your kids into the fine charter schools, and position yourself to buy a place in The Villages once your kids have reached the magic age.

Buying now and renting for 4 years has its risks....who knows what curveballs and changes life will bring your way or how the economy will fare. The only real plus would be knowing what you can afford today and having it ready for you when retirement arrives...but, in the meantime you will probably have a negative cash flow.

[redwitch]

Another alternative is to buy now (or later) and get an apartment/house near TV. Your son, with one of his parents, could stay in the apartment with frequent visits to your home (just limit overnight stays to 30 days for the entire year). Cassie does this with her daughter. It seems to work well for them. Once the kids reach age 19, they can stay as long as you want them to.

[graciegirl]

Another alternative is to buy now (or later) and get an apartment/house near TV. Your son, with one of his parents, could stay in the apartment with frequent visits to your home (just limit overnight stays to 30 days for the entire year). Cassie does this with her daughter. It seems to work well for them. Once the kids reach age 19, they can stay as long as you want them to.

I understand that the Charter School is an excellent school, however your children cannot attend unless you are a paid employee of The Villages. I would definitely look into the other school systems around here before I make the move. I don't know about the school systems closeby but Florida is not known for excellent school systems.

It is only nine years until your children will leave for college. You could have a summer home here until then that you and the children could use for one month. You could rent it out. Or you could move to another part of Florida until your children are launched. The problem is that you are old enough but your children are not.

[Avista]

Bison Valley: Here you go: http://bisonvalleyvillage.com/

Parkwood is also nearby. They have their own pools. Can use golf carts in The Villages, but would have to be the ones street legal to take on the road.
http://www.villagesofparkwood.com/index.asp

Must work 20 hours / week on village property to use Charter Schools--teachers, doctors, nurses or those who work in hospital etc all qualily.

[Avista]

Here are The Villages Charter Schools:
http://www.thevillagescharterschool.org/

[dillywho]

I understand that the Charter School is an excellent school, however your children cannot attend unless you are a paid employee of The Villages. I would definitely look into the other school systems around here before I make the move. I don't know about the school systems closeby but Florida is not known for excellent school systems.

It is only nine years until your children will leave for college. You could have a summer home here until then that you and the children could use for one month. You could rent it out. Or you could move to another part of Florida until your children are launched. The problem is that you are old enough but your children are not.

Gracie,

Unless it has changed, the kids are allowed to go to the school if their parents work inside TV but not necessarily employed by TV. Our former church secretary's daughter was able to attend. The lady now works for one of the doctors who built his own practice here, and I think her daughter still goes to the school.

Homes in the Spring Arbor (thanks for supplying the name) section were being advertised by TV in the Daily Sun about 7 years ago. We started subscribing to the Sun (mailed to us) after our initial visit in 2002, and I saw the ads then. They were listed under Family Section stating that children were welcome. It was later explained to me that they didn't pay the ammenity fee and were not eligible to use any of the ammenities supported by the fees. Beyond that, I didn't pay much attention to it because we had been out of the "kid business" for many years. We were just looking to retire.

[RayinPenn]

based on the information provided I'll have to rethink my strategy...thanks to to all who responded...

cold Ray in Penn...