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Can you save money living at Towne Club? Do the math and find out.
First impressions are often the most trustworthy. But they can also be misleading.
George Howard is glad he didn’t follow his initial instincts. At first glance Howard, a retired insurance agent, didn’t see how he could afford to live at Towne Club at Peachtree City. Howard loved everything he saw when he visited Towne Club: the luxurious surroundings, fine-dining options, the various amenities and carefree lifestyle.
“It is absolutely beautiful,” he said. But Howard’s enthusiasm for Towne Club was tempered by his initial reaction to the monthly fee.
“It seemed a bit pricey,” said Howard, an active 83-year-old. “I thought it was too rich for my blood. But it is such a great community, I didn’t want to give up on the idea too quickly.”
So, Howard decided to give Towne Club a closer look. With his daughter’s help, he sat down to go over his monthly expenses and crunch the numbers.
“We started to add up all the areas where I would save money,” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised. It came to more than $700 each month. All of a sudden, living at Towne Club began to look affordable.”
Howard is eager to sell his home in Peachtree City so he can move into Towne Club at Peachtree City. “The sooner the better,” he said.
Howard’s experience is not unique. Many visitors to Towne Club suffer initial “sticker shock” when they first see the monthly rate. What they often don’t take into consideration is that many extras and amenities are included in the fee, including fine dining, cable TV, phone service, Internet access, maid service, pest control and security monitoring, among other items.
In addition, Towne Club residents can save significant money by not paying for property taxes, home repair and maintenance, fitness club membership, etc. For some people, the savings can add up to well over $1,000 a month.
“We looked at all my normal expenses and realized I would be writing a lot fewer checks each month,” Howard said. But Howard’s main motivation for moving into Towne Club at Peachtree City is not simply to have fewer bills to pay.
“My wife died three years ago,” he said, “and it gets lonely being by yourself. I am tired of cooking for myself and I don’t like eating out alone. I am looking forward to making friends and having people to share my life with.”
George Anderson, another retiree who lives in Peachtree City, also is eager to sell his home so he can move into Towne Club.
“The cost looks pricey at first glance, but as you go through the numbers, you realize it is a good value.” Anderson said. “You have to do the math. I’m going to have a whole list of savings, from property taxes to homeowner’s insurance.”
Most of all, Anderson said he is looking forward to improving his quality of life at Towne Club.
“Going to the grocery store and cooking for myself are the main things I want to get away from,” he said. “The food at Towne Club is excellent. I’m not going to cook any more. I can’t move in soon enough.”
