I'm also single & I
almost bought a CYV, but when I saw the At Ease Cottage I just totally fell in love with the layout. The 3 newer cottages are a bit different in that they've enlarged the kitchen space & that's the only place for a table. That's a different feature, but I still like the style of my cottage the best. As for yard work, you can hire someone to do all of it if you choose. I do some, but have a yard service for mowing & trimming. I like having my lanai open on 3 sides so as to catch any breeze that's coming my way. Also, I think you get a better bang for your buck with a cottage vs. a CYV, especially with 3 bedrooms, but that's just my opinion. Whatever style of house you end up choosing, you'll love living here. That I can pretty much guarantee! Welcome to The Villages!
