[Ohiogirl]

We love our courtyard wall - in our villa neighborhood, they are still what are considered "high walls." Pretty much complete privacy, and we love it. Probably have a little more room in back than some of the designers with "kissing lanais." We spend a LOT of time on our lanai, and I'm a gardener so lots of time in the backyard as well. I also like that you can see the results of all that hard work from the lanai or side patio.

What I like about CYV neighborhoods is that you can mingle as much or as little as you want. There are a couple of villas in our neighborhood where you rarely see the residents - maybe that's why they bought a CYV, who knows? But if you want to meet neighbors, the previous poster is correct - many have dogs and even though we have fenced yards, most of us still walk our dogs daily and it's easy to meet and have something in common (dogs). If there is a neighbor you might prefer to avoid, also easy just to wave in passing and be able to be on your lanai or backyard without extended conversation.

Also, and this would be true in all neighborhoods, whenever you are in the front or doing something in your driveway or garage, it's easy to talk to neighbors coming and going in their golf carts, or again walking their dogs.

Seems like we have impromptu get-togethers frequently, one neighbor stopping to chat, then another passing by stops, etc. Pretty soon someone says, how about a driveway party Sunday night?