[VillagesFlorida]

Originally Posted by ladydoc

What size house do you have? Our bill was a little under $100, but we do have multiple TVs and computers...I was just wondering if that would account for our higher bill. We did not have the air or the heat on hardly at all this past month.

We have a 2BR, 2 BTH, small Florida room-courtyard villa. We also have two TVs on, but only during the evenings, 2 computers that are on, off and on all day and evening. We ARE careful not to waste hot water and we don't leave lights on if we don't need them for anything. Like yours, our AC unit barely ran all month. This bill DID include an almost $8 credit from Seco. Perhaps you cook more than I do!

[thistrucksforyou]

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!

This post pops up every now and then....I am suspicious of this post...sounds like someone with a grudge or other motives....

[graciegirl]

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!

Dear Arabian Horses,

This post is from the first of the year, so I bet by now you will have resolved the problem by getting rid of the guy who plays golf on the pricey courses while you work three jobs.

I also have to wonder where you moved from in Illinois to have the electric bills comparatively so high. I also would have suggested to you to wait until you have enough money saved so you don't have a mortgage, and I say this to you because at your age of 51, I am almost old enough to be your mother. Living the good life, after working for many years is not a given. It is a prize that people need to plan for and in these hard economic times may need to delay. Also it is wise, whether you are 21 or 51 or 71, (my age) to live inside ones income and sometimes that requires hard choices.

I will not bore you with the fun we had for quite a long period of our life,on not much money, and the satisfaction we feel after working very hard for a very long time to achieve this wonderful goal.

Personally I feel with the range of homes here starting at $70K, a lot of people can come here and enjoy every single thing.

But not every single person can retire because they are old enough.
There are many things that even if you have lived wisely, can and do happen to wipe out your financial safety. And sadly for many more than in the past that is the awful reality these days.

[RayinPenn]

I read this post some time ago and I must respectfully say you need to get your "ducks in order".
1. Kill the golf and pay off your debt. It is not to late to change the way you live. Read some Dave Ramsey -attend financial peace university.
2. Your husband needs to grow up and stop being so incredably shelfish. My wife is not going to work 3 jobs so I play golf.

It may not be politically correct to say so but I have to wonder why an industrious person such as yourself has a mortgage in her 50s?

[Russ_Boston]

To the poster who complained about the waste/recycling charge: I just looked at my recent bill and it comes to about $17 per month! Up in MA I payed almost $45 per month for private pickup (town did not offer it any longer). And in TV the trash is picked up twice per week and the recycles once. In MA it was once per week and every other week recycles.

[Figmo Bohica]

Originally Posted by VillagesFlorida

We have a 2BR, 2 BTH, small Florida room-courtyard villa. We also have two TVs on, but only during the evenings, 2 computers that are on, off and on all day and evening. We ARE careful not to waste hot water and we don't leave lights on if we don't need them for anything. Like yours, our AC unit barely ran all month. This bill DID include an almost $8 credit from Seco. Perhaps you cook more than I do!

Ladydoc and "more cooking" never happen.

[The Village Girl]

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!

If you ever decide to leave your husband, I think there might be a lot of gentlemen who would be interested in marrying you! My husband would be thrilled to have a wife who would work three jobs so he could golf all day! You are a treasure!

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

This for sure is not a Chamber of Commerce posting.

Bogie Shooter: It was not my intent to be critical but honest in an assessment. These observations are not only mine but a collection of comments from various villagers. I have made practical adjustments to my routine. However for a number of villagers any suggestion or comment that doesn't meet their fanatasy land view of TV will be labeled a whiner. If no one spoke up how would District people know there were concerns?????

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Xavier

... I think I hear Charleston calling you! ... and the favorite whine is, "I wish I had settled in Charleston." There is still time.

methinks that was a quote i made in a weak moment. It was a learning experience. if it was my quote perhaps I deserve the attention or perhaps i do not. Either way it is a teachable moment

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Bogie Shooter: It was not my intent to be critical but honest in an assessment. These observations are not only mine but a collection of comments from various villagers. I have made practical adjustments to my routine. However for a number of villagers any suggestion or comment that doesn't meet their fanatasy land view of TV will be labeled a whiner. If no one spoke up how would District people know there were concerns?????

I have no fanatasy land view of TV.

[RRman77 retired]

When we first came to look at The Villages we were given a sheet that listed the cost of living in The Villages based on a 200,000 house. It is very accurate.

We moved from Ohio, and a few things are more expensive. But no where in the world can you get the extras you can enjoy here for the price.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I have no fanatasy land view of TV.

Bogie Shooter: I know that. Sorry for not be clear in my communication

[Larry Wilson]

Of course this place is too expensive for many many people.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Larry Wilson

Of course this place is too expensive for many many people.

But, maybe that is their fault?

[LisaJ]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

But, maybe that is their fault?

Please elaborate. Do you mean they spend too much, didn't budget enough for retirement, both, etc?