Simple Life Homes

[2newyorkers]

In today's paper is an ad for The Simple Life Homes being built on 466 just west of 301. The home models have 8 floor plans from 399-1000 square feet. You may add a loft. Check them out at simple-life.com. Of course they advertise that they are 1 mile from The Villages.

[John_W]

Those are Tiny Homes, they've been all over HGTV for a couple of years with various shows. Such as Tiny House Hunters, Tiny House Big Living, Tiny House Builders and others. The price of new homes has taken away the American Dream for many young people, Tiny Homes are an alternative.

Tiny House Hunters | HGTV (https://www.hgtv.com/shows/tiny-house-hunters)

[Toymeister]

As a measure of value 800 sq ft is 161k and you don't own the land.

[Toymeister]

The drive ways have grass in the center. Some might consider that quaint I just see a builder that was so cheap he didn't spend the 50.00 for the extra concrete.

[Stu from NYC]

Buying home on land you do not own does not seem like such a great idea, not to mention how small they are

[vintageogauge]

The 900 Sq. Ft. villas with carports in Chitty Chatty would be a better deal assuming you want to live in a 55 and over community. There seems to be an awful lot of building just outside TV, single family as well as condo's and apartments. Good for business bad for crowds.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

A house over 500 square feet of living space doesn't really qualify for the designation of "tiny house." Tiny houses are usually 500sf or less. Anything bigger would be just a small custom-built or pre-fab trailer home.

My favorite tiny houses are made by Tumbleweed. Tumbleweed Tiny Houses (https://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/)

[New Englander]

I think after a while, living in one of those tiny houses would drive me nuts.

[Rich42]

These tiny houses are to attract workers to staff all the villages stores and restaurants. They have to live somewhere people.

[J1ceasar]

Buy a nice used rv trailer. $10,000 . at least then you can move .

[rmd2]

I saw a couple of models. They are pretty inside but very small.

[Tdsch5012@yahoo.com]

Know where I can get one of those nice RV’s for $10,000 ?

[024engine]

That is true. One mile from villages. Tiny homes. You rent the property, but own the house. Not a good deal. Have to make appointment to see them.

[starman215]

Water Oak home on land you don't own

[Travel41]

I moved from a large home with a pool in Harbor Hills to a brand new home in Water Oak. I love being close to everything. Don’t own property, but with new tax laws why do I want to have write offs like real estate taxes. I do the standard return which is a good write off for a widow. Also, good for my kids to sell or rent when I die. Perfect for me.5

[LSTOWELL]

Those in chitty chatty are really a dumb thing to do..makes that area of villas look like the old ones on the other side of 441...

[LSTOWELL]

That is true. One mile from villages. Tiny homes. You rent the property, but own the house. Not a good deal. Have to make appointment to see them.
Yeah why would you want to pay that much $$ BUT it's really like a condo association where you own the inside only of your unit,own no land but can still sell it..maybe they're taking care of the yards like condo living..

[airstreamingypsy]

It is like a condo, and like a condo they can do a background check, which I feel like is an advantage. No where in The Villages do they do that. As for living in the small size, it's not for everyone. Millions of people live fulltime in RVs, and love it. I lived in one for 15 years, pulled it to 48 states.... saw the USA like few get to. I moved out of 4,000 square feet into 170 square feet....... meant to do it for 1 year, came off the road 15 years later...... different strokes. I went by it the other day, I thought it looked great.

[Cranford61]

These tiny houses are to attract workers to staff all the villages stores and restaurants. They have to live somewhere people.
They also will enjoy The Villages’ squares for entertainment and action. Too many surrounding parasitic neighborhoods encircling TV, buying one happy hour beer and sitting all night.

[John_W]

If you don't live in TV, then why would anyone want to live in this part of Florida? If I just came to Florida and wanted to retire or even needed to work part-time, I would chose somewhere that had something interesting, something going for it, somewhere you can enjoy.

I would consider this condo for $149K right now on the market, it's a studio but perfect for a single person. However, the location and the area more than make up for the space, it's 5 minutes from Madeira Beach. If people want to visit, there is always pullout couches or motels. If I had to decide between a tiny house in Oxford, Florida and this place, it would be a no brainer.

4725 Cove Cir APT 806, Saint Petersburg, FL 33708

4725 Cove Cir APT 806, Saint Petersburg, FL 33708 (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4725-Cove-Cir-APT-806-Saint-Petersburg-FL-33708/46974542_zpid/?)

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/ISj7hhkmmarrjk1000000000.webp

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/ISv8ygoto7771e1000000000.webp

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/IS3b5mx6q8tly60000000000.webp

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/IS7e6o3pib48bk1000000000.webp

[Aces4]

Those in chitty chatty are really a dumb thing to do..makes that area of villas look like the old ones on the other side of 441...

In one person’s eyes...

[Aces4]

If you don't live in TV, then why would anyone want to live in this part of Florida? If I just came to Florida and wanted to retire or even needed to work part-time, I would chose somewhere that had something interesting, something going for it, somewhere you can enjoy.

I would consider this condo for $149K right now on the market, it's a studio but perfect for a single person. However, the location and the area more than make up for the space, it's 5 minutes from Madeira Beach. If people want to visit, there is always pullout couches or motels. If I had to decide between a tiny house in Oxford, Florida and this place, it would be a no brainer.

4725 Cove Cir APT 806, Saint Petersburg, FL 33708

4725 Cove Cir APT 806, Saint Petersburg, FL 33708 (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4725-Cove-Cir-APT-806-Saint-Petersburg-FL-33708/46974542_zpid/?)

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/ISj7hhkmmarrjk1000000000.webp

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/ISv8ygoto7771e1000000000.webp

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/IS3b5mx6q8tly60000000000.webp

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/IS7e6o3pib48bk1000000000.webp

Probably the hurricane factor, employment opportunity and closer to family. We know elderly who also struggle with The Villages taxes, fees and extra bonds. People come from many different scenarios

[jimjamuser]

If you don't live in TV, then why would anyone want to live in this part of Florida? If I just came to Florida and wanted to retire or even needed to work part-time, I would chose somewhere that had something interesting, something going for it, somewhere you can enjoy.

I would consider this condo for $149K right now on the market, it's a studio but perfect for a single person. However, the location and the area more than make up for the space, it's 5 minutes from Madeira Beach. If people want to visit, there is always pullout couches or motels. If I had to decide between a tiny house in Oxford, Florida and this place, it would be a no brainer.

4725 Cove Cir APT 806, Saint Petersburg, FL 33708

4725 Cove Cir APT 806, Saint Petersburg, FL 33708 (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4725-Cove-Cir-APT-806-Saint-Petersburg-FL-33708/46974542_zpid/?)

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/ISj7hhkmmarrjk1000000000.webp

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/ISv8ygoto7771e1000000000.webp

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/IS3b5mx6q8tly60000000000.webp

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/uncropped_scaled_within_1536_1152/IS7e6o3pib48bk1000000000.webp
Nice area for a person 40 years old or younger.

[askcarl]

HOA of $400 a month. Really need to check out the date of building repairs. Elevators, pool, parking lot, A/C, etc. Then ask for the HOA planned future repairs and reserve monies (and who/where those $$$ are held).

If you're serious, attend and HOA meeting and ask the attendees some questions.

Your costs can skyrocket after Move-in.

BBW buyer be ware.

[TomPerrett]

There is a large market for tiny homes and it’s getting bigger. I don’t know if these are a good deal or not. Many people don’t need or want large places.
The house I grew up in Had three rooms down stairs three bedroom upstairs one bathroom with a tub and one sink. Nobody went to the bathroom in your house. You went across the street to your own toilet. Boys use the nearest bush. Today you get registered as a sec offender for doing that. People didn’t go far back then no Ferraris are Lamborghinis.
Was sure a simpler life.

[John_W]

Nice area for a person 40 years old or younger.

My neighbor that I play golf with, he's either at St. Pete Beach, Venice Beach, Pine Island in Spring Hill, Crystal River or somewhere on the Gulf coast fishing and hanging out about 3 days a week. Everytime we play golf, he tells me of all the stuff he's doing. I would do it myself, but I hate to drive that much. There are still some of us who like the beach life.

You're right, it's not like anything we have here. If I were to go to the Gulf coast at my age, it would be in a 55+ community like Heritage Pines in Hudson. I still want to play golf and be around people our age some of the time.

Heritage Pines 55+ community Hudson, Florida (https://www.heritagepines.net/)

HOA of $400 a month. Really need to check out the date of building repairs. Elevators, pool, parking lot, A/C, etc. Then ask for the HOA planned future repairs and reserve monies (and who/where those $$$ are held).

If you're serious, attend and HOA meeting and ask the attendees some questions.

Your costs can skyrocket after Move-in.

That can said for any condo no matter where it is, you have to do your due diligence, not just St. Pete Beach. The Simple Life Tiny Homes in Oxford on 466 have a monthly land rental and amenity fee of $675.

[Nick B]

We used to call them trailer parks

[michellevanhaste]

They cute , And the land lease is expensive . A big price tag, for trend

[Rosebud1949]

Good idea for those who are happy with a small neat house. Not everyone wants to have a "Mc Mansion" and try to keep up with the Joneses' at vast expense. Many an old saying is pertinent, All that glistens is not gold folks, and all that is large is NOT always paid for !!!!! Some are happy to live within their means.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

How many cities , do you go to and buy more then one beer

[Aces4]

How many cities , do you go to and buy more then one beer

To be polite... what?

[NavyVet]

OMG. $675 a month. Expensive? Seriously? Only $225 of that is for the actual lot rental. The rest covers not only community amenities, but ALSO includes HD Cable, high speed Internet, yard maintenance, water, sewer, trash pickup, taxes, common area and road maintenance, a shuttle bus(!), and more. Can anyone live that cheaply in TV for all that? I think not. Just saying.

https://www.simple-life.com/wp-content/uploads/Simple-Life-Lifestyle-Value-Fee-1.pdf

[photo1902]

OMG. $675 a month. Expensive? Seriously? Only $225 of that is for the actual lot rental. The rest covers not only community amenities, but ALSO includes HD Cable, high speed Internet, yard maintenance, water, sewer, trash pickup, taxes, common area and road maintenance, a shuttle bus(!), and more. Can anyone live that cheaply in TV for all that? I think not. Just saying.

https://www.simple-life.com/wp-content/uploads/Simple-Life-Lifestyle-Value-Fee-1.pdf

Apples and oranges

[John_W]

OMG. $675 a month. Expensive? Seriously? Only $225 of that is for the actual lot rental. The rest covers not only community amenities, but ALSO includes HD Cable, high speed Internet, yard maintenance, water, sewer, trash pickup, taxes, common area and road maintenance, a shuttle bus(!), and more. Can anyone live that cheaply in TV for all that? I think not. Just saying.

https://www.simple-life.com/wp-content/uploads/Simple-Life-Lifestyle-Value-Fee-1.pdf

Yes, my home;

Electric SECO $85 (runs $80 to $90)

Water, sewage, garbage, amenity fee $240 (runs $225 to $250)

Directv $150

Century Link $50

Taxes, Bond and Maintenance were $2100, I get exceptions for a VA disability, but you asked can anyone. So if you want, you can add $200 a month for taxes.

I have no grass, so my yard maintenance I handle myself. I spray my pesticides, fertilize my shrubs and pull weeds. The amenity fee covers the maintenance of TV. That's $525 a month and I could probably knock $50 or more off I went with streaming television. This is for a 1200 sf masonry CYV in Tamarind Grove, very central location. If you want to include taxes, bond & maintenance, that would be $725 a month.

[ALadysMom]

How many cities , do you go to and buy more then one beer

How many cities , do you go to and buy more then one beer...when you know you have to drive home afterward. Who goes to listen to live music while eating a five-course meal?

[ALadysMom]

A tiny house seems like an interesting lifestyle at first but they don’t cost less and owners are still dependent on a landlord. Most are not easy nor inexpensive to move. But their biggest drawbacks are safety and maintenance.

How would you keep your entire home from being towed by a thief? What are the fire ratings? What are the wind safety ratings for hurricanes and tornadoes? Would it be more vulnerable to forced entry? How long is the expected life span of a tiny house? What will the maintenance be in five or ten years? Unlike motor homes, what are the safety regulations and licensing requirements? What are the consumer protections for tiny home buyers?

Fear of commitment/putting down roots is what seems to motivate interest in tiny houses more than a need for a more economical independent home. Alternative housing solutions aren’t always better than the standard housing choices and tiny homes seem to have all the same problems as mobile trailer homes do, but with less size and more cost.

Ultimately Villagers will pay more—for Pool and Rec center monitoring, as well as general wear and tear in commons areas & many other hidden increases— because of increased population densities of these & other new nearby dwellings.

[Emmakrock@yahoo.com]

Yes but those aren’t village homes.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

My reply was to the person who claimed that they would just take up space in village square and only buy one beer