Knock on doors
on the street where you find a house you are considering buying. You can at least ask questions like how many snowbirds (if you care), where people are from (if you care), how many dogs (if you care) whether or not there are any regularly scheduled get togethers, etc. Try to engage in conversation and see what else pops out.
If you are uncomfortable with knocking, try to walk around or take a golf cart ride and talk to anyone you find out in their garage, yard, etc.
If nothing else, you will probably get a sense as to how friendly the immediate neighbors are.
I moved a lot as an adult with young children. After 1 move to a neighborhood with very few kids, I started knocking. Felt like I at least got a feel for the neighborhood.
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