[Cheryl Barrios]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The utility bill information you listed is public information. Go to "districtgov.org" and click on Utility Bill Information. You can search by address and see the actual utility bills for any house in your neighborhood, or anywhere else in The Villages. That should give you a very good estimate of what you can expect to pay.

I just went there and checked the home I am moving into next month. What all does the bill cover - I couldn't quite figure that out. Is it electricity, water, and gas?Thank you in advance for the information and help.

[Bilyclub]

There will be a one time mail box fee on your first amenity fee bill. It was $190, but may have gone up.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Cheryl Barrios

I just went there and checked the home I am moving into next month. What all does the bill cover - I couldn't quite figure that out. Is it electricity, water, and gas?Thank you in advance for the information and help.

You get a bill from the District that includes your amenity fee, potable water, irrigation water, sewer, and trash pickup. If you do the search correctly (you need to click on view current bill), you should be able to access and view the entire bill showing the cost breakdowns and water usage. Typically, the total bill will run about $225 to $250 per month. The electric bill will come from a separate company. I don't think you can access electric bills without an account number.

[Bilyclub]

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[Coley]

Originally Posted by CTKID

Property Taxes - Home
Property Taxes - Auto / Other
Insurance - Home
Insurance - Sink Hole
Insurance - Auto / Other

What other categories do you folks have in your monthly budget?

Thanks

Don't forget the maintenance yearly charge (about $600.00). It is on your yearly tax bill along with the bond fee(unless the bond has been paid off. The maintenance fee is charged yearly. It has nothing to do with the amenity fee.

[Coley]

Yearly maintenance fee---$600.00 (which is separate from the amenity fee)

[dkaufnelson]

The Master gardeners clinics are offered free by University of Florida cooperative extension and they have one on setting your irrigation sprinklers correctly. I strongly recommend you either attend one live or go online and read as it can make a huge difference in the health of your lawn and your water bill. Too many people water their lawn too often resulting in shallow roots that won't withstand extreme temperatures very well. Best to water only twice weekly to a depth of one half to three quarters inch. Rotary sprinklers that are usually on your lawns require almost twice as much time as pop-up sprinklers to achieve 1/2-in of water. You can set out tuna cans or pet food cans by sprinklers to measure how long it takes to accumulate one half inch then set your sprinkler timers for each zone accordingly. Also want to make sure that your water sensor is working so your sprinklers won't go on unnecessarily if your lawn has already been wet by rainfall. Water bills can be high here if you don't set your sprinklers correctly. Also recommend going to as many of the Master Gardener clinics that are offered free. They will help you with all your landscaping flower bush and lawn questions or problems. Good luck. You will love the villages if you enjoy an active lifestyle.

[mikemalloy]

Originally Posted by CTKID

Property Taxes - Home
Property Taxes - Auto / Other
Insurance - Home
Insurance - Sink Hole
Insurance - Auto / Other

What other categories do you folks have in your monthly budget?

Thanks

Most Villagers have a golf cart or two. We have ours insured on a separate policy.

[yankygrl]

There is no gas south of LSL to 44, your amenity will be $160 or more and comes with water bill.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by Coley

Yearly maintenance fee---$600.00 (which is separate from the amenity fee)

Yearly maintenance is on your tax statement along with property taxes, bond, and school. That amount varies by district, mine was $450 for a CYV in district 8, and has been all ten years.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by yankygrl

There is no gas south of LSL to 44, your amenity will be $160 or more and comes with water bill.

I believe TECO quit installing gas lines in 2007, from I've read over the years, gas extends south to the Villages of Bonita, Largo and Duval which was new in 2007.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by Coley

Yearly maintenance fee---$600.00 (which is separate from the amenity fee)

Which is on the property tax bill and is location dependent on how much.

[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by RedFoxRick

Any sage advice? My wife and I are moving to TV in the next few months. I think I understand most all of the taxes and fees (it certainly is complicated). The only thing I did not budget for is Water, Irrigation and Sewer and Trash - Can someone ballpark what I should expect monthly? We are happy to be buying a home in Dunedin - It puts us in the center of things, but also keeps us North of the high tax, high bond Rt 44 "border"

#1...you will find the most expensive thing in TV is dental care. Very few quality dentists take insurance, so have most of your expensive dental work done before your leave (especially if you have dental insurance) like crowns, bridges, root canals, implants, and even fillings.

If you are moving into Dunedin, you are probably buying a resale, so check with the owner for those expenses.

#2 Water for irrigation is the most expensive item depending on your yard size and type of grass (and how green you want things in the summer). The other things are covered in the other responses.

[Almanurse1]

Great post, thanks!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Dilligas

#1...you will find the most expensive thing in TV is dental care. Very few quality dentists take insurance, so have most of your expensive dental work done before your leave (especially if you have dental insurance) like crowns, bridges, root canals, implants, and even fillings.

If you are moving into Dunedin, you are probably buying a resale, so check with the owner for those expenses.

#2 Water for irrigation is the most expensive item depending on your yard size and type of grass (and how green you want things in the summer). The other things are covered in the other responses.

#1 - Find a dentist outside of The Villages. You will save thousands on dental care.
#2 - Many people use way too much irrigation water. Most people can probably cut the amount they use in half and not notice any difference in their lawn.