[Laker14]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Please don't take this reply as too harsh or critical:

If the make-or-break factor in contemplating the affordability of moving to TV is the difference in homeowner's and car insurance (if any), then you can't afford to move here.

I had composed a response very similar to this, but I must have hit the wrong button because I don't see it.
Unfortunately, there are certain mandatory expenses that you will have no control over. Among these are taxes, insurance, maintenance assessments and amenity fees. While you can cut back on luxuries like travel, dining out, championship golf etc. those mandatory expenses are out of your control, and I've probably left a few out.

Not only must you pay them, you will have no control over how quickly and how drastically they increase. And they will increase.

You will have a much more pleasant retirement if you are not living too close to the edge of what you can afford. Do the math, and leave yourself some leeway. How much leeway you leave is a personal choice.

If TV works out for you, great. If not, there are other places where you can be happy.

Best of luck.

[Villagesgal]

If you think you can't afford it here, you can't.
Simple as that. Maybe look at a manufactured home in the historic side, you still have use of all amenities in the Villages. If you don't like that idea, find a wealthy widow here, problem solved.

[Chamo]

What makes car insurance so costly here in Florida is the underinsured motorist policy. If you keep that as low as possible your insurance will be extremely lower

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages

Yes, home insurance rates have gone up (a lot) EVERYWHERE in Florida. Why?
1. recent hurricanes caused lots of damage, which we all pay for in our premiums
2. roof scams. we all are paying for those "free" roofs
3. inflation

Car insurance rates are based on where the car is garaged. The Villages is a bit expensive because we have a lot of careless drivers. Rates also increase as you age. Each milestone birthday means a bump in car insurance.

After the Pandemic, I seem to notice that drivers in TV Land seemed to speed more and be more reckless like going through stop signs and other bad driving habits. Also, that may be due to a smaller Police presence (for some reason unknown to me).

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

After the Pandemic, I seem to notice that drivers in TV Land seemed to speed more and be more reckless like going through stop signs and other bad driving habits. Also, that may be due to a smaller Police presence (for some reason unknown to me).

But were they driving cars with "infernal combustion engines"???? Didn't work it in????You're slipping

[daveczo]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

in what place in Massachusetts did you find car insurance cheaper than living in villages ? A Boston guy would like to know, compared to rates my friends pay up there it feels here like I’m getting it for free ( thank you State Farm )

I agree, rates in the Northeast are sky high in comparison.

[Eagle06]

Shop around and ensure you compare "Apples to Apples". Levels of coverage and costs vary widely. We have a 2020 Mercedes E450 AWD Cabriolet and a BMW X5 i40 xDrive (AWD). We have Full Coverage with a $500 Deductible and pay $1,700 every 6 months with USAA. Our Homeowners Insurance with Full Replacement Coverage, etc., on our 2 year old, $700K home just renewed for $1,300 Annually, again with USAA.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by Remembergoldenrule

Sounds like you need to consider a house that is reasonable and comfortable. A patio villa is what we decided on and we live here full time. Cost of house upkeep it a lot less and we have more time for fun. We just got tired of the two house situation. We were spending too much traveling back and forth and worrying about other place when here. Plus cost of keeping up two places. We have considerable more money to enjoy with one house especially since we for patio villa.

Colony has big master bedroom and guest room has enough room for queen bed and crib or cot for grand child we also have pullout sofa for grand kids. Dining room big enough for tabl with six chairs and nook has for more chairs. Living area big enough for seating six to eight. You get the idea. Place for car and golf cart. Here is link to one like ours. Cost of upkeep is a lot less too.

1458 Olympia St, The Villages, FL 32163 | MLS #G5067386 | Zillow

Next, you need to think of all your costs.
You have a place in MA. How much are you spending on this place? Taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, etc. Doyou have a car there too with all the upkeep costs for it? What do you do there for social and fun?

If you become a Florida resident, you will have no taxes on your income, your property taxes will be lower with a cap on any increase each year. If you live here full time then you could use the money from the sale of MA place to pay cash and probably have money left over to live on.

We have 56+ golf courses, 180 clubs, pickle ball, putt put, Numerous pools, biking, and more to keep you busy and meet friends. There are also a lot of volunteer opportunities. Grandpa camps for kids to have things to do when visit.

Take quality of live in consideration along with finances.

Good luck.

No STATE income tax. 3000+ clubs.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by DiviAruba

I thought I had everything figured out for moving to The Villages. I had to wait for my divorce to go through to buy a house. It went through last week and I am now rethinking if I can afford living in TV.
What is scaring me is homeowners insurance and car insurance. I have a place in MA that I can register the car, so that would make the insurance much cheaper. I am in N Ft Myers and homeowners and car insurance has jumped in price since Ian. Have the prices also gone up for insurance in TV?

I don't understand WHY you would concentrate on the cost of homeowners and car insurance when determining whether to live in TV Land or NOT? There are MUCH BIGGER factors at play here. TV Land is about ACTIVITIES. Do you plan on engaging HEAVILY in the AVAILABLE ACTIVITIES? Another big factor is the cost of the house. Some areas have lower-cost houses than others. There are different size houses.
.......The other big factor (like a gorilla in a room) is will you spend the summers in TV Land or are you going to be a snowbird. I hope that you know that summers are VERY hot in Florida and the last 8 years have been record heat. And the prediction of HEAT (and likely hurricanes) is going to CONTINUE increasing for years. So, there are GREATER factors to consider about relocating to Florida than MERELY insurance costs.
.........Personally, unless you plan to keep 2 homes, I would locate in one of the Carolinas. Find a retirement area there in order to avoid the Florida summer HEAT, which is already beginning.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I don't understand WHY you would concentrate on the cost of homeowners and car insurance when determining whether to live in TV Land or NOT? There are MUCH BIGGER factors at play here. TV Land is about ACTIVITIES. Do you plan on engaging HEAVILY in the AVAILABLE ACTIVITIES? Another big factor is the cost of the house. Some areas have lower-cost houses than others. There are different size houses.
.......The other big factor (like a gorilla in a room) is will you spend the summers in TV Land or are you going to be a snowbird. I hope that you know that summers are VERY hot in Florida and the last 8 years have been record heat. And the prediction of HEAT (and likely hurricanes) is going to CONTINUE increasing for years. So, there are GREATER factors to consider about relocating to Florida than MERELY insurance costs.
.........Personally, unless you plan to keep 2 homes, I would locate in one of the Carolinas. Find a retirement area there in order to avoid the Florida summer HEAT, which is already beginning.

OP states they’re in Fort Meyers now.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I don't understand WHY you would concentrate on the cost of homeowners and car insurance when determining whether to live in TV Land or NOT? There are MUCH BIGGER factors at play here. TV Land is about ACTIVITIES. Do you plan on engaging HEAVILY in the AVAILABLE ACTIVITIES? Another big factor is the cost of the house. Some areas have lower-cost houses than others. There are different size houses.
.......The other big factor (like a gorilla in a room) is will you spend the summers in TV Land or are you going to be a snowbird. I hope that you know that summers are VERY hot in Florida and the last 8 years have been record heat. And the prediction of HEAT (and likely hurricanes) is going to CONTINUE increasing for years. So, there are GREATER factors to consider about relocating to Florida than MERELY insurance costs.
.........Personally, unless you plan to keep 2 homes, I would locate in one of the Carolinas. Find a retirement area there in order to avoid the Florida summer HEAT, which is already beginning.

Most of us don’t have 50,000 years to worry about that heat increase hitting.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Most of us don’t have 50,000 years to worry about that heat increase hitting.

No, no, no. Don't confuse him with the facts!!!

[Karmanng]

Originally Posted by DiviAruba

I thought I had everything figured out for moving to The Villages. I had to wait for my divorce to go through to buy a house. It went through last week and I am now rethinking if I can afford living in TV.
What is scaring me is homeowners insurance and car insurance. I have a place in MA that I can register the car, so that would make the insurance much cheaper. I am in N Ft Myers and homeowners and car insurance has jumped in price since Ian. Have the prices also gone up for insurance in TV?

IF you cant afford TV you wont even be able to buy anything in ARIZONA !!!! home prices for the size in Tv will be at least 100,000 more if not double esp if it is new.............my home inusrance here went up $300 and the car also........I had to raise the deductable to get it to a more affordable price............its not just Florida being raised its all over.......ANd we dont get any HURRICANES.........I have been told many times we have to pay for everyones disasters!!!!!! Kinda not fair or nice

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy

No STATE income tax. 3000+ clubs.

You pay that state income tax under different techniques in Florida. You must be familiar with many expenses, OP, since you already live in Florida. It is not cheap to live in The Villages, plan accordingly.

[JGibson]

Most everything is more expensive in TV. A hamburger in 5 guys at Brownwood is $12.00, that's without cheese, fries, and drink.

From cars to contractors everything is more expensive here.

The Championship golf courses keep going up, amenities are up,car insurance is up, golf cart insurance is up, house insurance is up, landscaping is up, gas is pushing $4.00 again and food is more money in TV.

There is nothing cheap about TV and everyone thinks you are filthy rich if you live in the Villages.

One reason is there are enough people to pay these exorbitant prices and keep the cash cow feed.
Also, you only have your income so not impossible but can be a challenge.

It's not exactly Beverley Hills but it isn’t cheap here and you might want to trust your instincts financially.

If you can afford to live here it is a wonderful place to live outside the cost to live here, but I guess you get nothing for nothing.

Good Luck.