[Ohiogirl]

I forgot to say that the property taxes here are way lower than we pay in Ohio, which most consider a medium tax state. There we are paying $4000 plus for a smaller, older home, albeit in a desirable neighborhood that has maintained (but stopped climbing) its market value or at least declined very marginally in the last 4 years. Most of Columbus has declined. The rest of Ohio in general has REALLY declined.

I think the lower end here in TV has declined marginally, depending on location. The higher end here in TV has been harder hit, IMO, but still not like the rest of Florida by a long shot.

[John_W]

Thanks for all the responses. It sounds like, that even without homestead the taxes on a CYV are a lot better than here in Maryland. If the bond is in the $10,000 range then I definitely want to pay it off at closing.

I see you can have choices on home if you're willing to wait, but can you have any input on the villas? For example, I like the off white (I believe it's called bisque) cabinets with stainless appliances. I see it used a lot on the models but most of the finished homes have dark cabinets with white appliances.

Were coming down the first week of April for a LSV, so I guess many of these questions can be answered then.

[Tbugs]

John,

There are some great re-sales on courtyard villas in established neighborhoods. While you are on your Lifestyle tour, check out the Villas of Valdosta and the Villas of St. Simon. You can get golf front villas that are great - with low or paid off bonds. These are both in the Village of Glenbrook which is "north of 466" just off of Talley Ridge Drive. Established neighborhoods with no construction going on. I think that re-sales are the way to go instead of new. You can negotiate prices with the seller, much lower bond (or none at all), etc.

I moved to The Villages from Silver Spring, Maryland about 18 months ago and it was the best move we ever made - especially after watching the news about the snowstorms that hit the DC area in the past couple months.

Any questions - just private message me.

[Ohiogirl]

yes, you can get golf front CYVs but the original post seemed to be more about living here on a low budget - and you will pay for golf course views and/or corner lots in ALL CYV neighborhoods.

My advice, since you are not here yet, is to religiously check thevillages.com under Homes for both resale and new construction, so you can see what prices are like on all types of homes - villas or not - that may interest you.

[DAnder2829]

Graduated college at Wheaton, 1978. Will be visiting TV, first time, on Nov. 22. Can hardly wait. Living in Edison, NJ and paying property taxes of $13K for a townhouse!!! Looking forward to finding a home at TV.

[golf2140]

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!

With those prices, do you live in The Villages. Better check your figures.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

9 month old thread...........

Bill

[graciegirl]

but...I will say it.

If you haven't prepared yourself financially to retire, perhaps you should wait and save a little more money. It isn't a right, it is a privilege. But I think an affordable one for pretty much anyone to live here. In many ways it is cheaper for us than in Ohio. Sweetie is still working, consulting over the phone and on the internet. He feels that in these bad economic times that is wise.

But finances are a very personal area.

[drdodge]

To Arabian Horse
I dont know where you live but your numbers are not right. I hAve been in the Villages for seven years. My rubbish pickup is $17.00 per month. Golf trail fee is $144.00 per year. Internet. TV and telephone from comcast is $132.00 per month. I thing it is very reasonable to live in the villages
drd

[jblum315]

I moved here from New York (Westchester County). All my mandatory monthly expenses, including mortgage, add up to less than I was paying for rent on a 1 bedroom apt in NY. Electric and heat is much cheaper here. And the house I sold prior to renting - the property tax alone was $21,000 a year! I honestly don't know how I managed to pay the bills on the same income I have here.

[quirky3]

If you read today's first posting in this thread, it seems like DAnder2829 was just announcing his intention of visiting here. He didn't express concern about the living expenses, but by posting into this thread, it becomes a resurrected topic. Maybe he should have posted to the New Members forum. Just sayin'.

[BaylorBear]

Our lovely home in The Village of Silver Lake came to us through inheritance. My husband's parents lived in The Villages for 25 wonderful years. Before his mother passed away 3 years ago, she asked us to seriously consider not selling their home, but instead to evaluate moving there upon our retirement. Well, that took about 30 seconds to decide!!!

Granted, we do not have a mortgage or a bond. And, fortunately, we are debt free. We've managed to save a nice little nest egg (not half a million, but a nice bit) that will be used only to supplement Social Security when needed. We are not big travelers, nor do we eat out much (we are better chefs than most of the CC's have!). We will retire with an income that is about 2/3 of our income now and our expenses (cars, insurance, gas for two cars, clothing for 2 professionals, lower taxes, cheaper amenities, etc.) will be less than half of what our expenses are in Austin, TX. We've lived frugally for all of our 22 years of marriage. I've run the numbers for us over and over again and we CAN EASILY live in TV. We only have 455 days until retirement!!

[pivo]

My problem with this posting is if they have five jobs here-how many jobs did they hold down in Illinois

[BAILYBOOHOO]

I was just thinking can you refi you house rates our low this might help you out. I really hope things get better for you both. Blessings

[Bogie Shooter]

Its all been said before 100 plus posts!