[sbarron01]

Husband retiring in 7 yrs., mortgage paid off next yr., have a Feb. trip to check out TV. But already decided it's a "go" for me! (spent the past yr researching retirement communities). We're do-ers and TV has plenty to do. Question: How many yrs before retiring did you buy a house in TV? Or did you wait til retirement? And, while I know you're all a very helpful group of people(!), can you recommend any consultants who offer Q&A services to people relocating from outside the FLA area? It's my personality to want to ask the money/personal/tough questions to someone being paid to answer me. Is this something you think a Certified Financial Planner in FLA who knows TV might best be suited? ie: No kids so do we do a reverse mortgage down the road?, can this be done in TV? villa, condo or detached house? cash sale vs. mortgage, etc...

I'm so tired of my job and imagining a life in TV is the only thing keeping me going right now. : )

[Moderator]

bump for the OP. This new thread got stuck in moderation status for a couple of hours so has not been seen.

Moderator

[Villager Joyce]

Bought in August. Spent thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in TV. Moved the cat (that makes it official) in April.

[Trayderjoe]

We purchased about 8 years out from retirement. We found a newly built house we liked in a very good location at a great price and decided to go for it with no regrets. It really comes down to personal choice and your financial structure as there are pros and cons either way. Buying a house in the Villages is much different then buying land for building your retirement home at some point in the distant future. Your neighbors will change over time, and I think the main difference would be if you bought and moved into a brand new neighborhood with everyone else. My understanding is that it could be easier to establish friendships that way. There is plenty to do with all of the clubs in The Villages that you could potentially join, and as long as you are not totally introverted, you will be able to make friends easily. Good luck with your decision!

[jbdlfan]

Bought when we were 45 and 49. Not retiring for at least ten more years and we have several friends that have done the same. We are probably on the low side.

[Carla B]

In response to your question about finances and the suitability of reverse mortgages, etc. , there are numerous "advisors" around The Villages that bombard you with offers of free lunches in order to manage your investments, but financial planners are scarce. I really can't come up with the name of one. Maybe a tax consultant living in The Villages could answer your questions. There is a poster here, Jane_ _ _?, whose husband is a practicing CPA and they themselves relocated from out of state. I bet he would have some good answers. I can find his contact info if you would like.

[CWGUY]

Bought when we were 49 and 54. That was 10 years AFTER retiring. We were way too young to live here at retirement age. 50 and 55 when we sold other house and moved here.... never looked back.

[2newyorkers]

We bought 4 years prior to retiring. We came down to visit our TV home almost every vacation. Slowly furnished and decorated the house. We have wonderful neighbors who always kept an eye on our home.

[villagetinker]

I was retired for 2 years, wife still working when we bought a lot and built. We moved down 2 DAYS after she retired, with the cat, so as a previous poster noted, that made it official. As for advisors, we use Ameriprise, but have not used to office in the villages area. I am still using my advisor from up North. He flies down 2 or 3 times a year for a face to face. He has several clients now is this area. This company has done very well for us.

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by sbarron01

Husband retiring in 7 yrs., mortgage paid off next yr., have a Feb. trip to check out TV. But already decided it's a "go" for me! (spent the past yr researching retirement communities). We're do-ers and TV has plenty to do. Question: How many yrs before retiring did you buy a house in TV? Or did you wait til retirement? And, while I know you're all a very helpful group of people(!), can you recommend any consultants who offer Q&A services to people relocating from outside the FLA area? It's my personality to want to ask the money/personal/tough questions to someone being paid to answer me. Is this something you think a Certified Financial Planner in FLA who knows TV might best be suited? ie: No kids so do we do a reverse mortgage down the road?, can this be done in TV? villa, condo or detached house? cash sale vs. mortgage, etc...

I'm so tired of my job and imagining a life in TV is the only thing keeping me going right now. : )

Don't bother to ask a certified financial planner outside of The Villages....this place is totally unique in FL and the nation. You would not believe how many people in other FL cities and other states think this is just one big nursing home, or that it's just another condo complex with crappy HOA like the ones they have in other cemetery-like retirement places in FL.

We bought here in our late forties and are still working. I have total confidence in saying this:

Just buy a nice, affordable villa (either patio or courtyard) for about $190,000, now. It's perfect for either seasonal or full-time living, and extremely easy to sell when you finally do retire, if you want a different home here.

I don't think you can go wrong buying a place that oodles of buyers can afford to buy if you change your mind later on. And the taxes and utilities are cheaper, too, than a "forever home" (their dream home in designer price range here) like a lot of people agonize over for years and years before buying here. You could also rent it out for 3-4 months in winter for $3,000/mo., to pay for most of your expenses.

Live your life while you have it. Prices and mortgage rates are only going to go up, so you might as well buy a modest, sensible TV villa now. Over time, even if you don't like it here, you'll have put your money into building equity in a very marketable property.

[bandsdavis]

Minus 1, unfortunately. We knew we wanted to move here but with a depressed housing market, we decided to wait until we sold our house in VA.

[l2ridehd]

Bought in 2008, retired in 2012, wife retired in 2016 and we made TV our full time home. I was able to spend a lot of time here from 2012 to 2016, but still had roots back in VA.

[alemorkam]

Bought at 49 and 52. 62 retired 8 years later, 49 still working. 52 is now 65.

[cms36]

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

Don't bother to ask a certified financial planner outside of The Villages....this place is totally unique in FL and the nation. You would not believe how many people in other FL cities and other states think this is just one big nursing home, or that it's just another condo complex with crappy HOA like the ones they have in other cemetery-like retirement places in FL.

We bought here in our late forties and are still working. I have total confidence in saying this:

Just buy a nice, affordable villa (either patio or courtyard) for about $190,000, now. It's perfect for either seasonal or full-time living, and extremely easy to sell when you finally do retire, if you want a different home here.

I don't think you can go wrong buying a place that oodles of buyers can afford to buy if you change your mind later on. And the taxes and utilities are cheaper, too, than a "forever home" (their dream home in designer price range here) like a lot of people agonize over for years and years before buying here. You could also rent it out for 3-4 months in winter for $3,000/mo., to pay for most of your expenses.

Live your life while you have it. Prices and mortgage rates are only going to go up, so you might as well buy a modest, sensible TV villa now. Over time, even if you don't like it here, you'll have put your money into building equity in a very marketable property.

Like your advise

[Blessed2BNTV]

Bought in 2012 retired for the first time in 2014. Unfortunately the folks who bought my company decided to stop paying me so I took the company back.
We are still young...late 50's and able to work. We go back and forth and every time we come back home it's like we are going on vacation. I love this place!

Before retiring we put together a budget and saw we could retire comfortably here.

I love this place....did I say that already 😀