[sarahsuper]

Originally Posted by sunluvr

My husband and I want to start renting in The Villages for half the year. We’re not ready to sell our home in Oregon yet. Not wanting to drive 1,000s of miles whenever we want to come to Florida, we’d like to ask Snowbird renters who live far from The Villages how they handle needing a car for half the year in The Villages. Car rental? Buy a car and store it somewhere near The Villages? Or? We’d appreciate advice? Thank you.

We had our car shipped. Was way, less expensive then renting. We used "Ship Your Car Now" 1-888-532-8805 david.wood@shipyourcarnow.com. We had our car picked up a couple days before we flew to our destination and it was there at a predetermined place when we got there. Same arrangement when it was time to go home.
Sarah Super-Moses

[Janhug123]

Tim, I shall put you in my contacts…

[sunluvr]

Originally Posted by jsapen@mindspring.com

I own a home that I rent out a few months out of the year and use it a few months ourselves. We bought a 2008 car for <$10k, probably find something less expensive if you're not picky. I am going to store the car for the months when we have renters in our house for $50 +/- a month proably at the place near Walmart on 466... it has good reviews.

Could you please tell me the name of storage place for car @ $50 +/-/mo?

[Retiring]

Buy a car in FL. When it’s time to store it, park at the Doubletree MCO for $70/month. I’ve kept two cars there for the last 6 months. I visit the construction process monthly for 2-3 days and parking at the Doubletree has worked out well. Although, I had to pay $140/mon. for 2 cars.

Soon I close on the house in SC and will be able to keep both cars in my garage.

[dlsd58]

We finally bought a used car and a trickle charger - it works great - I find I love the golf cart but don't tend to go long distances in it due to time restrictions for me

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by RoadToad

Carvana...
Buy a car; they deliver.
Sell a car, they pick it up.

And get taken to cleaners.

[lindaelane]

I own a house near a cul de sac but you could rent such a house. When I left for 3 months, I left my car in the cul de sac and a kind neighbor drove it around once in a while. Lots of people park cars in cul de sacs, it is allowed in The Villages. I know the finish of the car might do better if not outside all the time, but with modern finishes, there is not a huge difference. My option was to use a storage place - outside storage was cheap but why not park free in the cul de sac. Inside storage existed, but that depends on your budget. Snowbirds probably have the budget to afford it, depending.

[butlerism]

Drive the golf cart.
Need a car, rent one.
That also will keep your license current.
Much cheaper than gas, insurance and accidents.

[charmed59]

What is your definition of cul de sac? The cul de sacs with plantings in the center would make terrible places to leave a parked car. The trash trucks and delivery vehicles barely make it around those with no cars parked in them. Someone could easily side swipe your vehicle.

Are you talking about the dead end streets in Villa neighborhoods? I thought those were used for visitors.

You might ask a snowbird friend who owns here if you could leave your car in their driveway while you are both gone.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by lindaelane

I own a house near a cul de sac but you could rent such a house. When I left for 3 months, I left my car in the cul de sac and a kind neighbor drove it around once in a while. Lots of people park cars in cul de sacs, it is allowed in The Villages. I know the finish of the car might do better if not outside all the time, but with modern finishes, there is not a huge difference. My option was to use a storage place - outside storage was cheap but why not park free in the cul de sac. Inside storage existed, but that depends on your budget. Snowbirds probably have the budget to afford it, depending.

I would bet that the homeowners on the cul de sac loved looking at your car for 3 months parked in front of their homes.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by butlerism

Drive the golf cart.
Need a car, rent one.
That also will keep your license current.
Much cheaper than gas, insurance and accidents.

Don't forget TAXES and service work.

[Laker14]

I live in NY State...about 18 or 19 hours of drive time to TV. If I take I-95 I have to deal with the DC traffic, if I take I-81I have to deal with Charlotte...either one of those is a crapshoot. I usually drive, but have also done the fly and transport the car route.

From NY State it cost me just under $1,000 to transport my Highlander to TV, and about $500 to fly us both non-stop to Sanford, then another $100 or so for the ride from Sanford. Not the cheapest, but it was easy. I suspect those numbers are cheaper than what it will cost next Autumn when we have to make the decision.

From NY State it's not too bad to drive...not fun but not hell either...two long days, or 3 easy days...From Oregon? Man, that's a long way...not sure what I'd do...

OP, I think you have your options...now, as the saying goes, "you pays your money and you takes your choice"....Good Luck.

[Laker14]

One thing about transporting the car, and this is just one way of looking at it...while it costs a bit, it does save a bit of mileage on the car, and as my Highlander ages, I may be less inclined to feel the need to replace it if I'm not compelled to drive it 1200 miles on a snowbird migration, each way. In the long run, not buying a new car for an extra 5 years or so would probably more than pay for the expense of having it transported and flying.