Walnut Grove in Clearlake, CA

Pros

• These apartments are wonderful senior housing.
• Best part is laundry in each apartment.
• Awesome one- and two-bedroom senior apartments; great manager.
• Clean, well-maintained grounds.
• Nice place to live.
• Their club house is pretty awesome for parties.
• Very nice, safe and clean.
• Awesome office manager. Katherine is a great lady who knows her job well.
• There is a senior center right across the street.
• The grounds are kept up beautifully.
• Rents are reasonable.

Cons

• The management is unresponsive and does not return calls or emails.
• The owner is unresponsive as well.
• Shower grab bars were promised before move-in but were never installed.
• The property has cockroaches and the promised spraying produced no results.
• Tenants had to pay to have the unit treated to control the roaches.
• Maintenance walkthroughs are two days late and generate over 20 items, with tenants asked to sign off on blank pages.
• The landlord sent the tenant to collections for paint and one day's rent, with charges not proven beyond wear and tear.
• The place only wants tenants' money and will say anything to get it.
• There are reports of cockroaches at the property.
• Apartments have ceiling leaks, and roofers are reportedly coming.
• Rent checks are not deposited until mid or end of the month.
• On-site management is hardly available, and the phone is rarely answered with no emergency coverage.
• There is a large sinkhole in front of the apartment where neighborhood cats visit.
• There is continuous harassing paperwork.
• The clubhouse is unusable and serves only as storage for the complex.
• The water heater is non-working, the office is closed, and the emergency maintenance number does not answer.
• Maintenance requests are hard to get fixed.
• The neighborhood lacks cultural stimulation and feels claustrophobic due to locals.

Review

Walnut Grove in Clearlake is best suited for independent seniors who want affordable, straightforward apartment living with practical perks - most notably in-unit laundry, pet-friendly policy, and clear affordability constraints. Reviewers consistently point to clean grounds and respectable unit interiors as a solid baseline, making it a viable choice for those who don't demand luxury but do prize predictability in rent and basic conveniences. The community makes sense for residents who value proximity to a nearby senior center and a functional clubhouse - the latter offering social potential when accessible. This option suits individuals who can tolerate occasional service gaps and who are capable of advocating for themselves or relying on a competent on-site contact when needed.

On the positive side, the strongest selling points revolve around practicality. Residents who appreciate routine upkeep will find the grounds well maintained and the interiors generally clean, with laundry available inside each unit alleviating a major daily chore. The ability to have pets and the upfront clarity of income requirements (two times monthly rent) provide a straightforward path to qualification for many couples or singles seeking predictable budgeting. The presence of one- and two-bedroom layouts offers flexibility, and several reviews consistently praise an office manager who understands the role and delivers steady, if not flawless, service. The neighborhood amenities - an active senior center just across the street and a clubhouse that supports social gatherings when open - complete the package for residents who value community ties alongside independence.

Yet the downsides are pervasive and can overshadow the positives if attention to management and reliability matters most. The most persistent concerns center on responsiveness and accountability: reports of unreturned calls, on-site absenteeism, and a history of placing bills into collections rather than transparent, timely communication. Maintenance cycles appear inconsistent, with late walkthroughs, unanswered emergency numbers, and incomplete or stalled safety updates like promised grab bars. Pest control is repeatedly cited as inadequate or ineffective, with cockroach activity mentioned in multiple accounts. Structural annoyances - roof leaks, a non-working water heater, and even a visible sinkhole - raise legitimate questions about ongoing maintenance discipline and resident safety.

The positives do offset the negatives only when the resident's priorities align with the community's real strengths. For those who prize independence, the in-unit laundry, clear affordability gates, and the clean, welcoming campus offer tangible daily relief and a straightforward living pattern. A strong, respected on-site manager in some reviews provides a buffer against more fragile systems, and the social potential of a club house or adjacent senior center can translate into meaningful engagement for residents who actively participate. In scenarios where pest problems are contained, and where maintenance issues receive prompt, well-communicated attention, Walnut Grove becomes a practical, lower-stress option that keeps monthly housing costs predictable.

However, prospective residents should enter with eyes wide open and a plan. If the expectation is consistent, proactive management and flawless maintenance, alternatives may be worth exploring - the same spaces praised for cleanliness can still falter on urgent service, and the mixed signals about clubhouse usability should be verified in person. A candid approach is to interview current residents, request a tour during a service window, and verify the status of known problem areas (pest control, water systems, and emergency contact procedures). Review the lease language around repairs, deposits, and any charges that could be contested, and seek clarity on the actual availability of the clubhouse and social programming. This diligence helps determine whether Walnut Grove's practical advantages outweigh the reliability risks cited by several residents.

In the end, Walnut Grove is a pragmatic choice for independent seniors who want affordability, basic conveniences, and a pleasant, well-kept setting with distance-friendly amenities. It is less suitable for those who require steady, highly responsive management, flawless maintenance response, and guaranteed pest control. For families and individuals who can tolerate some administrative friction in exchange for reasonable rents, in-unit laundry, and a neighborly environment, Walnut Grove offers a solid, dependable foundation. If any of the major cons feel non-negotiable - persistent communication failures, unreliable maintenance, or ongoing pest issues - alternatives in Clearlake or nearby towns should be seriously considered to avoid trading one set of compromises for another.

This part of Clearlake, California offers a variety of amenities that would be beneficial for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple pharmacies located within a short distance, accessing necessary medications and healthcare supplies is convenient. The presence of several reputable physicians and a local hospital ensures easy access to medical care. In addition, there are various places of worship nearby for spiritual support and community engagement. The abundance of parks provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, while cafes offer social spaces to meet with friends or enjoy a cup of coffee. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded environment with essential services for seniors looking to live in Clearlake.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.4 miles)
• Moran's Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Kelseyville Pharmacy (11.3 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (11.3 miles)
• Lucerne Pharmacy (12.2 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (12.2 miles)
• North Lake Medical Pharmacy (16.1 miles)

Transportation

• Clearlake Cab (0.7 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.4 miles)
• Lampson Field (14.3 miles)
• Lake Aero Styling & Repair (14.3 miles)
• Alamo (15.8 miles)
• Riley's Cab Co. (16.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Johns Lutheran Church (0.7 miles)
• Misioneros De Alabanza El Sha (1 miles)
• Praises Of Zion Baptist Church (1.3 miles)
• Church Of Christ Clearlake (1.6 miles)
• Village Baptist Church of Clearleake (2.1 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (2.1 miles)
• Adventist Health Rch Outpatient Lab Services (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Dr. Carl B Ermshar MD (1.2 miles)
• Kim Eric M D (1.2 miles)
• Hilltop Cardiology: Adventist Health Clear Lake (1.2 miles)
• James Robert Luders, MD (1.2 miles)
• Dhanda Paula R MD FACOG FACS (1.2 miles)
• Arthur William Bikangaga (1.2 miles)
• Eye Associates Medical Group (1.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Self Made Billiards and Taqueria (1.2 miles)
• Silk's Bar (1.2 miles)
• The Spot (1.2 miles)
• Danny's Roadside Kitchen (4 miles)
• DJ's Pizza (4.1 miles)
• Maynard's Sports Bar (4.1 miles)
• Krispy Krunchy Chicken (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Redbud Health Care District (1.2 miles)
• Surgery Center: Sutter Lakeside Hospital (17.6 miles)

Parks

• Rebud Park (1.3 miles)
• Kelseyville Park (10.8 miles)
• Lucerne Harbor Park (12.3 miles)
• Lucerne Creek County Park (12.3 miles)
• Lakeside County Park (12.4 miles)
• Alpine Park (12.7 miles)
• Highland Springs Park (14.8 miles)

Cafes

• Pasquinelli’s (4.1 miles)
• Lowerlake Coffee and Cream Cafe (4.1 miles)
• Marcel’s French Bakery & Cafe (4.4 miles)
• Buddy's Coffee (4.4 miles)
• Lakeview Coffee Station (12.4 miles)
• Starbucks (16.7 miles)

Theaters

• Lakeport Cinema 5 (15.3 miles)