This whole "rent for a few/six months first" - that only applies to people who can afford to pay for two homes at the same time. There are a lot of people who aren't retired yet. They can't afford to quit their jobs and move south for six months, they aren't working from home, they don't own their own business. They're looking to the Villages as the place they WILL retire. That means they'll be selling their home up north - which means they're not allowed to live in that home up north anymore since someone else now owns it and lives in it. And moving to the south. I mean sure they could pay for storage of all their stuff and rent, but monthly rental fees are MUCH higher than monthly mortgage payments here in The Villages.
To that end - if you're just a normal Joe Shmoe who wants to retire, who isn't wealthy enough to pay for two properties at the same time, I'd say take a week's vacation with a lifestyle visit first, to see the newer parts of The Villages. Then, take another week's vacation renting north of 466A. Honestly, anywhere north of 466A within the Villages is fine, but if you can get between Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs, you'll get a great idea of affordable options away from - but very close to - every possible retail, grocery, medical, and dining option you could possibly need, with mature landscaping and little-to-no bond.
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