[ijusluvit]

First, since it's WAAAAYYY better than it looks, you are not wasting your time planning to come here. You are also wise to plan now, and maybe do what lots of folks do - move in before retirement and work here. You are still one of the bazillion boomers, many who are keeping The Villages economy a lot stronger than most other places. So...

Go to the search box here and type in "nuts and bolts". You will get lots of good stuff, notably zcaveman's Things to Think About, a list of all regular costs of living here.

Go to the New Members Forum. Look at the questions from newcomers and read the answers from vets.

Look in the Employment Forum. Depending on what you do there might be a job or business opportunity available the day you get here.

Come here for a visit. There is so much, it's so big, you cannot comprehend it till you see it. The Lifestyles visit is a good way to do it because it costs a little less than renting on your own and the sales people will NOT pressure you. While you are here make sure you travel throughout the entire complex. There is great diversity in housing, but every area is beautiful and friendly.

Pat yourself on the back for finding perhaps the finest place to live in the US!