Saving Money While in a Vacation-Like Atmosphere

by Scott Kauffman

Janet and Jack Smith

When Jack and Janet Smith retired in their mid-50s, they traveled the country in their RV when they weren’t living at their homestead in Albuquerque or wintering at Great Outdoors RV Resort in Titusville, FL, where they also owned an RV site. But Jack, who was born in Tampa and raised in Miami, always had a desire to come back to Florida one day after moving to Albuquerque in 1979 for his career with the Department of Energy.

Smith got his Florida reunion wish last August after he and his wife purchased a new 2,500-squarefoot, 4-bedroom home in this gated private golf and country club community between Daytona Beach and Orlando. The number one compromise: Janet got to keep her Albuquerque home so she can go back and spend time with her new grandchild.

“Otherwise, she loves Florida and the house, and so do I,” says Jack, who describes the couple as avid outdoors people who love state parks and beaches.

Ormand Beach Life at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club

What’s especially nice for the Smiths, who live off of their social security income, Jack’s federal pension, and some investment income, is the fact that Florida taxes none of that fixed income.

Jennifer and Jeff Miller

When recently married Jeff and Jennifer Miller decided to downsize now that their children from previous marriages were young adults, they didn’t have to go far when they purchased a new 1,800-squarefoot, three-bedroom, two-bath home. They just had to move over from the neighboring Flagler County community.

“We just wanted to simplify everything,” says Jennifer, 44. “Even the yard’s a lot smaller. But we just love Plantation Bay, and we don’t even golf. We chose it for the amenities, the natural beauty, and lifestyle.”

Each night as they tool around in their golf cart with dogs in tow, they pinch themselves at times as they take in the luxurious 3,600-acre gated club community with miles of pristine natural beauty, natural wildlife like turkey and deer, world-class amenities: 45 holes of championship golf, two fullservice clubhouses, pickleball, lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, a scenic pool pavilion with cabana bar, and more.

“Never did I think we’d be those people living in a community like this,” Jennifer says. “It takes us away like we’re on vacation.”