[Ohiogirl]

just like designer neighborhoods - some very social, some not. In our CYV neighborhood, we have a core of about 6 -8 couples who play golf regularly and do some socializing. Think there used to be a group doing the same on the next street over, but several of that group have moved for various reasons.

Other CYV neighborhoods have regular social events in rec centers and regular driveway parties, just like designer neighborhoods, and some don't.

I also think that some people move to CYVs in order to not socialize - if you drive into your garage and close the door, you would hardly see anyone.

New construction neighborhoods are probably initially more friendly than older ones, where people already have their favorite activities and don't have as much time.

The larger CYVs offer plenty of room for entertaining, especially depending on what the owners have done with the courtyards themselves. Ours is a smaller 3 BR, but not a corner lot. We are comfortable entertaining about 8, but have had larger gatherings using the side patio, lanai and inside - but you need to depend on good weather to use the side patio. We recently enclosed the lanai so we can have 2 areas to play cards/games and do dinner. We have about the same s.f. as the smaller designers.

The garage is long - we have a Honda Fit and 2 golf carts in ours, plus 3 bikes, and a workbench (only accessible if you pull the golf carts out of the garage). I agree that if you are a garage putterer you would probably not like the 1.5 car garage. The majority of our neighbors park their cars in the driveway, esp. the ones with large SUVs or mini-vans.

They are cookie-cutter like, but that doesn't bother us - we are not trying to impress. We love, love, love the privacy and the backyard which we have landscaped to our preference - and it is totally visible and enjoyable from the lanai.

The new ones they are building have many 2 car garages, and different elevations (outside finishes/colors), but they are also about $100,000 higher in price.