Century Village at Pembroke Pines

Pros

• Magnificent place to live, for older people it is extraordinary.
• It is a very beautiful place, with lots of vegetation and very beautiful gardens. The administrative service is very responsible.
• Quiet, Private, Surrounded by Lakes. Excellent for a Residence. Very Well-maintained.
• Excellent place.
• Very comfortable building.
• Great facility, wonderful community and really good entertainment.
• The satellite pools are great especially in the winter because they don't heat the water.
• Great community for 55+ well maintained with lots of social activities.

Cons

• The gate security is extremely slow.
• The association is described as incompetent and inefficient at running entry gates.
• Gate staff are rude, unprofessional, and lacking basic manners.
• The security service cannot distinguish between home visits, deliveries, or repairs.
• Residents face hours-long waits to enter the community.
• The complex is old, with poorly maintained common areas, outdated decor, and a pervasive old smell.
• Visitor entry waits are 30 minutes to an hour, and lines are not respected.
• Monthly fees are overpriced, draining elderly residents' savings.
• Only two entrances for 7,300+ units create unsafe evacuation conditions.
• The policy of entering only through Pines Boulevard is seen as impractical and disruptive.

Review

This collection of impressions paints a picture of a large 55+ community that many people find absolutely alluring in natural beauty and lifestyle, even as they grapple with frustrating realities on a daily basis. Residents repeatedly describe the place as magnificent and very suitable for older adults: quiet, private, and surrounded by lakes and lush vegetation, with a sense of order and amenities that can make life feel comfortable and secure. Several reviewers contrast it with nearby areas, noting a definite improvement in environment and atmosphere compared with places like Hialeah, and they emphasize that the complex offers a nice, organized living experience with well-maintained gardens and a feeling of being in a well-kept, even American, community. Some people praise the administrative service for its responsibility and the overall beauty of the place, underscoring a genuine sense of belonging and routine social activity.

However, the backbone of daily life - security and access - dominates many of the most negative experiences described. A recurring theme is that the security gate operation is excruciatingly slow and inefficient, with lines that stretch into tens of minutes and sometimes an hour or more just to gain entry. People speak of "the slowest security in the US," with lingering lines that disrupt visits from family and friends and complicate essential errands like rideshares or medical appointments. The situation is sometimes described as chaotic: visible frustration among visitors and residents waiting at gates, lines not respected, and a sense that staff are ill-prepared to manage the flow or communicate changes effectively. Across several accounts, the gate guards are labeled rude or unprofessional, and a few explicitly say that the gates' attitude and handling reflect poorly on the entire community. Yet a small number of reviewers note that individual guards can be friendly and helpful, suggesting a wide inconsistency in service.

Management and governance emerge as a major source of angst in many entries. The association and its leadership are frequently criticized as being poorly run, with the most incompetent people allegedly occupying key entry points and administrative roles. Complaints include expensive monthly HOA fees that older residents feel are draining their savings, and a pervasive sense that rules and procedures are changed without proper warning or justification. Some reviews warn that when problems are announced, there is a frustrating lack of clear, proactive communication from management. Phone numbers touted as a lifeline for residents or visitors are described as useless or unreliable, leaving people feeling abandoned at moments when they need timely guidance or support. A sentiment runs through several comments that the system is more about gate policies and appearances than genuine service to residents.

The physical environment and facilities do not escape scrutiny either. Several reviewers describe aging apartments and common areas that are not as well maintained as one would hope, with a dated feel to the event center and an overall odor that suggests the place "feels old." The gym arrangements are somewhat contradictory: two staffed gyms exist, but hours are limited (opening at 9 a.m., closing at 9 p.m.), which can be frustrating for busy days or medical appointments. Complaints about maintenance extend to the broader infrastructure, with calls for more frequent cleaning, improvements to building upkeep, and attention to the cleanliness of shared spaces. The sense is that while the location offers real value and a high quality lifestyle in theory, the practical upkeep and modernization of facilities lag behind resident expectations, contributing to a perception of decline amid the otherwise aspirational image.

Accessibility and safety concerns deepen the unease that pervades many reviews. In emergency situations or disasters, residents worry about evacuations with only two entrances for more than 7,300 units, a scenario some reviewers describe as unsafe and potentially illegal for a senior community. There is concern about a major entrance being closed and repurposed into a park, and even the physical infrastructure - like hot metal benches - being hazardous in Florida heat. Reviewers also emphasize how the gate policy has created barriers to timely care: rules that make doctors, nurses, and other medical staff navigate long detours to enter the property, and a general sense that the current system prioritizes control over convenience or patient welfare. The frustration is palpable when visiting the pool or common areas, where security can require ID checks and even repeated verification, sometimes with a feeling of overreach or mistrust.

Amid the criticism, a subset of comments offers a more glowing, almost nostalgic portrait. Several residents call the community a "perfect place to live" with all the necessary amenities to enjoy life without leaving the complex. They praise the quiet, clean, and pleasant environment, the social activities, and the overall sense of safety and community that comes with a well-located retirement setting. Some highlight that the presence of multiple pools - with particular appreciation for the satellite pools during winter - helps maintain comfort and enjoyment. A few also note the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff and residents they encounter, and they emphasize the potential for this community to be an excellent choice for those who can tolerate its administrative and security frustrations. In short, the place is cherished by many who live there, even as it tests their patience with systemic shortcomings.

Taken together, the recurring narrative is one of striking contrasts. The location offers undeniable beauty, a serene pace of life, and a robust social ecosystem that many retirees crave. It also promises comprehensive amenities and a sense of belonging that can be hard to find elsewhere. At the same time, the daily reality for many residents - and especially for visitors - features long, complicated gate procedures, perceived inconsistencies in security and management, escalating HOA costs, and aging infrastructure that can sap some of the joy from everyday living. The overall impression is that Century Village (or its analogous 55+ community) can be an excellent place to thrive if one can navigate the security bottlenecks, ambiguous governance, and maintenance challenges, but it is easy for the experience to become frustrating, especially for those who rely on prompt access for medical needs, family visits, or urgent errands.

Located in Pembroke Pines, Florida, this neighborhood offers a range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With several restaurants nearby such as Twin Peaks and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, residents have plenty of dining options to choose from. The area is also well-equipped with pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy for convenient access to medications and healthcare products. In terms of healthcare, Memorial Hospital West and Cleveland Clinic Florida are within close proximity, providing quality medical care. For leisure activities, there are parks such as C.B. Smith Park and Towngate Park nearby, as well as theaters like AMC Pembroke Lake 9 for entertainment options. Additionally, cafes like Starbucks offer a cozy spot for socializing with friends or enjoying a cup of coffee. Overall, this part of Pembroke Pines offers a mix of amenities that make it a desirable choice for senior living.

Restaurants

• Twin Peaks (0.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.1 miles)
• Just Salad Pembroke (2 miles)
• Mr Shrimp (2 miles)
• Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen (2.3 miles)
• Chuy's (2.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Memorial Hospital West (1.3 miles)
• Memorial Hospital Pembroke (5.3 miles)
• Cleveland Clinic Florida (6.2 miles)
• UM/Sylvester Clinics At Plantation (8.7 miles)
• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital (9.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Pembroke Lake 9 (1.3 miles)
• Cinemark (3 miles)

Parks

• C.B. Smith Park (1.3 miles)
• Towngate Park (1.8 miles)
• Spring valley (2.7 miles)
• River Run Park (3.6 miles)
• Palm Springs North Park (4.6 miles)
• Royal Oaks Park (5.4 miles)
• Scott Park (7.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Habibi Hookah Lounge (8.1 miles)

Physicians

• Taft Building (2 miles)
• Miami Cancer Institute | Plantation (8.2 miles)
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Center, P.A. (9 miles)
• Arnoldo Ghitis, MD (9.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ the Rock Community Church (3.6 miles)
• Mother Of Our Redeemer Catholic Church (4 miles)
• Temple Beth Emet (4.3 miles)

Transportation

• North Perry Airport of Broward County (5.2 miles)