Sunset On East

Pros

• The community is described as nice and quiet.
• The location is highlighted as being very close to some of the best beaches Florida has to offer.
• It is convenient to restaurants, shopping, banks, veterinarians, and doctor's offices.
• St. Petersburg Airport (PIE) is only about 20 minutes away.
• A place there is described as very cute.

Cons

• The towing policy is unfair: cars can be towed for forgetting a parking pass, even if the management has the vehicle information on file.
• The HOA is described as unorganized and unprofessional.
• The rental application process is a waste of time, with last-minute denials and no explanation.
• Communication about pet-application requirements is unclear, leading to weeks of wasted effort.
• Management is perceived as dishonest about expectations, causing unnecessary stress for applicants.
• Application fees are collected even when a denial is certain, which feels unethical.
• The buildings and landscaping are poorly maintained, and HOA dues are higher than the value of the services received.
• The HOA board is described as unprofessional, rude, and unethical, with meetings where constituents are ignored and concerns mocked.

Review

The collection of reviews paints a picture of a community that many residents find to be fraught with friction and inconsistent practices, especially around parking enforcement, governance, and the overall management of the HOA. A central point of contention is the parking policy: if a resident forgets to display a parking pass even once, the car can be towed, regardless of whether the management has the vehicle on file. Reviewers describe this as an extremely harsh and unfair rule that seems to supersede common sense, arguing that a car should not be towed from a designated space unless someone else is illegally occupying it. The tone suggests that this policy creates an atmosphere of anxiety and punitive treatment over what should be a routine, administrative matter.

Beyond parking, the HOA and its leadership come under sharp scrutiny. Several reviewers characterize the HOA as a red flag, noting it is unorganized and unprofessional. One particularly painful experience involved being denied a rental at the last minute despite having strong credit, a clean background, and having complied with extensive documentation over weeks. The denial was delivered without explanation, which left the applicants feeling misled and frustrated, especially since they had already paid application fees and invested substantial time in the process. The sentiment conveyed is that the system is opaque and untrustworthy, with the impression that applicants are treated as inconveniences rather than potential residents.

The frustration extends to the pet application process, which is described as wasting weeks of time. For someone who is pregnant and facing a lease end, the delay and lack of upfront clarity about what would be considered a disqualifying factor feel particularly painful. The reviewer emphasizes that if any issue with the pet application existed, it would have been better to be told early in the process rather than after a prolonged waiting period. The overall impression is that honesty and proactive communication from the management would have saved people from wasted effort and anxiety during a vulnerable life moment.

Maintenance and financial stewardship are other major points of critique. The physical upkeep of the buildings and landscaping is described as poor, while HOA dues are said to be high relative to the level of service provided. There are reports of residents and guests being towed accidentally by the HOA, with no reimbursement offered for those mistakes. The board itself is depicted as unprofessional, rude, and unethical by a number of reviewers. Meetings are characterized by a lack of transparency and accountability, with half of the board seemingly turning away from constituents to talk in circles. One particularly pointed allegation accuses the president's wife of mocking residents who raise concerns during meetings, underscoring a sense of personal bias and disrespect within the leadership.

Despite the pervasive criticisms, not everything is painted in a negative light. Some reviewers describe the community as nice and quiet, noting that it has its appealing aspects. There is a sense that the area could be a gem if the management and HOA practices could be improved, particularly if the missed opportunity to connect with a greenway or gate feature were addressed. In that sense, the space feels like it could offer a comfortable living environment if the governance and day-to-day operations were more professional and communicative.

Location and accessibility emerge as bright spots in the reviews. The property is praised for proximity to a number of Florida's coastal attractions, including some of the area's best beaches, and for convenient access to restaurants, shopping, banks, veterinarians, and physician offices. The location is described as practical and convenient, with St. Petersburg's PIE airport being only about a 20-minute drive away. This combination of beach access and everyday amenities contributes to an appealing livability angle that some residents clearly value highly, even as they contend with other administrative and governance frustrations.

A personal note tucked into the review set adds a touch of optimism: a girlfriend recently bought a place in the area, and the reviewer describes it as "very cute." This glimpsed sentiment hints at the nuanced reality of the place - where favorable, even charming aspects exist alongside significant governance and management challenges. The overall portrait, then, is one of contrasts: a quiet, potentially appealing locale near the coast and convenient amenities, shadowed by disputes over towing practices, opaque rental processes, and a governance culture many find abrasive and unresponsive.

Taken together, these reviews present a complex picture of a community that has tangible strengths in location, quiet living, and the appeal of a coastal Florida lifestyle, but that is held back by problematic HOA practices, dismissive or opaque management behavior, and procedural friction that can leave residents and applicants understandably frustrated. The enduring takeaway is that while the setting and some day-to-day benefits may attract residents, the experience of interacting with the HOA and its policies significantly colors overall satisfaction, sometimes turning what could be a pleasant living environment into a source of ongoing stress and disappointment.

This part of Clearwater, Florida offers a convenient location with easy access to essential amenities such as pharmacies, physicians, restaurants, cafes, hospitals, parks, and theaters. With multiple pharmacies and healthcare facilities nearby, seniors can rest assured knowing that their medical needs can be easily addressed. The selection of dining options provides a variety of choices for enjoying meals out or bringing food home. The presence of parks allows for outdoor recreational activities and leisurely walks in nature. Additionally, the close proximity to both Morton Plant Hospital and Mease Countryside Hospital ensures that top-notch medical care is readily available. Overall, this area provides a balanced mix of convenience and leisure opportunities for seniors looking to settle down in Clearwater.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)

Physicians

• Dunedin Pediatrics (1.6 miles)
• Virginia Street Dermatology (1.8 miles)
• Florida Department of Health, Pinellas County Health Department, Clearwater Center (2 miles)
• Clearwater Pediatric Care (2.4 miles)
• Academic Alliance in Dermatology (2.8 miles)
• North Pinellas Surgery Center (4.5 miles)
• Bay Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery (4.8 miles)

Restaurants

• The Living Room on Main (1.9 miles)
• Casa Tina Mexican & Vegetarian Cuisine (2 miles)
• Blur Nightclub (2 miles)
• Strachan's Ice Cream & Desserts (2 miles)
• Dunedin Brewery (2.1 miles)
• Hog Island Fish Camp (2.1 miles)
• Dunedin House of Beer (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Belleair Coffee Company (5.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Morton Plant Hospital (3.1 miles)
• Morgan Heart Hospital (3.1 miles)
• Mease Countryside Hospital (5.3 miles)
• Mease Countryside Hospital-Medical Arts Building (5.3 miles)

Parks

• McMullen Booth Tennis Center Clearwater FL (3.2 miles)
• Kapok Park (3.7 miles)
• Eagle Lake Park (3.8 miles)
• Stirling Park (3.8 miles)
• Sand Key Park (4 miles)
• Dog Run (4.2 miles)
• Cooper Bayou Park (4.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Woodlands Square 20 (6.2 miles)
• Regal Largo Mall (6.5 miles)

Transportation

• St Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) (7.4 miles)