The Villages
Quote: RigondeauxHowever, I will say that while money can only create so much happiness, it alleviates unhappiness. e.
And that isn't true at all. Wealth
creates it's own problems and
issues and often causes great
unhappiness. Spoiled kids,
constantly worrying about
your money and investments.
Unhappy marriages. Tons of things.
I remember Orson Wells saying
after one of his villa's in Italy
burned down, that he never
felt such a sense of relief. He
worried and stressed about it
constantly and now he was done
with it. Wealth might get rid
of your old problems but it
brings a whole set of new ones.
Quote: DRichCongrats SOOPOO.
Since you were employed by the hospital, will you get any retirement benefits from them? Hopefully at least paid health insurance.
You are perceptive. I am in the same pension that all New York teachers are in. I’ll get not nearly enough for us to live on, but a great base. And I do get lifelong health benefits. I have to pay 25% of the cost, the hospital picks up 75%. Here in Buffalo that means it costs me around $5k a year for a low deductible family plan. Amazingly, by marrying, my wife’s daughters are included on my family plan.
Wife as of now plans on working 3 days a week until she decides not to. I plan on giving around 3-5 lectures/journal clubs to the resident doctors. And still represent Buffalo in Albany, and New York State in DC. That amounts to around 3 weeks a year I have committed.
Quote: beachbumbabs
You've made enormous changes in your life recently, both directly and indirectly. Marrying, deciding to retire young, house-shopping,
You might want some time for reflection and grounding before you make any more changes. Your internal equilibrium has to be swinging wildly on some level.
.
Believe it or not, the marrying thing is a small change, not a big one. Since she moved in around 4 years ago I have felt married for at least 3+ years. Acted married. As I joke, the only thing that has changed is Governor Cuomo now knows we are married.
The house shopping is really just a test now. No chance I buy until she decides to retire. And with her daughters ages extremely doubtful that will be in less than 3 years.
My decision to retire young was made quite a few years back. I had actually hoped to be retired a full year ago, but thought by staying an extra year a half time position would have been available. If it was, I’d have taken it and worked 3-4 more years.
BBB.. the time for reflection comment is exactly what I plan on doing in September. And I’ll see how I feel then.
Quote: SOOPOOI guess this is my retirement thread. I have been the "billing watchdog" for my group for decades. I go around 6 times a year to do an audit to see if the billing company is hitting on all cylinders. I think GWAE does medical billing, and he can tell you how complicated anesthesia billing is. These are hard working men and women, making very little, who have helped me and my group be successful over the years. I can only imagine what they were thinking, maybe making $150 a day, when I would have them work on a bill that paid us $1000 but should have paid us $1200. And if I found an error they were making, the correction entailed more work for them. Not once was a single employee ever short or rude with me. 30 years. Not once. I was always happy thinking that my group basically supported 3 or 4 full time positions there.
I've bought the office a pizza lunch around the holidays once a year. I loved doing it.
I stopped by yesterday to say goodbye to them all. I almost cried.
On Friday I will be walking out of my hospital for the last time as an employee. I'm sure I will be an emotional wreck.
I didn't realize that you were retiring. Congrats.. I cant wait until that day.
And yea anesthesia billing is crazy.
Quote: RigondeauxYeah. Of course, in many ways, most of us have it better than royalty did a few generations ago. We all have toys that would have sold for a small fortune just 15 years ago. We drive around in cars that could do the Oregon Trail in 3 days, with AC, listening to our choice of any music ever recorded. And bitch when we have to slow down for a few minutes.
However, I will say that while money can only create so much happiness, it alleviates unhappiness. It's true that whatever luxuries you have, you'll mostly just get used to them. But being free of the anxiety that comes with being broke is huge.
Many years ago I was doing well and was happy. Sure I had problems but was happy. After 2 kid was born and up until about 2 years ago we were living poor. Pay to pay basically with some pays not even being enough. It sucked and I was very unhappy. I still had the same issues as previously but also had to worry about money. It was added pressure and sometimes it is enough to put you over. Now that we are doing better life is 100x better. Now we dont have the stress of what if this breaks or stress when kid comes home from school with birthday invitations that will require a gift. Unfortunately we live in a very wealthy part of town so we are still in bottom 5%. I would love to experience life with some of the money around here.
Quote: EvenBobAnd that isn't true at all. Wealth
creates it's own problems and
issues and often causes great
unhappiness. Spoiled kids,
constantly worrying about
your money and investments.
Unhappy marriages. Tons of things.
I remember Orson Wells saying
after one of his villa's in Italy
burned down, that he never
felt such a sense of relief. He
worried and stressed about it
constantly and now he was done
with it. Wealth might get rid
of your old problems but it
brings a whole set of new ones.
I didn't say wealth, I said money.
When you're broke, a car problem, a medical problem, etc. can be a disaster and you're stressed out about money a lot.
When you have enough money to get past those things, you don't have to worry as much about them. That anxiety is alleviated.
I can say first hand, having a year's living expenses on hand is far less stressful than having 2 weeks.
Obviously, in more extreme cases, people who have a place to live and food are relieved of a lot of anxiety that someone who lacks those things has.
Of course rich people can create more problems for themselves, particularly if they fall into traps like marrying a trophy wife or buying a bunch of other high maintenance stuff they don't need just because they feel like they have to. They can also live like Warren Buffet does and not have so many of those issues.
These are 2 separate things though.
Quote: RigondeauxI didn't say wealth, I said money.
When you're broke, a car problem, a medical problem, etc. can be a disaster and you're stressed out about money a lot.
When you have enough money to get past those things, you don't have to worry as much about them. That anxiety is alleviated.
I can say first hand, having a year's living expenses on hand is far less stressful than having 2 weeks.
Obviously, in more extreme cases, people who have a place to live and food are relieved of a lot of anxiety that someone who lacks those things has.
Of course rich people can create more problems for themselves, particularly if they fall into traps like marrying a trophy wife or buying a bunch of other high maintenance stuff they don't need just because they feel like they have to. They can also live like Warren Buffet does and not have so many of those issues.
These are 2 separate things though.
Yep cant stress enough how true this is
Quote: RigondeauxI didn't say wealth, I said money.
When you're broke, a car problem, a medical problem, etc. can be a disaster and you're stressed out about money a lot.
When you have enough money to get past those things, you don't have to worry as much about them. That anxiety is alleviated.
I can say first hand, having a year's living expenses on hand is far less stressful than having 2 weeks.
Obviously, in more extreme cases, people who have a place to live and food are relieved of a lot of anxiety that someone who lacks those things has.
Of course rich people can create more problems for themselves, particularly if they fall into traps like marrying a trophy wife or buying a bunch of other high maintenance stuff they don't need just because they feel like they have to. They can also live like Warren Buffet does and not have so many of those issues.
These are 2 separate things though.
Anyone who doesn't understand this has never been 2 weeks away from homelessness.
And Money gives you the opportunity to do some/many of the things you want to do. And yes, relatives always have their hand out - but you learn how to manage it and sometimes you are grateful and full of joy because those relatives are in your life.
Quote: RigondeauxI didn't say wealth, I said money.
When someone says money, they mean
wealth, unless otherwise specified. When
I say Joe Blow has money, nobody assumes
I mean he has a years wages in the bank.
They think I mean he's wealthy.
While far from rich, it's nice being able to solve life's potholes and speed bumps by writing a check.
In the last two weeks I have had three major financial outputs I wasnt expecting. My bathrooms, budgeted for $2200
ended up costing more than double, an unexpected ruling that I needed to extend my sprinkler system into the living quarters cost some $3500 and a fantastic fifth wheel buying opportunity came along.
Money does not buy happiness but it can solve many of life's problems. It's a lot easier to sit back and enjoy the sunset when your rent is paid and the fridge is full.
Quote: EvenBobWhen someone says money, they mean
wealth, unless otherwise specified. When
I say Joe Blow has money, nobody assumes
I mean he has a years wages in the bank.
They think I mean he's wealthy.
I didn't say that someone "has money." I said money can alleviate unhappiness.
Quote: beachbumbabsThe Villages is a legendary Stepford community, the largest in the US for seniors. Everyone there uses golf carts rather than cars. The activity schedule is full - it's lIke a cruise ship with a dozen pay-as-you-go events at any time. It's very white, very conservative, quite expensive compared to everything else north of Palm Beach. HOA fees are pretty high, with a massive CCR list (they control every aspect of how you live from when the garbage can be on the street to the color you paint your house).
If you like having very strict rules on you and your neighbors, and can pay the extra fees and captive surcharges on all your nearby shoppIng, and want a big social life among people of similar age and income, you might like it.
That sounds like an absolute nightmare...for me.
Quote: beachbumbabsI would suggest you consider the East Coast from Port St. Lucie north to Flagler instead of either. Large mix of younger people with retired, moderately conservative, much less expensive housing and basics, more temperate (warmer in winter, cooler in summer) because of the sea breeze, many intelligent people around due to the main industries (medical and space travel), lots of enclaves or independent neighborhoods in all price ranges including tons of houses on canals if you want a dock.
I have never considered the East Coast. Everyone I know who has moved to Florida has moved to the West coast of FL.
What is your opinion of north of Daytona to Georgia?
Quote: IndyJeffreyThat sounds like an absolute nightmare...for me.
I have never considered the East Coast. Everyone I know who has moved to Florida has moved to the West coast of FL.
What is your opinion of north of Daytona to Georgia?
Some very attractive and affordable options along that area. Flagler county and St. Augustine are a bit more desirable than Jacksonville, but it's pretty good there too. North of Jax is Amelia Island, which is one of my favorite places in Florida. Came within an inch of buying there, but accepted the Daytona offer instead of Jax. In hindsight, Jax would have been better.
The Villages is a legendary Stepford community, the largest in the US for seniors. Everyone there uses golf carts rather than cars. The activity schedule is full -"
I'll bet the couple sex swapping
parties are legendary too. Old
people love to screw if they
still can, especially the women.
Single men in places like that
have a full dance card if they
want one.
Villages. They are usually teeming
with visiting grand children. It's
not unusual all winter for retiree's
to have a never ending line of
offspring visiting for extended
periods and dragging their kids
with them. Free vacay in FL with
Gram and Gramps. I wouldn't live
in one of those places if it was
half as much as it is.
These are not our parents retirement communities.
Quote: billryanThe Villages has more than enough adult only pools so that you can avoid kids if you want. My cousin got all sorts of the third degree when she tried to use a 30 and over pool when she was only 28.
These are not our parents retirement communities.
That's good to know. If I am at all considering it as a final resting spot I will check out both types of pools there, because for sure wife's daughters will be under 30 when we move there, and I'm guessing grandchildren will be happening too. If not mine, I think I'd prefer no kids pools.....
Grown men were smoking, in absolute violation of the Village bylaws. Some even were smoking pot. I never bothered going to any other pool. I was right at home.
Its maybe ten years since I visited, but I don't remember kids being a big issue. You will be flying in and out of Orlando though, so lots of kids on most flights.
The heat and the humidity of Florida can be overbearing, uncomfortable and energy-sapping. Only the visiting tourists deliberately soak it up, the long term locals avoid the sun and outdoors for most of the year, and keep within range of the air-conditioning as much as possible.
It's an area not much discussed, but according to author, Andrew D. Blechman, the developer owns almost everything as far as The Villages go and the residents have very little civic power.
Some of the tabloid newspapers have focused attention on what they portray as the seedier side of The Villages. The UK's Daily Mail, for instance, wrote that with ten women for every man, a black market trade in viagra, cheap alcohol, and a thriving swingers scene, there is a lifestyle of debauchery for some.
The owners of the development and many of the residents are Republicans and Conservatives, which can make life challenging for Democrat residents.
Wherever you live in Florida, there are lots of bugs everywhere, many of them big.
How will you handle not seeing or interacting with young or middle aged people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year?
How will you like living in a “city” where the developer makes all the rules that you must live by, without having a vote like you would in a real town?
Will being told what you can and can not do with your own property bother you?
The cost to purchase a home in The Villages Florida is considerably higher* than in most other places in the state.
The cost of utilities is higher than Florida’s and the national average*.
If healthcare quality is important to you, check the ratings of local hospitals. Ocala Regional Medical Center is rated below average by Medicare, at only 2 stars out of 5. Florida Hospital Ocala is also has just a 2 star rating. The Villages Regional Hospital gets just 1 star from Medicare.
Not sure how much torture like that I can handle.
Quote: billryanTen woman for every man, a black market for Viagra, cheap alcohol and a thriving swingers scene? And that's the down side?
Far more people than not reject
that kind of lifestyle, I sure do.
I also find it very depressing to
be around old people to the
point that I skip my graduating
class yearly picnic, and it's only
5 min from my house. I look
at the pics they post and shudder.
Being stuck in a camp like Villages
with thousands of them would
be torture.
Quote: EvenBobFar more people than not reject
that kind of lifestyle, I sure do.
I also find it very depressing to
be around old people to the
point that I skip my graduating
class yearly picnic, and it's only
5 min from my house. I look
at the pics they post and shudder.
Being stuck in a camp like Villages
with thousands of them would
be torture.
Too Easy. I think you're trying to sucker me in to the most obvious response.
Quote: rxwineIf you need a real negative to Florida, anywhere, check the current Hurricane forecast.
John D Macdonald lived in FL and
he talks about hurricanes a lot in
his books. He says people always
underestimate them, build where
they shouldn't, think they're safe
when they're not. He says that
there's always another one coming.
Always.
I have a friend who thought he was
safe in TX because he's so far from
the Gulf. Two years ago Harvey
dumped so much rain on his town
his apartment building was flooded
to the 2nd floor. He now lives in
N Carolina.
Tomorrow is my last day at work...
If you're a dumbass when it comes to money and you suddenly become rich you'll probably end up broke and miserable.
If you're not a dumbass when it comes to money and you become rich there's a good chance you all be just fine.
Sadly, it's not as easy to replace your family. Third cousins you haven't seen in decades invite you to parties.
Quote: AxelWolfIf you're generally a happy person and you become rich it will probably make you a much more happy person. If you're generally a miserable person and become rich you'll probably be even more miserable.
I think people here are describing two different scenarios of poor. There's one where you don't have much, but you manage pretty well most of the time, to the other where everything's out of control, the debt collector is at the door and you have all sorts of problems that might be manageable with more cash on hand.
I am set for five days of no power but do not anticipate any real problems at all. Got a small 700 watt microwave delivered recently, so if there is power I will be as peachy as the Dollar-Off pie I bought in case I do lose power.
Property owners worry more than poorhouse residents but geographically remote property owners often get poor service from property management firms.
If I suddenly won multi millions, I wouldn't change very much. I certainly wouldn't change my social circle. I MYSELF probably wouldn't play much in casinos unless it was a super good promotion. I wouldn't ever collect free play. I would use some of the money to improve the lives of people around me. I would Probably add a nice amount to the team bankroll so everyone could free up their cash and use that for other Investments.Quote: billryanI think the worst thing about sudden wealth is you almost have to switch social circles. Your friends can't afford the lifestyle you can give your family and distance sets in. You join a.country club or beach club and make new ones.
Sadly, it's not as easy to replace your family. Third cousins you haven't seen in decades invite you to parties.
I would buy a couple vacation homes in beautiful areas where I could do some fly-fishing and collect some exotic cars.
I would even send you a truckload of 99-cent ribeyes 😊
Quote: FleaStiffHurricanes? I had to get a variety of tasks completed today and the only way to get some medical forms dropped off 1.2 miles away was to book a cab for a much longer trip and start off with a detour. No real wind and rain here but store shelves are all denuded of bottled water and gas stations all have yellow plastic bags wrapped around the pump handles to indicate their tanks are dry for all grades of fuel. Beer, cigarettes, ice, batteries and flashlights selling briskly on mere speculation of track and strength.
I am set for five days of no power but do not anticipate any real problems at all. Got a small 700 watt microwave delivered recently, so if there is power I will be as peachy as the Dollar-Off pie I bought in case I do lose power.
Property owners worry more than poorhouse residents but geographically remote property owners often get poor service from property management firms.
Had to go out at 4am to get to a gas station which had gas. Gas lines were already long yesterday and the nearby station was drained by 10pm. Also got plenty of cash, because last time many retailers could not process plastic for quite awhile as machines were down.
I don't plan to drive anywhere, as many people just get stuck in traffic trying to leave at the last minute. Florida roads just don't support much overflow of traffic. Maybe they could support 10% of the population at most at one time. But it's good to have plenty of gas on hand should I need to for some reason rather than wondering if I can get some nearby.
if I lose air conditioning the sugar in the peach pie will knock me out.
if I don't lose air conditioning, then everything is fine too.
weather maps are not much help yet.
Quote: billryanI think the worst thing about sudden wealth is you almost have to switch social circles. Your friends can't afford the lifestyle you can give your family and distance sets in. You join a.country club or beach club and make new ones.
Sadly, it's not as easy to replace your family. Third cousins you haven't seen in decades invite you to parties.
It sounds like a perfect scenario. It is always good to make new friends and I would be moving away anyway. I get along great with my immediate family, we see each other about once every 18 months and I wouldn't want to change that.
Quote: rxwineHad to go out at 4am to get to a gas station which had gas.
Never understood the gas thing.
When there's a damaging storm,
do people jump in their cars and
drive around for 12 hours? Where
is there to go.
I'm always prepared. I have a gen,
1 months worth of canned food,
flashlights, LED lanterns. And I
live in MI.
I feel weird.....
Quote: EvenBobNever understood the gas thing.
When there's a damaging storm,
do people jump in their cars and
drive around for 12 hours? Where
is there to go.
If they do issue an evacuation order, it's difficult to leave without any. And don't count on finding anything open on the way anywhere. There's other things that can come up. If for some reason you need to go to the hospital you need some way to get there.
Plus most people have some errands to do in the few day, priors to a possible storm and unless you have a full tank a gas, you just use more up you may need later.
in FL. Is the curb weight for your
average FL citizen 250-300 pounds?
My jaw dropped..
Quote: rxwineIf they do issue an evacuation order, it's difficult to leave without any.
My dad retired to FL in the 80's.
I visited a bunch of times and
swore I would't live there if it
was free. Don't even get me
started on the reasons..
Quote: SOOPOOI'm home now. Retired. It's also my birthday. Combined party later for just family. In two weeks I'm sponsoring a party at a local bar that is owned by the OR head nurse I've worked with for the last 14 years. It will be the last time I see probably 50 or so people I've worked with over that time.
I feel weird.....
Best to take a couple of weeks to decompress. You've worked your whole life towards this. Find something you've always had a passion for and do it. Your third act is just beginning.
Something I rarely see discussed is the simple fact that family will have almost as much of an adjustment as you will. Their routine has you gone fifty hours a week and now you are there. It's like going from ice cream on Sunday to ice cream every day. Just keep in mind that while you experienced a life changing event, those close to you haven't and need time to adjust
Quote: billryanBest to take a couple of weeks to decompress. You've worked your whole life towards this. Find something you've always had a passion for and do it. Your third act is just beginning.
Something I rarely see discussed is the simple fact that family will have almost as much of an adjustment as you will. Their routine has you gone fifty hours a week and now you are there. It's like going from ice cream on Sunday to ice cream every day. Just keep in mind that while you experienced a life changing event, those close to you haven't and need time to adjust
Agree. Agree. Agree. Agree.
Next two weeks include golf most days. Plus some one time meetings with regards to the retirement. Plus trip to NYC to go to Bills Giants game. So it will kind of be like I was just on vacation. It's when I return from NYC and I don't go to work it will likely set in.
Quote: SOOPOOAgree. Agree. Agree. Agree.
Next two weeks include golf most days. Plus some one time meetings with regards to the retirement. Plus trip to NYC to go to Bills Giants game. So it will kind of be like I was just on vacation. It's when I return from NYC and I don't go to work it will likely set in.
If it makes you feel better we could probably get someone to call you at 3am for a double lung transplant.
Quote: SOOPOOIt's when I return from NYC and I don't go to work it will likely set in.
Retirement is never what you think
it will be. Nothing ever is.
Quote: EvenBobRetirement is never what you think
it will be. Nothing ever is.
I am not sure what I think it will be! So you must be right!
If you had a generator and needed to use it, that would be a fair place to store extra gas. I'd rather have my car loaded up with gas than not.Quote: EvenBobNever understood the gas thing.
When there's a damaging storm,
do people jump in their cars and
drive around for 12 hours? Where
is there to go.
I'm always prepared. I have a gen,
1 months worth of canned food,
flashlights, LED lanterns. And I
live in MI.
The biggest drawback to the Villages are the fees. New homes are charged a Community Development Fee. This is many thousands of dollars. It goes to pay back the developer for their infrastructure costs. You can sometimes avoid this if you buy a preowned home where the fees have been paid. There is a fee for everything imaginable. I honestly think they would charge you for the air if they could get away with it. Some residents leave the Villages when they discover these fees.
You are doing the right thing by renting before you buy. Try if for a few months and see how you like it. Ask around, especially about the fees. The weather in our area is beautiful from November to May. The summers are very hot and humid.
The nearest casino to the Villages is in Tampa. I play their one day a week. The casino is nice. The odds are poor. If you have any more questions, please let me know.
That is pretty much what all the Indian casinos in Florida are like.Quote: SingleCoinVP. The casino is nice. The odds are poor.
Fees? Nickel and dimed to death? One would think they have recaptured the cost of road construction by now.
fee to tee off, fee to sign up, fee to use the pencil and clipboard to sign up???
