[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Aces4

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

Most people are NOT aware that the last 8 years have been record heat worldwide, including in Florida. People should not "stick their heads in the sand" and be unaware of these temperature facts. Especially when they are deciding to buy a house here to stay during the summer.
........Last year the Gulf had record heat in about June and the Florida west coast got evaporated by hurricane Irma. I doubt that people have forgotten about that already!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

You seem to always be harping on the heat in Florida , The simple solution to that is keeping yourself acclimated to it ,by going out in it . I always walk or ride bike in afternoon after I finish the gym ,no matter how hot it is out, if I’m alone I never and I mean ,never sleep with AC , I’ve also never slept with the heat on either ,, I drink no cold water when I’m out even if it’s at beach just whatever temp the water is . I don’t even own a pair of shorts except for gym clothes , I wear jeans or slacks everywhere except the gym even when I lived in Miami Beach . I’ve lived many years in hotter places then Florida and people seem to go on with there life without whining about the heat

I appreciate your advice for living with a BAD THING.........Florida heat. But, this person is asking for advice about locating here in central Florida. And I (and others) are supplying ADVICE. Maybe death valley, Ca. is worse than central Florida, but I am saying that Florida HEAT is dangerous to one's health.
........I can give a simple proof to this case...........I notice that the Pickleball courts and the tennis courts and the softball field are VERY, VERY vacant around 3 or 4 PM in the HEAT of the afternoon. And we are just beginning to feel the HEAT of this coming summer!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

You do understand that the Florida heat (like it's been frigid cold here before the industrial revolution) is just the tip of the iceberg on his repetitive ad nauseum theme of "infernal combustion engines" causing "global warming" that will lead to the extinction of mankind. Amazing how some believe that we will have glaciers in Ocala and icebergs hitting the Miami docks once we switch to all electric cars.

Exaggeration to prove a point is a good technique in a debate. But, one must be careful to NOT take the EXAGGERATION to the point of LAUGHABILITY. That takes points away in a debate.

[Ponygirl]

Some good advice especially abt the increase in heat that affects our health But I know it’s Florida so we can’t say the words “climate change”

My homeowners insurance went from 1200 per year two years ago to 3800 for the next year and I am in a 2-2 courtyard villa Sooo. I am getting quotes now for a new roof to bring the insurance cost down. Ughh.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

I like the last 1/2 of the last sentence. The rest, not so much

So, we are starting to agree on SOME areas. Keep up the good work. I even agreed with one of your earlier posts and checked the agree with box. Life shows us so many miracles.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Exaggeration to prove a point is a good technique in a debate. But, one must be careful to NOT take the EXAGGERATION to the point of LAUGHABILITY. That takes points away in a debate.

What if I wanted to exaggerate for laughs?????

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

What if I wanted to exaggerate for laughs?????

Fair point! Motivation determines destiny and success!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by 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.

You can actually look things up. There are sales and tax records for every property that's ever been sold in The Villages.

With just a couple of exceptions (a couple of actual gated neighborhoods like Hickory Hammock), there is no HOA, but there is an amenity fee. That amenity fee is still under $200/month for everyone, no matter how fancy or plain their home or property.

Taxes in Central Florida are higher than they used to be, but they're still cheaper than in many states and remain some of the lowest property taxes in the country.

There is no state income tax at all so if you're still working, that's totally a plus. Remember, this isn't a retirement community. It's a 55+ community. And there are many homes where at least one person living in it is under 55, and many are still working even into their 70's.

The cost of gas is cheaper in Florida than in many other states. The cost of gas in our area is around 40 cents /per gallon/ cheaper than in West Palm Beach, on average. I know this, I travel there often.

Dining out seems to be more expensive here than in other areas, although many chains have nationwide specials, and the restaurants here have the exact same price on those specials as the same restaurant in the chain in any other state. So the increased cost of dining out isn't specific to the Villages, with regards to those chains, at least.

Other restaurants that aren't part of a national chain appear fairly expensive. However, the reason my whole belly clams are going to be more expensive here in Central Florida than they are in Old Saybrook Connecticut, is because the ones in CT come from - CT. No one has to pay to ship them to Florida. You can't get "Florida-caught" whole belly clams in Florida, it's just not a thing. Same with Maine lobster. If you want Maine lobster cheaper than what you have to pay here in Florida, then go up to Maine and get them off the docks.

Central Florida is somewhat isolated from - pretty much everything. And so the costs of getting things here is going to be higher, than if you went to the source. Conversely - if you're in the market for a horse, you can get one cheaper here than in New Orleans, LA. This is horse country afterall. And if you want great citrus fruit, you need look no further than your own (or your neighbor's) back yard. No charge.

Butter is higher everywhere, so are eggs, though the prices are starting to drop again.

Insurance is high, but it's high all over Florida, because the Florida government chose to keep regulations on construction and insurance claims as loose as possible to "save the taxpayers" the almighty dollar. The citizens took great advantage of that in getting brand new roofs, courtesy of the insurance companies - and it has come around to bite us all in the butt. Again, that's not a Villages thing, it's a Florida thing.

You can still get a house in The Villages for less than $200,000. Your insurance and taxes on it will vary depending on the individual circumstances of your house and property. Your amenity fee will still be under $200/month. Your daily/weekly/monthly expenses for just living here can easily still be under $1300/month if you dine home more than you dine out, and partake in the thousands of activities available to you at no "extra" cost beyond your amenity fee charge.

It's still less expensive for me to live here, than the same sized home in Connecticut with no amenity fee at all.

Affordable is subjective, and relative to whoever is being required to pay the bills. A millionaire will not be able to afford a billion-dollar estate. But they'll be able to afford a $500,000 estate and have plenty left over to put their kids through Harvard.

A couple in their late 50's living only on a pension, not old enough for social security, who saved up only a couple months worth of income when they were working and can pay in full for their $200,000 double-wide, will be able to do so here.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Fair point! Motivation determines destiny and success!

This also applies to the thread-starting person that could easily brush away insurance costs for home and car by liking the environment of TV Land so much that sacrifices could be made. All kinds, but one obvious one would be to work a few days per week and thus have no worries about insignificant insurance costs.
........They could even get a job (?) riding around in one of those community service vehicles - "that ain't wooken and your checks for free".
..........Life can be so easy in PARADISE if you just "let it happen".
...........PARADISE being defined as a coastal beachfront retirement area where the summer thermometer NEVER goes above 85 degrees with minimal humidity.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

You can actually look things up. There are sales and tax records for every property that's ever been sold in The Villages.

With just a couple of exceptions (a couple of actual gated neighborhoods like Hickory Hammock), there is no HOA, but there is an amenity fee. That amenity fee is still under $200/month for everyone, no matter how fancy or plain their home or property.

Taxes in Central Florida are higher than they used to be, but they're still cheaper than in many states and remain some of the lowest property taxes in the country.

There is no state income tax at all so if you're still working, that's totally a plus. Remember, this isn't a retirement community. It's a 55+ community. And there are many homes where at least one person living in it is under 55, and many are still working even into their 70's.

The cost of gas is cheaper in Florida than in many other states. The cost of gas in our area is around 40 cents /per gallon/ cheaper than in West Palm Beach, on average. I know this, I travel there often.

Dining out seems to be more expensive here than in other areas, although many chains have nationwide specials, and the restaurants here have the exact same price on those specials as the same restaurant in the chain in any other state. So the increased cost of dining out isn't specific to the Villages, with regards to those chains, at least.

Other restaurants that aren't part of a national chain appear fairly expensive. However, the reason my whole belly clams are going to be more expensive here in Central Florida than they are in Old Saybrook Connecticut, is because the ones in CT come from - CT. No one has to pay to ship them to Florida. You can't get "Florida-caught" whole belly clams in Florida, it's just not a thing. Same with Maine lobster. If you want Maine lobster cheaper than what you have to pay here in Florida, then go up to Maine and get them off the docks.

Central Florida is somewhat isolated from - pretty much everything. And so the costs of getting things here is going to be higher, than if you went to the source. Conversely - if you're in the market for a horse, you can get one cheaper here than in New Orleans, LA. This is horse country afterall. And if you want great citrus fruit, you need look no further than your own (or your neighbor's) back yard. No charge.

Butter is higher everywhere, so are eggs, though the prices are starting to drop again.

Insurance is high, but it's high all over Florida, because the Florida government chose to keep regulations on construction and insurance claims as loose as possible to "save the taxpayers" the almighty dollar. The citizens took great advantage of that in getting brand new roofs, courtesy of the insurance companies - and it has come around to bite us all in the butt. Again, that's not a Villages thing, it's a Florida thing.

You can still get a house in The Villages for less than $200,000. Your insurance and taxes on it will vary depending on the individual circumstances of your house and property. Your amenity fee will still be under $200/month. Your daily/weekly/monthly expenses for just living here can easily still be under $1300/month if you dine home more than you dine out, and partake in the thousands of activities available to you at no "extra" cost beyond your amenity fee charge.

It's still less expensive for me to live here, than the same sized home in Connecticut with no amenity fee at all.

Affordable is subjective, and relative to whoever is being required to pay the bills. A millionaire will not be able to afford a billion-dollar estate. But they'll be able to afford a $500,000 estate and have plenty left over to put their kids through Harvard.

A couple in their late 50's living only on a pension, not old enough for social security, who saved up only a couple months worth of income when they were working and can pay in full for their $200,000 double-wide, will be able to do so here.

We must live in different worlds, OB. If one has a million dollar retirement, spends $500,000 on a home, puts kids through college and lives in retirement on the remaining $500,000, one had better hope for a very early death.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Exaggeration to prove a point is a good technique in a debate. But, one must be careful to NOT take the EXAGGERATION to the point of LAUGHABILITY. That takes points away in a debate.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by 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.

Lived in Florida entire life, mostly Palm Beach County. TV, and other areas in Central Florida, is one of the most affordable places to live in Florida. Where else can you get amenities that cost $165 +/- a month?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Aces4

We must live in different worlds, OB. If one has a million dollar retirement, spends $500,000 on a home, puts kids through college and lives in retirement on the remaining $500,000, one had better hope for a very early death.

A millionaire doesn't have only a million bucks, and never another dime for the rest of their lives. They have investments, and interest, and dividends, pensions and stocks and whatever the heck else they have.

A millionaire who has kids young enough to be sent to college, is still working. That means they're still earning an income. They can afford a $500,000 home, that they only have to buy once - and set aside money every year to put their kids through college.

I was talking about "affordability" in general, not "whether or not a millionaire can afford to live in The Villages. That's why I put that part in another paragraph.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

A millionaire doesn't have only a million bucks, and never another dime for the rest of their lives. They have investments, and interest, and dividends, pensions and stocks and whatever the heck else they have.

A millionaire who has kids young enough to be sent to college, is still working. That means they're still earning an income. They can afford a $500,000 home, that they only have to buy once - and set aside money every year to put their kids through college.

I was talking about "affordability" in general, not "whether or not a millionaire can afford to live in The Villages. That's why I put that part in another paragraph.

If a millionaire blows $500,000 on his home, pays the costs to maintain said home, pays yearly college tuition for a couple of kids, pays income taxes, maintains vehicles plus everyday expenses and has
some money in the shaky stock market… I’d say he’s walking on very thin ice. Now if he is a multi-millionaire and not in the stock market, that’s a different story. It’s hard to save when you’re stretched that thin.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Aces4

If a millionaire blows $500,000 on his home, pays the costs to maintain said home, pays yearly college tuition for a couple of kids, pays income taxes, maintains vehicles plus everyday expenses and has
some money in the shaky stock market… I’d say he’s walking on very thin ice. Now if he is a multi-millionaire and not in the stock market, that’s a different story. It’s hard to save when you’re stretched that thin.

I mean, I'm not a CPA or anything but this is pretty simple math. Here's an example of what I'm talking about - your typical millionaire family:

2 parents, 2 minor children. Household is pulling in around $750,000 per year, while living in their "less than $500,000 home." They want to upgrade. They sock away $100,000 per year for the kids college education. They pick last year's BMW model instead of this year's Mercedes for their new car. They vacation at Yellowstone instead of Cabo, or a Disney cruise instead of a Windjammer.

By the time their kids are old enough for college, they have around $600,000 socked away in their college trust fund. One of them can afford Harvard, the other could probably swing it with a Pell grant to augment.

Now that the kids are in their first year of school, they sell their "less than $500,000" house for - let's call it $400,000. They use most of it as a downpayment on their new home, and sock away another $100,000 for moving expenses and new furnishings and replacing the carpet that came with the house for some nice wooden planks.

Meanwhile - they're still earning $750,000 per year between them. They still have their usual expenses, so their net at the end of the year will still be in the positives, which they can continue to save.

They can live VERY comfortably, and still save money for when they actually retire. And - at that point, their pensions, investments, 401K, Social Security, all of that, will be a lovely nest egg to live off of for the rest of their lives.