College Arms Towers

Pros

• The staff has residents' best interests at all times.
• The rent is very reasonable and affordable.
• Management is helpful and willing to work with residents.
• The Manager Arianna Algarin is helpful.
• Residents describe the community as a great place to live with lots of closet space and friendly neighbors.
• Residents feel safe there.

Cons

• The visitor policy limits residents to 14 days of visitors per year, preventing family members from staying more than two weeks.
• Several residents described the rules as stupid.
• The parking lot is very small, drawing complaints from residents.
• A staff member allegedly backed out of the parking lot without looking and ran over a bicyclist.
• Some residents criticized the management as bad and unhelpful.
• One reviewer stated they would never recommend the place to anyone.
• Some reviewers warned that the facility does not provide adequate safety for elderly relatives.

Review

Residents paint a picture of College Arms Towers as a place that feels like home, with a mix of warmth, practicality, and a few frustrations. One reviewer describes living in a cute studio for several years, paying only $296 a month with all utilities included, and doing so through Section 8. They note a sense of stability born from years of experience as a homeowner in the past, and they emphasize that the current arrangement takes care of the basics without the burdens they once knew. In their view, the apartment provides a very affordable anchor in life, especially given the convenience of utilities bundled into the rent.

A recurring thread in these impressions concerns the realities of living with a partner in a studio. The same reviewer explains that if they were to meet someone special and fall in love, the couple would face a limitation: the studio does not allow living with a partner, and they would need to move to a one-bedroom. This comes across as a practical constraint of the layout, rather than a direct complaint about staff, and it highlights how the studio's size governs life plans in a way that some residents find restrictive.

Beyond housing policies, there is a more formal note about what College Arms is and isn't. One reviewer is clear that this is not an assisted living facility; it is an apartment complex. They acknowledge that HUD rent assistance can be available depending on circumstances, but the core point is that residents' responsibilities fall on the tenants in a typical rental setting. This reviewer recounts having spoken with management about complaints and describes a constructive outcome: a resolution that improved their experience and a raised star rating to four, with a willingness to continue cooperating with management. In their view, Arianna Algarin, the manager, has been particularly helpful.

Other residents weigh in with strong positive sentiments after several years of living there. One person notes four years in a one-bedroom and highlights abundant closet space and a friendly resident community, along with plenty of activities to keep busy if desired. Another four-year resident emphasizes that they couldn't imagine living elsewhere and praises the staff for always being willing to help in any way they can. Taken together, these accounts portray a supportive, stable environment with a responsive management team and a cooperative atmosphere among residents.

Yet not all experiences are uniformly rosy, and there are real concerns about safety and policy. A negative incident stands out: while the reviewer was riding a bicycle past the property, one of the staff members exited the parking lot without looking and ran them over. This anecdote raises questions about safety protocols and the risk of accidents on-site, coloring the overall impression with a note of caution about how the campus operates in practice.

There are also practical complaints about rules and capacity. One reviewer points out that every resident is limited to 14 visitor days per year, which effectively prevents family members from staying for more than two weeks. The sentiment accompanying this observation is blunt: "Stupid rules. And bad management." They also mention a very small parking lot, and they say they would not recommend the place. These criticisms contrast with shorter, simpler affirmations like "Nice place," "Live here," and "I feel safe here," which appear in other posts along with remarks about friendly staff.

In a few other brief notes, residents describe College Arms as home, with expressions of affection and appreciation: "It is home for me and I love it there," and "Very nice place to live at... very nice people that works there." A sense of safety is echoed by some, with a straightforward claim of feeling secure in the community. However, another stark warning remains in the mix: if there is concern about an elder family member, one reviewer cautions against relying on College Arms to monitor or advocate for their wellbeing, suggesting that the management may not always prioritize such concerns. The overall body of reviews presents a complex picture: a place of affordability, stability, and community for many, tempered by policy constraints, safety worries, and critiques of management at times.

This part of De Land, Florida offers a variety of medical services including eye specialists, kidney and hypertension specialists, dermatology, and behavioral services. In addition to pharmacies conveniently located within a mile radius. There are several dining options nearby ranging from fast food to casual dining restaurants. For coffee enthusiasts, there are cafes in close proximity. The area also boasts numerous parks for recreational activities and outdoor enjoyment. Hospitals are easily accessible in case of emergencies or medical needs. Places of worship provide spiritual support and community connection. Additionally, transportation options such as the Amtrak station are available for easy travel access. Overall, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded environment with amenities that cater to senior living needs.

Physicians

• Central Florida Eye Specialists P L (0 miles)
• Krishnan MD Ananth Pa (0.1 miles)
• Florida Kidney & Hypertension Specialist (0.3 miles)
• Happy Brain Neurofeedback (0.3 miles)
• Virginio Rodrig Uez (0.9 miles)
• Advanced Dermatology (0.9 miles)
• SAAFE Behavioral Services (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.1 miles)
• Ritter's Towne Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walmart Fuel Station (1.2 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)

Restaurants

• McCabe's (0.2 miles)
• The Half Wall DeLand (0.3 miles)
• Checkers (0.3 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (1.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.4 miles)
• Denny's (1.4 miles)
• Captain D's (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Trilogy Coffee Roasting Co. (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Rhonda's Kitchen (7.6 miles)

Parks

• Earl Brown Park (0.9 miles)
• Barkley Square Dog Park (2.9 miles)
• Lake Beresford Park (3.5 miles)
• Hontoon Island State Park (5.1 miles)
• Blue Spring State Park (5.9 miles)
• Gateway Park (8.1 miles)

Hospitals

• AdventHealth DeLand (1.5 miles)
• Florida Hospital Deland (1.5 miles)
• AdventHealth Fish Memorial (8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Grace Chapel (1.5 miles)
• Bible Baptist Church (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (3.3 miles)