I have not read this book, but Ryan from the website "inside the bubble" (a guide to The Villages) has written a book comparing other retirement communities called "Pick the Right Place"
Pick the Right Place
Also, if you are going to try and get closer to the beach, although the Atlantic side has bigger waves, they are also more likely to have red flag days (no swimming) and the Tampa/St. Petersburg area is overall generally nicer than the Daytona area.
Also be aware that central and north Florida does have a winter of sorts. If you want to swim in the ocean year round and never have to turn the heat on or wear a sweater, you have to go to South Florida.