We have a 1250 sq ft house with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. Large pool in backyard. The house is 90 years old. Mortgage payment is $1500 including taxes and insurance.

Utilities -- gas, electric, water and sewer -- run about $300/month (less in winter and higher in summer with a/c).

Food is about $800/month, as we eat out a lot.

Pool chemicals run about $125/month. We do the maintenance outselves.

Our gardener is $60/month. House keeper twice per month at $65 each.

Cell phone about $250/month, as we use it for business. Internet is about $50/month. TV satellite is $95 (because of the added charges for HD, etc.)

Hope this helps. Not cheap to live here, but better than major metro areas.