[I'm Popeye!]

Originally Posted by jebartle

I must ADVISE, every night every wild critter known to mankind has pooped in your yard and the kicker, they don't have anyone picking up after them. I always wondered what our dog Moses thought about me following him around and when that very special moment arrived, I would grab the PRIZE, yipsters!!!!!

Looks like those large pooping night critters are attracted to your yard because they don't visit me at all..

[Shansonmarx]

We are closing on our first house in The Villages and ultimately decided on TV because the amenity fees were quite lower than other 55+ communities in central Florida, with the average cost being between 200. To 300./mo, offering far less clubs and activities. Look around and you will see.

[Cobullymom]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I would support a turtle park.

Villages already has them, but not for the public, turtles only...

[La lamy]

I kinda feel the same way as OP because all I use is the outdoor pickleball courts which are free up north. I feel I subsidize the golfers, but I do enjoy the flower beds. Still no regret to have chosen this retirement heaven.

[John Mayes]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

you mean i'm paying for dog parks and i don't own a dog? Well, hot damn. I want my money back!

lol!!!

[hosegooseman]

Originally Posted by CosmicTrucker

New amenities fee $187.57 starting March 2023.

Honestly the only amenity I use on a regular basis are the local dog parks. Not using any of the other options is purely my choice at the moment.

Venting my frustration.

You can always move out. This is a retirement community not a dog park only community.

[me4vt]

Originally Posted by CosmicTrucker

New amenities fee $187.57 starting March 2023.

Honestly the only amenity I use on a regular basis are the local dog parks. Not using any of the other options is purely my choice at the moment.

Venting my frustration.

Put a fence in your backyard for your pups to play and enjoy the Villages!! I mean they’re your kids….

[me4vt]

Originally Posted by JohnN

I don't own a dog either and my turtle doesn't use the parks! Sure the amenity fee is getting high and I don't like that, but.....
my real estate taxes and state income taxes are way down compared to where I came from, so I'm OK with the local fees.
If really unhappy about it, I'd move on along down the road, but I don't know of anyplace better.

Outside The Villages bubble

[ithos]

Originally Posted by CosmicTrucker

New amenities fee $187.57 starting March 2023.

Honestly the only amenity I use on a regular basis are the local dog parks. Not using any of the other options is purely my choice at the moment.

Venting my frustration.

It is the wide array of amenities that is a major reason why The Villages is so popular. Without them then this place would just be another housing development and the value of you home would be significantly less. I also believe that without them there would be far few social activities that are significant part of the lifestyle here.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by CosmicTrucker

New amenities fee $187.57 starting March 2023.

Honestly the only amenity I use on a regular basis are the local dog parks. Not using any of the other options is purely my choice at the moment.

Venting my frustration.

I don’t have a golf cart, but I get pleasure in seeing carts zipping by on cart paths. I don’t golf, but driving for miles alongside green golf courses gives me pleasure. I don’t go to listen to music and dance at the town square, but I’m glad that those who enjoy those things get to do that. I don’t pick the flowers at intersections and roundabouts, but I take pleasure in them. I’m sincerely glad that if we get a foot of rain here—and it happens!—our carefully-designed drainage system will keep water out of my house. I live in a state with a high rate of violent crime and property crime, but I live in a place with virtually no crime except for DUI and spouse abuse and shoplifting. That’s what my amenity fee and the (relatively, in comparison to outside The Villages) high cost of housing gets me. I’ve spent most of my life in rural areas where nearly everyone more or less shares my culture and values. The Villages isn’t rural, but despite political differences, nearly all of us share that culture and those values. That is NOT the case in large parts of Florida. I realize I could buy a similar house in Ocala or Wildwood or Orlando for half the price and not pay any amenities fees. I pay for what I get here because I like it and wouldn’t be happy living in an area very different from what I’m used to.

I pay for house insurance and car insurance, but I haven’t made a claim in twenty years. I can SEE and experience what I’m getting for my amenities fees. Just as Freedom has a cost we have to pay, and the privilege of living in America has a price we have to pay, so does living in The Villages, but living here is a choice, not a requirement.

May I politely suggest, original poster, that if this doesn’t make sense to you, you might as well save yourself a lot of money and move to a place without these fees.

[Topgun 1776]

Sell...make a profit. Move. Problem solved.

[jimbomaybe]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Wait people, you haven't seen anything yet when it comes to expenses in all segments of everyday living.
The $1.00 dollar bill has already been replaced by the $5.00 bill.
All our personal spending habits will have to be altered in 2023.

Remember when a silver coin had silver in it ? a silver dime , 80% silver ,is now worth $1.50 melt price . Inflation has been just about where it is needed for for some time recent developments have changed that, the question now is how long will the latest inflationary pressures continue and to what extent?

[xcaligirl]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

You mean I'm paying for dog parks and I don't own a dog? Well, hot damn. I want my money back!

I don't use any of the amenities... oh wait, I love the flowers around here, I love the fact that there are places to go in the golf cart and my husband loves pkaying pickle ball and golfing, I love the scenery. We paid "dues" at previous developments prior to living here and it was for the streets and street lights and front gate, one tennis court and a pool.....$300 a month, I enjoy living here even though I don't everything offered, I know it's there if I want to join in.

[roadrnnr]

I thought the fee was already $189

[chrissy2231]

Originally Posted by CosmicTrucker

New amenities fee $187.57 starting March 2023.

Honestly the only amenity I use on a regular basis are the local dog parks. Not using any of the other options is purely my choice at the moment.

Venting my frustration.

Sadly, no one empathized w/your frustration. All criticized you. Since 2016 my amenity fee only increased from $139 to $173; quite the bargain. Here's a plus. Most residents only talk about their health issues for 10 minutes when w/someone; then on to fun topics. Find gratitude & inner peace.