Do you stay up at night thinking about this?

IIRC, it was Cher in her "Behind The Music" episode that said, "I've been rich. I've been poor. Rich is better."

A northern lake home next to ours rents their 4-bedroom house for $8,000 per WEEK w/o a boat ($1,500 additional rental fee from the marina)! Renting a home in the Villages for two months is about that rate and is an inexpensive way to go even though it's not an apples to apples comparison.

""Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn't got time for the waiting game""
NKC.

When you say you were "Renting:" do you mean an AirBnB? We are considering coming North for 2-3 months but are seeking a way to do so since we will not still own our Up North home. Thanks!

Yep, and that’s just one of our many many problems here. We are working on getting out of here as soon as possible. We’ll be leaving our 3 adult kids and only grandbaby behind, but that’s their choice to live here. It’s no longer ours.

"Money doesn't by happiness, but it affords you a higher quality of misery..."

"Money doesn't buy happiness, but it'll buy a Cadillac, so you can drive around looking for it..."


-My late Father-in-Law

RV alternative
 

We’ve stayed in our RV in a RI campground during the summer. That has been economical.

Not AirBnB.
We rented a house.
Used this site, but there are others.

VH4R Home Rentals in The Villages Florida The Villages Rentals

SB
 

I don’t know if they really need more money, the ones near me go from house to house trying borrow everything thing from lawnmower to pots and pans!

Yes every individual would have to take into account mortgage costs if needed, but investing into a home usually always ends up being a wise choice, especially in a well desired location. I know for me it's definitely less expensive to own than rent for 6 months, even with expected repairs taken into account.

:agree:

"Money. You can't take it with you but you can't go very far without it."

"The more $hit you got, the more $hit you gotta worry about"

-My buddy's long late granddad.

I agree. Also, finding a rental every year is a hassle. Many rentals are owned by folks who ultimately plan on retiring and using their home for themselves. When that happens you are back to finding another place. Choice of area becomes tougher.

I had planned on just renting. There is the convenience of handing over the keys and not worrying about anything all summer long. But as my desire to stay in TV stretched from 3 months to eventually 7+, it made sense to buy.

The extra hassle of ownership is more than outweighed by the convenience of having my own furniture, (a good bed!), my own pots, pans, cutlery, and two golf carts ready and waiting for me.
It's a good life. I worked a few extra years so I could afford it. I'm glad I did.
As far as I'm concerned, the fact that the real estate will likely appreciate is gravy, and WTH, maybe as good an investment, or better, than CDs or bonds, or equities. Probably not a bad way to diversify.

Why so bitter? You do not know everyone's circumstances.

We'll be snowbrids soon. We bought a home in TV last March. Just downsized here in SW Indiana to get prepared for retirement. Our plan is to keep both homes for about 4 or 5 years until the grandkids get a bit older. My wife isn't ready to leave them yet. Plus we do love it here 7 months out of the year. lol.
Eventually we'll end up in TV full time. We planned for this, but we don't want 2 homes forever.

Everyones plan is different. It really isn't about wealth, but investing well and saving for retirement. Also not buying more house than you can afford is key. We're not rich by any means, but god willing we stay healthy and can live full and active life.