Desert Villas

Pros

• They describe it as a nice place to live or visit.
• The property offers a pool, a recreation area with bingo, music, and crafts, and meals for seniors.
• It is surrounded by convenient amenities such as shops, schools, churches, restaurants, and pharmacies.
• A nearby bus stop adds convenient transportation.
• It is recommended as a good place to live.
• There are good people associated with the place.
• A reviewer notes that a friend lives there and they visit almost every day.
• The property has recently been remodeled.

Cons

• They still have a bed bug problem and allegedly did not disclose it.
• The management team and office staff are unprofessional, scheduling appointments and then failing to show up.
• The location is filthy.
• The apartment was delivered without a bathroom sink.
• The kitchen had mold.
• It took about a month to replace the kitchen and two weeks to install the sink.
• There were bedbugs in the apartment, causing bites and stress.
• After treatment of the bedbugs, cockroach problems began.
• They had to move out because of the cockroaches and the apartment's very small size.
• The reviewer does not recommend this place, especially for families with children.

Review

This community sits in a bustling neighborhood that offers a lot on the surface: a string of shops, churches, restaurants, pharmacies, and schools all within easy reach, along with a bus stop that is conveniently close. The apartments themselves are small, which suits seniors who prefer a compact, manageable living space. The complex has recently undergone renovations, adding a sense of freshness to the exterior and shared spaces. For anyone looking for a place that feels like a tight-knit little enclave, this setting can be appealing, especially for those who value being near amenities and public transit.

There is no shortage of positive remarks about the atmosphere and the people here. Visitors and residents alike describe the place as nice to live in or to visit, with a sense of goodness among the residents and staff. One recurring thread is the social aspect: a friend who lives here means that visits are frequent, turning the community into a place where you can bump into familiar faces day after day. In this telling, the residents themselves come across as friendly and welcoming, contributing to a feeling of community that many people find comforting and worthwhile.

The amenities are a significant draw for seniors. The complex offers features that are particularly appealing for older adults, including a pool and a recreation area where activities like bingo, music, and crafts are available. There is also meals service tailored for seniors, which can be a tremendous help for those who prefer not to cook every day or who appreciate the social component of mealtimes. The combination of a sheltered social life and accessible recreational options makes the place feel like a thriving, senior-oriented community on paper.

However, a number of serious concerns cast a long shadow over these apparent positives. Several reviewers point to management and maintenance problems that undermine the overall experience. Instances are described where appointments were set up with the management team, only for the appointed time to come and go with no staff showing up. Alongside this unreliability, there are remarks about the physical condition of the property, described by some as filthy or poorly kept. One account notes that the location's overall state and the administrative side of the operation contribute to an impression that cleanliness and professional conduct may be inconsistent.

The most troubling issues involve upkeep and disclosure. Critics recount a troubled move-in experience in which essential fittings were missing or nonfunctional from the start, such as a bathroom sink missing on arrival. There are serious complaints of mold in the kitchen, with promises to fix within a week that stretched into a month for the kitchen and an additional two weeks to install the sink. Such delays translate into a frustrating, inconvenient, and stressful transition for new residents who expect basic habitable conditions from the outset.

Bed bugs are singled out as a particularly distressing problem. The bed bug issue, and the claim that it was not disclosed, is described as a major source of anxiety and discomfort. The bites on a resident's partner are highlighted as a vivid symbol of the trouble, contributing to a stressful living environment even after other maintenance tasks have been addressed. The situation is presented as an ongoing ordeal, with pest concerns not fully resolved in a timely or satisfactory manner.

The pest situation did not end with bed bugs. After treatment for the bed bugs, cockroaches reportedly appeared, worsening the living conditions further. The combination of pests and small apartment sizes led to a scenario where residents felt they could not sleep comfortably - some mentioned needing to keep lights on to deter cockroaches from emerging at night. This sequence - bed bugs, then cockroaches - paints a picture of persistent, lingering problems rather than isolated incidents.

In the end, the overall impression is a mix of potential and significant risk. On one hand, the neighborhood context, proximity to services, a senior-focused calendar of activities, and a generally friendly community are real strengths. On the other hand, the experiences described point to fundamental issues that can make living there stressful: unprofessional or unreliable management, delays in essential repairs, mold in living spaces, and ongoing pest problems that were not promptly disclosed or resolved. For families or anyone with children, the warnings about pests and the quality of maintenance are particularly salient.

Taken together, the place offers a compelling sense of community and a convenient, amenity-rich environment for seniors, reinforced by the warmth of long-standing residents and the access to everyday services. Yet the negative experiences - especially regarding disclosure, maintenance responsiveness, cleanliness, and pest control - are significant enough to temper the appeal. The decision to live there would hinge on balancing the strong social and logistical advantages against the reliability and safety concerns raised by multiple residents. If you are considering this community, it would be prudent to verify the current status of pest management, maintenance response times, and any recent updates to management practices, and to request a transparent disclosure of any past or present issues before making a commitment.

This part of El Centro, California, offers a variety of amenities to cater to the needs of seniors. Nearby restaurants such as Burgers & Beer, Jack In The Box, and El Pollo Loco provide convenient dining options. There are also pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid within a short distance for easy access to medications. For medical care, there are several physicians' offices and hospitals in the vicinity, including Valley Pediatric Health and Pioneers Memorial Hospital. Additionally, there are places of worship like Faith Assembly and Calexico Seventh day Adventist Church for spiritual support. Parks such as Lions Field offer opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area provides a range of services that can contribute to a comfortable and convenient senior living experience.

Restaurants

• Burgers & Beer (0.3 miles)
• Jack In The Box (0.5 miles)
• El Pollo Loco (1 miles)
• Tortas Omar (1.2 miles)
• Farmer Boys (1.6 miles)
• Subway (1.6 miles)
• Applebee's (1.7 miles)

Physicians

• Valley Pediatric Health (0.9 miles)
• Unidad Medica Novamed (10.5 miles)
• Instituto de Ojos SC (10.6 miles)
• Dr. Gabriel Hernandez de Anda (10.8 miles)
• Lai Christopher MD Orthopedic Surgeon (11.7 miles)
• George Carr Fareed (11.7 miles)
• Curiel Vision Center (12.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (8.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (9.9 miles)
• Farmacias de Similares (10.4 miles)
• Farmacias Benavides (11.6 miles)
• Brawley Pharmacy (11.7 miles)
• Ameri Mex Pharmacy (11.7 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Dairy Queen (11.5 miles)
• Caffenio (11.5 miles)
• Starbucks (11.5 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark (3.4 miles)
• Cinépolis (13.2 miles)
• Cinépolis (13.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Faith Assembly (3.7 miles)
• Saint Anthony-Padua Catholic Parish (3.7 miles)
• Calexico Seventh day Adventist Church/Iglesia Adventista de Calexico (9.9 miles)
• Iglesia Apostolica (12.9 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church Of Brawley (13.1 miles)
• Victory Outreach (13.1 miles)
• Seventh Day Adventist Church (13.3 miles)

Parks

• The Park (4.5 miles)
• Parque Público Col. Sta. María (12.7 miles)
• Lions Field (13.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Clínica de las Californias (10.4 miles)
• Hospital Hispano Americano (10.5 miles)
• Pioneers Memorial Hospital (11.6 miles)
• Royal Convalescent Hospital (12.4 miles)
• Imperial Heights Healthcare & Wellness Centre (12.4 miles)
• Centro de salud Flores Magón (13.4 miles)
• Hospital de la Familia (13.8 miles)