Apple Carr Village in Muskegon, MI

Pros

• The area is nice.
• The pool and gym for residents are welcoming, and the people are friendly.
• The clubhouse is very nice.
• The office staff are super nice and helpful, and residents have great neighbors.
• The community has improved tremendously since Sun Communities took ownership.
• The village is cute and has a pool and a hall that can be rented.
• Management is on top of its game; the property is well kept and secure.

Cons

• They say there are too many fees and rent is never the same from month to month.
• They describe the plow drivers as idiots who plow snow into driveways.
• They claim they were lied to about cleaners and warn to double-check for leaks; customer service is good only before move-in.
• They state maintenance is very slow to respond to emergencies, like roof leaks and fire hazards.
• They say residents are treated as numbers by the front office and management.
• They accuse Sun Communities of raising rent and caring more about profits than safety or quality of living.
• They report the park is unsafe with speeding cars and near misses around children, and that police/fire presence is lacking.
• They complain office staff are unprofessional and communication is poor.
• They cite excessive, unfair move-out charges (e.g., carpeting charges) even when the unit was cleaned.
• They assert discrimination against disabled residents.

Review

Apple Carr Village is best suited for independent buyers or renters who want a village-like mobile-home setting with ready-made social infrastructure. The community’s strength lies in its amenities and its sense of neighborhood life: a clubhouse, a pool, a gym, and rentable communal space that can support events and casual gatherings. When kept up and well managed, the park can feel like a stable, self-contained little town where neighbors know each other and daily routines can revolve around shared spaces. For those who already own their lot or home and simply crave a social anchor within a familiar, family-friendly environment, this community can offer tangible value. The upside is real: quiet streets, friendly faces at times, and the sense that life is organized around common spaces that invite participation.

That said, several reviewers should prompt serious consideration of alternatives. The most persistent warning centers on inconsistent, sometimes slow maintenance response, with leaky roofs and electrical issues described as lingering safety risks. Communication gaps between the front office and residents, and a perception that corporate leadership does not address day-to-day needs, fuel frustration and erode confidence in the operation. Cost transparency is another red flag for many: rent and lot fees appear volatile, and disputes over charges and move-out costs color the overall experience. For families or residents who require predictable service, strict adherence to safety standards, or clear, straightforward billing, this is a strong signal to explore other communities with more stable track records.

When the pros are functioning as advertised, they can meaningfully offset the cons. The social fabric, the clubhouse, the chance to meet neighbors, and community events, offers real reinforcement for a lifestyle that values connection and ease of access to recreation. The presence of a well-maintained common area, along with responsive staff in some cases, can smooth day-to-day life and give residents a dependable place to gather, exercise, or celebrate small milestones. A few residents report that staff are helpful and that neighbors are quiet and respectful, which can translate into lower stress for seniors who prioritize a calm, neighborly setting. In such moments, the amenities become more than cosmetic and contribute to a legitimate reason to stay.

Yet the gaps in maintenance, safety, and administration cannot be ignored. The most consequential concerns revolve around slow or incomplete repairs that leave serious issues unaddressed, creating ongoing fire hazards or water damage that degrade living conditions. The reliability of front-office communication is a frequent problem, with residents feeling unseen or misinformed about repairs, billing, and rule enforcement. Safety worries, ranging from noisy environments to incidents of car break-ins or criminal activity, underscore a disconnect between the pleasant surface and the lived reality. Complaints about unfair or inconsistent rule enforcement and discriminatory experiences raise the stakes, especially for residents with disabilities or families who rely on predictable rules and equitable treatment. Finally, the business side, suspected overcharges, deposits handled poorly, and opaque financial practices, creates a financial climate that makes long-term commitment risky.

Given these dynamics, a practical decision hinges on a clear, early information-gathering phase. Prospective residents should insist on a thorough, in-person assessment focused on maintenance responsiveness and emergency readiness. Obtain written guarantees for response times, and request a detailed, line-item breakdown of all ongoing charges beyond base lot rent. Seek a concrete policy on security deposits, move-out charges, and how inconsistencies are resolved; review the lease language with a careful eye toward what is considered billable versus “creditable” during turnover. Speak with several current residents about daily realities, noise levels, parking, security, and enforcement of rules, and verify whether the office consistently follows through on promises. Verify availability of units that fit family or disability needs, and confirm whether any breed, pet, or accessibility restrictions could complicate future plans. Above all, assess whether the management team has a credible plan to address recurring complaints, and whether there is a transparent escalation path to corporate when issues arise.

In the end, Apple Carr Village presents a mixed value proposition. For families or seniors who prioritize a social, amenity-rich environment and can tolerate an imperfect service backdrop, it can deliver genuine quality of life advantages: a shared social life, accessible recreation, and a park that, at its best, feels well-kept and cohesive. For anyone for whom reliability, safety, and transparent, stable administration are non-negotiables, this community requires caution. Alternatives, whether other Sun Communities locations with stronger local management, independent living options with clearer governance, or traditional assisted living setups that blend care with a more consistent operations backbone, warrant serious consideration. The choice should rest on a disciplined appraisal of tolerance for operational friction against the appeal of community amenities, backed by verifiable commitments on maintenance, safety, and predictable costs before making a long-term commitment.

Places of Worship

• Fellowship Reformed Church (0.9 miles)
• Calvary Memorial Church (5.3 miles)
• First Christian Church (5.4 miles)
• St Mary's Church (6.3 miles)
• Calvary Bible Church (7.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Wolfie's Pizza (0.9 miles)
• Dog House Saloon (3.9 miles)
• Bob Evans (4 miles)
• Burger King (4.2 miles)
• Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken (4.4 miles)
• Los Amigos Tequila Bar & Grill (4.5 miles)
• Applebee's (4.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Hackley Hospital (3.1 miles)
• Mercy Health Partners Muskegon General Campus (3.7 miles)
• Hcn / Muskegon (3.8 miles)
• Nextcare Hospitals Muskegon (3.9 miles)
• Mercy Health Partners (3.9 miles)
• Mercy Health Partners (4.9 miles)
• Mary Free Bed (5.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• CHCWM Muskegon (4.9 miles)
• Watkins Pharmacy & Surgical Supply (5.1 miles)
• Watkins Pharmacy (5.1 miles)
• West Shore Professional Pharmacy (5.3 miles)
• Walgreens (5.3 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (5.5 miles)

Physicians

• West Michigan Internal Medicine (3.7 miles)
• Dr Gurden's Office (3.7 miles)
• Women's Health Center (3.8 miles)
• Great Lakes Ob/Gyn Specialists (3.8 miles)
• Dr Ronald Chusid (3.8 miles)
• Sleep Disorders Center (3.9 miles)
• Shoreline Pediatrics PLC (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Brooklyn Bagels Cafe (6.6 miles)

Parks

• Hackley Park (6.4 miles)
• Mona Lake Park (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• Cinema Carousel (6.8 miles)