Golden Meadows in Kerman, CA

Pros

• Heather at Golden Meadows Apartments is truly outstanding.
• Heather's friendly and welcoming approach makes every interaction a pleasure.
• She's incredibly efficient and always goes above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly.
• It's clear she genuinely cares about the residents and the community.
• The management is always friendly and responsive, helping residents right away.
• Mark and Celso receive two thumbs up for their helpful maintenance work.
• The apartments are very nice, with friendly, family-oriented surroundings and amenities like a good pool and kids' play areas.

Cons

• The management refused to assist the resident, citing an unsigned lease and holding them to an unfinalized move-in date, while refusing to return the $200 holding deposit.
• The complex is infested with cockroaches, and fumigation is not effectively enforced across tenants.
• The leasing staff are unhelpful and unprofessional, causing delays and a lack of communication about lease removals.
• The place is noisy and the buildings are old, with residents feeling they deserve better.
• The apartment smelled bad on move-in, there were many cockroaches, and it hadn't been properly cleaned.
• Rent is overpriced for the quality, with frequent increases and poor upkeep.
• Maintenance issues are frequent: the AC often doesn't work, washers don't function, and repairs are slow.
• The pool and facilities are poorly maintained; the pool has been closed and the cleaning system turned off.
• Cars are towed without warning, leading to financial frustration.
• The supervisor is racist, contributing to a hostile environment.

Review

Golden Meadows in Kerman is best suited for budget-conscious renters who want a remodeled interior, a quiet, family-friendly feel, and on-site maintenance that tends to move quickly when issues are raised. The positives cited by residents include recently updated interiors in some units and an accessible maintenance staff, with particular praise for individual team members who handle requests efficiently. Those who prize a calm, central complex with a pool and playground areas for kids may find the environment appealing. However, this fit assumes tolerance for older building stock, intermittent communication from management, and a leasing experience that can feel bureaucratic.

Alternatives should be considered for seniors or households that require predictable care, strict pest control, or transparent, hassle-free lease terms. Several reviews describe chronic pest problems (cockroaches, bed bugs) and inconsistent remediation, alongside a history of unresponsive or difficult management. Those who need reliable maintenance, clear written processes, and proactive safety measures should look to other options. A few reviewers report racist or unprofessional conduct from supervisors, which is a red flag for households seeking a respectful, predictable environment. If these factors matter, broaden the search to communities with dedicated resident services and stronger accountability.

On the pro side, maintenance responsiveness and friendly staff in certain cases stand out. Individual staffers have earned praise for courtesy and quick fixes, and some residents enjoy the remodeled spaces, quiet neighborhoods, and pleasant common areas. But the scale of cons is hard to overlook: infestations persist, some units smell or feel unclean on move-in, washers and appliances fail regularly, and maintenance can stall on weekend emergencies. Rent is repeatedly criticized for being high and increasing annually, sometimes with poor value compared to the condition and service level. The combination of substandard condition and management friction tends to erode trust more than any single perk can salvage.

Prospective tenants should demand a documented pest-control plan, including scheduled treatments and escalation steps if roaches or bed bugs reappear. Insist on written move-in/move-out processes, and verify that lease status and name removals are resolved before signing. Tour several units and inquire about appliance reliability, laundry facilities, pool maintenance, and gate security. Talk to current residents about response times for emergencies, and verify there is consistent access to the on-site maintenance team. Obtain a clear picture of noise levels at different times and investigate towing policies and handling of parking for guests and family visits.

From an assisted-living lens, Golden Meadows does not provide the health monitoring, coordinated care, or under-the-skin safety features that seniors often rely on. It is not designed as a care facility, and the absence of on-site medical support or transportation for appointments makes it a mismatch for residents needing regular assistance. For families prioritizing daily care, medication management, or memory-care security, the prudent move is to compare licensed senior-living communities with transparent staffing ratios and guarded leases, rather than relying on a traditional apartment complex.

Bottom line: Golden Meadows offers modest charm - renovated interiors in places, a generally quiet ambiance, and some responsive maintenance - at a price that has drawn protests from residents. The major drawbacks - pest infestations, inconsistent management, and renewal-driven rent spikes - tip the balance toward caution. For seniors or families seeking a care-forward environment, elsewhere remains the stronger recommendation. If this community remains on the short list, approach with rigorous due diligence, enforce written guarantees, and be prepared to walk away if pest control, maintenance, or lease clarity falter.

This part of Kerman, California, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for convenience and comfort. Within a reasonable distance, there are several places of worship for spiritual needs, pharmacies for easy access to medications, cafes for social gatherings, theaters for entertainment options, restaurants offering a diverse range of cuisines, parks for outdoor activities, transportation services for getting around town easily, physicians and hospitals providing healthcare services. The community here is vibrant and welcoming, with options for a fulfilling lifestyle while ensuring access to necessary resources for senior living.

Places of Worship

• Cornelia Southern Baptist Church (10 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (10.5 miles)
• Central Community Church (10.5 miles)
• Northpointe Community Church (12.3 miles)
• St Paul's United Methodist Church (15.1 miles)
• St Anthony of Padua (15.5 miles)
• Butler Pentecostal Church Of God (15.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (10.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (10.8 miles)
• Save Mart Supermarkets (10.9 miles)
• Walgreens (11 miles)
• Walgreens (12.2 miles)
• Save Mart Supermarkets (12.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (12.4 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (10.9 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (13.1 miles)
• Kuppa Joy Coffee House (14 miles)
• Dutch Bros (14.2 miles)
• Donut Hole (15.1 miles)
• Kuppa Joy (16.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Marketplace @ El Paseo & RPX (10.9 miles)
• Regal Manchester - Fresno (15.2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (11 miles)
• Five Guys Burgers & Fries (11 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (11 miles)
• Olive Garden (11 miles)
• McDonald's (11.2 miles)
• Guadalajara Restaurant (12.2 miles)
• Press Box (12.2 miles)

Parks

• Stallion Park (11.4 miles)
• Figarden Loop Park (12.4 miles)

Transportation

• AAA Yellow Cab (12 miles)
• Sierra Sky Park Airport (E79) (13.1 miles)

Physicians

• Omni Women's Medical Group, Dr Marquez (13.3 miles)
• Mary Sadlek (14.1 miles)
• Boswell Dermatology (14.1 miles)
• Bautista Medical Group (14.6 miles)
• Omni Women's Health (14.8 miles)
• Dominic Dizon MD (14.8 miles)
• Community Regional Surgical Services (14.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Neuroscience Institute at Community Regional Medical Center (14.8 miles)
• Fresno Comm Hosp-Cardiology (14.9 miles)
• MCH Intensive Care Unit (15.4 miles)
• Va Hospital (15.4 miles)
• VA Central California Health Care System (15.4 miles)
• Rayna Piskova M.D. (16.1 miles)