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wwdgd:

It is a very difficult decision and one my wife and I had approached back in 1999 by visiting prospective retirement communities. We moved here in 2006

I am sure you considered cost of living, weather taxes lifestyle , living loved ones behind etc.

After our long search we loved Charleston South Carolina best.. the lifestyle , homes etc. However it has a higher cost of living in every aspect.

We nixed Florida because it in many areas communities do not develop well that is until we visited The Villages. Its not perfect and winters while not long can be cold. In our view it is an oasis in Central Florida, catastrophic weather is rare and taxes are lower.

finally before deciding don't restrict your thinking to now project out scenarios 5 10-15-20 years out . We did that when deciding what house to buy and what we wanted to spend etc . You also need to consider what affect your decisions may have on your offspring, etc

We have friends who have reached that stage in their lives where their focus is on assisted living needs. they do not want to bother the kids about liquidating and so sell everything and move to nearby communities
Indeed a sensible and loving thing to do


Personal Best Regards:

[cuzg8tor]

The wife and I live the best of both worlds - we live in The Villages during the winter months and in Conneste Falls, Brevard , NC (30 miles south of Ashville at 3200 feet elevation) during the summer. We love both communities equally - apparently so do other Villagers who have recently bought summer mountain homes in Connestee. In fact we just bought another home there this month. We are renovating it and it will be available for purchase in a couple of months if interested. Again, for us it works best to have a foot in the Villages with all its social life and the other foot in the mountains with its natural beauty and nature. Check out Connestee Falls community in Brevard, NC.

[njbchbum]

Where do you not find heat and humidity? My sister recently moved to Del Webb's in Bluffton, SC. They drive their golf carts, have their social clubs, play their golf, drink and dine locally and can easily avoid or enjoy a quick trip to Hilton Head Island for more golf than you can shake a club at, lots of shopping [outlets, too], and the whale/dolphin watching from the beaches is neat. The area may not have mountains but it does have some of the most beautiful nature preserves with trails your wife could ever enjoy! And who would complain about being 30 mins from all that Savanah has to offer; and its major airport if you can't use the HHI airport for travel? Even that coastal area enjoys a change of seasons! Hubs and I are very happy to visit that area when we travel North after a wonderful winter in our Villages snowbird nest! [PS - It's where you can find many halfbacks living...you know...the folks who moved half way back home to be closer to the kids and grandkids! ]

[Chatbrat]

If you decide to buy in NC-do not buy anything in Fairfield Harbour--totally corrupt POA

[Carpe Diem]

Our favorite thing about the Villages is not the lifestyle, but the people we've met. Every day I meet someone new on a golf course, at a store, or at the Square. We bought a villa during the week of our first visit. One night we sat in the Sumter gazebo considering the plusses and minuses and making such a rash decision. We concluded, "These are the type of people we want to hang out with from here on out."

Also, being at the Villages is like being in college again.

Moving here in Aug 2018. Can't wait.

[Fraugoofy]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I consider everything north of the FL/GA state line to be part of "The Frozen Tundra".

One of the few things about The Villages that I would change is that I'd move is about 200 miles south so the winters aren't so severe.

The only frozen tundra I know is right in the heart of Green Bay: Lambeau Field!!

[wwdgd]

Thank you for all the replies. I can tell from the replies that everyone has a passion for the villages. I knew when I asked on this forum that the replies would reflect the thoughts of people that already chose to live here.