[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by rjm1cc

I think you should see if the base has any one services that can help you with a budget. You need a good budget and it has to cover all your retirement years.
Remember you will need to buy a car or two
Paint the home
Put on a new roof
A new A/C system
Check your insurance expenses - auto and home, hurricane, sink hole (?), real estate tax, utility costs (for the actual home not just the community)
etc etc.
You can probably find an existing home at a lower costs than a new one. But remember to get a home inspection.
Be sure to include taxes in your budget.
As a ball bark answer which means a guess I think you will have a tough time. First couple of years maybe ok but it will get harder as the years pass and inflation takes over.

Great suggestions but would add make sure you know if there is still a bond to be paid and the cost per year of doing so

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

It also depends on the home you're interested in buying. There's a home for -almost- any budget here. But if you require a garage, then the least expensive option - the manufactured home - will not be an option. If you are willing to pay extra for repairs on a fixer-upper, you can probably get a smaller home in the Del Mar area for under $150k (there was one recently, asking was I believe $135 but it needed a lot of work).

If (as I said in the previous post) you are using the proceeds from the sale of an existing home to buy in Florida and won't need a mortgage, then the $4800 you earn between the two of you will go a long way in the Villages.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

It also depends on the home you're interested in buying. There's a home for -almost- any budget here. But if you require a garage, then the least expensive option - the manufactured home - will not be an option. If you are willing to pay extra for repairs on a fixer-upper, you can probably get a smaller home in the Del Mar area for under $150k (there was one recently, asking was I believe $135 but it needed a lot of work).

If (as I said in the previous post) you are using the proceeds from the sale of an existing home to buy in Florida and won't need a mortgage, then the $4800 you earn between the two of you will go a long way in the Villages.

I agree.

Be careful with your money and don't eat out a lot. There are so many things to do with no charge when there is NO pandemic at the rec centers and the ball courts and when you meet people who have get togethers, the price is a pot luck addition to the meal. Good friends and careful managing will make it lovely to live here. I haven't met a single person here who really cared WHERE you live or what you drive.

[LoriAnn]

I know many people who live here comfortably and happily with much less monthly income than $4,800 a month. You didn’t say if you plan to rent or obtain a mortgage. Rent is not cheap here. Do a house search on thevillages.com and see what you can buy for under 200 thousand dollars. The mortgage would likely be less than rent. It’s always better to pay off all debt before you retire. Work long enough to pay off your truck and that money will go a long way toward a monthly mortgage. You’ll love it here and it’s possible to live very comfortably here on your income.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by LoriAnn

I know many people who live here comfortably and happily with much less monthly income than $4,800 a month. You didn’t say if you plan to rent or obtain a mortgage. Rent is not cheap here. Do a house search on thevillages.com and see what you can buy for under 200 thousand dollars. The mortgage would likely be less than rent. It’s always better to pay off all debt before you retire. Work long enough to pay off your truck and that money will go a long way toward a monthly mortgage. You’ll love it here and it’s possible to live very comfortably here on your income.

Oh yeah - rent is definitely pricey in the Villages. In fact it's expensive enough that I personally don't recommend renting for 6 months "just to check it out" to ANYONE on a fixed or limited income, unless they're very wealthy, in which case they can afford to just buy whatever home they want and sell it if they change their minds. That would be the better investment in their money than throwing $1500/month or more for 6 months down the drain.

What I definitely -would- recommend is to spend 5-10 days in August, December, and May. Here's why:

August - do you have a sense of what it's like to live in Florida in the WORST heat of the year, also hurricane season.

December - so you know what it's like to live in the Villages at the height of the busy season, when all the snowbirds are down and many have their grandchildren visiting for winter break.

May - to get a general idea of love bugs, that come around twice a year - once including May. Also it is the month after all the snowbirds go back north, and the weather is usually tolerable, so you get to experience the Villages when it's not crazy-busy, and outdoor activities are still attractive.


If you spend just a week each of those times of year, one of which is the Lifestyle visit at $100/night, you'll spend juuuust around as much as 2 months rent total, including golf cart rental, meals, and whatever activities are available at the time (including golf). And that'll give you an idea of life in the Villages, and time to look for homes without feeling rushed or frustrated.

If you can handle visiting in the worst heat/insane Florida hurricane threats and other weather anomalies, in the worst traffic/densest population/longest lines and wait times for EVERYTHING, and with the worst lovebug infestation, then at the absolute least - you'll be able to handle living in the Villages. In other words - it's a great way to rule out any deal-breakers.

There are tons of plusses to living in the Villages. But none of them are worth a tinker's damn if your body can't tolerate August in Florida.

[Nucky]

Yes, you can afford to live here. I would say you could live here rather comfortably with $4800 coming in. You did a very good thing asking on this Forum instead of asking the person selling you your house.

Pick someone who you feel comfortable with on here and who is willing to help and reveal the entire picture to them. That's when you will get the real low down on where you stand financially.

It was my goal at one time to help as many people headed this way as possible so I could pay back what was so freely given to me by so many. I'm not the only one who likes to help. Many people will give you a hand. Just don't get scammed. That's a problem down here. Good Luck. You'll fit in and Probably Love It!

[Robyn1963]

Consulting with the financial advisor is a great start. There are many over 55 communities around The Villages if this proves not to be affordable or within your budget.

[J1ceasar]

If your both not playing golf , then there are many affordable community within 10 miles of villages much less per square foot with many activities you'll enjoy . a real home 1500 safest for $150,000 to 200,900 is obtainable .

[Skunky1]

My ,brother after working hard for 45 years, retired with no savings and a $625 Social Security monthly payment.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Skunky1

My ,brother after working hard for 45 years, retired with no savings and a $625 Social Security monthly payment.

Here? I dont think that is possible. Especially if you have a mortgage to pay

[La lamy]

It sounds like you are renting where you are. If you plan on renting in TV it can be quite expensive. Take a look at rental websites. I'm paying about $14,000 for 6 months and there's a lot more expensive than that. If it's for a full year, there should be better rates for you as well.

[nick demis]

Do the in house realtors have consultants to help determine affordability? Basically an investment counselor?

[rlcooper70]

Advice ... figure out what you can spend per month and live on 60% of it ... and buy a very small house in The Villages when you come down. If you find you are spending less than you thought (very likely) then you can move to a bigger house. Start small. If you have no mortgage and choose a small villa you can get by for $6000 per year plus food.

[SIRE1]

You ask "how much does it cost to live here". That question, of course, really includes a number of items to answer. And many, only you can determine based on your personal habits and lifestyle. For example, how many times will you eat out and how expensive of places do you like, or how much do you want to spend for a house & golf cart, or do you want to golf at championship courses or are you happy with the "free" executive courses. But for your monthly house expenses, I think I can provide some guidance based on our cost.

As a retired engineer, everyone kids me about all my spreadsheets. But I have maintained one since we moved here in 2011 and have included all of our home related expenses (e.g. insurance, tax, heat, light, lawn maint, amenity & VCCD, misc home improvements, etc.) I have calculated it has cost us $1,100 a month to own a house here. I've also compared that annual cost to what it would cost us to rent and found that if we rented for 4 months or more, it is cheaper to own our home. If we were going to be in The Villages any less than that, it would probably be cheaper to rent. That does not include any return on your home investment that will hopefully come through appreciation when it does come time to sell.

So I hope you can determine if The Villages is within your reach. I know you would enjoy it here.

[davem4616]

you most likely can afford to live here...just do your due diligence and buy a home that fits within your budget

I would agree with others that you may want to try The Villages out for a couple of weeks before making a commitment