[Ohiogirl]

It's not clear to me from your post if you have ever visited before or not. If you have never looked at them, please don't rule out a CYV since you have dogs. If you think the lot is too small or there is not enough privacy, please check out the ones with the corner lots. Every not and then, there is even one on a corner lot with a 2 car garage.

Most lots I have seen that back up to villas have very, very small back yards, smaller than CYV backyards, for the most part.

We have met many people who have moved to a CYV from a designer or ranch (now cottage home). Of course, there are also those who move from CYVs to designers (but not usually from a 3 bedroom CYV - at least the ones I've met so far).

It is awfully, awfully expensive to move twice (or 3 times). Since you're not planning a move until 2012 (if I'm remembering your post correctly), why not rent for a couple of visits and try different models/styles, even for a week or two at a time (doable in the summer).