Serenity Senior Villas

Pros

• Johnathon is extremely professional and talented, and residents appreciate his impeccable maintenance skills.
• Johnathon is very good at what he does, patient, polite, and communicates well.
• The management at Serenity Villas is organized and professional.
• The maintenance staff are wonderful and efficient, delivering solid service.
• The new office staff are wonderful, professional, and courteous to all tenants.
• Serenity Villas is described as a beautiful, peaceful place to live with clean grounds.
• Residents highly recommend Serenity Villas, praising the friendly and helpful staff (Rosie is noted for being always available).

Cons

• They report there is no security, packages get stolen, and management always fights.
• They describe a woman threatening to call the police because they didn't belong there, criticizing elderly residents for acting like they own the property.
• They experienced harassment for being young and for not living on-site, and couldn't visit their elderly aunt.
• They say they were attacked by a man with a baseball bat, wrestled him to take the bat, and allege they were falsely accused of assault.
• They rate the management as horrible, with horrible communication, rude and inept staff, and a general mess that doesn't respond to calls or emails.
• They note in an update that the office lied about meeting a grandmother's needs, failed to communicate move-in, cashed a deposit after cancellation, and blamed them.
• They claim the property smells and looks like a homeless camp because tenants store bikes and trash in the bushes.
• They complain that no one answers the phone, calls aren't returned, and gates are locked, blocking access to the leasing office.
• They say rent increases were sprung up overnight, calling it highway robbery.
• They suggest the property should be shut down or entirely re-staffed due to ongoing issues.

Review

Serenity Villas Apartments in Pomona, California, is a place that inspires a broad spectrum of opinions and experiences. Some residents describe it as a decent place with helpful maintenance and organized management, while others recount frightening incidents, poor communication, and a sense that security and responsiveness are lacking. The mix is so conflicting that it's hard to label the property one way or another without acknowledging the range of encounters people have had there.

A recurring thread among several reviews is a feeling of unsafety and disrespect from parts of the community and, in some cases, from staff. One person recounts an unpleasant moment six months ago when they were dropping off a friend who worked in maintenance and were met with hostility from a woman who threatened to call the police, not understanding that the friend was part of the maintenance team. Another reviewer describes a tense interaction where a woman stereotyped the elderly residents and suggested they owned the property, a situation that left them feeling targeted and unwelcome. The sense of being judged or policed, rather than welcomed, is a common complaint that colors how some guests and visitors are treated in the halls and at the gate.

Violence and confrontation are also part of the narrative from some tenants. One account details an incident involving a man with a baseball bat, allegedly sparked by a confrontation with an older resident who threw liquids and refused to back down. The writer describes a frightening sequence where they had to physically intervene to protect their pregnant wife, with claims that law enforcement and the community did not listen to their side. These stories contribute to a fear-based impression for visitors and new residents who hear of such events, making safety an ongoing concern for many.

Amid the darker experiences, other residents offer a starkly different view, praising the place in a more stable, long-term way. A resident who has lived there for two decades states simply that they love it, offering a counterpoint to the more alarming anecdotes. Yet there are also urgent cautions: one recent review rates the property as a zero-star experience due to "horrible communication and management," saying staff are clueless, rude, and unresponsive to calls and emails. They argue the property exploits low-income elderly residents and should be shut down or completely re-staffed. The inconsistency in perspectives underscores how variable life at Serenity Villas can feel depending on whom you interact with and when.

The handling of move-ins, deposits, and office communications is another hot topic. An update from a family criticizes the office for being false in their claim about meeting their grandmother's needs, recounting a canceled move-in that was followed by the office cashing a deposit a month later and blaming the family for the miscommunication. They describe the staff as rude and advise others to avoid the place. In contrast, there are glowing endorsements of specific staff, especially maintenance, with a recurring name - Johnathon - spotlighted as extremely professional, talented, patient, and communicative. One long-time supporter calls him a standout on the management team and expresses gratitude for having him on board, highlighting the emotional warmth and practical help he provides to residents.

Across multiple posts, residents repeatedly praise individual staff members and note improvements in service. The maintenance team is applauded for practical tasks like changing light bulbs, addressing gate issues, and ensuring basic repairs are done promptly. A positive thread emphasizes that the new office staff have been wonderful, professional, courteous, and better organized than before, with several mentions of responsiveness and reliability. Still, there is frustration about the basics - phones not being answered, the leasing office being hard to reach, and gates sometimes not opening or requiring multiple steps to access.

The amenities and a sense of community also come into play. Some reviewers celebrate Serenity Villas for its senior-friendly conveniences: multiple spas, a full computer room, a community room, a social worker, and the feeling of neighbors looking out for one another. One resident highlights on-site coffee in the mornings as a simple, appreciated gesture. There are frequent notes about the challenges of rent, with concerns about sudden increases and caps on what seniors or disabled tenants can bear. At the same time, others celebrate the stability that comes with services nearby - hospitals, clinics, shops, and a fire station that can indirectly support lower insurance costs - along with the security of a designed space meant for seniors who rely on nearby support systems.

In the end, Serenity Villas emerges as a place of paradoxes. For some, it's a safe, well-supported community with capable maintenance, responsive staff, and meaningful amenities that make life there comfortable and sociable. For others, it's a source of stress marked by poor communication, perceived neglect, and safety concerns that make visiting or moving in feel risky. The recurring names - Johnathon, Rosie, and a new office staff - appear as bright spots amid a landscape of mixed experiences, illustrating how much individual interactions can shape a resident's overall impression. Whether you're considering moving in or visiting a relative, these narratives suggest you should assess the current state of the office, confirm responsiveness, and talk to a range of residents to gauge how Serenity Villas is actually functioning today.

This part of Pomona, California offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With multiple physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and cafes in close proximity, residents have easy access to healthcare services and dining options. Additionally, the presence of places of worship provides opportunities for spiritual fulfillment and community engagement. The nearby transportation options, including train stations, make it easy for seniors to get around the area and explore different places. Parks such as Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park offer opportunities for leisurely activities and enjoying the outdoors. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services, recreational facilities, and dining options that can enhance the quality of life for seniors seeking a peaceful and well-equipped neighborhood to call home.

Physicians

• Inland Neurosurgery Institute (0.1 miles)
• The Robert & Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center (1.2 miles)
• Chapparal Medical Group (1.2 miles)
• Heavenly 3D 4D Ultrasounds (4.2 miles)
• Foothill Dermatology Medical Center (4.7 miles)
• Tarick Smaili, MD (4.8 miles)
• Healthcare Partners (5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Charisma Life Church (0.3 miles)
• Real Life (5.3 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church Upland (5.5 miles)
• St Anthony's Catholic Church (5.9 miles)
• Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (7.7 miles)

Transportation

• Pomona Station (0.4 miles)
• Montclair Metrolink Station (3 miles)

Restaurants

• Old Stump Brewing Co. (0.4 miles)
• Bardot (1.7 miles)
• Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar (3.3 miles)
• The Hat (3.3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.3 miles)
• Raging Waters (3.6 miles)
• McDonald's (3.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• Casa Bonita (3 miles)
• San Antonio Community Hospital Maternity Information Services (6.3 miles)
• San Antonio Medical Center (6.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Omomo Tea Shoppe (5.9 miles)
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (6.3 miles)
• The Donut Man (6.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (7.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Montclair Place 12 (3.1 miles)
• Harkins Theatres Chino Hills 18 (5.7 miles)

Parks

• Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park (4.1 miles)
• Citrus Park (4.7 miles)
• Pantera Park (6.2 miles)
• Ruben S Ayala Park (6.5 miles)
• Chino Hills Community Park (7.2 miles)