[kbace6]

I am in the process of figuring out what my monthly costs will be in The Villages. I have the official "Villages" pdf and am now working on a cost of living worksheet. One of the things I need info on is, what is the trail fee? Not how much it costs, I have that, but what is it and what do I get for paying for it?

Also while I'm asking for free info here, is the Community Development Assessment another term for my bond?

I looked in the nuts and bolts section for these things, but did not find them there.

Thanks in advance for all the help I know I will get here.

[graciegirl]

The trail fee is the amount charged for each round of golf to drive YOUR cart on the golf courses. It can be paid each time or you can pay it yearly which is cheaper for us anyway.

There is a fee for the maintainance of grounds and trees and flowers in the common areas which is different from the Bond which is a fee for the infrastructure, the roads and electrical lines etc.

[kbace6]

Thank you Gracie, I thought that's what the trail fee was. I saw the application on Villages.net, but there was no explanation of what is was.

So this Development District Assessment is a new thing to me, I clearly missed this in all my research. I knew about the bond and the amenities fees, now if I understand you right there is another fee for common area upkeep, but that it may vary depending on where in The Villages you live. Is that correct?

By the way, nice poem today Gracie, I enjoyed it.

[Ohiogirl]

I keep going back and forth in my mind on this one as well. I walked more when I didn't pay the trail fee. I play on average of 2 times a week when I am here (7 months give or take, but probably going to be from early Sept. to early May - we are probably going to be gone in December for 2-3 weeks, plus I don't play as much in cold weather (although I do sub in my neighborhood league and another one if I have committed).

I am thinking I will get more exercise if I just don't pay the 6 mo. or yearly fee and pay the trail use fee ($3.50 each per 9 holes - or did it go up)? when I am subbing my league (which I do a lot) or when it's really hot or looks like threatening weather.

Still undecided. It covers the whole household, so consider if it is just you or you and your spouse (or significant other). In my case, he doesn't play much (but maybe he would play less if I didn't pay the trail fee)? Am leaning toward paying the 6 mo fee (ours is up sometime in January), then walking for a bit in Sept/Oct and getting one for Nov-April next year. Need to do the math, but then again, if I pay for it, I won't walk as much. Some of you may be more disciplined.

[mulligan]

The daily fee went up to $4.00

[kbace6]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

I keep going back and forth in my mind on this one as well. I walked more when I didn't pay the trail fee. I play on average of 2 times a week when I am here (7 months give or take, but probably going to be from early Sept. to early May - we are probably going to be gone in December for 2-3 weeks, plus I don't play as much in cold weather (although I do sub in my neighborhood league and another one if I have committed).

I am thinking I will get more exercise if I just don't pay the 6 mo. or yearly fee and pay the trail use fee ($3.50 each per 9 holes - or did it go up)? when I am subbing my league (which I do a lot) or when it's really hot or looks like threatening weather.

Still undecided. It covers the whole household, so consider if it is just you or you and your spouse (or significant other). In my case, he doesn't play much (but maybe he would play less if I didn't pay the trail fee)? Am leaning toward paying the 6 mo fee (ours is up sometime in January), then walking for a bit in Sept/Oct and getting one for Nov-April next year. Need to do the math, but then again, if I pay for it, I won't walk as much. Some of you may be more disciplined.

Interesting take. I hadn't thought of it that way. I'm not currently a golfer, but plan to be when I arrive so the trail fee is something I am interested in looking at.

[Ohiogirl]

I golf a lot on my own, and meet totally random people I get paired with. Have noticed a definite trend - I meet guys walking whom I assume are near my age (early 60s for the moment), and turns out they are more like mid-70s, have been retired for 10-15 years, and walk all the time. Something to think about . . .

Have met others who are riding, and say they never thought that they could drive the cart to the course with a pull cart, and get out and walk - just saying . . .