Let me be a "second opinion" to Snowbird on the matter of lightning protection. In recent years in The Villages alone, seven homes have been completely destroyed by lightning strikes. None had lightning rod protection systems. The important thing about most Villages homes is that they have gas lines in the attic, which can ignite and explode in minutes after a small fire is started by a lightning charge. There is absolutely no evidence out there that properly installed lightning rods might increase the possibility of lightning damage, nor have I ever heard of any home with lightning rods that was badly damaged.
A convenient place to get some good factual information in the POA. That's the Property Owners Association in The Villages. They are independent and objective in their informative monthly newsletter. Just got to:
www.ccfj.net/POABull.html
Good luck on your new adventure. Virtually all of us here think you are making a brilliant decision and we welcome you!