My parents lived in GV for about 10 years (year-round) and loved it. No experience with the other locations you mentioned, so I can't compare them, but they - and we kids, from our visits there - have fond memories of the place. Several senior centers in town with facilities like pools, exercise equipment, clubs for rockhounds & jewelry making, etc.), beautiful outdoor areas like Madera Canyon nearby, great winter weather, summer too hot but still cooler than Tucson or certainly Phoenix, within a day's drive of interesting historical sites, etc. My parents' main complaints were trouble finding parking spots at stores, banks, etc. in the winter (due to all the snowbirds) and "all the old people in town." (Um, Daddy, you are one too. :) )