Originally Posted by psjordan (Post 2369342)

I lurk way more than I post, but I'm always a bit surprised at some (a lot) of the advice from folks "who have been around the block" TO folks "who have been around the block". I mean for the most part, most of us have several home purchases under our belts by the time we get to "TV phase" of life.

Everyone has their own versions of "due diligence" married with how they've made major decisions for themselves the past 50+ years. There's nothing wrong with making a long-drawn out 1+ year decision to buy a house here (doing lifestyle, renting, etc.), if that's how you've operated your entire life. There's also nothing wrong with a quick due diligence phase followed by looking at homes and neighborhoods followed by making an offer on a home - all within 30-45 days or so - if that's how you've operated your entire life. You know what factors you recognize as leading to "the right decision" for you.

You know whether you've made successful decisions in life using one approach or the other. Stick with your instincts you used buying any other house in your life. Location was likely important in any housing situation, it might be more "in focus" here due to the variations in neighborhoods and proximity of infrastructure, but that info is covered in spades all over this forum. Visiting here helps immensely with that part of the decision.

As for the "am I missing something" question, well IMO not more so than anywhere else. Sometimes I think it boils down to whether the "warts" in life get to you - in other words, if you buy and find the Publix is farther away than you like (say just outside of comfortable golf cart range for you), will that bug you to no end or will you just shrug it off and take the car? If you find out what ends up being your favorite restaurant is 40 minutes away, will that cause you to constantly lament your decision to buy a home in the location you picked?

To me it sounds like you are following the decision path you've been successful with prior times in life, so I'd say carry on.

Ps, one thing I always mention to folks coming for rent or lifestyle - the golf carts provided can be "sub optimal" in terms of comfort, especially lifestyle visit. It is a WAY different experience going 45 minutes on one of those vs. 45 minutes on a new, plusher cart. So what might seem like a chore on your visit might end up being something you don't think twice about in a newer cart - if that's your plan.

Originally Posted by kbrkr (Post 2368995)

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2369545)

Good post. I liked the statement that, "some people find the sound of leaf blowers and lawn mowers to be oppressive". I am one of those people. I think that some of the professional grass cutters actually take off their mower's muffler. They can be loud (to me) even when cutting a lawn 1/2 of a block away. As to leaf blowers - I have NEVER needed to use one on my yard and I do my own mowing with a QUIET electric mower. I wish that the Community Service people would monitor excessively LOUD lawn mowing equipment.
--------Actually, if I had my perfect IDEAL community to live in - I would want one that encouraged STONE YARDS because that would cut down on the LOUD noise while at the same time eliminating lawn cutting costs and with fewer people WATERING their lawns - the cost of water SHOULD go down, instead of as it is - oppressively high cost.

Originally Posted by RICH1 (Post 2369425)

High Bonds, High Taxes and High Homeowners Insurance , what's the question again ?

Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2369562)

As I suggested on another thread ABOUT leaf blowers, get yourself a pair of noise cancelling headphones.