[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by hawthorg

My wife and I have our lifestyle visit starting his week. We noticed most houses have only a 2-car garage. We have several cars, including a corvette, SUV, truck, and commuter sedan. We use them all. So how do we move to TV and not have to buy a 5-car garage (I don't think those even exist)? Did everyone downsize all of their cars, too, in order to move into TV? Or are there some alternatives to reasonably priced storage or extra parking areas? Any good suggestions are appreciated.

Here you go. Multi-car and RV space.


Homefinder - The Villages(R) Homes and Villas for Sale

[Justputt]

We have a midsize crew cab truck (mine), a Jeep Compass (wife's), and an electric cart. While my wife and I travel mostly together, but she likes to do her own thing (usually shopping, cardio-drumming, etc.) in her Jeep and I pass on all of it. We're in the south away from cart accessible reasonably priced shopping and more active areas, so I jump in my truck. The cart is fun when it's not hot, not buggy (e.g. buggy nights), or there's enough cloud cover to limit the direct sun exposure burning me up, but I prefer A/C when driving any significant distance (>20mins via cart). As for TV garages I can only suggest maximum stretch on both length and width if building because our 2 car + cart with a 2' length stretch feels small (someone's door will hit the wall and/or the other vehicle). The garage doors are a bit narrow for my taste. I would definitely downsize to not more than 2 cars, since there's really no need for all-weather vehicles (no snow) or hauling vehicles (yards are generally small, our designer sits on 0.15 acre). If you need to haul anything locally, you can rent a U-Haul pickup from around $20/day. I joked with my wife about trading my truck for a way past mid-life crisis corvette, but they're as wide as my truck and would only save on the length in the garage, and at 6'4" I might not fit it so well, especially when getting out! We're still downsizing out of our much larger home to this 2k sq ft designer, and change is hard but necessary. As I have told my kids, separate "needs" from "wants".

[cwmmfink]

10 years full time. 1 car and 1 cart has worked well for us.

[Nana2Teddy]

Parking on the street is frowned upon, and in some areas not allowed overnight. We live in the City of Wildwood down south of 44 where it’s illegal to park on the street overnight. Most will not park in street during day either because streets are too narrow and there’s no sidewalks so all walking is done in the street. It’s inconsiderate to take up space on the street with a vehicle other than briefly if needed. There are CDD rules as to what you can park in your driveway, so check those out carefully. We have only one vehicle and until recently had only one golf cart, but now have two, one with AC. All fit comfortably in our two car plus golf cart garage. Down south of 44 almost all homes except villas have two car + golf cart sized garages, and there are a handful of four car garages available on Designer or Premier homes only

[TheWarriors]

If you are a car guy or gal, moving here won’t change that desire. It is safe to venture that almost all the people downsizing to one vehicle aren’t car people but rather just view it as transportation. Same analogy as someone that will spend $50. for dinner and someone that won’t spend over $15. They both eat but experiences will differ as well as expectations.

[Deedle]

I guess you will not really know if you need/want to keep all of them until you get here. My husband and I brought an SUV and car with us and have a golf car. However, after living here for 6 months we sold the second car. One car and a golf car are all we need.

[T&SMiller]

You must be looking in the older sections....our village primary has 2 car with a golf cart garage or a 3 car garage. We do have several that have 4 car. Although, my husband and I love cars as well. We have 2 homes with 5 cars total and 3 golf carts, but you do realize that you do not drive much here in the villages- primarily use a golf cart. Most of our cars are for "fun" and not for necessity. You may be able to get an extra tall garage and put a lift in it. There are homes that were custom built that way to accomondate a camper or a lift. But unless you custom build, you will have to search for a pre-owned that has that. Might not be easy.

Originally Posted by hawthorg

My wife and I have our lifestyle visit starting his week. We noticed most houses have only a 2-car garage. We have several cars, including a corvette, SUV, truck, and commuter sedan. We use them all. So how do we move to TV and not have to buy a 5-car garage (I don't think those even exist)? Did everyone downsize all of their cars, too, in order to move into TV? Or are there some alternatives to reasonably priced storage or extra parking areas? Any good suggestions are appreciated.

[Dotneko]

A couple of friends have lifts in their garages to stack two cars. Garage needs to be extra height though.
We downsized to one car, one golf cart in out 2car/1 golf cart garage. The golf cart side is where the lawnmower and his other yard stuff lives.

[banjobob]

Originally Posted by hawthorg

My wife and I have our lifestyle visit starting his week. We noticed most houses have only a 2-car garage. We have several cars, including a corvette, SUV, truck, and commuter sedan. We use them all. So how do we move to TV and not have to buy a 5-car garage (I don't think those even exist)? Did everyone downsize all of their cars, too, in order to move into TV? Or are there some alternatives to reasonably priced storage or extra parking areas? Any good suggestions are appreciated.

One car is all you need most things and activities are golf cart accessible cars only for trips or local errands

[Runway48]

Originally Posted by LeRoySmith

I hope not, when did the shine wear off for you and do you have plans to go back to your old life?

I wonder what the rate of people rethinking their decision is and how many stay versus going back home. My wife and I have discussed that possibility and we don't think we'd go back. If we changed our mind I think we would likely go on a different adventure.

We are also considering moving to TV full time and wonder about the decision. We have also looked at some areas in TN. There they say they see a lot of couples who are looking to leave FL and head more north. They call them Half-Backs. I know we would not move back to LI. It's high on conveniences and medical but ridiculously high on traffic and property taxes.

[JerryLBell]

Went from two cars to one car and one golf cart. In seven years, we've felt a little limited by the lack of a second car perhaps once or twice. Make friends and get to know your neighbors and you can generally give a ride or ask for a ride on such an occasion with no problems.

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by Runway48

We are also considering moving to TV full time and wonder about the decision. We have also looked at some areas in TN. There they say they see a lot of couples who are looking to leave FL and head more north. They call them Half-Backs. I know we would not move back to LI. It's high on conveniences and medical but ridiculously high on traffic and property taxes.

I can tell you from first hand experience that the cost of living and home ownership in East Tennessee is ridiculously low compared to Dallas or The Villages. Annual utilities and property taxes combined on a $400,000 house is less than $4,000.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by LeRoySmith

I can tell you from first hand experience that the cost of living and home ownership in East Tennessee is ridiculously low compared to Dallas or The Villages. Annual utilities and property taxes combined on a $400,000 house is less than $4,000.

Where exactly is that? For a 400K valuation anywhere, 4K for utilities/property taxes all inclusive) seems like the home is a custom or the area is short on services (Police, Fire, DPW, Schools etc) In New England, a seasonal RV site (May to Oct) is around 4K.....

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

Where exactly is that? For a 400K valuation anywhere, 4K for utilities/property taxes all inclusive) seems like the home is a custom or the area is short on services (Police, Fire, DPW, Schools etc) In New England, a seasonal RV site (May to Oct) is around 4K.....

It's real, check just outside town near Maryville TN. Utilities are rarely over $120 a month for water, sewer, trash. electric combined (all electric house). $1200 a year for property tax. Schools are pretty good, roads are good county services are ok, very conservative government.

The most sophisticated thing is the local college performing arts center. There is a fairly low ratio of toof to person...

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by LeRoySmith

I hope not, when did the shine wear off for you and do you have plans to go back to your old life?

I wonder what the rate of people rethinking their decision is and how many stay versus going back home. My wife and I have discussed that possibility and we don't think we'd go back. If we changed our mind I think we would likely go on a different adventure.

About 7 years for me. Problem for me I can’t buy back what I had due inflated housing market right now.