Countryside Village in Perry, MI

Pros

• The community is described as a great place to raise a small family.
• The park looks well maintained and cared for.
• Management is top-tier and very professional.
• The staff are friendly and helpful.
• New owners are putting in effort updating and renovating.
• The park offers a pool and a playground.
• It is described as the nicest park around.

Cons

• The management comes off as elitist and on a power trip, singling out residents who break rules.
• The water is undrinkable and the sewer system is antiquated, with a foul-smelling pond nearby.
• After new management took over, the office is rarely staffed and unresponsive, with staff giving false information about appointments.
• Residents have trouble removing their names from leases despite repeated calls.
• Rent increases every year with little to show for it, sometimes drastic.
• The park is poorly maintained: trailers sink, interior trim falls off, and maintenance is slow; there are potholes and overall neglect.
• There is a strict breed restriction on dogs, banning many breeds including protection dogs.
• Basic infrastructure and amenities are lacking: no pool, water issues persist, roads and street lights are problematic, mailboxes lack roof covers, and the office is often closed.
• Safety and quality have declined, with some reviewers stating the park has gone downhill.

Review

Countryside Village in Perry, Michigan is best suited for families with children or retirees who prize a quiet, community-minded atmosphere and are comfortable navigating a property that is improving amid uneven management. The park has elements that appeal to households prioritizing safety, neighborliness, and easy access for visits from grandkids. Those who expect flawless operations, pristine infrastructure, and perfectly predictable pricing should consider alternatives. The combination of a friendly, kid-friendly environment and ongoing renovations can be attractive, but only for those willing to tolerate notable administrative and utility headaches.

On the upside, several consistently cited strengths keep Countryside Village appealing for the right buyers. A number of residents report a genuinely caring, approachable staff, with specific praise for representatives who go above and beyond for families. Improvements under new ownership are visible, units and common areas look better, and conversations with staff often center on real effort to renovate and maintain. The setting itself feels quiet and safe, which matters a great deal for households with children who enjoy the playground and the occasional pool amenity. The sense of community can be a meaningful backdrop for daily life when management stays engaged.

However, the negatives are persistent enough to matter deeply in daily living. A pattern of management instability and communication breakdowns surfaces repeatedly: offices that are hard to reach, staff who are perceived as rude or unhelpful, and information that does not always reflect reality. Rent appears to rise regularly, sometimes contrasted with a lack of obvious value in return, which strains budgets for long-term residents. Utilities and infrastructure pose more serious concerns: non-drinkable water, boil-water alerts, an aging sewer system, and even a sewage pond background that raises health and environmental questions. These issues translate into practical headaches, outdated roads, potholes, limited amenities, and inconsistent maintenance responsiveness.

The proportional balance between pros and cons hinges on what residents value most. For families who want a welcoming community and are prepared to manage or tolerate utility quirks and administrative friction, the positives can offset some of the drawbacks. The improved appearance of the park, the presence of a reliable, caring staff in key moments, and a supportive environment for children contribute meaningfully to everyday life. The fact that several residents note tangible progress under new ownership signals that regular attention and investment can continue, which helps those who see Countryside Village as a long-term home. In short, the pros align with a particular lifestyle: a modest, neighborly setting where kids can play and adults can rely on a caring team, as long as the operational rough edges are accepted.

For those considering alternatives, several red flags warrant serious comparison. If water reliability and consistent, transparent communication with management are non-negotiables, this community may not meet expectations. If a fully equipped amenities package is essential, reliable pool access, well-maintained common spaces, and fully functional, modern infrastructure, the current reality may fall short. Rent stability is another critical factor; prospective residents should verify the present rate, projected increases, and what exactly is included in the rent. Dog owners with specific breed restrictions should also note the policy, as it can influence daily life and housing decisions. Finally, any potential mover should verify maintenance response times and hold management accountable for timely repairs, given the history of delays and bottlenecks.

In the end, Countryside Village offers a candid trade-off: a community-focused, family-friendly setting with improving management and a safer, quieter environment, weighed against ongoing water and infrastructure concerns and a pattern of rent increases and administrative friction. The community tends to reward residents who invest in getting to know the staff, participating in available activities, and maintaining realistic expectations about repairs and utilities. The decision hinges on willingness to endure intermittent operational bumps in exchange for a homey, kid-friendly atmosphere and staff who are genuinely invested in participants’ well-being. Prospective residents should conduct direct conversations with current residents, inspect current water and safety conditions, and establish a concrete plan for cost stability and maintenance prior to committing.

Physicians

• McLaren Greater Lansing - Perry Family Medicine (0.8 miles)
• Perry Family Practice (1.3 miles)
• Plymouth Dr Restoration Parts (1.7 miles)
• Pittsburg Family Healthcare (4.1 miles)
• Dr Behm (4.1 miles)
• Gurden Barbara DO (5.8 miles)
• Laingsburg Family Practice PC (6.2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.4 miles)
• PS Gas / SUBWAY (1.6 miles)
• Burger King (1.6 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.6 miles)
• Charlie's Bar & Grill (1.7 miles)
• King Kone (2 miles)
• Twilliger's (6.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.5 miles)
• Snyders Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Central Pharmacy Laingsburg (5.7 miles)
• Sparrow Pharmacy Plus #2 (10.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (11.6 miles)
• Epic Pharmacies (11.8 miles)
• Sobaks Pharmacy (11.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hashley Gary (4.2 miles)
• Bancroft United Methodist Church (9.8 miles)
• Bancroft Morrice Church (9.8 miles)
• Open Door Bible Baptist Church (11 miles)
• Seventh-Day Adventist Church (11.2 miles)
• Unchained Ministries (11.6 miles)
• Faith Lutheran Church (11.9 miles)

Transportation

• Log Cabin Taxidermy (5.9 miles)

Parks

• Sleepy Hollow State Park (6.3 miles)
• Lake Lansing Park South (9.8 miles)
• McCormick Park (10.2 miles)
• McCurdy Park (11.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Starflower Enterprises (11 miles)
• Shiawassee County Medical Care Facility (11.3 miles)
• Fms Dialysis of Owosso (11.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (11.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (11.5 miles)
• Biggby Coffee (11.9 miles)
• Koi Tea (12.1 miles)

Theaters

• Owosso Cinemas Ncg (11.7 miles)