Years ago me and my family moved to a very small midwestern town. It was about 15 miles from a large community that had ALL the amenities of shopping and eating out. So we could go 'there' if we needed to. That said though....our children felt we'd taken them to the outer banks of civilization because we didn't have a McDonald's. The restaurants we did have were by in large local mom and pop...but did have a Country Kitchen and an A&W rootbeer stand. The shopping wasn't great but you could get essentials there. I think our culture becomes spoiled and what another poster said here is many of us want what we left behind, as it's familiar. Most of us lived "up north" so to move to the "south" is somewhat of a culture shock in many ways. BUT as another poster said (or maybe the same one)....we knew what we were getting when we moved here. That is, in the way of amenities!

There are more "laid back" retirement communities than The Villages right here in Central Florida but you might have to drive 3 or 4 miles in a car to a Publix and you likely would end up in Leesburg, Eustis, Mt Dora or The Villages for medical, restaurants, etc. etc. Golf cart transportation would be limited. Mt Dora is a very "charming" city and appealing to retirees.

There is no place like The Villages. The new Village of Fenney would be an alternative and perhaps less traffic for the next few years. :wave::gc::