[bike42]

Hello! We're settling on a CYV in Virginia Trace at the end of August. My research included lots of time on TOTV; it's a great resource -- thanks for all of your help.

We will be snowbirds for a while at least. Do you have any suggestions for saving on internet connection, cable, etc., that will only be used part time but that all seem to require 12-month contracts?

Also, are there any tandem bicycle riders among you?

[carlent]

congratulations on yout purchse in Virginia Trace. This is a village that we are also looking at for furure purchase because of it location close in to Sumter Landing Square. We like to be close to the action and of course there are some nice Villages close in to Spanish Springs as well. What made you choose Virginai Trace? What was it's appeal to you?
We live in NH and this year are renting and will be down from Nov-Mar...5 months to get to know TV. i am shipping down my recumbent bike and will trade it in or sell it...for a EZ3 recumbent 3 wheel model. 10 speed and gets going pretty good. Maybe we could ride together?
Welcome!!


Carlent

[graciegirl]

Welcome to you. I think our village is the best, but you will hear THAT from everyone.

Our friends who have lived in TV for awhile told us that they put the cable "on vacation and the phone too". I am not sure how this works since we are really new and are coming down this Friday for our second and third week. Hope to stay all of November and then all of January, February and March. Looks like my husband, Sweetie, really is retiring.

Anyway. Hope you love your winter home and hope to get to meet you soon.

GracieGirl, Henry and Helene

[Barefoot]

We live in TV for six months a year. When we leave, we put our cable and internet asleep, turn off our gas, turn on the humidistat (big savings on a/c), and take our Vonage phone with us. Taxes and amenities must be paid regardless, of course. PM me if you want!

[bike42]

I love the central location of Virginia Trace, plus it's a beautiful neighborhood and a beautiful villa -- we need the fenced yard for our two dogs.

Carlent, I have a trike too, and think I'll be able to do grocery shopping and everything else that way. See http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/F232.html

[dgammon6]

If you have Direct TV or Dish, you can carry the receivers up North and use them. An air card for internet service can be used anywhere.

[bike42]

Wow, so much to learn. What is an "air card for internet service"?

[JohnM]

I think what is being referenced is a PCMIA card for your laptop (or desktop) that allows access to the internet via cell service. I have used it and found it faster than dial up but slower than cable. It is thus available virtually anywhere. Also, for me, the charges were based on data downloaded and were pretty expensive for my use of the internet...others may feel differently and will add to this I am sure...

John

[bobfl]

Originally Posted by barefoot at last

We live in TV for six months a year. When we leave, we put our cable and internet asleep, turn off our gas, turn on the humidistat (big savings on a/c), and take our Vonage phone with us. Taxes and amenities must be paid regardless, of course. PM me if you want!

Hi Barefoot, I gather from above message that the humidistat is working well for you. Do you have any figures available? My house in SW Florida was only running about $18 per month during the Summer down there in previous years. Interestingly we didn't turn ours on this Summer because the house is for sale and we didn't want the temp to get too high for showings. Our thermostat is set to 79 degrees now and bills are running about $60 per month so far.
Have a contingent contract signed, fingers are crossed, will get to TV yet!

Bob

[Indy-Guy]

Click on below for an article about a Villages couple that rode a tandem coast to coast.

http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/a...ews/news02.txt

They ride with a group here in The Villages.

If Clicking dosen't work do a cut and paste.

[bike42]

Thanks Indy Guy and everyone else for your help.

BTW, the #1 factor that made us choose TV over any place else in Florida was the active bike clubs! and the beautiful trails/roads (both in TV and in the surrounding countryside). We can't wait to get down there and join in all of the fun. Hope to meet you soon.

[dgammon6]

My Sprint "air card" cost $60.00 a month for unlimited service. Not as fast as cable but great for traveling. We use the usb plug it works on laptop or desktop.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by bobfl

Hi Barefoot, I gather from above message that the humidistat is working well for you. Do you have any figures available? Have a contingent contract signed, fingers are crossed, will get to TV yet! Bob

We are saving about $120 per month by using our humidistat. Yay.
Glad to hear you have a contract signed, hope it goes well. Good Luck.

[mzmom3]

Thanks for the advice........we're new snowbirds too and would love to hear from our neighborly snowbirds too!