[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by TF Hutch

I need help in planing whether or not I could afford to live in TV.

Where do I start.
No debt, Self employed, current income pays for current Lifestyle = $100K+

Retirement income = Soc Sec plus 3% Safe Withdrawl Rate on savings
Expected retirement income ~ $50K/yr

Is TV affordable on $50-60K/yr?
Using TV cost of 1100/mo expense to own, without a mortgage?

Does anyone know of an appropriate retirement calculator?
Has anyone designed an Excel spreadsheet they are willing to share?

Thank you

TFHutch:

There is a basic cost of living icon on www.thevillages.com web site that you can estimate costs.

Another is to read the "Nuts and Bolts: section to see an exact breakdown of costs.

I would tend to think you can live comfortably on 50K a year in TV.

I hope this helps.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by TF Hutch

"living here in TV is no different than living any where else when it comes to expenses VS income."
Not very helpful.

"You will most certainly know your source(s) of income after you retire."
50-60K after retirement.

I am simply attempting to see if I CAN afford to live in The Villages. I have not yet retired. I expect to sell my current home for enough to pay for a TV property, no mortgage.

Hutch; With no debt and no mortgage you should be able to live a very comfortable and active lifestyle with a few extravigances on 50 - 60k. (assuming your health insurance and health maintenence costs are under control - always a variable to consider)

[TF Hutch]

Three replies say it should be doable on 50-60K retirement income with no mortgage.

This is encouragement enough to consider a visit to TV.
We will be snow-birding in Okeechobee this winter. Can arrangements for a Lifestyle Visit be made during peak season? It appears that LSV rates posted on line terminate 12/31.

Thank you for your assistance. I will be moving to "Nuts & Bolts" for further 'due diligence' as suggested.

[TF Hutch]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

TFHutch:

There is a basic cost of living icon on www.thevillages.com web site that you can estimate costs.
Did that, estimate $1100/month housing cost.
Another is to read the "Nuts and Bolts: section to see an exact breakdown of costs.

I would tend to think you can live comfortably on 50K a year in TV.

I hope this helps.

Yes it does Thank You,

[DAnder2829]

Vinny----Well said. We, too, live in NJ (North Edison). Our current expenses run about $5,000 a month. Anything is better than NJ's cost of living!!!

Dawne and Jim

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by TF Hutch

Three replies say it should be doable on 50-60K retirement income with no mortgage.

This is encouragement enough to consider a visit to TV.
We will be snow-birding in Okeechobee this winter. Can arrangements for a Lifestyle Visit be made during peak season? It appears that LSV rates posted on line terminate 12/31.

Thank you for your assistance. I will be moving to "Nuts & Bolts" for further 'due diligence' as suggested.

Lifestyle Preview prices go up in January, they are still offered - Call TV to see what dates are available.

[rubicon]

The OP IMHO was expressing her surprise concerning expenses she and her husband had not anticipated. In many places customers who recycle experience a credit for their efforts. However in TV you pay extra.

TV advertises "free golf for the rest of your life" but it really isn't free. If you only play the executive courses it will cost you $140+ in trail fees and $8 per month to access the computerized tee time scheduling system. Forget the telephone system it is labor intensive and frustrating with all the various prompts.. In prime season and depending on how often you play it will become more difficult to get tee times and not unusual to get bumped.
Many villagers mistakenly thought that the amenities fees cocered golf courses too.

If you want to play championship you will find that it cost more to play courses in TV then off campus and you are providing your own cart. If you buy priority whic I have every year since arriving you need to play 66 times just to break even. Is a golfer any less likely to get a tee time if he/she doesn't buy priority??? You do get a discount on fees and other items sold at the pro shop.

SECO is a coop. A coop serves the rural area well but is it the best business model for TV?????

Amenitiy fees are paid monthly. However if a resident doesn't use the pools, rec enters, etc then all that resident is doing is subsidizing other residents.
I have known a few people who moved out of TV and relocated nearby because of that fact and found that they still could use the town squares.

Some residents indicate that you can live in TV for $50,000 a year. If one lives 20 years then with no price increases, etc a resident will lay out $1,000,000 and that amount was based on the fact that a resident had no debt

It is good that residents post asking questions about value for their dollar in TV. It will help us all in getting utility for our dollar.

[bigalibaba]

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!

wow!

[aljetmet]

Originally Posted by rubicon

The OP IMHO was expressing her surprise concerning expenses she and her husband had not anticipated. In many places customers who recycle experience a credit for their efforts. However in TV you pay extra.

TV advertises "free golf for the rest of your life" but it really isn't free. If you only play the executive courses it will cost you $140+ in trail fees and $8 per month to access the computerized tee time scheduling system. Forget the telephone system it is labor intensive and frustrating with all the various prompts.. In prime season and depending on how often you play it will become more difficult to get tee times and not unusual to get bumped.
Many villagers mistakenly thought that the amenities fees cocered golf courses too.

If you want to play championship you will find that it cost more to play courses in TV then off campus and you are providing your own cart. If you buy priority whic I have every year since arriving you need to play 66 times just to break even. Is a golfer any less likely to get a tee time if he/she doesn't buy priority??? You do get a discount on fees and other items sold at the pro shop.

SECO is a coop. A coop serves the rural area well but is it the best business model for TV?????

Amenitiy fees are paid monthly. However if a resident doesn't use the pools, rec enters, etc then all that resident is doing is subsidizing other residents.
I have known a few people who moved out of TV and relocated nearby because of that fact and found that they still could use the town squares.

Some residents indicate that you can live in TV for $50,000 a year. If one lives 20 years then with no price increases, etc a resident will lay out $1,000,000 and that amount was based on the fact that a resident had no debt

It is good that residents post asking questions about value for their dollar in TV. It will help us all in getting utility for our dollar.

On a $50 K /yr budget and say half is SS it's at least tied to inflation albeit not retirement inflation but it definitly helps.

Lot's of people are conservatively budgetting a 3-4% take from their savings in retirment. It's a good way to start. But one can earn say 8%/yr.

I use Fidility retirement tool where it shows we have a 90% chance to meet our goals by the time my wife and me hit 92. ie we don't run out of money!This is based on almost the worst case scenario.

It also says that we have a 50% chance to have over 3 times what we started with including adjustments for inflation. ( if we just keep our withdraws adjusted for inflation)

My inlaws were conservative spenders during retirement and my wife and brother-in-law had a nice inheritance that we will probably leave to our grandchildren! Moral of the story, watch your investments, but also enjoy your blessed retirement!

[Villages PL]

I....... moved here because my husband is a golf addict! The monthly fee for golf is $150..........

The best thing would be to quit paying the $150....cold turkey! Possibly, he could start a club for those who also want to quit cold turkey. The club could be called "Golfers Anonymous." This would be for golfers who want to be more moderate and just play (the free courses) once a week? So they could get together and talk about how addicted they used to be. Then they could discuss other alternatives like billiards etc..

[hedoman]

Originally Posted by Army Guy

ok, I may get jumped on, but you all know me by now and know I will be open. This post just doesn't sit right with me, seems...fake, to try and discredit TV. Things in it, just don't fit.
JMHO!

Army Guy

Well I don't lknow anybody paying $150 for golf and some of the other numbers were off too. The responses have indicated the complete falicy of the OP.


Heck I only have to work 2 jobs.......LOL

[EdV]

Originally Posted by arabianhorse59

Thanks to all who listened to me vent!

The Amenities fee every month is what the $150 is.

She posted this 10 months ago. Enough already with suggestions about eliminating it.

[graciegirl]

Thank you Edvin. Always the voice of reason. How you doin?

[EdV]

"Rivit, Rivit"

[CMANN]

Originally Posted by EdVinMass

"Rivit, Rivit"

That's "ribit, ribit"