[joseppe]

We lived in 2 retirement communities in Southern CA before moving to the Villages in 2018. Each of the CA communities had the normal facilities, pools, pickleball, tennis, Fitness centers, walking trails. The first was on a Golf Course, but did not own the course. Almost everything available in the Villages was available there, BUT outside of the community. Amenities inside the community were all no cost (including the fitness centers), however outside Amenities were usually an hour drive in traffic and costly. Golf 'off season' rates were $50 to $125 + . There were no Executive / 9 hole courses available in the area. The Coast was 70 miles from our location and a 2 1/2 hour drive in traffic to get there. We lived in an inland area where housing was very reasonable (for CA), but removed from shopping and entertainment. Our costs here are about the same as they were in CA. We moved because of the easy availability of recreation in the Villages. Everything here is close by and easy. Recreation is much cheaper when you consider cost of Golf and other activities, However the quality of such is sometimes a bit lower than we had available in CA. So far its been a good move for us, but at times the Villages recreation seems a bit restrictive in comparison with Golf being the exception.