Other Retirement Options with Inexpensive Golf

[Wayne_TN]

My wife and I are about a year from retirement coming from Tennessee - looking for someplace warmer that we can do outdoor stuff year-round. Both very active and "sporty". We have been to The Villages several times for up to a month at a time. I LOVE it, but my wife isn't sold. She thinks she might be happier in a more conventional town with golf course, tennis courts, etc., or perhaps a smaller "active 55" retirement community. I have been looking for some places in Florida and Arizona for us to check out, but I would really like for us to play golf in retirement at least a couple of times a week. Therein lies the rub - EVERYWHERE else i look, it looks like playing golf twice a week for the 2 of us (in a cart) will cost about $5000 per year, vs. about $200 in the villages (executive courses with trail fee). We aren't poor, but I can't afford $5k a year just for golf. I hope she will eventually settle on The Villages, but does anybody know some places I could take her to visit that would have golf where we could play a couple of times a week in a cart (ours or theirs) for like, $2000 a year or less?? The villages has 90,000 folks (right?) and ~30 free courses. How come none of the active retirement places with 9,000 folks have 3 free courses?? I understand "economy of scale", but the difference is amazing to me...
THANKS!!

[Russ_Boston]

Even though I'm an avid golfer I would never make a decision about my retirement community based just on that. But if that is a deal breaker then maybe you have to do some math.

The villages 'free' golf costs $135 per month plus that $200 you mentioned if you want to ride. Plus you'd need to own your own golf cart or rent one. And this is only for executive golf. Regulation length golf would still cost you another $25 or so per round.

Most people feel that homes in TV are higher priced than other 'retirement' communities so you could save some cash there as well.

The point is that you are going to 'pay' for golf in some form.

TV, for us, is so much more than the opportunity to play golf. That $135 per month pays for executive golf, pickleball, tennis, water VB, lap swimming, billiards, cards etc. Not to mention the miles and miles of roads and paths to run, walk and bike. You can take your golf cart for lunch, shopping or just fun.

You can golf anywhere and even probably find something for your golf price range but to my knowledge you won't find TV anywhere else.


Best of luck!

[Wayne_TN]

thanks Russ. Yeah - I agree with what you are saying about the amenities fee, especially if we live in a town, as opposed to another retirement community. And don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE all the cool stuff the villages has to offer. I've just played golf for almost 50 years and i would like to find other places i could afford to keep playing and still make my wife happy if i can't convince her on TV - so far i haven't found any.

I'm totally happy with just playing the executive courses. I hadn't thought about the housing costs being higher - what do you think - 10% more in the villages ?? thanks!

[eweissenbach]

There are a great many places in Florida and Arizona that have been hard hit by the housing bubble, and have unbeleiveable buys on homes. Sarasota, Fort Myers in Florida and the Phoenix area in Arizona are among them. I am confident you could buy a home in one of those warm weather areas and use the money saved vs. buying a home in TV to play golf twice a week for the rest of your life with $ left over. On the other hand TV is about way more than golf, and there are many who live in TV who play no golf. The amenity fee pays for a lot of things other than golf, such as abundant pools, recreation centers, nightly entertainment at the squares etc., etc. The Villages is unique as far as I know in providing opportunities for activities all day every day, and that is worth the extra cost for the housing in my, and many others, opinion.

[JenAjd]

I'm not a golfer and could care less. My spouse eats, sleeps, lives golf...and is into other things as well that are active (pickleball, softball etc). We originally thought we'd be on the gulf-coast in our retirement years (probably as snow-birds) but we also looked at Arizona. After checking out The Villages we didn't think twice about going to those other places and directed all our energies on coming here. It's been wonderful! We love the life-style and over and over have heard the stories from others that they "were" in other places but came here as there was far more to do. There is nothing like it anywhere else!!!!

[ssmith]

I have friends who lived in Ocala...he used the public golf courses and they rode bikes. It was a good solution for them...not one I would agree with. They liked the feel of the living near downtown Ocala. Just a thought for you. I personally think this option does not even compare to what TV has to offer but hey.... if it is your idea of what you want then that leaves one more home for me to buy some day ;).

[Mudder]

Where two people can play on a championship golf course for $2000.00/year. It is called Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club. It's in San Antonio, Fl, just north of Tampa. You have a good size city nearby, also beaches fairly close, many clubs, large pool and many other activities. There is also an executive golf course. It's right off of route 75. We happen to have a three bedroom villa for sale at TBGCC. Excellent location, lanai looks out over pond and down the 18th fairway.

[zcaveman]

...

[Wayne_TN]

Thanks Mudder :BigApplause:- Actually, it's not quite that cheap, but it is less than $5000 - I just got off the the phone with them and it's about $3300 per year for a couple if i buy a house there (plus a couple of hundred more per year if i want to use their golf carts - we could use ours for free) That does give me unlimited golf at both their courses. We'll probably go by and check it out next month when we are down there looking around.

Does anybody know of a better deal than this one in FL or AZ besides The Villages???

[Wayne_TN]

SSmith - thanks - the problem i am finding with public courses is even the cheaper ones at the very cheapest (read "worst) times are $15 per round, which sounds cheap until you say twice a week for the 2 of us makes 15*4 = $60 a week and then when you rent a cart twice a week at at least 20 per day you're looking at $100 per week which gets me back to $5000 per year - Hard to imagine that i can get that down to $2000 on a public course, but I'd love to hear from anybody that can prove me wrong...

[Wayne_TN]

Eweissenbach - Thanks - I would indeed have to get a good deal on a house to afford $5000 per year for 30 years or so, but we might stop by and see a realtor to see how cheap the houses are in the Sarasota, Fort Myers area

[scroll]

What about Stonecrest. Homes are cheaper and you can ride your golf cart to the villages too. Seems like no ever plays the 9 hole course.

[Wayne_TN]

Thanks Scroll. I just called about Stonecrest and it's a little high - $4160 per year for a couple including your trail fee. We may check it out further to see how much cheaper the houses are..

I think my wife would really like to visit a couple of "towns" the next time we are down there instead of just 55+ communities. Does anybody know of any towns in FL that have golf courses (public or membership) that we could play for $2k per year or so. Here in Tennessee I can beat that price, but we want to come to someplace where it's warm year-round.. thanks

[Mudder]

Oh TBGCC must have just raised their prices, but it still an excellent deal . There are all levels of very active golfers there, both male and female. Can't think of any "towns" that have what you are describing....well, I can but much higher costs. We know many people who moved to TBGCC from the Fort Meyers area because the golf was to expensive there......and don't even think about Naples! If you look at TBGCC and want a villa looking down 18th fairway, let me know.
Have fun looking......but of course I think The Villages is the very best choice!

[Wayne_TN]

Yeah Mudder, that price is pretty good - You're still "winning"... I'm still hoping somebody can crack that magic $2000/year barrier, though...:undecided:

[ssmith]

Did you miss my post on Ocala...it is in Florida and slightly more north of the Villages. It may not be for you but it is a town. SSmith

[Wayne_TN]

SSmith - sorry - I did see it, but I don't know any prices there and haven't had much luck finding cheap places to play there. If you know of any, that would be great...

[graciegirl]

A neighborhood group of five women went to Dell Webb Spruce Creek yesterday for a golf lesson. It is very pretty and has one golf course with 36 holes. They were having a "shotgun start" when we were there. I don't know how much golf membership is.

It is just down 441/27 from The Villages in an area called Summerfield.

[Wayne_TN]

graciegirl,

Thanks, but i just called their pro shop and golf there is a little over $5000 per year for the 2 of us if we use our own cart.

I know there are hundreds of golf courses in Florida i could call and get the cost of - I was hoping somebody knew of some that they had already looked into that were inexpensive.

If anybody knows or strongly suspects that a Florida course costs less than $3000 for 2 people to play 2 times a week with my cart or theirs, I'm all ears...

[rubicon]

The pitch here is your buying a lifestyle. Analyze that claim carefully. Lifestyle means different things to different people. I need to disclose that I am not enamored with this concept. I do play golf but the claim of free golf for the rest of your life is misleading. There are annual trail fees ($150)for executive courses and you will need to pay $8.00 per month to gain access to the tee time system in order to schedule a tee time. If you want to play championship courses you will pay anywhere from$18.00 to $57.00 per round depending on what time of year and if you buy priority which is roughly $800 annually to gain priority tee times to play championship courses. In addition, there is a point system for tee times. so you could get bumped from a tee time if you have too many points or want to play prime times. TV is growing and so the golf courses are getting crowded. I know several residents who prefer to go off campus to play because the fees are cheaper and some offer breakfast and lunch included in the fees. And I might add these are nice courses not cow pastures. finally you have the cost of a golf cart and its maintenance. You will be paying premium for a home despite what you might have heard. Nevertheless I am sure there are some bargains to be had given the housing market but keep in mind it hasn't hit TV like it has in other parts of the state.

[Wayne_TN]

Rubicon,
Thanks for your input. Granted, unless you just want to use a pull cart and not make reservations, it may not be perfectly "free". But I don't care about playing the championship courses (although i did play a few in TV last summer for $6 after 6 pm - unbelievable!), the Executive courses are great. I've spent a month there 2 times and absolutely LOVE the place. I'm just trying to see if there are any real options as i do like to do many things (pickleball, tennis, pool, table tennis, swim, etc, etc, etc) and i don't want to spend over $2000 or so a year on golf. I'm trying to see if there are really any other places besides TV to look at and still be able to play golf on my self-imposed budget. I'm beginning to think there aren't....

[Russ_Boston]

Rubicon,
Thanks for your input. Granted, unless you just want to use a pull cart and not make reservations, it may not be perfectly "free". But I don't care about playing the championship courses (although i did play a few in TV last summer for $6 after 6 pm - unbelievable!), the Executive courses are great. I've spent a month there 2 times and absolutely LOVE the place. I'm just trying to see if there are any real options as i do like to do many things (pickleball, tennis, pool, table tennis, swim, etc, etc, etc) and i don't want to spend over $2000 or so a year on golf. I'm trying to see if there are really any other places besides TV to look at and still be able to play golf on my self-imposed budget. I'm beginning to think there aren't....

Let me get this straight - YOU love TV. YOU love to play almost free executive golf. YOU love pickleball and tennis and swimming. So the stumbling block isn't the 2K golf it's the other half's reluctance towards TV. I would think that finding what she would like to do in TV is a lot easier than finding all those other activities for you somewhere else.

Just my 2 C.

[linko38]

I live in Stonecrest. We had a house built 2 years ago. We still ride over the bridge into the Villages for entertainment. We felt we were offered more house for the money here. I really love the two gates into Walmart from our community. Very easy access. Love the community. Have lots to do. Hubby does not golf so we didnt worry about that aspect. Amenity fees are 104 a month. No bond fee. Check out Lyle Gant realtor. He lives here too. In a year prices could change drastically. Good luck on your journey. :)

Happy in Stonecrest!

[graciegirl]

Hmmm.

I do get lotsa art lessons, Mahjong, Bridge, Bingo, Bunko, Bocce and board games.

Could do Yoga, Aerobics, Ballet, Tap, Interpretive dancing, belly dancing, hula, Tai chi (sp?) Five mile runs, swimming laps, water aerobics, ride a bicycle for over a hundred miles and never leave the campus, cheerleading, flag corp and messing around with football players. (just threw that in to see if you were paying attention)

Could drink a lot and watch people sing, dance, toot, drum, march, act and talk.

Could swim at a different pool every day for more than a month.

Could sit quietly and look at the most perfectly decorated rec centers for weeks, a different one every day....and just admire the theme of each and the object d'art and the people coming in and out doing so many activities.

Could eat at a different restaurant every day for months.

Could shop at a different store every day for months.

Could join churchs or faith communities representing all major faiths here. Even have different flavors of Lutheran and Methodists. (But of course they are not limited to our Villages. EVERYONE can. They are all so close to The Villages which is so nice)

Could volunteer at the school, the hospital, the rec centers.

Could volunteer to help people with their taxes. (NOT)

Could join or even chair numerous fund raising activities.

Could join a thousand clubs....ummmmm, except the Michigan one. (Go Bucks)

I DO play a LOT more golf than I have in years. AND I can play it at 32 executive courses (You tell me that Pelican is a baby course and I will hit you) and from NINE championship courses.

I do meet people from all over the country, heck, all over the world and hear their life stories. Most of them are telling the truth, but all of them are entertaining. They even listen to mine. First liar has the best chance.

$104 vs. $135

Priceless.

[taylor111947]

Regarding golf - What impressed me about the Villages is that while I'm getting my game back up to speed (I haven't played much in the last three years) I can play the Executive courses and then 'graduate' back to the Championship courses. And I won't feel that I HAVE to play because I've paid an up-front fee. Currently I belong to a club. I had all the intentions of playing last year, but too many things happened to keep me away. I played once - an expensive round for my $5000 membership fee.

But, I think the Villages is not just about the golf. Even the most avid golfer will benefit from the extensive list of activities that are available when not playing golf.

And, not to bring up an unpleasant subject, I think it is good to consider, as you age and become less active, what a retirement community can offer you to adjust to a new lifestyle.

For me - The Villages has it all!

[Challenger]

If I didn't know that what you say is true , I would think you were a paid spokesperson for the "Developer". We're still snowbirds but your posting has pushed us to move the date up as quickly as we can'

[graciegirl]

If I didn't know that what you say is true , I would think you were a paid spokesperson for the "Developer". We're still snowbirds but your posting has pushed us to move the date up as quickly as we can'

People have said that before, that I was paid by the developer,:cry: and I admit that I am just crazy about this place which is in Florida which I really don't like and away from my grandchildren which isn't good at all..except most of the time I forget to think about that.

No. I don't work for the Morses, but I do admire what they have accomplished and wish they hadn't poached or not allowed the Relay for Life to be here. I have to admire...their genius, or business acumen for making this place so very perfect.

I am an aging woman who loves all kinds of people and find this cruise ship on land just right for me.

P.S. I forgot to mention the two bowling allies, alleys? And nine Publix, two super Walmart, Sams, Lowes, Home Depot.........or never mind.

I have to go pick up my check.

[Shimpy]

There are plenty of places in South Florida that fit your needs. Oh, just a couple of suggestions though. Learn Spanish and complete your training for your concealed weapon permit. Spent 58 years there and am never going back.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

......I have to go pick up my check.

Have the Morse's got you on retainer or do you just get paid by the hour (or by the post)??!! Hee-hee! You always have such a positive outlook on things, gracie.....

Bill

[duffysmom]

I have to go pick up my check.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Taj44]

You may want to check out Spruce Creek south, just near The Villages. They have a webpage at: http://linksatsprucecreek.com/golf/proto/linksatsprucecreek/

We have friends there - quite a few clubs and things to do, although nowhere near the scale of The Villages, a decent golf course. I suspect their golf rates are cheaper than TV, you can call and check on their membership rates. Good luck!

[Endless Summer]

You've discussed the golfing and other options available at TV but no one in this thread has brought up the most important ammenity to the both of us....lots of friendly people. People who want to be friends, have similar interests and just plain enjoy living. That's why we're coming to TV. See ya in June. :BigApplause:

[Ohiogirl]

I live in TV because I think the amenities are far superior to anywhere else, just like most of the rest of the non-wannabe's on this site, but back to the original poster's question - where can he play golf cheaper than $5,000/yr.

I don't know about Florida public courses, and probably they are a lot more expensive in the winter, but around Columbus, OH there are many public and private courses (for some reason, Columbus has an overabundance), and all of the public ones, as far as I know, offer yearly all you can play senior passes, although they might be limited to Monday thru Friday, before 1 pm or 3 pm restriction. Last year, they were about $700-900, I think.

Also, have you considered trying to be a ranger (Ambassador) or starter? Many people who do that work one or two shifts a week and get free golf in return. My brother-in-law does that at a country club in Ft. Myers, although he's limited in when he can play, but can also take guests.

I went on a girls' golf trip to Myrtle Beach last fall (before I moved to TV), and everywhere we played met "retired" starters who were doing it for the free golf.

I myself was a ranger/starter last August/Sept. at a public course in Columbus - still have vouchers to use this summer for 8 nine-hole rounds, including cart. Hoping to do it again this summer when we are back there.

[John_W]

My parents retired in 1984 in a community called "Timber Pines", which started in 1983 by U.S. Homes. It's located on Hwy 19 in Spring Hill, Fl, that's about an hour north of St. Petersburg. If you've heard of the place with the mermaid shows called Weeki Wachee Springs, that's 5 miles north of the entrance. It's a completely walled community with staffed gates. Visitors must get a gate pass from a resident or they don't enter, it's very secure but yet very inexpensive.

It's much smaller than The Villages, I believe 1200 acres, about 2000 homes and 2 golf courses. I stayed there for about six months in 1989 and it was pretty nice, you could drive your cart on the streets and golf was free with your HOA fee.

I believe it had built out about ten years ago and only resales are available. I was considering retiring there until 2003 when I received my first Villages' DVD in the mail. If your on a tight budget, you get more home for the buck. All the homes are constructed with masonary and you can find villas in the low 100's, but actually single family homes are 90% of the community. I've checked Hernando County realtor's sites recently and have found many nice 2 BR 2 BA 2 Car homes in the $130K to $160K range in Timber Pines.

When I was growing up in St. Petersburg in the 1960's and 70's, U.S. Homes was one of the largest developers in Florida. Since Timber Pines was finished I don't see them anymore, they maybe fell on hard times. They used to have a 7 story corporate headquarters off Hwy 19 around Palm Harbor.

[chuckinca]

People have said that before, that I was paid by the developer,:cry: and I admit that I am just crazy about this place which is in Florida which I really don't like and away from my grandchildren which isn't good at all..except most of the time I forget to think about that.

No. I don't work for the Morses, but I do admire what they have accomplished and wish they hadn't poached or not allowed the Relay for Life to be here. I have to admire...their genius, or business acumen for making this place so very perfect.

I am an aging woman who loves all kinds of people and find this cruise ship on land just right for me.

P.S. I forgot to mention the two bowling allies, alleys? And nine Publix, two super Walmart, Sams, Lowes, Home Depot.........or never mind.

I have to go pick up my check.



You pays your money and takes your choice - different strokes for different folks.

Just because you chose TV doesn't mean folks who choose Stonecrest or Spruce Creek or Del Webb or Water Oak or Oakland Hills or a house out on a sandy road in Pedro (and there are some fantastic homes in Pedro)made a big mistake. They made their choice - maybe next time they need to consult with you first.


.

[Russ_Boston]

They made their choice - maybe next time they need to consult with you first..

A little harsh don't you think Chuck?

Gracie said "(she) find(s) this cruise ship on land just right for me". She never said they made a big mistake. Not sure why you said that.

Now back to the point:

Wayne - Why do you think a smaller retirement community would work? Seems like your wife wants a more 'normal' town (all ages) in a warmer climate. I don't think TV's size has much to do with her thinking from your question. Personally TV seems like a big town with multiple small towns within (the actual village you live in). My 2 Cents.

[downeaster]

A little harsh don't you think Chuck?

Gracie said "(she) find(s) this cruise ship on land just right for me". She never said they made a big mistake. Not sure why you said that.

Now back to the point:

Wayne - Why do you think a smaller retirement community would work? Seems like your wife wants a more 'normal' town (all ages) in a warmer climate. I don't think TV's size has much to do with her thinking from your question. Personally TV seems like a big town with multiple small towns within (the actual village you live in). My 2 Cents.

That's exactly the way I look at it, Russ. The overall size is of no matter to me. I live in The Villages on a nice tidy street in a nice tidy neighborhood with pleasant and friendly people. Most everything I need is close by and reachable by golf cart. Even the weather is favorable. The best of all worlds.

[Ohiogirl]

Actually, the large size of TV appeals to me. The smaller ones, with one or two clubhouses and one golf course, remind me of a country club with houses - think that unless you were one of the original residents, might be hard to break into the cliques, etc., plus you would have to make more of an effort to go out to dinner at someplace other than "the Club."

I really like the fact that if you don't like an activity at one rec center, either because of the time it's offered, the particular leader, or whatever, you can usually find another somewhere else. Plus, you are ALWAYS meeting new people here, playing golf, pickleball, cards, the pool, a club for something (and they have them for EVERYTHING) or at Happy Hour somewhere or on the square, plus all the people in your neighborhood.

I have met people who said their neighborhood wasn't very social or friendly - these are usually people who had already moved to a different neighborhood for various reasons, but that could be retrospect rationalization or maybe they gave up too soon without a lot of effort, or maybe they were right, and that particular neighborhood was full of stay-at-homes or people who already had lots of friends and too much on their calendars (happens very easily here).

Sometimes the new person needs to be the one to have the driveway party if no one else does. I do think it's easier to make friends in new or newer neighborhoods, but that's also true outside of retirement communities.

[Wayne_TN]

hadn't checked back onto this thread in a few months - My wife decided she liked the Villages after all. We put down a deposit in March and are planning on moving down next Summer (2012).

Thanks for all the help.

[Russ_Boston]

hadn't checked back onto this thread in a few months - My wife decided she liked the Villages after all. We put down a deposit in March and are planning on moving down next Summer (2012).

Thanks for all the help.

Great news Wayne - you won't regret it.

[champion6]

Congrats... the best is yet to come! :thumbup:

[2BNTV]

Hmmm.

I do get lotsa art lessons, Mahjong, Bridge, Bingo, Bunko, Bocce and board games.

Could do Yoga, Aerobics, Ballet, Tap, Interpretive dancing, belly dancing, hula, Tai chi (sp?) Five mile runs, swimming laps, water aerobics, ride a bicycle for over a hundred miles and never leave the campus, cheerleading, flag corp and messing around with football players. (just threw that in to see if you were paying attention)

Could drink a lot and watch people sing, dance, toot, drum, march, act and talk.

Could swim at a different pool every day for more than a month.

Could sit quietly and look at the most perfectly decorated rec centers for weeks, a different one every day....and just admire the theme of each and the object d'art and the people coming in and out doing so many activities.

Could eat at a different restaurant every day for months.

Could shop at a different store every day for months.

Could join churchs or faith communities representing all major faiths here. Even have different flavors of Lutheran and Methodists. (But of course they are not limited to our Villages. EVERYONE can. They are all so close to The Villages which is so nice)

Could volunteer at the school, the hospital, the rec centers.

Could volunteer to help people with their taxes. (NOT)

Could join or even chair numerous fund raising activities.

Could join a thousand clubs....ummmmm, except the Michigan one. (Go Bucks)

I DO play a LOT more golf than I have in years. AND I can play it at 32 executive courses (You tell me that Pelican is a baby course and I will hit you) and from NINE championship courses.

I do meet people from all over the country, heck, all over the world and hear their life stories. Most of them are telling the truth, but all of them are entertaining. They even listen to mine. First liar has the best chance.

$104 vs. $135

Priceless.

Gracie:

I just saw this post. It's a lulu. Loved it!

hadn't checked back onto this thread in a few months - My wife decided she liked the Villages after all. We put down a deposit in March and are planning on moving down next Summer (2012).

Thanks for all the help.

Congrats. I think you made the right choice.

Best Wishes for future happiness.