These are excellent questions, and as I've only lived in a ranch, I'm probably not qualified to answer-- although I know people who do love the villas.
As I see this is your first post though, I wanted to say
Also, wish you all the best in selling your home and moving on down. There's no place like The Villages.
p.s., Do you have a dog? many with dogs like the villas as there is a fenced area for your beloved pet.