“Read an article a while back stating that The Villages is the STD capitol of the USA.”
That was a hit piece by a hack. The Villages have their ‘haters’ on the outside who claim that “white privilege” reigns supreme there. That place was virtually untouched by the housing bubble’s big bust and it’s still growing. Houses are still being built there before they’re even sold. New golf courses continue to spring up on a regular basis. People who used to drive electric golf carts are switching to gas because they don’t want to have their batteries run down halfway home from a round of golf across town. You might think there’d be a golf cart theft problem at The Villages but there isn’t one. The myth of there being some kind of STD epidemic is only a myth being perpetuated by socialists with an axe to grind. However, they’ve got nothing real to work with.
Do you live at The Villages?
Don't move to Orlando - or even Lake Mary (just north of Otown). Traffic is a parking lot on I-4 - it is under construction for widening for the next few years, crime is very high in Orlando and suburbs - due to proximity of Disney, Universal, etc. With tourists comes crime.
I live north of the Villages, near Ocala. It reminds me of how South FLA used to be, slower, laid back, less traffic.
True the Villages was reported to have a higher STD rate, but then if you think of the age group living there (influx of the 60's generation), it's a no brainer. A lot of folks in the Villages are from the NE, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic states. Few from the Deep South in comparison (there is a Heart of Dixie club). The political demographics are moving from solid REP to center to leaning DEM (again 60's generation).
There are a lot of activities, free golf for residents, HOA, yes traffic increases during Snowbird season, golf cart paths everywhere, lots of restaurants, and lots of clubs to join.
Volusia County or Brevard County are great options if you want to be on the coast. I love Brevard - reminds me of how Ft. Lauderdale used to be. Hope it never changes.