Are you SURE you are allowed a dog at Watergate? Usually water is metered at a nickle a gallon at most condominiums, don't know for sure there. Your electric bill will depend on your air conditioning use

Thanks for the price quotes. Hmmmm, a nickle a gallon, that will make for some water usage changes. I live in Louisiana now and keep the house (with ceiling fans running) at 80 degrees in the summer. I'm hoping to maintain a low electric bill. As far as the dog goes, the reason I chose Watergate Villa is because it's one of the very few places that will allow a small dog. They have a "doggie Island" kind of set up, where you can take the dog to do his business and then clean it up. I had an arangment like that in NYC. He won't be allowed on the beach there but I understand there a few dog friendly beaches on the island. I'm hoping to find them once I get there. Any info on that would be appreciated.

Thanks

I know that next door, at Sea Cliff, owners are allowed a dog, but renters are not, that is why I asked.

Yes, you will probably change your water habits- Turn the water off while brushing your teeth, shorter showers, etc. All the best with your move.

I don't know about water because we have a cistern that in the last two years has never run dry. . . . . (we are very thankful), but as for electricity we have a average sized two bedroom place without A/C and we pay about $50 a month. We use to pay $70 but we switched all of our lights to the new energy efficient ones and it was amazing how it helped. We do have three fans, a tv, computer that is always on, and a fridge. Our stove is gas. We are not home during the day at all.

-Josh

As far as WAPA is concerned, your bill will either come to you directly via WAPA if your condo unit is directly connected to WAPA, or via the condo association who registers individual unit consumption via their private meters and bill accordingly..

If your unt is intalled with central AC then obviously you'll find a temperature which will suit you and NOT expose the condo to wasteage by running the AC with doors and wndows wide open? As far as water is concerned, you will probably be assessed bu whatever druthers but you have to learn to conserve wherever you live and water conservation eventually becomes a way of life. "If it's yellow, let it mellow, if t's brown flush it down..."

Sailor showers . Turn on the shower, step in, soap up, lather up. Turn the shower off and then turn the shower back on to rinse off. Don't ever leave water runming whether you're paying for it or not!

EE, I too was confused about the animal issue but understand that the "old" Watergate now allows a dog of a certain size, as in a weight restriction which allows something akin to a toy breed being OK but not anything over somethimg like five pounds? Lord knows where they came up with whatever. The older I get the more my mind gets boggled!

Cheers!

If you have a cistern adequate for your needs water is less of a concern. We have a cistern, and, while we are not foolish with water use, we also aren't paying 5 cents a gallon for water. I don't take long showers, but I don't turn the water off during my shower.

You would do well to ask other condo owners/renters in the complex about costs.

Pets are only allowed at Watergate with PRIOR Board approval and it is a benefit usually reserved for owners only.

LindaJ: Are you in a condo? Most condos have a common cistern and meter the water into each unit. You pay whether you are using collected or purchased water.

STTRes, Reeframbler and Linda: I only know people who live at Sea Cliff, and know that it has become a huge doggie attraction for people who want to own a condominium and have a pet. I thought it was one of the few places that allowed dogs for owners. There are two other associations on that point (Watergate and Regatta Point) and I had never heard of them allowing dogs. I also don't know the names of any other condo associations that allow renters to have dogs, although in discussions before, I have been told that there are.

Thank-you all for your responces. My energy conservation habits are similiar to what you discribe so I'm not too worried about adapting to the island. I AM a bit concerned about the dog issue now. The people I'm renting the condo from live in CO and are serving as land lord for their mother. I'm becoming concerned that they may not be aware of all the assocation rules as far as pet owners and renters go. I will bring up this issue with them to make sure that the dog will be allowed. I had no idea bringing along a pet would be so complicated. Thanks again for all your time and input.

Linda

Sorry I was not clear. We live in a house. I was only addressing, in a general way, the difference between cistern water and metered water.

LindaJ: That is what I figured. Just trying to let the other LInda know the differences in condo vs house living! 😉