We have a place in the Villages and also have our full time home in California. We love California lifestyle and weather, but there is no place like the Villages. I have found that the lifestyle, friendliness, activities, golf courses and country clubs, Town Centers, entertainment, safety, weather, relatively low costs of living compared to most anywhere else, etc. etc. can not be matched anywhere. There are only a couple of months that are particularily hot, but with air conditioning everywhere, I don't notice the heat that much. Saying all that, there is a very nice builder that specializes in retirement homes here in California and elsewhere in the country, called Horvanian. Several of my friends live in one of these developments and love it. They build a very nice home. Their retirement communities are generally gated and they usually have a very nice large clubhouse. However, it is "nothing" like the Villages. If you want to check them out, go to their website at:
http://www.khov.com