[nanci2539]

Can anyone give me information about living in the Villages? We have been a few times and plan to go again this year. We've only stayed 4-5 nights each visit. We've seen the new homes in Sumter Landing and visited a few of the re-sales.

Some quetions....

1. Are we better off new or previously owned?
2 Does it make financial sense to pay the bond up front?
3 What is the actaul cost of living there in terms of mandated fees?
4. Property taxes - is it really 3% of the selling price? This seems high to me. If we purchased a home in the $350k-$400K price range, then the property taxes are well over $10K a year. This seems too high living on retirement.
5. What is the downside of living in the Villages other thant he congestion in the winter months - it's congested everywhere in FLA in the winter.

Any information would be appreicated.

[kort677]

Originally Posted by nanci2539

Can anyone give me information about living in the Villages? We have been a few times and plan to go again this year. We've only stayed 4-5 nights each visit. We've seen the new homes in Sumter Landing and visited a few of the re-sales.

Some quetions....

1. Are we better off new or previously owned?
2 Does it make financial sense to pay the bond up front?
3 What is the actaul cost of living there in terms of mandated fees?
4. Property taxes - is it really 3% of the selling price? This seems high to me. If we purchased a home in the $350k-$400K price range, then the property taxes are well over $10K a year. This seems too high living on retirement.
5. What is the downside of living in the Villages other thant he congestion in the winter months - it's congested everywhere in FLA in the winter.

Any information would be appreicated.

the villages have the highest rate of STDs in FLA, those old farts must be having some kind of party there.

[nanci2539]

I heard about that but it's not the kind of information I'm looking for.

[kort677]

Originally Posted by nanci2539

I heard about that but it's not the kind of information I'm looking for.

Any information would be appreicated.

didn't you post that^^^^^^^?

[nanci2539]

I asked five questions, STD information wasn't one of them.

Did I need to state that any information concerning these specific five questions would be appreciated????? I thought that was obvious. I'm looking for the financial end of living there. Do you live in the Villages?

[Milabs]

Originally Posted by nanci2539

I heard about that but it's not the kind of information I'm looking for.

You asked for the downside of living at The Villages...and I do believe the STDs should be, and, is considered a downside. You can bet your sweet patootie I wouldnt be shaking any of those seniors hands anytime soon or using their public bathrooms. Don't they know about safe sex? Geesh....horny ole toads!

[kort677]

Originally Posted by Milabs

You asked for the downside of living at The Villages...and I do believe the STDs should be, and, is considered a downside. You can bet your sweet patootie I wouldnt be shaking any of those seniors hands anytime soon or using their public bathrooms. Don't they know about safe sex? Geesh....horny ole toads!

and then she asked for any additional info, and when I gave her some she got all pissy.

She should do a forum search and maybe she'll find that all her questions have already been answered.

[nanci2539]

Okay, we've beaten this to death. It's not a consideration to me so I would like to move on and talk to someone who lives in the Villages and can give me input on the cost of living there.

[diddy02]

My mother lives in The Villages and she looked at alot of homes and preffered an older home. She lives in a courtyard villa and absolutely loves it there.
She prefers the Spanish Springs Square for the line dancing but said the restaurants are probably better at Sumter Landings. Both squares have their fans.
Her bond had already been paid on her home which is obviously a benefit with buyng an older home as most have been paid off. I would say go for a resale home over new. This way you can move straight into an established neighb ourhood. Remember other agents list there, you dont have to use the Villages Realty.
I am not sure of her property taxes but I shall ask her.
The downside of The Villages is in the winter if you play golf etc, often the tee times are booked up very early but other than it pretty much caters for any life style. As far as congestion, whats the rush??? Life when you live there seems to be pretty much a holiday. Who needs a watch??
You never have to be lonely, or bored and my mother has never had so many friends.
It is a wonderful place for those looking for an active retired life with like minded people.
Good luck.

[nanci2539]

Diddy, thank you so much. Good information.

We are tossing around new vs resale. We're interested in a Designer Home. The villas would be too small for us. We're downsizing from over a 4000 sq foot home in the mid west so where I am prepared for the downsize, I think around 2000-2200 sq feet would work for us.

There is so much talk about the property taxes and the Homestead thing that it's very confusing. The real estate guy we spoke to works in the Villages and he said the taxes were between 2.5-3%. I find that high but I wonder if it's on the full value of the home or the percentage.

I thank you for the information.