Rolling Hills

Pros

• Ellen was very professional to work with and treated my buyer with outstanding service.
• Ellen made her feel at home before she even moved in.
• People are very friendly.
• This is a well run 55 plus community.
• The site is well maintained and always making improvements.
• The units are well made.

Cons

• Sun Communities is described as being motivated only by money.
• Jensen's is missed and seen as more family- and people-oriented in the past.
• New ownership is replacing older units with modular homes that are expensive (about $200k) and with a high monthly lot rent ($480).
• Jensen's is no longer the happy, friendly park it used to be.
• The company is criticized for poor customer service and unresponsiveness, with claims of zero stars and no callbacks.
• The shift from a family-run operation to a large corporation is viewed as sad.
• All-stock ownership is perceived as reducing quality or value, and is described as never good.

Review

Rolling Hills sits at the center of a lively debate among residents and visitors alike. For some, the park represents a neighborhood with promise and potential, while others feel the scene has shifted away from the warmth and community spirit they remember. A common thread across the opinions is a tension between nostalgia for a more intimate, family-driven past and a present that many see as dominated by corporate motives and harder costs. In one voice, Sun Communities is seen by some as primarily money-driven, a sentiment that colors how people view the entire place and its future.

Within this mix of perspectives, there are bright spots that stand out. A recent experience with a prospective buyer shows how a single interaction can still leave a lasting, positive impression. Ellen in the Rolling Hills sales office is described as professional and attentive, going so far as to make a buyer feel at home before the move-in even happens. The sentiment is that Ellen's approach and service were outstanding, underscoring that dedicated people can make a big difference in a big transition like purchasing a new home.

The housing marketplace inside Rolling Hills is clearly evolving. The newer ownership group is replacing the old single-wide homes with modular units, a shift that some find well-made and worth the investment, even if the price tag isn't small. Units run around $200,000 for new modulars, and the lot rent sits at roughly $480 per month. Reviewers note the site as well maintained and consistently improved, suggesting a community that is actively investing in its infrastructure and appearance, even if some residents feel the cost and pace of change are high.

Nostalgia and dissatisfaction sit side by side in many comments. Phrases like "Not the happy friendly park it used to be" and "Wish it was Jensen's again" reflect a longing for the days of the previous ownership or management style, when the park felt more like a family-run operation. There's a sense that, while the current path is moving forward with modernization and corporate involvement, it hasn't preserved the same warm, personal vibe that long-time residents remember fondly.

The experience of trying to engage with the park's leadership at times has been frustrating, particularly for those who come from outside the area or who are trying to make time-sensitive decisions. One reviewer recounts a painful process: multiple phone calls and emails offering cash for a quick purchase, only to have the office close on a visit day and then be promised a callback that never arrives. The frustration is compounded by a sense that in some moments cash offers aren't given the consideration they deserve. The sentiment is blunt: "If I could give 0 stars, I would," signaling a disconnect between customer expectations and the response from the management or ownership above the local office.

Amid these mixed experiences, there are still clear affirmations of friendliness and community spirit. Several statements emphasize that "people are very friendly" and that the park has long-standing strengths as a 55-plus community. For some, the positive note about the people and the social atmosphere helps balance the concerns about ownership or the cost of new homes. The "stock owned" aspect is specifically singled out by some as a negative factor, with the implication that such ownership structures can translate into less flexibility or less responsiveness to individual needs. This is presented as a practical caution rather than a simple complaint, highlighting how governance and ownership models influence day-to-day life in the park.

Looking at the bigger picture, Rolling Hills is portrayed as a solid, well-run 55-plus community in many respects. Supporters argue that the site is well maintained and continually improved, with new units and upgrades signaling ongoing investment. Yet the same voices acknowledge an ongoing unease about the shift from a family-run operation to large-corporation ownership. The emotional resonance of this change is palpable: it is not just about dollars and units, but about identity, trust, and the sense of belonging that comes from knowing the people who run the place.

In the end, readers encounter a complex portrait: a park that offers kindness, care, and a clear sense of community from its staff in some interactions, even as it wrestles with the broader forces of modernization and corporate ownership. There are high points - professionalism, a well-maintained site, and genuine warmth from residents and staff alike - counterbalanced by concerns about access, responsiveness, and the emotional appeal of a past that some feel has faded. For anyone considering Rolling Hills, the message is that you'll encounter both gratitude for the present reality and a strong memory of what it used to be, with decisions shaped by how much you value current investments and the personal touch that defined the earlier era.

The Storrs, Connecticut area offers a variety of amenities for senior living. There are several physicians and pharmacies within close proximity, providing easy access to medical care. The local restaurants offer a range of dining options, including Red Rock Pizza & Cafe, UConn Dairy Bar, and Dog Lane Cafe. Places of worship such as Hope Lutheran Church and Second Congregational Church are nearby for spiritual support. For recreation, there are several parks in the area such as River Road Athletic Complex and Mansfield Hollow State Park, as well as theaters like Mansfield Drive-In Theatre and Cinemark Buckland Hills 18 + Imax for entertainment. Hospitals like Windham Hospital and Johnson Memorial Hospital are available for any medical emergencies. Overall, the Storrs area provides a convenient and vibrant community for senior living.

Physicians

• Mansfield Family Practice (0.2 miles)
• Hilda May Williams Student Health Services (1.4 miles)
• Lin, Hsung Uconn Health Dental (2.1 miles)
• Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network (2.2 miles)
• Fieldstone Family Medicine of Tolland (5 miles)
• Windham Eye Group PC (7.5 miles)
• Stephen Scarangella MD - Orthopedic Surgical Partners (7.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Red Rock Pizza & Cafe (0.3 miles)
• UConn Dairy Bar (1.5 miles)
• Dog Lane Cafe (2.1 miles)
• Moe's Southwest Grill (2.1 miles)
• Hilltop Restaurant, Bar & Banquet (3.8 miles)
• Oyama Japanese & Thai (4.8 miles)
• Dimitri's Pizza Restaurant (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.2 miles)
• Walgreens (5.3 miles)
• Big Y Tolland World Class Market (5.9 miles)
• Walgreens (7.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hope Lutheran Church (2.1 miles)
• Second Congregational Church (5.5 miles)
• Congregational Church of Eastford (11.1 miles)
• The Worship Center (12.3 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (5.3 miles)

Parks

• River Road Athletic Complex (5.4 miles)
• Mansfield Hollow State Park (6.4 miles)
• Rec Park (8.5 miles)
• Gay City State Park (11.2 miles)
• Bigelow Hollow State Park (14.1 miles)

Theaters

• Mansfield Drive-In Theatre (5.8 miles)
• Cinemark Buckland Hills 18 + Imax (14.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Windham Hospital (7.8 miles)
• Johnson Memorial Hospital (12.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (11.4 miles)
• The Flour Girl Cafe (12.3 miles)
• Starbucks (13 miles)