[Villagesgal]

My designer house on the golf course is paid for, so is car and golf cart. I spend around $1,200 a month total for all expenses. I eat out once a week with a friend using a BOGO coupon, so it costs about $10 to eat out. So many free activities here, life is great. I'd say you can easily live here if you don't go house crazy. Try to buy an older well cared for home, there are lots out there, that way you have money left over for travel or whatever you want as opposed to being house poor. There is a VA clinic here and lots of specialty doctors. I'd rent here in the summer when rent is cheaper for a month, then if you like it here, buy. You'll love it here.

[Kahiland]

I am a LEO federal retiree. Depending on his time of service, is he a FERS or CSRS employee? ( He will know. If he hired on b4 '88 he is CSRS). Have him talk to his HR department. They should type up a pretty good guess of his retirement pay. Good luck!!!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by nick demis

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

As far as I can tell all they care about is can you qualify for mortgage in price range they are showing you?

[djspinner1]

At $4800 a month you can do it in the villages.

[TandHSTAR@AOL.com]

All good advise. Remember to buy a house you can afford. Easy to get caught up in homes that may be too big for you. We have a 1100 sq ft home. More than sufficient for two people. Remember no matter what house or where you live you have Access to all Villages amenities. Will be even better if and when this virus backs off. Still enough to keep you busy because we live in a beautiful and friendly community. Good luck.

[Alaska Butch]

It depends on your home cost. Do you have cash to buy a home? Least e pensive in TV are around $150,000. I think you can do that. Mom owns her home and spends$1700 a month to live including everything.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by 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 .

I don't play golf but there is SO much else to do in the Villages that it doesn't matter a bit. For me, the golf courses are part of the scenery. They enhance the overall appearance of the community, rather than being the focus of it.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

As far as I can tell all they care about is can you qualify for mortgage in price range they are showing you?

Maybe that's all the one you got stuck with cared about. Ours was more insistent that we consider a home that we didn't have to mortgage at all, based on the sales of our current home in the north. As it turned out, we still had to find other sources of income, but we chose not to mortgage. Borrowing from one family member, being gifted from another family member, in addition to the sale of our New England home, is how we were able to afford the move.

[17362]

Originally Posted by Foxtrot

$4800 a month is more than enough. You can easily get by on 3200 a month.

I agree completely.
We moved here a year ago.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by nick demis

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

Seems to be a conflict.........

[rjm1cc]

Also remember to consider your on going expenses after a spouse dies or has to move to a nursing home.

[Badrion]

There is much advice here in reply’s. The best ones In my opinion state consult with a financial advisor which will personalize your current FinancIal status and future affordability safety. Having a carefree and healthy retirement is what it’s all about.

[KRM0614]

It’s too expensive for you! Property taxes went up 25% food utilities cable is 20.% higher than the rest of the country. HO ins is high. They is no security for seniors here.

[Dgodin]

Originally Posted by ScottYvonne

Hello,
My husband has disabled vet pay, and I have disability pay. Total $4800. He still works where we are in a federal gov job in NC. NC is not overly senior-friendly for retirement places. At some point, he needs to stop working. The only debt we have is our truck payment. Can we afford to live there on such little money? My husband seems to think we can, I think, no. What if something significant happens in the house we buy and is costly? By the time we pay movers, closing costs, and other expenses, life-savings will be much lower. We are not rich by any means. We both have no family and need to find a home to settle in one place after years of military service.
What does a couple do when you have no family and are getting old? Do they have places or companies to help people who will need help in the future if that happens? Currently, we live on a military base as retirees, which is super cheap. $1025 for EVERYTHING! But NC does not have options when we get older...thatsbhowbwe oaid all our debt off

A lot of questions, I apologize in advance for so many.

Any advice and knowledge would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Yvonne

We retired here with military retirement and Soc security. You can be comfortable in TV on less than $4k per month, even with a mortgage.

[Dgizzi]

Originally Posted by ScottYvonne

Hello,
My husband has disabled vet pay, and I have disability pay. Total $4800. He still works where we are in a federal gov job in NC. NC is not overly senior-friendly for retirement places. At some point, he needs to stop working. The only debt we have is our truck payment. Can we afford to live there on such little money? My husband seems to think we can, I think, no. What if something significant happens in the house we buy and is costly? By the time we pay movers, closing costs, and other expenses, life-savings will be much lower. We are not rich by any means. We both have no family and need to find a home to settle in one place after years of military service.
What does a couple do when you have no family and are getting old? Do they have places or companies to help people who will need help in the future if that happens? Currently, we live on a military base as retirees, which is super cheap. $1025 for EVERYTHING! But NC does not have options when we get older...thatsbhowbwe oaid all our debt off

A lot of questions, I apologize in advance for so many.

Any advice and knowledge would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Yvonne

Well yes, you need a financial guide. We can’t make this decision for you. It depends on your own personal spending. And for the future, I wouldn’t post such personal information as to what your income is. Just saying