The Meadows of Kendall

Pros

• Residents praise Harry L?pez, the Assistant Property Manager, for excellent support and dedication.
• Residents love this place for its great facilities, safety, beauty, and hard tennis courts.
• Lakes of the Meadows is described as a very nice and safe community with awesome pools, a well-equipped gym, tennis courts, racquetball courts, children's pools, playgrounds, a jacuzzi and a sauna.
• The community is well run, clean, and spacious, making it a favorite hangout spot.
• The venue is praised for professional service and well-maintained, welcoming pool areas.
• The community offers excellent amenities and is kept very clean, including a private basketball area and a Jr. Olympic-size swimming pool.
• Many reviewers describe Lakes of the Meadows as the best neighborhood in South Florida.
• The lake park center looks amazing, thanks to Julia and the staff who keep the community beautiful and clean.
• Shopping in the area is convenient, with good stores, easy access, and ample parking.
• The clubhouse is described as beautiful and spacious, suitable for hosting events.
• The staff are described as very helpful and courteous.

Cons

• The association's customer service is the worst; calls and emails go unanswered and complaints remain unresolved.
• The management is described as horrible and unprofessional, with residents facing rude treatment and little responsiveness.
• Security is criticized for being weak, with thefts occurring and security allegedly unaware.
• The staff is disorganized, making it nearly impossible to reserve facilities and residents often blamed for issues.
• Clubhouse pool renovations and closures were prolonged, yet payments for unusable facilities continued to be collected.
• The HOA is called a joke with no accountability and a disregard for neighbors' opinions.
• The galleria area is dirty and poorly maintained.
• Pickleball noise is extremely loud, making quiet tennis practice difficult.
• Water facilities are inadequate, with fountains lacking good water or ice.
• The office is frequently unreachable, with staff not answering calls for hours.

Review

Lakes of the Meadows presents itself as a remarkably appealing and safe neighborhood, a place that many residents simply love for its abundant amenities and well-kept surroundings. The community is described as spacious, clean, and inviting, with a setting that features beautiful lakes, lush vegetation, and a layout that feels quiet and residential rather than hectic. Residents repeatedly highlight the comprehensive range of facilities - pools that feel like resort spaces, a well-equipped gym, tennis and racquetball courts, playgrounds for children, and even a private basketball area - that together create a very family-friendly atmosphere. The overall impression is of a place designed for everyday life to be comfortable, active, and enjoyable, with security and order giving many long-time residents a sense of peace and stability.

A standout aspect of the experience for many residents is the people who keep the place running. There are stories of staff who go above and beyond, making real connections and addressing concerns with care. In particular, Harry L?pez, Assistant Property Manager, is repeatedly praised for listening, understanding, and taking extra steps to move issues forward. One resident notes that it took a frustrating wait with the previous administration, yet Harry's professionalism and genuine willingness to resolve the situation helped secure a boat parking spot that had become a sticking point. The sentiment is echoed in praise for other team members who contribute to maintaining the club's lively, welcoming vibe - Julia and the lake park center staff are singled out for keeping facilities beautiful and clean, and there's appreciation for the hospitality extended by staff for events and gatherings hosted in the community spaces.

Beyond the amenities, the neighborhood earns high marks for safety, family-friendliness, and the sense that "this is the best place to live" in the region. Several reviews celebrate the quiet, well-kept streets and the reassuring security presence that helps make it feel like a safe haven for families. The community is frequently described as nicely maintained, with residents taking pride in well-kept grounds, sparkling common areas, and the overall upkeep that preserves the tranquil, appealing character of the area. Many families especially appreciate the combination of good schools, ample green spaces, and convenient access to shops and restaurants nearby, which contributes to a strong sense of community as a great place to raise children and grow roots.

Yet the experience is not without its tensions. A number of reviews offer a candid critique of management and customer service. Some residents describe the association and its leadership as lacking accountability and responsiveness, pointing to missed calls and unanswered emails as a persistent frustration. There are complaints about the HOA's governance style - described as not listening to residents, with meetings that feel unproductive or unresponsive to concerns, and a sense that the association's leadership sometimes acts more like an obstacle than a facilitator. Specific names surface in these criticisms, such as Elizabeth Flores, who is called out for poor handling of events and guidance, and, more broadly, the impression that the association's priorities do not always align with what residents feel they deserve from a well-run community.

Delivery and accessibility issues add to the sense of disorganization for some. For example, one resident notes the office occasionally lacks basic resources like a printer, and there are stories of extended periods without a return call or email response, contributing to a sense of frustration when residents are trying to coordinate between maintenance, reservations, and daily access to facilities. The problem isn't universal, but enough examples exist to create a perception that communication and operational consistency could be improved. The impact of the pandemic on facilities is another recurring theme: during earlier phases, the clubhouse pool was closed for renovations or other reasons, and even as other pools opened, residents occasionally faced difficulties securing reservations or navigating a more complex, less intuitive booking process. Some feel they continued to pay for amenities they couldn't fully use, which compounds dissatisfaction and distrust.

Despite these challenges, some reviews emphasize that the practical realities of ownership - such as event spaces, halls, and club amenities - remain strong positives. The community's capacity to host gatherings, weddings, and birthday celebrations is frequently highlighted, with reviewers noting that party rooms can accommodate significant crowds, tables and chairs are provisioned for large events, and staff help make these occasions special. There are even moments of celebratory sentiment tied to specific events and fireworks that underscore the sense of community pride. In addition, even when some facilities faced issues, residents often contrasted these with the overall quality - beautiful park views, well-maintained walking tracks, and a sense that the location, amenities, and care from many staff members still make Lakes of the Meadows a desirable, highly livable place.

Ultimately, what emerges is a nuanced portrait: Lakes of the Meadows is widely regarded as one of the best neighborhoods in its area, beloved for its safety, scenery, and abundant facilities, as well as for the warmth and responsiveness of many staff members. At the same time, there is a clear call for stronger governance and improved communication. Residents who love the place want the HOA to function with more accountability, for management to listen more carefully to feedback, and for smoother coordination of events, reservations, and day-to-day operations. In short, Lakes of the Meadows offers a compelling, high-quality living environment with outstanding amenities and a strong community spirit, while inviting steady improvements in administrative responsiveness and organizational clarity to match the high standards residents already associate with this neighborhood.

This part of Miami, Florida offers a diverse range of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to relocate to the area. There are several cafes and restaurants within close proximity, providing convenient dining options. The presence of multiple parks offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. In terms of healthcare, there are several physicians' offices, pharmacies, and hospitals nearby, ensuring access to medical care when needed. Additionally, places of worship provide spiritual support and community engagement for those interested. The proximity to a movie theater adds entertainment options for leisure activities. Overall, this area presents a well-rounded environment that caters to the needs and interests of seniors considering senior living in Miami.

Cafes

• Nespresso Boutique at Macy's (0.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (0.7 miles)
• Joanna's Marketplace (1.4 miles)
• Moulin Rose Cake & Bakery Shop (2.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.8 miles)

Restaurants

• The Cheesecake Factory (0.7 miles)
• Earls Kitchen + Bar (0.7 miles)
• Dadeland Mall (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• Shake Shack (3 miles)
• P.F. Chang's China Bistro (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Continental Park (0.7 miles)
• Coral Pine Park (1.3 miles)
• Dante Fascell Park (2.4 miles)
• Tropical Park (2.7 miles)
• Kendall Indian Hammocks County Park (3 miles)
• McMillan Park (3.4 miles)
• Coral Reef Park (3.9 miles)

Physicians

• Valdes Rafael DDS (0.9 miles)
• Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute (1 miles)
• UM Sylvester/Physicians at Kendall (1.7 miles)
• Nicklaus Children's Hospital (4.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• SMP Pharmacy Solutions: Retail & Specialty (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (1.7 miles)
• St Louis Catholic Church (2.2 miles)
• Bible Truth Chapel (2.4 miles)
• Christ Fellowship Church (5.2 miles)

Hospitals

• South Miami Hospital (2.1 miles)
• Doctors Hospital (4 miles)
• Jackson South Medical Center (4.2 miles)
• Jackson South Community Hospital (4.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Sunset Place 24 (2.6 miles)