[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Groceries are hauled in from all over the country so why should Florida be higher.

In any case lots of OJ produced near here why is it so much more expensive?

Because there's very little to truck out of Florida. Truckers have to make their money on the load coming in because they are most likely leaving the state with their trailers empty (deadheading).

[Number 10 GI]

One thing you need to consider is if you plan on buying with a veterans loan you will have to look at pre-owned homes. The Villages doesn't accept VA financing for new homes. Even on pre-owned homes it will be difficult to find a seller willing to comply with VA loan requirements. Not impossible but it will limit your selection.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

Because there's very little to truck out of Florida. Truckers have to make their money on the load coming in because they are most likely leaving the state with their trailers empty (deadheading).

OK that makes sense but what about OJ which is produced here?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

OK that makes sense but what about OJ which is produced here?

Tree fungus?

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

OK that makes sense but what about OJ which is produced here?

Unless being shipped locally, it’s probably going out on rail. Much cheaper to ship large quantities by train than it is by truck.

[2BNTV]

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

Like most people, moving to another state can be stressful. I can almost hear the anxiety is your post.

The "Nuts and Bolts" section will give you an example is what it cost to live here for a 1392 sq ft home. I quickly calculated about $1500 per month. You have to add your monthly truck fee and mortgage. Taxes in TV is very low compared to where I came from. I think it is doable with $4800 per month but that's for you to decide.

Most insurances will cover catrastrophes as I was also worried when I first moved here 7 years ago.

Friends of mine live her comfortably with the same amount of retirement income and I know people who live here on less. My friend has a mortgage also and is paying off a motorcycle loan. I have a friend who is disabled and there are many homes that are built for disabled people. Research and plan accordingly.

TV community has many resources for disabled people and your future neighbors will lend a helping hand.

I would plan for a visit to see if TV is right for you.

I hope this helps!

Wife and I have annual total expenses of about $60,000 which includes a paid off CYV in The Villages and a mortgage on a vacation home in Georgia plus Medicare, food, car, fun, etc. Get out your checkbook and add up each months expenses. Then divide them into categories such as mortgage, taxes, insurance, amenities fee, medical insurance, food, entertainment in the form of a spreadsheet. I think you will be pleasantly surprised that you can afford to live in The Village. One note of caution is that the villages hospital system is poorly rated, but there are good hospitals outside the villages.

[Fishers2tall]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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.

That’s a good thing since I just bought this fine truck off of my cousin Jed for the trip down to The Villages to buy a new home!!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Fishers2tall

That’s a good thing since I just bought this fine truck off of my cousin Jed for the trip down to The Villages to buy a new home!!

We tried to rent it for our move this past Feb and thought I made an offer they couldnt refuse but they did.

[CrabCake]

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

Thank you for asking!!

[TomPerry]

We live in a 1,520 SF designer Wisteria with a 220 SF enclosed heated & A/C lanai, with a 5,400 SF lot.

Hear are actual average costs for the last 12 months:

Household Expenses:
Home owners Ins. 73.42
Amenity fee. 154. 87
Water,Sewer, Irrigation. 67.93
Trash collection. 19.13
Electricity (all electric). 121.96
High speed internet, ATT NOW
Netflix, Hulu, (for here and
MA home). 193.47
Mobile phone (2). 32.70
Home furnishings. 44.70
Real estate taxes. 146.74
CDD Annual Maintenance. 37.89
Lawn & yard care. 113.94
Repair & maint (including
house cleaner, window
washing & powerwashing). 144.32
Total. 1,151.07

Medical:
Medicare Part B (2). 281.62
Co-pays. 159.67
Prescriptions. 204.67
Total. 645.96

Auto & Golf Carts:
Insurances. 72.20
Auto Registration. 7.11
Gasoline for 2 autos & 2 carts. 96.11
Auto & cart maint. 15.50
Total. 190.92

All Miscellaneous expenses. 711.99

Grand Total. 2,699.94

This does not include travel, groceries, dining out, golf & entertainment which are based on your lifestyle.
This does not include mortgage and car payments if needed.

As a retired CPA and Financial Advisor for nearly 50 years I think you can do it.
Good luck!!,

[Tinaglapinski]

Maybe you might like a long term rental.They are usually less expensive than seasonal rentals and you can decide if this is a right move.