Are they kidding?
 

Not sure who wrote this but they are basically nuts.
Houses are sold at a premium compared to other locations, (that applies to most of Florida) taxes are higher, maintenance and amenities fees and in some cases the dreaded BOND. I can't see how anyone on only social security with little or no supplemental savings could possibly make it.

It is doable if you have a paid off house to sell back home and use the money to buy a home here, not your dream home, but a home. If you shop grocery stores using their weekly ad and coupons and if you have a pension from your employer. I know of a few people who are doing this and living here quite well.

Yes it’s expensive everywhere. But if you have no savings you can get by better in TV for less money: if you can’t afford a car you really don’t need one here; the low amenities fees allow for swimming, pickle ball, bocci, etc for zero extra cost. So, many things to do for free. Yes housing is expensive here, just like everywhere else. Yes, TV is probably a great place to retire if you have no savings.

Most of Florida? We lived in Palm Beach County. Comparable housing there is at least 30% higher and house insurance is 3-4X more. Car insurance 25% higher. Property taxes were about same amount. Areas south of there are higher. A lot of people down there moving north to Central Florida. TV is very reasonable compared to other parts of Florida. Only thing higher here is the bond. Full disclosure we did not have one since we bought a re sale. Can get a 1000 square foot bungalow in Key West for less than 1 million

Although a poor person could not make it in The Villages, one who has a modest income (social security plus a little investment income and/or a small pension) could have a comfortable, but frugal retirement. This would entail that the house is paid off (no mortgage), that you grocery shop for bargains and use coupons, that you seldom eat out, that you don’t spend money at bars, that you don’t take vacations outside “the bubble”, and you don’t still feel the need to buy “stuff”.

No, I think that that's just about right, as lots of folks eat half of their meals at restaurants, and take their leftovers home.
There are people here who's kitchen was used as much as Karen Carpenter's was.

It really depends on the amount of SS and pension, this could be the difference between living frugal or living very comfortable

Assuming two people with no house payment here (sold their home up north?), no 401(k) or pension, each making $3000 a month from Social Security. I suppose it could be done.

Exactly!

I know of several couples who, between Social Security and both of their pensions, are bringing in well over $100K/year...

Assuming YT Sarasota Tim contributed to this piece! Smh

The article says zero savings, it never says anything about a pension. A small percentage of people retiring now have any sort of pension.

Average social security check is $1767 ($21202/year). My paid off 2 year old home in TV costs around $15000/year to carry between taxes, insurance (home and golf cart), amenities fee, bond, utilities, internet and the lawn guy. I can't imagine living on $6k/year ($500/month) to pay for food, car insurance/gas, clothing and home maintenance.

It’s doeable..in a Yurt!

That would be awesome! But many companies phased out pension plans a while back now.

45
We get FOUR really nice meals from one of those $5 chickens from B.J.'s, and all different meals, traditional with a baked potato and some veggies, chicken tacos much better than .... LOL... the local fast food place you all know, chicken and noodles or pasta with a "white" sauce with chicken and white wine, fresh mushrooms, etc. and when all is gone but small bits of meat, homemade soup from slow cooking the "leavings" in the crock pot over night, love those $5 chickens (and don't want to know how they get so big....LOL !). Really nice meals by adding only about $1-2 dollars of other ingredients. When we built here long ago, spent maybe $40 a week for groceries and never felt we "skimped" or were deprived of fresh fruits and veggies. NOW, $80 to $100 AT LEAST a week for 2, and the "word" going around is gasoline will be $4 a gal this summer, great ! Time to raise the amenity fees probably since the courses need attention and the money seems to be running out ..... ah such is life !

Ok question: How much does it take to retire at 65 now a days? Let's say single person, no home asset (need to pay rent or mortgage), low - mid "fun expenses", average utilities, food, car.

Half million? Million?