[xkeowner]

This analysis is from 11 years ago but probably still relevant. We were spending a week in the Orlando area and had a day with no plans so I suggested we check out The Villages. Being only 59 at the time I wasn't planning on retiring anytime soon. We spent about three hours taking a tour and looking at some models. That weekend while driving back ti Virginia a voice said why don't you retire and we move to Florida? I managed to maintain control of the car and get to the shoulder of I-95 then looked at the woman sitting next to me and asked, "Who are you and where is my wife?"

Long story short, we returned home and started analyzing if we could afford to retire then. We also started researching other locations in Florida comparing costs and amenities. Decided The Villages offered the best overall value and my only concern was what if the amenity fees increased. Further analysis determined that even if they lifted the cap and the fee doubled, it was still the best value. Six months later we had a contract on our house and came down to buy our house. We have now been here 10+ years and absolutely love it.

Would I change anything if I were king, probably. But they would be minor adjustments not sweeping changes.