A Retiree’s Scenario: Putting the Plan into Action

Let’s walk through a fictional but realistic example. Meet David and Maria, both 64, from Chicago. They are ready to escape the snow and start their Florida retirement.

Their Priorities: David is an avid golfer and a lifelong woodworker who wants a dedicated workshop space. Maria is a passionate painter who wants a vibrant arts community and to be within a three-hour drive of their daughter, who lives in Tampa. Their budget is moderate; they want a comfortable life but need to be mindful of monthly costs.

Their Process: Their initial online search for Florida retirement communities points them to three top contenders: The Villages (for its endless golf), On Top of the World in Ocala (known for its hobby facilities), and Sun City Center (for its affordability and proximity to Tampa).

They decide against buying sight-unseen. Instead, they plan a two-week “discovery tour” of Florida. They book a “Lifestyle Preview Plan” stay in The Villages for three nights to get the full resident experience. For On Top of the World, they do the same. For Sun City Center, they rent a nearby vacation home for a few days to explore the community and the surrounding area without a formal sales presentation.

Their Research on the Ground: During their stay in The Villages, David is amazed by the golf access, but Maria finds the sheer scale a bit overwhelming. They talk to residents and hear mixed feedback about wait times for certain medical specialists. In On Top of the World, they are immediately impressed by the woodworking shop and the dedicated arts and crafts building. They talk to a resident who shows them his home with a large RV garage, which David realizes would make a perfect workshop. They time the drive to their daughter’s house in Tampa, and it clocks in at just under 90 minutes.

At Sun City Center, they love the friendly, down-to-earth vibe and the very attractive home prices. However, the homes are older and would require more updating, and they don’t find the specific workshop and art studio facilities that are so high on their wish list.

Their Decision: After their trip, David and Maria sit down and compare the options against their priority list. While The Villages had great golf, On Top of the World offered both the workshop space for David and the focused arts community for Maria. The manageable drive to Tampa was a huge plus. They also felt the cost structure, with a clear HOA fee and no bond to worry about on the resale home they liked, was more straightforward for their budget. They made an informed trade-off, choosing the place that best met their combined top priorities, not just the one with the biggest name.