Originally Posted by rsmurano (Post 2379133)

Listing all your expenses is a waste of time, everything will be different based on where you live.
For example, if you move in the newer section, you will have over a $50,000 bond, where if you buy a used home up north it might be $10k or paid off. 1 more thing about bonds, you will never pay off the full amount. My bond is $34,000, and if I pay it off, I would still have to pay $600 each year until I die or sell the house.

Originally Posted by MplsPete (Post 2379370)

How does that work? $600 is not much but still?
What is the fee called after the bond is satisfied?

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages (Post 2379381)

There are 2 components to the fee. Both are billed to you with your property tax and paid to the county.

1. The bond. You have the option to pay this annually or to pay it off. Many pay it annually until you have decided that this is your forever home. If you move, you just get a new bond with the new home. The bond pays for building the infrastructure of the area where your home is located.

2. The maintenance fee. Each district creates an annual budget to maintain the infrastructure that the bond paid for. This is an annual expense and never goes away. Each district is different, depending on the amount of infrastructure and the number of homes sharing the cost. Mine is about $600. Some districts are more.

Originally Posted by bowlingal (Post 2379165)

your COL depends on your lifestyle. How often do you go out to eat? travel/cruises? Your fixed expenses can be researched, but remember, if you move south of 44, your bonds are extremely high, your taxes will be paid to Sumter County and the city of Wildwood. Your travel to the stores will take more time than you may want. Also, check out all the houses for sale already in the newer section. WHY? You gotta ask yourself why are so many houses for sale south of 44? Must be a reason.

Originally Posted by MplsPete (Post 2379370)

How does that work? $600 is not much but still?
What is the fee called after the bond is satisfied?

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2379502)

This discusses the maintenance fee.
The bond does not go up but the maintenance fee will.

Originally Posted by Guzzel (Post 2378924)

The wife and I are considering TV for retirement in 2 years; so not looking for an exact figure, but assuming no house payment, was wondering what the average cost of living might be in TV.

Understand everyone's situation and lifestyle is different, but really wanted to get ballpark figures for things like, Utilities; Internet; Insurance; Amenity Fee (still $195/month?); Entertainment; Groceries; Other monthly expenses.

Again, not looking for exact costs, just trying to work up the reasonable monthly costs based on the knowledge base and experience of present "Villagers".

TIA,

G

Originally Posted by PhilR (Post 2379532)

There is a local realtor. Dave Monty. Very knowledgeable. He has constructed a spreadsheet free to download and easy to use. Factors in everything

Originally Posted by Guzzel (Post 2378924)

The wife and I are considering TV for retirement in 2 years; so not looking for an exact figure, but assuming no house payment, was wondering what the average cost of living might be in TV.

Understand everyone's situation and lifestyle is different, but really wanted to get ballpark figures for things like, Utilities; Internet; Insurance; Amenity Fee (still $195/month?); Entertainment; Groceries; Other monthly expenses.

Again, not looking for exact costs, just trying to work up the reasonable monthly costs based on the knowledge base and experience of present "Villagers".

TIA,

G

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2378964)

Utilities (gas and electric) - less than $200 a month
Internet - Xfinity is $50 a month
YouTube TV - $73 a month
Home Insurance about $1400 a year
Auto Insurance about $1200 a year (one car)
Golf Cart Insurance about $100 a year
CDD (amenity fee, water, sewer, irrigation) about $325 a month
Lawn/insect care - about $75 a month
Taxes on house - about $5000 a year
Bond - about $1500 a year (this will vary)
Groceries - about $75 a week
Dining out - we go out about twice a month so figure $100 total
Entertainment - we usually watch tv or read or play free golf and pickleball
Gas - about $50 a month (one car)
Travel - about $10,000 a year. We try to take two vacations a year.
Extras - we try to save $5,000 a year for a new car or home repairs.
This doesn't include Medicare which depends on your individual income. It ranges from $174 (joint income under $206,000) to $594.00 (joint income of $750,00 or higher).

Depending on your life style, I think most people can live decently on $50,000 to $60,000 a year.

Most of these items you would have to pay for regardless of where you live. If you live in California, Texas, or Wyoming, you will have to pay taxes, insurance, utilities, internet, tv, groceries, entertainment, vacations, etc., etc. The only thing that you may not have is the amenity fee and golf cart insurance.

The real issue is how much or less it costs to live in the Villages compared to where you are living now or other places that you are looking at.

I think that living in the Villages is probably cheaper or about the same as living in the rest of the country. One factor is that there are no state income taxes so be sure to calculate that into your calculations.

These states do not have a state income tax. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

Originally Posted by Guzzel (Post 2379019)

Great breakdown of monthly expenses; thank you!

G

Originally Posted by Karmanng (Post 2379632)

maybe a break down but clearly not that accurate add on more to each area he posted about

Originally Posted by Karmanng (Post 2379630)

In some areas liek your food costs are a bit too low ! Also eating out is too low at $100 a month same with gas! I am a single person it costs me just as much as you with a 2 person houshold and maybe even a bit more taxes on your house will also vary grand total wth bond and ccd and fire for me will be over $6,000 on a 1659 foot home..........better reevaluate your numbers.......things are going up again like water fire trash already did food and insurances.......just sayin

Originally Posted by Becca9800 (Post 2379123)

We own a 2/2 Courtyard Villa 1132 sq ft. and we're snowbirds.
The non-negotiables are:
Property tax - depends on the county's assessment of your property. Our taxes are 2850/yr.
Homeowner Insurance - $1274/yr, W new company as of 9/28/24, original roof, no inspection required, full coverage.
CDD payment - ~$250/month includes water, sewer, and trash pickup 2x/week.
Electric - (no gas in my neck of the woods) $75/mo
And bc we're snowbirds gotta have internet to monitor our thermostat, cameras etc $56/mo.
Wish I wanted to live here full-time w how inexpensive it can be.

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2378964)

Utilities (gas and electric) - less than $200 a month
Internet - Xfinity is $50 a month
YouTube TV - $73 a month
Home Insurance about $1400 a year
Auto Insurance about $1200 a year (one car)
Golf Cart Insurance about $100 a year
CDD (amenity fee, water, sewer, irrigation) about $325 a month
Lawn/insect care - about $75 a month
Taxes on house - about $5000 a year
Bond - about $1500 a year (this will vary)
Groceries - about $75 a week
Dining out - we go out about twice a month so figure $100 total
Entertainment - we usually watch tv or read or play free golf and pickleball
Gas - about $50 a month (one car)
Travel - about $10,000 a year. We try to take two vacations a year.
Extras - we try to save $5,000 a year for a new car or home repairs.
This doesn't include Medicare which depends on your individual income. It ranges from $174 (joint income under $206,000) to $594.00 (joint income of $750,00 or higher).

Depending on your life style, I think most people can live decently on $50,000 to $60,000 a year.

Most of these items you would have to pay for regardless of where you live. If you live in California, Texas, or Wyoming, you will have to pay taxes, insurance, utilities, internet, tv, groceries, entertainment, vacations, etc., etc. The only thing that you may not have is the amenity fee and golf cart insurance.

The real issue is how much or less it costs to live in the Villages compared to where you are living now or other places that you are looking at.

I think that living in the Villages is probably cheaper or about the same as living in the rest of the country. One factor is that there are no state income taxes so be sure to calculate that into your calculations.

These states do not have a state income tax. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

Originally Posted by bowlingal (Post 2379165)

your COL depends on your lifestyle. How often do you go out to eat? travel/cruises? Your fixed expenses can be researched, but remember, if you move south of 44, your bonds are extremely high, your taxes will be paid to Sumter County and the city of Wildwood. Your travel to the stores will take more time than you may want. Also, check out all the houses for sale already in the newer section. WHY? You gotta ask yourself why are so many houses for sale south of 44? Must be a reason.