Terra Vista Florida Retirement

Archive for February, 2010

If you’re thinking about your retirement plans, then you’re certainly considering the most important decision you’ve made in your lifetime.  Here are a couple of points to try to help you decide on a good course of action.

1.    Think about timelines.

When do you plan on retirement?  When you’re thinking about your retirement, it’s absolutely essential to make good decisions that will allow you to have enough finances to keep up a level of comfort and a lifestyle that you will enjoy for the rest of your life.  You don’t ever want to have no other choice but to start working again during your retirement just to pay your bills!

2.    Your living expenses will go up with time.

Inflation will most likely always be a factor for years to come.  Without dealing with expenses related to raising a family and having a full time job, you will still need healthcare, food, fuel, housing, and other bills.  (Here is a retirement calculator that might help you chart your costs.)  Consider slight increases in these costs as the years go by.

3.    Try not to rely too heavily on social security.

Many experts believe that in the coming years, there will be major changes to the social security industry.  Between now and when you retire, the funds available from social security may change. Be prepared and plan ahead.

4.    Start Saving Today!

The longer it takes for you to start saving, the longer it will take you to quit working.  Planning your retirement will require long term investment planning and post poning your savings can have a detrimental effect on your retirement goals.

Plan Your Retirement Early!

Generally speaking, Florida retirement communities are classed one of two ways – either ‘age targeted’, or ‘age restricted’.  Age restricted Florida retirement communities simply do not allow anyone younger than 55 to purchase a home and may have some extremely strict rules on how long family members of certain ages may visit.  An age-targeted retirement community will not restrict the purchase of a home from an interested buyer younger than 55, although the amenities and demographics will be vastly geared to retirees.

Either way you choose, you will undoubtedly have the opportunity to interact with new people with whom you share common ground, interests, and activities, while enjoying a retirement lifestyle you’ve always wanted!

If you are looking into the possibility of choosing a retirement community, here are some tips to follow:

1. Ask around for anyone who might have already chosen a retirement community.

A lot of times, friends or family members know of someone who has already gone before you – there is nothing better than hearing through a friend about his/her experiences when choosing a retirement community.

2. Make a list of what retirement activities are most important to you.

Do you enjoy recreation such as golf, fishing, boating, swimming, or exercising?  Make a list of your favorite pastimes and search for retirement communities that may offer these.  Check into the clubs, groups, and activities that the retirement community your are looking into offers.  Make sure you choose a retirement community that will satisfy your interests.

Some retirement communities, like Terra Vista, Florida, offer world class gyms, spas, golf, tennis, and other exciting activities.

3. Investigate online.

Most Florida retirement communities have good websites that offer lots of information – videos, testimonials, descriptions of the area, and other juicy information you would want to know before you decide on a place to retire.  This information can really help you in choosing a retirement community.  Also, take a look at websites such as Top Retirements and 55places.com which offer great information.

4. Calculate the costs.

An affordable retirement solution is extremely important.  Calculate the cost of living in the retirement community you are looking into.  Generally, places like Florida offer a cheaper cost of living, while other areas may be more expensive.  Be aware of “hidden costs.” Some retirement communities, such as the Villages in Florida, have a CDD – which means that the community builders will take out loans on your mortgage which will increase your monthly mortgage costs.

5. Find a retirement location that offers great health care.

As you look forward to the future, great health care options are extremely important.  Look around for a retirement community in a location that has a reputation for excellent health care!

6. Take a tour!

Most retirement communities offer 2 or 3 night stays in their retirement community so you can receive a great tour, and experience a taste of what you may be looking forward to in the future.  While you’re visiting, be sure to spend time to speak to current residents and some of the staff.  Residents will give you a great picture of what it will be like to live in the community, and by talking to the staff you’ll get a good idea of how you’ll be treated.

For more information on retirement and choosing the right retirement, please visit Florida Retirement Communities or call 800-511-0814

When thinking about and planning your retirement, questions inevitably arise. One of the questions that most people face today is the question, “How much money will I need during retirement?” For a lot of people, retirement is a journey in which they have a “Bucket List” of activities they hope to experience which they were unable to experience while they were working. For some others, it may be a time for rest and relaxation. What does retirement look like for you?

Think about what you want in retirement. This is when ideas about how you plan to live your retirement out start to become clearer, and the amount of your initial budget needed for recreation, living expenses, health care, and other odds and ends. Try to clearly define your retirement goals and then map out a plan to help you achieve your retirement goals.

Take time to do this, and truly try to think through what your lifestyle and expenses will look like. You might even try mapping out your retirement goals by using this retirement expense spreadsheet located here.

Here is the one essential question you need to ask yourself about your retirement goals:

How much income will I need to support my retirement goals and lifestyle?

Planning your retirement is a balance between your financial income from your retirement and the lifestyle you choose. It’s that easy! If you purchase a larger home with a bigger monthly mortgage payment, you might need to sacrifice some lifestyle activities. Maintaining this balance is one of the essential ingredients that go into financial planning for your retirement goals.

Try this retirement goals XLS spreadsheet to calculate your income versus your expenses.

For more information on retirement and Terra Vista of Citrus Hills, please visit our website, at http://www.citrushills.com/ or call 800-511-0814

1.    A Beautifully Balanced Suburban Environment
Here at Terra Vista, you’ll discover the charm of contemporary suburban living combined with easy access to Florida’s most dynamic cosmopolitan hubs.  A world of plentiful “at home” conveniences crowned by the many amenities of nearby Tampa, Orlando, and Ocala.  That’s the balanced foundation of a stress-free lifestyle you’ll find at Terra Vista.

2.    Florida Like Nothing You’ve Ever Seen
Rolling hills, unspoiled natural landscape, and picturesque surroundings have long been central to Florida’s allure. Terra Vista abounds with nature’s untarnished beauty and lush landscapes and sits atop one of Florida’s highest elevations… a stunning environment protected from over development and congestion.

3.    Refined Community Planning
Terra Vista’s commitment of delivering a first-class country club lifestyle is evident from the moment you arrive.  A well planned setting of distinctive residences set within impeccably manicured surroundings signifying the success you’ve achieved and caliber of lifestyle you intend to enjoy.

4.    Equipped With Something for Everyone
From nature’s solitude to an active social scene, whatever your pastime passions or social schedule, our world-class facilities at the Skyview and Citrus Hills Golf & Country Clubs will satisfy any impulse.  Exclusive for our members are amenities with a breadth and depth few communities ever dream of offering! Whether it’s a vigorous game of racquetball at the Fitness & Spa Complex… a relaxing afternoon poolside, or a round of golf as part of your favorite foursome, the lifestyles and experience here is all about fun, friendship, and fulfillment.
5.    Affordable Distinctive & Varied Customizable Homes
You can commend yourself on finding a first-class country club experience for less than you may have ever thought possible!  A comparison of housing quality, community design, and club amenities will unquestionably establish this among the greatest luxury housing opportunities in Florida.

Enriching our lifestyle experience is a remarkable collection of traditional single family homes & detached villas.  As you would expect, each model offers a heightened level of architectural design compatible with community planning and the tastes of today’s discerning luxury homeowner. Every design offers the opportunity to be customized, to better accommodate your individual preferences.

For more information on retirement and Terra Vista of Citrus Hills, please visit our website, at http://www.citrushills.com/ or call 800-511-0814

Terra Vista of Citrus Hills

1. Pleasant Year Round Weather

With comfortable winters and breezy summers the Terra Vista area offers ad ideal setting for enjoying all your favorite outdoor sports and activities.  Here, you’ll find a range of temperatures that allows you to comfortably enjoy the Florida experience season after season.  In addition to its balanced temperatures, Citrus County offers historically low hurricane risks compared to other coastal locations statewide.

2. Attractive Cost of Living

When compared to many Florida destinations, particularly in the southern parts of the state, Citrus County offers an escape from excessive costs.  As highlighted in comparative price index reports, Citrus County ranks among the most affordable places in Florida to live.  Here, you’ll enjoy a high-quality lifestyle where lower costs are prevalent, not only in everyday purchases such as dining out and entertainment, but also for major expenses including housing.  Plus, there’s the added savings of no state income tax and benefits of today’s Homestead Exemption laws and the long-term real estate tax stability they provide.

3. Balanced Location

From its vantage point north of Tampa Bay in the heart of the Nature Coast, Citrus County offers uncluttered beauty accentuated by towering oaks, pristine spring-fed rivers and the rolling hills that founded the area’s unique “Alps of Florida” reputation.  This is uniquely balanced by the wealth of cultural, fine dining, shopping, and urban pursuits found just a short drive away in metropolitan Tampa Bay, Orlando, Ocala, and Gainesville.

4. Outstanding Outdoor Recreation

Aptly referred to as Mother Nature’s Theme Park, Citrus County has 22 miles of lakes, 7 rivers and a Gulf of Mexico coastline.  Enhanced by our beautiful weather, residents enjoy world-class golfing and fishing; diving and snorkeling; boating and kayaking; and the many hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities provided in the area’s many parks and preserves, including the sprawling Withlacoochee State Forest.

5. Not Crowded

Citrus County offers an escape from the crowds increasingly found in many parts of Florida, especially the Southeast and Southwest regions.  Here, you’ll enjoy a more balanced pace of life without the stress caused by heavy traffic, long lines, and overcrowding.

6. Preserved & Ecologically Balanced

While south Florida grows more and more cluttered, Citrus County offers a pristine and picturesque lifestyle.  Its home to the many state forests and preserves, some of the most productive saltwater estuaries in Florida, as well as seven of the state’s outstanding crystal-clear waterways.  And this natural, untouched beauty will remain unspoiled because the County has protected about 50 percent of its land from future development.  While much of Florida suffers from near critical water shortages, we’re in the enviable position of having an ongoing supply of high-quality water from the largest collection of major magnitude springs of any county in the state.

7. Amenity-Rich Suburb

Citrus County offers the full range of amenities your active lifestyle demands.  From nearby shopping and diverse restaurant choices to local theatre productions and area festivals, you’ll find Terra Vista is an exciting, convenient place to enjoy great suburban Florida living.

8. Excellent Health Care

Offering a wide range of outstanding health care options right near home brings peace of mind.  Living in Citrus Hills, you’ll have convenient access to two hospitals, hundreds of highly regarded family and specialty physicians and dozens of outpatient surgery and diagnostic centers.  And just a short drive away awaits the world-class health care services at Shands Health Care in Gainesville.

9. Low Crime

Of the 67 counties in Florida, Citrus County boasts one of the lowest crime rates.  In keeping with our great suburban setting, residents enjoy a lifestyle free from the threats and worries often experienced in more populated parts of the state.  Plus, our Sheriff’s Department has earned national accolades and accreditation for its unwavering pursuit of safety and diligent crime-prevention efforts.

10. Educational Opportunities

With a long-standing tradition for excellence, Citrus County offers a comprehensive array of educational opportunities to meet the needs of our diverse population, ranging from educational enrichment courses for retirees to outstanding pre-schools.  Our public schools boast one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in the state, and there are several private school options.  Our community college and technical school offer local higher educational opportunities at very affordable rates.

11. Poised for Florida’s Future

Citrus County lies in a unique position along the coastal edge of Florida’s Central Belt, a region where the real focus of future growth lies.  In terms of bustling hubs of commerce, Citrus County is advantageously located just a short distance from the flourishing metro centers of Orlando, Gainesville and Tampa Bay.  Located even closer, is the blossoming city of Ocala.

12. Amazing Quality of Life

Set amidst gently rolling hills in the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast, this northern suburb of Tampa Bay offers all the amenities you desire to live life to its fullest.  Balanced year-round weather, idyllic natural beauty, great schools, advanced medical care and superb golf, tennis, boating, and fishing all combine with a rare spirit of community to create an enchanting place few places can rival.

For more information on retirement and Terra Vista of Citrus Hills, please visit our website, at http://www.citrushills.com or call 800-511-0814