Too Expensive to Live Here!
 

I have lived here now for close to 2 years. I am a full time resident and moved here because my husband is a golf addict!:undecided: I can honestly say that this is the most expensive place I have ever lived in my life and I came here from Illinois, the over tax em state. I realize alot of you sold property and moved down here with no mortgages on your backs but, we couldn't do that. We have a mortgage here but, I am talking about the over the top fees for everything. The monthly fee for golf is $150, trail fees, mandatory garbage fees at $55 a month (whether you have garbage picked up or not! If you own property, you pay it!), the internet for $96 a year, Progress Energy, which is the most $$ utility company I have ever had to deal with...on and on. I am young enough that I am able to work (I am 51) and I have to hold down 3 jobs to keep food on the table here.
Before people buy here, they need to research the fees. If I would have known that this place was so costly, I never would have moved here!:mad:

Good morning.

I am sorry you find this place expensive. We find it less expensive than our home in Ohio.

A lot of people don't have mortgages, that is true. I think I read that about half of us have paid for our homes. The golf trail fees can be paid annually and that saves on the "free golf". The free golf is for the nine hole courses to be sure, and most "serious" golfers play 18 and that fee does add up. The garbage fee I am unclear on. Is that part of our $135 a month? I find the cost for heating and cooling our modest home is quite good. I think the grocery bill is a little higher but not much. In fact I am willing to admit that Publix has my beloved Krogers aced on quite a few things. The bakery may be my doing in!

There are so many free or low costs things to do here. Last week our rec center offered a spaghetti dinner with salad, garlic bread and dessert for five dollars each and that was served before a bingo that was three dollars. The movies are about the same as what we pay in Ohio. I am not sure about the alcoholic drinks when you are out. Toojays charged $2.60 for my coke with a yummy entree for about nine dollars. The food at the country clubs is usually less than ten dollars for an entree...except for Nancy Lopez and Arnold Palmer where it is much more and much better of course.

Church on the square offers lovely evenings of musical entertainment for a pittance. (And if you haven't been there, it isn't religious music, they offer the venue)

For those of you contemplating coming here, it is something to think about, retiring in your most profitable age. Most people find their highest wages in the later years of their employment. This economy is certainly still not well.

But back to you and your unhappiness. I truly hate to hear that you are working so hard. This isn't the best place for good paying jobs to be sure. And most of them nearby are in some way related to the maintanance and well being of this communty.

I think I remember that you brought your horse with you. Do you still have him/her? Does he/she like Florida?

Kindest wishes,
Gracie

We've exdperienced it differently
 

We moved from Ohio and find the only things that are much more costly are registration of our vehicles for the first time and Dentist. Food can be cheaper, the amenities charge is loess that our condo fee was. We always paid foe garbage service. Trail fees can be avoided by walking.

Additionally, our fees don't have to be raised evryyear due to exhorbitant snow removal fees, we pay for no rosk salt or new shovels, or heart attcks for that matter.

Going out to eat is less expensive, we pay about half for gasoline, and groceries are less expensive by a little. Many of the nerchants realize the age of the population with which they wre dealing and price things accordingly. The best news is that you will not be taxed on your income here. I may have missed smo. Possibly you were just not quite financially ready to fully retire. Some of us jump the gun,
I will pray that thgings get better for you,:evil6:

I assume you are including what you paid in taxes in ILL
 

and are not paying here.
Internet for $96? I don't know what you have but that is double what most of us pay for high speed cable. And there are some very acceptable alternatives available that are much less.
$150 per month golf fees? Must be a priority member to be spending that amount (which is modest by some folks spending)...in any case there are alternatives to that level of expense.

We know people who MANAGE to live here on social security alone. Yes of course they have a very different life style and do not play golf or have high speed internet or cable television. What one can afford is a function of what one chooses to do or not do here in TV or any where else.

There are some 80,000 of us here who do not feel strapped to live here.

One can only reach a conclusion by looking at ALL living expenses at their old location VS those at the new location.
Overall there is usually not that significant a difference between the old location TOTAL ANNUAL expenses and the new. And most of us did do the checking required to compare cost of living here VS from whence all 80,000 of us elected to come from.

Working 3 jobs to keep food on the table? WOW!!!!

btk

Where is it that you actually live? Are you in The Villages? My Solid Waste Service (Garbage) fee is $16.92. Golf is free at the Executive Courses. Our electric is provided from SECO so I really can't compare it to yours but I find the rates to be very competitive. Things like a mortgage, golf, Internet, etc. are personal choices one makes - something that should have been calculated into your budget before you take them on. Luckily, you have options and can make changes. If you were to move back to Illinois you would have to face property taxes that would be at least double of what you are paying here and heating bills that would make your current electric bill look like chump change. Nah I wouldn't move back. I'd make changes in my style of living and enjoy the sunshine and the wonderful people who live as your neighbors.

Xavier

It is 9 below zero outside my front door right now with 3 more inches of snow on top of the 12 we already had, and I have no trail fee to pay. I will be in TV for a visit in 4 days and will gladly pay the trail fee.
JJ

I have lived for 10 years and find that it is not unreasonable cost wise. We do pay the yearly trail fee but only play the executive golf courses so playing an average of 2 - 3 times per week makes that just over a dollar per round in lieu of a fee per game otherwise. The swimming pools, recreation, entertainment, and other activities are also included in the amenity fees. I checked some other coumunities in our area and they pay in the same price point for much less. I paid garbage in Pennsylovania whether I had it or not but I did find there was trash to put out every week and here we have pick up twice a week. Very convenient in the hot weather. I also had to work full time until recently and found one big difference was the poor wage scale. I took this into consideration and made sure I knew that I could live on the greatly reduced salary I received. That was the biggest concession I made. I agree that you have to do research on costs prior to moving here and advice from ToTV can save even more money. The posts here are very worthwhile and perhaps there is a thread somewhere that can help you cut some corners to make things a little easier for you.

We too moved here from the upper midwest but guess I'd have to disagree with you. We are permenant and wouldn't move back as the snow etc just doesn't appeal to us anymore. My spouse is always looking for ways to cut our costs. Such as paying off credit cards, changing our dsl and our dish offers. Groceries might be a bit more here...but shopping at the grower's markets for produce is alot less expensive than the stores and we go to places like Aldie's and watch the ads. PUBLIX 2 for 1 is great along with coupons. I would take a look at how your expenditures are and maybe making some alterations. Our life-style here hasn't changed a whole lot from before. BUT we had wise-counsel with a financial person before we made the change to see how it all would work.

Personally, I would not be working 3 jobs to enable my husband to spend $150 per month on golf fees.

If the poster took your hint, she could save $1500 a year on golf alone. I have 2 words for her "Executive Golf".

I say it's priorities on how one chooses to spend their money. Having a horse to board (I have a friend up north who does so) is a very expensive hobby unless you're wealthy. It's "want vs. need" on how one goes about LIFE.
What does your husband do to help in the financial end?? You having to work 3 jobs isn't what I would choose to do if you came here looking for the "good life". So perhaps you are venting here and that's o.k. Having a mortgage isn't the end of the world...I'm sure there are a few people who've got that here as well. But what style of home are you living in and how large is the mortgage? Many people down-size and simplify at this stage of life. Just my humble opinion on this thread.

If you play championship golf 3 times per week in the high season, even with the priority membership the greens fees are going to run you $24 - $34 per round, which is $75 - $100 per WEEK. And you pay the priortiy golf membership on top of that. We've found golf to be somewhat more expensive here than what we payed up north. Of course we have cheaper golf in the summer which helps even things out, but overall I believe we're paying more than we did up north for 18 hole golf. I find the groceries a little more expensive here; utilities are less for us, and taxes are less.

I love how most everyone has expressed their empathy and come up with suggestions. To me, that care is typical of The Villages. We all could use a few hints on pinching pennies. Be well.
This is my first post/just joined :)

Projecting ones spending when you go into retirement can be rather hard and I can see how problems can develop. I am trying to project my expenses, and unfortunately, although I am over 65, I feel that I still have to postpone retirement until I can afford it.
Maybe your husband can return to work to help out.

Although I have only been in TV 5 months fulltime (rental 3 months, new homeowner 2 months), I must say I have not found TV to be expensive at all, nor hit with any "surprises" in my budget. (I do budget for unplanned and maintenance expenses). Thanks to this website (especially the Nuts and Bolts section), I was able to estimate my expenses and monitor others experiences for almost 3 years before taking the plunge. I don't golf and don't plan to start anytime soon so I have no golfing expenses. I make good use of my amenity fees by attending several workout classes each week in various different rec centers (I am a workout fanatic!), dancing at both squares, attending classes/discussions offered in TV and I go out with friends for dancing in the evenings and don't recall ever spending more than $5 (don't drink, don't smoke - soda is cheap, and I leave a good tip!). Movies here are much cheaper than up north, and I also find prices in the local restaurants for lunch and dinner to be competitive or lower than up North. No more charges for snow plowing (ranged from $75 to few hundred dollars before), but I do have new charges for pest control which might be a wash, but I am fine with that, was well aware before moving down here. Property tax here under $3K, compared to $11K up north. Gas heating bill ran as high as $400 /mo - doubt that my SECO bill will get that high, and even if it did, I had an electric bill on top of that gas heating bill to deal with up north. Don't know about any other "fees", my cable/internet/land line triple play bundle is same as up north and so is my Verizon blackberry plan. So, from my 5 month experience here as a 58 year old resident,and I know it's short, I would advise any prospective TV residents to consider tracking your current expenses (I tracked mine like a hawk for 3 years), estimate your TV expenses and be sure to include your social and physical lifestyle, and I will bet that you will be fine and not surprised.......no where else in the world could I dance, workout and socialize 7 days a week without spending a few dollars over my amenity fees! I am here to stay!!!:icon_wink:

Thanks to all who listened to me vent! :swear:

The Amenities fee every month is what the $150 is. My husband won't play the 18's because of the extra fee. The $96 is for a year's worth on villages.net to go online and make his golf reservations, which they have you on because you can't get a tee time unless you are online with them...the catch 22. :Screen_of_Death: My husband also works 2 jobs so between us we have 5 (!) jobs. It just seems like you are charged for everything down here and companies can raise fees and prices on a whim because they know we have to have their services..like the villages.net. Just today, I got my Waste Management bill..it was $58 for the month of Dec-Jan and most of that was for garbage pickup. When we tried calling them to cancel, they said as long as we own property here, we are not allowed to cancel!! So, there's another gotcha bill...and they can raise their rates because you cannot cancel them.
I do still have my horse but I am boarding him for free. He is not an expense at all and is my therapy after working all day. :crap2: I need that outlet or I would go crazy!! :loco:

I have stated this several times over various threads!
 

Mortgages and retirement are a very tough mix. Definitely NOT something i would attempt to do.:spoken::yuck::blahblahblah:

$58 for trash? That seems very high. We pay about $16/month for trash, then there's the water and sewer bill as well as amenity fee included on our bill.

We had to pay for trash in CA whether we used the service or not. I'm sure it's the same in lots of places.

You can make golf reservations on the telephone. I've not done it, but many do or did, unless that is no longer available. It's easier to do online, I'll admit and for a couple of years, we had no fee because of the cable, Villages.net agreement.

I don't find that this community is any different from other places when it comes to price increases. They happen, we don't particularly like it, but we have to pay. Trash, electricity, water, sewer bills all were going up, and had done so in CA. I don't know if you'd be able to find any place where increases for services aren't happening. I find my expenses here are about the same as in southern CA.

I do hope things work out for you and honestly, I think you need your horse....relaxation is very important. Enjoy! And any time you need to vent, we're here to listen.... ;)

You don't need to spend 96/yr on villages.net, you can make tee times using their telephone reservation system which is free. It's just not as convenient as the on-line system.

It still goes back to what it costs to live here. Everyone's mortgage is different. So take that payment which should include principal, interest, taxes, insurance and bond. No mortgage and you will still have bond or bond maintenance, taxes and insurance. Add to that $1000 a month for all other Villages expenses. (lawn, shrubs, water, sewer, trash, amenity fee, trail fee, villages.net, gas, electric, cable, internet, telephone, a few rounds of 18 hole golf, and probably a couple others) Add your food, medical auto and entertainment expense and you will have close to what it will cost you to live here. Everyone's total will be a little different, but should be close to your annual after tax income requirements.

You can cut the $1000 down to about $650 by doing your own lawn and shrubs, telephone tee times, lowering your heat and AC costs, walking the golf courses, no Daily Sun, and fixing things yourself. You have some control over food, medical, auto and entertainment. Look at all your income, figure taxes, deduct the above expenses and then make the decision on the type of life style you can afford.

I find it very affordable compared to other places I have lived. However I am sure there are places where the total cost of living will be less. I know people who live here very well on 50K a year. And a few below that who cut a lot of those expenses to the minimum. They are also quite happy living here.

The key to a real successful retirement in TV I believe is to lower your going in expenses to the minimum. Pay off the bond and the mortgage. Get the homestead exemption. Mow your own lawn, prune your shrubs, do as many of those things that you can do yourself. After all your retired so work for yourself 4 or 5 hours a week. Spend your extra money on what makes you happy.

Coming from NJ I found that my property taxes are less than half with a better house here.

John

Well said and very wise....as usual.

I use TV tee time phone system exclusively. No need to pay for any net charges. Are you sure the $58 is only for trash? As someone else mentioned, it may include water and sewer. I too only pay about $17 per month for garbage pick up and recylcing. Used to pay half of that for once a week pick up up north and that was over 10 years ago. I don't know who does my trash but it is part of my amenities and water/sewer bill. Don't get a separate one. I do think that is a tad high if it is only for trash.

I'm still using the telephone tee times - thought I would switch once we moved down as snowbirds, but haven't found it to be necessary yet at all. I play 3 or 4 times a week depending on the weather - maybe only once a week when it's cold. Can still play in neighborhood leagues - you just call instead of checking online. Just more cumbersome, that's all. That's $96 in savings.

I did pay for the yearly trail fee, although when practical I still walk most of the executive courses. Figured the trail fee would still pay for itself when we golf in leagues, questionable rainy days or hot weather. Not absolutely necessary though. That's about $141 in savings.

There are a lot of start-up, one-time expenses when you first move down, like anywhere. Taxes and utilities are cheaper than most of the country. Usually several hundred, or thousand, $ in savings right there.

Those on a budget or limited funds should question why they need "comparable housing" down here. If you're retired, why do you NEED 2000 plus sq. feet? If you want it and can afford it, that's fine, but if you can't afford it, think harder. I see people going into debt to have an impressive retirement house, and I just don't get it. Patio villas and older, smaller resales are a really good value down here. Please consider if your budget is tight.

I think the real key is to be happy with what you can afford - you can have a great lifestyle down here on much less than most (not all) other places. Just take the time to figure out what your expenses are and what you can afford to buy.

Our Real Estate Taxes are only 1/3 of what they were 13 years ago in NJ. Our total energy bill with SECO is less than what we paid up north. While it's true that all costs have gone up for gas, medicines and food, that's true everywhere.

If hubby's golf addiction is too costly, suggest he get a part time job working for Golf Dept or Pro Shop and he will get a much better price for golf.

Here is a site that can help you. Its called Living on a Budget.
http://stayathomemoms.about.com/od/m...n-a-budget.htm

I agree. My house here was half the cost of my home in NJ; My property taxes are just a little more than 1/4 of my NJ taxes. There's no state income tax.

The only thing that bumps my cost that I'm not thrilled with is the bond. That was my choice though, as I could have bought a lovely preowned with no bond in the older section, but wanted my first new house, and bit the bullet.

My utility bills are a little lower, but all my other monthly household espenses are about the same.

The Amenity Fee seems high if you don't do anything. But it you're golfing, participating in group activities at the Rec Centers or Sports venues, going to the meticulously maintained pools, Partying any night you want at either of the beautiful Town Squares, or just walking, jogging, or biking in this immense picture postcard campus known as The Villages; it's a small price to pay.

YEA....WHATS UP WITH THAT !:ohdear:

It sounds like to me by reading your story you need to take time for yourself to make it all worth while !

"A dollar saved is better than a dollar earned, because you don't have to pay tax on it." I'm not sure who said it, maybe Benj. Franklin.....but it has served me well for over 70 years.

:shrug:I was paying more in rent for a crummy little house in NY than my total monthly expenses here including mortgage. The property tax on the house that I sold in NY would have been $22K and goes up every year. My electric was way higher, also the cost of oil heat in the winter. After I looked around here and did the numbers i realized I couldn't afford not to live here.
I love it here. I don't scrimp on anything and my income is just over $50K.

ok, I may get jumped on, but you all know me by now and know I will be open. This post just doesn't sit right with me, seems...fake, to try and discredit TV. Things in it, just don't fit.
JMHO!

Army Guy

The title of the thread reminded me of those other oh so positive ones from LWL.

My feelings exactly!

Army Guy

Usually I am the one to say that and get jumped on, but this poster has posted on a number of subjects and her tone is not challenging in any of the others. I don't find I agree with her but.......

I think that it serves to remind people to check out their financial situation and check it out again before they make a major move.

Looking at her other posts, she appears to be a genuine poster with these concerns.

It could be just be the Village of Silver Lake with these fees or perhaps she and her husband are just people who do not fit in here at the Villages.

If the Village of Silver Lake is the location and the charge for just garbage is $55 a month, I'd be havin' a revolution! I'd be an organizing fool - standing side by side with my neighbors and friends. I tend to believe that the original post is genuine, but perhaps places the blame in wrong place.

X (the rebel)

I have to agree. If I was having to work 5 jobs, I would not be retiring now.
One needs to do the homework before jumping.