[ugotme]

As stated, it all depends on where you came from!

Moved to So. Fl. 7 years ago from Long Island, NY. At that time, the taxes on my very typical middle class home was over $10,000 - 7 years ago. Add to that a sales tax of 8.5% and a NY State tax of approx. 7% and living down here becomes much more affordable.

Yes, the Homeowner's insurance is probably triple and the car insurance is more expensive but, all in all, cheaper down here.

Of course, the reality is our income is also lower now that we are retired !!!!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by ajdeck

How many of you found out that the expenses to live here were much more than expected? For example even things like
going out to eat or entertainment that is not included etc.

We were pleasantly surprised at restaurant prices in TV.

[Bavarian]

Seems it all depends on where you are comparing to. Real Estate taxes in The Villages three times as here in MD. We have our own well and septic, so no water and sewer bills. We can easily take our trash and garbage that can not me composted to one of many transfer stations which also take our recyclables. Have a trash compactor, it is a reqular Sunday after Mass trip, though usually every other week, on our way to our weekly breakfast at Bob Evans. I find Real Estate Taxes very high. Pretty much wipes out savings on income tax.

In process of building and planning move in a year. Who can get House insurance for $100? Our quotes more like $2K with Flood Insurance and inflation protection and full replacement coverage. And Hurricane coverage! Ours raised our deductible over $5K with Irene. Had to fix roof and Geo Heat pump ourselves. Plus I cut up 15+ trees in the lawn, still have many in woods.

[Bill & Carolyn]

Originally Posted by bonrich

One thing to remember is whether you are a snowbird or a frog, this is your home, and you are not on vacation. So a person has to school themselves into enjoying the lifestyle, not hard to do, yet live as though you are or were in your previous primary home. Which means not going out to eat 5 times a week, or having a toddy every night at the Town Squares, etc.
You can certainly have a great time here and it doesn't have to be budget busting!!!

Okay, I'm familiar with "Snow Bird' and "Snow flake', but what is a 'Frog' (besides a derisive name that the English use to describe the French .. and ... the well known member of the Amphibians)?

[luvtheloop]

We found it much cheaper to live here than in upstate NY. Taxes are much less here for a more expensive house. Electric is much cheaper, haven't paid more than $135 per month for a designer house of about 2000 sq ft under air. Most months the electric is under $100. We don't eat out all the time (haven't found any healthy places to eat that aren't chains) but do find food more expensive here. Try to shop at Walmart and Aldi's to save some money.

[OpusX1]

Originally Posted by Bill & Carolyn

Okay, I'm familiar with "Snow Bird' and "Snow flake', but what is a 'Frog' (besides a derisive name that the English use to describe the French .. and ... the well known member of the Amphibians)?

Here till we croak!

[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by OpusX1

Here till we croak!

Ribit

[FlaDreamer]

This is a very useful thread for someone like me that continues to evaluate The Villages from middle America. For background we've visited once and are going back again in December. Our first observation; to purchase a house with a view, privacy, and lot size we desire will cost almost 2 1/2 to 3xs the value of our house & lot now plus increased recurring costs. For someone use to the big city hustle, bustle, noise, or living in apartments, or a high cost of living densely populate area, The Villages home sites and Village configurations offer many more choices and options and, as I've read, is fact for some less costly. At least from were I sit in the Midwest burbs not so much. This leads me to believe that The Villages, for the most part, is being marketed to the large metropolitan areas of the country. Those of us with the desire, and dare say dream, to live in such a great and well planned community such as the Villages, we run the risk if emotions take charge, of moving into an environment that could compromise our current life-style (cost) or is so different then what we're use to (e.g. environment, traffic) that it becomes a mistake. These are just thoughts, no criticisms, no judgments of anyone.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by FlaDreamer

This is a very useful thread for someone like me that continues to evaluate The Villages from middle America. For background we've visited once and are going back again in December. Our first observation; to purchase a house with a view, privacy, and lot size we desire will cost almost 2 1/2 to 3xs the value of our house & lot now plus increased recurring costs. For someone use to the big city hustle, bustle, noise, or living in apartments, or a high cost of living densely populate area, The Villages home sites and Village configurations offer many more choices and options and, as I've read, is fact for some less costly. At least from were I sit in the Midwest burbs not so much. This leads me to believe that The Villages, for the most part, is being marketed to the large metropolitan areas of the country. Those of us with the desire, and dare say dream, to live in such a great and well planned community such as the Villages, we run the risk if emotions take charge, of moving into an environment that could compromise our current life-style (cost) or is so different then what we're use to (e.g. environment, traffic) that it becomes a mistake. These are just thoughts, no criticisms, no judgments of anyone.

There are resale homes in the historic section that start as low as $70K.

I would think and think again before I would invest in a home that is a lot more expensive than your current one as most of us will be on a smaller income and we need to remember that a person's health and the entire economic situation in this country are an unknown.

The amenity fee is around $145 a month. The list of expenses that The Villages sales office sends with the packet, I believe to be fair. As someone stated, it is now our year 'round home not a vacation destination and so we don't eat out the way we would on vacation. There are plenty of free or low cost things to do including visiting with friends and playing cards and having neighborhood potlucks.

The view and privacy lots are a LOT more than the zero upgrade lots. Homes here cost from $70 K to more than a million and a half...and in those homes will be living people who get the exact same bunch of good things to choose from.

[FlaDreamer]

Thanks for the sensible and definitely wise advise. Will be sure to get out and visit all of different villages and what they have to offer. Thanks!

[Golfingnut]

We came here from Peachtree City Georgia. We find utilities, taxes, food cost, Gas, and many other things cheaper than Georgia. That along with no State Income Tax, we are very happy with the cost of living here.

[2BNTV]

From "nuts and bolts" by zcaveman:

Living Costs
There are a number of posts out in TOTV requesting the monthly costs for living in TV. The numbers vary between full time residents and part time residents. I am a full time resident with a 3 bedroom ranch on a base lot. Some of the numbers are close to mine. Some are from some of the other posts. This is an attempt to try and put them in one place. Remember, as with many of the other items in this post, this is just an estimate. Actual numbers will depend on your life style and size of residence. The numbers are monthly except where noted.

Water/Sewer (depends on size of yard) $40-80
Garbage $16.92
Electric $80-225* - annual average $165 (added 3/22/2011)
Gas $23-80* - annual average $42 (added 3/22/2011)
Telephone (CenturyLink – landline/Full service/ No LD) $46
Telephone (AT&T – Cell phone) $35
Cable (Premium/Digital – No HBO, etc) $93.85 (Comcast) Updated 3/22/2011)
Internet (broadband) $50.95 (Comcast) Updated 3/22/2011)
Amenity Fee $135 (as of this writing)
Property Taxes $200-400 ***
Homeowners Insurance $600 and up per year
Automobile Insurance $500 and up per year
Golf Cart Trail Fees $142 per year
Lawn Care (mow and edge) $45-80 (depends on size of yard)
Weeding/shrub trimming $50 (depends on # of shrubs)
Daily Sun $48 per year
Orlando Sentinel (optional) $28 (13 weeks)
Dining out (for 2 – no liquor):
Lunch $25-35
Dinner $25-$$$

This is an average. Electric will be higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Gas will be higher in the winter and lower in the summer.
** Cell phone costs should be about the same as you are paying now. It depends on the plan.
*** Florida resident with Homestead Exemption. No bond. This depends on the appraised value of your home. You can get the millage rate from the county appraiser. In 2007, this included the non-Ad Valorem (CDD4 ($371) / fire ($120) / water/waste ($68) charges.* If you have a bond, it will be included in your taxes. It is a 30 year bond at 6 or 7%.* You will have to calculate that number yourself.
**** Some insurance companies have monthly payment options.


This is what I go by.

[2 Oldcrabs]

We are from Delaware and find the cost here to be more. I have relatives who live in NJ, NY and PA and I think TV would be less based on what they pay for property taxes, income tax and their sales tax. De has no sales tax and very reasonable property taxes. De does have an income tax but does not tax the first $12,500 of retirement income. But it can SNOW alot in De and I will pay the extra. I did calculate extra money for things "we need" in the new house, but we have over spend that with more to go. Plan to have extra in your check book!

[ajdeck]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

From "nuts and bolts" by zcaveman:

Living Costs
There are a number of posts out in TOTV requesting the monthly costs for living in TV. The numbers vary between full time residents and part time residents. I am a full time resident with a 3 bedroom ranch on a base lot. Some of the numbers are close to mine. Some are from some of the other posts. This is an attempt to try and put them in one place. Remember, as with many of the other items in this post, this is just an estimate. Actual numbers will depend on your life style and size of residence. The numbers are monthly except where noted.

Water/Sewer (depends on size of yard) $40-80
Garbage $16.92
Electric $80-225* - annual average $165 (added 3/22/2011)
Gas $23-80* - annual average $42 (added 3/22/2011)
Telephone (CenturyLink – landline/Full service/ No LD) $46
Telephone (AT&T – Cell phone) $35
Cable (Premium/Digital – No HBO, etc) $93.85 (Comcast) Updated 3/22/2011)
Internet (broadband) $50.95 (Comcast) Updated 3/22/2011)
Amenity Fee $135 (as of this writing)
Property Taxes $200-400 ***
Homeowners Insurance $600 and up per year
Automobile Insurance $500 and up per year
Golf Cart Trail Fees $142 per year
Lawn Care (mow and edge) $45-80 (depends on size of yard)
Weeding/shrub trimming $50 (depends on # of shrubs)
Daily Sun $48 per year
Orlando Sentinel (optional) $28 (13 weeks)
Dining out (for 2 – no liquor):
Lunch $25-35
Dinner $25-$$$

This is an average. Electric will be higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Gas will be higher in the winter and lower in the summer.
** Cell phone costs should be about the same as you are paying now. It depends on the plan.
*** Florida resident with Homestead Exemption. No bond. This depends on the appraised value of your home. You can get the millage rate from the county appraiser. In 2007, this included the non-Ad Valorem (CDD4 ($371) / fire ($120) / water/waste ($68) charges.* If you have a bond, it will be included in your taxes. It is a 30 year bond at 6 or 7%.* You will have to calculate that number yourself.
**** Some insurance companies have monthly payment options.


This is what I go by.

Thing that is confusing is on TV expenses they say 135 a month then at end
say another 192 a month that equals 327 a month already. Then isn't there a
yearly fee also something like 4-500 bucks added to your taxes (not talking bond now).

[thekeithfan]

MORE???!!!! Where did you live? I came from Connecticut I'm saving over $1,200 a month in just taxes! They don't have Super Walmarts in CT so I'm saving at least $100 a month there. I was spending $300 a month on gas now I put $15 in my golf cart and it lasts all month!! I was paying $60 a round of golf once a week here I play for free here! In CT they have deposits on bottles and cans every beverage is much higher. I could go on but compared to Connecticut this is like living in the 60S!!!