I can honestly tell you that it is NOT crime-free. I had over $5,000 worth of tools stolen about 5 years ago. I suspect that some lawn maintenance employees act to inform others when residents are gone - and who has what desirable valuables. Be careful who you hire - get a security service - don't depend on the Community Watch - and DO lock your house up tightly!

I think you get a lot of bang for your buck in TV. I'm not a golf player (yet) but there is a wide variety of rec centers, swimming pools, clubs and other amenities to enjoy.

It seems like an affordable, good deal to me!

We don’t think about our bond. I think it is about $120 a month and is collected by the bank as escrow. The bond, insurance and taxes are all part of the mortgage payment so we don’t even see it.

If you have a mortgage you pay monthly.

The monthly payment goes into escrow and then paid at tax time. Right?

Yep.

I figure I am worth it. I enjoy much of what the Villages offers. Other things I do no take part in...but I could if I chose.

How
 

How?

In a condo in Orlando we paid $344 per month HOA fee. We had an 18 hole golf course and a country club restaurant/bar. I think $162 is very reasonable for what we have access to!!

TV is very affordable. It's just a beautiful place with lots of fun things to do. Another thought to keep in mind is that residents who do golf the executive golf courses pay an additional fee of about $145 per year and that is for you and your spouse, so that must go towards maintenance of the executive courses also. If you don't golf, you don't pay that yearly fee.

There is no extra fee to play the executive courses. They are free for life, just as advertised. Maybe you're thinking of a trail fee? You'd pay that only if you're taking a golf cart out. If you walk the course, you don't pay the trail fee. If you choose to take a golf cart, you can pay $4 per round for the trail fee, or $141/year for unlimited rounds.
But again, that is ONLY if you take your golf cart on the course. Walking the course costs nothing.

We care for a gentleman that is a little over 90 years old. He also lives in the Historic Division. :1rotfl: So he bought his house for about $55,000 30 years ago, golfed and used the pool, and was a vibrant member of The Villages but the minute his mobility became an issue the first thing he thought about wasn't therapy it was about paying the monthly feel and having very limited use of the facilities.

When I averaged out what he paid over the years and included the years that he has been limited it seemed to calm his concern about paying for something he can't use.

We have it made in the shade. I for one am happy to pay for such a beautiful place to live at a very reasonable rate. :clap2:

The amenity thing is quite reasonable but it's a big butt, the home prices are at least 50% higher per square foot than many other places in Central Florida.

Thank you for what you do.
Everyone should be required to watch your videos of how financial information works in TV.

It's not part of the mortgage unless you added it and had enough equity to do so.

You're the first person I've heard who did that.