Archive for the ‘FL’ Category

The Villages, FL Geography and Demographics

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

The Villages, Fl of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills

Location in Citrus County and the state of Florida

Coordinates: 28°53′10″N 82°25′24″WCoordinates: 28°53′10″N 82°25′24″W
Country: United States
State: FL
County: Citrus
Area
- Total 9.8 sq mi (25.4 km2)
- Land 9.8 sq mi (25.4 km2)
- Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)

Elevation: 115 ft (35 m)
Population (2000)
- Total 4,029
- Density 411.1/sq mi (158.6/km2)

The Villages, FL of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills is a census-designated place (CDP) in Citrus County, Florida, United States first developed by Gerald Nash and Samuel Tamposi. The population was 4,029 at the 2000 census.

Contents

  1. Geography Information on the Villages, FL
  2. The Villages FL Demographics

Geography Information on the Villages, FL

The Villages, FL of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills is located at 28°53′10″N 82°25′24″W (28.886087, -82.423450)[3].
Based on information from the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²), all of it land.

The Villages, FL Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,029 people, 1,783 households, and 1,485 families residing in the Villages, FL. The population density of the Villages, FL was 411.2 people per square mile (158.7/km²). In the Villages, FL, there was a total of 2,137 housing units at an average density of 218.1/sq mi (84.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.78% White, 1.44% African American, 0.32% Native American, 4.02% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.83% of the population.

There were 1,783 households in the Villages, FL (out of which 15.1%) which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.4% were married couples living together, 3.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 13.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.46.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 13.3% under the age of 18, 2.2% from 18 to 24, 13.3% from 25 to 44, 36.6% from 45 to 64, and 34.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $48,229, and the median income for a family was $53,222. Males had a median income of $35,125 versus $24,875 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $25,753. About 4.3% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.

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Planing a Memorable Retirement Party

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

A retirement party should be just that- a party!  After all the years of hard work and sweat the retiree has contributed, you want to plan a party that makes them feel appreciated and celebrated for what they have done, but also for who they are.  Retiring to the Villages, Florida is an especially exciting time for you! You may know the guest of honor primarily through the time they contributed at your company, but there is a lot more to them as a person; make this a celebration of not just what they have done, but who they are as well.  This is obviously primarily a celebration of the retiree’s working years, but don’t be afraid to include some touches reflecting their personal lives as well.  Here are some fun ideas to plan an easy, but memorable, retirement party.  Its all about the retiree for a few hours, and every aspect of the party should reflect that in some way.

Decorations:

Beyond what they have done and who they are, don’t forget to include aspects of where the retiree is going and what they plan on doing.  Are they retiring to The Villages, FL?  Then decorate the party with bright colors, pink flamingos, and other beach themes.  Is the retiree finally building their dream house in the mountains?  Use camping equipment and pine cones to create a festive air.  Retirement parties only happen once, so don’t be afraid to have fun with the decorations and maybe even go a little overboard.

Food:

The food should also tie into the theme of the party and reflect the guest of honor.  Maybe the first thing the retiree is planning on doing with their new-found freedom is to take that cruise in the Mediterranean.  If that’s the case, find a good Greek caterer and make sure there’s lots of Baklava.  If the retiree is most looking forward to spending their days boating, serve lots of seafood.  Or consider holding the party at the retiree’s favorite restaurant.  Don’t skimp on the quality of the food; if you’re planning the party on a tight budget, don’t give in to the temptation to save by getting cheap food.  Nothing puts a damper on a party faster.

Party Games and Entertainment:

Many people expect to toast (or roast) the retiree, but a fun variation of that is to create a Jeopardy-like game using questions based on the guest of honor.  Another great TV game show to use would be Who Wants to be a Millionaire?  Some friendly competition for the attendees could be a small putt-putt course if the retiree is a golfer.  Whatever you plan, be sure to keep the retiree’s personality in mind; you want the end of the retiree’s time to be one of their best memories, not one of their most embarrassing moments.

After the party:

Whatever the retiree is going to end up doing now that their days of toiling are done, a great way to let those left behind know how to keep up with them as they head off to new adventures is through the party favors.  For the outdoors-y themed party, use wood picture frames with the retiree’s new contact information or an idea that can be incorporated into every theme is to put disposable cameras out on the tables and encourage friends or co-workers to document the party for the guest of honor themselves.

The options for themes of a retirement party are as diverse as the person you’re honoring.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match the many facets of the retiree’s life.  What is it they most look forward to doing in the future?  What are some of their greatest professional and personal accomplishments?  Every retiree has a unique story, take advantage of that uniqueness to plan a retirement party that they (and you) will never forget.

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Adjusting to Retirement: Problems and Solutions

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Change is hard.  Even exciting changes can prove difficult.  Eagerly anticipated changes are still upheaval and therefore have the potential to be painful.  There are different reasons adjusting to retirement may prove to be somewhat stressful.  And with the average life-span continually increasing, most people can expect to spend more time in the retirement stage of life.  In order to fully enjoy the ease of the retirement years, solutions need to be found for potential problems.

1.    Problem: Retiring at Different Times
For couples where both work outside the home, its not unusual for one of the partners to retire before the other, which brings change and therefore a new kind of stress on the relationship. The partner still working may be jealous of the new-found freedom the other has.  Or the opposite could be true in that the retiree may be jealous of the purpose the other still has in their life. Both partners can end up resentful of and hurt by the other as they both adjust to one of them retiring.

Solution:
Acknowledge and realize, as a couple, that transitions are scary, even ones as exciting as     retirement.  In the same way that all the other life-adjustments and stresses a couple has     encountered before (such as kids, moves, job changes) have been opportunity for     arguments and distance between them, the life-style change to retirement is no different.  Tackle     this new stage of life with the same commitment to communication, patience, flexibility, and     compromise.

2.    Problem: Boredom and Feeling Purposeless
After spending years with clear purpose and direction, retirement may feel void of direction or a big-black hole of purposelessness.  Or what about those that may be able to find things to do around the house, but still don’t feel like they’ve accomplished anything truly worthwhile at the end of the day and puttering around the house feels pointless instead.

Solution:
Many retirees fill their days with the hobbies they’ve always wanted to pursue but have never had enough time, energy, or money to devote to before.  But for some, hobbies aren’t enough to fill the now-empty days.  Volunteering, part-time or seasonal jobs, and physical activities are a great way to get out of the house, feel useful, and continue to engage and challenge your mind and now-retired body.  Retirement is a new opportunity to set and work towards goals.

3.    Problem: Loss of Friends
Particularly for those who made many friends through the office and social butterflies who crave the interaction the bustling work-place offered, retiring can be lonely.  Or for the retiree moving to warmer weather or to be closer to the grandkids, you have lost not only the human interaction from your co-workers, but also the social network and support outside of the office, such as church, neighbors, or clubs.

Solution:
Retirement means having more time available, and even though you might not get the daily     interaction from surrounding co-workers, there are still many people out in the world, potential     friends, waiting to be discovered, the trick is figuring out how to get to them.  That might mean     getting to know neighbors or joining a club     (to match a hobby).  If you already have a network     of friends outside of work, but are planning on moving when you retire, why not consider a     retirement community?  Making new friends isn’t easy, but having so much in common with     those nearby will help make the transition easier.

4.    Problem: Forced Into Retirement and Financial Unknowns
Being forced into retirement because of company lay-offs can add the stress of financial unknowns.  You probably thought you had a few more years to figure out a plan and a little while longer to build up your savings, and now it might feel like you’re being forced to develop a plan for how the rest of your life is going to look.

Solution:
If you don’t already, now would probably be a good time to create and stick to a budget.  If     knowledge is power, then knowing what your new lifestyle looks like in the checkbook will     give you the information you need to take control of where you’re headed.  That might mean a     second career, part-time job, or just taking advantage of senior discounts.  Downsizing is     another way to begin to help retiree’s stick to a smaller budget.

Please visit The Villages, FL for more information.

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Consider your Wallet: Taxes in Retirement

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

When considering retirement, smart consumers will take into account the tax burdens they will face in any potential location.  Living on a more static income requires planning ahead and gathering knowledge about the taxation issues that will face them in their new hometown or state.

Florida, specifically the Villages, FL, has long been a popular location for retirees, and with good reason.  A recent report by the Tax Foundation ranks Florida as number 47 when calculating local and state tax burdens.  When it comes to taxes, being ranked close to the bottom is a good thing!  Floridians pay no state income tax, which is a first consideration of many when choosing a new home state.  While the absence of state income taxes is certainly an attractive notion, one must ensure that the money saved in that area is not extracted from another source.  Some states that do not have a state income tax have very high property taxes.  This can put homeowners in a scenario in which, although their incomes are not taxed by the state, the price of home ownership increases yearly.

Florida’s property taxes are historically moderate and in recent years have been on the decline, partly thanks to legislation in the state on behalf of property owners.  Florida homeowners, such as those who have purchased homes in the Villages, Florida, are entitled to a homestead exemption on their property taxes if the home is their primary residence.  This homestead exemption allows for thousands of dollars in property value exemptions and ensures that the property tax on that residence will not increase by more than 3% in any one year.  Recently, a ballot initiative was passed in the state, doubling the homestead exemption for primary homeowners to $50,000, making this tax protection portable in most cases, and placing a 10 percent cap on annual rises in assessments for property that does not qualify for the homestead exemption.  Though not successful at this time, the state has also seen recent political movement to do away with property taxes altogether, which would greatly benefit homeowners.

Florida allows additional tax exemptions, including those listed here:

  • $500 widows and widower’s exemption
  • $500 disability exemption
  • $5,000 disability exemption for ex-service member
  • Service connected total and permanent disability exemption
  • Exemption for totally and permanently disabled person
  • Additional homestead exemption for persons 65 and older
  • Homestead property tax discount for veterans age 65 and older with a         combat-related disability
  • Homestead tax deferral
  • Installment payment of property taxes

What about retirees who desire to open a small business in Florida during their retirement years?  Florida TaxWatch, a watchdog group committed to sound fiscal policy and lower taxes, recently released a report that ranked Florida as 12th in the nation for its business-friendly practices and tax laws.

Homeowners considering a move to the Villages, Florida are wise to consult their financial advisor about the great tax advantages of retirement to Florida.

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4 Misconceptions about Florida Retirement Living

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Many people have misconceptions about Florida and Florida retirement living.  This article will address some of those misconceptions and present the real facts about living in West Central Florida’s Villages.

Misconception #1: Florida is overcrowded.

West Central Florida’s Villages is located in a rural setting with access to nearby amenities in Ocala, Tampa Bay, and Orlando.  The Nature Coast area is known for its controlled growth strategy, which encourages both small business development and nature conservancy.

Misconception #2: Florida is for Tourists.

Florida does indeed have a thriving tourist industry that employs many of its residents, resulting in lower property taxes and a thriving economy.  Tourism, however, is not all that Florida has to offer.  The Villages, FL of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills area features pristine waterways, indigenous wildlife, many nature trails, bike paths, and state forests and parks. Locals in West Central Florida enjoy the yearly visits of the manatees from March to October as they make their way to our warm natural springs.  Florida’s residents also benefit from a variety of beaches year round.  While some beach areas attract tourists, the extensive coastline of both Atlantic and Gulf Beaches means that Floridians always can find deserted but beautiful sites for walks, picnics, shelling, and swimming.

Misconception #3:  Florida’s wildlife , such as snakes and alligators, make it a dangerous place to live.

Actually, very few Floridians ever have direct contact with poisonous snakes or alligators.  General precautions, such a keeping grass mowed and never feeding alligators or crocodiles are common sense approaches to avoiding encounters with these creatures. Only 4 alligator attacks are reported each year in Florida.  In addition, of the 50 species of snakes living in Florida, only 6 are venomous.

Misconception #4: Florida is always hot and humid.

Florida is actually quite seasonal, with far less extremes than other areas.  Average highs during the winter months are in the 60s; average lows in the 40s.  These mild winters allow for longer and more productive growing seasons and more outdoor activities.  The summer months have average highs of 90 and lows in the 70’s.  During the hottest months, Florida has a rain pattern that provides almost daily showers that cool the evenings and keep plants and lawns green.   For many, the favorite seasons lie in between winter and summer- crisp falls and verdant springs.
The Villages, Florida is a choice for retirement for many seniors because of its great weather, abundance of nature and beauty, and privacy.

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Better, Healthier Retirement Life in the Villages, Florida

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

When considering a retirement location, people consistently choose warmer climates, and with good reason.  The harsh weather conditions of the Northern states, especially this year, point to why.  While all of us appreciate the notion of a “White Christmas”, season-long snowfalls and extreme temperatures  become a daily and dreary reality.

Many of us live out our working years with early morning windshield scraping sessions and evenings with snow-shovel in hand.  In retirement, we desire something different. Advancing age, certain medications,and even mild arthritis can cause more sensitivity to cold weather, making it harder on the body.  Even worse, cold can sometimes become harder to detect in our later years, meaning that the cold can have adverse effects on our health and well-being without our even being aware of them. In fact, cold weather presents many challenges, that are exacerbated with age:

  • Dry and chapped skin
  • Less exposure to the sunshine, resulting in Vitamin D shortages and weaker bones
  • Increased risk of injury due to falls and slips on ice
  • Dangerous driving conditions
  • A weather-induced sedentary lifestyle during the colder months of the year

The Villages, FL is a retirement community with an average winter temperature of 65 de-grees. In all seasons, the majority of the days are sunny.  The hottest part of the year, the summer season, is broken up by almost daily mid-afternoon showers that keep The Villages in Florida green and provide a break from the heat of the day.  Evening temperatures are mild, allowing for nighttime outdoor activities almost year round. The Villages, FL was con-structed and planned with the lifestyle needs of seniors in mind.

For those concerned about the lack of seasonal change, rest assured that Central Florida does experience seasonal weather. Our warm summers transition to perfect falls (a favorite time for many Floridians), crisp but mild winters, and finally to breezy and green springs. Seniors and others looking for a retirement location that offers a break from cold weather, snow, and freezing rain need look no further than the Villages, Fl of Terra .

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Stop Thinking About It and Retire!

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

For many of us, it seems like yesterday we were just starting our careers, raising kids, and purchasing a first home.  Retirement seemed a long way off. But, before you know it,  conversation with friends, neighbors, and coworkers turns to retirement and retirement plans.  You may have heard friends or neighbors discuss The Villages, Florida of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills as a possible retirement location.

At one time, retirement evoked thoughts of sedentary lifestyles, a time to be put off or avoided.  Today’s retirement lifestyles, however, offer a vibrant alternative to the visions of the past.  In fact, many people are moving up their plans for retirement, giving them more time to enjoy the years they have worked so hard to save for.

Retirement to communities like The Villages, FL in West Central Florida is an attractive option for many who are considering early retirement.  The Villages is an active adult community located in the heart of Florida.

The Villages, Florida of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills’ amenities are almost limitless.  For golfers, there are professionally designed courses to enjoy throughout the year.  Even if you aren’t a lifelong golfer, retiring early will give you plenty of time to learn.  You can take advantage of the advice of our golfing pros to learn this relaxing sport.  For the active retiree, tennis, swimming, and fitness trails are just some of the attractions the Villages Florida of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills has to offer.

An additional advantage to retiring early is the chance to pursue interests that may have eluded us during our working years. Local courses can be found in areas such as woodworking, cooking, and computers.  Here, you can meet new friends while learning new skills or adding to your knowledge.

A final advantage to early retirement is your potential savings.  Home prices are lower now than in many years, and taking action at the right time is key to maximizing your investment and home buying potential.  Join the many who have taken advantage of the chance to retire earlier than they had planned- and start enjoying the life you have always dreamed of now!

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