[mike1472]

As a snowbird who presently owns in South Florida, we're thinking of a move to TV. We've rented there before and love it of course ( how could you not). this has probably been asked before but on average what does it cost to carry a home in TV with no mortgage. Thinking the historical sections.

[aln]

Of course it depends on how much cable/satelite/internet you carry but figure about $1500/mo

[gonzy]

I live on the historic side and mine average around $600 per month. About $165/mo for rec fees,water & trash.$104 cable/internet. $50 mowing,$20 telephone,utilities $70,
taxes $170.Whoops! forgot insurance add another $60.

[784caroline]

South of 466
taxes/bond $5500/12 = $460 (no homestead)
WATER/GARB (AVG)..........70
Elec............................50-75 (not here much)
Amenity fee ..................130
cable basic w tax............15
lawn service(cutting only)..55
house/golfcart insurance... 75
Pest control/lawn bugs......20
telephone (I use my cell)

I would estimate now a monthly cost of about $900-1000...if we lived there full time closer to $1200-1300 with higher electric and telephone bills, This does not consider setting up a new house with window treatments,furniture, wide screen TV, golf cart, landscaping etc which adds tremendously to the intial cost of your purchase

[Russ_Boston]

While it is nice to read everyone's estimate of costs...

It looks like the only real difference between a TV budget and one from up north would be the amenities fee and maybe the bug fee.

We all have cable (or Satellite) but some spend $20 and some spend $200 after you add in internet, VOIP and other premium stations.

We all have electric and maybe gas but doesn't that really depend on how much you use? What is your lifestyle - some like it cold inside some like it warmer - some leave lights and TV's on, others make sure they turn them off.

We all have taxes, house ins. (and maybe a bond). It really depends on what size home you bought. My taxes with ins. here in MA are between $500-600 a month. Yours may be more or less depending on where you live and what the home is valued at.

The bottom line is that every prospective buyer has to analyze the costs for themselves then determine what size home and location they can afford.

And let's not forget the most important expense: GOLF :joke: If I spend less than $500 per month on golf and other recreaction I'd be overjoyed. And that doesn't include the 19th hole.

[mike1472]

Thanks so much. It's seems to be about the same as down here but you get sooo much more. Thanks again.

[nanci2539]

Russ, I chuckled at your response. I was born and lived in Boston (north side) for most of my adult life. Moved to IL ten years ago. My RE taxes when I left Boston were around $1,500 a year; here in IL, I pay almost $12,000 a year and I'm at the now end! Some of my neighbors pay over $20K a annually for RE taxes.

[SteveFromNY]

I agree with a large part of what Russ said, and disagree with a little.

I livein in NYC now, and have a "budget" with the gas company and electric company here. My gas and electric combined in NY are roughly $600 per month. In FL, the cost of energy is much lower. I expect the cost to be closer to $200 per month based on my usage. With tenants in the house for about 1/3 of the year, I've never seen a bill for over $125 combined. The gas bill to keep the hot water hot is only $17 per month.

I realize the cold (and the need for heat) offsets the heat (and the need for cooling), but the unit cost of the energy is lower by a large factor (I will need to dig out bills to quantify if I can find them).

Labor related fees are also lower. I spend $100/mo here for lawn maintenance, and pay $60 in TV for cutting and weeding. Other things are just plain lower too. Look at the "Labor per Hour" sign posted n the garage in TV and at home.

R/E taxes (without the homestead) are about equal for me, plus the cost of the bond which I don't have here.

Full agreement on the other costs - cell, internet, etc are the same. And there are FL unique fees (e.g.; pest related) that increase cost in TV.

But overall, for me, the difference between the costs in NYC and the cost in TV is compelling. I presume much of the North East (Boston proper included) would be much more expensive than TV.

[Russ_Boston]

Not sure why my response brought a chuckle. The jist of my msg is that everyone needs to compare apples to apples. TV to Boston or TV to ILL or TV to anything is apples to oranges.

My legwork for a move to TV has been greatly helped by threads like this one since I may not have know about some expenses like bug care or landscape care (since i do my own here in MA). My point was that the figures being quoted are for one person's situation only. The exact costs may be vastly different for those who buy a CYV as opposed to a Premier on a golf course front. I hope to be on a golf front (probably designer series) but I'll rent first to make sure it appeals to me and determine if I can afford the monthly outlay. I didn't intend to put down any well meaning contributor.

[nanci2539]

Oh no Russ, I wasn't laughing at you, I was laughing at me! I should have explained better. When I lived in Boston, taxes were cheap compared to IL and when I read you post, I started laughing at how how much I pay now. I guess your post brought it to light in my head but no, I was not laughing at what you wrote. More at my situation while I sit here and wait for my house to sell!

[The Great Fumar]

While reading this blog I have been totaling up the costs and to my amazement .....I found that I can't afford to live here ...........
BUT I AIN'T LEAVIN !!!!!! They will have to carry me out in a box.....allthough it probably will be cardboard !
wonder if I can go out in a new recycle bag.???......
;D ;D ;D :bigthumbsup: :verymad:

[zcaveman]

Fumar - recycle bag only if you can get down to 30 lbs or less!!

[villager99]

the costs that i was unprepared for were,monthly pest control; high water bills for landscaping needs of planting in florida soil; high electric bill for need to run a/c even when i'm not in tv. other costs are within same ranges i was used to up north.

[The Great Fumar]

Ok ZCAVEMAN
I'LL TRY..........I STILL HAVE ALL THE CLOTHES....

WELL DRESSED FUMAR

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by mike1472

As a snowbird who presently owns in South Florida, we're thinking of a move to TV. We've rented there before and love it of course ( how could you not). this has probably been asked before but on average what does it cost to carry a home in TV with no mortgage. Thinking the historical sections.

I hope that answers your question concerning how much it cost to live in the historical sections of the Villages. :bow: