Love our Arlington CYV. Plenty of room, storage. We have a corner lot. We have a small dog as do many of our neighbors but none of us leave them outside alone barking! We added a pool last spring with a birdcage...use it almost everyday! The one drawback when we first moved in (for hubby) was the garage but now that it is organized no complaints.

We moved into our new designer in November and after getting settled agreed that other than the garage area the space of the CYV's would have accommodated our needs just as well. I like the more open feel of the houses from the street over the CYV's, but I can see advantages of both.

If you only have one car and one golf cart a CY Villa is good. Garage is very small with very limited room for storage. Great if you do not care about a yard or do not like to do yard maintenance. Streets are narrow. Neighbors are close by. Excellent for Snowbirds.

We also added ladder stairs and flooring in attic for more storage...works out well!

considering a CYV
 

We live in one of the largest CYV on a golf course. We have one car and 2 golf carts in our garage.(in a 1 1/2 car garage - some of the newer CYV neighborhood have 2 car garages) Many of our neighbors have dogs. Our next door neighbor has two little dogs - no big deal. Prior to moving we got rid of all the crap we accumulated for years and years. We are extremely happy with the decision to purchase a CYV - but apparently many TOTV posters feel differently.

I suspect the naysayers are mostly the ones who have never lived in a CYV, or who had a 2 BR and found it too small. I do agree that snowbirds who originally bought a 2 BR and become full-timers often move for more space, but not too many 3 BR owners. 2 BR is fine if you remain a snowbird, or perhaps if you are single, or become single, but the extra storage space in a 3 BR makes a world of difference. Remember, all the 3BR CYVs all have closets in all 3 BRs, no dens here.

Like you, we are seasonal residents. We had a Courtyard Villa for a few years. I really loved it. We had only a three-foot railing in back. That makes a difference if you don't like to feel closed in. (But the high fences offer good privacy and security). We never experienced any problems with dogs barking. The neighbours were great. Now we have a house with an oversized garage, simply because of needing more room for hobbies.

One thing to consider in buying a new CYV is that you must choose from existing inventory, or wait for a completed one to become available for sale.
The cabinetry, flooring, counter tops, light fixtures, appliances (actually everything) is pre-selected by a design team. Same with outside landscaping plants... the decisions are pre-made.

In other words, you can not custom order. Many add or change out things after they take ownership.

We love ours. For us, downsizing is simplifying.

At this point the house would be mostly rented since we still work and wont be able most likely to stay there for any extended period of time for about five years. At that point I think we would more customize it then or if we decide to move there full time, buy a larger house there.

I think you would be hit and miss as far as noise i.e. if you luck out you won't have barking dogs to contend with, but there's no guarantee. We have friends who have a courtyard villa, and while the wall and privacy is nice, when their neighbors are on their lanai talking in normal tones, we could really hear them. The villas are very close.

But you can also be close to your neighbors in a Designer Home, with out any fence.

Most people in CVY's, unless they are hard of hearing, dumb as a stump, or enjoy being a narcissistic horse's patoot, understand that our villa yards are our sanctuaries. As a general rule, unless you want only barren rock, sound is softened by plantings.

When you can hear your neighbors, you understand that they can also hear you and most neighbors graciously keep their noise to a minimum. Renters and visitors can be gently educated ahead of time.

But only truly wonderful souls move to The Villages, so my point is moot, right?

Did I mention that I LOVE it here?

I am really looking forward to going there in April, especailly today with this storm coming.

How did you weather the storm. Guess you lost electricity. hope all is well on good ole Cape Cod. I miss the snow and wind. yeah right lol.

we made out fine, we lost power for about 40 hours, but the house was warm with the gas stove in the finished basment kept the temp at 65 on the first floor, only about 55 on the second floor though. Most people on my street, the temp inside was down to about 38-40.