[redwitch]

My income is pretty low but I can still afford to live in TV and enjoy what it offers. Granted, I can't go out for dinner every night and evenings for a special event have to be planned for in advance, but I can play bridge 5 Xs a week ($2/session), go to Urban Flats weekly to play trivia; play at the pool and squares when I want; go out to dinner once a week with my friends; play games at home.

I feel for arabian, but there is no way I would be willing to work 3 jobs to live anywhere. If I had to work 3 jobs and my husband 2, it would be because I was trying to survive, not live a lifestyle I couldn't afford. Either things need to be re-budgeted or there is something very skewed in their lifestyles.

[BowleesCreekYachtClub]

My wife and I have no debt whatsoever and live here comfortably on $40,000 per year which includes golf and an annual cruise. We have no debt whatsoever and do not work.

I can't know whether I should have sympathy for someone who can not afford to live here unless I know their income and something about their lifestyle - with 5 jobs when are you going to find time to play golf anyway?

[The Shadow]

I will tell you what, if she pays $55/mo for garbage pickup, I will joint the circus.

[VillagesFlorida]

How can we put a price on "Lifestyle"? When my husband and I decided to live in The Villages over 12 years ago we bought a "lifestyle" along with our home. We could have spent less and had a nice home in any nearby retirement community. Those places are a dime a dozen in Florida. Let's face it, we can't buy a "loaded" car for the price of a stripped-down model. We didn't pay an amenity fee when we lived up north. That is about the only extra cost we have, living here. Our energy costs don't come close to what we spent up there. We didn't have a $50,000 Homestead Exemption there, so our real estate taxes were 3 times what we pay here. Our state imposed income taxes so there was another few thousand dollars going out every year. When we moved here we did so with a mortgage and only 1 pension to live on. It would be several years before Social Security would kick in. Our savings were off limits so we stuck to a rigid budget and went without a lot of stuff that you pay extra for. My husband DID work for two years, part-time, for extra money for championsip golf. We took full advantage of all of the free activities here, including many rides in our golf cart, just thoroughly enjoying the beauty all around us. There wasn't much money for shows or fancy restaurants. There WERE many evenings spent enjoying the sunsets from our lanai and listening to the plaintiff cries of the sandhill cranes high overhead. Did we bite off more than we could chew? Heck, no, we didn't! We wouldn't trade any of our years in The Villages for anything. This lifestyle is unlike anything else in the world. And, 12 1/2 years ago there wasn't one quarter what there is here now. The funny thing is that, now that we have more money to spend, we still enjoy the simpler pleasures that are all around us. We have found that we don't have to spend a lot to be very happy here. It seems that being happy all boils down to what happiness means to us and perhaps how many sacrifices some of us have to make to live here.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by VillagesFlorida

How can we put a price on "Lifestyle"? When my husband and I decided to live in The Villages over 12 years ago we bought a "lifestyle" along with our home. We could have spent less and had a nice home in any nearby retirement community. Those places are a dime a dozen in Florida. Let's face it, we can't buy a "loaded" car for the price of a stripped-down model. We didn't pay an amenity fee when we lived up north. That is about the only extra cost we have, living here. Our energy costs don't come close to what we spent up there. We didn't have a $50,000 Homestead Exemption there, so our real estate taxes were 3 times what we pay here. Our state imposed income taxes so there was another few thousand dollars going out every year. When we moved here we did so with a mortgage and only 1 pension to live on. It would be several years before Social Security would kick in. Our savings were off limits so we stuck to a rigid budget and went without a lot of stuff that you pay extra for. My husband DID work for two years, part-time, for extra money for championsip golf. We took full advantage of all of the free activities here, including many rides in our golf cart, just thoroughly enjoying the beauty all around us. There wasn't much money for shows or fancy restaurants. There WERE many evenings spent enjoying the sunsets from our lanai and listening to the plaintiff cries of the sandhill cranes high overhead. Did we bite off more than we could chew? Heck, no, we didn't! We wouldn't trade any of our years in The Villages for anything. This lifestyle is unlike anything else in the world. And, 12 1/2 years ago there wasn't one quarter what there is here now. The funny thing is that, now that we have more money to spend, we still enjoy the simpler pleasures that are all around us. We have found that we don't have to spend a lot to be very happy here. It seems that being happy all boils down to what happiness means to us and perhaps how many sacrifices some of us have to make to live here.

Well said!

Bill

[l2ridehd]

Couldn't agree more VillagesFlorida. Very well said indeed.

[schotzyb]

Originally Posted by VillagesFlorida

How can we put a price on "Lifestyle"? When my husband and I decided to live in The Villages over 12 years ago we bought a "lifestyle" along with our home. We could have spent less and had a nice home in any nearby retirement community. Those places are a dime a dozen in Florida. Let's face it, we can't buy a "loaded" car for the price of a stripped-down model. We didn't pay an amenity fee when we lived up north. That is about the only extra cost we have, living here. Our energy costs don't come close to what we spent up there. We didn't have a $50,000 Homestead Exemption there, so our real estate taxes were 3 times what we pay here. Our state imposed income taxes so there was another few thousand dollars going out every year. When we moved here we did so with a mortgage and only 1 pension to live on. It would be several years before Social Security would kick in. Our savings were off limits so we stuck to a rigid budget and went without a lot of stuff that you pay extra for. My husband DID work for two years, part-time, for extra money for championsip golf. We took full advantage of all of the free activities here, including many rides in our golf cart, just thoroughly enjoying the beauty all around us. There wasn't much money for shows or fancy restaurants. There WERE many evenings spent enjoying the sunsets from our lanai and listening to the plaintiff cries of the sandhill cranes high overhead. Did we bite off more than we could chew? Heck, no, we didn't! We wouldn't trade any of our years in The Villages for anything. This lifestyle is unlike anything else in the world. And, 12 1/2 years ago there wasn't one quarter what there is here now. The funny thing is that, now that we have more money to spend, we still enjoy the simpler pleasures that are all around us. We have found that we don't have to spend a lot to be very happy here. It seems that being happy all boils down to what happiness means to us and perhaps how many sacrifices some of us have to make to live here.

What a great no nonsense post! Thank You!

[waynet]

Thank You Schotzyb, you make great sense.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by arabianhorse59

I have lived here now for close to 2 years. I am a full time resident and moved here because my husband is a golf addict! I can honestly say that this is the most expensive place I have ever lived in my life and I came here from Illinois, the over tax em state. I realize alot of you sold property and moved down here with no mortgages on your backs but, we couldn't do that. We have a mortgage here but, I am talking about the over the top fees for everything. The monthly fee for golf is $150, trail fees, mandatory garbage fees at $55 a month (whether you have garbage picked up or not! If you own property, you pay it!), the internet for $96 a year, Progress Energy, which is the most $$ utility company I have ever had to deal with...on and on. I am young enough that I am able to work (I am 51) and I have to hold down 3 jobs to keep food on the table here.
Before people buy here, they need to research the fees. If I would have known that this place was so costly, I never would have moved here!

Hi ArabianHorse,
I do think some of your figures are off a bit. Nonetheless, I am saddened for anyone who does not like his/her circumstances.

If you don't really take advantage of the lifestyle in TV, I wonder if you might prefer living somewhere else. If you need to keep the jobs you have, there probably is reasonably priced farmland nearby, where you could also keep your horse, or just reasonably priced homes nearby, since you have free boarding for your horse.

Are there other reasons you do not like living here? It seems a shame to work so hard to live here, and then be disappointed and dissatisfied.

I wish you happier times!

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by carol_piirto

I love how most everyone has expressed their empathy and come up with suggestions. To me, that care is typical of The Villages. We all could use a few hints on pinching pennies. Be well.
This is my first post/just joined

Hi Carol,
This is a fabulous community-- TV and TOTV. So glad you joined us and hope to hear from you lots more!

[dennis11003]

I've been a member for several years but seldom post. I do log on several times a week to read posts that interest me. My wife and I are probably 5-7 years from retirement and live in Wisconsin (currently 10 degrees going down to -3 tonight).

This is the type of post that really interests me and I appreciate everyone's input. When we retire, I don't know if The Villages will be for us or not. I've driven through several of the communities and have walked around several areas. My sister lives close by so we have the opportunity to "look around" when we visit her. Eventually, we will pay for a vist to the Villages and hope to experience everything that is offered.

Until then, I will lurk and read and take in everything I can. I want to be certain that when we retire, we can afford the cost and not have to work. Until we can afford it, we won't retire! Someone said to track your expenses for 2-3 years prior to retirement and estimate accurately what they might be when and where you retire. I won't retire if I have to work 2 or 3 jobs - that's not retirement!

I enjoy this forum because there are a lot of smart people giving practical, valuable advice. Thanks for allowing me to read your forums and the opportunity to post.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by dennis11003

I've been a member for several years but seldom post. I do log on several times a week to read posts that interest me. My wife and I are probably 5-7 years from retirement and live in Wisconsin (currently 10 degrees going down to -3 tonight).

This is the type of post that really interests me and I appreciate everyone's input. When we retire, I don't know if The Villages will be for us or not. I've driven through several of the communities and have walked around several areas. My sister lives close by so we have the opportunity to "look around" when we visit her. Eventually, we will pay for a vist to the Villages and hope to experience everything that is offered.

Until then, I will lurk and read and take in everything I can. I want to be certain that when we retire, we can afford the cost and not have to work. Until we can afford it, we won't retire! Someone said to track your expenses for 2-3 years prior to retirement and estimate accurately what they might be when and where you retire. I won't retire if I have to work 2 or 3 jobs - that's not retirement!

I enjoy this forum because there are a lot of smart people giving practical, valuable advice. Thanks for allowing me to read your forums and the opportunity to post.

Hi Dennis. I like what you said. I think you are pretty darn smart too. You are making good use of this forum. Thanks for your input.

[tghoul]

Golf here is inexpensive. I was paying $500 per month in North Carolina.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Freeda

Personally, I would not be working 3 jobs to enable my husband to spend $150 per month on golf fees.

Freeda,

[jebartle]

Originally Posted by tghoul

Golf here is inexpensive. I was paying $500 per month in North Carolina.

and some months more than THAT!...Cart fees $20, and as stock holding members, dues continued thru the unplayable months.....The Villages golf is a piece of cake....Where else can you play golf for free, granted it is an executive course, but some of our execs. are very challenging to say the least...North Carolina has some beautiful courses but the Villages does also...And worth every penny.