Crestwood Village 5

Pros

• It is described as a safe, affordable place to live with nicely landscaped and well-kept homes.
• Its location is convenient between NYC and Philly, with great access to healthcare for a 55+ community.
• The condo board has improved the clubhouse and provides conveniences like a free gym, library, first aid and technology classes, and free bus services.
• The Active Residents Club organizes dances, parties, bingo, a flea market, movie and game nights, and group trips.
• Office staff are professional and pleasant.
• CRV V has the best flea market among nearby villages, with the majority of sellers.
• Residents report the staff are extremely helpful and there have been no problems in six years.
• Arts and crafts sales and watch battery installations are enjoyed.

Cons

• The HOA is described as the absolute worst they have ever experienced.
• The HOA is mean, nasty, and domineering.
• The HOA is money-hungry and frequently threatens fines or court action.
• The upkeep of the development is a joke and poorly maintained.
• The association issues invalid fines and harasses owners to increase revenue.
• The billing staff are power-hungry, nasty, and heartless, often imposing bogus charges.
• Residents must seek permission for almost everything, stifling activity and improvements.
• The 55+ community is seen as unsafe and unwelcoming, with advice to run away.
• Neighbors are nosy and judgmental, and residents feel ostracized for not being part of a "network."

Review

Residents of the various villages that make up this 55-plus community describe a landscape of stark contrasts. On one end, the development is praised as a safe, affordable place to live with a surprising amount of social activity and convenient access to the broader region between New York City and Philadelphia. In those positive accounts, the condo association and the on-site office staff are portrayed as professional and pleasant, with a steady stream of amenities and programs designed to keep residents engaged. There are mentions of a well-balanced mix of home models, landscaping that is generally well cared for, and a condo environment that, when run smoothly, offers a comfortable retirement lifestyle. Special note is often given to the clubhouse upgrades, the free gym, a library, first-aid resources, technology classes, bus services, and a robust lineup of organized activities like dances, bingo, flea markets, movie nights, and group trips. The residents who share these views emphasize that, if you know and respect the rules of condo living, the community can be a bright and convenient place to settle.

Yet beneath that surface of perceived safety and convenience lies a persistent and highly vocal critique that permeates many of the reviews. A recurrent thread characterizes the HOA as "the absolute worst" - mean, nasty, domineering, and potentially the most disreputable group many residents have encountered. Critics describe a climate of intimidation centered on fines and aggressive enforcement, with threats of lawsuits or collections for even minor issues. They claim fines are sometimes imposed or inflated, and there are allegations that charges are not always aligned with the community's published rules and regulations. This sentiment feeds a broader view of the HOA as a money-making machine, a "cash cow" that seems to prioritize revenue over the lived experience of residents, especially those who are older and possibly more vulnerable.

The tension between upholding appearance and delivering upkeep also features prominently. Several reviewers lament that maintenance is insufficient or uneven, with specific complaints about the absence of routine pressure washing and general neglect that undermine the long-term appeal of the development. In particular, there is frustration when the HOA is expected to handle exterior upkeep for a 55-plus community, yet residents feel the work isn't being done to a standard they expect. The contradiction between promises of included services years ago and perceived omissions today contributes to the sense that the organization has drifted away from its original commitments, leaving some residents feeling neglected or unheard.

Within this mix of praise and grievance, some residents recount mixed personal experiences. One longtime resident reminisces about a time when "everything was included in the HOA fees," contrasting it with a current climate where "a whole bunch of disrespectful people" now run the village. There are calls to involve local authorities or to contact the attorney hired by the village as a means of seeking answers or redress. Others recount moments of genuine community life - neighbors looking out for one another, the presence of supportive staff, and meaningful social programming - that coexist with the more accusatory and punitive day-to-day realities described by other residents. This duality - claims of warmth and community on one hand, and accusations of intimidation and punitive governance on the other - appears repeatedly across the reviews.

Several reviews zero in on the culture and tone set by the HOA staff. Terms like "rude," "power hungry," "dictators," and "threatening to sue" illustrate a perception of a micromanaged environment where day-to-day interactions feel adversarial. Commenters describe being marginally informed and often ignored when trying to resolve issues, with reports of calls going to voicemail and instances where work orders are tied up in fines rather than being addressed promptly. The sense that "if you're not part of the network, you'll be ostracized" underscores fears of a social climate that punishes rather than supports residents who try to advocate for themselves. The most pointed criticisms focus on the willingness to "take you to court" for mundane concerns, painting a picture of a system prioritizing legal leverage over cooperative problem-solving.

Amidst the harsh critiques, there are voices of caution and practical guidance. Some reviewers advise prospective buyers to look elsewhere, to talk directly to town authorities, or to verify the reputation before making a move, especially if one values an active social life or expects straightforward, resident-friendly governance. Others offer a pragmatic counterpoint: in certain villages, there are "great flea markets," lively activity groups, and a sense of neighborliness that can still make the community feel livable and neighborly. A few residents praise specific leaders or volunteers - such as activity coordinators or long-standing volunteers - who bring energy and warmth to events, suggesting that the social fabric can be strong when the right people are driving it.

In sum, the landscape of experiences within this HOA-supported retirement living community is far from uniform. There is a persistent core of frustration about governance, fines, and maintenance practices that makes many residents wary and hurtful to the general reputation of the villages. At the same time, there are clear threads of appreciation for safety, location, affordability, and a vibrant slate of activities that can deliver real value and enjoyment to those who find harmonious alignments with the association's rules and culture. For potential residents, the overarching takeaway is to weigh the strong sense of community and practical conveniences against the powerful complaints about governance style and financial practices. The decision to move in, as many acknowledge, depends heavily on one's tolerance for rules, the attitude of the local HOA leadership, and one's willingness to engage with the system to make it work - or to seek alternatives if the balance feels skewed toward conflict.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.2 miles)
• Stop & Shop Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (5.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (6.1 miles)

Physicians

• Whiting Medical Associates (1 miles)
• Whiting Foot & Ankle (1.2 miles)
• Atlantic Ent Assoc PA (5.7 miles)
• Sinha Prabhat, MD (5.8 miles)
• Renal Center (6 miles)
• Physician's Surgicenter (6 miles)
• Anil Kumar Sharma (6.1 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (4.3 miles)
• Applebee's (4.9 miles)
• McDonald's (6.2 miles)
• Burger King (6.4 miles)
• Wendy's (7.8 miles)
• Office Restaurant & Lounge & Sushi Bar (8.2 miles)
• McDonald's (8.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Community Medical Center For Kids & Family (6.7 miles)
• Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Toms River Lakehurst Road (7.6 miles)
• Children’s Specialized Hospital Outpatient and Long Term Care Center – Toms River Stevens Road (7.8 miles)
• Lacey Diagnostic Imaging Center (10.5 miles)
• Southern Ocean Center For Health (10.8 miles)

Parks

• Jakes Branch County Park (7.8 miles)
• Gille Park (11.7 miles)

Transportation

• Toms River Bus Terminal (8.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Presbyterian Church of Toms River (9.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (9.5 miles)