[oldpilot]

I've lurked here for over a week and find your enthusiasm for TV life style very impressive! It's like the old song: "how you gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen TV" or; can 90,000 people be wrong? It appears not.

I'm a single male, age 76 with fairly good health. My career was in aviation; Air Force and airline.

I'm considering moving out of CA. I would be grateful for your feedback about my considerations listed below.

1. Weather: I live a few blocks from the Ocean in Newport Beach, CA. We enjoy great year-around weather. Summers are mostly mid-seventies. Winters are very mild and seldom below sixty. We think fifty is a winter storm. Once, after a light rain shower; the local news paper showed a photo of a patio chair tipped over with the caption; STORM DAMAGE. The local TV station zooms in on water trickling down the gutter.

Could I cope with FL hot and humid summers? My main outdoor activity is walking, which takes about 90 minutes. At the end I'm perspiring even in 65 degree weather.

1-A. If you moved to TV from any Southern Cal coastal area, could you describe your adjustment to TV weather? Are you coping? Do you regret leaving CA weather?

2. Air conditioning is not needed here. Could you estimate your annual air/con costs and state the square footage of your house. I presume smaller SF means lower cost.

2-A. If purchasing new; is a/c standard or included in the house price? If standard; do you know what SEER rating & brand is used? Bigger SEER number costs more but is more efficient and quieter and uses less power to run.

3. Maids in this area are usually $20 an hour or $80-$100 for six hours work. What are maid costs in TV?

4. Do you maintain your own yards? If so, what are the labor costs for lawn service?

5. Can Property Taxes be substantially different for two equal lots/houses depending are the county or CCD?

6. A 4 mile walk is my main outdoor activity; what is the bug/mosquito situation? Can't be too bad with that many folks out playing golf.

7. If two properties were otherwise identical with one bond fully paid and the other bond mostly outstanding; would the total price be the same?

8. When I see prebuilt ready to purchase Aspen model for say $240,000; does that include the price of the bond? I'd love to know the price of an Aspen with all the maximum stretched walls.

9. What seasons do you use the lanai? How important is the lanai orientation to privacy from neighbors and from neighbor's noise? In photos; it appears sitting on the lanai means free entertainment from the neighbors air conditioning noise.

10. I have no family to look after me if my health were to fail. Not a fun subject, but I'd like to know if transitioning to assisted living is available in TV? For that reason; I might buy a floor plan that would permit a live-in assistant should the need ever arise. I'm hoping to go during sleep but it's hard to plan these events.

10-A. No one here in CA knows any of the answers to the three great questions in life. If you have someone in TV with these answers it would be helpful in my moving decision. (1. When will I die? 2. How will I die? 3. What happens after I die?) OK, some do have an answer for #3.

11. Properties in TV are approximately 1/5th of prices here, but it appears that aside from a mortgage; monthly costs may be more in TV with assessments, bonds, sales taxes, amenities etc. etc. Your utilities seem higher.

If one is living off fixed income with virtually no safe Return On Investment available; my consideration is that should I live ten years with eventual inflation or hyper-inflation I might not be able to pay the bills.

If you got this far; God Bless You. My possible 2500 mile move from a 40 year residence is, you will appreciate, a major decision.

One might surmise from lurking on this forum that you are very much like my older brother; wonderful, outgoing, congenial, never met a soul who didn't already seem like a 20 year friend. Alas, I'm a quieter more private person. Slower to make friends. Decent to be sure, but not a glad hander.

Many thanks in advance for your comments.

[Moderator]

bumping for OP...his thread was stuck in Moderation status for almost 4 hours. Please help him out with his questions.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by oldpilot

I've lurked here for over a week and find your enthusiasm for TV life style very impressive! It's like the old song: "how you gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen TV" or; can 90,000 people be wrong? It appears not.

I'm a single male, age 76 with fairly good health. My career was in aviation; Air Force and airline.

I'm considering moving out of CA. I would be grateful for your feedback about my considerations listed below.

1. Weather: I live a few blocks from the Ocean in Newport Beach, CA. We enjoy great year-around weather. Summers are mostly mid-seventies. Winters are very mild and seldom below sixty. We think fifty is a winter storm. Once, after a light rain shower; the local news paper showed a photo of a patio chair tipped over with the caption; STORM DAMAGE. The local TV station zooms in on water trickling down the gutter.

Could I cope with FL hot and humid summers? My main outdoor activity is walking, which takes about 90 minutes. At the end I'm perspiring even in 65 degree weather.

1-A. If you moved to TV from any Southern Cal coastal area, could you describe your adjustment to TV weather? Are you coping? Do you regret leaving CA weather?

2. Air conditioning is not needed here. Could you estimate your annual air/con costs and state the square footage of your house. I presume smaller SF means lower cost.

2-A. If purchasing new; is a/c standard or included in the house price? If standard; do you know what SEER rating & brand is used? Bigger SEER number costs more but is more efficient and quieter and uses less power to run.

3. Maids in this area are usually $20 an hour or $80-$100 for six hours work. What are maid costs in TV?

4. Do you maintain your own yards? If so, what are the labor costs for lawn service?

5. Can Property Taxes be substantially different for two equal lots/houses depending are the county or CCD?

6. A 4 mile walk is my main outdoor activity; what is the bug/mosquito situation? Can't be too bad with that many folks out playing golf.

7. If two properties were otherwise identical with one bond fully paid and the other bond mostly outstanding; would the total price be the same?

8. When I see prebuilt ready to purchase Aspen model for say $240,000; does that include the price of the bond? I'd love to know the price of an Aspen with all the maximum stretched walls.

9. What seasons do you use the lanai? How important is the lanai orientation to privacy from neighbors and from neighbor's noise? In photos; it appears sitting on the lanai means free entertainment from the neighbors air conditioning noise.

10. I have no family to look after me if my health were to fail. Not a fun subject, but I'd like to know if transitioning to assisted living is available in TV? For that reason; I might buy a floor plan that would permit a live-in assistant should the need ever arise. I'm hoping to go during sleep but it's hard to plan these events.

10-A. No one here in CA knows any of the answers to the three great questions in life. If you have someone in TV with these answers it would be helpful in my moving decision. (1. When will I die? 2. How will I die? 3. What happens after I die?) OK, some do have an answer for #3.

11. Properties in TV are approximately 1/5th of prices here, but it appears that aside from a mortgage; monthly costs may be more in TV with assessments, bonds, sales taxes, amenities etc. etc. Your utilities seem higher.

If one is living off fixed income with virtually no safe Return On Investment available; my consideration is that should I live ten years with eventual inflation or hyper-inflation I might not be able to pay the bills.

If you got this far; God Bless You. My possible 2500 mile move from a 40 year residence is, you will appreciate, a major decision.

One might surmise from lurking on this forum that you are very much like my older brother; wonderful, outgoing, congenial, never met a soul who didn't already seem like a 20 year friend. Alas, I'm a quieter more private person. Slower to make friends. Decent to be sure, but not a glad hander.

Many thanks in advance for your comments.

The VERY first thing you need to do is book a LifeStyle visit.

Welcome to you. I hope you find what you are seeking here. I have been a lot of places but this place is so fulfilling and so much fun. I just went to the oral surgeon and while in the waiting room we met an 86 year young man who had the most interesting life and eventually in conversation knew someone that we knew. He was enormously successful by anyone's standards and is still enjoying eviable health and remarkable mental fitness.

I love the wonderful experiences just like that. We are each a story and so many of us are finding a wonderful time in what I thought would be a very not good part of my life.

Come on down.

One of the more practical folks will answer your very valid questions.

Kindest wishes,
Gracie

[manaboutown]

oldpilot, pm me if you like. I am a 70 year old single male who has lived in Newport Beach (CDM) since 1990. I did a lifestyle visit one year and rented a home in TV for a month a year later. I am still considering the pros and cons of relocating to TV myself.

[gomoho]

Wow - quite a load of questions. To sum it up - this is not California - the summers are hot as hell and the humidity will melt the skin off your face - but we manage with A/C and swimming pools - if you want to walk you do it very early in the morning or very late at night - bugs are not allowed in The Villages so they are not a concern - and then comes October thru April and you will love the weather. We have the most remarkable thunderstorms that literally shake the earth. The foliage and lushness are breathtaking. Don't know about maids 'cause living alone how much do you really have to clean? Cost of living here is very reasonable considering what you get for you money. I never could understand how anyone can afford to live in Cali so I think you will be pleasantly suprised. Houses and cars are not a status thing here - no one really cares what you have or don't have only if you are a nice person and would to sit down and have a drink.
Having just put my 93 year old mom in memory care 10 minutes from TV I can tell you I have checked out most of the facilities around and they are superb if you need them. We even have assisted living that grants you all the ammenities of TV - can't beat that.
This is a community that welcomes everyone home. When we decided to move to our retirement home I wanted Arizona for the mountains and desert and my husband wanted TV for Florida and the golf. He won, but I can honestly say it has absolutely exceeded my expecations.
A Lifestyle Visit would be an excellent opportunity for you to view the property and get a feeling for the vibe here. I think you will be very happy with what you find. Best of luck wherever you end up.

[Mikeod]

We moved here from San Marcos 6 years ago. We weren't coastal, obviously, but, like you, experienced the benefit of SoCal weather. We also were concerned about adjusting to the heat and humidity, but it isn't as bad as we thought. During the summers, there are plenty of people walking/jogging around. But, they do this early in the morning.

Opposite of CA, our rainy season is the summer, not the winter and you can usually plan on some rain in the afternoon almost every day, so you plan outdoor activity accordingly. I find the afternoon thunderstorms somewhat pleasant. I often sit in the lanai under cover to listen to the rain. Central FL is also the lightning capital of the US, according to some sources, so you have to be careful. Also unlike CA, our winters can get chilly. We had a couple of winters where the nighttime temps were into the high 20's. I almost lost all the tropical plants I brought from CA. So you learn to landscape with hardy plants. My lawn service is under $50/month.

There are two assisted living facilities open within the community. I believe residents of both have resident privileges for our recreation facilities.

The home price doesn't include the bond on new sales. Generally, people who have paid off the bond will ask a higher price on resales to recover at least part of that expense. But, you will also get landscaping and home upgrades included for less than a new home. And it is all done, assuming you like what has been done. A/C is standard on new homes. Property taxes seem to be more equal for equal homes than you encounter in CA. We have no Prop 13 type disparities that I am aware of. Since I left CA before the housing market tanked, I don't know what happened to appraised value there, but here we have even seen some reduction in appraised value when the market overall slumped. We live in Sumter County where all the new construction occurs, so the tax base for the county is improving almost daily. We haven't had in increase in property tax rates for a few years now.

Outside of lovebug season there is no great problem with bugs/mosquitoes. Lovebugs occur twice a year, May and September, lasting about a month. To me, they seem to be attracted to light colors. They swarm during the daylight hours and mostly disappear at night. If you get them on your car, you should wash them off as soon as possible as their carcasses will eat through paint finishes.

I don't think the cost of living here is higher than CA. Sales tax is 7%, no state income tax, our CDD assessment is less than $1K/year and paid along with our property tax bill.

Perhaps it would be best to just summarize our feelings. We do miss the CA weather sometimes. We don't miss the traffic. We don't miss the feeling we had that we were living in a foreign land with gang graffiti everywhere. We miss our health care with Kaiser-Permanente.

When I tell people I moved here from San Diego County, they ask why I would do such a thing. I tell them I don't regret for an instant that move. I have made more friends here than I did in 30 years there. Our neighborhood takes care of each other. We looked at some communities for retirement out there. Most were built around a golf course. If you didn't play golf, you didn't have much to do. Here, the danger is getting involved in too many things that you don't have time to sleep. If, for some reason, you lose your driver's license, you can still get to anything you need within TV by golf cart.

I agree with Gracie that you need to book a Lifestyle visit, preferably in the summer so you can experience the weather. But even better would be to stay for a month so you have a chance to acclimate. It does take a little while coming from the low humidity area of SoCal. A lot of my neighbors came here from the eastern half of the US and are already used to humidity levels that don't occur in CA.

We would not move back.

[chuckinca]

Coastal or near Coastal CA weather can't be beat.

Available activities for seniors in TV can't be beat.

How much you spend and where is your choice.


.

[PJOHNS2654]

Originally Posted by oldpilot

I've lurked here for over a week and find your enthusiasm for TV life style very impressive! It's like the old song: "how you gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen TV" or; can 90,000 people be wrong? It appears not.

I'm a single male, age 76 with fairly good health. My career was in aviation; Air Force and airline.

I'm considering moving out of CA. I would be grateful for your feedback about my considerations listed below.

1. Weather: I live a few blocks from the Ocean in Newport Beach, CA. We enjoy great year-around weather. Summers are mostly mid-seventies. Winters are very mild and seldom below sixty. We think fifty is a winter storm. Once, after a light rain shower; the local news paper showed a photo of a patio chair tipped over with the caption; STORM DAMAGE. The local TV station zooms in on water trickling down the gutter.

Could I cope with FL hot and humid summers? My main outdoor activity is walking, which takes about 90 minutes. At the end I'm perspiring even in 65 degree weather.

1-A. If you moved to TV from any Southern Cal coastal area, could you describe your adjustment to TV weather? Are you coping? Do you regret leaving CA weather?

2. Air conditioning is not needed here. Could you estimate your annual air/con costs and state the square footage of your house. I presume smaller SF means lower cost.

2-A. If purchasing new; is a/c standard or included in the house price? If standard; do you know what SEER rating & brand is used? Bigger SEER number costs more but is more efficient and quieter and uses less power to run.

3. Maids in this area are usually $20 an hour or $80-$100 for six hours work. What are maid costs in TV?

4. Do you maintain your own yards? If so, what are the labor costs for lawn service?

5. Can Property Taxes be substantially different for two equal lots/houses depending are the county or CCD?

6. A 4 mile walk is my main outdoor activity; what is the bug/mosquito situation? Can't be too bad with that many folks out playing golf.

7. If two properties were otherwise identical with one bond fully paid and the other bond mostly outstanding; would the total price be the same?

8. When I see prebuilt ready to purchase Aspen model for say $240,000; does that include the price of the bond? I'd love to know the price of an Aspen with all the maximum stretched walls.

9. What seasons do you use the lanai? How important is the lanai orientation to privacy from neighbors and from neighbor's noise? In photos; it appears sitting on the lanai means free entertainment from the neighbors air conditioning noise.

10. I have no family to look after me if my health were to fail. Not a fun subject, but I'd like to know if transitioning to assisted living is available in TV? For that reason; I might buy a floor plan that would permit a live-in assistant should the need ever arise. I'm hoping to go during sleep but it's hard to plan these events.

10-A. No one here in CA knows any of the answers to the three great questions in life. If you have someone in TV with these answers it would be helpful in my moving decision. (1. When will I die? 2. How will I die? 3. What happens after I die?) OK, some do have an answer for #3.

11. Properties in TV are approximately 1/5th of prices here, but it appears that aside from a mortgage; monthly costs may be more in TV with assessments, bonds, sales taxes, amenities etc. etc. Your utilities seem higher.

If one is living off fixed income with virtually no safe Return On Investment available; my consideration is that should I live ten years with eventual inflation or hyper-inflation I might not be able to pay the bills.

If you got this far; God Bless You. My possible 2500 mile move from a 40 year residence is, you will appreciate, a major decision.

One might surmise from lurking on this forum that you are very much like my older brother; wonderful, outgoing, congenial, never met a soul who didn't already seem like a 20 year friend. Alas, I'm a quieter more private person. Slower to make friends. Decent to be sure, but not a glad hander.

Many thanks in advance for your comments.

Lived in So. Cal. 41 years. Now live in TV 6m and 6 in New England (best of both worlds) Don't miss Ca. except for friends and family. Did spend one summer near TV. You get used to heat and humidity and take care of exercise or outdoor activities before noon. After So.Cal. The Villages is like moving back to the USA.

Take The LS Tour and after you fall in love with the LS. rent for a year before you make the final move.

[Figuringitout]

We moved from CA 3 yrs ago (Bonsall, north county San Diego), we are in the process of buying in the older section of TV, our bond is paid and that was the only house we were interested in because that does add to the cost. The bond is added on to your tax bill, but you are still paying. I think there is no place like CA, but I was brought back this way due to family issues. It seems making friends here may be easier than it was in CA, don't know that for sure yet, we rented for 2 months (Aug & Sept), for the same reason you are concerned, it was hot every where in the mid west this year and you will have way more bugs. Renting gave us a chance to go to many open houses in the different Villages, it gave us a chance to figure out what works for us and talk to people that live here. Renting in the summer is much cheaper than the winter months, so that was a bonus.

My husband has enjoyed the golf, I am not a golfer but like to walk and bike so I am hopeful that will work out for me here. I am not much of a joiner, but enjoy people so I think this will work out for both of us. It appears they built the Villages for people to transition from the housing into assisted living etc. I haven't heard a lot good about doctors here, I heard you really have to search for a good one, don't know that to be fact. I think you would be wise to come spend some time here and investigate your concerns before making a move. I like CA so much it would be hard for me to leave but as you age people there do not get involved much so you may find this more aging friendly. Good luck, picking the right place for aging, it is a hard choice, we have been roaming around for almost 3 years and finally landed here...

[rjm1cc]

You might want to rent for a month or two. Rather easy to do. See The Villages 4 Rent, Rentals in The Villages

[asianthree]

i think renting for a month or two is a good idea, you could stay in different houses and different villages.. a lifestyle visit is great buy its have to move over a 7 day visit

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Figuringitout

We moved from CA 3 yrs ago (Bonsall, north county San Diego), we are in the process of buying in the older section of TV, our bond is paid and that was the only house we were interested in because that does add to the cost. The bond is added on to your tax bill, but you are still paying. I think there is no place like CA, but I was brought back this way due to family issues. It seems making friends here may be easier than it was in CA, don't know that for sure yet, we rented for 2 months (Aug & Sept), for the same reason you are concerned, it was hot every where in the mid west this year and you will have way more bugs. Renting gave us a chance to go to many open houses in the different Villages, it gave us a chance to figure out what works for us and talk to people that live here. Renting in the summer is much cheaper than the winter months, so that was a bonus.

My husband has enjoyed the golf, I am not a golfer but like to walk and bike so I am hopeful that will work out for me here. I am not much of a joiner, but enjoy people so I think this will work out for both of us. It appears they built the Villages for people to transition from the housing into assisted living etc. I haven't heard a lot good about doctors here, I heard you really have to search for a good one, don't know that to be fact. I think you would be wise to come spend some time here and investigate your concerns before making a move. I like CA so much it would be hard for me to leave but as you age people there do not get involved much so you may find this more aging friendly. Good luck, picking the right place for aging, it is a hard choice, we have been roaming around for almost 3 years and finally landed here...

I never ever once thought of our life here in that manner. I think of it as really living!

[l2ridehd]

Rent for a couple months in a couple different home styles in a couple different Villages. See for your self before committing.

I lived in Seal Beach for a few years so understand your concerns. CA coastal weather can't be beat and TV does not come close. Florida cost of living, cost of housing, is significantly less then CA. Florida is very affordable when compared to CA. But then there is The Villages itself. There is nothing like it. So much to do, so many great people, golf cart community, so many activities, and a great place to live.

You seem to have two major concerns and you need to weigh the pro's and con's of each. First is weather. If this is your highest priority, stay in CA. Second is cost of living. Hands down move to Florida. What I paid in state income tax covers all Florida expenses. Your state, property, sales, are all higher then Florida. Your cleaning service is close to double what it will cost in FL.

So my original suggestion of renting a couple different months will answer your weather concerns and you can make an informed decision. If the weather is OK, I guarantee the cost of living will be much lower, so see if you can be happy with the hotter summers and cooler winters.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by PJOHNS2654

.

Take The LS Tour and after you fall in love with the LS. rent for a year before you make the final move.

[Bonnevie]

it is very hot here in the summer. walking would best be done in the early morning or evening. I do think the longer you live down here the more acclimated you get to it...but when people first move here it can be concerning. Nothing compares to Calif weather. My brother used to live in northern Calif. and loved it but when he retired he moved to Nevada because of the cost of living in Calif. He's able to travel and do more things because of a lower cost of living. I would come visit at different times of the year to see our "seasons".